Peak Family Health in Chattanooga: Chiropractic Care and Functional Medicine Under One Roof
Peak Family Health is a chiropractic clinic on the north side of Chattanooga that combines traditional spinal manipulation with functional medicine and nutritional assessment, operating as a hybrid practice rather than a straight adjustment-focused office.
What Peak Family Health actually is
Doug Stithem, the owner and primary chiropractor, runs the practice with an emphasis on identifying root causes rather than treating symptoms in isolation. The clinic offers chiropractic adjustments, but frames them within a broader functional medicine model that includes lab work, dietary counseling, and supplement recommendations. This approach distinguishes it from Chattanooga's many traditional chiropractors who focus primarily on skeletal alignment and pain relief. The practice accepts new patients and maintains a small-team structure, which means shorter wait times than larger multidoctor clinics but also limited availability during peak hours.
Services and pricing
Peak Family Health offers standard chiropractic adjustments alongside consultations that assess diet, lifestyle, and metabolic function. A first consultation typically costs between $150 and $200 and includes a health history, physical examination, and initial labs or functional assessment. Follow-up adjustments generally run $50 to $80 per visit. Nutritional or functional medicine consultations, which involve more detailed dietary analysis and supplement protocols, are priced separately, usually in the $200 to $300 range depending on complexity. The clinic accepts most major insurance plans, though coverage for chiropractic care varies widely by plan; patients should verify their individual benefits before scheduling, as some insurers cover adjustments fully while others require copays or limit visit frequency. Cash-pay packages are available for uninsured patients seeking multiple visits.
How Peak Family Health compares to other Chattanooga chiropractors
Peak Family Health's functional medicine angle sets it apart from traditional chiropractic practices in Chattanooga. Clinics like Chattanooga Chiropractic Center operate on a more conventional model, focusing on adjustment, X-ray analysis, and pain management with less emphasis on nutritional or metabolic assessment. That approach works well for patients with acute injuries or those seeking affordable, straightforward adjustments. Peak Family Health suits patients who suspect underlying metabolic, digestive, or nutritional factors contributing to their symptoms and want a provider who can order labs and recommend protocol changes beyond the adjustment. The trade-off is time and cost; a functional assessment takes longer than a standard chiropractic visit and may involve out-of-pocket supplement purchases that traditional chiropractic does not require.
Who Peak Family Health suits and who it does not
Peak Family Health is well-suited to patients seeking a provider who investigates why pain or dysfunction exists rather than treating the symptom alone. This includes people with chronic fatigue, digestive issues, autoimmune concerns, or persistent pain that has not resolved with conventional chiropractic. Patients who are willing to discuss diet, supplements, and lifestyle changes and who have some budget flexibility for functional labs and recommendations will find the approach valuable. The practice is less ideal for patients seeking quick, low-cost adjustments for acute lower-back pain, or for those who prefer to work strictly within their insurance coverage with no out-of-pocket expense. It is also not a fit for patients skeptical of nutritional intervention or who want alignment-only care.
What the first visit involves
Your first appointment at Peak Family Health will take longer than a standard chiropractic visit, typically 60 to 90 minutes. Doug Stithem or a team member will conduct a detailed history covering your health complaints, past injuries, diet, stress, sleep, and family health background. A physical examination will follow, including orthopedic and neurological testing and often spinal X-rays. Depending on your presentation, initial functional labs such as basic bloodwork may be ordered to assess inflammation, metabolic markers, or nutrient deficiencies. You will leave with a report of findings, a treatment plan, and often preliminary dietary or supplement recommendations. A follow-up appointment is typically scheduled within 3 to 5 days to review lab results and begin adjustments.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Peak Family Health operates Monday through Friday, with typical hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though exact hours should be confirmed before your first visit as they may shift seasonally. The clinic is located on the north side of Chattanooga and offers on-site parking. The office is accessible by car and does not require public transit. Most appointments are scheduled in advance; walk-ins are not routinely accommodated due to the time-intensive consultation model.
Peak Family Health fills a niche in Chattanooga's chiropractic landscape for patients who want a provider willing to investigate systemic causes of pain and dysfunction rather than manage symptoms alone.
