Functional, Integrative or Holistic?
Posted by Andrea Nakayama
Both patients and practitioners often inquire what the term Functional Medicine actually means.
How is it different than Integrative Medicine?
Is it distinct from Holistic Medicine?
In the 1990’s the term Integrative Medicine was popularized as physicians acknowledged that their role, and what they had to offer their patients, was TRUE but partial.
Integrative Medicine
The term Integrative Medicine was described as: “the practice of medicine that reaffirms the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient, focuses on the whole person, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, healthcare professionals and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing.”
Beautiful, right? A system designed to honor the person and their need for support from myriad modalities of healing.
This thinking was a huge step forward from where medicine had come (while also, we have to recognize, quite retrospective—meaning it’s what medicine used to be).
Functional Medicine
Functional Medicine was also described in the 1990’s, by Dr. Jeffrey Bland. It’s just now receiving the recognition it deserves.
Functional Medicine is said to better address the healthcare needs of the 21st century by shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of the medical practice to a more “patient-centered approach, addressing the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms, listening to patients’ histories and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex, chronic disease.”
I applaud and am completely in service to the practice of Functional Medicine and what it stands for. When I began seeing an increasing number of clients in my practice—especially those with complex cases—it was these principles that spoke to me as a route to finding resolution and remedy.
Functional Nutrition
And as I further adapted the principles for my clinical needs and my scope of practice, I saw results—results that enabled my now Functional Nutrition practice to grow beyond my wildest dreams, so much so that I had to hire more nutritionists onto my team to handle the extra clients. And all of this growth happened by word-of-mouth recommendations alone.
Functional Medicine and Functional Nutrition both have a therapeutic focus on restoring the optimum function of the body and its organs, that works with systems and frameworks toward resolving the root causes of any sign, symptom or diagnosis, with a highlight on the importance of diet and lifestyle modification as part of its approach.
Interestingly, Integrative and Functional are not mutually exclusive.
As you can see from the descriptions above, an Integrative practitioner can take a Functional approach and a Functional practitioner can (and likely does), integrate adjunct therapies and allied practitioners into their therapeutic care. Both are holistic in their approach. And this is where we come in. You and I.
We are the bridge. We are integrative care and, if we care to have the best results, we practice Functionally.
What we do is integral to the therapeutic plan—to bring insight to the people seeking help in healthcare. In this way, we can work with any doctor, with any practitioner, on our clients’ teams to support making the everyday practices that matter more accessible, more understandable, easier to follow and with increased support when the tried-and-true just does not work. All this for the increased outcomes that both patients and practitioners deserve.
Schedule a free session with an Admissions Advisor to see how our Functional Nutrition immersion program can unlock the keys to your success in practice.
Or call us at 208-202-4022.
EXPERIENCE A FREE TRAINING SERIES WITH ANDREA NAKAYAMA TO HELP YOU
Begin practicing functionally today!
MORE TO EXPLORE
You Might Also Like
The Functional Nutrition Guide to Fats and Oils
Welcome to our comprehensive guide to fats and oils! This guide aims to provide you with valuable insights into the different types of fats and oils available, their sources, and how to make informed decisions about incorporating them into your diet. Fats and oils are more than just macronutrients; they are essential for overall health […]
Read MoreProtein: The Functional Nutrition Benefits of Nature’s Building Blocks
Protein: A fundamental element in Functional Nutrition As a key part of the Functional Nutrition Alliance’s Fat, Fiber, Protein principle for health and healing, protein deserves our attention and investigation. Protein is one of the essential macronutrients required by the human body to function properly. It’s composed of smaller units called amino acids, which are […]
Read MoreFiber: The Health & Healing Benefits of Complex Carbohydrates
Fiber fundamentals in Functional Nutrition Let’s talk about fiber! While fiber is not a macronutrient like Fat or Protein (the other two components of our core Fat/Fiber/Protein principle for health and healing), it is critical for full body systems health and balance. In fact, it’s a key factor supporting our Non-Negotiable Trifecta of Sleep, Poop, […]
Read MoreFunctional Nutrition for Sleep Support: Sleep Tight Bedtime Milk with Chamomile, Catnip and Passionflower
Scientifically known as Passiflora incarnata, passionflower has been a trusted herbal ally for centuries throughout the world. Our founder, Andrea Nakayama, knows it as the flower growing up on the side of her home like a weed. Little did she know that the flower would later become a topic of discussion in Full Body Systems, […]
Read More