How to Treat Depression Without Medication

by Dr. Kilcup | Jan 27, 2016 | Articles, Healthy Living, Mental Health | 5 comments

If getting to the cause of depression and treating depression without medication is something you’re interested in, then you’re in the right place.

Like every kind of disease, depression has a cause, and the cause is not a lack of drugs. I have broken down what I have found to be the most common causes of depression into six categories, because if you are depressed you have enough to worry about. You can thank me later! These causes are not listed in any particular order. Unfortunately, all too often a person with depression is suffering from more than one cause. That in itself sounds depressing! But the good news is, all of these can be treated without medication.

1. Out of Balance Neurotransmitters

Out of balance neurotransmitters can cause depression. Neurotransmitters are amazing chemicals your body produces which relay information between nerve cells and other cells in the body. They include two inhibitors, serotonin and GABA, and also four excitors: dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine and glutamate. An imbalance of any of these can cause depression. If you want to treat depression without medication you need to know which neurotransmitters are out of balance.

The inhibitory neurotransmitters: serotonin and GABA

Serotonin is a major player in regulation of sleep, appetite and aggression. Imbalance in serotonin is a common contributor to mood problems. When serotonin is out of balance depression, anxiety, worry, obsessive thoughts and behaviors, carbohydrate cravings, PMS, difficulty with pain control, and sleep cycle disturbances can result. One of the most common treatments for depression to prescribe drugs that increase the serotonin by slowing the rate at which serotonin is processed. This of course does nothing to fix the cause of the low serotonin. Furthermore, usually no testing has been done to determine if the depression is due to low serotonin.

GABA is the neurotransmitter that keeps saying, “Just chillax everything is ok.” Low GABA levels contribute to mood disorders and may be associated with anxiety, worry and poor impulse control. High levels of GABA contribute to sluggish energy, feelings of relaxation, and foggy thinking. Without the inhibiting function of GABA, impulsive behaviors are often poorly controlled, contributing to a range of anxious and/or reactive symptoms that extend from poor impulse control to seizure disorders. Alcohol and also benzodiazepine drugs act on GABA receptors and imitate the effects of GABA. Often people with GABA problems will turn to these drugs as a way to self medicate.

The four excitatory neurotransmitters: dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine and glutamate

Without enough dopamine you just can’t get no satisfaction! Maybe that’s what was wrong with the Rolling Stones. Dopamine is largely responsible for regulating the pleasure/reward pathway, memory and motor control. Its function is to create both inhibitory and excitatory action depending on the tissue it is working on. Memory issues are common with both elevations and depressions in dopamine levels. Common symptoms associated with low dopamine levels include loss of motor control, cravings, compulsions, loss of satisfaction and addictive behaviors including: drug and alcohol use, smoking cigarettes, gambling, and overeating. These actions often result from an unconscious attempt to self-medicate, looking for the satisfaction that is not occurring naturally in the body. Elevated dopamine levels may contribute to hyperactivity or anxiety and have been observed in patients with schizophrenia. High dopamine may also be related to autism, mood swings, psychosis and attention disorders.

Norepinephrine, also called noradrenaline, is made in the brain and the adrenal gland. Norepinephrine is the go-to neurotransmitter when it’s time for action. Norepinephrine is involved in a wide variety of actions including attention, focus, regulating heart rate, affecting blood flow, and suppressing inflammation. It prepares the body for a fight-or-flight response. Chronic high levels of norepinephrine are often linked to anxiety, stress, elevated blood pressure, and hyperactivity, whereas low levels are associated with lack of energy, focus, and motivation.

Epinephrine, better known as adrenaline, is a lot like norepinephrine. It’s made in the brain and adrenal glands like norepinephrine. Elevated levels of epinephrine are often associated with hyperactivity, ADHD, anxiety, sleep issues, and low adrenal function. Over time, chronic stress and stimulation can deplete epinephrine stores. Low epinephrine can lead to difficulty concentrating, fatigue, depression, insufficient cortisol production, chronic stress, poor recovery from illness, dizziness and more.

Glutamate is the most abundant neurotransmitter in the nervous system. Glutamate is involved in most aspects of normal brain function including cognition, memory and learning. Elevated glutamate levels are commonly associated with panic attacks, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, OCD and depression, whereas low glutamate levels may result in agitation, memory loss, sleeplessness, low energy levels and depression.

A person suffering with depression can have an imbalance of one or more of these neurotransmitters. In order to treat depression without medication, it is important to know which neurotransmitters are out of balance.

Testing is KEY to treating depression without medication successfully.

Sample of Neurotransmitter Testing

Above is a sample result of a test which measures the neurotransmitter levels present in the urine. Urine levels correlate well with whole body neurotransmitter levels. One of the strengths of this kind of testing is that it doesn’t just measure neurotransmitter levels in the brain. 90% of the serotonin in the body is made in the intestines. Almost all of the epinephrine, and some of the norepinephrine are made in the adrenal glands. So while I’ve been describing the effects neurotransmitters have on the brain these chemicals also have many critical functions in the rest of the body. For example, outside the brain serotonin is important for the healthy intestine function. This testing makes it possible to correct neurotransmitter imbalances, and as a result help the problems that develop from their imbalances.

Once it’s known what’s going on with these neurotransmitters it’s possible to treat depression without medication. Your body has to make all these brain chemicals. There are specific nutrients that are required for the production of each neurotransmitter. Often a person is low in a particular nutrient and as a result the corresponding neurotransmitter levels are low. For example, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Iron and Vitamin B3 are all needed for the production of dopamine. If someone tests low for dopamine, the reason may be an insufficient supply of some or all of these nutrients.

2. Stinkin’ Thinkin’

If you want to treat depression without medication, you’ve got to get your thought life right.

The wrong kind of thinking, which I like to call stinkin’ thinkin’, can cause depression. Most of us have control over what we choose to think about, and what kind of thoughts we dwell on. Sometimes we can get into a rut of negative thinking, and then things spiral downward until we are hopeless. If you struggle with stinkin’ thinkin’, I wrote a whole article about it. Here’s the link if you would like to learn more:

How Toxic Emotions Are Making You Sick and How To Detox From Them

3. Intestinal Inflammation

Our intestines and our brains are closely connected

In fact, the intestines are commonly referred to as “the second brain.” The inner lining of the intestines and the brain are made of similar tissue. Both the brain and the intestine produce serotonin. Intestinal inflammation can actually cause depression. When the intestines are inflamed, the brain is inflamed. Chronic inflammation of the brain interferes with the ability of the brain cells to communicate, and can cause depression, brain fog, insomnia, ADD, Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, autism or fatigue. “What are the signs of an inflamed intestine?” you ask. Great question! Constipation, diarrhea, bloating, acid reflux, and cramps are signs of inflammation, but it’s also possible to have inflamed intestines without any of these symptoms. I explain the details of most common intestinal inflammation conditions in these articles:

What Causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Leaky Gut Syndrome

Acid Reflux

Hiatal Hernia Causes and Nondrug, NonSurgical Treatment

If a person is suffering with any kind of brain problem, including depression, the intestines need to be ruled out as a possible source of the problem.

4. Thyroid Dysfunction

It’s estimated that low thyroid hormones are responsible for 10 to 15% of cases of depression. Without a proper thyroid work up, treating depression without medication is not possible. When the thyroid not working right, a person feels like their get-up-and-go got up and left. Many hypothyroid cases are not diagnosed because the doctor only checks the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). In order to correctly assess the thyroid the following tests must be done:

• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
• Free serum thyroxine (fT4)
• Free triiodothyronine (fT3)
• Reverse T3 (rT3)
• Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (anti-TG)
• Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO)

Furthermore, even folks who are taking Synthroid (a T4-only thyroid medication) for a low thyroid can still suffer from depression because the body has to turn the T4 into T3, the active form of thyroid hormone.

If your depression is caused by an underactive thyroid, it can be fixed without medication, but proper testing is critical.

5. Adrenal Problems

There is one adrenal gland located on top of each kidney. These glands make some really important hormones and neurotransmitters. I already explained the connection between adrenaline, and noradrenaline and the adrenal glands. In addition to adrenaline and noradrenaline the adrenal glands make cortisol, DHEA. During times of stress healthy adrenal glands make more cortisol and DHEA along with noradrenaline to prepare us to deal with the crisis. The problem is that often our lives are filled with stress and everyday our adrenal glands are cranking out the hormones in response to the stress. When someone is going through a season of high stress the adrenal response to the stress can become exaggerated and too much cortisol, DHEA, and noradrenaline is produced. This excessive response often leads to anxiety, insomnia, loss of libido and weight gain. If the stress continues the adrenal gland’s response will drop off and there will be insufficient cortisol, DHEA and noradrenaline. This insufficiency leads to depression, fatigue, lethargy, and indifference.

Often fixing depression without medication requires fixing the adrenal glands. You can get more information on fixing adrenal problems in this article:

Adrenal Fatigue can make you FAT, TIRED, LIBIDO-LESS, CONSTIPATED AND SICK.

6. Diet

If you want to fix depression without medication you MUST eat right. Diets high in carbohydrates and low in fats are a recipe for depression! Here’s the deal, I think everyone would agree that eating processed, high in sugar junk food is not good for you and will lead to lots of health problems including depression. I think it would surprise a lot of people to find out that eating a “healthy” low fat high carbohydrate diet the government and medical experts have been promoting create the perfect biochemical foundation for depression. There are several problems with eating this way. The first problem with a diet low in fat and high in carbohydrates is that blood sugar is going to up and down all day. Blood sugar that yo yos all day not only makes a person feel depressed but contributes to weight gain, mental fog and fatigue to name a few problems. A poor diet will lead to nutrient deficiencies. When a body starts to run low on things like magnesium, zinc, vanadium, vitamin D, B12, folate and essential fatty acids it’s just a matter of time until a person will likely become depressed.

Fixing depression without medication will always require eating a nutrient dense diet high in healthy fats. Sometimes testing is needed to determine if there are dire nutrient needs.

It is possible to fix depression without medication!

Depression is not a drug deficiency problem. My hope is that if you’re a person who suffers with depression but isn’t satisfied with the pharmaceutical treatments, this information gives you hope.

I welcome your comments and questions. If you’re ready to figure out what’s behind your depression please contact me and let’s get started getting answers.

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Darrell Kilcup, DC, CFMP

Hi there! I’m Dr. Kilcup. You know that health problem you’ve been dealing with – the one that doctors can’t seem to solve, that’s stealing way too much of your time, energy and joy? I can help you get to the bottom that. I am passionate about using the best of science and nutrition to find and fix root causes of health issues. Start your journey towards healing and relief today.

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Dr. Kilcup and his staff have been very helpful in my search for reversing my diagnosis of RA. I recently completed all of the functional medicine testing, just had my hour evaluation with Dr. Kilcup and feel confident in my path forward. I highly recommend Dr. Kilcup as a functional medicine doctor! I am thrilled with my progress and can't wait to see what the future brings!read more

Kaitlin Neises

18:46 10 Feb 19

My boyfriend went here for his chiro appointments after an accident, and loved his chiropractor here. They did a great job.read more

Melody Dipple

15:38 12 Dec 18

Dr. Kilcup has been amazingly helpful for both me and my big family for the past 15 years or so. He takes time to get to know each person. Currently, even though we now live 1500 miles away, I am seeing Dr. Kilcup for his Functional Medicine approach to solving my health issues and I am finally seeing improvement in things that have been a problem for a couple years.read more

Cindy Gooch

21:03 14 Nov 18

Had both a functional medicine "Get to Know You" appointment today, along with a new chiropractic patient visit and treatment. Cannot imagine how either of them could have gone better (OK - unless they were free - ha!). Really liked the doctor - easy to talk to and to understand. The chiropractic treatment was gentle and not painful.read more

Denise Cromer

04:18 06 Nov 18

I have known Dr Kilcup for several years now. I knew he was a chiropractor but had never had an opportunity to take advantage of his practice. Over the past few years, I have developed sciatic pain in my left leg and it became extremely painful. A good friend of mine said Dr Kilcup was helping her some other issues and recommended i see him. That he was a miracle worker. Not having too much exposure to chiropractic medicine, I had my doubts but I was beginning to live off of Advil daily and was becoming worried it would eventually cause other risks to my health .So I went to see him. I have to say, he IS a miracle worker! My sciatic pain had diminished over the first 3-4 visits. I was amazed! I work from home so I sit A LOT...He gave me some recommendations of things I can do at home to keep me well of which I am implementing now. I am so grateful! Thank you, Dr. Kilcup!read more

Cynthia Adams

03:43 29 Oct 18

I have been seeing Dr K for about 20 years. I have complicated issues with my back, and he is has been the only chiropractor that has ever helped me. Bethany gives wonderful massages. Taylor does a great job managing the front office. I am so thankful for the care I receive from his practice, and highly recommend him!read more

Jim Humphrey

19:26 26 Oct 18

Dr. Kilcup has treated me off and on for the past 15 or more years. I go in when my back acts up and it usually takes a few treatments to get back to normal and then I can go for from a year and a half to several years before I do something for which I need him again. He does a great job.read more

Maureen Harlin

22:41 10 Oct 18

There could not be a better Chiropractic Practice out there!!!!! From the warm welcome by Taylor at the front desk to Bethany's confident and comfortable skills during my Massage Therapy and the icing on the cake, Dr. Kilcup's care and concern for each patient....I give this practice a 5 Star ***** rating. Thank you!!!!!read more

TheKostly1

14:52 01 Oct 18

I am so grateful to have found Dr. Kilcup! Learning about what functional medicine is all about, there is truly no other way to find out what is really going on inside of us, without this way of doing medicine!!! Dr. Kilcup is so knowledgeable, friendly and helps you not only understand all the testing, but makes you feel comfortable in the whole process. He and his staff are always there to answer whatever questions you may have. I am already experiencing results in just a matter of a week, that I have not experienced in anything else I have done. Thank you so much!!!!read more

Kathy Grayczyk

17:08 21 Sep 18

Bethany is awesome! She knows exactly what to do for any pains and aches I may have. She's a good listener too

Dave Limone

21:33 23 Aug 18

My wife has been seeing Dr. Kilcup for almost a year and he has been able to help us resolve issues that she has been struggling with for years and who no other doctor was able to help her with. When I started having acute back pain, my wife insisted that I go see Dr. Kilcup. I was resistant and wanted to go see someone closer at first, but she convinced me that he was the best and I am so glad that she did. I have been receiving chiropractic care from Dr. K and he has helped me so much getting my upper back/neck, middle back, and lower back in alignment. He identified issues that I had none known about but explained the pain and stiffness I was having. I am down to monthly treatments with him and would recommend that anyone with back or neck issues goes in to see him for an evaluation and adjustments. In fact, I just sent my brother who is also having back issues to see Dr. K. and it has been helping him too. A great chiropractor.read more

Judith Cox

22:51 20 Jul 18

Dr. Kilcup is without a doubt the best in his field and puts the needs and care of his patients as his highest prioritiy!! He’s been my doctor for over 20 years. I drive from Wickenburg to get his care.read more

Kathryn Corradi

17:59 08 Jun 18

I have been a patient now for over two years. The staff and treatments are exceptional! I would highly recommend Dr. Kilcup to anyone who needs care. They are always attentive and professional.read more

stngft2 one

04:27 02 Jun 18

I have been seeing Dr Kilcup for injuries to my back and neck for the past few months. I have found him to be as sincere,honest and knowledgeable as I could of hoped for in getting treatment. It's a family operation and they are all just great. Bethany with great massages and office manager Taylor getting me in for treatment even when it's busy always with a smile. I highly recommend Dr Kilcup and the entire staff for all your chiropractic and functional medicine care.read more

Darianne Shepherd

02:14 17 May 18

I love Dr. Kilcup’s approach and I feel very hopeful after going over my results and treatment plan. I am finally getting answers. Dr. Kilcup is very nice and easy to talk to. Taylor is awesome as well! They are both very prompt on returning any phone calls or emails. You can tell he truly cares about his patients and really takes his time on making sure they get better. My mom and sister see him as well and we all have nothing but great things to say! Great office!read more

Brianna Dazzo

16:20 15 May 18

We are so thankful to have found Dr. Kilcup for our two girls. My youngest has been battling GI issues since she was three months old after a week long stay in the hospital. We were seeing GI doctors, Neurologists, therapies, and were sent to Phoenix Children's for even more testings with no answers except for prescribed medicines at the end of it all. We were tired of medicine being thrown at her and decided we needed a different route, we knew there were other things going on that were being missed. Dr. Kilcup did some testing for both my girls and found underlying infections that other doctors refused to acknowledge or look into. We feel blessed to have answers going forward, and are excited to begin treatment using natural solutions that don't cause other symptoms throughout the body. Dr. Kilcup is so patient and unlike any other doctor we have seen. Willing to answer questions and open to communication all throughout treatment. Its definitely reassuring, knowing we have him working for the good of our children.read more

Kristin Grunert

02:52 19 Apr 18

I would say that meeting with Dr. Kilcup has been nothing but a great experience. He is amazing with my 6 month old son and helped me to identify issues with my back that I didn’t even know existed. I had gone in for an adjustment and couldn’t even get that done because my back was so tight. He referred me to his daughter, Bethany Kilcup, who is an amazing massage therapist, to help loosen up my back and massage out all my knots. With their help I have felt a lot better!read more

Scott Shaeffer

02:45 18 Mar 18

I saw Bethany for a massage could barely turn my head, and my jaw has been really tight. She did a great job loosing me up gave me great relief. Thank you very much!read more

Carmin Schiefer

20:46 16 Mar 18

Dr. Kilcup and his staff are some of the best I've come across in the heathcare business. I have been in and out of doctor offices my entire life with nothing to show for it. He doesn't just talk to you about what is going on. He listens, answers every question, is available at any time to anwers forgotten questions and WANTS to get to the bottom of your illness. I am at the beginning stages of treatment but this journey so far with him and his staff has been a breath of fresh air. It's nice to get treated finally..especially by someone who shows that your individual care is the utmost importance to him.read more

Kimberly Ortega

01:57 15 Mar 18

I have been treated by Dr. Kilcup for over 25 years. 20 years ago I was in a serious car accident. I had multiple broken bones. with Dr. Kilcup"s help I walk unassisted. For the last year or so I have been receiving massages from Bethany prior to my appointment with the Doctor and I feel so much better after treatment. I thank God that I am able to receive the kind of loving care from Dr. K and his staff. Thank you.read more

James Corradi

20:03 21 Feb 18

Dr. Kilcup's compassionate and gentle nature along with his professionalism and technical skills create a positive experience for the client each and every encounter! My areas of concern are always attended to with immediate pain relief to the affected areas. The office staff is always friendly and supportive to the client's needs. Thank you Dr. Kilcup and staff!!read more

Carrie Bevans

19:44 21 Feb 18

I have been going to Dr. Kilcup for about 10 years. He is very invested in his patients and getting to the root of the problem. He is very knowledgeable in a wide range of functional medicine. I have also had a handful of massages from Bethany and she is great!read more

Kyle Bennett

16:41 14 Feb 18

Dr. Kilcup has been an answer to our prayers! I've been battling chronic illness for years, and have worked with several doctors who were not able to get to the root of my issues. After working with Dr. Kilcup for a couple of months, I am confident that I am on the right track. He is the first person to recommend such a thorough battery of testing, which revealed an underlying infection that I've never known about! Dr. Kilcup recommended a treatment plan based on the results of my tests, and my symptoms have been improving dramatically. Dr. Kilcup asserts that he will leave no stone unturned to get to the bottom of your health problems. He also states that he will treat you as he would like his doctor to treat him. I believe it! He is very attentive, responds promptly to my questions, and is willing to listen to my concerns - with no pride or criticism in his tone. I am so very thankful to have found Dr. Kilcup, and I wholeheartedly recommend his services.read more

Rebecca Nevius

20:12 29 Jan 18

We bring our entire family here! Dr. Kilcup is amazing and I especially appreciated his care during my last two pregnancies. Highly recommend.read more

Haley Backus

17:29 16 Jan 18

Dr. Kilcup is an excellent choice for anyone who is struggling and has had a hard time getting help elsewhere. I am so glad that I chose to go see him after several months of working with MD's and getting no answers about my symptoms. As soon as Dr. Kilcup heard all of my symptoms, he immediately had possible answers and steps for us to take to improve my health. He is very kind and caring. And being as shy as I am, I actually felt very comfortable with him and was able to open up about my situation. I cannot wait to move forward with Dr. Kilcup so that I can finally see the results I have been searching for!read more

Gary Bryan

03:23 13 Jan 18

My appointment with Dr. Kilcup was excellent. I was able to schedule online at my convenience. I was seen promptly. The doctor took care of my ache and pains and was sensitive to my hurting spots.read more

Barbara Henning

19:25 05 Jan 18

5/5 enuf said. Always exceptional service. Always leave much better than when I arrived.

Annem Bielecki

23:55 01 Dec 17

This is the best Chiropractor office I have found in the Phoenix area. Dr. Kilcup is never in a hurry, always takes time to listen to my concerns. Bethany, the massage therapist is excellent. She really works hard to get all my knots out. Dr. Kilcup and Bethany are a great team. I highly recommend this office.read more

Brooklyn Peterson

01:00 02 Nov 17

I love getting massages here! Bethany does such a great job and helps my pain. As someone who experiences a lot of jaw pain due to my TMJ, my massages help relax all of those muscles. So thankful for this practice! All are friendly and enjoyable to be treated by!read more

Rhonda Vogt

16:49 19 Oct 17

Dr. Kilcup is a doctor who truly wants to get to the root of your health problems, not just treat your symptoms. I have been an unintentionally "difficult" patient for him, not always responding to treatments as expected. But he doesn't give up. If he doesn't know the answer, he contacts other professionals who may have other options to try. I have always been very impressed with his knowledge, compassion and determination on my behalf. He is a special gift from God in my life. -Rhonda Vogtread more

Rebecca Martin

14:41 19 Oct 17

Honestly, I wish I could give more than the standard five stars. Let me explain. For almost a year and a half, my husband and I watched our eldest daughter's health deteriorate. At age 20 she was bed-ridden with horrid headaches and a multitude of other mysterious symptoms. We were seen by the best of the best at a very prestigious hospital, yet the answers we were getting just didn't seem to give the whole picture...or worse, a plan for treatment and wellness. She was suffering from debilitating headaches from her brain stem swelling, horrid breathing problems, loss of normal vision, muscle aches that made her body feel on fire, nausea, problems swallowing...this was just the short list. A close family friend suggested Dr. Kilcup to us, and we decided to take the opportunity to see what he might find that the "best of the best" could not. And after massive testing (not guesswork) we arrived at some very crucial definitive answers. Not only did our daughter have a genetic mutation that did not allow her to properly detoxify, but she was suffering from Lyme's disease. The culprit that more than likely was attacking our daughter's brain, and causing the swelling...along with all her other horrible symptoms. I noticed that reading through some of the other reviews that cost is an issue. And this is how I would answer those with a critical vantage point of the "cost". Yes, it costs money to find answers...medically sound answers. Everything good comes with a cost. But the benefit far outweighs the cost when it comes to a healthy body and mind. Functional medicine dares to go outside of the realm of conventional medicine and not only looks for disease or pathology, but for dysfunction. Functional medicine found solid medical answers (not guesses) as to what was plaguing our daughter's life. Now, with answers, can then come a treatment plan. Is the fix quick? For our daughter? No. That is an honest and realistic answer. But that is not a negative answer. Our daughter is fighting a very complex and horrid disease, and given that we live in an instant gratification society where everything must be solved or cured within the realm of a 30 minute sitcom...that's just not a realistic vantage point. Her disease didn't grow overnight...so the "fix" realistically can't be expected to come overnight. But this is what I can tell you...our daughter, 5 months into her treatment plan (with tweaking of the plan along the way) is starting to see a light at the end of her very long, and very painful tunnel. Through discipline in sticking to her supplements and a healthy eating plan, she is seeing relief. Dr. Kilcup is a man of high integrity and humility who goes way beyond the standard doctor/patient protocol. Attentiveness to detail, unending compassion towards the patient who is walking the hard and painful road, and astuteness of medical knowledge are just the tip of the iceberg in beginning to describe Dr. K. We're in it for the long haul with our daughter in trying to help get her life back...and thank the Lord, Dr Kilcup, we know without a doubt, will be walking right with us. The "cost" of not going to Dr K, as I look back, is far too great to even consider as I remember the months and months of our precious daughter too ill to get out of bed. As my husband continues to say..."the right time in medical advancements...and the right doctor." That's Dr. K.read more

Lynda Sims

06:02 16 Sep 17

The personal interest and care given by everyone at Dr. Kilcup's office is, in my opinion, exceptional. From Bethany's relaxing massages, to Darrell's expert and professional chiropractic adjustments, as well as Taylor's pleasant voice, accurate accounting, and accommodating scheduling of appointments, I feel not only like a valued and appreciated client, but also a friend. Ellie does a great job at helping in the office whenever she's needed. That's what keeps me returning as often as I can.read more

Courtney Robinson

23:02 13 Sep 17

My children and I were in a horrible car accident that completely totaled our car. We were all having continued pain and my son was having excruciating headaches. Dr. Kilcup returned my call from his emergency call line before we were even official patients of his when I was on the verge of heading back to the ER with my son. I am so grateful for their continued care of all three of us and I am sure we would not have healed properly without his expertise. In addition to Dr. Kilcup's proficiency in his practice, he and his staff are of excellent integrity, outstanding customer service, and genuine concern.read more

Adrienne Cardy

17:08 13 Sep 17

I have been treated by Dr. Kilcup for many years now for back pain. My pain isn't constant - it just flares up every so often and I go in for an adjustment. Sometimes it just takes one adjustment, sometimes a few, but Dr. Kilcup never fails to fix the problem. He also doesn't pressure me to have continual adjustments after the problem is fixed or to have treatments I don't need. He is honest, ethical, caring, sincere, professional, and the answer to my back problems. The office is pleasant, the staff is exceptionally kind, polite, caring and efficient. His masseuse, Bethany, is the same - a real pro at massage. I can't recommend North Glen Chiropractic highly enough.read more

jada sarfate

19:53 07 Aug 17

I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Kilcup and his staff. I"ve never met a doctor that cares for his patients the way he does. He truly loves his work and his patients. He responds quickly to my concerns and the staff is quick to get things done. His knowledge about the body and disease surpasses many doctors and I've seen a ton of "top doctors" all over the U.S. He's a really good investigator and will not give up finding the root causes of what ails you. We need more doctors like Dr. Kilcup!read more

Tim Schweitzer

06:15 01 Aug 17

I have been dealing with a lot of health issues (upper GI pain, GERD, extreme exhaustion, and a great deal of depression) for the last 5 years. I have had no answers from traditional medicine. I always came back as “normal” with just another pill to take which always seemed to be a complete guess on the traditional Doctors side, always leaving me in despair. Needless to say there is NO GUESSING with Dr. Kilcup. He tests every fluid your body makes and lets those results dictate his plan of action and care. He does not give you something unless you actually need it. I am about 3 months into my care. I have seen life changing results. For once I feel as though I have my life back. I am now able to have 3 meals a day without upper GI pain. I have been able to run around with my kids (and have the desire to do so!). I am no longer flustered and frustrated at simple tasks but I am finding joy in the simple things again. I really could go on and on about Dr. Kilcup and his facilities. But what matters is that this man, his employees, and his methods have changed my life, and given me hope for a recovery. I simply cannot wait to see what 6 months has in store for me as I stick to the diet and his recommendations. If your fed up with not getting answers from doctors and feeling “unheard” by them, then I suggest getting in contact with Dr. Kilcup. It was the first time in 5 years that I had the reason WHY I was feeling the way I was, my test results spoke for themselves, while the results of his treatment are showing a steady trend to me feeling better.read more

Hannah Shea

13:50 19 Apr 17

Dr Kilcup is the doctor I have been looking for for years. I've had strange, niggling health issues that most doctors overlooked or played down for quite a while. Dr Kilcup listened to all my concerns and came up with a comprehensive plan for testing my body systems to see what exactly is going on in my body. I can't say how grateful I am for this approach! The tests we ran came back with unexpected results and guided our treatment plan. I am so happy to no longer be playing the guessing game with my health and can't stress enough how grateful I am to have crossed paths with Dr. Kilcup. He is an exceptionally kind, intelligent, thoughtful, and genuine man who always makes me feel like I am his #1 priority during our appointments. Dr. Kilcup has been flexible in working with me as I moved to another state and now am moving to another country. He is going above and beyond with helping me to figure out the logistics of continuing with treatment while overseas - something I am immensely grateful for. To find a doctor like this after a lifetime of lightning quick 10 minute Dr appointments where they basically just look at you and leave has been a life changer for me. I have so much faith in the Functional Medicine approach and am confident that (thanks to Dr Kilcup) I am now on a clear cut path to wellness and vitality. I strongly recommend Dr Kilcup to anyone and everyone looking to finally take charge of their health.read more

Megan Miller

16:30 18 Apr 17

I am so grateful for how efficient and caring Dr. Kilcup took my case. I back to full health and could not be more pleased. Thank you Dr. Kilcup for everything!read more

Todd Robertson

16:06 01 Mar 17

I have now been going to Dr. Kilcup's office for 4 months. I had terrible back pain that was limiting all aspects of my life. I saw doctors, had x-rays and even an MRI...my primary physician said I had "undiagnosable lower back pain" which meant sorry I can't help you. However, Dr. Kilcup said "if you are experiencing pain there much be a problem and with a problem there will be a solution, so let's figure it out." And that he did! I am a work in progress but my back has gone from a 7-8 pain level to a 1 or 2. I am so grateful for him and his staff. Wonderful people! I highly recommend Dr. Darrell Kilcup.read more

Deborah Mehan

23:02 28 Feb 17

I have been seeing Dr. Kilcup and Bethany since November for injuries from a car accident. I have been to at least 5 other chiropractors in my life, but there is no comparison. He takes time and care in adjustments. They are thorough and most of all, helpful. Bethany is an exceptional massage therapist! I leave feeling such relief every time. Even though being in an accident was a negative, being referred to Dr. Kilcup and Bethany has been a blessing!? read more

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