Why Do Western Medicine & Functional Medicine Dislike Each Other? (When They Should Be Working Together)
It’s the battle that in my opinion shouldn’t exist: Western medicine vs. functional (/holistic/natural) medicine. Both sides claim to have the best approach and yet… we are seeing a larger and larger divide each day.
If you’ve ever been caught in the crossfire, maybe your doctor rolled their eyes when you mentioned nutrition, or a functional medicine practitioner told you that it’s never okay to take medication, you know how intense the divide can be.
But why does this fight even exist? And more importantly, is there a way forward?
Where It All Started
The tension between these two approaches isn’t new. It probably goes back to the early 1900s when medicine became more standardized.
In 1910, a report called the Flexner Report changed a lot. It pushed for “evidence-based, scientifically rigorous medical education” - something that was helpful in many ways. But in the process, it also wiped out a lot of traditional healing practices, like herbalism, homeopathy, and holistic approaches. Medicine became more reductionist - meaning doctors focused on diseases and symptoms rather than whole-body health.
At the same time, functional medicine (which has roots in naturopathy, nutrition, and systems biology) took a different approach. It asked: Why are people getting sick in the first place? Instead of treating disease after it happens, functional medicine focuses on prevention, lifestyle, and uncovering the root cause of symptoms.
Two very different approaches. One became mainstream in the Western world.
Why the Conflict Exists
So why do these two sides act like rival high schools?
I’d propose a few reasons:
They See Health Differently
Western medicine: Treat the disease once it appears.
Functional medicine: Prevent the disease before it happens, assess the root.
Both approaches may matter, but because they focus on different stages of health, they often dismiss each other.
The Science Debate
Conventional medicine relies on large, randomized controlled trials (which are great for drug testing BUT doesn’t always capture individualized care!).
Functional medicine focuses on biochemical individuality - meaning what works for one person might not work for another, which makes large-scale studies harder to conduct.
Because functional medicine is so personalized, it doesn’t always fit neatly into double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. But that’s not because it isn’t working - it’s most likely because when you treat individuals, not averages, you can’t always study them like a pharmaceutical intervention. Does that mean it’s invalid? Or does it mean we need a better way to measure success? Millions of patients have seen real, measurable improvements (including myself!). That matters, too…
Money & Power
Let’s be real: the modern healthcare system is deeply tied to pharmaceutical companies and insurance models. Functional medicine disrupts that by emphasizing lifestyle, nutrition, and testing that isn’t always covered by insurance. That makes it harder to fit into the current system.
Skepticism & Misinformation
Some functional medicine practitioners make big promises without enough science to back them up, or make claims that might be harmful.
Some conventional doctors completely dismiss lifestyle & nutrition interventions, even when research supports them.
Both sides have valid points. Both sides also have their fair share of misinformation.
Fear of Change
Doctors and healthcare practitioners in the Western space spend years training in a highly structured system. If they start acknowledging the value of functional medicine, it can feel like admitting that something was missing in their education. That’s a tough pill to swallow (pun intended). I have felt this way!
Why the Tension?
At this point, it sometimes seems the fight has become less about what actually works and more about who’s right. It has also become political.
Conventional doctors might see pieces of holistic medicine as “woo-woo”.
Functional & holistic medicine practitioners might see conventional practices as close-minded and stuck in a broken system.
The internet is only fueling the fire.
So… What’s the Solution?
In my opinion the truth is, maybe we need both.
If you break a bone or have an infection? Western medicine is a lifesaver.
If you’re dealing with chronic fatigue or pain, gut issues, or hormone imbalances? Functional medicine shines.
Maybe the future of healthcare isn’t about choosing one side, it’s about integration and being open-minded.
We’re already seeing progress. More doctors are getting trained in functional medicine. More hospitals are offering integrative care. More patients are demanding a both/and approach instead of an either/or fight.
At the end of the day, both sides want the same thing: healthier people. The sooner we stop arguing and start working together, the better off we’ll all be. :)
