Dr. Todd Roach, DC, FIAMA, C-FMP

About Dr. Roach

Todd Roach, D.C., graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Neurobiology from Purdue University. He wanted to be involved in healthcare as a provider, so he went on to National University of Health Sciences where he completed his Doctor of Chiropractic degree and license in the state of Illinois.

Dr. Roach’s specialty is in functional medicine and clinical nutrition where he focuses on supplementation and nutrition for the whole family. Dr. Roach believes in the “test, not guess” approach in functional medicine and focuses on meeting patients where they are in their current lifestyle. Knowing that many patients put work and family first and themselves last, Dr. Roach provides recommendations that fit into each patient’s busy life.

Q&A with Dr. Roach

What are you most passionate about professionally?

Professionally, I am most passionate about empowering patients when it comes to their health. I believe patients should understand that there is a level of control through their lifestyle choices.

What three traits define you? 

Passionate, enthusiastic, committed

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

I would teach people to water ski. (oh, and help them live long healthy lives….)

What are you surprisingly good at?

breaking down complex issues into simple terms

How long have you been working in your field?

I started into functional medicine ten years ago after having a patient with liver issues that were related to gluten. I started learning more and more and applying this information into my own family’s health issues. 8

What’s your biggest accomplishment?

20 years of marriage and successful kids

What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had?

For my first job at fourteen years old, I detasseled corn all summer. Not fun or character building.

How does your education connect to your professional career? What about personal experiences?

My education and licensure allows me the ability to practice the way I want to – spending time educating patients, fitting recommendations into their busy lifestyles, getting results, etc.

My personal experiences have taught me the importance of lifestyle in families. My wife and I have two teenage children at home. Teaching them the importance of lifestyle choices has always been a focus for us. What I learn professionally is quickly tested at home – does this food/supplement/test fit into a busy household with dance practice, football practice, two parents working, etc.?

What problems do you consistently solve for your clients?

Fitting recommendations into their current lifestyle. Giving patients fifty things to do to make their health better doesn’t work. Meeting patients where they are in their daily lives and finding a solution that can happen routinely does work. This is what I do to help patients reach their goals.

What are you complimented on most in your work? 

My ability to connect with patients. Either by humor or empathy, I try to meet each patient where they are and make progress from there. I am not a big fan of “preaching” to patients or guilt-tripping them into changes. Everyone wants to live healthier. We just need to find the right way to do it for each patient.

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

My ideal client is the mom who is trying to keep it all together. She is keeping her family in check as well as worrying about her parents. She is in contact with other moms who are fighting the same battles. She is working hard to raise successful kids, to keep her relationship with their spouse, and to keep her parents healthy. I believe she is the key to improving health for everyone.

In your work or creative process, what concepts are sacred? Which rules have you made, which ones do you follow?

The old Tony Robbins saying that the best way to deal with emotion is with motion. That if you change the mechanics in your life, the improvements will follow. Looking at life and the things that happen as systematic processes and making changes to those mechanical steps can improve the outcome. That “wanting” and “wishing” don’t really do much without action.

What is your grand, audacious goal? What do you wish people would know, believe, do? 

My goal is to empower patients. That’s it. I’m not the biggest fan of people who believe they are destined to the health conditions of their parents. I believe that tends to be an excuse. We know what to do, we just need to do it. Functional medicine testing gives us the laser focus to know what needs to be done without the paralysis by information overload.

Where do you live? 

I live in the south suburbs of Chicago with my wife and two kids.

Do you have any family members or pets to include in your bio?

My wife and two kids are my guinea pigs with everything I learn. Between testing and supplements, they have helped me develop protocols for patients over the past several years.

Do you have any other passions or personal goals that you would like to share?

A goofy passion for water skiing. I believe everyone should learn.

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

I spend most of my time with my family golfing, fishing, and traveling.