Functional Medicine for Pediatrics
When it comes to health and wellness, children are often overlooked in discussions about chronic illness, preventive care, and holistic approaches. Yet, the truth is, kids need wellness care too. The rise of chronic illnesses among children, including asthma, allergies, ADHD, obesity, and even early markers of autoimmune conditions, highlights an urgent need to address pediatric health in a more comprehensive way. Functional Medicine for Pediatrics offers a proactive approach that looks at the root causes of these health challenges and provides tools to build resilience, prevent illness, and optimize well-being.
The Rise of Chronic Illness in Kids
It’s a heartbreaking reality: chronic conditions among children are increasing. According to recent statistics, nearly 40% of kids in the United States live with at least one chronic health condition. Whether it’s recurring ear infections, eczema, or more complex issues like type 1 diabetes, the numbers are staggering.
This rise can be attributed to a variety of factors, including:
- Dietary Changes: The prevalence of highly processed foods, refined sugars, and artificial additives in modern diets.
- Environmental Toxins: Exposure to pollutants, heavy metals, and endocrine disruptors in everyday products.
- Stress and Screen Time: The impact of sedentary lifestyles and excessive technology use on mental and physical health.
- Gut Dysbiosis: The disruption of gut microbiomes due to poor diets, antibiotic overuse, and lack of diverse exposure to beneficial microbes.
Functional Medicine addresses these root causes by identifying the unique triggers and contributors to each child’s condition and providing tailored solutions.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Schedule a Consultation TODAY!
We would love to sit down with you and chat about your experiences and current pain points.
Why Kids Need Wellness Care
Pediatric care often focuses on addressing acute illnesses, such as colds and infections, but wellness care goes beyond treating symptoms. Wellness care for kids focuses on:
- Prevention: Identifying and addressing health risks before they become chronic issues.
- Development: Supporting the optimal growth of physical, mental, and emotional health.
- Resilience: Building a strong foundation of immune and nervous system function.
Functional Medicine for kids embraces a personalized and integrative approach, looking at every aspect of a child’s health, from genetics and nutrition to environment and emotional well-being.
The Functional Medicine for Pediatrics Approach
Functional Medicine for Pediatrics starts with a thorough investigation. By asking questions and using advanced testing methods, practitioners can uncover hidden imbalances contributing to a child’s symptoms. Here’s how it works:
Comprehensive Testing
Functional Medicine uses non-invasive and child-friendly testing to gain insights into a child’s health. Testing might include:
- Food Sensitivity Testing: To identify potential allergens or intolerances.
- Gut Microbiome Analysis: To evaluate digestive health and microbiome diversity.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: To assess levels of essential vitamins and minerals.
- Hormone and Adrenal Testing: For children experiencing signs of stress or imbalances.
- Toxicity Screening: To measure exposure to heavy metals, pesticides, and other environmental toxins.
These tests provide a roadmap for creating individualized care plans tailored to each child’s needs.
Personalized Nutrition
Food is foundational to health, and this is especially true for kids. Many chronic conditions stem from or are exacerbated by poor nutrition. A Functional Medicine for Pediatrics approach emphasizes:
- Whole, Nutrient-Dense Foods: Encouraging kids to eat more fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
- Elimination Diets: Removing potential food triggers like gluten or dairy to observe improvements in symptoms.
- Reintroduction Plans: Gradually adding foods back in to identify specific intolerances.
- Supplements: If necessary, addressing deficiencies with high-quality supplements tailored to a child’s needs.
For picky eaters, the emphasis is on gradual, realistic changes and empowering families to create healthy habits together.
Lifestyle Medicine for Kids
Kids thrive on routine, balance, and movement, all of which are essential pillars of lifestyle medicine. Functional Medicine for Pediatrics incorporates the following:
- Sleep Hygiene: Ensuring kids get adequate, restorative sleep by addressing habits, environment, and potential sleep disruptors.
- Physical Activity: Encouraging daily movement, whether it’s structured sports, outdoor adventures, or free play.
- Stress Management: Teaching mindfulness, breathing exercises, or yoga to help children navigate stress.
- Digital Detox: Balancing screen time with active, creative, and social activities to support mental health.
When kids incorporate outdoor play into their daily lives, it creates a ripple effect, positively impacting their physical health, emotional resilience, and social development.
Helping Kids Heal: Chronic Illness and Functional Medicine
Children experiencing chronic conditions can benefit immensely from Functional Medicine. Let’s look at some common conditions and how Functional Medicine helps:
Asthma and Allergies
By identifying triggers such as food sensitivities, environmental toxins, or stress, Functional Medicine works to reduce inflammation and balance immune responses. Nutritional strategies, such as increasing omega-3 fatty acids or adding probiotics, can also support immune resilience.
ADHD
Rather than relying solely on medications, Functional Medicine evaluates underlying factors contributing to ADHD symptoms, such as blood sugar imbalances, food sensitivities, or nutrient deficiencies (e.g., magnesium, zinc). Tailored interventions can improve focus, mood, and behavior.
Eczema and Skin Conditions
Chronic skin issues often stem from internal imbalances, such as leaky gut syndrome or nutrient deficiencies. Healing the gut through diet and targeted supplementation can significantly improve symptoms.
Obesity and Metabolic Health
Functional Medicine addresses childhood obesity by focusing on nutrition education, family-based interventions, and lifestyle changes that promote sustainable weight management.
The Role of Parents and Caregivers
Parents and caregivers play a central role in supporting a child’s health journey. Functional Medicine practitioners work collaboratively with families to:
- Educate: Provide the knowledge and tools parents need to create healthy environments.
- Empower: Encourage parents to make informed decisions about their child’s care.
- Engage: Involve children in their health journey in age-appropriate ways to foster self-awareness and responsibility.
For example, involving kids in meal preparation, teaching them about mindfulness, or encouraging outdoor play can contribute to long-term wellness.
Building a Better Future for Children
Functional Medicine for kids isn’t just about treating chronic conditions—it’s about prevention, empowerment, and building resilience. By addressing root causes, optimizing nutrition, and supporting balanced lifestyles, we can help kids grow into thriving, healthy adults.
Encouraging outdoor play and exposure to sunshine are simple yet powerful tools in a child’s wellness toolbox. Combined with comprehensive care, these habits can make a lasting difference in their health and happiness.
Ready to Start Your Child’s Wellness Journey?
At Back On Track 2 Wellness, we’re passionate about helping children achieve their best health. Our child-friendly Functional Medicine for Pediatrics approach focuses on understanding the root causes of health challenges and creating personalized care plans that empower families. Whether your child is dealing with a chronic condition or you simply want to optimize their well-being, we’re here to help.
Let’s work together to create a brighter, healthier future for your child. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or learn more about our pediatric wellness programs!
Schedule Your Telehealth Consultation
We would love to sit down with you and chat about your experiences and current health complaints.
The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other medical body. We do not aim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. Information is shared for educational purposes only. You must consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.
Dr. Todd W. Bunning, DC, PC
Dr. Todd W. Bunning’s Chiropractic and Functional Medicine services reach far beyond the local Roseville area, with webcam consultations available for patients in any location. With over 21+ years of Private Practice experience, Dr. Todd continues to focus on the individual: science-based methods to address whole-body health factors.
Dr. Todd’s education didn’t stop when he graduated from Life West Chiropractic College in 2003. Today, he’s continuing to receive training and is chipping away on numerous post-graduate degree programs. This unique blend of clinical health investigation and Lifestyle Medicine application helps people of all ages find the underlying factors that result in chronic disease.