Northwest Functional Neurology – Glen Zielinski, DC, DACNB, FACN

I was referred to Northwest Functional Neurology after experiencing an odd health event that ended with months of numbness, tingling, weakness, anxiety and exhaustion. After talking to me for the obligatory 15 – 20 minutes, my family doctor suggested I had MS and ran some blood tests. My test came back «great»…nothing seemed wrong I was told. I then switched to a naturopath who read my blood tests and said all was NOT well. I started IV Vitamin Therapy, I was placed on a suggested Paleo/​GF diet and was put on Dr. Zielinksi’s waiting list for testing.
I was told VERY clearly upon booking my appointment at NW Functional Neurology that it would be three days of testing. It was clear with the description and booking procedures that my insurance did not cover this. She even told me that it was sometimes tiring, so bring a friend or ride. I also used the power of the internet to research «functional neurology» before I even stepped in the door. I felt very clear the goals of the practice and what it entailed.
My experience has been nothing but positive. I had experienced a mild brain injury from a fall that COULD have ended up with me being on Multiple Sclerosis medication had I stayed on with my family practice doctors. My diagnosis with NW Functional Medicine was fairly swift and I have referred (with confidence) many friends who have suffered from vertigo, seizures, migraines, back/​neck issues, concussions, etc.
The «sobbing» and confused” review is understandable only to the point that I am sure she was scared and nervous about the state of her health, but after 3 years of excellent service and every question I have ever had promptly answered, I would have to question this experience.
I highly recommend this group of medical professionals.

I have been treating with NW Functional Neurology/​Dr. Zielinski for over a year. I came there in distress, in severe pain, exhausted after seeing multiple doctors with no relief. I had thorough testing to diagnose the problems, Dr. Z actually spends time with his patients and listens to their complaints. He correctly diagnosed everything within first 2 appointments and I started receiving treatment that was very beneficial to me. It’s a busy practice, but the staff does everything to accommodate patients’ schedules. I can say that the doctors and staff truly care for their patients and do everything for the patients to get well. I consider myself lucky to have NW Functional Neurology in Oregon, accessible to me. Thank you to all the doctors and staff for everything you do and for giving me relief and hope.

I’m writing this review after just one appointment with Dr. Zielinski at NW Functional Neurology. My feedback may change after I’ve had more visits, but at this point, I am writing primarily to provide a second voice to the existing very negative review.
First, I understood from the beginning that this was a chiropractic practice. I have terrible neck and back pain as a result of many things, including the autoimmune disorder, ankylosing spondilitis, for which I see a rheumatologist and take heavy painkillers. My pain is off the charts. One of my clients was in a very bad car accident and also suffered horrible pain; she referred me to two doctors, one a traditional MD and the other a DC (doctor of chiropractic). I asked her which one had helped her the most, and she said Dr. Zielinski. So, I made an appointment and had the first one today.
First the director of treatment modalities took all my vitals, including blood pressure on both sides of my body, sitting and standing. Then another DC came in (not Dr. Zielinski) and took a very thorough history. By the time Dr. Zielinksi came in, these guys had already spent more time assessing me than my primary care doctor, an MD, has spent on all my checkups combined. I’ve been to chiropractors before, and so I was not surprised by this.
I also was not surprised that my insurance wouldn’t be of much use and that I would need multiple appts., which is common for things like chiropractic and physical therapy. So, I think this practice deserves to be reviewed by someone who knew what kind of doctor they were seeing. You don’t give a dentist a lousy review because they can’t fix a broken bone; that’s not the kind of doctor they are! I’m also the kind of person who, if I saw a naturopath for something and they referred me to another doctor, would not be surprised if that second doctor was also an alternative medicine practitioner.
Nothing that was said or done to me during my first two-​hour appt. made me sob. The doctor did provide a lot of information, something I’ve experienced with other doctors, and I know that if I want to remember everything that is said at a doctor visit, I need to bring my husband. I am in a lot of pain all of the time, which makes it hard for me to deal sometimes, and as a result, I, too, can have moments of confusion. I didn’t feel overwhelmed by the information provided, however.
As for paperwork, I got a really different impression. Dr. Zielinski said he wanted copies of the X-​rays done by my rheumatologist because he didn’t want to touch my neck without making sure it was safe to do so, since my condition can lead to fusion of the bones, in which case, a chiropractic adjustment could make things worse. Pretty responsible of him, if you ask me. Anyway, they told me that in order to get a copy of the X-​rays, Dr. Zielinksi would need to write up a report of the visit, which he would do «right away» in order to facilitate getting my other records. I guess normally, it would take a while. I can understand that. If he spends as much time with each patient as he did with me, that doesn’t leave very much time in a day for report-​writing. However, I am sure he writes them as soon as he is ethically and legally required to do.
Lastly, before I left today, the doctor did okay one procedure to help with the pain, just the application of an infrared laser. It did help. A lot. I’m still speechless about that part!
I’ll be back later after further appts, and, who knows, maybe I’ll hate the place… or maybe I’ll love it. But, either way, at least the review will be by someone who knew from the beginning what kind of doctor she was seeing.
Oh, and about the practice taking new patients — what if they were so full of existing patients, they wouldn’t take anyone new? My question then would be: doesn’t anyone going here get better? Or do they just keep going forever? I’m glad there are patient openings. That means people get better and stop going!

I didn’t know this so want to make sure you do; Functional Neurology is a branch of chiropractic medicine. I wondered why everyone was referred to as «doctor» even though they just didn’t seem like it but later, I put it together.
I was referred to NW Functional Neurology by my naturopath after having a seizure (yes, I realize how woo woo that sounds). I was told that it would be a neurologist that follows more of a natural approach.
I had two visits, both with rigorous testing. Both sets of tests made me feel like I had another seizure. I would go through 45 mins or so of «testing» then would sit down with Dr. Zielinski while he went over the results.
After the 1^st visit, I sobbed on the car ride home because I felt so terribly confused. I had a hard time remembering what they told me. My brain felt scrambled and it was awful.
During the 2^nd visit, I sobbed throughout the testing, again feeling completely shaken. At the results discussion with Dr. Zielinski afterward, he told me was that I was going to need to come in (to Lake Oswego) 3 times a week for several weeks of treatment. I still didn’t really understand what was going on so I asked for a write-​up with a summary and treatment plan to review when I wasn’t feeling so scrambled. I was told that «historically» they were «always behind on paperwork and that just wouldn’t be possible» but I was «welcome to bring my phone to the next visit and record what was said». That seemed shady to me. Why couldn’t, at the very least, a summary be made?
After my 2^nd visit, I realized that I deeply question the ethics of a medical facility that will shake you up so much that you feel broken and then dump a ton of hard-​to-​grasp information on you without offering anything in writing. I told them that I would schedule the follow-​up appointments after I got written information and then never heard from them again.
Also, one should be wary of a medical office that has a permanent sign on the door that says «Accepting New Patients».
If I could, I would give zero stars. Multiple things felt off and irresponsible about this place.