Integrative Medicine vs. Functional Medicine
People mix these up all the time, and it’s easy to see why. The terms get tossed around so loosely that even scientists roll their eyes. Both integrative medicine and functional medicine go beyond symptom management. Their goal is to optimize recovery, endurance, and longevity. They just approach it from different angles.
Integrative medicine combines conventional care with evidence-based therapies. These approaches work together to restore balance and accelerate recovery.
Functional medicine uses advanced testing to trace symptoms to their cause, then treat the underlying problem rather than just the symptoms themselves.
We’re a doctor-led, science-forward clinic combining both approaches to help you reach your health goals.
Key Takeaways
- Functional medicine figures out the main cause of your health issues. While integrative medicine restores overall system balance and optimizes performance.
- Advanced testing uncovers what your body needs and helps create a personalized treatment.
- At YNC, we treat underlying dysfunctions through targeted, doctor-led therapies.
- Our goal is to enhance cellular function, metabolism, and longevity.
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine identifies the first domino disrupting your system. It does this by connecting your genetics, nutrition, and lifestyle. Targeted treatments then correct imbalances and promote a healthier, longer life.
How Functional Medicine Works
Young Naturopathic Center’s team are detectives in disguise. Instead of dismissing your symptoms as “stress,” we follow the trail of clues your body leaves.
We review your lifestyle, sleep, nutrition, stress, and medical history. Then, through our advanced testing, we find the cause of your persistent symptoms.
At our Los Gatos clinic, we offer two types of tests:
- Standard labs include hormonal, metabolic, inflammation, and autoimmune markers.
- Advanced labs like VO2 Max mitochondrial function, gut and microbiome testing, genetic tests, and more.
Once we know what’s off, we use targeted, doctor-led treatments to restore balance. These boost cellular energy, improve gut health, and support hormonal balance.
Our licensed doctors find the cause, and fix the process, so you can step out of that endless hospital loop.
What is Integrative Medicine?
Integrative Medicine focuses on getting every system in your body working together again. It combines conventional care with advanced, science-backed therapies.
These treatments revitalize your body, strengthen key systems, and optimize daily performance.
How Integrative Medicine Works
Using integrative medicine, we look at how your hormones, gut, and metabolism interact. We then use cutting-edge therapies to bring them back into alignment.
And no, you don’t need to meditate your mitochondria back to life. We use research-backed treatments to restore coordinated function across your body’s systems.
Some of the treatments that we offer at YNC include:
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Delivers oxygen under pressure to accelerate recovery and tissue repair.
- IV Nutrient Therapy: Sometimes a smoothie just isn’t enough, so we take the fast lane and deliver nutrients directly to your cells.
- Regenerative Medicine: Uses treatments like PRP and exosomes to activate your body’s natural repair systems.
- NAD Therapy: Supports cellular energy production and DNA repair to boost focus, and longevity.
- …and more options, your body will thank you for!
At YNC, every integrative medicine protocol is doctor-designed, data-driven, and performance-focused.
Differences Between Functional Medicine and Integrative Medicine
Functional medicine asks, “Why is this happening?”
Integrative Medicine asks, “How do we get everything working together again?”
Both aim for long-term performance and take different paths to get there. Here’s how they differ:
| Category | Functional Medicine | Integrative Medicine |
| Focus | Finds and fixes the cause of dysfunction | Restores system balance for better performance and recovery |
| Approach | Data-driven, personalized, diagnostic-focused | Multi-disciplinary, collaborative, outcome-focused |
| Treatment | Precise nutrition plans, supplements, lifestyle adjustments | Evidence-based therapies like HBOT, IV drips, NAD therapy, Bioidentical hormone therapy, etc. |
| Time Orientation | Looks at health history to identify where imbalances began | Optimizes current body function and builds strategies to rebalance |
| Strengths | Identifies hidden imbalances and addresses complex, chronic issues | Supports energy, recovery, and longevity |
Why They Work Together
If functional and integrative medicine were a tag team, they’d be unstoppable.
Combining root-cause analysis with doctor-supervised treatments helps to create a personalized treatment plan. This approach enhances energy production, fine-tunes metabolism, and restores system balance.
Let’s say you’re running on caffeine, getting eight hours of sleep, eating clean, and following every “healthy living” rule out there. But you’re still exhausted.
Traditional medicine might check your thyroid, find nothing, and call it a day.
But functional medicine goes deeper. We run metabolic testing to see if your cells are underperforming. Maybe you’re low on key nutrients, or your mitochondria are sputtering.
Once we know the why, we rebuild energy at the source with IV Nutrient or NAD Therapy. These help you go from “barely running” to “running the show.”
Who Benefits from This Combined Approach
This approach is for people who are done with symptom-chasing and ready for results that last.
- People tired of managing symptoms without addressing the cause
- High performers who want more energy, focus, and longevity
- People managing complex, multi-system conditions related to hormones, metabolism, digestion, or immunity
- Those who have “tried everything” without results… (even the viral supplement that promised miracles)
- Men and women who want to optimize their sexual health through hormone balance and nutrient restoration
- Anyone who wants to feel well and live long
What to Expect at YNC
YNC is a doctor-owned and operated clinic. Our licensed doctors guide you through every step of treatment and tackle complex health issues with expertise.
We use functional and integrative medicine to optimize your performance and support longevity. As one of California’s most advanced medical facilities, we use cutting-edge diagnostics and treatments.
Here’s what your journey looks like:
- We start with a consultation and advanced testing to find the cause of your symptoms.
- Our doctors then design a personalized treatment plan using functional and integrative medicine.
- We track your progress using measurable biomarkers and adjust your plan as needed. These include improvements in VO2 Max, reduced inflammation markers, and balanced hormones. Together, these provide tangible proof that your body’s systems are optimized.
- You’ll get access to doctor-supervised treatments rarely offered in standard clinics. These improve your cellular health and metabolic function.
Better Together
No, it’s not Hinge’s new tagline, though it could be. We’re talking about the real power couple…. Functional and Integrative Medicine.
Together, they figure out why your body’s off balance and use science-backed, personalized therapies to reset it for good.
FAQs
Do I Need a Referral to See a Functional and Integrative Medicine Doctor?
Not usually. Our focus is on providing each patient personalized care, so our schedule can fill up quickly. It’s better to book early and double-check with your insurance if a referral is required.
Can I Continue Seeing My Primary Care Doctor While Working With Your Clinic?
Functional medicine complements your primary care, instead of replacing it. Any urgent medical needs should still be addressed by your primary doctor. Though this is something we can accommodate at YNC.
Which Comes First, Functional Testing Or Integrative Treatments?
Functional testing comes first. The results show what’s happening in your body. From there, we create a targeted, customized treatment plan that delivers real results.
How Long Does It Take To See Results?
This depends on your body and your health history. Chronic issues that develop over years take longer to resolve than newer concerns. At YNC, we start with advanced testing, and then create a customized treatment plan. We monitor your progress closely and adjust treatments as needed.
Does Insurance cover Functional and Integrative Medicine?
Coverage can vary. Some tests and therapies may be covered, and some may not. We help you understand what your plan covers and guide you through the process. But it’s always a good idea to check with your insurance provider too.
Can These Approaches Help If I’m Already On Prescription Medication?
Functional and integrative medicine works alongside your prescription medications. But, this should only be done under the supervision of qualified healthcare professionals.
Do I Have to Follow a Restrictive Diet with Functional and Integrative Medicine?
Not at all. Nutrition is one of the best ways for restoring health, but it doesn’t mean extremes. We focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods. These foods help reduce inflammation, support gut health, and balance hormones. Your plan is tailored to your body so you can thrive without feeling restricted.
