Chippewa Valley Wellness

10/22/2025

Make a Functional Medicine Appointment with Dr. Court. Stay on top of your health this season. Strengthen your immune system!!

08/21/2025

Sciatic nerve pain, often called sciatica, is one of the most common and uncomfortable nerve-related conditions. It typically causes pain that radiates from the lower back down into the hip, buttock, and leg. For many people, sciatica can interfere with walking, sleeping, working, and overall qualit...

08/15/2025

Virulence vs. Host Defense: Why Your Body’s Strength Matters Most

When it comes to infectious disease, two forces are constantly in a tug-of-war: the virulence of the pathogen and the strength of the host’s defenses. Understanding the relationship between these two factors can help us appreciate why building a strong, resilient body is often the most powerful protection we have.
1. Virulence: The Pathogen’s Power

Virulence refers to how capable a microorganism—like a virus, bacterium, or parasite—is at causing damage. This depends on:

Infectious dose: How many organisms are needed to start an infection.

Toxins and enzymes: Substances that damage tissues or disable immune cells.

Evasion tactics: Tricks microbes use to hide from the immune system.

High-virulence pathogens can cause severe disease even in relatively healthy people, while low-virulence pathogens may cause little to no symptoms unless the immune system is weakened.
2. Host Defense: Your Internal Fortress

The host’s defense refers to your body’s ability to recognize, attack, and eliminate harmful invaders. This includes:

Physical barriers like skin, mucous membranes, and gut lining.

Innate immunity—the rapid, non-specific response that’s your first line of defense.

Adaptive immunity—the targeted, learned response that creates long-term protection.

Support systems—nutrient reserves, balanced hormones, proper sleep, and low chronic inflammation.

A strong host defense means the immune system can quickly limit, neutralize, or completely prevent the harmful effects of a pathogen—even if it’s relatively virulent.
3. The Tug-of-War

Infections result from the dynamic balance between pathogen strength and host defense:

High virulence + weak defenses = high risk of severe illness.

Low virulence + strong defenses = little to no illness.

Moderate virulence + strong defenses = mild or self-limiting illness.

This is why the same pathogen may cause life-threatening disease in one person and mild symptoms in another.
4. Why Building Host Strength Pays Off

While scientists continue to develop vaccines, antibiotics, and antivirals, investing in host strength offers universal benefits:

Broad-spectrum protection—your immune system can adapt to new threats, even those we haven’t discovered yet.

Faster recovery—less tissue damage and quicker healing when illness does occur.

Lower risk of chronic complications—a strong defense reduces the risk of lingering effects after infection.

Resilience under stress—healthy systems handle life’s daily challenges better, reducing overall vulnerability.

5. How to Fortify Your Defenses

Evidence supports that simple lifestyle choices can dramatically improve immune function:

Eat a nutrient-dense, minimally processed diet.

Get adequate, restorative sleep.

Move regularly and maintain physical fitness.

Manage stress through mindfulness, relaxation, or social connection.

Support gut health with fiber-rich foods and probiotics.

Avoid smoking, excess alcohol, and environmental toxins.

Bottom line:
Pathogen virulence is beyond our control—but host defense is something we can influence every day. Strengthening the body’s innate and adaptive systems doesn’t just lower the risk of infection—it builds a shield of resilience that serves us for a lifetime.

Michael J. Court, DC

08/07/2025

Why Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) Offers a Deeper Look Than Traditional Blood Tests

When it comes to evaluating health and identifying nutritional imbalances, most people immediately think of blood tests. While blood tests are essential for diagnosing acute conditions and providing a snapshot of your current health status, they don't always tell the full story. Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) offers a powerful and complementary tool that provides a deeper, longer-term view of what's happening inside the body — especially at the cellular level.

Below, we explore why HTMA is gaining traction among functional medicine practitioners, chiropractors, and holistic health providers, and how it stacks up against traditional blood testing.
What Is Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)?

HTMA is a non-invasive laboratory test that analyzes a small sample of hair to measure the levels of essential minerals and toxic metals stored in the body. Because hair grows slowly and accumulates minerals over time, HTMA provides a long-term record (about 3 months) of metabolic activity — something blood tests simply cannot capture.
Key Benefits of HTMA Over Blood Testing
1. Reveals Long-Term Mineral Status

Blood tests reflect what's happening in the body at the moment of the draw. This means nutrient levels in blood can fluctuate based on recent meals, stress, or even the time of day. HTMA, however, reflects chronic trends by analyzing mineral accumulation in hair over weeks or months.

Example: A patient might have normal magnesium levels in blood but show a chronic magnesium deficiency on HTMA, indicating a long-standing issue rather than a temporary fluctuation.

2. Detects Hidden Toxic Metal Exposure

HTMA is highly effective in detecting heavy metal toxicity — such as mercury, aluminum, cadmium, lead, and arsenic — which may not show up in blood tests unless there's acute poisoning.

Why this matters: Toxic metals often hide in tissues, not in blood. HTMA can uncover these deposits, guiding detox protocols.

3. Assesses Metabolic and Adrenal Function

HTMA helps determine metabolic type (fast or slow oxidizer), stress response, and adrenal function by analyzing mineral ratios like calcium/phosphorus and sodium/potassium.

These insights help practitioners develop customized nutritional and lifestyle plans tailored to the individual's biochemistry.

4. Non-Invasive and Cost-Effective

Hair collection is painless and simple, making it ideal for children, elderly patients, or those averse to blood draws. It is also typically less expensive than a full panel of blood tests.
5. Tracks Nutrient Interactions

HTMA shows how minerals interact with each other, revealing patterns that may indicate deeper issues. For instance:

A high calcium-to-magnesium ratio may suggest thyroid sluggishness.

A low zinc-to-copper ratio could reflect immune dysfunction or inflammation.

These patterns are difficult to detect with blood tests alone.
Where Blood Tests Excel (and Why HTMA Complements Them)

To be clear, blood tests are vital for assessing:

Immediate health emergencies

Organ function (liver, kidney, heart)

Infections and immune responses

Blood sugar and lipid levels

However, HTMA doesn’t replace blood tests — it enhances them. It offers a functional, tissue-level view that fills in the missing gaps, especially when symptoms persist despite "normal" bloodwork.
Clinical Applications of HTMA

HTMA is particularly useful for:

Chronic fatigue

Anxiety or mood disorders

Digestive dysfunction

Hormonal imbalances

Skin and hair issues

Detoxification and heavy metal concerns

Nutritional optimization and wellness planning

Final Thoughts

Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis is a valuable tool for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of their long-term nutritional status, toxic burden, and metabolic trends. While blood tests remain essential in many clinical scenarios, HTMA offers a broader, more complete picture — especially when addressing chronic symptoms, prevention, and personalized health strategies.

Incorporating HTMA into your health evaluation toolkit can uncover the missing pieces that blood tests often overlook.

07/31/2025

Discover a path to vibrant health at Chippewa Valley Wellness! More than just a chiropractor, Dr. Court brings over 35 years of experience to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, offering a holistic approach to well-being. As a Palmer Graduate, Dr. Court utilizes specialized Upper Cervical Techniques alongside advanced training in Nutrition Response Testing and Functional Medicine to help you achieve optimal health. Explore your potential for wellness and unlock a healthier, happier you at Chippewa Valley Wellness.

05/19/2025

Dr. Court is a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner!
Traditional Medicine not getting at the root of your problem? Make an appointment today!! 715-514-1168

05/06/2025

05/05/2025

04/28/2025

Virtual tour of Standard Process! Was a fun event!!

03/10/2025

Come Join Us!!
A lunch in and a Virtual tour of the Standard Process Inc. Farm!! April 25th from 11:00am to 1:00pm.
RSVP by April 15th!

03/06/2025

What the difference between Natural and Synthetic Vitamins??

02/17/2025

HTMA available at our office....
Find out what your Hair Mineral Tissue Analysis will revile.