Hello, everyone! After nearly 3 years, I’m thrilled to dive back into this blog and reconnect with all of you.
For those who don’t know my background, I’m a Board Certified Internist. My medical journey began with earning an M.D. degree from the Sackler School of Medicine in Tel Aviv, Israel and New York. This was followed by extensive residency training in Internal Medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital in NYC.
I also happen to have a fervent passion for functional and holistic medicine. An Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) Certified Practitioner, I am proud to be one of the few medical doctors in Southwest Florida certified in Functional Medicine. The process of becoming certified demanded years of additional live education, clinical case studies, and a grueling written exam. But I chose this challenge so I could bring the best and most up-to-date quality of care to my patients.
What is Functional Medicine?
Think of functional medicine as a deep dive into your Mind-Body Wellness. Instead of just masking symptoms with medications, functional philosophy aims to tackle the root causes of your health issues.
Imagine your body as a finely tuned machine. Traditional medicine might only address the squeaky parts. Functional medicine, however, examines the entire system to find and fix the underlying imbalances. This allows your body to heal naturally, sometimes before the problems even manifest. In other words, it is all about personalization and prevention. We look at everything—your lifestyle, eating habits, and environment—to get a complete picture of what’s affecting your health.
Just take chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease. These aren’t isolated problems but signals of deeper issues. For instance, high blood sugar isn’t simply a number—it could very well be a sign of underlying metabolic troubles. Functional medicine doctors like me use thorough assessments to identify these imbalances and create a holistic treatment plan addressing their causes.
My Approach and the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) Vision
The IFM vision is all about revolutionizing healthcare by making it more personalized and preventive. Functional medicine serves as a brilliant catalyst in this shift because it focuses on the initial causes of health problems and works in harmony with conventional treatments.
I believe in following IFM principles in my practice. Specifically, I blend functional medicine with traditional care to provide a comprehensive view of health. When you come to see me, we don’t just tackle the immediate issues; we explore your overall well-being.
After all, this isn’t about choosing one approach over the other but integrating the best of both to address your unique needs. Doing so allows us to craft a custom plan that not only addresses current patient concerns but also promotes long-term health.
What’s on the Horizon for the Blog?
Functional medicine is full of exciting innovative approaches to healthcare and ― after taking a lengthy writing hiatus to study it ― I am excited to start writing blog posts about it. As we embark on this refreshed journey, I’ll be sharing practical advice on integrating functional medicine principles into your daily routine, exploring emerging trends, and showcasing transformative stories from those who embraced this approach.
I’m also excited to bring you insights from my book, ‘Diet Slave No More!‘. Throughout my 25-year journey as a practicing doctor, I always espoused the functional principles of going to the source of the problem and removing obstacles to wellness and weight optimization. Similarly, my book reflects these very principles; it presents a unique, pill-free approach to weight optimization, emphasizing sustainable lifestyle changes rather than quick fixes. Going forward, I’ll be discussing key concepts and strategies from the book, offering practical tips for achieving a balanced, healthy life without the constraints of traditional dieting.
Thank you for joining me as I revive this blog. Please be sure to follow me on my Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and/or subscribe to my YouTube channel.
I look forward to sharing valuable information, exploring new ideas, and continuing our journey toward optimal health together.
