Introduction to Functional Medicine

This two day course will consist of both lecture and hands on learning, including a brief physiological review of, and functional medicine perspective on, the integumentary, digestive, immune and endocrine systems, and their role in chronic disease. Participants will learn how to recognize and assess dysfunction within these systems via advanced physical exam techniques, psychosomatic assessment and affective cues from his/her patient. 

Participants will learn primary underlying causes of these visible and subjective manifestations of disease, as well as key nutritional and psychological strategies to clinically manage and empower patients to individually manage the condition in his/her daily life. Some of the specific conditions that will be covered are: chronic skin issues, inflammatory bowel disease manifestations, seasonal and food related allergies, endocrine disorders, hormonal imbalances, etc. This is also an opportunity for practitioner self-discovery in the manifestations of dysfunction that have been undiagnosed within their own body. By learning what our own bodies are telling us, we gain a deeper understanding of what our patients’ bodies are telling us.

Seminar Goals:

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the principles of Functional Medicine.
• Review physiological importance of integumentary, digestive, immune and endocrine systems through a Functional Medicine perspective.
• Learn key physical and psychosomatic exam signs of disease in that are often missed in conventional clinical practice.
• Learn nutritional and dietary strategies to manage chronic health conditions.
• Discover potential deficiencies and imbalances within the physician himself/herself.

Monday Morning you will be able to:

• Identify key physical and psychosomatic signs/symptoms in patients outside of the musculoskeletal system.
• Implement dietary and supplemental therapies with patients according to the Functional Medicine model of disease management.
• Implement personal lifestyle changes based on the perspective gained of one’s own health through a Functional Medicine lens.