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Is Integrative medicine different from functional medicine?

Writer's picture: Herbal PalHerbal Pal


When it comes to healthcare, we always confuse integrative medicine and functional medicine. It often becomes difficult to decide which one is more effective and beneficial. If you prefer a way of healing that works quickly for a particular problem, you must go for functional medicine. Choosing integrative medicine is a combination of different approaches to providing long-term effects. Let’s discuss both approaches in detail today.


Integrative Medicine

Integrative medicine is an approach to healthcare combining the benefits of conventional treatment such as therapies & yoga with treatment through herbs. It focuses on treating you as a whole instead of just treating an illness. It works on symptoms and causes of health issues and looks deeply into your physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional needs.


Integrative medicine establishes a relationship between you and your healthcare practitioner. The combined efforts of both result in quick healing. The approaches to integrative healthcare include massage, therapies, yoga, tai chi, acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine. It provides relief for many health conditions such as chronic pain, migraines, cold/flu, breathing disorders, mental disorders, infertility, obesity, insomnia, and many others.


Functional Medicine

When it comes to health issues, you want to try anything that can treat your condition and can provide relief for a particular disease. The popular approach to achieving good health is the use of functional medicine. These medicines are able to treat a specific problem of a patient and provide immediate relaxation. However, the effect of this type of medicine is not for a long time, and also carries some side effects. Sometimes, treating one health problem with a particular medication may result in the worsening of another health issue. This approach is not focused on the root cause of disease and instead aims to treat an individual problem.


Which one is better to choose?

Both approaches to healthcare have their own importance according to the condition of the patient. You need to understand which approach suits you better. If your illness is severe, it is good to go for western medication for instant benefit. You can practice integrative along with functional medicine for the best benefits. The best option is to consult your healthcare provider for the best approach.


Conclusion

Integrative medicine and functional medicine both are best at their places. Educate yourself on both approaches to make the best decision that is good for you. Visit herbalpal.org to learn about integrative medicine and holistic healthcare.

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