Conventional Medicine is the form of medicine that first comes to mind for many Americans. Conventional medicine is a symptom-based approach to health taught in medical schools and residency programs. Conventional medicine is essential and excellent for treating conditions such as bacterial infections, cancer, broken bones, asthma, and other acute conditions. Conventional medicine is not designed to help patients change their habits to promote health. Primary care visits are usually not long enough to do this type of work.

Integrative medicine brings conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way. It emphasizes treating the whole person rather than, for example, one organ system. Integrative medicine uses many lifestyle domains as parts of its treatments.

Functional medicine is an individualized, patient-centered, science-based approach to address the underlying causes of diseases and promote optimal wellness. It requires an understanding of a patient’s genetic, biochemical and lifestyle factors and uses data to direct treatment plans.

Chinese/Eastern medicine is one of the oldest types of medicine and focuses on balance. Health requires maintaining the flow of Qi and the balance between Yin and Yang. Eastern medicine includes treatments such as yoga, acupuncture, Ayurveda, Tai Chi, meditation, and herbal medicine.

Mind-Body medicine focuses on the profound interconnection of mind and body. It addresses the way thoughts, emotions and behaviors impact health.

Complementary and Alternative medicine are healthcare approaches that are not traditionally part of conventional medical care. If a non-mainstream approach is used with conventional medicine, it is considered “complementary.” If a non-mainstream approach is used instead of conventional medicine its considered alternative.