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Functional Medicine Doctors in Wichita, KS

What Is Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine is defined as a “systems biology–based approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease” by the Institute for Functional Medicine. Simply, functional medicine, also known as functional health, works to address health complications through a more natural, holistic approach.

Our Functional Health (FH) Approach

Every aspect of the body needs energy. Without producing sufficient clean energy, the body becomes stressed leading to joint pain, muscular pain, emotional distress, hormonal distress, and organ distress. Basically, your overall health becomes compromised due to the lack of producing clean energy. Our Functional Health approach works to restore the energy production systems of the body to generate clean, efficient energy. By strengthening and energizing the host, the body can regulate its systems correctly. This is often thought of as the Terrain Theory. We approach functional medicine through restoring the energetics of the body – not through diagnosing or treating a diagnosis.

Interested in Our Functional Medicine Services?

We offer an a la carte and 3 different Functional Medicine Programs under our Specialty Programs.

FH A La Carte

Pay for consultation as you go
Focus on Medical/Stress History
Bloodwork & Tissue Analysis
Bloodwork and tissue analysis lab cost(s) not included

FH Integrated Programs

Eliminate Pain
Restore Health
Optimize Health

These programs include significant advantages.

What Causes Poor Energy?

When the body is unable to produce energy, the body compensates by releasing stress chemicals. These stress chemicals suppress various organs, ions, vitamins, enzymes, and hormones from functioning optimally and in turn negatively affects energy production.

By restoring energy production pathways within the cell and therefore within the organs, we can break these destructive stress cycles and truly get back to health. In the words of Hans Selye, MD, PhD, ScD, considered the “Father of Stress Research,” “It’s not the stress that kills us, it’s our reaction to it.” How one chooses to address his/her stress and stressors is up to each individual. It is ultimately oxidative stress (oxygen and free radical stress) within our body, causing ATP (energy source) and organ dysfunctions, which in turn causes energy production problems.

Energy production is more than a lack of physical energy throughout the day. Lack of physical energy, throughout the day, means you are not regulating your energy systems correctly. However, this is a symptom not a cause. Energy production is poorly understood with fractionalized treatment approaches within our modern-day healthcare system, which is beautifully articulated by Douglas Wallace, PhD (2005), founder of the field of human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genetics.

“Life is the interplay between structure and energy, yet the role of energy deficiency in human disease has been poorly explored by modern medicine.”

alvin toffler quote graphic

Often, the problem with energy discrepancies is that they occur elsewhere from where our traditional model of healthcare is looking. There are many reasons behind this; within healthcare, we have lost the capability to think critically and challenge conventional thinking which is wonderfully summed up by Alvin Toffler.

To address energy production, we must unlearn and relearn how, where, and why energy production occurs within the body.

Organs and Conditions Commonly Associated with Poor Energy Production

Thyroid:

  • Thyroiditis

  • Hashimoto’s

  • Postpartum thyroiditis

  • Iodine deficiency

  • Non-functioning thyroid gland

  • Graves’ disease

  • Nodules

  • Thyroiditis

  • Excessive iodine

Adrenal Glands:

  • Adrenal Gland Tumors

  • Adrenocortical Carcinoma

  • Cushing Syndrome

  • Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)

  • Pituitary Tumors

  • Pheochromocytoma

  • Adrenal Gland Suppression

  • Addison's Disease

  • Hyperaldosteronism

What is the Difference Between a Functional Medicine Doctor and a Regular Doctor?

Functional medicine doctors are either Naturopaths, Chiropractors, or Medical Doctors. Each profession has the legal ability to practice as a functional medicine doctor. A functional medicine doctor works to facilitate healing through more holistic means – non-pharmacological means.

More often than not, the primary difference between a regular doctor and a functional health doctor is the focus of when interventions are implemented. A functional medicine doctor works to identify and help the body by being proactive and identifying why a person cannot fight off a pathogen (i.e. virus, bacteria, etc.) before a problem manifests. In comparison, a “regular doctor” helps attack a pathogen once it is present; this comes at a cost. To attack the pathogen, you must attack the host. This is a reactive approach to health.

Are You Proactive or Reactive with Your Health?

Simply ask yourself, are you at a point in your life you want to be proactive or reactive regarding your health? If you seek to be proactive, we have options for you. If you are currently experiencing chronic health problems and want help, we consider this proactive. If your desired approach is reactive, e.g. “I’ll wait until I’m sick,” then we are not the right fit for you. Our goal is to help those who want to proactively improve energy production and thrive throughout the years to come.

pregnancy with functional health approach
Dig Deeper into Functional Medicine

Click on any item below to learn more about various aspects of Functional medicine.

Energy Production and Weight Loss

Understanding weight loss is more than calorie counting and food restrictions or elimination. There are many challenges within caloric counting and its accuracies. For many, undesirable weight is a byproduct of inflammation going on within the body. Inflammation is swelling. Inflammation is a sign the body is not producing energy cleanly. As a result, the body produces more “free radicals” – AKA inflammation. Inflammation is a symptom of improper energy production. Address the energy production and you address the inflammation.

Energy Production and Performance

Performance for a power lifter is very different than an ultramarathoner, which may be different than a centurion. Each category or type of performance has different requirements. Addressing performance can expose a dichotomy to life: you cannot have something for nothing. At times, there is a price to pay. There may need to be sacrifice based on your goals – short-term benefits do not necessarily mean long-term benefits.

Best Diet for Health

This is a loaded topic and cannot be quickly addressed. Implementing principles is more important than absolutes. Absolutes change. A principle to appreciate, and implement, is no one diet or eating program reigns supreme overall. There will always be shades of grey and the next, new fad. That said, whichever eating program or diet positively improves energy production within a cell, while not exposing a dichotomy, is on the correct path to reign supreme.

Are There “Accessory” Over-the-Counter Lab Testing Kits We Recommend?

There is no one test which rules them all. The magic happens through blending quality assessments and then guidance into specific testing. This helps to maximize time, results, and energy while reducing expenses over the course of time. There are many tests available too, which is wonderful. However, after years of personal experience, many available tests are checking secondary issues – not the main underlying problem. Due to this, we consult on many accessory lab tests within our al a carte and Specialty Programs.

Foods to Avoid

What is health and healthy eating has become nuanced and frustrating. Live life in 90% health and try not to sweat the 10%. Here is a list of foods to avoid and some in moderation. This is a non-exhaustive list. Some individuals may vary depending on their genetics and health conditions such as thyroid diagnosis, adrenal fatigue, etc.

Avoid

  • All vegetable oils
  • All seed oils
  • All nut oils
  • Canola oil
  • Soybean oil
  • Sunflower oil
  • Omega 3's
  • Fried foods (unless coconut oil)
  • Farm-raised fish
  • Store-bought produce
  • Factory farm meat
  • DHA
  • Algae oil
  • Generic Fish oil
  • Melatonin
  • Gluten
  • Glyphosate
  • Natural flavors/flavorings
  • Flavors & flavorings
  • Aspartame
  • Aspartate
  • GMO's
  • MSG
  • High fructose corn syrup
  • Carrageenan
  • Plant Protein
  • Soy Protein
  • Corn starch
  • Corn syrup

Moderation

  • All sugar substitutes
  • All butter substitutes
  • Iron-fortified foods
  • Stevia
  • Xylitol
  • Erythritol
  • Processed foods
  • Synthetic foods
  • Meat substitutes
  • Cruciferous vegetables
  • Green supplements
  • Lettuces
  • Carbohydrates
  • Tofu
  • Monosodium glutamate
  • Monopotassium glutamate
  • Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
  • Hydrolyzed plant protein
  • Sodium caseinate
  • Calcium caseinate
  • Multi-vitamins
  • Green powders
  • Vitamin D3
  • Zinc
  • Calcium
  • Resveratrol
  • Niacin
  • Citric acid
  • Ascorbic acid
  • Iron

Do You Prescribe Medication?

At this time, we do not offer traditional medication. Our approach is not focused on attacking a pathogen (virus, bacteria, parasite, etc.). Pathogens always exist around us and have since the appearance of, or prior to, that of the human race. A deeper question to ask is, why are others around me not experiencing the same problems? The problem isn’t a pathogen, per se. The problem is your body cannot produce enough clean energy to maintain homeostasis or harmony. Our focus is on improving, balancing, and then maximizing this harmony via the energetics system, AKA energy producing systems, of the body.

Can I Get Off My Medications?

We do not have the legal scope of practice to directly state we can or will take you off your medications. We focus on your symptoms and lab tests as our guide. If you would like to get off your medications throughout this programming, seek counsel with your primary care provider who does have the capacity to take you off them. If you are feeling better and your lab results confirm improvements, then it would be an appropriate time to speak with your primary care doctor.

What If My Primary Care Doctor Will Not Support Me Getting off My Medication?

Unfortunately, this may occur. If you are having this challenge, we can help you find another primary care doctor for a second opinion.

Diagnosing and Treating

Through our functional health approach, we do not diagnose or treat a diagnosis. We work on addressing the energy leaks leading to why your body is not producing clean energy. Think of it this way, being under stress causes a depleted battery. Our goal is to charge your battery, allowing your body to regulate itself.

Content written by Dr. Keith Sparks, DC | Root Cause Protocol (RCP) Consultant, Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) Practitioner, Selective Functional Movement Assessment Certified (SFMA) Certified, Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) Certified Exercise Trainer
Content reviewed by Dr. Rachel Sparks, DC | Root Cause Protocol (RCP) Consultant, Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) Practitioner, Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) Certified Exercise Trainer

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Contact Us with Further Questions

If you are in the Wichita, KS, area and are having frustrations, complications, or stagnant results with care, then contact us for in-person help with our unique healthcare approaches. If you are not within the greater Wichita, KS metro, we have created amazing Telehealth and Video Programs to provide you the same high-quality care. Contact our professional chiropractic staff at our East Wichita clinic or West Wichita clinic about possible treatments for your muscle, joint, nutrition, and health-related concerns today.