How Functional Medicine and Shockwave Therapy Create a Holistic Approach to Chronic Pain Relief
In the modern world of healthcare, treating chronic pain and health issues involves more than simply addressing symptoms. It’s about uncovering the root causes. Whether it’s hormonal imbalances, stress, or physical injury, it’s essential to look at the body as a complete system. At Unpain Clinic, we believe in taking a holistic approach to health, combining the benefits of functional medicine and shockwave therapy to address pain from both inside and out.
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease, rather than just treating symptoms. This approach involves a detailed assessment of various factors, such as your immune system, hormones, diet, and stress levels, to understand why certain health issues arise. As Shawna Mann, a physiotherapist with 24 years of experience and functional medicine practitioner in training, explains, “The body is a complex mechanical system, where everything is connected. Chronic pain is often not just about the injury; it’s about underlying dysfunction in the body.
Key Pain Points: Ignoring the Whole System
One of the most common mistakes in healthcare is treating symptoms in isolation. If someone has osteoarthritis in the knee, for example, traditional treatments may focus only on the joint. However, functional medicine digs deeper. As Shawna puts it, “I’m always asking, ‘Why is the immune system so aggravated?’ In many cases, the real culprit could be an underlying issue, such as inflammation from poor gut health or even hormonal imbalances.
Common Mistake: Treating Pain Locally Without Looking at the Bigger Picture
It’s easy to focus only on the area that hurts—whether it’s the back, knee, or neck—but failing to understand the whole body’s influence on pain can lead to persistent issues. For example, Shawna recalls a patient who had seen various healthcare providers over the years for chronic headaches. Despite treatments on her neck, the headaches persisted. It wasn’t until they discussed gut health and stress levels that they made progress in addressing the root cause of her pain. This integrative approach helped her move towards long-term relief rather than short-term fixes.
The Role of Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is a powerful non-invasive treatment used to accelerate healing and reduce pain. It stimulates blood flow, reduces inflammation, and promotes tissue regeneration. “Shockwave therapy is perfect for providing rapid pain relief, especially while we work on the more time-intensive changes from functional medicine,” Shawna explains. By combining the immediate benefits of shockwave therapy with the long-term healing potential of functional medicine, patients can experience both short-term relief and long-term improvement in their health.
Solution: A Dual Approach to Healing
At Unpain Clinic, we believe in a dual approach—zooming out to see the whole body and zooming in to address internal imbalances. Whether it’s using shockwave therapy to treat musculoskeletal pain or functional medicine to address hormonal dysfunctions, the goal is always the same: healing the root cause. As Shawna emphasizes, “It’s not just about treating an injury today; it’s about preventing it from coming back by addressing the underlying issues.
Conclusion
If you’re tired of chasing symptoms and are ready to explore the root causes of your pain, we invite you to take the next step in your healing journey. Book a consultation with one of our healthcare providers at Unpain Clinic to see if we can help you find long-lasting relief and better health.
Author:
Uran Berisha