Traditional Medicine

Functional Medicine

Uses symptoms to identify the illness, Masks or suppresses symptoms, but does not address underlying cause, which creates “patients for life”.

Focusing on the root cause of the symptoms and emphasizes the importance of diet and lifestyle.

Patients with the same disease get the same treatment, regardless of their differences. Treatment often involves pharmaceuticals, which can have side effects and complications.

Treatments are highly individualized based on patient needs and generally produce mild or no side effects, as most are holistic approaches.

Views the body as a collection of separate parts, each of which has its own doctor (i.e. cardiologist, podiatrist, etc.).

Treats the body as an interconnected whole, and recognizes the importance of these connections in health and disease.

Focused on managing disease after it has already reached an irreversible state.

Tests and treatments designed to promote optimal function, prevent and reverse illness, and improve quality of life.