The short version
Integrative medicine means combining conventional medical care with evidence-informed complementary approaches such as nutrition, movement, stress management and acupuncture, coordinated as one plan. Like functional medicine, it is an approach rather than a separate license: integrative practitioners may be MDs, DOs, NMDs, nurse practitioners or other licensed clinicians.
How it compares to functional medicine
The two terms overlap heavily and many practices use both. Functional medicine usually describes a root-cause style of investigation with detailed history and testing. Integrative medicine usually describes the combination of conventional and complementary treatments. In practice, what matters more than the label is the practitioner's license, training and how they work with your other doctors.
What to expect
Visits are often longer than standard appointments, and the plan may include lifestyle and nutrition work alongside prescriptions or referrals. Some services, such as acupuncture or massage, may be offered in the same clinic but billed separately.
Choosing an integrative practitioner
Check the underlying license with the relevant Arizona board, ask which parts of the plan are conventional care and which are complementary, and ask how the practitioner coordinates with your primary care doctor and specialists.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Talk with a licensed clinician about your own situation.
More guides
- What Is Functional Medicine?
- Functional Medicine vs. Conventional Medicine
- How Much Does Functional Medicine Cost in Arizona?
- Does Insurance Cover Functional Medicine?
- How to Choose a Functional Medicine Practitioner
- Naturopathic Doctors in Arizona: Licensing, Prescribing and What They Do
- Is Functional Medicine Legitimate?