A Recap from the 2023 Annual Institute of Functional Medicine’s International Conference

Dr. Nancy Palermo

Harlee and I were thrilled to be a part of the annual IFM International conference held in Orlando Fl in June. After three years of meeting virtually with IFM, this was the first in-person conference. There were over 1000 attendees from all over the world were present, and it was exciting to be with our tribe-individuals who want to change the practice of Medicine by optimizing health with Functional Medicine.

Topics covered included Functional Medicine approaches to Oncology Care, Integrative Rheumatology, Deprescribing and helping patients safely get off medications, Oral Microbiome and Dental Health and its relationship with Systemic Disease, Using Wearables to help patients Optimize Health, Managing Long COVID patients, the Science of Longevity, and so much more. We are so excited to bring the ideas back to Thrive.

Chronic disease accounts for 86% of health care costs, with over 50% of adults with at least one chronic health condition and 25% with two or more.

Functional Medicine has been proven to reverse these trends by providing better outcomes. The practice of FM was developed in 1991 and incorporates the emerging science of disease development. It is a clinical model to address chronic disease treatment and prevention.

It addresses the root cause of symptoms and disease with the resolution achieved using a multimodal intervention including diet and nutrition, exercise and movement, stress management, sleep and rest, and targeted nutraceuticals and pharmaceutical therapies. It is also patient-centered and personalized and relies on patient contributions in their healthcare for success. As of 2019, the Institute of Functional Medicine has trained over 1000 certified practitioners, and Thrive Personalized Healthcare and Wellness is fortunate to have three on staff.