5 Reasons Your Patients Are Seeking Functional Health Solutions Elsewhere
Are you losing patients to other providers because they are seeking functional health solutions? Here’s how to win them back.
In today’s evolving healthcare landscape, patients are increasingly moving towards health solutions that provide a more personalized and root-cause driven care plan. For chiropractors, medical doctors, nurse practitioners, and health coaches, adapting your practice to meet these demands is not just a strategy, it’s a necessity! By positioning yourself as a trusted advisor, you can provide the holistic care your patients crave while growing your practice.
Reason #1: Increasing Distrust in Conventional Medical Institutions
Lately, patients are feeling dismissed and unsatisfied with the traditional healthcare system, citing concerns about rushed visits, profit-driven care, and a focus on symptom management rather than addressing root causes. For example, when a patient comes forward to their primary health care practitioner with stomach pain, the majority of the time the doctor will tell their patient to take an over the counter pain relief medication to help manage the symptoms, rather than look further into what possible issues could be lurking beneath the surface. Still not convinced your patients are left questioning their care? Let’s take a deeper look.
Evidence
- Global Edelman Trust Barometer Survey (2024): The Global Edelman Trust Barometer is an annual survey that measures trust levels in institutions like government, business, media, and NGOs across various countries. It provides insights into public opinion on issues such as societal leadership, ethics, and credibility to help organizations and leaders understand and address trust dynamics. Last year it was reported that only 37% of respondents felt empowered and trusted by our healthcare system, with concerns about the politicization of medical science rising to 64%.
- JAMA Network Open Study (2024): Disparities in the use of new RSV prevention methods, as highlighted in the study, can lead to a decline in trust in healthcare. When certain groups, such as those from lower-income areas or specific racial and ethnic backgrounds, face barriers to accessing approved treatments, it reinforces perceptions of inequity in the healthcare system. This lack of fairness undermines the confidence in the system’s ability to provide equal care for all, potentially causing mistrust among affected communities.
- Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences (2024): Highlights how negative interactions with the U.S. healthcare system have eroded trust in key institutions such as hospitals, insurance companies, and pharmaceutical industries. These experiences often include issues like unexpected medical bills, insurance denials, long wait times, and perceived inequities in care quality. Additionally, concerns about the profit-driven motives of pharmaceutical companies and opaque pricing structures in healthcare contribute to public skepticism.
So how do we put a stop to the distrust in healthcare that is spreading throughout the country? Offer personalized, natural solutions that focus on lifestyle, diet, and supplementation. This approach aligns with patients your values and reinforces your practice’s core services and beliefs without added unnecessary complexity.
Reason #2: The Influence of the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) Movement
The “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement, galvanized by the 2024 election, has ignited a nationwide focus on proactive health and wellness. This movement reflects growing dissatisfaction with traditional, reactive healthcare approaches, encouraging individuals to take charge of their well-being through preventative measures. Patients are increasingly seeking natural therapies, such as dietary changes, physical activity, stress management, and alternative medicine, as key components of their health strategies. The shift also underscores a rising interest in addressing root causes of health issues rather than merely managing symptoms, aligning with broader trends toward holistic and lifestyle-based interventions. This cultural shift highlights a demand for more personalized, integrative healthcare options that empower individuals to achieve long-term health.
The shift toward proactive health measures and natural therapies stems from several key factors. Not only do many individuals feel let down by the traditional healthcare system, but there are rising rates of chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. These have further fueled this change, as patients increasingly recognize the need for sustainable, long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes. Additionally, the prevalence of stress-related conditions, autoimmune disorders, and mental health challenges has highlighted gaps in conventional care. People are turning to lifestyle-based interventions to address these issues, but without proper guidance, some risk adopting unproven methods or delaying necessary medical treatment. This underscores the need for a balanced approach that integrates natural therapies with evidence-based care to effectively combat these growing health concerns.
Reason #3: A Desire to Avoid Medications and Prioritize Self-Care
One major reason patients are seeking functional healthcare is the growing frustration with the over-prescription of medications in traditional medicine. Many feel that doctors often rely on pills to mask symptoms rather than investigating and addressing the root cause of health issues. For instance, a patient with chronic pain might be prescribed painkillers without a thorough exploration of underlying inflammation or biomechanical imbalances. This approach not only overlooks potential long-term solutions but also risks creating dependency on medications, which can lead to side effects or complications over time. Functional healthcare appeals to patients because it emphasizes addressing the root causes of illness through natural methods like diet, exercise, and stress management. These lifestyle changes often achieve the same results as medications—such as lowering blood pressure or managing blood sugar—without the long-term health risks associated with pharmaceuticals, providing a more sustainable path to wellness.
Reason #4: The Allure of Comprehensive Functional Medicine Approaches
Another reason patients are gravitating toward functional medicine is its root-cause approach, which prioritizes understanding the “why” behind symptoms rather than merely addressing the “what.” Many individuals feel dismissed or stuck in their health journey within traditional healthcare settings, where symptoms are often treated in isolation without considering the interconnected systems of the body. Functional medicine’s focus on holistic care and personalized strategies resonates with patients who want to feel heard and actively involved in their wellness journey. The growing popularity of functional lab testing, integrative therapies, and systems-based approaches reflects this demand, as patients seek deeper insights into their health. By identifying and addressing underlying causes—whether nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, or environmental factors—functional medicine provides solutions that empower patients and offer lasting improvements rather than temporary fixes.
Patients want more—and they’re going elsewhere to find it. By addressing these four reasons, you can not only win them back but also grow your practice to new heights. If you’re a provider interested in introducing functional health products and services into your practice, sign up for a free training through the link below. With the right changes, you can position your practice as a trusted leader in holistic, patient-centered care.
Want to learn more about optimizing your health and longevity? Visit our Blog Home Page for more expert insights. If you’re interested in working directly with Dr. G to see if you’re an ideal client, you can explore more here. Additionally, take a look at Dr. G’s supplement line for products designed to support your metabolic health at Cyrene Labs (Cyrene labs products are only available through licensed providers).
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