Written by Dr J S S Dev

Medically reviewed by Dr Godmi Tresa

Updated on February 12, 2025

The Difference Between Functional Medicine and Traditional Medicine You Must Know!

In today's world, knowledge is power. Every piece of information is just a click away. There is a lot of information available about different treatment options, other than conventional modern medicine. One such  treatment option that is gaining much attention now is functional medicine.

In this blog, we will discuss functional medicine, an amazing alternative treatment choice, and how it differs from conventional or traditional medicine.

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What Is Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine is a term that mainly involves treating the root cause of disease. According to the Institute of Functional Medicine, this branch of treatment focuses on the biology of your body system and mainly considers biochemical imbalances. Changing your lifestyle and using natural remedies are important aspects of functional medicine. 

In functional medicine, merely a diagnosis would not be sufficient. A diagnosis is just one of the contributing factors to your illness. It is like treating a person as a whole, whereas conventional medicine treats the symptoms or just the single disease condition and not the person.

Conventional Medicine vs Functional Medicine

As discussed above, conventional methods generally use medication that helps to overcome your symptoms. If the medications stop, the symptoms may reappear. Let us look in detail at what exactly the pros of traditional medicine have over each other and also discuss their cons.

 Conventional MedicineFunctional Medicine
Treatment ApproachFocuses on your symptoms and diseasesIdentifies and eliminates the root cause of your disease.
Focus AreaIndividual body partsWhole person's health and well-being.
TherapiesInvolves pharmaceuticals, surgery and other interventionsDietary and lifestyle changes, nutritional supplements and other wholesome therapies
Strengths
  • Treatments and medicines are well-researched and have immense scientific evidence.
  • Safety and efficacy are ensured by government agencies.
  • Widely available all around the world.
  • Easily accessible to the patients.
  • Effective for acute medical and surgical  issues, trauma and other injuries.
  • Specialised care centres are available for specific diseases.
  • Treatment is short term.
  • Personalised treatment approach (addresses each patient as unique and provides tailored treatment plans.
  • Can also prevent disease occurrence.
  • Involves a holistic approach to health and wellbeing.
  • Scientific and researched methods are employed.
  • The root cause of diseases is eliminated.
  • Effective for chronic conditions



 

Weakness
  • Can have side effects, adverse drug reactions and drug resistance. 
  • Treatment is disease and doctor centred.
  • Can cause the emergence of new diseases.


 

  • More expensive
  • May not be covered by your insurance
  • Not widely accessible.
  • Treatment is long term.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When to Consider Functional and Conventional Medicine?

You might be wondering, what's the big deal? Both are treatment methods, and both treat diseases, right?! But choosing the right thing at the right time matters a lot. In fact, it makes all the difference.

You know your body best. You know its strengths and weaknesses. But you cannot treat it on your own. Professional advice and guidance always matter. Additionally, you need to be confident and aware to choose your treatment options.

  • If you are suffering from a chronic disease condition, the root cause must be addressed. This calls for treatment methods suggested by functional medicine. But, if you are experiencing severe disturbing symptoms and require immediate relief, opting for conventional treatment will be good.
  • Integrated treatment plans are also great options. Treatments involving both conventional and functional treatment methods, can be done to get better results. 

Always remember to get advice from experts in both fields. Consult with them and ask them for recommendations before making any changes.

Conclusion

Opting for holistic and complete treatment requires proper understanding and courage in this fast-moving world. People all over the world are now realising the benefits of functional medicine. If you need clarification about opting for functional medicine, this blog might help. Be more open about your body's needs. Discuss them openly with your healthcare experts and choose what suits you.

 

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Dr J S S Dev

Dr. J S S Dev is a passionate Ayurveda practitioner dedicated to promoting a holistic approach to health and well-being. With a profound understanding of Ayurvedic principles, he focuses on the power of prevention through ancient wisdom. Through insightful teachings and personalised guidance, he empowers individuals to embrace Ayurveda as a way of life, enabling them to proactively prevent diseases and cultivate a path to optimal health. With a firm belief in the body's innate capacity to heal, Dr. Dev is committed to helping people lead enriched lives by harmonising the mind, body, and spirit using the timeless principles of Ayurveda.