Dr. Michael Turcotte
Educator of Holistic Healthcare and Traditional Naturopathy
A PRIVATE MEMBER NON-PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENT
Functional Medicine
​
What is Functional Medicine is and what it is not
Functional Medicine (FM), sometimes referred to as "Non-conventional", "Drug-less" "Alternative" "Complimentary" or "Comprehensive" Medicine. The Practice of Functional Medicine as defined is using a foundation of medically based scientific explanations of how each of the body systems function optimally and or medically defined dysfunction; assessing each system (muscle,organ,tissue or cell) individually. Then taking a broad deep look and considering every system as a whole; assessing how it's effects individual case or condition; effected by the balances or imbalances with the body; Educating developing a practitioner-patient partnership; then to come up with a natural plan/protocol to to correct and monitor imbalances with the purpose of restoring health; as a form of personalized health care that focuses on identifying herbal, homeopathy, nutritional, diet, exercise, prayer, and other lifestyle factors that can be changed to improve overall health, vitality and wellness.
In essence, functional medicine is not mainstream or traditional medicine. These functional medicine are natural drug fee methods and do not include conventional drugs, diagnosis, cure or litigation of diseases and No medications, controlled substances, drugs, surgeries, injections, etc are used. The goal of this Functional Medical partnership is to bring the patient back to health by identifying what internal and external lifestyle factors should be changed based on the unique circumstances and genetics of the individual. Core partnership beliefs must consist of the points listed below.
​
-
Acknowledging the biochemical individuality of each human being, based on concepts of genetic and environmental uniqueness
​
-
Incorporating a patient-centered rather than a disease-centered approach to treatment
​
-
Seeking a dynamic balance among the internal and external factors in a patient’s body, mind, and spirit
​
-
Addressing the web-like interconnections of internal physiological factors
​
-
Identifying health as a positive vitality—not merely the absence of disease—and emphasizing those factors that encourage a vigorous physiology
​
-
Promoting organ reserve as a means of enhancing the health span, not just the life span, of each patient
​
-
Functional Medicine is a science-using profession
Functional Medicine Philosophy
DNA science dictates that each patient is a unique individual with a unique set of genetics and biochemistry, as well as a unique set of environmental and lifestyle factors. These genetic/environment interactions are complex not simple. For example, two people could potentially have the same health issues with a completely different set of causes. Because of this, the approach of Functional Medicine is to identify how a person’s genetics are at odds with their genetic expressions, environment, digestion and metal/emotional behaviors so that they can be educated on how to make comprehensive changes to restore balance with lifestyle interventions.
Some of the the components of the functional medicine approach include:
-
Comprehensive health history
​
-
Genetic Testing
​
-
Evaluation of the patient’s lifestyle and environmental factors.
​
-
Functional outcomes based on conventional medical reports along with non-conventional laboratory biological terrain assessments to identify ideals and imbalances.
​
-
Read outcomes from outsources test(s) i.e. hair follicle and blood protein reaction (food sensitivities) tests, and other medically diagnostic data provided by you that can tell us of environmental exposures, food allergies, and more.
​
-
Education based approach so that ultimately the patient is less dependent on the doctor to maintain their health.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Conventional Medicine Philosophy
Based on modern biomedical science and is an “all in lab evidence-based medicine” understanding the biochemical and structure and function of the human body cells and disease-causing agents such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa, virus, etc. gives a clear and detailed view of human genes; i.e. recently disclosed gene-map has even revealed our fundamental genetic make-up: a belief that the conventional medicine is the only science based predominant healing system in the world. Thus only using conventional diagnosis labs, medical doctors and other healthcare professionals (such as nurses, pharmacists, and therapists) treat symptoms and diseases using drugs, radiation, or surgery called allopathic medicine, biomedicine, mainstream medicine, orthodox medicine, and Western medicine. One of the biggest problems in traditional conventional medicine today is that physicians don’t train in nutrition or physical fitness, yet these two factors are arguably the most important components to preventing disease and it’s progression. This lack of fundamental health knowledge typically leads to the broad application of using medicines to treat symptoms – i.e.
​
-
Pain Drugs to treat swollen bones, joints, headaches, other discomfort based diseases
-
Immune suppressing Drugs in the case of low immune conditions like lupus and RA.
-
Stomach acid blocker Drugs to treat sour stomach
-
Antibiotics to treat skin inflammation
-
Hormones Drugs to treat blood sugar imbalances, thyroid inefficiencies, imbalances systems or glands, etc..
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Conclusion
No medicine is able to solve every problem i.e. Cancer. With chronic diseases, the Mainstream medicine is not always enough to be accommodating for three main reasons. First, because no two individuals are the same, ideal medication has to be individualized. Second, although the analytical approach is powerful, being linear is the weakness of mainstream medicine. Because the human body is an open, large, and complex system, it is impossible to understand it by analyzing its single subsystems alone. Third, in this simplified model, human body's role in the disease pathogenesis has disappeared. In reality, viral infections consist of two sides, the invading virus and the body's reactions to this invasion. i.e. within the conventional medical model, the human body's reactions and pathological changes are rarely taken into account. So, the treatment strategy for chronic diseases such as Hepatitis C rarely includes measures to help the restoration of the liver and other body functions.
​
If you are Considering Functional Medicine
One prerequisite is that you download our Free e-book Here.
Your education is a key part of our partnership and imperative to the process of your healing and in your return to vibrant health. I will do my very best to provide the information you need and answer any questions you may have about the health recovery plan I suggest for you. As part of our partnership it is required that you begin by reading our free e-book called "Lessons from the Miracle Doctors" This book covers most areas of our protocols and the science behind our belief system and is a great way to start taking charge of your healthcare. This can be obtained by registering by clicking the "Free Report" link located within the menu tabs or clicking here. I always establish a joint partnership with every patient. We do not orchestrate any health care regiment. Functional medicine is a partner ship where the your bodily functions are evaluated and you take charge as we assist you on your journey. Through communication and specific suggestions and guidance and joint efforts, results are very achievable. The diagram(s) above represents part of my functional medicine/nutrition paradigm.
Therapies are quite gentle yet very effective; we include dietary and lifestyle modifications, Botanical herbal medicine, Pre-formulated Homeopathic Remedies, Supplementation, Essential oils, Myofascial Therapy or Visceral Manipulation. Not just paying attention to your physical symptoms, but your whole-person; everything that contribute to your life: mental factors, emotional distress, life stress, spiritual balance, fears and phobias and of course we take your medical history or data into consideration. AND WE PRAY. We believe together we must encourage your powerful innate ability for your body to correct itself into balance and heal.
​
Call me today so we can meet and we can discover if we are a good fit. There is no charge for this call :))
Functional Medicine is Influenced by Four Factors
For a Diagnosis and prescription Drug “quick fix” you must see your Conventional Medical Doctor. If you are being medically treated or you are under a Conventional doctor’s care then we might be a great addition for you. If you want to investigate a relationship focused on holistic, nutritional and lifestyle guidance, Functional Medicine may be right for you. Whether you are local in Houston or Boston or Connecticut or far away (out of state or country), click HERE to get more information.
*It is important to note that Functional Medicine and or Pastoral Science Medicine is not the same as the practice of conventional medicine or prescription drug medicine.
Michael Turcotte is not an Medical Doctor. He will not prescribe medications.
He will evaluate your health from a natural functioning perspective.
The Side Effects (Deaths)
This approach can be dangerous for several reasons. Using medicine to mask symptoms does not lead to resolution of medical conditions. However; masking the symptoms leads to a complacent patient while allowing the underlying disease-imbalanced process to continue unabated. In essence the disease process goes unchecked leading to future complications. Using medications can lead to medically recognized “Drug Induced Moderate Nutritional Deficiencies” that are reported causing a whole new set of problems that lead to the use of even more medications. Using medications and the intended “Bio-chemical reactions” comes with the potential of creating “side effects” that either cause additional problems, or lead to adding even more medication to “treat the side effects”.
A recent study published in the British Medical Journal found traditional medical care to be the third leading cause of death in the US. In essence, mainstream, traditional medicine is drug focused. Drugs are prescribed to mask symptoms without concern for the root cause of the disease. Drug companies have a huge influence over what is being taught in medical schools. Additionally, drug companies are allowed to advertise to consumers directly. Both of these practices are extremely unethical with obvious conflict of interests, and can lead to numerous problems.