ABOUT FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE
Functional medicine became part of Dr. Seaton's practice in 2008 after attending the basic, week-long course Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice through the Institute for Functional Medicine. She was certified in Functional Medicine in 2013 through the Institute for Functional Medicine.
Functional medicine addresses symptoms by treating their underlying causes and promoting prevention of serious chronic disease. It is a science-based health care practice that recognizes environmental, genetic and physiologial factors of each patient. It examines how stress, diet, exercise, and environment affect hormonal and neurological function.
Because many physiological imbalances originate in nutritional deficiencies, functional medicine emphasizes optimizing gut function. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome (insulin resistance), and many other conditions respond well to this approach with minimal or no need for medication.
To identify and address dysfunction, Dr. Seaton examines a patient's diet, exercise, medical and psychological history. Diagnosis might include blood tests, nutritional sensitivity, and body composition evaluation. Achieving optimal health involves exercise and nutritional programs that often include herbal supplementation and stress-reduction.