The wonders of functional medicine was the topic at the Locust Valley Library on Thursday, July 23. The presentation, “Healthy Lifestyle Tips to Prevent Illness,” was put together by Oyster Bay-based chiropractor Robert Romanelli. The presentation focused on steps to help enhance one’s health and prevent disease.
“This is the new way of thinking about medicine in the 21st century,” said Romanelli, who has studied functional medicine since 1991. “It focuses on five important aspects, including balanced eating, regular activity and exercise, appropriate nutritional supplementation, stress management and sleep.”
He said that by shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach, functional medicine addresses the whole person and not just an isolated set of symptoms.
“Functional medicine practitioners spend time with their patients and go over their whole medical history instead of just focusing on the symptoms at hand,” said Romanelli. “This type of medicine supports the unique expression of health and vitality for each individual.”
He added that most chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, are caused by unhealthy lifestyle habits; by adopting new habits, a person may delay the onset of illness even, in those who are genetically susceptible.
“Prevention is paramount,” said Romanelli. “Virtually every chronic disease is preceded by long-term disturbances in function that can be identified and effectively managed.”
The toolbox for functional medicine includes herbal medicines, nutritional medicines and therapeutic diets. Counseling for lifestyle, exercise and relaxation techniques may also be part of the program.
Locust Valley resident Victoria Pieta was an attendee at the presentation and said she found Romanelli’s lecture very informative.
“Who knew about functional medicine?” said Pieta. “It is definitely a different approach than what I am used to and I will try and follow his advice, particularly when it comes to nutritional supplements and herbal medicines.”
She said that she enjoys the presentations that are put on by the library and wished that more people were in attendance to find out all that the programs offer.
