{"id":351,"date":"2024-07-02T11:12:04","date_gmt":"2024-07-02T10:12:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/?p=351"},"modified":"2025-07-29T10:39:07","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T09:39:07","slug":"how-is-functional-medicine-different","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/it\/how-is-functional-medicine-different\/","title":{"rendered":"How Is Functional Medicine Different from Most GP Appointments?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"block-69ee23e38c106 giantpeach-articlebanner relative\">\n  <div class=\"relative -z-10\">\n    <picture class=\"block not-prose overflow-hidden  h-[100vh] h-[90svh] lg:h-[80vh] lg:min-h-[400px] min-h-[500px]\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/img\/2025\/02\/Fit-man-on-beaach--scaled.jpg?w=375&amp;h=480&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2&amp;q=100&amp;fm=webp\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n  \n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/img\/2025\/02\/Fit-man-on-beaach--scaled.jpg?w=375&amp;h=480&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2&amp;q=100\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" \/>\n  \n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/img\/2025\/02\/Fit-man-on-beaach--scaled.jpg?w=1024&amp;h=768&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2&amp;q=100&amp;fm=webp\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n  \n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/img\/2025\/02\/Fit-man-on-beaach--scaled.jpg?w=1024&amp;h=768&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2&amp;q=100\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" \/>\n  \n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/img\/2025\/02\/Fit-man-on-beaach--scaled.jpg?w=1600&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2&amp;q=100&amp;fm=webp\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n  \n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/img\/2025\/02\/Fit-man-on-beaach--scaled.jpg?w=1600&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2&amp;q=100\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px)\" \/>\n  \n    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" w-full !h-full object-cover\" src=\"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/img\/2025\/02\/Fit-man-on-beaach--scaled.jpg?w=1600&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2&amp;q=100\" alt=\"\"  \n    width=\"1600\" height=\"450\" \/>\n  \n  <\/picture>  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"absolute left-0 top-0 w-full flex items-center justify-center bg-black\/40 has-text-color has-beige-color h-full\">\n    <div class=\"content\">\n      <div class=\"md:px-6 lg:px-0 md:w-4\/5 lg:w-3\/5 mx-auto\">\n        <div class=\"transition-block-prose prose text-center !static\">\n          <div class=\"has-text-align-center is-style-eyebrow mb-4 \">\n            <p class=\"text-[14px] opacity-80\">2 July 2024<\/p>\n\n                          <div class=\"leading-none divide-x flex flex-wrap gap-y-2 items-center justify-center\">\n                                  <a class=\"inline-block border-white\/50 px-2 duration-100 text-white\/80 hover:text-white\/100\" href=\"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/it\/news\/?category=overall-health\">Overall Health<\/a>\n                              <\/div>\n                      <\/div>\n\n          <h1>How Is Functional Medicine Different from Most GP Appointments?<\/h1>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"banner-scroll-down absolute bottom-0 left-1\/2 -translate-x-1\/2 text-[0px] text-center\" onclick=\"this.closest('.giantpeach-articlebanner')?.nextElementSibling?.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'start', inline: 'nearest' });\">\n        <span class=\"block uppercase text-12 lg:text-14 tracking-widest font-normal whitespace-nowrap\">Learn more<\/span>\n        <div class=\"inline-block w-[2px] relative mt-5\">\n          <div class=\"absolute bottom-full left-0 bg-current h-[14px] w-full anim-anim-scroll-icon\"><\/div>\n          <div class=\"h-[46px] bg-current opacity-25\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/button>\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h2>\n\n\n<section class=\"block-69ee23e394d99 giantpeach-articlecontent pt-14 pb-8 lg:py-20 \">\n  <div class=\"content\">\n    <div class=\"lg:w-4\/5 lg:mx-auto\">\n      <div class=\"article-content-blocks prose \">\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">An Experience That Puts You First<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>True wellbeing often starts with feeling truly heard. Many people find themselves wanting a more attentive approach to their health with time to share their story, ask questions, and look beyond surface-level symptoms. This is where functional medicine stands apart, placing you and your unique needs at the centre of every conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most noticeable differences is the time and care given to your experience. While most GP visits are brief, functional medicine appointments often last an hour or more. There is space for genuine conversation, where your Functional Medical Doctors listens closely and builds a detailed picture of your health history, daily life, environment, and family background. Every aspect of your story is considered, and you are encouraged to share what matters most to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Looking Beyond Symptoms<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Traditional GP care is invaluable for acute problems and emergencies. Yet, it can sometimes focus on addressing symptoms as quickly as possible, relying on standard tests and routine treatments. Functional medicine offers a broader perspective. Functional Medical Doctors are trained to ask not only \u201cwhat is happening?\u201d but \u201cwhy is this happening?\u201d Using advanced diagnostics and a holistic lens, they seek to uncover the root causes of illness, recognising that genetics, nutrition, stress, sleep, and emotional wellbeing all play a role in your overall health. As Dr Mayoni Gooneratne describes it, \u201cWe see every symptom and sign from a cell-up perspective. Rather than just asking what you can take to fix it, we ask what has gone wrong and where.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Personalised Care<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Care in functional medicine is always tailored around you. No two health journeys are the same. Your care plan is designed to reflect your personal history, values, and goals, which may include recommendations for nutrition, movement, sleep, stress management, and, where appropriate, supplements. The PHC Method\u00ae blends the latest in medical science with holistic therapies, ensuring your plan nurtures both body and mind. You are invited to play an active role in shaping your health, and your preferences are always respected. At every stage, Functional Medical Doctors are there to educate, encourage, and empower you to make meaningful changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A key difference is the use of advanced and comprehensive testing. GP care typically relies on standard laboratory results and imaging, which are essential for immediate diagnosis and acute care. Functional medicine looks deeper, using in-depth lab work, genetic analysis, and functional assessments. These help to reveal imbalances or early warning signs that might not appear in routine testing, supporting care that is more precise and proactive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Supporting the Whole Person<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>At the core of functional medicine is a truly person-centred philosophy. Your values, comfort, and preferences guide every decision. The experience is collaborative, and family or loved ones can be involved if you wish. Functional Medical Doctors consider your emotional and social wellbeing alongside your physical health, and aim to support you as a whole person, not just a set of symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This approach is especially well suited to people navigating complex or ongoing health concerns. Functional medicine can support a wide variety of needs, including autoimmune conditions like Addison\u2019s Disease or Lupus; cardiovascular health issues such as high blood pressure and cholesterol; digestive and gut health problems from IBS and Crohn\u2019s to food sensitivities; hormonal and women\u2019s health needs including endometriosis and thyroid disorders; as well as men\u2019s health, mental health, metabolic, neurological, skin, sleep, and fatigue conditions. Every care plan is thoughtfully matched to the individual, and guidance is always available if you have questions about your specific situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A More Complete Approach to Health<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Functional medicine and conventional healthcare each bring their own strengths. While conventional medicine is essential for acute and urgent needs, functional medicine excels at addressing chronic concerns, prevention, and long-term wellbeing. By combining both approaches, you receive immediate relief and evidence-based treatments when needed, alongside in-depth, root-cause analysis and personalised lifestyle support for ongoing health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This integrated, collaborative model where doctors and Functional Medical Doctors work together with mutual respect and open communication, often leads to better management of chronic conditions, higher patient satisfaction, and truly comprehensive care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the heart of your experience is the PHC Method\u00ae: a unique system aligning ten key elements, from nutrition and detoxification to mindset, emotional health, and ancient therapies. This approach respects the interconnectedness of body and mind, helping you move towards a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life. As Dr Mayoni puts it, \u201cWe are here with you for the long distance, not just the sprint.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re looking for a new standard of care, where your story and goals are truly heard, functional medicine may be the right step for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Enquire now to start your journey to better health.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n  \n  \n      <a \n      href=\"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/contact\/\" \n      class=\"block-btn not-prose wp-element-button btn  wp-block-giantpeach-button\" \n      target=\"\" \n      rel=\"default\"\n    >\n      <span>Get in touch<\/span>\n    <\/a>\n  \n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<section class=\"block-69ee23e396f9c giantpeach-newsrelated content pt-14 pb-8 lg:py-20 overflow-hidden\">\n\n      <div class=\"transition-block-prose flex justify-between md:items-center mb-10 lg:mb-14 flex-col md:flex-row gap-3\">\n      <div>\n        <h2 class=\"text-orange\">Related News<\/h2>\n      <\/div>\n          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class=\"block not-prose overflow-hidden   duration-300 group-hover\/articletile:scale-[1.05] glide-active:lg:scale-[1.05] \">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/img\/2025\/02\/Fit-man-on-beaach--scaled.jpg?w=300&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2&amp;q=100&amp;fm=webp\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n  \n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/img\/2025\/02\/Fit-man-on-beaach--scaled.jpg?w=300&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2&amp;q=100\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" \/>\n  \n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/img\/2025\/02\/Fit-man-on-beaach--scaled.jpg?w=400&amp;h=600&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2&amp;q=100&amp;fm=webp\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n  \n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/img\/2025\/02\/Fit-man-on-beaach--scaled.jpg?w=400&amp;h=600&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2&amp;q=100\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" \/>\n  \n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/img\/2025\/02\/Fit-man-on-beaach--scaled.jpg?w=400&amp;h=600&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2&amp;q=100&amp;fm=webp\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n  \n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/img\/2025\/02\/Fit-man-on-beaach--scaled.jpg?w=400&amp;h=600&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2&amp;q=100\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px)\" \/>\n  \n    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" w-full !h-full object-cover\" src=\"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/img\/2025\/02\/Fit-man-on-beaach--scaled.jpg?w=400&amp;h=600&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2&amp;q=100\" alt=\"\"  \n    width=\"400\" height=\"600\" \/>\n  \n  <\/picture>      <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"absolute left-0 top-0 w-full h-full bg-gradient-dark opacity-50 group-hover\/articletile:opacity-100 glide-active:lg:opacity-100 duration-300\"><\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"absolute left-0 bottom-0 w-full min-h-[70%] pl-9 py-12 pr-5 z-10 xl:pl-10 xl:pb-10 whitespace-normal flex flex-col\">\n\n    \n    <h3 class=\"mt-1 mb-4 text-26\">How Is Functional Medicine Different from Most GP Appointments?<\/h3>\n    \n          <div class=\"mb-6 text-16\/[1.4] text-light\">At the core of functional medicine is a truly person-centred philosophy. <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"mt-auto\">\n                \n  \n      <button\n      type=\"button\" \n      class=\"block-btn not-prose wp-element-button btn  btn--beige max-md:px-[25px] group-hover\/articletile:bg-orange group-hover\/articletile:text-beige glide-active:lg:bg-orange glide-active:lg:text-beige duration-300\" \n    >\n      <span>Read Article<\/span>\n    <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/a>\n            <\/div>\n                      <div class=\"glide__slide xl:!w-auto\">\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/it\/autem-vitae-ullam-odit-deleniti-dolor\/\" class=\"bg-orange block relative has-text-color has-beige-color text-beige prose group\/articletile\">\n\n  <div class=\"duration-300 overflow-hidden\">\n          <picture class=\"block not-prose overflow-hidden   duration-300 group-hover\/articletile:scale-[1.05] glide-active:lg:scale-[1.05] \">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/img\/2025\/01\/shutterstock_1940410141-scaled.jpg?w=300&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2&amp;q=100&amp;fm=webp\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n  \n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/img\/2025\/01\/shutterstock_1940410141-scaled.jpg?w=300&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2&amp;q=100\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" \/>\n  \n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/img\/2025\/01\/shutterstock_1940410141-scaled.jpg?w=400&amp;h=600&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2&amp;q=100&amp;fm=webp\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n  \n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/img\/2025\/01\/shutterstock_1940410141-scaled.jpg?w=400&amp;h=600&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2&amp;q=100\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" \/>\n  \n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/img\/2025\/01\/shutterstock_1940410141-scaled.jpg?w=400&amp;h=600&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2&amp;q=100&amp;fm=webp\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n  \n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/img\/2025\/01\/shutterstock_1940410141-scaled.jpg?w=400&amp;h=600&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2&amp;q=100\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px)\" \/>\n  \n    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" w-full !h-full object-cover\" src=\"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/img\/2025\/01\/shutterstock_1940410141-scaled.jpg?w=400&amp;h=600&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2&amp;q=100\" alt=\"\"  \n    width=\"400\" height=\"600\" \/>\n  \n  <\/picture>      <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"absolute left-0 top-0 w-full h-full 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\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At the core of functional medicine is a truly person-centred philosophy. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1405,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-351","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-overall-health"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/351"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=351"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/351\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1697,"href":"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/351\/revisions\/1697"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1405"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=351"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=351"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/phc.giantpeachtest.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=351"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}