Moreover, they are both intentionally aware of their patients as human beings and acknowledge that diet, lifestyle, and emotional and social behavior affect health and disease. Functional medicine chiropractors: providing patient-centered careДЄs evident, functional and chiropractic medicine are individualized, meaning patients have choices and decision-making opportunities that increase their involvement in their health care plan. To dive deeper, if a patient reports to a chiropractic clinic with the complaint of chronic back pain, in addition to providing palliative and corrective care to the patient, the chiropractor might also address or refer out to have the patient assessed for other causes of systemic inflammation that may be perpetuating the patientвЂ™s chronic back pain.

One of the most popular approaches in functional medicine and for chiropractors is identifying and relieving stress as part of a patient-centered approach. These conditions then turn into chronic illness, often a result of inflammation in the body, stress, or lack of exercise, among other root causes. Many of these conditions are caused by preventable behaviors, yet ultimately require medical attention. Six out of 10 Americans suffer from at least one chronic disease such as diabetes, heart disease or cancer. Whether a chiropractor chooses to adopt a functional medicine framework in their practice or just work alongside a functional medicine doctor and provide musculoskeletal support, there is a vast need in the world and marketplace. They understand the relationships between biomechanics, nutrition, health and illness, which are key components to the functional medicine model. 3Д¬hiropractors are trained to provide evidence-based and conservative treatment to the body. According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, there are вЂњ369 diseases and injuries with 87 risk factors in 204 countries and territories.вЂќ 2 With so many potential illnesses that can plague us, one thing is clear: Prevention of disease must become the goal of both patients and physicians. This is critical as the world is facing more health challenges today than ever before. It takes a holistic approach to treating the entire body, and not just specific pain. When looking at the basis of what functional medicine encompasses, it makes sense that incorporating standard chiropractic or musculoskeletal treatment as a part of functional medicine is an added and innovative way of treating disease. Chiropractic contribution to functional medicine In todayвЂ™s world, chiropractors are some of the most well-rounded health care providers, and most suitable for providing functional medicine services to their patients.

Chiropractors have extensive training and education in a variety of areas, including biochemistry, nutrition, laboratory testing and clinical skills, which are all highly relevant to functional medicine. Chiropractors already have the background and existing mindset that plays to the tune of functional medicine.