Functional medicine and naturopathic medicine are both integrative approaches to healthcare that emphasize addressing the root causes of disease rather than simply treating symptoms. However, they differ in their methodologies, training, philosophies, and scope of practice, while also sharing some similarities in their patient-centered approaches.
Naturopathic Medicine
“Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care profession, emphasizing prevention, treatment, and optimal health through the use of therapeutic methods and substances that encourage individuals’ inherent self-healing process,” (1). The practice of naturopathic medicine includes modern and old, scientific, and empirical methods, guided by a specific philosophy rooted in traditional healing practices and nature’s ability to heal.
A licensed naturopathic medical doctor (NMD) attends a four-year, accredited, graduate-level naturopathic medical school and is educated in all of the same biomedical sciences as an allopathic medical doctor. In addition to standard medical and clinical sciences, naturopathic education incorporates studies of clinical nutrition, physical medicine, botanical medicine, psychology, counseling, and homeopathic medicine (2).
Functional Medicine
Functional medicine, on the other hand, does not have one official definition as there is no one official governing or representative organization unifying this style of medical practice. Generally it is defined as a whole health approach to prevention, health, and well-being and restores healthy function through a personalized patient experience (3).
Practitioners of functional medicine, who can also be naturopathic medical doctors, use advanced diagnostic testing to identify biochemical imbalances, genetic predispositions, or dysfunctions in various organ systems. They then develop individualized treatment plans that may include changes to diet, supplements, lifestyle interventions, and in some cases, pharmaceuticals. Functional medicine has a strong foundation in scientific research and seeks to bridge the gap between conventional and holistic medicine, often closely integrating modern medical technologies with natural healing strategies.
Differences
Perhaps one of the most important differences is that NMDs are a licensed type of medical care provider, whereas functional medicine is usually a certificate or training added on to an existing medical license or practitioner type.
For example, DOs, NMDs, NPs and PAs can all be functional medicine providers. Functional medical providers in each state have no path to licensure or a stand-alone degree for the ability to practice medicine. In fact, as there is no agreed upon definition of the training of functional medicine, this means any medical provider of any kind can claim to be a functional medicine provider, with or without training to back up this claim.
The hope is that when a provider uses the term functional to describe their practice, they imply they have completed an official training and certification from one of the established functional medicine educational organizations, such as the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) or The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M), among others. For comparison, the IFM and A4M program coursework can take 1-2 years and requires a written case report and passing of a written exam, unlike a single weekend training that is often used to “certify” and “train” a provider in functional medicine.
Similarities
In comparison, both naturopathic medical doctors and functional medicine providers prioritize patient-centered care, lifestyle modification, and addressing root causes of illness. However, functional medicine leans more on modifying the conventional medicine model to be more holistic, naturopathic medicine often emphasizes traditional practices and the healing power of nature to address patient concerns.
They can complement one another in many cases, but naturopathic medicine is a stand-alone medical discipline and distinct license type, while functional medicine is an additional medical training any medical provider can add to their practice style.
Sources
- https://naturopathic.org/page/PrinciplesNaturopathicMedicine
- https://naturopathic.org/page/Education
- https://www.ifm.org/
Our licensed naturopathic medical doctor (NMD) and certified functional medicine physician offers comprehensive naturopathic health consultations in Meridian / Boise, Idaho. Free discovery calls are available!
