Functional Medicine
Functional medicine is whole-person, personalized medicine which aims to address the root cause of disease and promote overall wellbeing. A functional medicine doctor requires a detailed understanding of a patient’s medical history, and considers the social, environmental, genetic and lifestyle factors affecting a patient’s health. Functional medicine is a science-based approach which often utilizes laboratory testing to find answers, treat the cause of disease, and restore optimal health.
Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic medicine respects the wisdom of nature, and the body’s innate ability to heal, while also employing modern science and evidence-based therapies. As with functional medicine, naturopathic medicine also seeks to treat the cause of disease, and there is a focus on health promotion and disease prevention. Naturopathic doctors are trained as primary care physicians and employ a wide range of therapies, including pharmaceuticals, nutrient therapy, herbal medicine, minor office procedures and nutritional, lifestyle and mental health counseling. Naturopathic medicine is based on six principles:
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Do no harm
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The healing power of nature
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Identify and treat the causes
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They physician as teacher
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Treat the whole person
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Prevention