Dr. Michael Alden, DC

Functional Medicine

Whether you want to eliminate pain, increase your energy, or address unresolved symptoms of existing health concerns, our team is ready to work with you to create a roadmap for optimal wellness.

License/title and certifications:

  • Chiropractic Physician License, South Carolina 1994
  • Chiropractic Physician License, Illinois 2024

About Dr. Alden

Michael Alden graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport in 1994 and has practiced chiropractic in Charleston, South Carolina from then until he closed his office on June 30, 2024. During that 30-year span, he began to study and practice Functional Medicine in 2010, combining the two entities. He and his wife Melissa live with their two miniature Schnauzers in Charleston (since their children Ashley and Christopher decided to grow up, go to college, get married and become adults).

Q&A with Dr. Alden

What are you most passionate about professionally? Personally?

I am most passionate professionally about learning as much as I can about how to identify causes (hidden or obvious) for conditions that people commonly suffer with, and then educate them to understand the WHY rather than the WHAT is wrong with them; so that we can hopefully change their experience to move toward better health. Personally, I am most passionate about having a respectable reputation. One built on self- respect that is shared by those that I hold in highest esteem as well.

What three traits define you?

Three traits that I would like to define me are integrity, positive attitude, and taking responsibility. I intend to pass through this world with integrity that allows me peace of mind in all that I do. I want my positive attitude to “infect” every person, situation and opportunity. If I can make every person that I meet believe that there is something special in them, then we both win. And finally, I accept responsibility for the things that are mine and the responsibility to try to improve the things that are not necessarily of my own doing.

What would you do even if you didn’t get paid to do it?

I began presenting at multi-disciplinary medical conferences in 2017 and became hooked on speaking professionally. (Please don’t tell my sponsors, but I would definitely do it for free.) I really love the challenge of researching my presentation deeply enough that I may teach the audience something new or give them a different vantage point about a subject that they may be very familiar with.

What are you surprisingly good at?

I am surprisingly good at public speaking. It is something that I absolutely love to do in many different venues. Not to say that I don’t get nervous, because I do get extremely nervous anytime that I take the stage. That’s why I say that I am surprisingly good at it. Incidentally, I’m the one who is surprised.

What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?

The one thing that I couldn’t live without is actually two things, my two miniature Schnauzers. Fitz and Luna have the uncanny ability to make everything better.

How long have you been working in your field?

I actively practiced Chiropractic from July 1, 1994 to July 1, 2024, thirty years to the day. I was introduced to Functional Medicine in 2010 and combined the two into one integrated practice for the past fourteen years. I am very excited to embark on new adventures focusing exclusively on Functional Medicine and everything that comes with it.

What is the biggest proof that you’re good at what you do?

For me the biggest proof that I’m good at what I do is when people refer others to me. Whether it was a patient who’s life/health was improved or an individual who was impacted by me is any way. If anyone approaches me after a conference where I’ve spoken and they ask questions or want more information then I feel like I have done a good job of creating interest.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

My biggest intangible accomplishment has been gaining the respect of those whom I respect and admire. My biggest tangible accomplishment came many years ago on the day I graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic when I won the Clinical Excellence Award. It represented validation that I had impressed the clinic faculty with attributes exemplary of our profession as I was about to embark on a 30-year career.

What is the weirdest job you’ve ever had?

The weirdest job I’ve ever had is actually one that I still enjoy doing. I was ordained in 2019 and I perform about ten wedding ceremonies every year. It’s a little more than a hobby at this point because Charleston, SC is such a destination wedding venue, and I love doing it.

Who is your ideal patient and why should they connect with you?

My ideal patient is frustrated. They are frustrated with their own bodies for turning on them, they’re frustrated with themselves for becoming “sick”, and they’re frustrated with medicine for not having all of the answers. I don’t have the cure and I probably don’t have all of the answers, but I do offer hope. If they will trade their frustration for trust that I will do everything that I can then my intention is to create hope where there was despair. All I ask for them to my ideal patient is that they believe that I will try my very best to help them.

What problems do you consistently solve for your patients?

The problems that I most consistently solve for patients is uncovering underlying causes for their issues. Once we can find out why they’re suffering then we can design treatment strategies that can assist with a healthier lifestyle.

In your work or creative process, what concepts are sacred? Which rules have you made/followed?

I have made two rules that have been kept sacred and followed from my very first day in practice. Number one is that my patient’s health is the most important thing in our professional relationship. And the other thing that I keep guarded is my reputation. If I can keep both of those concepts at the center of my practice, then everything else should fall into place.

Do you have any other passions or personal goals you’d like to share?

My passion for educating people from many different perspectives on mTBI (concussion) and post-concussion syndrome which may progress to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy leads me to the goal of establishing a standard of care for head injuries and ongoing care. My mission is “To change the entire paradigm of concussion management, globally.”

What do you do for fun in your spare time? What are your hobbies?

In my spare time I enjoy watching sports. College football, pro football, baseball, ice hockey, basketball, Nascar, and UFC (surprised?), anything where they hit, kick, or shoot a ball, puck or each other. The only thing that makes watching better is when I get to attend live events with my son….Perfect!

Share something unique that most people don’t know about you.

I was a Mailman for the US Post Office for 12 years, the last 3 of which I studied pre-med full time at night (there were no online courses back then) at Youngstown State University while delivering mail full time during the day.

Schedule

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