RE-THINKING THE ROAD TO WELLNESS

Robotic surgery. Genome editing. Cell therapy. These are just a few of the milestones that have reshaped modern medicine in recent years. But not every innovation springs from a lab. And not every road to wellness begins with a prescription pad. Functional Medicine, a patient-based, individualized approach to ascertaining the root cause of disease, is playing an increasing role in how patients and their physicians determine the best approach to managing their healthcare. As founder and CEO of the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy, clinical psychologist Dr. Sandra Scheinbaum trains nurses, doctors, dietitians, physical therapists, and mental health professionals in examining the gaps in traditional healthcare, which doesn’t always address factors like nutrition, stress, and sleep. “They want to expand their toolkit and learn how to support patients more holistically by focusing on behavior change and sustainable lifestyle improvements,” explains Scheinbaum. The academy’s student body is diverse and includes some without a background in healthcare, career changers, and retirees.

The functional medicine model was developed in 1990 by renowned nutritionist Dr. Jeffrey Bland. While not immediately embraced by conventional medical practitioners, its tenets have been more widely adopted in the past decade. “There’s growing research and clinical evidence supporting its effectiveness, particularly for chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and gut disorders where traditional methods often fall short,” notes Scheinbaum. “Institutions like the Cleveland Clinic have established functional medicine centers, lending credibility and driving broader acceptance within the medical community.”

Patients, who in the past might have deferred unquestioningly to their physicians, are getting onboard, too. “Patients are becoming more informed and proactive about their health,” observes Scheinbaum. “Many are frustrated with conventional practitioners who rely heavily on medications without addressing underlying issues. Functional medicine offers a more personalized approach that considers the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual components of well-being.”

A Lake Forest resident, Scheinbaum began her professional life in the classroom as a special education teacher, before joining the faculty at National Louis University to train future educators. In the early 1970s, she began offering workshops to help educators and parents manage stress and reduce burnout. “These workshops introduced practices rooted in what we now call mind-body medicine, such as breathing exercises and guided imagery,” Scheinbaum recalls. “At the time, this was considered unconventional, even radical. But I saw how these strategies made a tangible difference, improving resilience and well-being for teachers and parents alike. This early work deepened my commitment to holistic approaches.”

Scheinbaum went on to work as a clinical psychologist, and over her 35- plus years in practice, became intimately aware of the shortcomings of traditional psychology, which, she says, “focused too heavily on diagnosing problems rather than cultivating strengths.” At the same time, she was developing a greater interest in the relationship between nutrition and mental health. “It became clear to me that psychotherapy alone often fell short, and that true well-being required a more comprehensive approach, one that included the food we eat and an understanding of how it affects both mind and body. This realization drew me to functional medicine and to eventually create a new specialty—functional medicine health coaching, which empowers individuals to take charge of their health through sustainable lifestyle changes.”

Indeed, many of Scheinbaum’s student coaches experience profound change during their training. “An often- surprising outcome for all students, regardless of their background, is the personal transformation they undergo during the training. Many enter the program primarily seeking knowledge about functional medicine content. While they do gain this knowledge, they also learn the principles of positive psychology and coaching skills, which impact not only their professional lives but their personal relationships as well. Through self-reflection exercises and coaching practice, they start applying what they’ve learned and report improved communication with their family, friends, and colleagues, finding that they listen more attentively and respond with greater empathy.” Now that’s a win-win.

For more information, visit functionalmedicinecoaching.org.