Better Together
Primary Care + Functional Medicine: Complete Medical Care
Primary care and functional medicine aren't competitors—they're teammates. Primary care handles your immediate medical needs: annual exams, acute illnesses, medication management, and conventional disease treatment. Functional medicine goes deeper when needed: investigating WHY you're experiencing symptoms, optimizing your body's systems, and addressing health at the root cause level. Together, they provide truly comprehensive medical care.
Why Combining These Treatments Works
Primary care and functional medicine aren't competitors—they're teammates. Primary care handles your immediate medical needs: annual exams, acute illnesses, medication management, and conventional disease treatment. Functional medicine goes deeper when needed: investigating WHY you're experiencing symptoms, optimizing your body's systems, and addressing health at the root cause level. Together, they provide truly comprehensive medical care.
Complete coverage: Acute care PLUS long-term optimization
No gaps: Standard tests AND advanced panels when needed
Coordinated medications: Prescriptions work alongside natural protocols
Better outcomes: Treating symptoms AND addressing root causes
Efficient care: One team, one location, fully integrated records
Conditions That Respond Best to Combined Treatment
Understanding Each Treatment
While we recommend combining these treatments for optimal results, here's what each brings to your treatment plan:
Primary Care
Role in combined treatment: Manages immediate medical needs and coordinates overall healthcare
Focus: Comprehensive medical evaluation, diagnosis, acute care, and preventive medicine
Best For:
Session Length
15-30 minutes*
Typical Frequency
As needed plus annual wellness*
Functional Medicine
Role in combined treatment: Digs deeper to find and address root causes that standard care may miss
Focus: Root cause investigation, systems biology, and personalized wellness optimization
Best For:
Session Length
60-90 minutes (initial)*
Typical Frequency
Monthly to quarterly*
*Please note: Session lengths, frequency, and treatment plans vary based on each individual's unique needs and condition. At Total Health Systems, we believe in a holistic, personalized approach—your care plan may require more or less treatment depending on your specific situation. During your consultation, our team will create a customized plan tailored just for you.
When Each Treatment May Be Particularly Helpful
These are situations where one treatment might take the lead—but remember, combining both often delivers the best results.
Primary Care may take the lead when...
- You need a doctor for regular checkups and preventive care
- You have an acute illness requiring diagnosis and treatment
- You need prescription medications
- You want standard health screenings and vaccinations
- You need a primary care provider to coordinate your healthcare
Functional Medicine may take the lead when...
- You have chronic symptoms despite "normal" test results
- You want to understand WHY you feel the way you do
- You're interested in optimizing health, not just treating disease
- You prefer natural approaches alongside or instead of medications
- Standard treatments haven't fully resolved your issues
Not sure which applies to you? Our team can evaluate your situation and recommend the right combination.
Explore Related Treatment Combinations
Common Questions: Primary Care + Functional Medicine
Functional medicine adds depth—root cause investigation and optimization. At Total Health Systems, you can have both working together.
The investment often pays off through better outcomes and reduced long-term healthcare costs.
Ready to Start Your Primary Care and Functional Medicine Treatment?
Don't let pain hold you back. Our expert primary care and functional medicine team is ready to help you feel better today.