Functional Medicine
Mainstream Medicine (aka Western Medicine) compared to Functional Medicine
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Western Medicine |
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Western Medicine is constrained by insurance reimbursement policies and does not integrate any other form of health care |
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Body is composed of separate parts and systems |
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Emphasis is on the identification of disease, pathogens and symptoms |
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Diagnosis is specialized and is usually late stages or acute |
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Treatment is based on reducing symptoms |
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Health is measured as the absence of disease |
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Functional Medicine |
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Integration of Western and Chinese Medicine, Homeopathy and Nutrition (not insurance based) |
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Body is viewed as a dynamic interconnected system of body, mind, emotions and spirit |
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Emphasis is on the identification of imbalances and dysfunction of normal physiology |
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Diagnosis integrates data from many different systems and methods |
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Treatment address the underlying causes and the symptoms |
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Health is measured along a wellness continuum moving from disease to wellness |