Functional medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that treats the root causes of diseases by addressing the underlying imbalances in the body. It focuses on treating the whole person rather than just managing symptoms. Functional medicine practitioners aim to identify and address the underlying factors that contribute to an individual's health issues, such as genetics, nutrition, environment, lifestyle, and stress. They use a combination of conventional medicine, lifestyle modifications, nutrition, and other therapies to promote optimal health and well-being.