Functional Medicine v Integrative Medicine - The Perimenopause Case Study

At Tendwell, our Institute for Functional Medicine Certified practitioners take a root-cause, personalized approach.  We also blend in Integrative medicine.  You may be wondering what the differences are between the two approaches.  While they are very similar, there are some differences.  Taking as a case study, the general approach that might be taken to address perimenopause, this blog explains the similarities and differences in the two approaches. 

Integrative Medicine Approach:

1.     Comprehensive Assessment: A thorough evaluation of the woman's health history, symptoms, lifestyle factors, and any underlying conditions.

2.     Hormone Testing: Hormone testing to assess levels of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid hormones to identify hormonal imbalances.

3.     Nutritional Support: Emphasis on nutrition to support hormone balance and alleviate symptoms, with dietary recommendations and supplementation as needed.

4.     Lifestyle Modifications: Recommendations for stress management techniques, adequate sleep, regular exercise, and minimizing exposure to toxins to support overall health and hormone balance.

5.     Botanical Medicine and Supplements: Suggestions for botanical medicines and supplements, such as black cohosh or evening primrose oil, to alleviate symptoms. Nutritional supplements like vitamin D or magnesium may also be recommended.

6.     Mind-Body Therapies: Recommendations for mind-body therapies like acupuncture, yoga, or meditation to manage stress, improve mood, and alleviate symptoms.

7.     Conventional Medical Interventions: Collaboration with conventional medical providers as needed, including prescribing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or other conventional treatments for severe symptoms or complications.

Functional Medicine Approach:

1.     Comprehensive Assessment: Similar to integrative medicine, functional medicine practitioners conduct a thorough evaluation of the woman's health history, symptoms, lifestyle factors, and underlying conditions.

2.     Advanced Testing: Functional medicine often utilizes advanced laboratory testing to assess physiological function and identify imbalances in systems such as hormones, digestion, detoxification, and inflammation.

3.     Identifying Root Causes: Functional medicine focuses on identifying the root causes of symptoms, which may include hormonal imbalances, gut dysbiosis, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, or genetic predispositions.

4.     Targeted Treatment Plans: Based on the results of advanced testing, functional medicine practitioners develop personalized treatment plans that address the specific imbalances and root causes identified.

5.     Nutritional and Lifestyle Recommendations: Similar to integrative medicine, functional medicine emphasizes nutrition and lifestyle modifications to support hormone balance and overall health. However, recommendations are often more targeted based on individual test results.

6.     Supplementation: Functional medicine may utilize targeted supplementation to address specific imbalances identified through testing, with a focus on restoring optimal function to the body's systems.

7.     Monitoring and Follow-Up: Functional medicine practitioners typically provide ongoing monitoring and support to track progress and make adjustments to treatment plans as needed.

Overall, while both integrative and functional medicine approaches share similarities in their holistic and personalized approach to healthcare, functional medicine often incorporates more in-depth testing and a focus on identifying and addressing the underlying root causes of symptoms.

Make an appointment today with Tendwell to discuss membership in our functional medicine / integrative medicine program.