Chronic pain affects millions of people worldwide. This pervasive and challenging condition significantly impacts quality of life and daily functions. Unlike acute pain, which is typically short-term and warns of injury, chronic pain persists beyond the expected healing period and can become debilitating.

Conventional medical treatments often focus on symptom management, which provides temporary relief but fails to address the underlying causes of pain. Functional medicine, on the other hand, offers a holistic approach that aims to identify and treat the root causes of pain, providing long-lasting relief and enhanced overall health.

At Regeneration Health, we understand the complexities of chronic pain and are dedicated to helping our patients take charge of their health and achieve improved wellness. Keep reading to learn more about what sets functional medicine apart from other healthcare philosophies and its multifaceted role in treating chronic pain conditions.

Functional Medicine: A Holistic Approach

Treating Chronic Pain Through Functional Medicine

Rather than targeting individual symptoms, functional medicine treats the body as a whole, taking into account nutritional deficiencies, genetic predispositions, stress levels, lifestyle factors, exposure to toxins, allergies, hormones, and microbiomes to gain a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s health. This patient-centered approach allows functional medicine practitioners to provide more effective care by addressing health issues at their roots.

Understanding Chronic Pain Conditions

In order for pain to be considered chronic, it must last over three months. It may be constant or intermittent and can occur anywhere in the body. Because chronic pain tends to interfere with daily activities such as going to work, caring for yourself and others, and having an active social life, it can lead to mental health issues, mood swings, fatigue, and trouble sleeping, which can worsen pain and create a vicious cycle.

Chronic pain has many different causes and comes in many different forms. Sometimes, it has an obvious cause, such as a long-lasting illness, injury, or disease. Other times, it’s linked to psychological factors like anxiety, stress, or depression rather than an injury or physical illness, which is known as psychosomatic pain. Causes include:

Back or neck pain
Arthritis or other joint pain
Cancer
Headaches and migraines
Fibromyalgia
Neurogenic pain due to nerve damage
Scar tissue

The Role of Functional Medicine

Functional medicine integrates various treatments to manage pain. This multifaceted approach is key to facilitating long-lasting relief and full-body wellness.

Hormone Therapy

Hormonal imbalances, including low testosterone, adrenal dysfunction, or estrogen dominance, may exacerbate pain and inflammation throughout the body. Functional medicine practitioners utilize comprehensive hormone testing to identify imbalances.

Based on the results of these tests, they can develop personalized hormone replacement therapy plans to restore hormonal balance and contribute to pain relief. By restoring your body’s delicate hormonal balance, a functional medicine clinic can help you experience improved energy, better mood, and enhanced overall well-being, making it easier to manage your pain.

IV Nutritional Therapy

In addition to hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies can also contribute to inflammation, increased pain sensitivity, and impaired tissue repair. To address these deficiencies, IV nutritional therapy delivers a potent blend of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, electrolytes, and other nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system for maximum absorption and effectiveness. When it comes to treating chronic pain, IV formulations that include nutrients known for reducing inflammation, promoting tissue healing, and supporting cellular function are particularly effective.

Medical Weight Loss

Excess weight can place additional stress on joints and tissues, exacerbating chronic pain. Medical weight loss programs focus on personalized nutrition plans, metabolic support, and exercise guidance to facilitate sustainable change and improve overall health. By achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, you can reduce pressure on your joints, improve your mobility, and reduce the severity of your chronic pain.

General Healthcare

In addition to these specialized, targeted treatments, functional medicine also encompasses comprehensive general healthcare services such as diagnostic testing, lifestyle counseling, and stress management techniques aimed at optimizing overall health. By addressing underlying health issues and promoting holistic wellness, functional medicine can empower you to manage your pain more effectively and enhance your quality of life.

Find Relief From Chronic Pain at Regeneration Health

Don’t let chronic pain control your life any longer. At Regeneration Health, we can help you find relief through our holistic treatments and comprehensive care. With a little help from our highly trained team members, you can live a pain-free, fulfilling life. Schedule an appointment with Regeneration Health today to see the difference functional medicine can make in your life.

Everything You Should Know About Hormonal Acne

Acne is a pervasive concern that affects almost everyone at various stages of their life, causing not only physical discomfort but also impacting self-esteem and confidence. Acne can occur for many reasons, including hormonal changes.

At Regeneration Health, we understand that acne can be particularly challenging, especially when it’s related to hormonal imbalances. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the causes of hormonal acne and explore possible treatment options, shedding light on the role hormone replacement therapy can play in skin health.

Understanding Hormonal Acne

Unlike other types of acne triggered by external factors like bacteria or clogged pores, hormonal acne is closely tied to fluctuations in hormone levels throughout the body. Androgens, a group of sex hormones including testosterone, are primarily responsible for hormonal acne. These hormones stimulate the sebaceous glands, which are microscopic glands found in your hair follicles, to produce excess sebum, an oily substance that can clog pores and promote the growth of acne-causing bacteria.

Causes of Hormonal Acne

You may associate hormonal acne with adolescents, but in reality, it can occur at any stage of life. Some causes of hormonal acne include:

Puberty: As adolescents experience a surge in androgen levels, their skin produces more oil, making them more susceptible to breaking out. As the body adjusts to these hormonal changes, teens may experience acne on their face, chest, or back.
Menstruation: Women may find that they break out at certain points of their menstrual cycle due to fluctuations in progesterone and estrogen. The premenstrual phase, especially, can trigger acne due to an increase in androgens.
Pregnancy: The significant hormonal shifts that occur during pregnancy can contribute to acne development; however, some women actually experience clearer skin while pregnant.
Polycystic ovary syndrome: The elevated androgen levels associated with PCOS can cause women to have persistent acne, along with other symptoms.
Menopause: As women approach menopause, their estrogen levels decline, leading to an imbalance between estrogen and androgens. This shift can cause breakouts in menopausal women.
Genetics: An individual’s genetic makeup can influence their hormones, making them more or less likely to develop hormonal acne at some point in their lives.
High testosterone: Men who have abnormally high levels of testosterone may be more susceptible to hormone-related breakouts. In addition, men whose testosterone levels are within the normal range but whose skin has a higher density of testosterone receptors may also experience increased acne.
Sebaceous glands: Typically, men have more sebaceous glands per hair follicle on their chest, back, and shoulders, leading to increased sebum production and acne formation.

Transformative Treatments

Acne is notoriously difficult to treat, but if you’re experiencing hormone-related breakouts, there are numerous things you can do to help clear up your skin. Often, dermatologists or other healthcare professionals may recommend more than one treatment, and you may have to try multiple approaches to find the one that works best for you.

Topical Treatments

Dermatologists often recommend topical treatments that contain active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, or salicylic acid to address various types of acne. These products work by reducing inflammation, unclogging pores, and reducing sebum production.

Oral Medications

In more severe cases, oral medication, including antibiotics, oral contraceptives, or anti-androgen drugs, can be used to help regulate hormone levels and control oil production. These medications can have adverse side effects, though, so your doctor will help you weigh the benefits and drawbacks before you try these treatments.

Lifestyle Modifications

Healthy lifestyle choices can provide relief from hormonal acne. Exercising, eating a balanced diet, and managing stress contribute to hormonal balance, skin health, and overall wellness. Your doctor can recommend specific lifestyle modifications to fit your unique needs.

The Role of Hormone Replacement Therapy

If you’re struggling with persistent acne caused by hormonal imbalances, hormone replacement therapy can be an effective solution. This treatment involves supplementing the body’s natural hormone levels to restore balance. Hormone replacement therapy can be particularly advantageous for women experiencing acne related to menopause, PCOS, or other hormonal disorders.

Estrogen Replacement

As a woman’s estrogen levels decline during menopause, estrogen replacement therapy can help alleviate hormonal acne. Estrogen contributes to skin elasticity, regulates sebum production, and promotes an overall healthier complexion.

Ando-Androgen Therapy

Anti-androgen medications are often utilized as part of hormone replacement therapy. By inhibiting the effects of androgens, these medications contribute to sebum regulation and can prevent breakouts.

Achieve Clearer Skin With Regeneration Health

If you’re experiencing symptoms of a hormonal imbalance, trust the expert healthcare providers at Regeneration Health to help you achieve clearer skin and enhanced overall well-being. Our innovative hormone replacement treatments can be an effective stepping stone on your journey to becoming a healthier version of you.

For most of us, our hair is a symbol of our health and vitality. Hair is a significant part of one’s appearance, and we utilize hairstyles, colors, and accessories to express our personal style, culture, and personality. Unfortunately, many people — both men and women — experience hair loss at some point in their lives, which can be a significant blow to their self-esteem.

Hair loss is a common issue with many possible causes, but it is treatable with the right guidance. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the types and causes of hair loss, along with several hair loss solutions that can improve the appearance of hair and give a confidence boost.

Types of Hair Loss

Not all hair loss is the same. There are different types of hair loss that can affect both men and women, including:

Androgenetic alopecia: This is the most common type of hair loss and is often referred to as male-pattern baldness, but can also occur in females. The early stages of this condition usually occur in an individual’s 30s, but some people experience signs of it as early as their teens. It’s characterized by hairline recession and a loss of hair at the crown of the head.
Telogen effluvium: This temporary type of hair loss can be triggered by various factors, including stress, surgery, illness, or hormonal changes. This condition causes hair to shift from the anagen, the growth phase, to telogen, the resting phase, which results in hair shedding.
Alopecia areata: This is an autoimmune condition that affects people of all ages and is often unpredictable. It causes hair loss in small, round patches.
Traction alopecia: When hair is pulled tightly for extended periods of time, such as in tight hairstyles or with hair extensions, it can damage the hair follicles and result in traction alopecia.

Causes of Hair Loss

Now that we know some of the types of hair loss, here are possible causes:

Genetics: People with a family history of hair loss are more likely to experience it themselves, especially with androgenetic alopecia.
Hormonal imbalances: Hormones play a significant part in hair growth and loss. As men age, their testosterone levels naturally decrease, which is usually the culprit behind severe hair loss. For women, hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy or menopause, along with conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, may lead to hair loss.
Nutritional deficiencies: A lack of essential nutrients can weaken follicles and cause hair loss.
Stress and chronic illness: Stress and chronic illnesses can disrupt the hair growth cycle, leading to telogen effluvium.
Autoimmune conditions: People with certain autoimmune disorders may be more prone to hair loss.
Medications: Some medications, including those that treat high cholesterol, depression, acne, and high blood pressure, along with anticoagulants, can cause hair loss as a side effect.

Hair Loss Solutions Through Functional Medicine

Hair loss can be a complex issue, but through a holistic approach to health, functional medicine can provide effective hair loss solutions.

Lifestyle Modifications

Functional medicine considers all aspects of health, including sleep, environmental exposures, and physical activity, in order to find effective solutions to a wide array of health issues. Making certain lifestyle modifications under the guidance of a functional medicine practitioner can support hair regrowth.