Patient-centered care. The focus of functional
medicine is on patient-centered care, promoting health
as a positive vitality, beyond just the absence of disease.
 

An integrative, science-based healthcare approach.
Functional Medicine practitioners look “upstream”
to consider the complex web of interactions in the
patient’s history, physiology, and lifestyle that can lead
to illness. The unique genetic makeup of each patient is
considered, along with both internal (mind, body and
spirit) and external (physical and social environment)
factors that affect total functioning.
 

Integrating best medical practices. Functional
Medicine integrates traditional Western medical
practices with what are sometimes considered
“alternative” or “integrative” medicine, creating a
focus on prevention through nutrition, diet, and
exercise; use of the latest laboratory testing and
other diagnostic techniques; and prescribed
combinations of drugs and/or botanical medicines,
supplements, therapeutic diets, detoxification programs,
or stress-management techniques.