Functional medicine is an approach to mind-body healing focused on treating not just symptoms but root causes of disease using natural methods whenever possible. There are other types of medical approaches to consider. For example, conventional medicine is focuses on treating symptoms and diseases using drugs, radiation or surgery. With this medical approach, you must often undergo lab tests, prescription medicine, and sometimes surgical techniques performed by a medical doctor. This is how functional medicine differs from conventional medicine. Integrative medicine uses a combination of conventional and alternative therapies to treat and heal the whole person. In this article, we’ll talk about functional medicine, integrative medicine, and conventional medicine and what options are the best for you.
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is a branch of medicine that takes a holistic approach to health and wellness and focuses on the root cause of the disease rather than simply treating the symptoms. Functional medicine practitioners work to optimize their patient’s health by addressing the underlying imbalances that lead to illness.
Functional medicine is a much more holistic approach to healing and can therefore contribute to better overall health. Conventional medicine often does not focus on addressing the underlying cause of disease, which can perpetuate chronic illness. Functional medicine is a much more personalized approach to healthcare and should be considered when seeking optimal health.
What is Conventional Medicine?
Conventional medicine, on the other hand, focuses on treating symptoms and diseases with drugs and/or surgery. While this approach can be effective in some cases, it often fails to address the underlying causes of illness. This can lead to patients taking multiple medications or undergoing repeated surgeries without ever addressing the root cause of their condition.
Conventional medicine focuses on the treatment of disease. It is based on the belief that if we can find a way to treat or cure a disease, we can improve our health. This approach often relies heavily on medications and surgery.
Lifestyle factors are not typically prioritized in the conventional medicine paradigm. However, more and more research shows that lifestyle factors play a significant role in our overall health.
Medical doctors are usually a great place to start when you are sick or injured. However, they may not be familiar with the latest research on lifestyle factors and how they impact our health.
The Difference Between the Two
The difference between functional and conventional medicine is that functional medicine seeks the underlying causes rather than treating the symptoms of disease, while conventional medicine focuses on treating specific symptoms. Conventional medicine tends to examine individual symptoms and presume they are related to various body parts or organ systems, while functional medicine tends to take a more holistic approach considering the body as a whole. This means that functional medicine practitioners look for underlying imbalances in the body that may be causing disease, while conventional practitioners focus on treating the symptoms of the disease. Functional medicine is also more focused on preventative care, while conventional medicine is more focused on treatment after the diagnosis of illness or disease.
In general, functional medicine is a more personalized, proactive approach to healthcare because it takes a holistic approach to healing and focuses on preventative care. However, both types of medicine have their own strengths and weaknesses, which ultimately depend on your needs. If you are looking for a specific treatment for a disease, conventional medicine may be a good approach for you. However, functional medicine may be a better option if you are interested in preventative care and overall health.
Conventional and functional medicine differ in their approach to health care. Conventional medicine often focuses on treating symptoms associated with specific diseases or organ systems, while functional medicine practitioners take a more holistic view not just of the body but underlying causes of illness. This means they search for imbalances that could be causing the disease instead of masking the symptoms with drugs or surgery. Functional medicine is also more focused on preventative care, while conventional medicine focuses on treating diseases after they have been diagnosed.
What is Integrative Medicine?
Integrative medicine is a form of medical therapy that combines practices and treatments from alternative medicine with conventional medicine. It is becoming more popular as people look for alternatives to conventional medicine. Integrative medicine can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions. Integrative medicine is an effective way to treat disease and promote wellness.
Which One Is For You?
Functional medicine is a holistic approach to healing that focuses on the root cause of disease rather than just treating symptoms. Conventional medicine is a more traditional approach to healthcare that involves prescribing medication for specific conditions. Integrative medicine combines both holistic and conventional methods to treat patients. So which one is best for you?
The answer may not be so simple, depending on your situation and what you hope to achieve with treatment. If you are looking for a more holistic approach to health care, then functional medicine may be a good option. However, if you have a specific disease or condition that requires prescription medication, then conventional medicine may be the better choice. If you are seeking a type of medical therapy that combines conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way, integrative medicine may be the path to pursue.
The best way to decide which approach is best for you is to consult a medical doctor who has training or background in the different healing modalities. They will be able to assess your situation and give you their professional opinion regarding which treatment method would be best for you. Ultimately, the decision is up to you. But whatever route you choose, make sure you do your research to make an informed decision about your health care.
Key Takeaways About Functional Medicine, Integrative Medicine, and Conventional Medicine
Now that you know the differences and similarities between functional medicine, integrative medicine, and conventional medicine, you can decide which approach would be best for you. Many patients can make lifestyle changes that will help them treat their chronic conditions. With diet and exercise, you can often alleviate symptoms associated with underlying issues. Talk to your doctor to help you get on the right track to preventing diseases before they happen.
Bio: Index Health is a healthcare team specialized in personalized healing and root cause diagnosis and treatment. Our multi-disciplinary care team is made up of physicians and nutritionists that are trained and certified in functional or root cause medicine.
