EP 436 | What If We’re Missing the Root Cause?...Why Chiropractors Need To Understand Lifestyle Medicine with Dr. Patrick Garrett
What if some of the biggest challenges facing patients require chiropractors to look beyond the adjustment room?
In this episode of The Chiropractic Philanthropist Revival Series, Dr. Ed Osburn sits down with Dr. Patrick Garrett, a chiropractor and practitioner focused on functional and lifestyle medicine, for a wide-ranging conversation about chronic conditions, nutrition, lifestyle, patient education, and how chiropractors can expand the way they think about patient care.
Dr. Patrick shares the journey that took him from chiropractic into medical education, clinical nutrition, functional medicine, and lifestyle medicine. He explains why he became interested in helping patients understand the lifestyle factors that may contribute to chronic health challenges rather than simply managing symptoms. Dr. Patrick Garret
Ed and Patrick discuss autoimmune conditions, food and lifestyle choices, patient education, and the importance of making health recommendations practical and accessible. Patrick emphasizes his philosophy of “process over perfection” and describes how he works through food and lifestyle changes systematically with patients and clients. Dr. Patrick Garret
They also explore where functional and lifestyle medicine can fit alongside chiropractic care, including how chiropractors can refer patients who need additional support without compromising the chiropractic relationship.
Patrick explains his educational programs for doctors and health coaches, as well as his telehealth model for working with patients across different locations. Dr. Patrick Garret
In this episode:
- Dr. Patrick Garrett's journey from chiropractic into functional and lifestyle medicine
- Why lifestyle medicine became an important part of Patrick's approach
- The difference between managing health challenges and teaching patients about lifestyle factors
- How food and lifestyle choices can be evaluated as part of a patient's overall health picture
- Why Patrick emphasizes process over perfection
- Making nutrition and lifestyle recommendations practical for everyday people
- Why simple, sustainable changes can be easier to implement
- How chiropractors can integrate additional health education into their practices
- When chiropractors may want to refer patients for additional functional or lifestyle support
- How referral relationships can help chiropractors serve patients without competing for their chiropractic care
- Patrick's functional medicine education and health coaching programs
- The importance of patient education and communication
- How lifestyle habits can compound over time
- Why consistency matters more than making one dramatic change
- Patrick's advice to his younger self about mindfulness, meditation, nutrition, and lifestyle
- Books and resources Patrick recommends for learning more about food, health, and lifestyle
Patrick's core philosophy throughout the conversation is centered on understanding what people are doing, what they can change, and how to make those changes practical enough to sustain over time.
CONNECT WITH DR. PATRICK GARRETT
Mentoring Functional Medicine
Learn more about Patrick's functional medicine education and training programs:
https://mentoringfunctionalmedicine.com
Patrick discusses the program as a 300-hour, self-paced postdoctoral diplomate course for doctors, along with a health coaching pathway for non-physicians. Dr. Patrick Garret
Genomic Wellness Group
For chiropractors looking for a referral option for patients who need additional functional and lifestyle medicine support:
https://genomicwellnessgroup.com
Patrick describes the telehealth practice as serving clients across multiple countries and explains how chiropractors can refer patients while maintaining their chiropractic relationship. Dr. Patrick Garret
RESOURCES MENTIONED
The End of Overeating — Dr. David Kessler
A book Patrick recommends about the ways food can be designed and marketed to influence eating behavior. Dr. Patrick Garret
Twinkie, Deconstructed
Patrick discusses this book as a resource for understanding the ingredients and manufacturing processes behind processed foods. Dr. Patrick Garret
Eating on the Wild Side — Jo Robinson
A resource Patrick recommends for understanding how food selection, preparation, and processing can affect nutritional value. Dr. Patrick Garret
The Blue Zones — Dan Buettner
Patrick recommends The Blue Zones when discussing lifestyle patterns among long-lived populations. Dr. Patrick Garret
The Hundred-Year Lie
Patrick describes this book as an early influence on how he thought about the relationship between chemicals, food, and chronic disease. Dr. Patrick Garret
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Website:
https://www.chiropracticphilanthropist.com
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-chiropractic-philanthropist-with-dr-ed-osburn/id911516462
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/164LfnNvQ3dlaL7nhlkfvr
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