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Want to know how you can find the best functional medicine doctors in Chicago? Click here to find out 5 things you should look for!

Functional medicine is the future of the health industry.

Why?

Functional medicine doctors don't treat your symptoms. Instead, these doctors find and correct the underlying cause of the problem. In other words, their practice involves the optimal wellness of the body, meaning they avoid expensive tests and medications when they can. This type of medicine can be a helpful and alternative option for many people. But finding the best functional medicine doctors in Chicago can be difficult. We've put together a quick list of five things you should look for during your search.

1. The Right Type of Functional Medicine Doctors

Before you start looking for a functional medicine doctor, you should understand the different types you can find. Depending on your condition, you might benefit from one of these doctors more than you would another. So it's important to do your research and understand their credentials and backgrounds.

Here's a quick breakdown of the most common functional medicine doctors.

Medical Doctor (M.D.)

A medical doctor is someone who went through traditional medical school but later decided to get additional training in integrative and functional medicine. Their traditional medical background gives them the ability to order tests and prescribe medications (should you need them). These doctors are able to blend their conventional training with other alternative practices, which can be incredibly helpful.

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)

Like medical doctors, doctors of osteopathic medicine also went through traditional medical school. Because of this, they are also able to prescribe medications or other types of treatment as necessary. Since these doctors have more focus on the surgeon aspect of the job, they tend to focus on your body as a whole rather than focusing solely on your symptoms.

Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.)

Chiropractors primarily treat orthopedic dysfunction and other types of injuries. However, many chiropractors practice functional medicine as well. But chiropractors can't prescribe medications or order tests. If you do need additional treatment, they can refer you to a medical doctor.

Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (N.D.)

These functional medicine doctors avoid surgeries, tests, and prescription drugs. Instead, they practice alternative treatments, such as herbalism, nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathy, and lifestyle coaching. The credentials for these types of doctors can vary by state. So make sure you do your research. Otherwise, you could end up with someone claiming to be an N.D. without having the proper experience or background.

2. High Rank in a Google Search

The best—and quickest—way to find functional medicine doctors in your area is to start with Google. A simple search of " functional medicine doctors near me " should bring up several different options. Look through the results and make a shortlist of your favorite doctors. Make sure you have three to four different choices. You can narrow them down later.

If you have a specific condition you want to treat, it can be helpful to search for a functional medicine doctor based on your condition. This will help you find doctors who specialize in the treatment you need. And don't pass up your friends and family. While Google is a helpful tool, your friends and family can give you an unbiased review of their experiences with functional medicine doctors. Even if you don't think your friends or family members know any of these doctors, it never hurts to ask. They might be able to point you in the right direction.

3. Positive Online Reviews

Once you've picked your favorite doctors out of the search results, spend some time reading their online reviews. This will give you a chance to learn what past patients thought of them. It'll also give you a better idea of how each doctor works and behaves. But don't just look at the reviews on their websites. Look up each doctor on review sites, such as Yelp.

If any of the reviews provided contact information, it might be a good idea to reach out and ask them more questions about their experience. After all, you're getting ready to trust one of these doctors with your health. You want to make sure you get a good one. One or two negative reviews shouldn't necessarily make you worry. If all the other reviews are positive, those few negative reviews probably aren't the norm. However, you should stay away from doctors that have several bad reviews. That's not a good sign.

4. Comfortable Initial Consult

You should set up an initial consultation with your favorite doctor—or favorite two or three. This will give you the chance to talk to the doctor in person and learn more about who they are, how they behave, and what type of treatment they provide. They should see themselves as your partner in health. In other words, they should be willing to spend time with you, keep in informed during treatment, listen to you, and make you feel comfortable.

They shouldn't promise you any cures or recommend expensive or excessive testing, medication, or supplements. Listen to your instincts. If you and the doctor don't have good chemistry or if they ever make you uncomfortable, it's probably a better idea to go somewhere else.

5. Good First Appointment

Don't make your final decision until you schedule your first appointment. You can learn a lot about a functional medical doctor during a consultation, but you won't get to see them in action. Set up a basic appointment and see how it goes. If you don't like something about how they work, it might be worth checking out a few other doctors instead of sticking with it. Finding the Best Functional Medicine Doctors in Chicago

When you know what to look for, finding the best functional medicine doctors in Chicago isn't hard. But you do have to invest some time and effort into researching your options. Otherwise, you could end up with someone who isn't qualified and isn't helpful.

Not sure how to get started? Make sure you click here to set up a free consultation with us today!