Functional Medicine
The Lauriston Centre uses a Functional Nutrition approach to restore health by supporting the body's natural healing mechanisms and promoting balance in bodily systems.
The patient-centred approach to healthcare seeks to identify and address the root causes of disease rather than just treating symptoms. It integrates insights from conventional medicine, nutrition, genetics, and lifestyle factors to create a highly personalised, holistic treatment plan. Functional medicine practitioners work to restore optimal health and development.
Key principles of Functional Medicine:
Root Cause Focus
Rather than treating only the symptoms, functional medicine aims to identify the underlying causes of disease. For instance, two patients with the same symptoms might receive different treatments because the root cause of their symptoms is different (e.g., one might have a nutritional deficiency, and the other might have chronic inflammation).
Patient-Centred Care
Functional medicine places a strong emphasis on building a therapeutic partnership between the patient and the practitioner. It considers a patient's unique genetic, biochemical, and lifestyle factors, which is why comprehensive health histories, including diet, stress, sleep, and environmental exposures, are vital in this approach.
Whole-System Approach
Functional medicine treats the body as an interconnected system. For example, issues with the gut can affect mental health, and hormone imbalances can impact the immune system. By looking at the whole system, practitioners aim to restore balance across all aspects of a person’s health.
Preventative and Lifestyle-Oriented
Functional medicine often emphasises prevention by encouraging lifestyle and behavioural changes. It addresses factors such as diet, physical activity, sleep, and stress to reduce the risk of disease development and progression.
Benefits of a Functional Medicine approach to rebalancing health in Neurodiverse conditions
A functional medicine approach can lead to:
Improved focus and attention
Improved social communication skills
Improved behaviour and sensory issues
Improved motor skills
Improved sleep
Improved energy levels and nutrient absorption
Reduced inflammation
Reduced infections
Better mood regulation through a healthier gut-brain connection
Prevention of chronic diseases related to poor digestion (e.g., autoimmune diseases, metabolic disorders)
Greater overall quality of life
By focusing on the underlying causes and addressing the whole person rather than isolated symptoms, functional medicine can effectively support and restore optimal health and development.