by Robin Ellen Leder, M.D.

Contemporary traditional medicine offers so many innovative test options that allow us to discover what goes on in our bodies via radiology and endoscopic approaches, amongst others; lifesaving treatments, and highly targeted therapies are developed almost every day, and life without these breakthroughs would be almost unthinkable. Sometimes, though, one may find oneself with a medical concern that has not been identified, or for which no traditional treatment exists, or where traditional options that do exist do not fit well into one’s life or with one’s body. These instances are actually quite common, and the traditional medical wisdom may simply not offer viable solutions in these cases, and may even go so far as to suggest that such solutions simply do not exist.

In my experience at these times, often a friend, a family member, or occasionally even another health care provider, will suggest the possibility of seeking the advice of a functional medical doctor. And when prospective patients call such doctors, often they will say that “It was suggested to me that I seek a functional medicine practitioner, but what makes this medicine so different?”

Here is a short list of some of the many novel things that someone coming initially to a functional physician might discover about this type of medicine, things that might lead them to schedule a visit; Coming from a belief that traditional medicine is all there is, some of these unique features or offerings of functional medicine might provide a very pleasant surprise.

Top 16 reasons that someone might wish to seek out functional medicine:

  1. Reduce or eliminate current list of medications
  2. Lose weight naturally
  3. Improve mood or diminish anxiety naturally
  4. Improve energy and or focus
  5. Improve sleep
  6. Correct digestive issues without medicine and explore your microbiome
  7. Discover which foods are uniquely right for your body
  8. Achieve natural hormonal balance
  9. Understand autoimmune conditions by investigating the underlying “root” cause
  10. Develop a one-on-one collaborative relationship with a doctor who really listens actively
  11. Obtain in-depth testing to understand what is really going on with your body
  12. Develop a proactive wellness and diet program for longer healthier life
  13. Experience a doctor who combines the best of traditional and alternative medicine
  14. Seek and eliminate hidden toxins and parasites in your body
  15. Treat thyroid, adrenals and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis comprehensively
  16. Achieve improved relationships with family and life partners through couples/ individual counseling

The list is far from comprehensive, but it’s food for thought. If one or more about these reasons coincides with medical realities that you have thought you would like to have in your life, but perhaps didn’t know where to find them in the world of medicine, you might consider exploring the option of functional medicine yourself. Maybe you have these or other needs that are not being met or fully met within the traditional boundaries of medicine; functional medicine just may provide the answers or the opportunities you seek.

Robin Ellen Leder, M.D., has been practicing functional medicine since her mentorship with Dr. Robert Atkins of “The Atkins Diet” fame. In her Hackensack practice, she has assisted and guided thousands of patients to find medical, psychological, and spiritual solutions for their concerns by going slightly outside the box, combining traditional and alternative approaches to find the best individualized path to optimal health and wellness for each patient with whom she works.