Orland Park Chiropractor, Orland Park Illinois: Active life chiropractic center

What is Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine is personalized medicine that is dedicated to prevention, early assessment, and improved management of complex, chronic disease to correct core clinical imbalances and thereby restore each patient's functionality and health to the greatest extent possible. Instead of treating symptoms, we seek to find and correct the underlying problems. Dr. Jendra spends time with her patients, listening to their histories and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex, chronic disease. In this way, functional medicine supports the unique expression of health and vitality for each individual.

Why Do We Need Functional Medicine?

Our society is experiencing a sharp increase in the number of people who suffer from complex, chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, mental illness, and autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis.

The system of medicine practiced by most physicians is oriented toward acute care, the diagnosis and treatment of trauma or illness that is of short duration and in need of urgent care, such as appendicitis or a broken leg. Physicians apply specific, prescribed treatments such as drugs or surgery that aim to treat the immediate problem or symptom.

Unfortunately, the acute-care approach to medicine lacks the proper methodology and tools for preventing and treating complex, chronic disease. In most cases it does not take into account the unique genetic makeup of each individual or factors such as environmental exposures to toxins and the aspects of today’s lifestyle that have a direct influence on the rise in chronic disease in modern Western society.

A Comprehensive Approach to Treatment

Most imbalances in functionality can be addressed; some can be completely restored to optimum function, and others can be substantially improved.

Prevention is paramount. Virtually every complex, chronic disease is preceded by long-term disturbances in functionality.

Changing how the systems function can have a major impact on the patient’s health. Dr. Jendra examines a wide array of available interventions and customizes a treatment plan including those with the most impact on underlying functionality.

Treatment may include combinations of nutritional supplements, therapeutic diets, or detoxification programs. They may also include counseling on lifestyle, exercise, or stress-management techniques.

As a patient, you become an active partner in your treatment. This allows you to really be in charge of improving your own health and changing the outcome of disease.

If you would like a complementary consultation with Dr. Jendra to see if the Functional Medicine approach can help you, please download and print our nutritional questionnaire on the office forms tab. Once you fill it out, fax it to our office with your email or telephone number, and you will be contacted to set up your appt. If you have any questions please call our office.