The advancement in medicine and technology has introduced many new medicine models into the healthcare field that potentially contribute to human well-being. Some of the best complementary medicine methods have worked side by side with the treatment of various diseases in the 21st century. Functional Medicine and Integrative Medicine are the two most common holistic medicine schemes. These medical systems enable doctors to think of more than just illnesses. The physicians are gradually taking a more systematic approach to health care rather than relying exclusively on managing a condition—moreover, the system instilled in the patient the value of their spirit, mind, and body. Alike the world-renowned health care professionals, the physician at the Rose Wellness also hold these professions in high regard.
Today, many people agree that integrated and integrative medicine is the way of the future. Because functional and integrative medicine helps meet physical and emotional, environmental, social, spiritual, & behavioral needs.
Integrative medicine seeks to understand the individual as a whole and uses various therapies to improve wellness. Although functional and integrative medicine is identical in concept, they vary in ways that will aid you in your search for a healthy lifestyle.
While functional medicine and integrative medicine are close in many ways and overlap in others, they also have distinct features that set them apart. This guide will help you understand the differences between these two types of medication.
Difference between Integrative and Functional Medicine
What is Integrative Medicine, and how it works?
Integrative medicine is a systematic medical discipline that considers a patient’s lifestyle patterns. This means it focuses on the whole person’s well-being. Moreover, implying from its name, we can guess it is a mixture of Western medicine learned in medical schools in the US. And it is implemented within the scientific healthcare systems across the world along with the United States & certain developed nations.
In spite of treating the illness only, the doctors focus on the entire person. They consider a patient’s soul, body, and mind for facilitating his recovery and well-being.
To detect and cure a patient, integrative medicine employs a variety of current clinical methods. A few treatment modalities include:
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Yoga
As per many integrative medicine doctors, a number of common chronic illnesses can be caused due to unhealthy lifestyle decisions. Therefore, for the reduction of a patient’s diabetes & obesity risk factors, his fitness & food habits are worth considering in this health practice.
What is Functional Medicine, and how it works?
Functional medicine incorporates the same principle as the Integrative medicine theory. It works as per a systems-oriented treatment approach and takes into consideration a few essential things:
- determines and describes underlying or root causes of a patient’s health conditions
- to find out what is wrong by using a laboratory-based analysis technique
- uses appropriate supplements along with the medicines to fix problems
- focuses on behavioral improvements such as food, sleep, exercise, and meditation, etc
Its most particular focus is on chronic diseases like cardiovascular & autoimmune diseases.
In this healthcare discipline, the doctors focus on each patient individually and keep his treatment plan is distinct and exclusive. Moreover, a patient is analyzed, keeping into consideration every aspect of his medical history. Thus, this ultimately turns the bond between patient and doctor into collaboration.
Functional medicine embraces everything from cutting-edge genomics to altering gene expression by behavioral causes and the value of maintaining balanced gut bacteria through food and nutrition. It has been around for over 20 years, but conventional medicine has recently validated it. Without a doubt, personalized medicine is the future of patient treatment.