What are Root Causes?
In the context of health, Root Causes refer to the fundamental, underlying causes that drive symptoms and ultimately chronic conditions. They are the factors that prevent your body from self-balancing, self-correcting, and self-healing. Root Causes can be related to deficiencies, toxicity or injury. They are the most basic, essential causes that, if addressed, can eliminate (or significantly reduce) your chronic condition(s).
Root Cause Analysis is the process of identifying and understanding the underlying causes at the core of your health issues. To get to the bottom of your health issues, a Functional Health Practitioner will thoroughly examine all aspects of your life, including lifestyle, nutrition, hydration, activity level, sleep habits, stress levels, and environmental factors. Once root causes are identified, addressed, and resolved, you may finally take control and take action to restore Optimal Health.
The Conventional Diagnosis Paradigm (aka “What”)
The current Conventional Model of Medicine is strongly focused on assigning a diagnosis (aka “what”) to a constellation of symptoms which seem to be associated with an underlying pathology.
When it comes to chronic conditions, this model typically labels the condition based on a group of symptoms (“diagnosis”) and provides the approved boilerplate treatment for managing/suppressing the symptoms of this diagnosis (usually “prescriptions” or “procedures”). This approach is referred to by the medical community as “standard of care”.
Attempting to suppress a symptom while ignoring the underlying Root Cause is like covering the check engine light in your car and fooling yourself that all is well now that the light is no longer visible. Will that really solve the problem? Of course not!
The Functional Get-to-the-Root Paradigm (aka “Why”)
In contrast, the Functional Health Model strives to answer the question “Why did you develop a particular condition?” rather than “What condition do you have?”
Functional Health Practitioners also seek to determine what you can do to prevent the progression of, and even reverse, your condition. While this approach takes a lot more time (certainly more than today’s 10-15 minute acute care-centric visit) and requires a more rigorous review of medical histories, more-targeted lab testing, and extended ongoing support and coaching, it actually can help you achieve long-term, sustainable improvement and healing.
More than 50% of all Americans (adults and children)
have at least one major chronic disease.
Still not Sure What YOUR Root Causes are?
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One third of Americans take prescription medications that could potentially cause depression or increase the risk of suicide.
Ready to Dive Deeper into YOUR Root Causes?
Our ASSESS Your Root Causes video series is designed with you busy bees in mind – they are short, packed with practical knowledge and resources, and can be watched or listened to on the go. These videos are offered free of charge to our e-learning community. So, what are you waiting for? Join our e-Learning Platform for FREE and start enjoying them right away!
Our goal is to inspire and empower you to take charge of your health NOW. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Not “whenever you get to it.” But NOW. No excuses. Let’s start your journey back to optimal health now!
