You don’t just want to treat symptoms — you want to solve the whole puzzle.
That’s the mindset driving a new generation of wellness clients. They’re seeking root-cause solutions, personalized plans, and care that sees them as a whole person — not just a diagnosis.
If you’re a practitioner, you’ve probably seen the terms integrative, functional, and holistic tossed around like they’re interchangeable. But they’re not, and understanding the difference isn’t just academic. It can sharpen your practice, improve client outcomes, and shape how you position your care.
Let’s break down what sets these approaches apart, where they overlap, and how you can use them to shape your client experience.
Integrative functional medicine is a science-driven approach that looks at how and why illness occurs. Practitioners seek to address the root causes of disease rather than simply treating symptoms.
Core principles of integrative functional medicine include:
Who practices it? Functional medicine is often practiced by licensed clinicians — such as MDs, DOs, naturopaths, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants — who have received additional training in functional medicine.
Holistic health is an approach that considers the whole person — mind, body, and spirit — in pursuit of wellness. It emphasizes balance, prevention, and lifestyle choices as central to long-term health.
Core principles of holistic health include:
Who practices it? Holistic health practitioners include nutritionists, health coaches, naturopaths, acupuncturists, and even medical doctors who choose to take a more whole-person approach.
While both integrative functional medicine and holistic health prioritize prevention and personalized care, there are clear differences:
Despite their differences, integrative functional medicine and holistic health share important commonalities:
If you’re deciding which philosophy to adopt — or how to position your practice — ask yourself:
Many practitioners choose to blend both approaches, creating a practice that is grounded in science while also honoring the broader aspects of wellness.
Whether your practice leans toward integrative functional medicine or holistic health, you need tools that simplify the admin side so you can focus on client care.
With Practice Better, you can:
No matter your philosophy, Practice Better adapts to the way you practice — so you can deliver better results for your clients.
At their core, both integrative functional medicine and holistic health recognize that wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all. They both empower practitioners to look beyond symptoms and see the bigger picture of client health.
Understanding the differences helps you clarify your own professional identity, communicate your approach more clearly, and attract the right clients. Whether you lean clinical, holistic, or a hybrid of both, what matters most is that you’re guiding clients toward healthier, more fulfilling lives.
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You don’t just want to treat symptoms — you want to solve the whole puzzle.
That’s the mindset driving a new generation of wellness clients. They’re seeking root-cause solutions, personalized plans, and care that sees them as a whole person — not just a diagnosis.
If you’re a practitioner, you’ve probably seen the terms integrative, functional, and holistic tossed around like they’re interchangeable. But they’re not, and understanding the difference isn’t just academic. It can sharpen your practice, improve client outcomes, and shape how you position your care.
Let’s break down what sets these approaches apart, where they overlap, and how you can use them to shape your client experience.
Integrative functional medicine is a science-driven approach that looks at how and why illness occurs. Practitioners seek to address the root causes of disease rather than simply treating symptoms.
Core principles of integrative functional medicine include:
Who practices it? Functional medicine is often practiced by licensed clinicians — such as MDs, DOs, naturopaths, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants — who have received additional training in functional medicine.
Holistic health is an approach that considers the whole person — mind, body, and spirit — in pursuit of wellness. It emphasizes balance, prevention, and lifestyle choices as central to long-term health.
Core principles of holistic health include:
Who practices it? Holistic health practitioners include nutritionists, health coaches, naturopaths, acupuncturists, and even medical doctors who choose to take a more whole-person approach.
While both integrative functional medicine and holistic health prioritize prevention and personalized care, there are clear differences:
Despite their differences, integrative functional medicine and holistic health share important commonalities:
If you’re deciding which philosophy to adopt — or how to position your practice — ask yourself:
Many practitioners choose to blend both approaches, creating a practice that is grounded in science while also honoring the broader aspects of wellness.
Whether your practice leans toward integrative functional medicine or holistic health, you need tools that simplify the admin side so you can focus on client care.
With Practice Better, you can:
No matter your philosophy, Practice Better adapts to the way you practice — so you can deliver better results for your clients.
At their core, both integrative functional medicine and holistic health recognize that wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all. They both empower practitioners to look beyond symptoms and see the bigger picture of client health.
Understanding the differences helps you clarify your own professional identity, communicate your approach more clearly, and attract the right clients. Whether you lean clinical, holistic, or a hybrid of both, what matters most is that you’re guiding clients toward healthier, more fulfilling lives.
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