Integrative Functional Medicine
“The practice of medicine that reaffirms the importance of the relationship between the practitioner and the member, focuses on the whole person, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, healthcare professionals and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing”
(Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine Steering Committee, revised in 2006, based on input from the Academic Consortium for Complementary and Alternative Health Care).
What are Some of the Basic Tenets of Integrative Functional Medicine?
- It is member-centered rather than physician-centered, and emphasizes the centrality of the doctor/member relationship in the healing process.
- Acknowledgment that healing is innate – the role of the practitioner is to remove any blocks to healing, and facilitate or stimulate one’s own natural healing potential.
- Recognition that often the member is the diagnostician and the practitioner is the educator.
- Recognition of the role of the mind and the spirit in good health. Health is a cohesive balance of mind, body, and spirit.
- Recognition of the role of nutrition and exercise in good health.
- Recognition that health is more than the mere absence of disease.
- Use of herbs and vitamins and dietary supplements in addition to or instead of prescription medication
- Use of complementary modalities of treatment such as chiropractic, massage therapy, acupuncture, homeopathy, and others, when indicated.
- Commitment to the scientific method and evidence-based practice.