Portland Chiropractor Utilizing Chiropractic, Nutrition, Graston, Functional Medicine, Hypnotherapy and More

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What is Optimum Function?

Biology Online.org definitions:

"Optimum": The best or most suitable; e.g., denoting the dose of a remedy likely to give most benefit with fewest side effects. Origin: optimus, best most favorable condition or greatest degree or amount possible under given circumstances. Ideal, a situation where the best result is attained.

"Function": The special, normal or proper physiologic activity of an organ or part.

This means that we use all of our possible resources to help you:

• Return to the best , most suitable function (for your particular situation).
• Help you learn how to stay that way and point you in the right direction if you can't get what you need solely though the services offered at Optimum Function.

What is Chiropractic Today, in the 21st Century?

Though evidence of manipulation (adjusting) can be traced back almost 5,000 years, the direct application of chiropractic manipulation is a little more than 100 years old. Since its inception in 1895, chiropractic has been helping many patients reach optimum Function. Often these patients seek out chiropractic after having had no success being treated by other healthcare providers.

Even though chiropractic is a relatively new healthcare profession, there have been many advances in the science behind it. With so many changes in the understanding and application of both natural and hands-on concepts, methods, and treatments, information that was considered accurate 10-20 years ago may not be today.

Chiropractic is a relatively new method of delivering healthcare that represents an insightful way of investigating and caring for the patient’s health and wellness. The future of chiropractic is in the combination of continued research and ever-evolving clinical procedures. Both increasing cooperation between various healthcare providers and the American public’s growing awareness of health and disease prevention are creating a demand for chiropractic as an integral part of a complete healthcare team.

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How does Massage Therapy Play into Treatments?

Many of the techniques, and procedures used at Optimum Function take into account the tone and efficiency of your muscles and the pliability/tension in your fascia. It is almost impossible to separate the techniques used by a great massage therapist from those used by a chiropractor that focuses on these things.

Why I Use the Functional Medicine Approach at Optimum Function?

Your body and the its various systems (organs, muscles, bones, etc.) ia a masterpiece of design. Every part has its specific functions as well as an interrelationship with the whole. When you experience symptoms, it’s your body’s way of telling you that something isn’t working at its full function. My role is to work with you to determine what’s not functioning, why, and how I might assist you in restoring your health.

I use a holistic, supportive, patient-centered approach to healthcare that benefits patients of all ages and conditions. As a functional medicine practitioner and chiropractor, I consider the web of interactions that occur among the following:

• Nutrition
• Digestive function
• Detoxification function
• Energy metabolism
• Hormonal function
• Structural function
• Immune system function/inflammation

I clarify the extent of any dysfunction by intensive listening (taking your history), physical examination, and laboratory tests. Once I have identified the root causes of your symptoms, I'll recommend specific treatments and therapies, including chiropractic treatment, various soft-tissue techniques, nutritional counseling, nutritional supplementation, exercise and stress reduction appropriate to your lifestyle, and referrals to the proper health provider when necessary. I want to be your partner in improving your health and wellness.

I also use functional medicine to assess your risk of developing certain health conditions with intent to prevent chronic illnesses from occurring. In this way, we move from a downstream (reactive) approach, to an upstream (proactive) approach. I can help you determine what factors are “pushing you into the river” in the first place by identifying your susceptibilities. For example, increasing a patient’s consumption of whole not processed foods, including a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables offers significant promise regarding prevention of cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis, as well as successfully addressing a number of common maladies.

For more information, you may visit the websites where I have completed some of my studies:

• www.functionalmedicine.org, the website for the Institute for Functional Medicine
• www.jeffreybland.com
• www.functionalmedicineuniversity.com

Remember: Optimum Function = Optimum Health

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How Can Chiropractic Care/Manual Medicine Help You?

I begin by looking at your overall health, focusing not only on your physical health but also on your nutritional, mental, internal health and lifestyle (your diet and habits). This total approach to wellness helps determine if the type of treatment offered at Optimum Function is an effective approach for you.

The in-office examination essentially consists of 3 parts to reach a working diagnosis:

History

By having you fill out detailed intake forms and diagnostic questionnaires in addition to asking you pointed questions, I will put together a story that helps identify the cause of your health concerns. We will discuss your past and present symptoms, health history, any prior injuries, and your lifestyle, including you diet (where indicated), work and leisure activities/hobbies.

Physical Exam

This is the chiropractor’s area of specialty. Physical, orthopedic (bone and muscle), and neurological (nerve) tests may be necessary to help reveal problems within your physical body that may be contributing to your health concerns. Where indicated, I may want to examine your eyes, ears, nose, heart, lungs, and abdomen. I may also palpate your arteries and veins.

In-office tests

During functional medicine appointments, I will perform various in office testing that helps us put together information about how your internal chemistry if functioning.

Lab work

After your initial functional medicine appointment, I will order the necessary out of office tests and use these important values as "markers" to further determine how your internal chemistry is functioning.

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Special Tests

Other tests may be ordered if deemed necessary including: X-rays, MRI's, Further lab testing, other functional medicine tests.

Diagnosis

Based on the information gathered in your history, physical exam, in office tests (for functional medicine appointments only), labs (for functional medicine tests only) and, if needed, other tests, I will generate a working diagnosis. This means a diagnosis that is as accurate as can be with the understanding that many different disorders may appear to be almost identical. This will give us the latitude to modify treatments based on your unique physiology and how you respond to treatment.

Based on this working diagnosis you will receive a report of what was discovered and an individualized treatment program help you reach optimum function. If needed, I will consult with or refer you to other specialists.

Click here for a list of available treatment options.

I don't focus or rely solely on these techniques nor do I subscribe to a "cook-book" method of diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, every treatment may be different based on the state of your health and wellness at the time.

Please check out my health conditions page for more details about certain health conditions, the glossary to familiarize yourself with certain terms, other links page to find some information about the various techniques we may use and the contact page to schedule an appointment.

Click here to fill out my individual health assessment to figure out if your current health status can be improved at Optimum Function

I look forward to seeing you soon!