How is integrative medicine different than functional medicine? These two terms are often used interchangeably but there is a difference between the two. This article will explain how they are different and how they relate to traditional medicine. Let’s first consider Integrative Medicine (IM). It is probably most easily described as a blend of different healing methods used to restore health and wellness instead of applying only a single treatment method. For example, the Cleveland Clinic has an IM division that offers a variety of healing practices including acupuncture, chiropractic, and Chinese herbal medicine. IM embraces the concept that there is more than one way to treat health conditions and disease. Functional Medicine (FM) on the other hand, does not emphasize which healing method is used but is based on the philosophy that if the underlying cause of a health condition can be isolated, then it can be corrected through the use of precise dietary, nutritional and lifestyle modification…treating the cause instead of the effects of the cause.

FM physicians encourage the body to heal and correct itself. This is significantly different than the common practice of ignoring the body’s ability to self-correct and “forcing” change through the use of drugs. FM and IM are not and should not be utterly opposed to the use of medication. Sometimes too much of the body’s normal function has been destroyed or by disease, age, etc. In the same way that traditional medicine should be aware of the benefits of functional medicine, the functional medicine physician must acknowledge the merits of traditional medicine. An extreme position taken on their side is just that; extreme. The physician who refuses to recognize and understand the pros and cons of each approach only demonstrates their own ignorance and is failing to act in the best interest of their patients.  Pride and a false sense of superiority plaques healthcare professionals in our country today! The word “doctor” means teacher; and doctors of all disciplines should be educating their patients about health and wellness.

Sorry, I got a little off track there…I don’t believe any doctor should be too attached to the method of healing they have been trained in. This brings us back to the benefits of the IM model…traditional medicine, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, chiropractic…they all have benefits and merit. The truly educated (and responsible) physician should have sufficient knowledge of at least some of  the other forms of healing that exist so they can make appropriate recommendations to their patients.

At our office in Naperville we utilize both IM and FM to help or patients achieve their health and wellness goals. For example we incorporate physical therapies like Bowen Therapy when patients are in need of what we call structural correction (other forms of structural correction are physical therapy, chiropractic and massage therapy). At the same time, we also offer traditional and specialized diagnostic tests, nutritional therapy, lifestyle counseling and diet modification /optimization. We are therefore able to address biochemical and physiological imbalances as well as physical / structural problems. We obviously cannot offer all of the different healing methods but we have selected and utilize the ones we have found to be the most effective for our patients. This is how we have incorporated integrative medicine into our office.

We have also been able to balance or clinic by offering functional medicine. FM treats the underlying cause of disease and poor health by using a systems-oriented approach. This means we consider the different systems of your body; like the immune system, digestive system, nervous system, etc. FM physicians have a thorough understanding of how these system can support or hinder one another. This approach helps to organize patient history, examination and clinical findings and permit a flexible and adaptive approach to patient care. This is a very different approach than traditional medicine which tends to focus exclusively on the “problem” system; the one that brings the patient into the office. If you wish to isolate why you have a health problem then you want functional medicine. If do not want to know why, then traditional medicine would be a more appropriate approach for you.

A perfect example would be how sinus problems are treated. More often than not, the traditional approach involves any combination of antihistamines, antibiotics, steroids or surgery. None of which address the underlying cause of the sinus problem. The cause is obviously not due to a deficiency of these drugs. The question “WHY?” is neither considered nor addressed. Why does this person suffer with sinus issues? Is it a food intolerance? Is it a nutrient deficiency? Is there an imbalance of the immune system? Is it caused by allergies and if so how can we improve this person’s tolerance to their environment so that they are not so allergic to it? Is it due to a structural problem involving the upper cervical spine (where your skull and neck meet) which is causing decreased neurological control and function of the sinuses? This is how a functional and integrative physician looks at a sinus problem.

The good news is that you have a choice! If you are the kind of person who does not want to be bothered with becoming healthier and addressing underlying causes of your health problem, then the traditional approach is a better fit for you. Don’t worry…there is no judgment here; you are not alone…most people fall into this category.

However, if you have not had the response you were hoping for using traditional methods then you might be a good candidate for FM and IM.

You would also be good candidate if you are the kind of person who wants to address the underlying cause of your health problem and increase your health and vitality. You clearly value your health and possess the ability to foresee how your actions today will shape your health in the future.

If you are interested in taking different approach to your health then consider setting up a consultation with a physician trained in functional as well as integrative medicine. If you would like more information about functional medicine or integrative medicine or Dr. Sexton; go to napervilleintegratedwellness.com

Do your own research, inform yourself and ask lots of questions. When collecting information you MUST consider the source. There is no shortage of false, misleading, outdated, profit-driven and utterly biased information in healthcare today; even from the most respected sources.**