What is the Difference Between Functional Medicine and Conventional Medicine?

Genetics, nutrition, lifestyle habits, and environmental factors significantly affect our health. Chronic diseases plague about 45% of the American population, triggering unexplained symptoms. Most of these people suffer from underlying conditions, such as autoimmune diseases or digestive issues, which conventional medicine approaches often overlook. 

When you visit a conventional medicine physician for a cold or another ailment, you usually receive a prescription medication to alleviate the symptoms and "feel better." The truth is medications mask the symptoms rather than focusing on the underlying cause of unwanted symptoms. Additionally, these medications have several side effects, suppressing the immune system and increasing inflammation in the human body. Functional medicine practitioners focus on treating the whole body rather than isolating individual body systems or organs.

Focusing on a whole approach to treating underlying health issues is essential for optimal health and wellness. Many chronic illnesses occur because of the foods we eat, the air we breathe, and the stress we experience. The body has the unique ability to self-heal after injuries or infections. Using natural therapies and treatment methods, functional medicine practitioners facilitate the natural healing process and provide numerous benefits.

Regarding healthcare, what works for one patient's needs may not work for another. Functional medicine understands that each person has a unique biological makeup, requiring a different approach to healing. By combining science-based data from a patient's health history, biological factors, environmental awareness, and genetic markers, a functional medicine practitioner can uncover the source of illness and help patients begin healing.

Recovering from health issues first means understanding why you suffer from unexplained symptoms. Functional medicine focuses on treating the root cause, unlike conventional medicine and its treatment of the symptoms, which is crucial for recovery and optimal function. These physicians learn about patients' genetics, medical history, and current lifestyles and how they affect patients' health. Addressing patients' concerns and considering chronic symptoms can help patients recover from underlying issues, such as Hormonal imbalances, Endocrine distributions, Skin conditions, Allergies, Mold toxicity, Hypertension, Gastrointestinal disorders, and Metabolic dysfunction.

One of the best things about functional medicine vs traditional medicine is the ability to customize a treatment that meets the patient's unique physical and mental health needs. This step also strengthens doctor-patient relationships as the doctor learns more about the patient's health history and listens to their concerns. Functional medicine is concerned with helping you heal from the inside out and learning how to manage chronic conditions.

Whether you’re frustrated with conventional medicine methods or you’re considering a holistic approach to your health, we can help. Contact Heal Functional Medicine today to learn how you can experience the benefits of a functional medicine journey.