Functional Medicine Focuses on Supporting the Body Before Chasing Symptoms
I’ve recently run across the term, ‘foundations before fixes’ – Due to the overwhelming amount of information we are bombarded with on a daily basis, our brain has to filter and decipher what’s important to deal with in the moment, and what can be tucked away for later.
The house that functional medicine built begins with “foundations before fixes.” Lasting wellness can only be created when the body’s core systems are supported before chasing symptoms or quick solutions.
The Fixes: Why Supplements and Solutions Work Best After the Foundations Are Strong
Before we talk about taking magnesium for better sleep or berberine for blood sugar stabilization, it is important to ask lots of questions. How is your diet? Are you eating enough protein? Is your blood sugar balanced throughout the day? Is your digestive system actually absorbing the nutrients you are providing?
Are you sleeping well and waking up feeling refreshed, renewed and recovered?
How about your nervous system? Are chronic stress and exhaustion a part of your daily life and you’ve simply learned to “accept it,” move on, and power through your day?
Are you ‘frying’ your nervous system because ‘ALL the things’ beg for your attention and you feel the need to respond immediately?
The nervous system affects everything, including the ability to digest, integrate and respond to the remedies you might be taking.
This isn’t about doing more or doing less, but rather about doing things in the right order, kind of like building a house – you don’t want to start constructing the roof, when the foundation and walls are not secure.
When it comes to health and wellness, many people are searching for the next “magic” supplement or trending remedy. Magnesium for sleep. Berberine for blood sugar. Adaptogens for stress. While these tools can certainly be helpful, functional medicine often asks a more important question first: Are the foundations of health actually in place?
The Foundation: Supporting Sleep, Nutrition, Digestion, and Stress Before Seeking Quick Fixes
The phrase “foundations before fixes” perfectly reflects the philosophy behind holistic and functional medicine. Before adding more supplements or protocols, it is important to step back and evaluate the basics.
Healing is not about doing more. It is about doing things in the right order.
Think of it like building a house — you would never start with the roof before securing the foundation and walls. The same is true for your health.
At Dr. Beth Bartlett, the Functional Medicine goal is to help patients identify and strengthen those foundations so the body can heal and function the way it was designed to.