Meet Dr. Lucas Gafken
- Board-certified Chiropractic Neurologist
- Functional Medicine Specialist
- 15+ Years Clinical Experince
- National Functional Medicine Educator since 2016
15+ Years Experience
Complex chronic conditions
Nationwide Telehealth
Functional medicine remotely
Advanced Therapies
Shockwave, Laser, Decompression
About Dr. Gafken
Dr. Lucas Gafken is a board-certified chiropractic neurologist, diplomate of the American Chiropractic Neurology Board, and functional medicine practitioner with more than 15 years of experience helping patients who feel stuck, overlooked, or without answers finally make sense of their health.
As a second-generation chiropractor, Dr. Gafken was introduced early to a different way of thinking about healthcare—one that focuses on understanding the whole person, not just treating isolated symptoms. Growing up in his father’s clinic, he saw firsthand the impact of truly listening to patients and looking deeper when others had stopped searching.
That philosophy continues to shape his work today.
After earning his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life University in 2009, Dr. Gafken pursued extensive advanced training in functional medicine, endocrinology, metabolic health, and neurological rehabilitation. His clinical background includes in-depth work with hormone balance, thyroid disorders such as Hashimoto’s disease, blood chemistry analysis, brain health, and functional diagnostic testing.
In his practice, Dr. Gafken focuses on patients dealing with complex, chronic conditions—especially those who haven’t found success with traditional approaches. Rather than viewing the body as separate systems, he works to uncover how the brain, immune system, thyroid, digestion, and metabolism are all connected—and how disruptions in one area can affect the whole.
Patients often come to Dr. Gafken after years of frustration. His goal is not just to provide answers, but to help them feel heard, understood, and supported throughout the process—while creating a clear, individualized path forward.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Gafken has lectured extensively to other healthcare professionals on functional neurology, functional medicine, and neuroimmunology.
Courses Dr. Gafken has instructed include:
Mastering The Thyroid
Mastering Functional Blood Chemistry
Functional Endocrinology
Mastering Brain Chemistry
Inflammatory and Autoimmune Signaling Systems
Neuroendocrine Immunology of SIBO
Gluten-Leaky Gut-Autoimmune Connection
Food Allergies and Sensitivities in the New Millennium
Brain-Gut Axis
Neuroendocrine Immunology of Environmental Toxicity
And more…..
What Makes
Dr. Gafken Different
Most patients who come to our clinic have done everything they were told to do—yet still don’t feel like themselves. They’ve seen multiple providers, completed standard testing, and have often been told everything looks “normal.” But they know something isn’t right.
At our clinic, we don’t dismiss that—we build our entire approach around it.
Dr. Gafken combines advanced functional medicine with the principles of functional neurology to take a deeper, systems-based view of your health. Rather than chasing isolated symptoms, we evaluate how the thyroid, gut, metabolism, immune system, and nervous system are all working together. Because when one system is off, it affects everything.
Through advanced testing, detailed analysis, and clinical experience, we identify the underlying patterns driving your symptoms—whether it’s fatigue, brain fog, digestive issues, neuropathy, inflammation, chronic pain, or unresolved thyroid conditions.
From there, we create a structured, highly personalized plan tailored specifically to your body.
Intentional. Targeted. Comprehensive.
The goal isn’t simply to manage symptoms—it’s to understand them, address their root cause, and restore the way your body is meant to function.
What Patients Say
How Our Process Works
Working with Dr. Gafken follows a clear, step-by-step process designed to uncover the root causes behind your symptoms and create a precise, personalized plan for your health.
Comprehensive Consultation
Your first appointment is focused on understanding the complete picture of your health — not just your symptoms.
During this visit, we take the time to explore:
- Your current symptoms and primary concerns
- Previous diagnoses and treatments
- Past laboratory testing and results
- Lifestyle factors that may be influencing your health
This conversation is designed to uncover patterns and connections that are often missed in traditional, symptom-based care.
Advanced Laboratory Testing
To truly understand what’s happening beneath the surface, deeper testing is often required.
Based on your history and symptoms, Dr. Gafken may recommend:
- Comprehensive blood chemistry testing
- Stool testing to assess gut health and microbiome balance
- Food sensitivity testing
- Saliva hormone assessment
These tests allow us to identify underlying imbalances that are frequently overlooked with basic lab work.
Where Testing Takes Place
For bloodwork, patients are referred to trusted, nationwide lab networks such as Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp, allowing for convenient local testing.
Specialized functional medicine testing (such as stool or microbiome analysis) is completed through at-home kits shipped directly to you.
This allows both local and out-of-state patients to complete testing without needing to travel to the clinic.
In-Depth Lab Review & Clinical Analysis
Once your results are available, we schedule a dedicated lab review appointment.
During this visit, Dr. Gafken will walk you through:
- What your results reveal
- How different systems in your body are interacting
- The underlying patterns contributing to your symptoms
This is where clarity begins, turning complex data into a clear understanding of what’s actually going on in your body.
Ongoing Support & Progress Tracking
Chronic conditions develop over time, and resolving them requires a thoughtful, adaptive approach.
Follow-up visits allow us to:
- Monitor your progress
- Adjust your plan as needed
- Continue refining your strategy for optimal results
Many patients begin noticing meaningful improvements within a few months, though timelines vary depending on individual complexity.
Local Care & Nationwide Telehealth
✅ While our clinic is based in the Carmel, IN, we work with patients across the country through telehealth.
✅ Our process is centered around advanced testing and detailed consultations—you can complete everything from your local area using nearby labs and at-home test kits.
✅ This allows you to access a high-level, investigative approach to your health—no matter where you live.
If you’ve been told everything looks normal but still don’t feel right—this is where to start.