A holistic approach to a healthy lifestyle with a flat lay of nutritious foods, dietary supplements, and fitness accessories.

Functional Medicine in Longmont, CO

A root-cause, personalized approach that connects the dots between symptoms, lifestyle, and long-term health, with clear guidance and a team that truly cares.

Functional medicine that looks deeper, not just louder.

At Left Hand Chiropractic Center, we use a functional medicine approach to understand why you’re dealing with ongoing symptoms, not just how to quiet them down. Instead of treating each complaint like it’s unrelated, we look at patterns across the whole body and focus on what may be driving the issue in the first place, including nutrition, lifestyle, stress load, environment, and internal imbalances.

Serving Longmont and nearby communities including Firestone, Frederick, Niwot, Gunbarrel, Hygiene, Lyons, Mead, Boulder, and the greater Boulder County area. Our community is highly health-literate, and we love that. We’ll explain what we’re seeing in plain language, answer your questions directly, and make sure you leave with a plan that feels realistic.

What makes our approach different: we combine a whole-body lens with a broad network of practitioners we collaborate with when needed. If something belongs with your primary care provider, a specialist, or another trusted clinician, we will say so and help point you in the right direction.

Left Hand Chiropractic doctors with their children at a community event, representing family-centered and community-focused care
Benefits

What Functional Health care can help with

  • A clearer understanding of what may be driving your symptoms.
  • Personalized recommendations based on your history, exam, and labs (when appropriate).
  • Practical nutrition and lifestyle guidance you can actually follow.
  • Support for energy, recovery, and resilience over time.
  • Coordinated care that respects your existing medical team.
Chiropractor consulting a patient in functional health.

Common reasons patients come in:

  • Fatigue, low energy and feelings of burnout.
  • Brain fog and trouble focusing.
  • Weight changes or stubborn weight concerns.
  • Digestive issues (bloating, constipation, irregularity).
  • Hormone-related concerns (cycle changes, perimenopause support, libido shifts).
  • Inflammation patterns and recurring aches.
  • Stress load, sleep disruption, and recovery issues.
  • Chronic “I’ve tried everything” symptom clusters.

Note: If you have a diagnosed medical condition, we can collaborate alongside your medical team and help support lifestyle and functional factors that may be contributing.

Our Process

Clear steps. No mystery. No chaos.

From the moment you walk in, you’ll feel welcomed, supported, and confident in your care and understanding of the process.

Patient being welcomed at the front desk, representing a friendly and supportive chiropractic care experience
Arrive and get settled icon.

Arrive and Get Settled

You’ll walk into a bright, energetic space, get greeted by our front desk team, and we’ll offer sparkling water and a quality snack while you get comfortable.

Provider taking notes during a patient consultation, representing thorough assessment and individualized care planning
"Is Chiropractic Right For You?" icon.

Prepare for Your Assessment

At your appointment time, your doctor will meet you in the lobby, introduce themselves and walk you back to an adjusting room. We start by explaining exactly what to expect during your appointment. The first 10 minutes of the conversation are simply to confirm you qualify for our care and that we’re the right clinic for what you need. If we’re not, we’ll give you the contact information for exactly who you need to see.

Provider assessing a patient’s arm and shoulder, representing hands-on care for pain, mobility, and recovery
Assessment and exam icon.

Assessment and Exam

You’ll share what’s bringing you in, and we’ll ask thorough questions to get closer to a clear direction. If we’re confident we can help, we’ll move into an exam right there in the same room, and you stay fully dressed.

Spine model used to explain treatment, representing patient education and personalized chiropractic care
Next steps icon.

Next Steps, Clearly Explained

Based on what we find, we may provide an adjustment that day if it’s safe and appropriate, or refer you out for X-rays if needed. Either way, you’ll leave understanding what’s going on and what we recommend.

Patient reviewing an appointment calendar with a provider, representing accessible scheduling and ongoing chiropractic care support
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Schedule and Support

Your doctor will walk you back to the front, say goodbye, and our team will help schedule your next visit so you know exactly what happens next.

What Our Patients Are Saying

Meet The Team

Portrait of Dr. Christine Illman, a Left Hand Chiropractic doctor, representing personalized and patient-centered care

Dr. Christine Illman, DC | Chiropractor & Co-Owner

Dr. Christine is known for her focused, supportive care for pregnancy, postpartum, and pediatric chiropractic, with advanced training that helps moms and kids feel more comfortable and more confident in their bodies. She is Webster Technique certified and has completed additional pediatric and prenatal training through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA). Dr. Christine also specializes in working with neck pain, headaches, and migraines, and brings a calm, capable energy to every visit

Portrait of Dr. Drew Illman, a Left Hand Chiropractic doctor, representing personalized and patient-centered care

Dr. Drew Illman, DC | Chiropractor & Co-Owner

Dr. Drew blends traditional chiropractic with a whole-body approach that supports both performance and long-term health. He works closely with athletes of all levels, including professional cyclists and world champions, and he is widely known for his expertise in Endonasal Balloon Therapy, supported by ongoing learning and collaboration with global practitioners. He also integrates functional medicine thinking when appropriate, aiming to understand root causes and support stronger systems, not just short-term symptom relief.

Portrait of Dr. Pat Larabee , a Left Hand Chiropractic doctor, representing personalized and patient-centered care

Dr. Pat Larabee, DC | Chiropractor

Dr. Patrick Larabee brings over 30 years of experience in chiropractic care and more than two decades as a Professor of Anatomy & Physiology. His career has been deeply rooted in health, fitness, and human performance—first as an athlete and coach, and later as a trusted mentor to patient athletes of all ages and levels. Dr. Larabee has played a key role in helping patients and athletes build strong foundations for pain free movement and life. His approach blends deep anatomical & physiological knowledge with real-world chiropractic & athletic experience. A USA Cycling Level 1 Coach and two-time Masters National Track Cycling Champion, Dr. Larabee has competed across a wide range of sports including volleyball, track and field, powerlifting, bodybuilding, and cycling. He continues to compete at the national and world level in track cycling, bringing current, high-performance insight to every patient & athlete he works with.

Portrait of Ann, a Left Hand Chiropractic Patient Coordinator, representing personalized and patient-centered care

Ann | Patient Care Coordinator

Ann keeps the clinic running smoothly and helps make sure patients feel taken care of from start to finish. You’ll see her supporting the flow of care and helping ensure visits feel organized, welcoming, and efficient.

Portrait of Amy, a Left Hand Chiropractic Practice Success Manager, representing personalized and patient-centered care

Amy | Practice Success Manager

Amy is often the first friendly face you'll meet. She greets patients and helps them feel comfortable as soon as you step through our door. Amy supports scheduling, answering phones and taking care of patients (with a side of humor)!

Portrait of Doza the dog.

Doza | Director of Pawsitive Vibes

Meet our mini Goldendoodle, Doza. Hypoallergenic and endlessly friendly, Doza helps patients feel at ease with her calm presence, happy greetings, and impeccable listening skills.

Areas We Serve

We’re located in Longmont, CO and welcome patients from Firestone, Frederick, Niwot, Gunbarrel, Hygiene, Lyons, Mead, and Boulder.

FAQs

Common Questions We Hear Every Week

Transparency builds trust — we’re here to help you understand your care before, during, and after treatment.

What is functional medicine, in plain language?

Functional medicine focuses on identifying and addressing root causes that may be contributing to symptoms, instead of treating each symptom separately.

How is this different from conventional medical care?

Conventional care often treats symptoms individually. Functional medicine looks for the shared “root system” that may connect them.

Do you replace my primary care provider or specialist?

No. We can work alongside your existing medical team and support the lifestyle and functional factors that often influence how you feel.

Do you accept insurance?

We do not accept insurance. If you have questions about rates or payment, contact our office and we’ll walk you through it.