A New Age For Chiropractic….

Well, with all the exciting programs that I have developed with help from some of my patients (you know who you are), I am left reflecting on the questions that seem to be on many of my new patients’ minds:

1. Can chiropractors order blood and lab work?
2. Do chiropractors work on shoulders, knees, etc.?
3. Does “Nutrition Counseling” mean “Supplement Counseling”?
4. What is Functional Medicine?

First, let me say that not all chiropractors will practice the same. This fact is both the beauty of chiropractic and in some extents, the bane of our profession’s existence. The variety and individualism that exists in the chiropractic profession does so at the expense of a solid identity at times.

I do, firmly believe that the treatments offered at Optimum Function and other, progressive chiropractic clinics represent the evolution of chiropractic. So…YES! At least here in Portland, Oregon, chiropractors can (and in my opinion, should) order blood work. This is one of the reasons I teamed-up with Quest Diagnostics and Doctor’s Choice to develop the “Dr. Irving Panel”, which, at $89* is INCREDIBLY comprehensive (I’ve included everything from cholesterol to thyroid hormones, glucose and more!). If you are being treated with functional medicine, nutrition, or any of the other wellness-based treatments without first having a comprehensive blood chemistry run and evaluated correctly, your doctor may be missing some key elements. Each and every one of use has a different chemistry that affects the way we do things like: produce hormones, metabolize fats, proteins etc. and more. The values in a comprehensive blood chemistry , in the hands of someone who knows what to look for may prove to be invaluable.

Also, at Optimum Function, restoring musculoskeletal function is one of my main focuses…..even if it’s restoring it in your knees, ankles, shoulder etc. In fact, back pain often arises from weaknesses and/or imbalances in these areas. If your doctor is not looking at these key components, they may be missing some key information that may be exactly why you never quite feel 100%.

At Optimum Function in southeast Portland, Oregon, “Nutritional Counseling” does not equate to “Supplement Counseling”. While supplements are used when necessary to improve your health status, my main focus is on FOOD. It’s what we’re made of and everyday, the healthcare community finds out that when balanced and nutritious, the food we eat produces healthy results the like of which no drug on the market today can compare to.

Lastly, in addition to chiropractic, massage, and nutrition, I utilize the principles of functional medicine in the treatment of my patients. What is it? Well, it’s the art of figuring out (to the best of my ability)what unique processes are going on in your body that have produced your own unique health status in the present. In addition, this means I will look to things like lifestyle, dietary habits and other things that may have predisposed you to your current health status. With your help, I will look to uncover what was or were the triggers that sent you down the path to your current health status and what is keeping you there. This is individualized healthcare! And it’s VERY exciting.

Want to know more?

Go to www.OptFunction.com, www.FunctionalDetox.com, and/or www.YourOptimumNutrition.com

Yours In Health,

Dr. Tim Irving DC, LMT, Nutritionist 

*This price does not include the cost of the office visit and/or interpretation of the results

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