The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will instruct his patient in the care of the human frame in diet and in the cause of preventing disease.   - Thomas Edison

I remember growing up when our family doctor made house calls. Looking back, it was a time of innocence; mainly the innocence of my youth, but also of society in the U.S. During that time, most people did not question authority in business, government or medicine. That tendency still exists today, especially with older generations and particularly in regard to medicine. My dad’s motto is, “If the doctor said it, then it’s true.” It is, however, refreshingly evident that dad’s opinion is not as prevalent as it was a few short decades ago.

Functional medicine has evolved as the linchpin between conventional Western medicine and the complementary/alternative modalities that have gained popularity in recent decades. It provides a new road map for physicians that listens to, understands and addresses the underlying systems of the body, rather than strictly diagnosing and treating symptoms with pharmaceuticals and/or surgery. The delivery paradigm in our current healthcare is starting to shift, and functional medicine is moving to the forefront.

If an accident occurs and acute, emergency medical treatment is needed, there are few places better than the U.S. in which to receive it. However, despite spending more on health care than the next 10 top-spending countries combined, the U.S. has the most chronic disease and the shortest life span of all industrialized nations. A new approach is obviously needed to regain long-term health in our country. Chronic disease doesn’t happen overnight. It usually manifests with symptoms alerting us to pay attention long before a crisis point. It’s exciting that we now have a new, functional and practical approach to help us get healthy earlier, rather than later.

Natural Awakenings magazine is proud to be part of the educational and connective network providing you with the information and resources you need to take personal responsibility and an active role in the lifestyle changes needed to positively impact the health and well-being of your family. You’ll find the resources within these pages that will help you move toward optimal health in body, mind and spirit. Please share this information with those you love and remember to tell our advertisers that you found them in Natural Awakenings.

Our publishing team wishes you a happy new year, filled with health and well-being, as you remember to feel good, live simply and laugh more.

Dave