Naturopathic Medicine vs. Functional Medicine
Contents
Philosophical foundations
Treatment modalities
Holistic approach
Education and training
Patient-centered care
Diagnostic approaches
Conditions treated
Accessibility and regulation
Wrapping up the remedies
Have you ever wondered about holistic health? Naturopathic and functional medicine explore healing from the perspective of root causes.
These treatments look at the synergy between natural remedies and modern science. Aspects like nutrition and lifestyle play a crucial role in your health. These factors are the most important.
The two types of alternative healing share several principles. There are also multiple differences. Join us as we discover more about these popular alternative healing options.
Philosophical foundations
Let’s explore the core principles of both types of holistic healing.
Naturopathic medicine takes the approach of harnessing the power of nature. Advocates for this type of treatment believe this is the ideal way to identify the root cause of an illness.
While modern medicine typically targets the symptoms, naturopathic healing dives deeper. The idea is that by finding the root cause of an ailment, treatment is more effective.
One of the main core principles of philosophy is prevention.
Practitioners believe in building a metaphorical fence to protect your health. The way to build up this immune defense mechanism is through lifestyle adjustments. Mindfulness is also essential with this method to accomplish complete vitality.
Functional medicine also takes a holistic approach, but it slightly redefines the doctor-to-patient relationship. Each person’s healthcare journey is unique.. It’s patient-centered and promotes personalized care.
Aspects like your health history, genetics, and lifestyle are essential. The healing method delves deep to unearth the roots of an issue. Similarly to naturopathic medicine, it addresses underlying dysfunctions.
It doesn’t merely suppress your symptoms. Functional medicine views the body as a complex web of interconnected systems. Disrupting one thread could cause a cascade of effects. Health practitioners in this field try to restore balance. They identify and address these disruptions.
The method of treatment is quite personalized. What works for one patient isn’t necessarily the solution for another.
Treatment modalities
There are various treatment modalities for naturopathic medicine. The approach uses an integrative system. Each aspect works harmoniously with the others. Let’s look at some examples of these modalities.
- Herbal medicine: Naturopathic practitioners make use of nature’s pharmacy by harnessing the power of plants. Examples are chamomile for stress and echinacea for immunity.
- Nutrition: Proper nourishment is vital in naturopathic medicine. Dealing with ailments requires you to fuel your body with different food types. These include vitamins, minerals, fruits, vegetables, and whole foods.
- Lifestyle modifications: Various mindfulness practices form an integral part of this approach. Examples include meditation and getting adequate sleep. Other factors include exposure to nature and sunlight. Naturopathic healing may also require you to increase how much you move each day.
- Physical therapies: Several types of movement are encouraged. Examples include hydrotherapy and stretching. The goal is to keep the body agile while building strength.
Functional medicine uses advanced diagnostic tools to uncover hidden imbalances in the body. Here are some of the treatment modalities for this method.
- Advanced diagnostic tools: These typically involve genetic testing and comprehensive blood panels. Some common tests are stool, hormone, and metabolic testing. They may also look at the biomarkers for digestion, inflammation, and microbial conditions.
- Nutrition plans: This approach to healing often involves a customized diet. It’s based on the individual’s biochemistry. A typical meal plan is rich in colorful plant-based options. Some also include dairy, fish, and meat.
- Lifestyle interventions: Taking a holistic approach to treatment takes all factors into account. Your sleep pattern, exercise routine, and stress management techniques all matter. A functional medicine practitioner guides patients towards healthier habits in these lifestyle areas.
Holistic approach
Naturopathic medicine is a form of comprehensive care. It defines health as a combination of interconnected elements. These include the mind, body, environment, and emotions.
Treatments don’t mask discomfort by only alleviating symptoms of illness. The technique aims to restore balance to the body through various natural means. Mental health also plays a vital role.
Having a peaceful mind is essential for having a healthy body. Similarly, your emotional state also matters. Your entire way of life impacts your health according to this approach.
Functional medicine shares several philosophies with naturopathic treatments. It also looks at the root cause of an ailment, but your diagnostic tools differ. The method considers that certain illnesses are caused by lifestyle choices.
An example is a condition treated by making dietary changes. Environmental and emotional factors also play a role. The healing method focuses on the interconnected systems of each individual. The goal is to tune the body into the rhythm of holistic health.
Education and training
Naturopathic medicine takes a unique perspective on health. So, how do you become a practitioner in this field?
This job combines passion and education. The first step is acquiring a bachelor’s degree in field-related assignments.
The training provides a comprehensive understanding of medical-related terminology. These include biology and anatomy. The next step is taking a four-year medical program in naturopathic healing.
This training delves into topics such as homeopathy, nutrition, natural therapies, and botanical medicine. The qualification includes some hands-on training. The final step is securing an internship with an experienced naturopathic doctor.
Before budding practitioners can start practicing, they have to pass rigorous licensing exams.
Becoming a functional medicine practitioner is also an extensive journey. The starting point is a solid foundation in healthcare. These typically fall into the category of a medical degree of some sort.
Functional medicine is quite inclusive. There are diverse entry points in to the field. The next step is pursuing a certification in the field you want to specialize in. There are multiple institutions for studying holistic health programs.
The learning journey doesn’t stop here. Functional practitioners need to commit to long-life learning. There are workshops and conferences to help them keep abreast with healthcare.
Patient-centered care
When you consult a traditional doctor, you tell them your symptoms and they treat them. With naturopathic medicine, this doctor-to-patient relationship gets redefined. The practitioner fosters an environment where shared decision-making takes place.
This approach empowers the patient. The shared responsibility allows individuals to take appropriate actions and improve their well-being. Naturopathic doctors diagnose the problem, treat it, and teach the patient preventative measures and self-care practices.
In functional medicine, the patient’s health is assessed on an individual basis. The practitioner looks at the whole person and not just their symptoms. The approach delves into your genetic makeup and biochemistry.
Once the practitioner understands these details, they diagnose you. The treatment can then align with your specific needs.
The patient-centered approach is a shared philosophy between the two types of medicine. This approach demonstrates a paradigm shift in the field of healthcare.
Diagnostic approaches
What diagnostic methods does naturopathic medicine use? There are mainly three approaches.
- Physical exams: Like detectives looking for the source of your ailments, practitioners examine the body for clues. Some aspects differ from the examinations of traditional medicine. These include checking the tongue for imbalances and palpating the abdomen.
- Laboratory tests: While naturopathic medicine uses mainly natural techniques, science also has a role to play. Some practitioners may request a blood, saliva, or urine test to help them diagnose deficiencies.
- Clinical assessments: Naturopaths discuss various factors with their patients. Details of these conversations include lifestyle, stressors, and emotional well-being. By understanding each patient’s unique story, they devise a personalized healing plan.
Advanced diagnostic tools are pivotal in functional medicine. The main ones are below.
- Genomic analysis: The tool delves into the patient’s DNA and uncovers predispositions that influence their health.
- Advanced blood tests: These unveil health markers that traditional medicine may mess with. It helps give practitioners an overview of hormone imbalances and other health issues.
- Specialized assessments: This tool helps practitioners take a holistic understanding. It involves doing a lifestyle analysis. It helps practitioners select an effective course of action.
Conditions treated
In many cases, chronic diseases lead patients to seek out alternative treatments. One of these is naturopathy. The approach also helps individuals tackle issues like allergies and digestive issues.
Functional medicine delves deep into the reason behind symptoms. Individuals who have autoimmune disorders often turn to this healing approach. People with hormone imbalances and metabolic problems also look to this medical approach for a solution.
Both these types of medicine work well alongside conventional medical methods. They focus on natural ways to support healing in the body. When integrated with mainstream medicine, it can make for a comprehensive yet balanced treatment plan.
Accessibility and regulation
Naturopathic medicine is gaining traction. Each region has its own regulations regarding the practice. In some places, practitioners integrate seamlessly into the healthcare system. In other places, their scope is limited.
There are stringent rules which prevent them from fully assisting patients. As the demand for holistic care increases, a balance between these extremes may occur. The accessibility and regulations of functional medicine mirror that of naturopathic medicine.
Wrapping up the remedies
Naturopathic and functional medicine share a holistic approach. However, they differ in their foundations of diagnostics and other methodologies.
The former leans more toward natural remedies and traditional practices. The latter integrates science during its diagnostic process. Both options prioritize a patient-centric ethos in the healing journey.
Now that you know more about these options, why not explore more about alternative healing? Book a consultation with LIVV Natural to discover the benefits of naturopathic medicine.
Author: Dr. Jason Phan NMD – Founder of LIVV Natural – Anti-aging – regenerative medicine – peptide therapy
