Dr. Michael J. Funicello, D.C.
I’m Dr. Michael J. Funicello, your Gilbert chiropractor and health maverick. I’ve been in practice since 1998 when one of those defining moments in life happened. I believe my story is an example of the principles that I help my patients appreciate as they heal, so I share it with you here – it’s the ‘things happen for a reason lesson’.
While my wife and I were living in New Zealand for a brief time exploring a professional opportunity, I met a colleague who was practicing what he called “…a combination of the best techniques with an unusual chiropractic twist”.
Well, he had my attention and invited me to come with him to a local office where he was going to be seeing someone who was interested in beginning care with him – and this approach he had mentioned.
There were some interesting findings that came from the unique consultation and analysis that went on during that visit. You see, I’m committed to excellence in all that I do. I’m a very detail-oriented person. This has and continues serving my patients well.
Back to the story…When it was time for the treatment session to begin, I witnessed something that is really quite indescribable…
What…or should I say “HOW” I saw this person responding to my colleague’s gentle touches or taps was anything but ordinary! I mean, this person was not only breathing deeper but I could see their body literally unwinding its tension in front of my eyes lying there fully clothed on the chiropractic table!
You could see the person’s body correcting the underlying distortions and patterns that were probably going on for many weeks, months or even years! It was like their body was being ‘reset’ with these gentle taps at specific places. Even some of my personal questions regarding chiropractic and those ‘deeper’ questions and some of the mysteries of how our bodies heal were being revealed! I literally felt like a part of me that was called to this profession was being awakened again!
The rest as they say, is history.
Upon returning to the United States – here in Arizona – I was led to my own personal discovery with this transformational work. I began attending seminars and traveling for continuing education in several states. I also began personally receiving this style of chiropractic care. I’m proud to say that it has helped me to feel and function in the same healthy ways I hope for YOU to experience.
Background and Education
Dr. Funicello is currently one of very few practitioners in Arizona with the most advanced level of certification in this work. His commitment to providing the highest level of care possible to the members of his practice has Dr. Funicello traveling several times throughout each year learning the latest advances and evolutionary developments in his field.
Dr. Funicello received his bachelor of science degree in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Arizona in 1993. He received his doctorate, graduating with salutatorian honors, from Palmer College of Chiropractic – West in 1997.
He has lived in Arizona since 1977. He and his wife, Maria, along with their son, Myles, live in Gilbert, AZ. When he is not serving the members of his practice, Dr. Funicello enjoys woodworking, creating metal sculpture, softball, outdoor pursuits, traveling and spending time with his friends and growing family here in the valley.
How Can Chiropractic Care Help You?
This is the most important question to answer because it relates to how we can help you.
This is my son showing me how it works. Imagine how good he'll be later!
Your health works based upon these four basic principles.
1. Your body is self-healing and self-regulating. Your heart beats, your digestive system breaks down the foods you eat and absorbs the nutrients creating your new cells and tissues. Your immune system fights disease and helps you to recover from illness and wounds. Your cells and tissues are in a constant state of change and repair. In fact, 98% of the cells in the tissues of your body are new every year!
2. Your nervous system is the master coordinating system, like the relay station between your brain and body. It is responsible for the messages getting from your body to your brain and vice versa. It coordinates all of the functions for a healthy and normal state of health.
3. If there is any interference in the function of nervous systems ability to do this, it will not be able to do what it is designed and programmed to do – normally. It will do its own thing. Sound familiar?
4. My job as your chiropractor is to restore order to the nervous system by removing whatever interference there is. Makes sense, right?
In our office, we do this with a specific and gentle technique. The name “Network Chiropractic” refers to what was a culmination of the ‘best of best’ applications of various chiropractic techniques ‘networked’ into one clinical application. What was found was that by using specific protocols and gentle adjustment techniques, at key places along the spine and in a certain order, repeatable and reliable outcomes could be achieved. These results have been repeated in people of all backgrounds, health conditions and ages.
What Do People Feel and How Quickly Does Chiropractic Work?
So, whether individuals were experiencing low back pain, sciatica, wanted headache or migraine relief, fibromyalgia pain, GI complaints, anxiety, emotional stress and tension or generally felt like there was more to life than living in pain, this care was helpful. Is this a ‘cure-all’? How can these types of claims be made?
The reason why chiropractic is so beneficial for a wide variety of conditions is because it is addressing your challenges and health issues at the level of your nervous system. By working with this coordinating system of your body, it is common for a variety of symptoms and varying health conditions to change. You see, we don’t look to the symptom for the answer, we look to remove the interference to your body’s own inborn program.
As individuals, with unique lives and events that shape our experiences and health responses, the results can be rather quick or may take a bit longer to notice. Significant changes are taking place from your first visit and most people notice changes within their first several weeks to first month of care.
It is common to be seen several times each week in the beginning of care as your body begins the recovery process. Then, as progress is made, it is possible to reduce the frequency of your care plan in the office. Home exercises and other supportive lifestyle activities can support your new found health status.
Research and continued success stories from individuals receiving this care around the world supports what many have been experiencing for some time – chiropractic works!
Chiropractors combine their clinical assessments of spinal and body alignment, posture, biomechanics and other exam findings with patients’ self-assessments of various health challenges to determine the best course of care. Doctors of chiropractic seek to help your body restore its natural order so your innate intelligence to be healthy and well can once again return. There are no other health professionals that do what chiropractors do. So, if this all makes sense to you, contact us about making your initial consultation. We look forward to seeing you!
