--- title: The Future is Functional description: Discover the latest functional medicine research that addresses individual patient history and genetics. image: https://info.ifm.org/hubfs/Landing%20Page%20Images/Prac%20Growth%202024%20Elements/Version%202/Photo%20Mask%20group.png --- [![](https://info.ifm.org/hubfs/raw_assets/public/TheInstituteForFunctionalMedicine_October2024/images/logo.svg)](https://www.ifm.org/) [Cart](https://www.ifm.org/cart) - [My account](https://www.ifm.org/user/login) - [Donate](https://www.ifm.org/donate) - [About IFM](https://www.ifm.org/about) - [Newsroom](https://www.ifm.org/about/newsroom) - [Who We Are](https://www.ifm.org/about/who-we-are) - [Access](https://www.ifm.org/about/access) - [Research](https://www.ifm.org/about/research) - [Advocacy](https://www.ifm.org/about/advocacy) - [Impact](https://www.ifm.org/about/impact) - [History](https://www.ifm.org/about/history) - [Leadership](https://www.ifm.org/about/leadership) - [Careers at IFM](https://www.ifm.org/about/careers-at-ifm) - [Functional Medicine](https://www.ifm.org/functional-medicine) - [Patient Resources](https://www.ifm.org/functional-medicine/patient-resources) - [Functional Medicine in Practice](https://www.ifm.org/functional-medicine/in-practice) - [Jobs in Functional Medicine](https://www.ifm.org/functional-medicine/jobs-in-functional-medicine) - [Linus Pauling](https://www.ifm.org/functional-medicine/linus-pauling-award) - [Health Topics](https://www.ifm.org/health-topics) - [Adrenal, Thyroid, & Pituitary Health](https://www.ifm.org/adrenal-thyroid-pituitary-health) - [Bone, Skin, & Muscle Health](https://www.ifm.org/bone-skin-muscle-health) - [Cancer](https://www.ifm.org/cancer) - [Cardiovascular Health](https://www.ifm.org/cardiovascular-health) - [Chronic Fatigue & Chronic Pain](https://www.ifm.org/chronic-fatigue-chronic-pain) - [Dementia & Cognitive Health](https://www.ifm.org/dementia-cognitive-Health) - [Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome](https://www.ifm.org/diabetes-metabolic-syndrome) - [Food Sensitivities, Intolerance, & Allergies](https://www.ifm.org/food-sensitivities-intolerance-allergies) - [Gut & Microbiome Health](https://www.ifm.org/gut-microbiome-health) - [Immune Health & Autoimmunity](https://www.ifm.org/immune-health-autoimmunity) - [Infections](https://www.ifm.org/infections) - [Mental Health](https://www.ifm.org/mental-health) - [Nutrition, Health, & Wellness](https://www.ifm.org/nutrition-health-wellness) - [Pediatric Health](https://www.ifm.org/pediatric-health) - [Toxins & Detoxification](https://www.ifm.org/toxins-detoxification) - [Women's & Men’s Hormonal Health](https://www.ifm.org/womens-mens-hormonal-health) - [Find a Practitioner](https://www.ifm.org/practitioners) ## Health Professionals: - [Join Us](https://www.ifm.org/join-us) - [Partnerships](https://www.ifm.org/partnerships) - [IFM Membership](https://www.ifm.org/join-us/membership) - [Annual International Conference](https://www.ifm.org/aic/) - [Students](https://www.ifm.org/join-us/student) - [Military](https://www.ifm.org/join-us/military) - [Education](https://www.ifm.org/education) - [Accreditation](https://www.ifm.org/education/accreditation) - [Get Started](https://www.ifm.org/education/get-started) - [Learning Center](https://www.ifm.org/learning-center) - [Educators](https://www.ifm.org/educators) - [Certification](https://www.ifm.org/certification) ![TFIF Lockup@2x](https://info.ifm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Landing%20Page%20Images/Prac%20Growth%202024%20Elements/Version%202/TFIF%20Lockup@2x.png?width=600&height=195&name=TFIF%20Lockup@2x.png) We are the global leader in functional medicine education, training, certification, and clinical practice. ![empower-hero\_240x135](https://info.ifm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/empower-hero_240x135.png?width=568&height=435&name=empower-hero_240x135.png) ![The Future is Functional](https://info.ifm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Landing%20Page%20Images/Prac%20Growth%202024%20Elements/Version%202/Future%20is%20Functional%20as%20image.png?width=958&height=547&name=Future%20is%20Functional%20as%20image.png) ## What is functional medicine? ![Vector 8](https://info.ifm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Landing%20Page%20Images/Prac%20Growth%202024%20Elements/Version%202/Vector%208.png?width=303&height=8&name=Vector%208.png) Each individual has unique genetic, environmental, and lifestyle influences that determine a state of health or disease. By evaluating and treating these root causes of dysfunction, functional medicine provides a systematic framework for delivering personalized care that restores health. ## Provide a deeper level of care.![Vector 8](https://info.ifm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Landing%20Page%20Images/Prac%20Growth%202024%20Elements/Version%202/Vector%208.png?width=303&height=8&name=Vector%208.png) Functional medicine fosters a collaborative partnership between practitioner and patient, empowering them to take an active role in their healthcare. Practitioners are trained to fully understand the context of their patients' lives and address all dimensions of their well-being—body, mind, and spirit.  ## Expand your clinical skills and practice. ![Vector 9](https://info.ifm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Landing%20Page%20Images/Prac%20Growth%202024%20Elements/Version%202/Vector%209.png?width=303&height=10&name=Vector%209.png) Functional medicine-trained clinicians continue to be the most sought-after healthcare providers in private practices, health systems, and other clinical settings. Why? By integrating the latest research and personalized care strategies into practice, functional medicine helps patients reach their full health potential. ![2 people Photo Mask Group@2x](https://info.ifm.org/hubfs/Landing%20Page%20Images/Prac%20Growth%202024%20Elements/Version%202/2%20people%20Photo%20Mask%20Group@2x.png) ## Help Your Patients Achieve Healthier Outcomes  ![Vector 7 (1)](https://info.ifm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Landing%20Page%20Images/Prac%20Growth%202024%20Elements/Version%202/Vector%207%20(1).png?width=540&height=12&name=Vector%207%20(1).png) Harness the power of nutrition, lifestyle modifications, conventional therapeutics, and other healing modalities that matter most to your patients. Transform how you practice with functional medicine! [Get started with online, introductory courses](https://www.ifm.org/education/get-started) ### Begin a new era of your practice. Subscribe to IFM’s free Clinical Digest and get started with: - An introduction to functional medicine tools and concepts in your first email - Research insights, free learnings, and other resources to support your practice - Functional medicine news and clinical opportunities  - [Contact Us](https://www.ifm.org/contact) - [Support IFM](https://www.ifm.org/donate) - [Newsroom](https://www.ifm.org/about/newsroom) - [IFM Podcast](https://www.ifm.org/podcast/) - [IFM Newsletter](https://www.ifm.org/newsletter-sign-up) - [Help Center](https://help.ifm.org) [![Facebook](https://info.ifm.org/hubfs/TheInstituteForFunctionalMedicine_October2024/images/icon-facebook.svg "Facebook")](https://www.facebook.com/instituteforfunctionalmedicine/) [![Instagram](https://info.ifm.org/hubfs/TheInstituteForFunctionalMedicine_October2024/images/icon-instagram.svg "Instagram")](https://www.instagram.com/instituteforfxmed/) [![LinkedIn](https://info.ifm.org/hubfs/TheInstituteForFunctionalMedicine_October2024/images/icon-linkedIn.svg "LinkedIn")](https://www.linkedin.com/company/institute-for-functional-medicine) [![Twitter](https://info.ifm.org/hubfs/TheInstituteForFunctionalMedicine_October2024/images/icon-twitter.svg "Twitter")](https://x.com/fxmed) - [Find a Practitioner](https://www.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner) - [Working With a Functional Medicine Practitioner](https://www.ifm.org/functional-medicine/patient-resources/what-to-expect) - [About The Institute for Functional Medicine](https://www.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner) - [Who We Are](https://www.ifm.org/about/who-we-are) - [Newsroom](https://www.ifm.org/about/newsroom) - [History](https://www.ifm.org/about/history) - [Leadership](https://www.ifm.org/about/leadership) - [Careers at IFM](https://www.ifm.org/about/careers-at-ifm) - [Impact Report](https://www.ifm.org/about/impact) - [What Is Functional Medicine?](https://www.ifm.org/functional-medicine) - [Health Topics](https://www.ifm.org/health-topics) - [Practicing Functional Medicine](https://www.ifm.org/functional-medicine/in-practice) - [Jobs in Functional Medicine](https://www.ifm.org/functional-medicine/jobs-in-functional-medicine) - [IFM Library](https://www.ifm.org/health-topics/library) - [Patient Resources](https://www.ifm.org/functional-medicine/patient-resources) - [Recursos en español](https://www.ifm.org/espanol) - [Join Our Community](https://www.ifm.org/join-us) - [Become a Member](https://www.ifm.org/membership) - [Annual International Conference](https://www.ifm.org/annual-international-conference) - [Students](https://www.ifm.org/join-us/student) - [Military](https://www.ifm.org/join-us/military) - [Education & Certification](https://www.ifm.org/education) - [Get Started](https://www.ifm.org/education/get-started) - [Learning Center](https://www.ifm.org/learning-center) - [Certification](https://www.ifm.org/certification) - [Educators](https://www.ifm.org/educators) - [Scholarships](https://www.ifm.org/about/access/scholarships) - [Discounts](https://www.ifm.org/education/discounts) - [Explore Partnerships](https://www.ifm.org/partnerships) - [Academic](https://www.ifm.org/partnerships/academic) - [Interprofessional](https://www.ifm.org/partnerships/allied-health) - [Clinical](https://www.ifm.org/partnerships/health-systems) - [Industry](https://www.ifm.org/partnerships/commercial) - [International](https://www.ifm.org/partnerships/international) © The Institute for Functional Medicine. All Rights Reserved. View our [Terms and Conditions](https://www.ifm.org/legal/terms-and-conditions/), [Privacy Policy](https://www.ifm.org/legal/privacy/), [Accessibility](https://www.ifm.org/accessibility), and [Legal Notices](https://www.ifm.org/legal/legal-notices/).