Britt Larson, IFBB Pro & Functional Medicine Practitioner
In today’s fast-paced world, we often rely on conventional medicine to provide us with answers when something feels off in our bodies. However, what happens when you experience symptoms that don’t neatly fit into the black-and-white disease model?
This is where the field of functional medicine & nutrition comes into play.
Functional medicine practitioners and health coaches understand the importance of listening to your body and advocating for yourself, even when conventional medicine falls short. In this blog post, we will explore why it is crucial to embrace the gray area and trust your gut, both figuratively and literally.
- The Limitations of Conventional Medicine
Conventional medicine follows a disease-centric approach, focusing on diagnosing and treating specific conditions. While this model is effective for many cases, it can overlook mild to severe symptoms or issues that do not fit neatly into predefined categories. Think: black/white and grey areas. This is where functional medicine steps in. It recognizes that every individual is unique and aims to address the root causes of symptoms rather than merely suppressing them. I want to know what is causing this symptom so we can go after it at the source.
2. The Power of Self-Advocacy
Advocating for yourself means taking an active role in your own health journey. This is often overlooked for a myriad of reasons: it’s exhausting, makes the client/patient feel crazy, and it’s honestly HARD to do when you’re fighting an uphill battle. However, it’s extremely important work to do for yourself when you sense that something is off. It’s essential to trust your instincts and seek answers. Functional methods empowers individuals to become their own health advocates, encouraging them to ask questions, conduct research, and seek second opinions if needed. By listening to your body and advocating for yourself, you take control of your well-being and open doors to more personalized and comprehensive care.
Functional Medicine and care saved my life; it brought back a quality of living that I had been so conditioned to believe was not attainable. I would not be typing this now if I followed the black and white methodology that is beat into our system of care. I would likely still be in a walker with a prescribed pain medication addiction.
3. Listening to Your Gut – Literally
Our gut is often referred to as our “second brain” due to its intricate connection with our overall health. Intuition plays a vital role in recognizing digestive disturbances or imbalances that may not present as clear-cut diseases. Symptoms such as bloating, irregular bowel movements, or food sensitivities can be early indicators of underlying issues. By tuning in to our gut and recognizing these signals, we can proactively address imbalances before they evolve into more significant problems. When we think “leaky gut” we also think “leaky brain” since the two are so intrinsically connected.
4. Embracing the Gray Area
Functional medicine acknowledges that health is complex and interconnected. It recognizes that symptoms are often multifaceted and not easily categorized. This gray area challenges the conventional black-and-white disease model but provides an opportunity for a more holistic and personalized approach. By embracing the gray area, functional medicine practitioners and health coaches can help individuals navigate through their unique health journeys with tailored interventions based on their specific needs.
5. The Importance of Collaboration
Listening to your body and advocating for yourself goes hand in hand with finding the right healthcare team. A team that does not brush you off, but a team that cares about your well-being. Functional practitioners can provide valuable guidance and support, helping you make informed decisions about your health. By fostering a collaborative relationship, you can work together to identify underlying imbalances, develop personalized treatment plans, and achieve optimal well-being.
In a world where conventional medicine often falls short, functional coaching offers an alternative path to wellness. By listening to your body, trusting your intuition, and advocating for yourself, you take control of your health journey. Embracing the gray areas and seeking out personalized care can lead to a more comprehensive approach that addresses root causes rather than merely managing symptoms. This can be a positive life-changing experience.
Remember, you are the expert on your own body, and by honoring that, you empower yourself to live a vibrant and healthy life.
I would like to be very clear on my stance when it comes to conventional medicine: in the right setting, it is life-saving. Break a bone? Go to the doctor. Heart attack/stroke symptoms? Please, get to the doctor. Need a surgical procedure? Again, you need a qualified professional trained in that area. Conventional shines in the black/white and it is their job to save your life in emergencies. But do they ask about your diet? How about your stress levels? Sleep? Likely not, and in my personal experience & listening to others, it’s pretty rare unless you have a holistic practitioner or someone who knows how important those lifestyle factors are. So, when it comes to the grey area that conventional medicine is not taught to navigate? Seek a functional practitioner who knows what tests and methods could potentially help you. Unfortunately, once someone comes to us seeking answers, we often find that the patient/client has been ignored and pushed to the side while in a dis optimal and chronically grey state, and if it’s not taken care of it CAN slide over into a full blown disease process. If you feel something is off, speak up.
If you feel frustrated and defeated, like you may be in a grey area, find someone in the functional realm and get a second opinion. You can also reach out to me personally and we can chat to help you get going in the direction of healing.
Until next time, friends, live limitless & embrace the adventure!
COACH B
http://www.limitlessphysiques.com
Disclaimer: Ms. Larson is not a medical doctor, does not provide medical advice, and is not a registered dietitian. The contents contained in this blog are not medical advice, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any health problem and you should always consult a qualified practitioner regarding matters of your health.