Council on Diagnosis and Internal Disorders

As a dedicated practitioner of natural and functional medicine spring is the season for continued education, and it’s my favorite time of year to dive into new knowledge! This April, I had the pleasure of attending the Council on Diagnosis and Internal Disorders conference in Omaha, Nebraska. This event is significant in the field of natural medicine within chiropractic, holding the only natural medicine certification recognized in every state.

As a board member of the American Board of Chiropractic Internists for nine years, I help regulate the standards for certification and exams for doctors pursuing their certification in natural medicine. This group is incredibly special to me because it aligns with my board-certified specialty and trade, where I apply the Functional Medicine model.

Functional medicine is a way of thinking that can be applied to various medical specialties. For me, it is natural medicine. My roots grew in chiropractic medicine, a healing art profession. My foundational belief system and training are focused on the body’s innate ability to heal itself, this diplomate means I use natural modalities for healing.

This year’s conference topic was “Mental Health.” We acknowledged the psychological causes of mood disorders, such as lack of community, lack of purpose, finances, high-demand life, relationship stress, regret, fear, guilt, shame, and trauma. However, our primary focus was on the physiological causes of mood disorders, including autoimmunity, neurodevelopmental issues, neurochemical imbalances, neurodegeneration, energy deficits, and brain injuries.

We explored the latest understanding of how brain function is influenced by nutrition, pathogens, hormones, childhood development, and toxins, and how they collectively affect mental health conditions like anxiety and depression through “microglial activation,” also known as a “brain on fire.”

The intersection of the nervous system, immune system, and endocrine system is key to unlocking the physiological causes of mental health issues. Simply put, the brain and your immune system affect your hormones and neurotransmitters. Many lectures also focused on neurodegenerative or neuroinflammatory conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ADHD, and other conditions, demonstrating how one dysfunction can cause many different conditions.

This group not only presents high-level content that I can apply immediately, but it also feels like my professional family. I love spending time with my most treasured colleagues and mentors who practice just like me. We regularly discuss unique cases and share clinical experiences and thoughts.

Pictured: Dr Williams Dr Fabbi Dr Sebby Dr Carr Dr Hartman and Dr Frisch

Pictured: Dr Sebby Dr Campbell Dr Frisch Dr Carr and Dr Fabbi

Attending this conference reinforced my commitment to staying at the forefront of the latest research and clinical practices in natural and functional medicine. I look forward to applying the new insights I gained to better serve my patients and improve their mental and physical well-being.