FAQS

I am a doctor of chiropractic, or DC. I have a BS in biology with an emphasis in psychology from the State University of NY at Binghamton and a doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic. Chiropractors take all of the courses in biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology and pathology that medical doctors receive. We also learn how to perform physical exams, interpret laboratory work and diagnose. We study spinal anatomy and neurology, natural healing, nutrition, physical therapy, philosophy and adjusting, whereas a medical doctor specializes in pharmacology, surgery and generally another specialty. However, a chiropractor’s philosophy and approach to healing is drastically different from most medical doctors.

Medicine is generally focused on stopping you from experiencing a symptom via medication or surgery. Natural medicine and chiropractic in specific focuses on discovering the cause of the symptom and helping you to change your lifestyle to match the way you’d like to feel. We may use adjustments, physical therapy, nutritional supplements or nutraceutical, orthotics, traction, or emotional work to assist you in correcting the problem from the inside out.

I also have studied internal disorders and nutrition extensively. I am currently completing my diplomate in internal disorders (DABCI) which is a 300 hour post graduate course that emphasizes primary care and functional medicine, diagnostics, specialized laboratory testing and nutritional and nutriceutical management of disease.

In addition to all of this, I also joyfully dig into the emotional realm with my patients that are interested in uncovering the emotional roots of their symptoms. I have developed Incarnational Healing as a way to assist my patients in understanding how their bodies physically express their inner lives.

Incarnational Healing is a way of understanding the body as well as an approach to healing. The underlying principle is that nothing is random. Everything that happens in your body (and your life) is purposeful. God is in everything!

We often start with the physical body and its symptoms and we seek to get you feeling great as soon as possible. However, we also want you to know WHY the symptom was there in the first place. This requires a little digging, but NET is a great tool that allows us to put our finger right on it.

NET stands for NeuroEmotional Technique. It is a stress releasing technique that allows the doctor to quickly and reliably uncover any emotional blockages to the healing process. Once impediments to healing are addressed, the body is released to heal as it was designed to.

NET can be used to address physical concerns like shoulder problems, rashes or asthma, postural problems like slumping, flat feet or loss of the curve of the neck, or emotional problems like being afraid of driving, not being able to forgive someone or being unable to concentrate.

A nutraceutical is a nutritional supplement that is “professional grade” and is not available to the general public because of its specificity. They often use patented ingredients or processes that “turbo charge” them. They are generally targeted for a specific result in the body and are synergistically designed by top physiologists and doctors. They are much superior to what you will find at Costco or the health food store.

Functional medicine is a health care approach that is used by all different healthcare practitioners, from chiropractors, naturopaths, acupuncturists, and psychiatrists to osteopaths and medical doctors. As functional medicine practitioners, we seek to find and fix the cause of large and small health problems. We look for correlations between different symptoms and see if we can get to the “bottom line” of the problem. We’re not content covering up or managing symptoms. We want to uncover the root.

We usually utilize advanced laboratory testing to more accurately diagnose the problem. The method of treatment rarely utilizes traditional medications. Generally diet, life style, herbs, nutraceutical, homeopathics, adjustments, and other natural treatments are recommended.

Medical labs find their clinical ranges by doing an average of the results from the people that they test. They then take that average and create the ranges by figuring 2 standard deviations on both sides (where most values fall on the bell curve). If your blood value falls outside of those ranges, they flag it. This sounds reasonable until you understand that most people getting their blood drawn are not well. They have chronic fatigue and malabsorption and diabetes and cancer and fibromyalgia and depression. What the clinical ranges tell you is that you are about like everyone else…sick.

Homeostatic ranges are derived from HEALTHY people. These people feel GOOD. They have no symptoms and are at the top of their game. This is the blood you want to compare yours to if you want to feel how they do.

A homeostatic analysis then is comparing your values to the homeostatic values. This reveals lots of clinical and subclinical problems that are present. It teases out dehydration, low HCL or pancreatic enzyme levels, hypoglycemia, low adrenal or thyroid function, anemia, impending gout, vitamin D or B deficiencies, signs of inflammation, infection, allergies, parasites, even cancer.

Dietary and lifestyle recommendations are made based on the results. Nutraceutical may be recommended and emotionally related correlations may be made based on this analysis. We can monitor your progress based on subsequent tests and modify the approach if needed until you get the results you want and you feel great!

We can run almost any test you might need, but we use them judiciously. We order x-rays, MRIs, CAT scans and Thermographic evaluations. We do urinalyses and complete blood panels that evaluate the kidneys, liver, immune system, pancreas, stomach acid, adrenals and thyroid.

We check for celiac or autoimmune disorders. We also do a really thorough check on the heart and vascular system (much more than the simple lipid test). This allows us to reverse your hypertension, not just control it.

We test for 6 different markers for thyroid function so we can really know what is going on and address it from a functional perspective. We check for diabetes and help you get a handle on it and reverse the disease and the damage.

We do adrenal stress tests to see how your adrenals are handling the life you live and how they are effecting the other hormones your body produces. We do stool tests that check for parasites, yeast, bacteria (good and bad), pH, H. Pylori, celiac and absorption issues.

We offer male and female hormone panels, do vaginosis panels and pap smears. We can check for food sensitivities and allergies (IgG, IgA, and IgE) using blood. We can also check to see if you have a genetic mutation that makes you unable to use folic acid, which leads to many chronic diseases.

We test and balance neurotransmitters. We do cancer and osteoporosis screenings too.

Frankly, I deal with almost anything you can bring in: any non-emergent health issue (please go to the emergency room with the emergent ones), any emotional, relational or spiritual issue that is not at a crisis point.

What that leaves is: back, neck or joint pain, numbness, headaches, hypertension, diabetes, digestive problems, fatigue, depression, anxiety, rashes, allergies, illnesses, pregnancy care, infertility, toxicity, PCOS, autoimmune conditions, thyroid problems, sinus problems, bladder infections, yeast infections, celiac, constipation, spiritual dryness, fears and phobias, healing from a specific trauma, feeling stuck or unmotivated, etc., etc.

YES! I am and always will be a chiropractor. The spine is the body’s life line. It is imperative to ensure good neurological and structural function. I have many patients that see me simply for adjustments. That’s fine! I’m available for everything else as your needs change.

The technique that I use is a version of Directional Non-Force Technique (DNFT). The adjustments are gentle and effective and safe for people of all ages, even newborns!

The cost of a standard 20 minute doctor visit is $50

Extended time is needed for more extensive emotional work or nutritional guidance and is priced at $50 per 20 minute increment. Please let us know the nature of what you are coming in for and we can help you with the appointment block that best fits your needs.

More extensive blocks of time for intensive or urgent healing goals are available by special arrangement.

Laboratory testing and nutraceutical are individually priced and will be quoted upon request or when recommended.

A homeostatic and nutritional review is provided with all lab work ordered through this office.

A review and homeostatic analysis of the results with nutriceutical recommendations and Incarnational Healing correlations based on lab work NOT ordered through this office is charged at $75-$150 depending on the extensiveness of the testing reviewed.

There is no charge for brief questions or e-mails regarding patients currently under care. This includes things such as dosage questions, acute home care suggestions, or general questions.

Phone calls and e-mails that necessitate a substantial amount of the doctor’s time, require research or go beyond the scope of general questions are best dealt with in the office during an appointment. If that is not practical, they may be handled over the phone or e-mail, but will be billed as an office visit according to the above fee structure.

Our office is not a preferred provider in any network. We will gladly give you a receipt for submitting to your insurance for out of network coverage. We do accept Health Savings Account payments, credit or debit cards, checks, and of course cash as forms of payment.

This work is wonderful for the whole family. Through the emotional work especially, we see many family patterns emerge. It is helpful for your spouse and kids to be not only onboard but have their symptoms and issues addressed as well.

That being said, children are always welcome, but you know your child best. If your child can sit or play quietly for the length of your appointment, that will work well. If they will require much of your attention, it will be difficult for you to get the most out of our time together and it might be best to have other arrangements for them during your appointment time.

It really depends on what you come in with and what you want to achieve. Simple problems will only require a few visits. More extensive problems will take longer. Your participation has a lot to do with it. If you follow the dietary guidelines, take your nutriceuticals and commit to the “homework” I prescribe, you will find that not only do your symptoms resolve quickly, but you will find your life transforming as well.

No. Everything that I do is from a Christian worldview, although I treat patients from all belief systems. I use muscle testing for much of the emotional work (NET) as it is the simplest and most effective way to uncover issues that are causing problems. If this is a concern for you, please discuss it with me and watch my recorded presentations on the topics of New Age and NET. http://incarnatechiropractic.com/recorded-presentations/