The biggest mistakes to practicing functionally

There are 2 mistakes that practitioners (even Functional MDs!) commonly make when working with their clients and patients.

If you’ve read through The 3 Tiers of Epigenetic Mastery, you know that step #1 to any healing protocol requires what we call “clearing the muddy waters.”

Of course the 3 Tiers primer gives you instructions on just how to do that!

If you haven’t downloaded your primer yet, or you forgot where you stashed it, don’t panic. You can access it here

Whether you’re just getting your copy now, or you’ve already begun to implement the practices with your clients, I want to bring your attention to 2 things:

1. The biggest mistake people make BEFORE they read the 3 Tiers of Epigenetic Mastery
2. The biggest mistake people make AFTER they read the 3 Tiers of Epigenetic Mastery

Mistake #1 to practicing functionally

The biggest mistake people make BEFORE reading the 3 Tiers is that they jump right over Tiers 1 and 2, and go straight for Tier 3.

This is the endless search for the quick fix and the magic bullet, which, as you’ve probably realized, rarely exist.

Although that feels like bad news at first glance, it isn’t really, because the lack of quick fixes is precisely why the world needs more people like you who are interested in practicing functionally.

Mistake #2 to practicing functionally

The biggest mistake people make AFTER reading the 3 Tiers is a mistake in understanding.

It’s not until Tier 3 in the Epigenetic Mastery primer that you’ll see me refer to the biological dysfunction (possibly known as an infection). This leads many people to think that you’re not addressing the infection until you make it to Tier 3, in a successive and methodical manner.

But treating an infection is not a linear path. And sometimes Tiers 1 and 2 take time, commitment, patience and persistence. Doing due diligence to these Tiers can feel like way too long to wait before addressing that darn chronic infection.

Here’s the good news…
Tiers 1 and 2 DO address the infection!

Yup, you read that right.

If you’re practicing functionally, if you’re paying heed to the 3 Tiers approach, you’re already doing it.

In fact, Tiers 1 and 2 address dysfunction of all kinds so well that many people never even have to do the complex and potentially more invasive interventions involved in Tier 3. And if Tier 3 work is being done with a partner practitioner, the results will likely be more efficacious and better tolerated for your shared patient if you focus your attention on the first two Tiers.

(If you’d like to understand this concept even better, you can click here to read more about the concept of terrain in a functional practice.)

Your takeaway…
Start with Tier 1.

Take your time. Be thorough. And know that whatever dysfunction your clients are suffering from, you’re addressing it from day 1 when you’re implementing the 3 Tiers approach.

This is key to becoming an Epigenetic Master, and it means you’re well on your way to bypassing the mistakes of practicing functionally.

By: Andrea Nakayama, FxNA Founder & Functional Medicine Nutritionist

Functional Nutrition Alliance provides the comprehensive online Functional Nutrition training in the Science & Art of the Functional Nutrition practice. Learn to address the roots of your clients’ suffering with client education, diet & lifestyle modifications.