What Is the Difference Between a Functional Doctor and a Regular Doctor?

If you need a doctor, you might see a "functional medicine doctor near me." This kind of doctor is becoming more popular because they help you differently than regular doctors.

They use a different approach called functional medicine. Let's discuss the contrast between functional medicine doctors and regular doctors, so you can decide which one suit you better.

Differences Between Functional and Regular Doctors

Aspect	Regular Doctor	Functional Doctor
Approach to Diagnosis	Focuses on symptoms and disease like a family medicine specialist	Focuses on identifying underlying causes
Treatment Options	Relies on pharmaceuticals and procedures	Uses lifestyle changes and natural remedies
Holistic View of Health	Often only treats physical symptoms	Considers mental, emotional, and spiritual health
Time Spent with Patients	Limited to a short consultation	Takes a comprehensive approach, allowing more time with patients
Medical Training	Medical School and Residency Training	Medical School and Additional Functional Medicine Training
Insurance Coverage	Accepted by most health insurance plans	May not be accepted by some insurance plans
Conditions Treated	Acute and chronic illnesses	Chronic conditions and preventative care

Who Is A Regular Doctor?

A regular doctor is the type of doctor that most people go to see. These professionals are equipped to handle various health issues and can help you maintain good health through regular check-ups.

If you have a health concern, they will investigate the issue by asking questions and performing tests. They may suggest medication or surgery to treat the problem.

Regular doctors are really good at helping with sudden and severe problems like accidents or infections.

Sometimes, they may not be experts in treating problems that last for a long time, like diseases or diabetes that don't go away easily.

If you need more assistance, they might refer you to a specialist who knows more about your specific problem.

What Is A Functional Medicine Doctor?

A functional medicine doctor is like a regular doctor, but they look at your whole life to figure out what's making you sick. They spend a lot of time with you to learn about your past and your current lifestyle.

Instead of just treating the symptoms of a disease, they try to find the real cause of the problem. They use special tests to see how your genes, environment, food, and habits all work together to affect your health.

Then they make a personalized plan to help you get better, which might include things like eating better food, taking special vitamins, exercising, and finding ways to manage stress.

Which Doctor Is Right for You?

The type of doctor you need depends on your health needs. Regular doctors give you medicine or procedures to help with your symptoms, while functional medicine doctors look at everything in your life that affects your health like your food, genes, emotions, and more.

They want to find the root cause of your illness, not just treat the symptoms. Functional medicine doctors are great for people with long-term illnesses that regular doctors can't help with.

Conclusion

Regular doctors may only try to make you feel better from the symptoms you have. Functional doctors look for what's causing your illness and make a plan just for you.

Working with a functional doctor can help you feel better and make changes to your life that will help you stay healthy.