Holistic and Functional Healthcare and Integrative Functional Medicine in Chicago
Understanding Healthcare Approaches
Holistic and functional healthcare, as well as integrative functional medicine in Chicago, are both approaches that focus on treating the whole person rather than just symptoms. There are a ton of buzzwords in the health and wellness space, some more important than others. However, when it comes to finding the proper support for yourself, it is vital to understand the differences and similarities between these models of care. At Mind Body Co-op, our approach combines compassion, science, and evidence-based care to support the whole person. These terms are often used interchangeably; nevertheless, each has a slightly different focus. Therefore, learning the distinctions between them can help you make more informed choices about your health. Learn more below.
What is holistic medicine?
The broad idea of holistic medicine is a wonderful place to start if you’re a practitioner taking the first step beyond the traditional medical model. Holistic medicine focuses on treatment that considers the mind, body, and spirit. By evaluating physical, emotional, and spiritual health, the whole person can be brought to a state of coherence and balance. However, because holistic medicine is such a broad idea, many practitioners can describe their work as holistic. At Mind Body Co-op, we embrace holistic and functional healthcare, but we also offer much more. In addition, we take both an integrative and functional approach to create lasting wellness for our clients.
What is integrative medicine?
Modern medicine often reduces patients to a single symptom or diagnosis. In contrast, integrative medicine focuses on the entire person. In integrative medicine, multiple modalities are used to assess a patient’s needs and create a personalized treatment plan. This often involves collaboration among a variety of specialists and healthcare professionals. For example, an integrative approach in mental health might include a talk therapist, a doctor for medication management, and movement or nutrition specialists. As a result, clients receive more coordinated and well-rounded care. Here at Mind Body Co-op, we practice integrative functional medicine in Chicago, with a team that includes talk therapists, yoga teachers, DNP practitioners, psychologists, and integrative nutritionists. Furthermore, we see integrative care as just the beginning. To go even deeper, it’s important to include aspects of functional medicine that explore underlying causes rather than just symptoms.
What is functional medicine?
Functional medicine blends the best of holistic and integrative medicine. It looks at both scientific and cultural factors that affect health. For example, practitioners consider the patient’s genetics as well as current and past environments. While holistic and integrative plans support overall well-being, they can sometimes miss important biological details. Therefore, functional medicine fills this gap by examining biochemical deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and nutritional needs. Because of this, it brings together science and whole-person care to promote lasting wellness through holistic and functional healthcare. Ultimately, this approach aims to uncover the root causes of illness rather than only treating symptoms, as demonstrated by outcomes research published in JAMA Network Open and BMJ Open. Learn more about our nutrition and integrative health offerings here.
Which is right for you?
Choosing the right approach depends on your goals. If you’re seeking emotional or spiritual healing, holistic or integrative care may be a good fit. However, if you want to explore the scientific and biological roots of your health, you may benefit from working with a functional medicine practitioner. Moreover, it’s essential to consider how each approach aligns with your lifestyle and values. Ultimately, each method offers valuable tools for improving health and achieving balance.
Read more about integrative care at Mind Body Co-op.
