What Is Functional Medicine

What is functional medicine? Functional medicine combines traditional medicine with alternative forms of medicine to treat and prevent illnesses.

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Copyright (c) 2014 LifeWorks Integrative health

Functional medicine is the future of what we refer to today as conventional medicine. The main goal of functional medicine is to identify and address the root causes of diseases. This type of medicinemedicine views the body as one integrated system; opposed to a collection of independent organs divided up by medical specialities. Functional medicine aims to treat the entire body, not just specific symptoms of a disease or illness.

It addresses the underlying causes of medical conditions and diseases. Using a systems-oriented approach, functional medicine engages the practitioner and patient in a therapeutic partnership. Functional medicine is an evolution in medical practices and better address the needs of patients more than another other approach to medicine in the 21st century. How is functional medicine so innovative? By switching the traditional disease-centered focus of medicine to a patient-centered approach, functional medicine is able to address the entire person. This form of medicine does not just isolate the symptoms and make a diagnosis. Upon visiting with a practitioner of functional medicine, you will notice that a functional medicine practitioner will spend time with patients, they will listen to their histories and look at the interactions amongst genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors that may be impacting their current health and will likely impact the future health of a patient. It supports lifelong health and vitality that is geared towards each individual patient.

How Can It Work for You?

There has been a large increase in the number of individuals suffering from complex medical conditions. These complex medical conditions can include diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, mental illness and autoimmune disorders — such as rheumatoid arthritis.

It can help to identify the root cause of these illnesses.The type of medicine practiced by a vast majority of physicians is geared towards acute care, trauma and illnesses that are short-term problems and urgent medicine — such as treatment for a broken leg or an appendicitis. Physicians use specific, prescribed treatments (such as medications or surgery). These treatments are standard for all patients and aim to treat the immediate problem or symptom.The acute-care approach to medicine, that we are all very used to, lacks the tools and methodology to help prevent as well as treatment complex and chronic diseases. In most cases, acute-care does not take into account the unique genetic makeup of an individual or factors such as environmental toxins. Our lifestyle have a huge impact on our health.

There is a large gap between research and the way doctors practice medicine. This gap between emerging research in basic science and integration into standard medical treatment is very large; especially in areas of complex and chronic disease. Some practices that were being used 50 years ago are still put to use today. Most physicians are not adequately trained to access and determine the underlying causes of complex and chronic illnesses. Not all physicians are trained to apply strategies in diet, nutrition, exercise and lifestyle changes to help treat illness in their patients as well as prevent future illnesses.

What Makes This Different from Conventional Medicine?

Functional medicine does more than just treat the symptoms of an illness. Functional medicine involves understanding the origins, prevention and treatment of complex and chronic illnesses.Patient-centered care plays a huge role in functional medicine.

The focus of functional medicine is patient-centered care and promoting health as positive vitality. Functional medicine goes beyond just the treatment of disease. By listening to their patients, functional medicine practitioners learn the story of their patients. This allows functional medicine practitioners to address the issues that are specific to each individual patient. Remember, each individual patient has very unique needs when it comes to treating and preventing chronic and complex illnesses.

With this type of medicine, you can expect an integrative, science-based approach to healthcare. Functional medicine practitioners examine a patient’s history, physiology and lifestyle choices that can lead to illness. The unique genetic makeup of each patient is considered as well as internal (body, mind and spirit) and external (environmental and physical) factors that affect the entire function of a patient’s body.

Functional medicine integrates the best medical practices. Functional medicine integrates conventional medical practices with what may be considered alternative or integrative medical practices. This creates a focus on prevention through exercise, nutrition and diet as well as the use of the latest diagnostic and laboratory techniques. Functional medicine may also use prescription medications, supplements, botanical medicines, therapeutic diets, stress-management programs and detoxification programs.

Discover Exciting Opportunities in Accounting and Auditing

The accountant of today is breaking the bounds of the traditional coat and tie persona of the profession. With new niches in the accounting and auditing fields, this industry is on the verge of incredible growth. If you have an analytical mind and a penchant for crunching numbers, accounting and auditing may be your bag.

Why Accounting is “In”

Forget what you ever knew about the accounting and auditing professions. Push past the stereotypes of the traditional view of a geeky human calculator. The accountant and auditor of today is a unique mix of statistical savvy and business acumen that is required in this constantly evolving profession. Businesses and organizations of all types need sharp accounting and auditing professionals to keep track of their expenses, keep them federally compliant, and keep them from going under. This is definitely a position of high responsibility.

How to Become an Accountant

While there are a variety of ways you can become an accountant or auditor, the opportunities offered at accredited online colleges are the most beneficial. The distance learning environment holds a variety of unique benefits over the traditional campus program that you’re sure to love. Featuring a fast track to graduation, reduced tuition fees, and classes that you can complete at your convenience, accredited online colleges will get you into the accounting or auditing position of your dreams.

Increasing Demand for Qualified Accountants and Auditors

There are an increasing number of job opportunities for qualified accountants and auditors. As business processes and government regulations become increasingly complex, the demand for accounting and auditing professionals with specialized knowledge has never been higher. Check out the niche fields in the industry, such as forensic accounting. You can parlay your particular skills and interests into a specialized accounting field with some focused study and experience. Accredited online colleges often provide you with information on the job opportunities in your area.

Online Certification Opportunities for Accountants and Auditors

If you’ve ever considered becoming an auditor or accountant but the thought of four or five years in school seems daunting, the online solution may just get you there. You can earn an online certificate in accounting in half the time and expense of the traditional campus program with all of the same benefits.

The Online Advantage for Auditors and Accountants

Earning an online certification for auditors and accountants provides a variety of valuable benefits over the traditional campus program that you will appreciate.

First, with convenient class scheduling, you won’t have to sacrifice your personal or professional commitments to advance your accounting or auditing education.
Another important benefit of the distance learning environment is that it will take you less time to earn your certification, and often at a lower price, as well.
Finally, you’ll have access to a network of cohorts and classmates that will help you to succeed.
Types of Online Certificates in Accounting

Online certificates in accounting range from entry level associate’s degrees to master level certificates that represent up to five years of formal training. As with any industry, higher pay and responsibility comes with the advanced degrees. Online certification for auditors and accountants include virtual classroom instruction followed by national or state certification tests that are mandatory for these positions. You can obtain all of the information that you require in order to gain certification through an accredited college or university.

Preparation for Your Certification Exams

Successfully passing your certification exams is the surest way to career advancement in this field. The best preparation modes for your examinations include a mixture of textbook materials, online class sessions, and group study sessions. There are a host of written materials that provide sample test questions that mimic certification exams. These sample questions will allow you to pinpoint your areas of weakness and shore them up before testing day.

Find the Right Online Education Program For You

Whether you’re deciding between an associates, bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting, you can find a myriad of accredited online colleges that offer top degree programs in accounting. Why not get started now exploring your options?

Nancy Lambert is an executive for Accredited-Online-Colleges.com Accredited-Online-Colleges.com provid

Benefits of Enforcing Accountability and Audits in Nonprofit Organizations

Many prospective donors are very skeptical about making donations, fearing that their money will not be used properly. A nonprofit or church audit is a process that provides reasonable assurance that good stewardship is being used in handling and accounting for donor’s money and other assets of the nonprofit organization.

The audit can be performed by external Accounting firms (or by an outside Certified Public Accountant). It can also be done internally-in which case the books are reviewed by selected non-related officers, or by prominent people in the nonprofit organization who understand financial and business management. These internal individuals should not be related in any way to the Financial Officers, thus avoiding a conflict of interest.

You may be pondering the idea of having an audit done in your nonprofit organization. You may be thinking of the cost, or the time involved. Listed below are some of the many benefits why you should have an audit done-the list is not exhaustive:

(1) A Charitable organization must comply with all applicable federal laws and regulations, applicable laws and regulations of the states and the local jurisdictions in which it is based or operates. An audit should ensure there is compliance.

(2) An organization conducting charitable programs outside the United States must also abide by applicable international laws, regulations and conventions that are legally binding on the United States.

(3) It will help to protect the officers of the corporation who are in charge of financial responsibility, from unnecessary charges of carelessness or misappropriation in handling funds.

(4) It sends a favorable message, and builds the trust and confidence of the financial supporters of the organization, who have a vested interest in how their money is being spent.

(5) It encourages good habits of fiscal responsibility to ensure that new employees will more likely continue to follow accountability principles already in place.

(6) It will assure that contributions made to the organization with stipulations as to how the funds should be used, are consistently used in accordance with the donor’s instructions, conveying to donors the assurance that their contributions are being used as intended.

(7) The auditors will be looking for an audit trail–It provides very important checks and balances for sums received and expended.

In general, most nonprofit or church audits are internal, consisting of selected auditing procedures performed by individuals inside the organization rather than by an outside CPA. This approach is useful in reducing the cost of internal control measures and audits.

These internal audits can be continuous, thus ensuring daily compliance. The internal auditors will most likely develop an audit program and an audit schedule that will be checked off. Most CPAs are knowledgeable in this area and should be consulted for initial set up and training assistance.

Those nonprofit organizations-including small churches-who do not conduct audits or have a set of written principles, should consider doing this as a necessity. From a practical standpoint I recall being the Secretary/Treasurer of a small church that did not conduct audits. However we ensure that there were adequate internal measures in place to ensure accountability.

The scope of this article is not to set out detailed internal control measures, consequently the list below is a partial representation of the control measures necessary:

• Do expenditure budgets, obtain members and board approval to ensure planning and cost control.
• Depositing all receipt intact; no removal for church expenses.
• At least two responsible individuals count and sign off on cash receipt.
• The church accounting done by persons that do not handle cash.
• Two signers needed for all checks.
• Check requisitions mandatory, itemizing items to be purchased.

Looking Into Accounting and Audit Services

If you think that the financial aspect of your business could be running more smoothly, then you will want to check out all the different companies who provide accounting and audit services. Every business needs to have their financial sector running properly, and if you think that yours needs a little bit of help, then you will want to contact one of these companies immediately. You can also find many of them that do payroll services as well. Making sure that all of your employees are paid in a prompt and accurate way is one of the most important aspects of running a business. These companies will ensure that all of your employees are satisfied with their work compensations weekly or bi-weekly, depending on the pay policy your individual company has.

You may also feel that you need financial advice. Whether you own or manage a business or are part of a wealthy family, these services can be of great help to you. There are many different things to think about in terms of what you are going to do with your money when you pass on. These companies can help you with both the financial and legal aspects of these issues. You will find that having to balance a lot of money can be a real problem, and it always helps to have someone by your side giving you advice as to what exactly you should do.

These companies can even help non-profit organizations with their financial problems, whatever they may be. If certain complications have been arising as the result of the money that is coming in, then you will need good solid advice as soon as possible. By hiring a company like this, you will get the kind of financial advice you need to stay away from overly-complicated legal situations. Whether you are trying to manage your budget or want help preparing your taxes, having one of these companies is a great idea. A lot of individuals get intimidated by the thought doing their taxes, especially when it seems like there are certain complications.

If that is the case, then you will need to consult a company like this to help you out. These financial advisers are experts at what they do. No matter how hopeless or confusing your own specific situation seems, you can get help. Big businesses turn to companies like these all the time for help, especially when it concerns their payroll for employees. There is nothing more important than keeping your operation running smoothly and making sure that there are no complications that come about as the result of financial issues. By hiring a team of experts to advise you and your company, you will be able to stay on the right track with your business or personal finances.

If you have financial problems, getting a London chartered accountant can help you to get back on track with you