Functional medicine, defined, and how it supports a healthy path forward

Functional Medicine Doctor in Stamford CT Area

The strict definition of “functional” refers to how something works or operates, whereas “medicine” is basically the practice of preventing, diagnosing, and treating disease. As a functional medicine doctor, our providers at the Connecticut Center for Integrative Medicine in Stamford prevent, diagnose, and treat disease by focusing on how a specific part of the body or organ functions. This approach gets to the heart of what may be causing your symptoms or dysfunction so that we can treat the underlying problem – and not just ease the symptoms in the short term. Real and sustained relief from pain and so much more starts by finding and resolving the cause of your distress and other symptoms that can take over your life.

How do you assess for “function”?

As indicated, assessments and diagnostics play a very important role at our office and within functional medicine as a whole. We cannot create a roadmap for treatment until after tests have been done that evaluate how a certain part of the body may be functioning. The specific tests that may be ordered are always personalized to your needs and may be based on specific concerns that brought you to our office in the first place. No relationship with our patients would be complete without a very thorough, initial 90-minute assessment. Our diagnostic services range from comprehensive bloodwork to stool, urine, and saliva testing.

What conditions do you treat?

When parts of our bodies are not functioning properly, it can give rise to seemingly countless health concerns. Some of the more common problems that we treat are listed on this website, and they include GI distress, chronic pain, insomnia, fatigue, depression and anxiety, brain fog and other cognitive issues, and depression and anxiety. These more common complaints may also be symptomatic or secondary to a range of conditions we treat, or they may be the primary condition. We have had great success in helping our patients manage their weight, keep their diabetes in check, and balance their hormones, among many other conditions explored on this site and treated by our highly qualified practitioners.

What treatments do you offer?

Practices that restrict themselves to one type of medicine or group of therapies are limiting. They are actually doing a disservice to their patients, as they may be missing a treatment that could prove invaluable to the individuals under their care. At CTCIM, we take a comprehensive approach in all that we do – from complete and thorough testing to considering the full menu of conventional medicine therapies. Our holistic approach to considering your self (biology), your story (biography/lived experiences), and your environment (ecology) demands that we pull from a lot of different areas; for instance, simply prescribing a pill will not address the challenges or obstacles that may be associated with unresolved issues related to your story and past experiences. Some of the interventions we offer that are not associated with “traditional” healthcare settings include naturopathic lifestyle medicine and counseling, biofeedback and mind-body medicine, and acupuncture.

Call Our Office for More Information

Stamford, CT: (866) 320-6402 | Manhattan, NY: (917) 477-3538 |
Established Patients Call: (929) 379-0920
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What role do I play?

We are glad you asked, as functional medicine is changing the dynamic between doctor and patient for the better. This approach encourages patients to be active participants in their health care. Instead of giving you a pill as the answer to your problems, we instill real and lasting change by recommending modifications to your lifestyle. These modifications to the likes of nutrition, physical activity, sleep hygiene, and so on can only be done by the patient; we can’t do them for you. So, to make a real positive difference in your health, there must be “buy-in” from you. We help you to feel empowered and well-informed about steps to renewed health and well-being. You are not alone in this pursuit, as we also function as accountability partners to keep you on track and excited about this new path forward.

If you are interested in more information about what functional medicine can do for you, request an appointment today! The Connecticut Center for Integrative Medicine is located in Stamford and serves the greater Fairfield, CT, and Westchester County area. Call (866) 320-6402 to speak with a member of our team.

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Connecticut Center for Integrative Medicine is a multi-disciplinary team of providers that work collaboratively to assist you on your healthcare journey. Taking a truly holistic approach that honors your unique needs, the team will work with you to get you sustainably well.

Dr. Robert Kachko, Founder and Director of the Connecticut Center for Integrative Medicine, is a pioneer in Naturopathic and Integrative Medicine and has developed an extensive bio-psychosocial methodology for people living with chronic diseases. As Past President of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, Dr. Kachko advocates for healthcare reform to allow everyone access to the kind of care our clinic provides.