Functional vs. Conventional Medicine: What’s the Difference?

The Center for Occupational & Environmental Medicine (COEM) is a unique medical practice that seamlessly combines the principles of both functional and conventional medicine. As a functional medicine practice, COEM relies on extensive patient interviews and lab testing to uncover underlying health issues such as nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and other potential causes of illness. Our functional medicine approach emphasizes preventative care and lifestyle modifications, including nutrition and stress management techniques.

However, we also understand the importance of conventional medicine, especially in treating acute conditions like infections or injuries that require immediate medical intervention. That’s why we utilize conventional medical treatments when necessary while focusing on the root causes of illness to ensure long-term health.

Our integrated approach makes COEM an ideal choice for patients dealing with chronic diseases, occupational and environmental illnesses, allergies, and other health challenges. We don’t just want to help our patients manage their symptoms – we want to help them achieve and maintain a state of optimal health.

We believe that the best healthcare is personalized, preventative, and holistic. By combining functional and conventional medicine, we can provide comprehensive care that addresses not just the symptoms, but also targets the root causes of illness. This ensures that our patients are not just free from disease but are also in a state of optimal health and well-being.

Functional medicine is a unique approach to healthcare that values the patient-practitioner partnership and works to identify the root causes of disease. If you are living with chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, or autoimmune disorders, or if you are continually feeling unwell without explanation, the functional medicine approach can help identify the underlying issues and tailor a treatment plan for you.

If traditional treatments aren’t working for your chronic illness, or if you’re weary of being prescribed medication for every ailment, functional medicine can offer an alternative approach that addresses the root causes of your concerns.

The functional medicine approach focuses on patient education and lifestyle modification to prevent chronic disease. We help you identify and address risk factors for certain diseases, empowering you to take proactive steps to maintain your health and well-being.

Conditions that may benefit from functional medicine include:

• Chronic pain
• Digestive issues
• Skin conditions
• Hormonal imbalances
• Autoimmune disorders
• Mental health conditions

Functional medicine provides a more holistic approach to healthcare, focusing on diet, exercise, detoxification, and stress management to help your body heal and maintain optimal health.

Absolutely! We believe in the harmonious coexistence of functional and conventional medicine. Our approach is often referred to as integrative medicine, combining the best of both worlds to provide a more comprehensive and effective approach to healthcare.

Functional medicine, which is a significant aspect of our practice, focuses on identifying the root cause of disease and aims to restore optimal functioning to the body’s systems. This approach may incorporate lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and stress management, alongside supplements and sometimes medication.

On the other hand, we also incorporate principles of conventional medicine, which is highly effective in managing acute illnesses and emergencies. This mainstream model of care focuses more on managing or eliminating symptoms, often through medication and surgery.

At COEM, we strive to incorporate elements of functional medicine into conventional care to provide a more holistic treatment strategy. We utilize information gleaned from a patient’s lifestyle, diet, environment, and emotional well-being to complement conventional diagnostic tests and inform personalized treatment plans.

Our integrative approach allows us to use conventional interventions to address immediate health issues while using functional medicine practices to support long-term wellness and prevent future health problems. With our emphasis on prevention, we can complement the early detection and intervention focus of conventional care.

In addition to the standard therapeutic options, our approach introduces complementary therapies such as acupuncture, botanical medicine, and nutritional supplements. This combined approach allows us to choose the most appropriate interventions for each patient.

By bridging the gap between functional and conventional medicine, we offer patients the best of both worlds: personalized care that addresses underlying health issues, while utilizing proven conventional treatments for acute or chronic medical conditions.

The cost of this integrative approach can vary due to several factors.

The initial consultation goes beyond the typical doctor’s visit. Our practitioners delve into the patient’s history and lifestyle in depth. The complexity of the patient’s medical history and current health concerns, along with comprehensive lab testing and diagnostic procedures, significantly impacts the cost.

Our clinic often uses advanced diagnostic testing to delve deeper into a patient’s physiology. The type and number of tests ordered, ranging from basic blood work to more complex genetic, metabolic, or toxicity screenings, influence cost. The more comprehensive and specialized the test, the higher the cost can be. The complexity and expertise required for testing, as well as the availability of in-house or outsourced testing, also impact the price.

At COEM, personalized care plans are designed for each patient. These include lifestyle modifications, nutritional supplements, and other treatments, which can vary greatly in cost. The frequency and the duration of the treatments, as well as the availability and cost of specific interventions, also play a role in the overall cost.

While the upfront costs of functional medicine can be higher than conventional medicine, it’s important to consider the potential long-term health benefits and cost savings. Prioritizing essential tests and treatments based on the patient’s needs, exploring payment plans or discounts offered by our healthcare providers, and considering the assistance of a qualified healthcare advocate or insurance navigator can help manage costs. We serve patients from Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Summerville, North Charleston SC, Ladson, SC, Hanahan SC, James Island SC, John’s Island SC, Daniel Island SC, and all of South Carolina, Nationally, and Internationally.