Integrative medicine brings conventional care and complementary approaches, such as acupuncture, massage or yoga, together in a coordinated way. Functional medicine is a framework, defined by the Institute for Functional Medicine, that looks for the "root causes" of illness through each person's genes, environment and lifestyle. Neither is a license. The practical differences are in credentials and setting: board certification in integrative medicine is for MD and DO physicians, functional medicine certification is open to a wider range of licensed clinicians, and major New York City hospitals run integrative programs whose pages don't mention functional medicine.
Integrative vs functional medicine at a glance
| Integrative medicine | Functional medicine | |
|---|---|---|
| Who defines it | NCCIH (part of the NIH) | The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) |
| Core idea | Combine conventional and complementary care for the whole person | Find and treat the underlying causes of disease |
| Is it a license? | No. Scope comes from the clinician's license. | No. Scope comes from the clinician's license. |
| Main credential | Board certification from the American Board of Integrative Medicine (ABOIM) | FMCP or FMCP-M from the International Board of Functional Medicine Certification |
| Who can earn it | MD and DO physicians with residency training and prior board certification | MDs, DOs, NDs, NPs and PAs (FMCP-M); acupuncturists, chiropractors, dietitians, nurses, pharmacists, therapists and others (FMCP) |
| Where you'll find it in NYC | NYU Langone, Mount Sinai, NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and private practices | Private practices. Some health systems offer it (Cleveland Clinic has a Center for Functional Medicine), but none of those four NYC hospital pages names it. |
| Evidence | Judged therapy by therapy (for example, acupuncture or yoga for specific conditions) | One observational study of the model and one small trial of functional medicine coaching; no systematic review of the whole approach found |
What integrative medicine is
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) describes integrative health as bringing conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way, often combining two or more approaches to care for the whole person (NCCIH, page last updated April 2021). NCCIH notes that these terms change over time.
The Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health describes integrative medicine as whole-person care that strengthens the practitioner-patient relationship, is informed by evidence, and uses all appropriate therapeutic and lifestyle approaches (Academic Consortium, mission and vision, checked October 10, 2026).
At the New York City hospital programs listed below, integrative care means adding therapies such as acupuncture, massage, yoga, mind-body work and nutrition counseling to standard medical care, in some cases after a physician consultation. The evidence for each therapy is judged separately. For example, NCCIH reports that acupuncture may reduce migraine frequency, while sham-controlled trials show no benefit over placebo for IBS (NCCIH, headaches; NCCIH, IBS).
What functional medicine is
IFM describes functional medicine as an approach that restores healthy function by treating the root causes of disease, using each person's genetic, environmental and lifestyle influences (IFM). In practice it often involves lab testing, diet and lifestyle changes, and specific nutrients or supplements.
The evidence for the model as a whole is limited. A 2019 Cleveland Clinic study found that functional medicine patients reported more improvement in physical health at six months than matched primary care patients, but the study was observational and the 12-month difference wasn't significant (JAMA Network Open, 2019). For the full picture, see is functional medicine legit?
Credentials: what each one means
ABOIM board certification (integrative medicine)
The American Board of Integrative Medicine (ABOIM) certification is offered by the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS). According to the ABPS eligibility page, applicants need (ABPS, integrative medicine eligibility, page dated March 2026, checked October 2026):
- a degree from a recognized US, Canadian or international allopathic (MD) or osteopathic (DO) medical school;
- a valid, unrestricted medical license in the US, its territories or Canada;
- a completed residency accredited by the ACGME or AOA, or a Canadian (RCPSC or CFPC) residency;
- current or past certification from an ABPS, ABMS, AOA, RCPSC or CFPC member board;
- an ABOIM-approved integrative medicine fellowship, or one of three other training options (the page doesn't describe them);
- a CV and three letters of recommendation, then a passing score on a written exam.
The route is for MD and DO physicians only. A naturopathic doctor, chiropractor or nurse practitioner isn't eligible under the stated requirements.
FMCP and FMCP-M (functional medicine)
The Institute for Functional Medicine's certification is now issued by the International Board of Functional Medicine Certification. It requires at least a master's degree, an active healthcare license, at least 100 hours of accredited training (150 hours from January 2027), and an exam, with renewal every six years (IFM eligibility). IFM says people already certified under the older "IFMCP" title are moving into the new certification program (IFM help center).
What neither credential does
Neither one is a license. IFM states plainly that its certification doesn't expand or reduce anyone's scope of practice. What a clinician can diagnose, prescribe or bill for depends on their state license. In New York, check it with NYSED license verification. For how naturopathic doctors fit in, see naturopath vs functional medicine doctor.
Integrative medicine at New York City hospitals
Four major NYC hospital systems list integrative services. None of their pages mentions functional medicine, and none states fees or insurance terms (all checked October 10, 2026).
| Hospital | Services listed | Clinicians named? |
|---|---|---|
| NYU Langone | Bedside mind-body care; outpatient guided imagery, massage, energy therapies, yoga and acupuncture; a Brooklyn site | "Licensed professionals," no names |
| Mount Sinai | Integrative primary care through the Institute for Family Health; integrative nutrition; herbs, acupuncture, mind-body and manual medicine | Yes: MDs, and an ND who is also a registered dietitian |
| NewYork-Presbyterian / Weill Cornell | Integrative medicine consultation; acupuncture; massage; mind-body; nutrition counseling; Pilates; psychotherapy; yoga | "Expert physician team," no names |
| Memorial Sloan Kettering | Physician consultation leading to a personal plan; acupuncture, massage and yoga; symptom support; supplement guidance | Physician consultation offered; credentials not stated |
Which to look for
- If you want complementary therapies alongside your regular medical care, or symptom support during cancer treatment, a hospital integrative program or an MD- or DO-led integrative practice keeps everything in one system.
- If you want a root-cause, test-heavy approach, a functional medicine practitioner offers that. Check their license, ask which tests they plan to order and why, and read the evidence and criticisms first.
- If insurance matters, ask any practice whether it bills your plan. Functional medicine is often self-pay or membership-based; see functional medicine cost and insurance. The hospital pages don't state fees, so call them to ask.
- Either way, the license matters more than the label. An MD or DO can prescribe and order tests under a medical license; other clinicians are limited to what their own license allows.
What to do next
- Browse integrative medicine doctors and functional medicine doctors, and check the license each one lists.
- Interested in one therapy, such as acupuncture? See acupuncture clinics in New York.
- Also comparing naturopathic doctors? See naturopathic doctor listings and the licenses they show.
When to see a medical doctor: for new, severe or worsening symptoms, see a medical doctor or urgent care first. Tell every clinician about the therapies and supplements you use so your care can be coordinated.
Last reviewed: October 2026