Functional Chiropractic: A Deeper Look at What We Do
At The Movement Lab, our approach to chiropractic care is functional in nature. This means we assess and treat the body as the complex, interconnected system it truly is. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, we take a comprehensive view aimed at improving how the body functions through three foundational pillars: movement, nutrition, and stress management.
How We Approach Care
When you visit us, we begin by looking at your main complaint, lifestyle factors, medical history, and the results of a physical exam. We then compare this to your goals—where you want to be in your health and performance journey. If you’ve never been through one of our assessments, you might wonder, “Isn’t this what all practitioners do?” The short answer: maybe.
Every practitioner operates with their own lens—a framework shaped by their "why," expressed through their "how," and reflected in the "what" they deliver. At The Movement Lab, our lens views the body as adaptable and capable of change based on the stresses it encounters (or avoids).
We believe dysfunction doesn’t happen in isolation or out of nowhere. Before a disease develops, there are warning signs—subtle dysfunctions in how you move, look, perform, and feel. These dysfunctions, left unchecked, may snowball into chronic issues and diseases. Our goal is to identify and address these dysfunctions before they escalate.
Understanding Dysfunction vs. Disease
Some dysfunctions are obvious. For instance, waking up with a headache after drinking a six-pack of beer, sleeping on the floor, and getting three hours of rest doesn’t require much detective work. The cause is clear: overconsumption of alcohol, poor sleep quality, and lack of sleep.
But most dysfunctions are more subtle and frustrating. Consider a headache that appears out of nowhere, seemingly without any change to your routine. These are the kinds of issues we assess and treat daily. They’re the ones that leave you guessing, frustrated, and unsure how to move forward on your own.
Left unaddressed, these dysfunctions can snowball into deeper problems. A headache, for example, might lead someone to avoid exercise out of fear of triggering more pain. This can spiral into less physical activity, reduced sleep quality, and poor dietary choices—all of which compound stress and fatigue. Over time, a seemingly minor dysfunction can put someone at risk for serious conditions like metabolic disease, chronic infections, or anxiety and depression.
Our Goal at The Movement Lab
At The Movement Lab, our mission is to identify and address dysfunction before it becomes a disease. While this isn’t always possible—many of our patients already have underlying health conditions when they come to us—we aim to go beyond pain management.
Our care focuses on understanding the root causes of dysfunction and helping patients regain control of their health. Pain often brings patients through our doors, but the issues we address frequently run deeper, including metabolic dysfunction, cardiovascular challenges, and more. By tackling the dysfunctions that lead to disease, we guide our patients toward a healthier, more resilient life.
Preventative and Resilient Health
In an ideal world, every patient would take a proactive approach to their health—addressing potential issues before they become problems and building resilience for whatever life throws their way. That’s the vision behind programs like The Performance Project, which we’ve designed to empower our patients to take charge of their well-being. This program focuses on prevention, optimizing performance, and creating sustainable habits that support long-term health and vitality.
At The Movement Lab, functional chiropractic care is rooted in understanding that every individual is unique. We don’t rely on a one-size-fits-all approach or guesswork. Instead, we take the time to assess your specific needs, identify the root causes of dysfunction, and create a care plan tailored to you. From addressing pain to enhancing mobility and strength, we guide you step-by-step, providing consistent progress tracking to ensure your goals are met.
But it doesn’t stop there. Once you’ve achieved your initial goals, we’re here to help you keep pushing forward. Whether it’s improving athletic performance, maintaining a pain-free lifestyle, or achieving new health milestones, we’re ready to support you every step of the way. That’s why we always ask our favorite question: “What’s next?”—because your health and potential are limitless.
