What is Functional Medicine and is it part of the Registered Nurse Scope of Practice?
When we look a disease from a Functional Medicine lens we ask why and how. Why do our clients have an illness or symptom and how specifically is it manifesting? (The Institute for Functional Medicine, 2022). The Institute of Functional medicine views the goal to restore the body and health by addressing the root cause (IFM, 2022). Before a diagnosis of a Chronic Disease in western medicine, that disease is usually preceded by declining function in one or more body system. So, to prevent that disease manifestation we need to restore health by looking at the specific dysfunction in the body’s systems. Functional Medicine provided the tools, methods, and science-based knowledge so that the clinicians identify the dysfunction and restore health and promote balance.
As a Functional Medicine practitioner, my practice is informed by these core processes: gene-environment interactions, upstream signal modulations, system biology-based approach, multimodal treatment plan(s), understanding the client’s context, and patient centered and direct care (IFM, 2022). So, what does this mean? As a Functional Medicine practitioner, I am building my understanding in the metabolic processes in each person with target intervention specific to the clients’ genes and environmental interactions. I recognize that a lifetime of events can cause inflammation in the body. This inflammation has been directly linked to many diseases (Ferrucci L., & Fabbri E.). So instead of using drugs to block inflammation (ibuprofen is a common drug used to treat inflammation), functional medicine looks at system-based approaches address lifestyle, nutritional imbalances, and other inflammatory contributions. I look at the body as a complex matrix versus a specific organ or system that is being affected. I truly look at you as a unique and complicated being.
Some of the treatment plans I can utilize as a Functional medicine practitioner and RN can include diet education, recommendations in body movement, education on sleep and rest, stress management, education and recommendations on supplements specific to you and what your lab values are telling us. Sometimes I will work with your primary care practitioner (for example, your doctor or Nurse Practitioner) for pharmaceutical therapies. Furthermore, empower you to be your own advocate in the complex medical system.
When I break down Functional Medicine with a nursing lens I am seeing so much overlap. So much of functional Medicine is in my RN scope. One main role as nurses is education (BCCMN, 2022). We teach our clients in every encounter, weather we realize it or not. Education is one of the foundations in client care when practicing functional medicine. As I begin to study Functional Medicine I realize how much overlap exists with my nursing education, but often we don’t have the time or the priority in modern medicine to talk to our clients about healthy food choices, stress, lifestyle, environmental exposures… and more. I know for me I went into nursing to serve and have a passion for upstream preventative care. However, I have often been disappointed in how little upstream care our system provides. Now I can see the path I am meant to be on. Serving my clients with a science based approach, an upstream preventative lens that gives the clients the strength and knowledge to heal themselves.
This is an exciting shift for me, and I cannot wait to share my personal RN, Nurse Coach and functional medicine collaboration to women who are feeling exhausted, burned out and unfulfilled. It doesn’t have to be that way. You can live a life FULL OF ENERGY, JOY, and EMOTIONAL REGULATION.
References:
BCCMN. (2022). Registered Nurses Scope of Practice Standards, Limits, Conditions. Scope of Practice for Registered Nurses (bccnm.ca)
Ferrucci L, & Fabbri E. (2018). Inflammageing: chronic inflammation in ageing, cardiovascular disease, and frailty. Nat Rev Cardiol.15(9):505-522. Doi:10.1038/s41569-018-0064-2
The Institute for Functional Medicine. ( 2022). Functional Medicine a Clinical Model to Address Chronic Disease and Promote Well-Being. Portals - INCA_2022 (widencollective.com)
