There’s an old saying that goes, “couldn’t have said any better myself,” so I won’t. The bulk of this week’s post will be paraphrased from a seminar manual courtesy of Apex Energetics. This company offers intense seminars equipped with extensive education and protocols, as well as supplements which can be used to assist in attaining and sustaining wellness. Outside of the traditional chiropractic and functional neurology training, this application of functional medicine covers another important angle of health that should be addressed.
When speaking of a basic assessment of one’s well-being (or lack thereof) another aspect that should be checked on patients are their various levels through blood chemistry analysis. What we are talking about here are things like a CBC (complete blood count), lipid panel, thyroid panel, chemistry panel, etc. Many of these tests can be done through drawing blood and can identify potential imbalances that if not addressed could impede or prevent recovery.
It makes sense, at least to me that the option of utilizing the technology to measure these levels should be taken advantage of in order to get the full picture and maximize results. Rather than chase symptoms with drugs and shots in the dark, blood chemistry analysis can paint a picture of what’s going on internally. Once a deficit is discovered, (or confidently ruled out), it can be addressed directly while further investigation is done into the actual cause of the deficit. It also provides a baseline if done when the practitioner-patient relationship begins. If and when something does go wrong, the levels can be rechecked and potentially negative changes identified and addressed.
The following excerpt sums up the what, the why, and a unique perspective to this concept:
“There are two main types of ranges in the field of blood chemistry analysis: a pathological range and a functional range. The pathological range is used to diagnosis disease. The functional range is used to assess the risk for disease before the disease develops. The references that are provided with laboratory tests results are referred to as “the pathological range,” because if the test results are out of range, it usually indicates potential for pathology or disease. The main difference between functional range and pathological range is the degree of deviation allowed within their normal ranges. For example, the functional range for glucose may be 85-100 mg/dl, but the pathological range may be 65-127 mg/dl. Levels above the pathological range may indicate diabetes. Levels above the functional range but before they reach the extremes of the pathological range may indicate insulin resistance and future risk for developing diabetes.” (This would be nice to know, wouldn’t it? Like we said last week, checking and addressing the loose wheels before they fall off.)
“Conventional medical training is concerned with diagnosis of disease and rarely preventative medicine; therefore clients are usually not consulted regarding the parameters of the functional range. Healthcare professionals that practice preventative medicine are those most inclined to incorporate consulting with clients when their levels present outside of the functional range. If biomarkers can be managed before they fall within pathological range, preventative medicine can be practiced.” (This can prevent the messy and expensive clean-up usually involved once it’s too late. The ability to apply and take advantage of this concept should excite patient and practitioner alike.)
“When lab results fall within patterns of a functional imbalance, strategies such as lifestyle, diet, nutrition, and other noninvasive therapies may be recommended. Many traditional healthcare professionals do not embrace the concept of a functional range. They believe that care should only be provided when disease is present. This view is generally formed from conventional medical training, which ignores philosophies of preventative medicine and nutrition. Tradition medical training teaches healthcare professionals to evaluate blood chemistry in comparison to ranges that determine pathology. If pathology is not present, the client is considered “healthy.”
The main difference between healthcare professionals who embrace or reject functional ranges boils down to the definition of “health.” Some healthcare professionals define “health” as the absence of disease, and therefore, if you are not diseased, then you must be “healthy.” Other healthcare professionals define health as being free of disease, but also having adequate energy levels, healthy digestion, ideal physiological function, etc. It is obvious that those in society who feel that prevention and “health” are more than just being disease free will embrace the importance of the functional range, and those who view “health” as only being free of disease will only accept the validity of the pathological range.”
This form of medicine stresses the same philosophy and can be intertwined with the application of chiropractic and functional neurology. While all can be used to address and rectify problems, their potential can truly be maximized in a preventative role. Being routinely checked by a functional practitioner can leave you feeling confident that you are doing all you can to stack the deck in your favor.
For whatever reason, we have all been fortunate enough to be granted the gift of life and our body serves as the vessel that we have been afforded to navigate this treacherous terrain. It is our responsibility to respect and take care of that vessel so that it may serve as that vehicle that allows us to make the most out of our limited time. Take that next step towards striving and start collaborating with a functional practitioner today.
As a follow up to last week’s attention paid to the events that transpired in Boston, I have a link I’d like to invite you to check out. With the frequency at which these events seem to be occurring recently, it’s only matter of time before it touches us each personally. A close childhood friend of mine from the Sparta, New Jersey days was actually at the finish line with his wife and sister in-law at the time of the blast, and are amongst those 200 plus seriously wounded.
Click the link. Read the story. And if you can, do a good deed for the day.
Clarke Chiropractic and Wellness 