Functional Medicine was founded by Gary Gray PT in the late 1990s as a distinctive branch of medicine that incorporates diagnostics, therapeutics, training, and prevention services related to biomechanical impairments of the human body. Functional Medicine is a holistic approach that engages body, mind and spirit. Motor function occurs in response to one’s intentions and subconscious sensory input as an integrated and predictable sequence of chain reactions that occur throughout the entire body involving a complex interplay of the neurological, muscular and skeletal systems within 3 planes of motion and the constant effects of gravity. Functional Medicine uses a technique called Integrated Isolation to systematically find and treat the cause, compensation and symptoms associated with functional impairments. 

Functional Medicine’s approach to managing functional impairment includes:

· 3D – Three dimensional, tri-plane motions (sagittal, frontal and transverse) occur simultaneously in all joints during all activities.

· 3G – Gravity fires the neuro-musculo-skeletal system through integrative loading, transformation and unloading chain reactions to produce Function.

· 3Z – The body’s three zones (lower quarter, upper quarter, and trunk core) consistently work together in synergy to produce Function.

Basic Function results from the blending of these three primary elements. Full Function is achieved through the addition of 3T  - “Tweaking” (spatial, force & temporal variables) to provide the texture and richness of Function.

Functional Medicine is practiced within the arena of Physical Therapy and Medical Rehabilitation. It is differentiated from traditional therapies in its holistic approach; focus on dynamic root causes and efficient interventions.

This definition was created by Gary Gray and the Accelerated Functional Rehabilitation Network-

www.acceleratednetwork.com