What is G.I. Effects Testing?

Everyone knows a blood test can give insights into what is happening in a person’s body. But did you know there is another test that looks at something just as important?

The GI Effects Comprehensive Stool Profile can give your doctor detailed insights into the health of your gut microbiome. The article, Why the Gut Microbiome is Crucial for Your Health, explains that gut microbiome is all the microbes in your intestines. This plays a vital role in your health since the gut microbiome controls the digestion of food, the immune system, central nervous system and other functions of the human body.

Get your Gut Health checked at Turack Chiropractic and Performance Health.

Research has shown that your gut microbiome can influence everything from digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Celiac and other malabsorption disorders, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, weight gain and other conditions. Studies have also found that certain bacteria within the gut microbiome can produce chemicals that may block arteries and lead to heart disease.

Testing your gut microbiome is done with the GI Effects stool test. It’s important that you tell your doctor any over-the-counter or prescription medications you are taking, since some could interfere with test results and will need to be stopped prior to the test. You will collect your sample in the comfort of your home and then mail it to the lab. The lab will then do tests on your stool sample to determine your digestive function, gut inflammation and your gut microbiome.

A report is sent to the doctor which identifies any found infections, inflammation, insufficiency and imbalances. This information is then used to determine a personalized treatment plan. Since this report identifies functional imbalances and inadequacies, your doctor can recommend specific dietary, lifestyle and necessary supplements that can help your specific situation.

Many patients have become frustrated with reoccurring symptoms and medications that do not address the problem. The GI Effects test helps get to the root of the problem, which often leads to lasting results.

Contact Us

If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment at Turack Chiropractic and Performance Health, please contact us at 724.940.3499 or [email protected].

Holistic Medicine vs. Functional Medicine

Holistic Medicine vs. Functional Medicine

Many people use the words holistic medicine and functional medicine interchangeably, thinking they mean the same thing. In fact, functional medicine is an evidence-based approach to holistic medicine.

A functional medicine doctor isn’t trying make your immediate symptoms disappear, although initial improvement is common. If you have back pain, for example, a functional medicine doctor will not prescribe pain medication, which would simply treat the symptom of pain. Instead, a functional medicine doctor wants to find the root cause of the backache and this is done by taking a holistic look at you.  As a chiropractor trained in functional medicine, modalities such as stretching, exercises, adjustments, and dietary change may be recommended.

Holistic Medicine at Turack Chiropractic in Wexford, Pa.By asking questions about your diet, lifestyle and genetic makeup, a functional medicine doctor can gain a comprehensive look at what is happening in your life, which can then affect your body.  After all, a middle-aged man who sits at a desk for seven or more hours, five days a week, a working mother who has a lot of stress at home and at work, and a weekend athlete might all have back pain. The reason for the pain would be different for all three individuals and, if the reason is different, the treatment should be different.

It’s only when a functional medicine doctor looks at everything that is happening in a person’s life can you discover the underlying cause of a medical issue. Functional medicine emphasizes prevention and considers food to be medicine. Changing your diet and lifestyle can do wonders for your health.  The ultimate goal is to create lifelong positive change in your food and lifestyle choices.

At Turack Chiropractic, Dr. Dan is a chiropractor and a nutritionist, which allows us to take a holistic approach to your health. Our goal is to recommend whatever it takes —stress reduction techniques such as meditative breathing or exercise or dietary improvements with probiotics, botanicals and/or nutritional supplements—to help patients improve their health.

This individualized approach to wellness works best when the patient is treated as a partner by the functional medicine doctor.  Through collaboration, the doctor and patient together determine the root cause of the health issue, which is the first step to treatment.

Contact Us

If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment at Turack Chiropractic, please contact us at 724.940.3499 or [email protected].