Nutritional Based TherapiesThe importance of a balanced diet is common to both Eastern and Western medicine. In evaluating a patient's nutritional status, I use an approach central to functional medicine. This model shifts the traditional disease-centered focus of medical care to one that is more patient-centered, addressing the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms. Practitioners spend more time looking into the interactions among genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors that can influence long-term health and influence complex chronic disease processes.
Patient Centered care. The focus of functional medicine is on patient centered care, promoting health as a positive source of vitality, above and beyond the definition of the absence of disease. Science-based healthcare. Functional medicine focuses more on "upstream" causes of illness, and explores the patient's history, physiology and lifestyle choices. Integrating medical disciplines. Functional medicine integrates traditional Western medical practices with "alternative" or "complementary" medicine, creating a focus on prevention through nutrition, exercise and diet. This approach also employs the latest laboratory testing and diagnostic techniques, is able to prescribe combinations of Western medications with herbal medications, supplements and therapeutic diet plans. |
 "Dr. Etges is always present, listening and sharing his skills from both a background in Western and Eastern medicine. He has a great bedside manner, and is willing to discuss the plan for your health care and pain management. I have directly experienced his skills in diagnosis and treatment. " |
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