Functional Doctors Vs Integrative Doctors: What’s the Difference?
If you’ve been searching for a doctor who looks beyond single symptoms, you’ve probably seen the terms functional medicine and integrative medicine used side by side. They’re related, but not the same.
Understanding the difference between functional and integrative medicine can help you choose the right clinic, set realistic expectations, and use your time and budget wisely.
What’s the Difference Between Functional Medicine and Integrative Medicine
Functional medicine is a clinical framework that asks why a condition developed, then maps the biology that links symptoms to root causes. It uses systems biology to examine how genetics, environment, nutrition, sleep, stress, hormones, immune function, and the microbiome interact.
A functional clinician builds a treatment plan to address these drivers, not just masking symptoms.
Integrative medicine, on the other hand, is a care model that blends conventional medicine with evidence-based complementary therapies and lifestyle medicine. It combines appropriate prescriptions, lifestyle changes, and mind-body therapies into a single, coordinated plan.
In Australia, the RACGP defines integrative medicine as “the use of all appropriate therapeutic and lifestyle approaches, in an evidence-informed way, to achieve optimal health.”
In simple terms, integrative medicine describes the range of tools used, while functional medicine describes the thinking process that links those tools to your unique biology.
Functional Doctor vs Integrative Doctor
The difference between a functional doctor vs an integrative doctor comes down to how they work through your case.
A functional doctor creates a detailed timeline of your health history, connects symptoms to underlying mechanisms, and may order targeted testing (such as hormone, nutrient, or gut microbiome panels).
An integrative doctor coordinates care across conventional and complementary therapies, ensuring each treatment is safe, evidence-based, and aligned with your preferences.
In many clinics, you’ll find doctors trained in both approaches, blending functional medicine reasoning with integrative care delivery.
How Care Differs: Functional and Integrative Medicine
In a functional medicine consultation, you can expect:
A deep dive into your health history
Mapping of triggers and mediators
A plan that links lab results to interventions
In an integrative appointment, the emphasis is on coordination. You might receive guideline-based treatments, combined with complementary approaches such as physiotherapy, mindfulness, or nutrition counselling, all within a single care plan.
Choosing the Right Doctor
If your priority is a clear, mechanism-based plan, seek out a clinic that explains its functional assessment process and shows how it measures results over time. If you want a service that combines conventional treatments with complementary options under one roof, look for an integrative medicine clinic that works closely with your GP and keeps communication transparent.
For those outside major cities, functional medicine telemedicine is becoming more common. It allows for thorough history-taking, result reviews, and follow-up online, with referrals for physical examinations or imaging where needed.
Evidence and Safety Considerations
Both functional and integrative medicine are evidence-informed. Functional medicine uses research in endocrinology, cardiometabolic health, gastroenterology, and nutrition science to guide interventions. Integrative medicine follows medical governance standards and uses complementary treatments that have been shown to be safe and effective.
In Australia, AHPRA and TGA guidelines require that all claims are accurate, informed consent is obtained, and treatments are appropriately monitored. Look for clinics that publish their clinical scope, explain treatment risks and benefits, and share results with your primary GP.
Where Functional and Integrative Medicine Work Together
In real-world care, the two approaches often overlap. For example, someone with insulin resistance may receive standard medication plus a functional assessment of diet, cortisol, and sleep patterns, alongside an integrative plan that includes nutrition coaching and stress-management techniques. This combination can be powerful for complex or chronic conditions.
Key Questions to Ask Before Booking
How does the clinic define the difference between integrative medicine vs functional medicine?
What outcome measures do they track?
How often is the care plan reviewed?
How do they communicate with your regular GP or specialists?
Clear answers to these questions will help you find a service that aligns with your needs and values.
Bringing It All Together
The label on the door is less important than the reasoning behind your care. Functional medicine helps explain why an intervention is chosen, while integrative medicine ensures all appropriate therapies are considered. Together, they can provide safe, personalised, and evidence-based care.
If you’re ready to take the next step, Evergreen Doctors offer in-person functional medicine in Brisbane, functional medicine doctors in Sydney, and telehealth Australia-wide.