Functional Medicine vs. Integrative Medicine: What’s the Difference and Which One Is Right for You?

You want answers. You’re tired of feeling off. But with so many options, how do you choose the right kind of care?

You’ve done your part. You’ve gone to the doctor. You’ve followed the instructions. You’ve eaten better, moved more, tried to sleep longer. But the truth is—your body still feels like it’s not your own. Your energy is drained by mid-morning. Your emotions feel harder to manage. You wake up in the middle of the night and can’t fall back asleep. And no matter how much effort you put in, the scale barely moves.

And when you finally gather the courage to ask for help, you’re given a prescription—or worse, told it’s all “just part of aging.” But you know there has to be more. More understanding. More answers. More hope.

That’s where functional and integrative medicine come in. And while they’re often presented as separate paths, the truth is: you don’t have to choose one over the other. At Elle MD, we’re board certified in both, which means we bring together the best of both worlds—root-cause precision from functional medicine, and whole-person support from integrative care.

Functional medicine helps us investigate deeply—looking at labs, hormones, gut health, and metabolism. Integrative medicine allows us to care holistically—acknowledging your emotional, mental, and lifestyle needs. Together, they form a powerful model for healing.

In case we haven’t met yet—we’re Dr. Erin Hendriks and Dr. Maricela Castillo MacKenzie, founders of Elle MD, a functional medicine and weight loss clinic based in Royal Oak, Michigan. We specialize in helping women—especially those navigating perimenopause and menopause—reclaim their energy, balance their hormones, and feel confident in their bodies again. With a root-cause approach and deeply personalized care, we look beyond symptoms to create sustainable solutions that truly support your body, your life, and your goals.

At Elle MD, your wellness isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula—it’s a journey we take with you, every step of the way.

Functional medicine vs integrative medicine – which is right for you?

Key differences in testing, treatment, and philosophy

Let’s break this down.

• Testing: Functional medicine often begins with labs—lots of them. Why? Because symptoms like mood swings or low libido don’t appear out of nowhere. Something in your hormones, gut, or metabolism is likely off—and we want to find it. Integrative medicine might ask you to try meditation or a supplement first. Functional medicine asks: What’s really going on?
• Treatment: Functional medicine builds a plan just for you—based on your story, your labs, and your needs. It's precise, not guesswork. Integrative medicine blends healing traditions for general wellness, which can feel nurturing—but less targeted.
• Philosophy: At its core, functional medicine is about restoration—getting your body back to balance so you feel like yourself again. Integrative medicine is about harmony—soothing the body, mind, and spirit to help you feel supported and calm.

What to consider when choosing your care path

Picture this: You’re standing at a crossroads.

• One path offers calm, nurturing practices to support your well-being—like a warm blanket on a hard day.
• The other offers deep testing, clear answers, and a roadmap to help you heal—like finally turning on the light in a dark room.

Neither is wrong. But if you’re feeling like your body has become a mystery... if you’re tired of being told “it’s just your age”... if you’re craving clarity, not just comfort—functional medicine may be exactly what you’ve been waiting for.

At Elle MD, we walk beside you through the fog. We help you feel seen, heard, and supported—while giving your body the tools it needs to thrive.

What women really want to know about holistic care

Functional medicine doctor vs. naturopath: What's the difference?

You’ve probably heard both terms thrown around—sometimes even used interchangeably. But when you’re trying to choose someone to guide your healing, the distinctions matter.

Naturopathic doctors are trained in using nature-based tools to support the body’s innate healing ability. Their approach may include:

• Herbal remedies
• Homeopathy
• Detox protocols
• Energy balancing techniques

Depending on the state or country they practice in, their level of training can vary. Some are licensed NDs (Naturopathic Doctors) who complete a 4-year naturopathic medical program, while others may hold certifications that are less standardized.

Functional medicine doctors, by contrast, typically come from a conventional medical background—holding degrees as MDs, DOs, or NPs—and have pursued additional, rigorous training in root-cause and systems-based care. They combine:

• Advanced lab testing
• In-depth understanding of interconnected body systems
• Personalized nutrition, movement, and lifestyle protocols
• A science-backed yet holistic mindset

At Elle MD, we don’t see this as a matter of “either-or.” We’re board certified in both integrative and functional medicine, and our practice blends the best of each. Whether you're drawn to a more natural approach, want the latest in diagnostic science, or need someone who sees the full picture—we’re here to meet you with both clinical expertise and compassionate care.

Internal medicine vs. functional medicine: Two very different experiences

Most women start in internal medicine. It’s the familiar route. The one covered by insurance. The one that feels like “real” medicine. And in many ways, it absolutely is—especially when there’s a clear diagnosis and a defined treatment protocol.

Internal medicine excels in acute care: infections, injuries, and chronic conditions with well-established pathways.

But if you’re facing more complex concerns like:

• Chronic fatigue
• Mood swings that don’t seem to follow a pattern
• Digestive issues that flare and fade
• Hormonal shifts no one’s connecting the dots on...

You might start to feel like a medical mystery. And it’s not because internal medicine isn’t valuable—it’s because it’s not always designed to explore the root cause behind vague, overlapping symptoms.

That’s where functional medicine expands the lens.

It doesn’t replace internal medicine—it complements it by asking deeper questions:

• What’s going on with your gut health?
• Are your hormones truly in balance?
• Could stress be disrupting your immune function?

Instead of simply managing what’s “off,” we look upstream to understand why it’s happening—and how to help your body recalibrate from the inside out.

For many women navigating perimenopause, autoimmune concerns, or unexplained symptoms, this shift from reaction to root cause is what finally makes everything click.

Is functional medicine just another name for something else?

We get it. With so many wellness terms floating around—integrative, holistic, nutrition-based—it’s easy to wonder if functional medicine is just a more polished version of the same thing. But it’s more specific than that.

You might also hear it referred to as:

• Systems-based medicine
• Root-cause medicine
• Personalized lifestyle medicine

These terms all reflect the same core approach: a structured, evidence-informed framework designed to understand how every part of your body connects—and what it needs to heal.

What sets functional medicine apart isn’t the buzzwords—it’s the process:

• Collecting your complete health history
• Running detailed, science-backed lab tests
• Identifying how different systems in your body interact
• Building a custom care plan that adjusts with you over time

It’s not about treating symptoms in isolation. It’s about honoring your body’s signals, and responding with targeted, sustainable strategies.

And at Elle MD, we bring both conventional and functional medicine together. As board-certified physicians in both disciplines, we believe healing happens best when you combine clinical precision with whole-person insight.

Because your health isn’t one-dimensional—your care shouldn’t be either.

Holistic vs. functional medicine: Where does it overlap?

If you’ve ever loved the idea of treating the whole person, then holistic or integrative medicine probably speaks to you.

It embraces your emotional world, your lifestyle, your beliefs—and rightly so. Integrative medicine often blends conventional medical practices with complementary approaches like acupuncture, meditation, or nutrition, creating a more well-rounded view of wellness.

Here’s the difference: holistic and integrative medicine are powerful in philosophy and support. Functional medicine takes that philosophy—and gives it structure.

Where integrative care says, “Let’s support your whole self,” functional medicine says:

• Let’s measure what’s actually happening inside
• Let’s understand how your cortisol impacts your sleep
• Let’s connect your thyroid health to your mood swings

Think of it this way:

• Holistic/integrative medicine = the intention
• Functional medicine = the implementation

At Elle MD, we believe both matter deeply—and we’re trained in both. As board-certified physicians in internal, integrative, and functional medicine, we don’t see these approaches as separate. We see them as complementary tools to give you the most complete care possible.

Because when it comes to your health, you deserve both the wisdom and the science.

Integrative vs. alternative medicine: What are you actually signing up for?

These terms are often used interchangeably—but they mean very different things.

Alternative medicine typically refers to treatments used instead of conventional medical care. This might include herbal remedies, energy healing, or traditional practices used in isolation. While some people find relief through these approaches, they often exist outside the structure of evidence-based or licensed healthcare.

Integrative medicine, on the other hand, is about inclusion and collaboration. It blends the strengths of conventional medicine with complementary therapies—so you don’t have to choose one or the other.

At Elle MD, we take an integrative and functional approach:

• You might combine hormone therapy with acupuncture
• Use medication alongside guided stress reduction
• Or get a personalized nutrition plan with medical testing to guide it

As board-certified physicians in both conventional and integrative medicine, we believe the best results come from honoring all aspects of health: physical, emotional, and biochemical.

Because true healing doesn’t live in extremes—it lives in balance.

Why we believe in functional medicine at Elle MD

We see it every day: women who’ve tried everything. Women who’ve felt dismissed. Women who’ve read every article and still don’t feel better.

They’re tired of guessing. Tired of temporary fixes. Tired of feeling like strangers in their own bodies.

At Elle MD, we believe you deserve more—and you shouldn’t have to choose between science and compassion. That’s why we don’t just practice functional medicine. We bring together the best of functional and integrative care, guided by board-certified training in both.

We listen deeply. We test thoroughly. We consider your mind, body, and biochemistry—and create a care plan built around you.

Because real healing isn’t about managing symptoms—it’s about understanding the root, nurturing your body, and restoring your sense of self.

Ready to feel like you again? Start your journey with our Functional Medicine Program. Request an appointment today and take the first step toward whole-person healing.

You don’t have to do this alone. We’re here, and we’re listening.