Services
We use integrative, evidence-based medicine to develop patient-centered plans of care. This means, we conduct a complete history and physical examination, and as appropriate order specialized tests such as blood, urine, stool, and genetics to assess patterns of health imbalances. When the medical problems are treated, the patient’s neurologic, biochemical and psychiatric symptoms improve.
Mycotoxins are some of the most prevalent toxins in the environment. Mycotoxins are metabolites produced by fungi like mold, which can infest buildings, vehicles, and foodstuffs. A majority of mycotoxin exposures are through food ingestion or airborne exposure. In the European Union, 20% of all grains harvested have been found to be contaminated with mycotoxins. Unfortunately, mycotoxins are resistant to heat and many processing procedures.
Fungi are able to grow on almost any surface, especially if the environment is warm and wet. Inner wall materials of buildings, wall paper, fiber glass insulation, ceiling tiles, and
[…]
Tick-borne illnesses can affect every part of your life, and without effective diagnosis and treatment, symptoms can often worsen and progress into severe and even life-threatening health issues.
Resources: Igenex Testing | Galaxy Testing
The purpose of the Cunningham Panel is to provide laboratory results that assist physicians in diagnosing infection-induced autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders. The panel measures the level of circulating antibodies directed against antigens concentrated in the brain, and measures the ability of these and other autoantibodies to increase the activity of an enzyme (CaMKII) that upregulates neurotransmitters in the brain. The panel consists of five tests. Four of these tests provide results that are expressed as a titer, or final dilution, at which an endpoint reaction was observed on an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) format. These tests measure circulating levels of
[…]
Low Dose Immunotherapy (LDI) is a novel immunotherapy intended to help the immune system reestablish balance in those with chronic inflammatory autoimmunity. LDI is used successfully among integrative and functional practitioners but not widely accepted in allopathic medicine (similar to the acceptance of homeopathic medicine). LDI blends the principles of sublingual allergy immunotherapy and homeopathy. LDI is intended to promote immune tolerance to various antigens in order to stop inappropriate and unnecessary immune reactivity against those antigens/immune triggers. Healthy immune systems are not over active, or under active, and often in the case of autoimmunity (especially with autoimmune encephalitis) the
[…]
We provide functional medicine care to all children. Our clinicians not only have years of experience providing care in a traditional pediatric settings, but also have specialized training in functional and integrative medicine through the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) and the Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs (MAPS). Our comprehensive care is built on a therapeutic relationship between practitioners and families, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic interventions for sustained wellness or resolution of chronic disease.
The scientific study of individualized genetics and nutrition is known as nutritional genomics or “nutrigenomics”. Nutrigenomic testing accurately identifies each patients’ genetic protein variations to identify sites of metabolic weakness. These key proteins are involved in enzyme conversion, nutritional delivery and signaling pathways in the cell. Abnormalities in specific genes can negatively affect many physiological and metabolic processes. Our clinic utilizes genetic testing through laboratories such as GenomixNutrition and 23andMe (processed through Livewello).
Pharmacogenomics uses information about a person’s genetic makeup, or genome, to choose the drugs and drug doses that are likely to work best for that particular person. This personalized, data-driven approach, is pain-free and simple to perform, can reduce the time, expense and struggle of finding the right treatment by trial and error. Our clinic utilizes testing from CLIA certified and CAP accredited testing laboratories such as Molecular Testing Laboratories and GenoMind.
Our clinic uses a laboratory that provides specialized food and environmental allergy testing through Alletess Labratories. Alletess Medical Laboratory has been a leader in the field of allergy and immunology testing for over 35 years. They specialize in food and inhalant allergy testing, food sensitivities and other tests to assess the immune system.
Hippocrates once said, “All disease begins in the gut”. Gut issues can be the cause of digestive problems, as well as autoimmune disease, developmental delays, hormone imbalance and many others. Taking a thorough history and listening to our patients story is important, however, sometimes more in-depth analysis is required. Most conventional testing has limitations for understanding digestive system function or the status of the microbiome. We offer testing through Doctors Data that assesses digestive bacterial balance, enzyme levels, digestion and absorption markers, status of overgrowth from yeast, parasites and water borne illnesses, in addition to gut immune system markers.
Allergy drops are also known as Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT). They are a form of allergen immunotherapy, which is the process of stimulating the immune system to develop tolerance towards an allergen. Sublingual refers to how the drops are taken: instead of getting an allergy shot, you are putting small amounts of allergen under your tongue. We offer SLIT therapy through All American Allergy Alternatives.
A healthy diet is foundational for optimizing wellness and mitigating disease. With any health concern or disease diagnosis we can individualize therapeutic diets that target healing from leaky guts to supporting mitochondrial weakness.
Below is a list of the most common conditions we treat. However, this is not a comprehensive list, and we will see any child regardless of diagnosis.
PANDAS and PANS are characterized by the sudden onset of obsessive behaviors, anxiety, depression, motor tics, decline in math and handwriting abilities, sensory sensitivities, restrictive eating, irrational fears, sleep disorders, and somatic complaints like nausea or upset stomach. A functional approach to treating PANDAS/PANS involves the exploration of underlying triggers for the child’s immune dysfunction and neuroinflammation. The treatment can involve diet changes, supplementation, antibiotic use, steroids, and IVIG.
Living in mold can cause a variety of symptoms for a child and family that can impair cognition, sleep, behavior, and immunity. When a child has been living in mold, it’s imperative to take needed steps to remediate and help the child detoxify, so that they can regain homeostasis. We walk families through these steps and ensure that their child is improving.
CIRS is a progressive, multi-system, multi-symptom illness characterized by exposure to biotoxins. The ongoing inflammation can affect virtually any organ system of the body and if left untreated can lead to many chronic conditions (such as fatigue, headaches, chronic abdominal pain, and more).
Resources: Surviving Mold
Our approach to treating neuropsychiatric diseases is different from the traditional methods of using pharmaceuticals to manage symptoms. Our goal is to identify and treat the underlying root causes of the behavior. We believe that utilizing things such as amino acids, herbal extracts, vitamins, minerals and special diets can have a profoundly positive impact on cognitive health without the use of prescription medications.
Autism is a complex condition that is unique to each individual on the spectrum. We believe that autism is a biomedical condition that needs a systems-based approach to understanding where the body may be suffering and functioning poorly. We believe that a patient’s environmental, genetic, physiological, nutritional, and behavioral health contributes to the functioning of each child and their hope for recovery.
Our genetics play a key role in how we can process the nutrients we eat, filter out toxins in our environment, and regulate biological processes and health conditions we have a genetic susceptibility to developing. We identify your child’s genetic weaknesses and potential problem areas which allows us to recommend which foods and supplements to avoid and which to increase, putting your child on a health to overall wellness.
Food allergies and sensitivities can cause inflammation and irritation in the body, and therefore cause behavioral health issues, digestive problems and skin conditions. Certain foods can exacerbate conditions such as asthma, ADHD, and autism. We help you detect the symptoms of food allergies, identify trigger foods and support patients with nutritional and digestive support to combat and overcome food sensitivities.
Trillions of microorganisms live in our digestive tract, making up what is called the “microbiome.” When a microbiome is compromised, it makes children more susceptible to gastrointestinal disorders and immune dysfunction which can manifest in behavioral symptoms such as agitation or depression. We look for underlying causes and then regulate and repair the gut through specific probiotic strains and nutrition management.
Our skin is a defense system and acts as a physical, chemical, and antimicrobial barrier. Stress, gut inflammation and leaky gut caused from diet can lead to impaired skin integrity and skin disease. This includes everything from eczema, acne, rosacea, psoriasis, and keratosis pilaris to even warts. We can discuss your child’s diet and even do specific stool studies to analyze gut function and get to the root of his or her skin condition.
Children develop along a continuum, and when they are not meeting their milestones, such as with language or motor skills, they are diagnosed as being developmental delayed. We support traditional treatment of physical and speech therapies, but also look for underlying biomedical causes of delays. We apply the principles of functional medicine to investigate potential root causes of developmental delays, so that we can tailor early medical interventions specific to a child’s needs.
Colic describes the behavior of excessive crying in babies, but it is not a medical diagnosis. We do not dismiss excessive crying as normal baby behavior. In fact, it’s the first sign that a baby has a compromised microbiome. We work with moms to determine possible causes such as reflux, antibiotics at birth, allergies and others. We support mom with recommendations of diet changes, feeding techniques and support baby with natural remedies rather than pharmaceuticals.
As a supplement to traditional well checks children receive at their medical home, we offer functional preventative medicine and general treatment. Whether it’s help in identifying the appropriate supplements, addressing concerns over a child’s immune system or you have family history of illness you’d like to proactively avoid, we can help you optimize you child’s health. We also cover topics such as nutrition and creating a healthy environment for your child.