Functional medicine seeks to identify and address the root causes of disease and prevent illness rather than treating symptoms. It views the body as an interconnected, dynamic system, rather than a collection of independent organ systems. It is a wholistic approach that believes the body is composed of mind, body, and spirit and that the body has the ability to heal when all aspects of health are optimized. Functional medicine is patient-centered and engages the patient in the healing process, in a therapeutic partnership, much like an athlete-coach relationship. The patient is the “smartest doctor” and spending the time to listen to their histories is crucial to discovering the true causes of complex, chronic diseases. Functional medicine utilizes a systems-oriented approach to address all aspects of health, including nutrition, lifestyle, genetics, and unique biochemistry. Each patient is unique and requires a personalized treatment plan to address their specific requirements for true healing using a combination of therapies including nutrition, lifestyle changes, and supplements.