Functional Medicine: A truly Holistic Approach
to Health & Healing
- Are you looking for a solution to your health issues, but don’t want a drug based treatment?
- Are you looking for a way to normalize blood pressure, cholesterol levels or blood sugar without taking yet another medication?
- Do you want a better way to manage your pain, menopausal symptoms or migraines?
- Are you confused about which supplements are right for you and what the correct dosage is?
- Are you looking to reduce the number of medications you are currently taking, but don’t know where to go?
- Are you sick and tired of being sick & tired…and overweight?
Look no further! Dr. Hoch (that’s me) is your Drugless Physician.
I help my patients with a wide variety of health related issues—not just disc injuries and neck & back pain. In addition to addressing your musculoskeletal complaints, I’ll help you manage your diet, boost your immune system and improve your energy. If you need help reducing medications, I’ll work with you and your medical doctor to get you the best results. I have over 20 years of experience as a Licensed Chiropractor, Acupuncturist & Health Coach practicing Functional Medicine and I’m here to help.
Having a doctor who practices Functional Medicine may be right for you if you are looking for a more natural approach to health. I am a Functional Medicine Practitioner who uses natural vitamins, herbs, dietary changes, and health coaching, as well as Chiropractic & Acupuncture to help my patients achieve better health and overcome illness.
A Functional Medicine approach means less dependence on drugs and more patient oriented treatments that look at all the body systems of the patient to see how they are or aren’t working harmoniously. Functional Medicine focuses on food and nutrition as the medicinal tool, along with exercise, stress reduction and education.
I’ll bet you’re thinking…”Chiropractor? I thought Chiropractors were just back doctors?” If you are reading this and think Chiropractors are only good for treating back and neck pain, keep reading!
For the most part there are two types of chiropractors: “Mixers” & “Straights”. Both share the same fundamental philosophy, which is: The brain and nervous system coordinate and control every single function within the human body. If there is any interference in that line of communication, then the body cannot regulate itself optimally and illness and dis-ease (the body is not at ease) …and later disease can take hold. Misalignments of the vertebrae are often the source of the interrupted communication network and must be corrected for the body to regain homeostasis.
“Straight” chiropractors only adjust the spine and the spinal adjustment to them is typically the sole tool in their tool box – one cure if you will. But hey, it’s a darned effective tool if you ask me, as spinal adjustments alone are very effective and have stood the test of time.
“Mixer” Chiropractors, like me, take that philosophy a step further. They know that there are similar neurological feedback loops within other joints of the body as well as the spine and will also (when necessary) adjust a patient’s foot, ankle, knee, hip, wrist or elbows as well as the spinal joints. They may also use physiotherapies such as electric muscle stimulation, ultrasound therapy, laser therapy, exercised rehab, cold or heat therapies or deep tissue therapy to speed the healing and repair to injured and damaged tissues, along with spinal adjustments. Additionally they understand that in today’s day and age people are under a much higher level of stress – not only physical stressors that impact posture and joint alignment, but chemical stressors from poor eating habits or food choices, and even emotional stressors which can be exhibited as physical problems.
For these reasons mixers will incorporate nutritional support on some level with their patients. It runs the gamut from simply advising patients to eat better and to take a multivitamin to using functional medicine to treat conditions that are treated by MDs with medication. Functional medicine looks at nutrition from a medicinal perspective and offers solutions in the forms of herbs, vitamins and minerals as an alternative replacement to or in conjunction with western medicine. But, rarely is the solution reductionist, i.e. substituting out a particular drug and replacing it with an herb. Functional medicine is about cleaning up the internal environment of your body with a healthy diet, supplementing appropriately, balancing hormones and managing stress.
Some Chiropractors, typically mixers, take post-graduate coursework in a variety of areas much like MDs and earn diplomat credentials in Orthopedics, Neurology, Homeopathy, Acupuncture, Sports Rehab, Pediatrics, etc…
Here’s what my patients say:
I was diagnosed with diabetes 5 years ago. At that time, I was prescribed 200mg (2 times per day) of Glucophage in order to control my blood sugar level. Over the last 4 years, that medication has been increased to 1000mg (2 times per day). However, my diabetes was still uncontrolled, so I was prescribed Actduo in addition to the Glucophage, as a secondary control, but my blood sugar levels kept crashing. Since beginning the 2nd medication, I gained 20 lbs. in 3 months and craved sweets to an alarming degree. In March I decided to seek help from my chiropractor, Dr. Christine Hoch. I attended a free information workshop on weight loss & nutrition and found out how acupuncture may be helpful in controlling my weight and helping my diabetes. I decided to give it a try and am glad I did. I met with Dr. Hoch 1 time a week for 12 weeks. We discussed what I was eating, potential changes I could make, exercise, stress levels, and overall health. Dr. Hoch also suggested specific nutritional supplements to reduce the insulin resistance I was experiencing, and she provided acupuncture specifically to curb my sugar cravings and for my diabetes. Each week my weight was monitored and measurements taken. I continued to monitor my blood sugar levels with finger pricks and continued to regular blood-work with my medical doctor. The results were amazing. Between March and June my A1C dropped from 10.0 to 7.3. My fasting blood glucose has fallen from 270 to 139 and my daily blood glucose level from my finger prick is now an average of 116 (down from the average of 229). I cannot even begin to tell you how this has impacted my life. With these few changes, I have made outstanding progress in controlling my blood glucose levels. With the support of my Chiropractor and the education & information I have been given, anyone can clearly see this treatment makes a difference… the difference between living healthier or remaining in a life of misery and despair. Five years of medication didn’t work for me and probably never would! Oh, almost forgot, I lost 8 pounds which may not seem like a like, but my old clothes fit me again and I look like I lost 20! ~ Rich J.
Several years ago I had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I suffered daily from muscle and joint pain, edema, restless leg syndrome, Barret’s Esophagus, IBS, depression and fatigue. Other doctors tried different drug therapies, but nothing seemed to work. It was then that I decided to come see Dr. Hoch. Dr. Hoch told me that although progress would be slow, she could help me to improve my health. We started with Acupuncture and dietary changes, and supplements for my many symptoms. When I could tolerate it, she added spinal adjustments to my care plan. I was so relieved to first experience improved digestion. Then, I began to notice I had less pain, and I was sleeping at night. Soon I was able to go to work every day. Steadily, I began to have more good days, and eventually more good days than bad. My condition is well managed by the care I receive from Dr. Hoch and her staff, and I’m once again enjoying my life. My husband sees a definite improvement both emotionally and physically. We are now both happy Chiropractic Wellness patients. ~Barb P.
I had been seeing a physician who specialized in Endocrinology for my hypothyroid disease. I also had IBS, migraines, restless sleep, low energy, numbness and tingling of hands, legs and feet, neck and lower back pains. My symptoms were affecting my daily life and the medications and treatments were not working. I was discouraged, disappointed, and depressed. I felt defeated, like nothing else could be done. But, then I made the appointment with Dr. Hoch’s office with what little hope I had left. Dr. Hoch was knowledgeable, cheerful and enthusiastic. My treatment plan consisted of adjustments, acupuncture, and specific nutritional supplements. I am no longer taking medication for IBS or experiencing as many stomach problems. My migraines have been non-existent and the numbness and tingling in my hands, feet and legs are gone. I have been sleeping much better and having no pains in my neck and lower back. My energy is beginning to return and I feel great! Each day seems to be one day closer to feeling like myself again. I am thankful for everything everyone at Natural Health and Wellness has done for me. They have given me hope to be well again. ~M.L.
So, if you’re ready to follow a different path to health, Dr. Hoch is ready to help you! Dr. Hoch’s office, Fort Myers Chiropractic Studio, is located near Rt.75 & Daniels Parkway in Fort Myers, Florida. Call for your appointment today: (239) 243-8735
The Doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.
Dr. Hoch uses a variety of professional, high-quality herbs, homeopathic remedies, and nutritional supplements to help her patients reset their hormones, decrease inflammation, improve joint motion, reduce pain, correct digestive issues, and encourage weight loss. We currently have a number of great products available through Fullscript, our online store. Fullscript is where you can get high-quality, physician-recommended brands of natural products.