The Brain-Gut Connection: How Your Brain and Gut Health are Intertwined
Have you ever heard of the “second brain”? It’s not what you…
The brain is in orchestra with many different functions in the body that need to work synchronously. When your body is out of sync with your brain, whether from a concussion or another issue, you may experience brain fog, emotional instability, insomnia, or vertigo / balance issues. All of these symptoms can be treated effectively by a Chiropractic Neurologist
As a health conscious patient, you benefit the most when you attend to the signals your body sends your brain. You benefit from assessing — in advance of disease onset — how to care for yourself and your loved ones. In fact, conditions like Alzheimers must be prevented, because once you have been diagnosed, no cure exists to fully reverse the disease.
Often, our functional neurology clients seek optimal wellness to not only survive, but to thrive — in their brains and bodies alike. If they’ve suffered an accident, injury, or disease, they need to know what is possible for immediate treatment and longer-term recovery.
We know what you face, and why it matters.
The way we live today hinders your body’s natural ability to repair itself without intervention. Hidden, everyday factors affect your brain, such as:
The symptoms may go undetected by modern medicine, because doctors are looking for disease rather than signals of dysfunction.
You know that you can reverse a lot of conditions, if only you get help early enough. You must address any functional problem before it becomes pathological. The problems are found in function, not pathology.
While he seeks to remain grounded and realistic about the expectations for what can be accomplished following traumatic brain injury or when treating other bodily dysfunctions (individual cases are unique), Dr. Paul’s clients frequently cite hope as a key benefit of progress they make during specific therapies as they work toward their ultimate goals.
How did this come about? In 1999, Dr. Paul saw a leading functional medicine doctor speak about bringing someone out of a coma. At that point, he realized he was witnessing concepts he had never learned about in school. He sought to use this fascinating body of work to make him a better doctor.
He learned about brain asymmetry — how to treat the unbalanced brain. For example, if you are too “left brain,” you will have immune problems and continue to suffer for the rest of your life if you don’t seek treatment. You may want strong intellect, but you also need to balance it with emotional intelligence that comes from another part of your brain.
Driving Dr. Paul’s passion for helping patients through their wellness journeys is his experience of healing his own autoimmune symptoms. As a child, Dr. Paul suffered from chronic sinusitis (a food sensitivity dismissed as inherited allergies at the time). In his 20s, Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) struck, which resolved when he followed the advice of a Holistic M.D. who urged him to drink less alcohol, eat healthier, juice vegetables and fruits, and take supplements. Without support, he had suffered from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), joint pain, migraines, eczema and psoriasis.
After finally getting tested for food sensitivity to gluten and dairy, Dr. Paul eliminated just these two food groups. Within 6 weeks his sinuses were clear, in 3 months the IBS was gone, and by 9 months his skin was clear.
These experiences led Dr. Paul to believe firmly in treating the whole person. Optimal health is achieved through Functional Wellness—meaning all the bodily systems are working cooperatively at their highest levels.
When there is dysfunction or pain in one area, it may be connected to dysfunction or pain to other areas of the body and brain. A well researched example is the Brain-Gut connection: a concussion caused by an auto or bike accident can cause severe intestinal dysfunction, and vice versa.
Today Dr. Paul loves sharing what he has learned with patients — through application of practice and through advice given during the course of treatment. His healing journey has led him to be an avid lover of the outdoors. He plays tennis competitively, hikes 14’ers, runs, bikes, and loves to travel when he can. He has been married to his wife Amy for over 3 decades, and they have 2 adult children.
Barbara Immele
Barbara, who joined Austin Functional Wellness in 2014, remains eager to meet and cultivate a relationship with every patient. She will support you any way she can throughout your health journey.
Barbara honed her professional, organizational and customer service skills during 30 years working as an insurance broker. Like Dr. Paul, she loves working with people, problem solving and making a positive impact on the lives of others.
Along with her husband Bruce and children Leann and Mark, Barbara has been a Colorado resident since 1986. She loves to garden, sing and spend time with family and friends.
Dr. Paul looks for the signals of health and wellness, which are precursors to disease. Through 30+ years of clinical experience and dedication to professional growth and innovation, Dr. Paul has learned to apply the most effective, cutting-edge tools and techniques for working with patients with difficult and frustrating conditions that haven’t responded to traditional chiropractic or medical care.
Your brain health is critical to all bodily functions. Your gut health signals early distress. Yet brain and gut symptoms are often left untreated by a medical system looking only for disease. As a Functional Neurologist, Dr. Paul continually grows his knowledge and application of best practices in functional neurology, nutrition and holistic chiropractic care
Dr. Paul has noticed that what he learned about functional neurology has informed practical choices about how he provided treatment. His new, more targeted cutting edge therapies were not only more effective, but quicker than traditional treatments.
Instead of 18-24 visits for traditional chiropractic (such as for basic spinal pain), functional neurology patients were now averaging under 6 visits, sometimes needing to visit only 2-3 times in order to see a difference.
While every case must be evaluated independently, there is hope. By bringing the brain into the healing process, Dr. Paul has refined and improved both his quality of care and speed of treatment — getting patience into their optimal state of health quite rapidly.
Don’t wait. Seek treatment as soon as signs appear.
We all want to live in our most vital state. So, don’t wait for disease to appear. Get help proactively. Don’t wait until you become sick.
If there’s life, there’s hope.
You can to live your best, most vibrant and energetic life — with a brain and body that support you. We know, because we’ve seen it.
203-8941 Lake Drive
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Board Certified Nov 2003-present
2501 W. 84th Street
Bloomington, MN 55431
Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician, June 1994
Diplomate board eligible for the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, 1995
P.O. Box 1065
Chesterfield, MO 63006
Sunnyvale, California
Graduated December 1986, Magna Cum Laude
Amherst, Massachusetts
Bachelor of Science in Physical Education/Exercise Science
Graduated June 1978
– Movement Disorders (75 hours)
– Neurochemistry (150 hours)
– Vestibular Rehabilitation (300 hours)
– Neurobehavioral Disorders: ADD/ADHD/Autism (150 hours)
– Traumatic Brain Injuries /TBI (250 hours)
– Functional Neurology Seminars (130 hours)
– Carrick Institute training, 1999-2001 (450 hours)
– Past Chairman of the Board, Colorado Chiropractic Associatio
– Past President, Colorado Chiropractic Association
– Member, American Chiropractic Association
– Neurobehavioral Disorders: ADD/ADHD/Autism (150 hours)
– Member, American Chiropractic Association Council on Neurology
– Chiropractic Volunteer, Denver Rescue Mission.
Monday: 8am – 8pm|3pm – 6pm
Tuesday: 11am – 1pm|3pm – 6pm
Wednesday: 8am – 1pm|3pm – 6pm
Thursday: 11am – 1pm|3pm – 6pm
Friday: 8am – 1pm|3pm – 6pm
Saturday,Sunday: CLOSED
As one of a select few active Board Certified Chiropractic Functional Neurologists in Colorado, Dr. Paul provides high quality health and wellness care. He believes in developing a deep understanding of his patients, to give them the power to heal.
Dr. Paul will create a personalized plan that is tailored to you. After an initial exam, he will recommend specific therapies to improve how your body and brain communicate and perform, while addressing underlying inflammation and pain.
Inflammation is a root cause of most health conditions our patients experience. Whether you’re battling a brain injury, dealing with an irritable digestive tract, or facing chronic pain, we must address the real source of your symptoms and “dis-ease.”
We embrace an approach centered around YOU rather than your disease. We’re respectful of and responsive to your preferences, needs, values, and goals. We encourage you to take an active role in orchestrating your Functional Wellness Plan.
Functional Neurology considers your health as a whole person. We offer traditional chiropractic and a variety of treatments to help you—and those you love—to live in your most optimal state of health and well-being.
Using the Interactive Metronome, along with other treatment modalities and nutrition, we can help adults and children with ADHD/ADD, Autism
Dr. Paul is a qualified concussion specialist for non life threatening concussions
We specialize in offering neurological, skeletal, and nervous system adjustments following car crashes and other auto accidents.
Dr. Paul focuses on Chiropractic, Functional Neurology, and Nutrition to restore you to outstanding health and vitality.
Dr. Paul has the necessary training and experience to help you devise an effective treatment plan for your migraine
Dr. Paul will help you navigate the complexities of a personalized functional nutrition plan that addresses your unique needs.
We provide traditional chiropractic spinal manipulation and adjustments to restore normal movement and function
Our treatments are rooted in the philosophy that the body and brain can heal naturally with non-invasive treatment methods and nutritional therapies.
Brendan Wall2022-01-17I came to Dr. Austin after experiencing dizziness for 3+ months. I had seen several specialists and nothing was working to make me feel better. After a month working with Dr. Austin, I am no longer dizzy. He is not only a great chiropractor, but an excellent neurologist, and a holistic practitioner. I could not recommend him enough!Margaret Balhoff2021-03-20Dr. Austin is incredibly knowledgeable about neurology and the brain. He is quite specific in his assessment and able to prescribe targeted exercises to help improve vision and balance. Dr. Austin is enthusiastic and passionate about his work, and cares deeply about helping his patients lead healthier, more enjoyable lives! I recommend him to my concussion clients to help with their recovery.Phyllis Kretsch2021-03-08Dr Austin saw me on an emergency basis. I was in so much pain and he found time for me on short notice. He diagnosed my issue with precision and clarity and helped me understand what I needed to do going forward . In a very short time I felt so much better and was also helped toward future wellness.Stacey Phillips2021-02-08I’m not even sure where to begin when I talk about Dr. Paul. His wealth of knowledge and ability to treat difficult problems that have plagued people for years is truly astounding. I have heard countless stories of lives changed through his work. I went to Paul (I’m using his first name because we so quickly became friends) because I wanted to see what all of the amazing tools in his office could do and to see if he could help me with eye-hand coordination. I came away with so much more! He also helped me with balance, timing, memory, and pain. And those are just the things I’m aware of; I’m sure he helped me with other things that only my body knows. Paul takes the time to thoroughly test and figure out where your body needs help and then he gets right to work teaching your body how to function at its best. His work can help with countless struggles and ailments from traumatic brain injury to ADD and everything in between. We are all different and have very different needs. To learn how Dr. Paul can help you, his beautiful website is one place to start. However, a phone call and/or consultation in his office will open you up to his brilliance and caring heart.Phil Hendricks2020-08-21I first went to see Dr. Paul Austin about 10 years ago after trying my family MD to resolve very painful muscle spasms in my back without long-term success. They'd always come back intermittently. I was an admitted skeptic about chiropractors, but decided to try Dr. Austin on a friend's recommendation. The two words I can think of to describe my experience with treatment by Paul are "life changing". After following his prescribed exercises, along with his expert adjustments, I was pain free and have had no muscles spasms in my back for nearly 10 years. This summer I started having some pain in my neck and left arm. This time my family physician actually recommend that I try Dr. Austin again. After 5 treatments and some exercises, the pain is gone. No meds. No surgery. For me, the term "miracle worker" is not too strong in describing the value Dr. Austin has brought to improving my quality of life. Now I'm planning to stay on a regular tune-up regimen. I highly recommend Dr. Austin to anyone looking for pain relief, greater flexibility or other functional improvement, or any other aspect of improving how your body supports a better quality of life.Lisa Citarella2020-07-18Dr Paul Austin is an extremely caring and educated doctor. I love that he has experience in sport chiropractic and neurology. What a great combo! His level of professionalism is also outstanding. It is a pleasure to recommend such a highly qualified professional.Mandi Gutierrez2020-06-05Dr. Austin is absolutely incredible. He is extremely knowledgeable and cares 1000% about his clients. I have struggled with dizziness daily since October 2019 and after going doctor to doctor with zero real answers, I found Dr. Austin, who diagnosed me on my very first visit! Within two visits he adjusted me based on my diagnosis and the issue at hand, as well as taught me treatments and exercises that have immensely helped with being dizzy 24/7. I feel about 80-90% better and back to normal every day now! Thank you so much, Dr. Austin! I cannot recommend you and your practice enough.Jackie Nichols2020-06-03"The best there is, for me... Always friendly and really cares about your well being !Julia Munson2020-04-29I've known Dr. Austin for almost 20 years and can attest to what a brilliant practitioner he is. He is kind, warm, smart and so dedicated to his patients. He is a highly gifted chiropractor with the added benefit of understanding SO much about how our brains work. Over the years I've consulted him around nutrition, energy levels, sleep problems while also receiving top notch adjustments. He's a vital part of my healthcare team.Ivy Worsham2019-10-12Dr. Austin is my first phone call every time I have the opportunity to fly back home. I always feel ten times better walking out of his office then I did walking in. He has helped me with chronic neck, sinus, and herniated disc issues. I just wish he made house calls in different states! Thanks for keeping me functioning at my best, you're a life saver Dr. Austin!!
Have you ever heard of the “second brain”? It’s not what you…
Learn about inflammation in the aging brain and what you can do…
Is your cognitive function declining? How will you know? Here’s how to…
Learn about the process of Cognitive Aging and how exercise supports brain…
You watched your friend hit the pavement after braking sharply to avoid…
We use Neurocognitive Testing from CNS Vital Signs to assess brain health
Benefits for brain health, gut health, and more
By leveraging the brain’s electrical impulses, Alpha Stim administers electrical microcurrents to…
Check out this guide to vitamins, and supplements for arthritis & pain