Dr. Shannon A. O’Keefe has been practicing Chiropractic and nutritional therapy for 17 years. She graduated with her Doctoral Degree in Chiropractic Medicine from Northwestern College of Chiropractic in 1991. She has completed her course work in Functional Medicine in December of 2004. She has recently completed post graduate course work in February of 2008 receiving her Diplomate in Nutrition.  Dr. O’Keefe has recently been published in “Nutritional Perspective” by the council on Nutrition. The published article reviews the issues with our population susceptibilities to parasite infections and why we are becoming more vulnerable to parasites.  She has brilliant expertise in collaborating nutrition, lifestyle, and laboratory testing for very complicated conditions such as RA, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, gastrointestinal issues, lupus, MS, and a limitless number of other conditions. Dr. O’Keefe has vast experience in treating patients of all ages ranging from newborn to 99 years old. She has been in the chiropractic realm since she was born. Her father practiced chiropractic for 40 years.

BECOMING A DIPLOMATE
A Doctor who wishes to become a Diplomate in Nutrition must successfully complete numerous hours of postgraduate study in the areas of biochemistry and physiology of nutrition, diagnostic evaluation of clinical nutrition for male and female requirements, nutrition in infancy, adolescence, pregnancy and lactation, and geriatrics. Other required portions of the syllabus include, but are not limited to, nutritional aspects of the body such as the oral cavity, GI tract, as well as the various systems such as endocrine (hormone), renal (kidney), cardiovascular, neurological, psychological and musculoskeletal. Still other course modules include stress management, weight management, diets, nutrient-to-nutrient and drug-to-nutrient interactions, herbs, botanicals, homeopathy, and longevity.

Candidates who complete the required course of study must then pass rigorous examinations including both written and practical. In addition, most diplomate programs require the candidate have an article on nutrition published and write up to three nutritional case histories based on actual patient files. During the diplomate examination process, the candidate must be able to defend their clinical reasoning for the diagnosis and treatment plan based on sound consultation, examination and appropriate laboratory testing. Only after meeting these requirements the Doctor is awarded status as a Diplomate in Nutrition.

Dr. Janell L. Matz has been working in the health care environment for more than 20 years and has a diverse background in many different areas of the health care field. She has experience with both the western medicine scope as well as the natural health care scope. She graduated with her Doctoral Degree in Chiropractic Medicine from Northwestern Health Sciences University in 2002. She became a Certified Drug and Alcohol screening professional by the department of transportation in 2005. Prior to becoming a Chiropractor she was a nursing assistant, then completed her degree in nursing in 1991. In 1995 she graduated from Northern Lights School of Massage therapy and worked as a massage therapist for 8 years. She has been working with Dr. O’Keefe since 1995.

First as a massage therapist and now as a Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Matz is the injury and pain expert in the clinic. She has outstanding skill with treating injuries of all types including car accidents, work injuries, sports injuries, headaches, back and neck pain. She treats these conditions with a variety of chiropractic techniques, physical therapy modalities, and rehabilitation methods.