Functional Medicine Offers a More Patient-Centric Approach to Improved Health

June 29, 2021/in Functional Medicine, Health, News /by Matthew Thorson

There’s no denying it; the practice of medicine has evolved over the years, and it’s all for a good cause. New diseases and viruses are emerging and reemerging, hence the need for more innovative and advanced medical approaches to help combat the infections more effectively. Solutions like telemedicine, immunotherapy, point-of-care (POC), diagnostics, Functional Medicine, etc., are proving to offer a more patient-centric approach to improved healthcare.

Today, we focus solely on Functional Medicine. What is it, how is it different from conventional medicine, and how is it changing healthcare provision for the better? These and more details are available in the section below. So let’s go!

Functional Medicine (FM) Overview: What Is It?

The Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) defines Functional Medicine as “an individualized, patient-centered, science-based approach which empowers patients and practitioners to work together to address the underlying root cause of disease and promote optimal wellness.”

Put otherwise; Functional Medicine is an alternative approach to healthcare, where the practitioner aims to comprehensively understand the patient’s medical history, genetics, lifestyle, and biochemical factors. The practitioner then leverages data analytics to draw insights from the collected information and design a customized treatment plan for improved patient health.

FM shifts away from the conventional disease-centered approach to medical practice in that it focuses on the whole person rather than an isolated symptom. Thus, it allows practitioners to address disease complexities exhaustively, leaving no stone unturned. Come to think of it, one condition such as a chronic disease may result from different causes like genetics, lifestyle, or environmental factors. In the same regard, one cause may be the root of multiple conditions. And that’s why you need the Functional Medicine approach for improved healthcare, as it focuses on particular manifestations of diseases for each patient.

How is Functional Medicine Different from Conventional Medicine?

Perhaps the most apparent difference between functional medicine and conventional medicine is that the latter treats patients based on their symptoms, whereas the former digs out the underlying causes of disease. Below are five other differences that prove that FM is a more superior approach to healthcare provision.

Patient-Centered vs. Doctor-Centered

Functional Medicine promotes health holistically by following the patient-centered care evaluation approach. That means the practitioner listens and learns from what the patient’s going through before developing a tailor-made treatment plan to address the individual-specific needs. However, we can’t say the same about the conventional medicine approach, where the healthcare provider examines the patient’s symptoms for diagnosis without caring what caused the symptoms.

Health-Oriented vs. Disease-Oriented

In the conventional approach, the practitioner aims to identify a disease by examining symptom patterns and combating/treating them by prescribing drugs used to treat any other patient with a similar illness. On the flip side, FM aims to promote health improvement and vitality for each patient. As such, the practitioner digs into the factors that cause disease and recommend the right treatments for returning the patient to their original optimal health. Beyond medication, FM treatment may involve diet changes, proper nutrition, regular exercising, etc.

Cost-Effective vs. Expensive

FM is overly cost-effective for patients in the long run because it aims to unmask the root cause of disease and prevent it from resurfacing in the future through sustainable treatments and lifestyle changes. On the other hand, conventional medicine requires patients to purchase costly medications that they may need to take indefinitely. Even worse, there’s no guarantee that the drugs may resolve the underlying issue. Instead, most of them only suppress the symptoms.

Holistic vs. Specialized

With Functional Medicine, one practitioner can holistically take care of any patient, regardless of whether the underlying issue falls in their area of practice or not. However, that’s not the case with conventional medicine; it separates practitioners depending on their specific specialties, such as gynecology, psychiatry, immunology, neurology, etc.

How Functional Medicine Improves Health and Healthcare Provision

Functional Medicine is what the healthcare industry has been missing to enable patients to achieve optimal levels of health restoration while saving on costs. The patient-centered approach puts more power in an individual’s hands, allowing them to control their wellbeing and make sustainable lifestyle changes to enhance their health.

Overall, FM improves patient health and healthcare provision by:

Improving Patient Engagement

The FM approach is designed to empower patients to be co-creators of their health and wellbeing alongside the medical practitioners. The patient and the clinician have a mutual relationship, and they both develop and implement a suitable treatment plan to improve the former’s wellbeing. This engagement increases the patient’s commitment to fully implement the treatment plan for the sake of their health and wellbeing.

Accelerating the Clinical Adoption of Scientific Discovery

Did you know that there’s usually a 15-17 year gap between scientific discovery and its clinical adoption in conventional medical practice? FM drastically reduces this gap by using evidence-backed findings to translate scientific breakthroughs into clinical solutions in real-time. FM clinicians adopt innovative medical solutions earlier and combine them with a patient-centered approach to improve healthcare.

Offering a New Operating System

FM’s never-seen-before clinical model brings a new approach to assessing, diagnosing, preventing, and treating chronic diseases. And the results? Conditions that were believed to be untreatable in the outdated disease-oriented practice have been resolved hassle-free by Functional Medicine.

Incorporating the Latest Medical Technologies

After collecting patient information, FM leverages the latest technologies in data analytics, systems biology, genetic science, etc., to derive valuable and accurate insights concerning specific conditions and their causes. These technologies help practitioners understand how lifestyle, genetics, and environmental factors cause diseases to emerge and progress.

Final Say

Overall, it is safe to state that Functional Medicine is the face of improved health and healthcare provision. The patient-centric approach aims at treating the whole person, not just their symptoms – and it works! Even more amazingly, the treatment provides a long-term solution to devastating conditions by offering sustainable medications and promoting lifestyle changes. That means you won’t need to spend frequently on expensive drugs, which only suppress the symptoms in most instances.

Ready to try out Functional Medicine for your long-standing conditions? Great! Schedule a consultation with one of our highly trained physicians, and begin your journey to lasting health improvement. Here’s to living healthily ever after!

Is Ketamine Therapy Effective in Treating Depression?

June 2, 2021/in Ketamine, News, Pain /by Matthew Thorson

If we had to list the most common mental health disorders, depression would be way up there. According to the World Health Organization, over 260 million individuals across the board suffer from depression globally. If left untreated, depression can even lead to suicide, an occurrence that can leave many heartbroken and affect the labor market considerably.

This type of mental disorder cannot be defined as just normal sadness. If you go through a bitter experience, you’re likely to feel unhappy and sad. That’s normal. But when it comes to depression, it is usually characterized by other symptoms such as:

Hopelessness
Suicidal Ideation
Extreme Sadness
Lack of interest in most activities, if not all
A change in sleep patterns
Weight changes
A shift in appetite
Inability to concentrate
Constant memory problems
Difficulty in making decisions
Irritable
Physical pain
Stomach issues
Headaches
Constant fatigue

As if the above symptoms are not enough, this mood disorder has been linked to autoimmune diseases. It is not unlikely for a person suffering from this specific mood disorder to also have diabetes, arthritis, and even cardiovascular issues.

While the cause of this type of mental disorder is not clear yet, there are a few contributing factors. As stated by the National Institute of Mental Health, it can be triggered by:

Environmental factors
Psychological factors
Genetic and biological factors

Before we proceed, this article aims to talk about one main treatment option for depression: Ketamine. But before we get into that, we must explore the other options.

Treatment Options

Regardless of how debilitating the condition is, it can and should be treated. Before treatment was discovered, the mood disorder under discussion could cause suicidal thoughts and even the action itself. The symptoms can affect someone’s career and relationships.

There are several ways depression can be treated, such as:

The use of Antidepressants such as SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
Lifestyle changes such as physical activity, a diet change and sleeping more
Psychotherapy methods such as Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Ketamine Therapy

Depending on how severe the condition is, one can receive one of the above options or a combination. But what do you do if the above choices don’t work? This is where Ketamine comes in to use.

Ketamine Treatment for Depression

In 1960, Ketamine was used in the War to treat injured militaries. The treatment was used as anesthesia. Today, the drug isn’t just used in prescription form to treat persistent pain and even PTSD. Two years ago, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permitted the drug to be used to treat depression. But not just any type of depression, but the treatment-resistant depression.

When all the other treatment choices don’t work, this is the choice most turn to.

Prior to the approval of the drug, it was still being used to treat the condition due to its effectiveness.

FDA approval has ensured that the drug’s availability is limited and is given by physicians accordingly. The only way to legally get access to this drug is through a certified doctor or physician to treat major depressive disorder, pain, or PTSD. Any other way of access to it would be considered illegal and for illegal use.

How Does the Therapy Work?

Ketamine functions as an antidepressant. However, there’s a major difference between antidepressants and Ketamine. For instance, normal antidepressants target areas in the brain, such as neurotransmitters that deal with the release and reabsorption of serotonin. Ketamine, on the other hand, targets the NMDA receptors found in the brain.

Let’s break apart how the drug works for a better understanding. Once the drug, Ketamine, is consumed, it attaches itself to the NMDA receptors. Once it has done this, the drug stimulates the release of a hormone known as glutamate.

Glutamate is what activates AMPA receptors to set about a process called synaptogenesis. Synaptogenesis causes the release of specific molecules that encourage neurons to communicate. This, according to research, has a positive impact on one’s cognitive process and mood.

How Is It Administered?

Two types of Ketamine are used in dealing with depression that has resisted other forms of treatments. They include:

The FDA approved Nasal Spray: Officially known as Spravato or Esketamine; this type uses the S molecule of Ketamine explicitly.
Intravenous Ketamine: Also known as Racemic Ketamine or IV, this type is infused into the blood. Unlike the Nasal Spray, it uses the S and R ketamine.

Is the Therapy Effective?

Ketamine doesn’t always work for everyone, and research is yet to uncover why. But if it does, it’s quite effective. For instance, intravenous Ketamine is known to cause a positive response after a maximum of three blood infusions. However, if the doctor sees no response from the patient, they are advised to seek other treatment options. Perhaps even a Nasal Spray might work, as long as the patient remains under medical supervision while using it.

In line with the directon of the National Institute of Mental Health, Ketamine should be administered intravenously. This way, its effectiveness is increased and will likely work better than antidepressants.

What Are the Benefits of This Treatment?

High rate of success: Research has found that it is highly effective in treating severe depression.
Acts quickly: Ketamine needs countable hours to start working and effectively treating your depression.
Provides pain relief: This takes out the need for narcotic and more addictive painkillers.
Has a calming effect: This makes it a suitable drug during surgery since it will help maintain low blood pressure.

In conclusion, Ketamine is not only approved but highly effective in treating major depression. It’s a much safer option than other medications that encourage the development of an addiction. This is true since only a few sessions can help reap positive results.

Here, at Advanced Spine and Pain Clinics of Minnesota, we offer effective ketamine therapy and many more. If you’re unsure where to look for help, look at our website to learn more about us. But if you’re ready to start treatment, book an appointment with us today. Do feel free to browse through our blog for more information.

Dr. Matthew Thorson Featured by Mpls. St.Paul Magazine for Expertise in Regenerative Medicine

November 25, 2019/in News /by Matthew Thorson

Mpls. St.Paul Magazine recently released its 2019 ‘Faces of Minneapolis-Saint Paul’ special edition, which features our own Dr. Matthew Thorson as the face of Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Thorson is one of the leading regional experts using Regenerative Medicine to treat chronic pain and illness, helping patients avoid surgery by offering a wide range of non-surgical treatments. View the feature below to learn more – to schedule a consultation with Dr. Thorson or any of our expert providers, call (612) 207-7463.

Best Places to Live if you Have Chronic Pain

August 25, 2019/in News /by Matthew Thorson

Although many people assume it’s a myth, the climate in which you live can have an impact on your chronic pain. In this article, we will talk about how weather and climate can affect your pain, and some of the best areas to live if you are in chronic pain.

How Weather & Climate Impact Pain

You may have heard your grandpa complain about knee pain when it gets cold or right before a storm. It’s been parodied in movies, tv, books, etc. for decades, and many people assume it’s just an old wives tale (i.e. not true).

But the truth is that cold weather can lead to an increase in joint pain. Changes in air pressure can also lead to headaches and pain in the joints – especially in people who suffer from arthritis or chronic pain conditions.

Knowing that, you may assume that warm weather climates are the best for people who suffer from chronic pain. Many older patients do migrate to warmer climates when they retire, and one of those reasons is often to ease their chronic joint pain. However, there are many other considerations you need to take into account before packing up your life and moving.

Other Considerations

Of course, weather should not be your sole criteria when you are considering a move to lessen your pain. Family, friends, work, and other considerations should take precedent. One of the most important things you need in the fight against chronic pain is a pain management doctor who understands your condition. If you already have a trusted pain doctor in your area, that may be reason enough to stay put (even if you live in a frozen tundra like Minnesota). A great doctor in a cold climate is better than a bad doctor in a warm climate.

If you have any questions about how to treat your chronic pain, contact a pain management physician as soon as possible. At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN, our board-certified pain doctors have been treating Minnesotans with all manner of pain conditions for over 20 years. Call our office today to set up your appointment.

How Pain Impacts Your Vital Signs

May 8, 2019/in News /by Matthew Thorson

Vital signs are measurements of the body’s basic functions. Doctors routinely check these vitals in emergency situations, as well as during routine checkups to get a sense of the patient’s overall health and well-being. There are four basic vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and respiration. In this article we will talk about how pain can influence a patient’s vital signs.

Temperature

Testing your internal body temperature is a good way to tell if your body is suffering from an infection or other malady. Pain often goes hand-in-hand with an increased body temperature. When your body is dealing with an injury, illness, or infection, your temperature goes up as your body attempts to resolve the issue at hand.

Pulse

Pulse is a measurement of your heart rate. Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals often check your pulse by holding two fingers to your wrist or neck and counting the heart beats. An increase in heart rate is a typical response to pain in the body.

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is a measurement of the pressure of the blood within the body’s circulatory system. Increased blood pressure is another common bodily response to pain.

Respiration

Respiration is a test of your ability to breathe. When your doctor uses his or her stethoscope and tells you to breathe in and out during a clinic visit, they are checking your respiration rate.

At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN we treat the full scope of a patient’s pain and other symptoms. Our pain management physicians have over twenty years of experience helping Minnesotans reduce their pain and keep it at bay. If you are going through life in pain, stop dealing with it and get the medical attention you need. Call today to set up your own appointment with a pain physician who can diagnose and treat your pain. Our primary clinic is located in Edina, but we treat patients throughout the Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs.