Below is from Chat GTP:
Functional medicine is an approach to healthcare that focuses on understanding the root causes of illness and promoting overall wellness. Instead of just treating symptoms, functional medicine looks at how different systems in the body work together and seeks to restore balance and optimal functioning.
In functional medicine, the body is seen as a complex network of interconnected parts. It considers various factors that can influence health, including genetics, lifestyle, environment, and diet. By examining these factors, functional medicine aims to identify the underlying imbalances or dysfunctions that may be contributing to a person's health issues.
Unlike traditional medicine, which often relies on medications to manage symptoms, functional medicine practitioners use a more holistic and individualized approach. They aim to address the underlying causes of illness rather than simply alleviating symptoms. This involves considering a person's unique circumstances, such as their medical history, lifestyle habits, and genetic predispositions.
Functional medicine practitioners may use a combination of approaches, including nutrition, exercise, stress management, and targeted supplementation, to help restore balance and support the body's natural healing mechanisms. They may also collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care.
By focusing on the underlying causes of illness and promoting overall well-being, functional medicine aims to empower individuals to take an active role in their own health and make informed choices that can improve their quality of life.
How did it do? I think AI did a fantastic job illustrating the difference between integrative medicine and functional medicine. Functional medicine attempts to understand the "root cause of illness" by leveraging advances in science including genetics, micronutrient testing, advanced biochemistry testing including organic acid testing, hormone testing, environmental toxic exposures (heavy metal, mold, food allergens), and much more.
What's more is that AI helped me to understand to clarify the difference between integrative medicine comes from philosophy - wisdom of healing v. science of healing. However, the most recent functional medicine conference revealed that there is much more emphasis on wisdom of healing taught now. Currently there is about 5:1 interest in favor of functional medicine v. integrative medicine.