Meet the "SA-FAMily"

Meet the professional, knowledgeable, and friendly Doctors and staff of San Antonio Family Alternative Medicine 

Dr. J. Lara Sweeney, DC. IFM.
Functional Diagnostic Medicine &
Advanced Clinical Nutrition

I know firsthand what it feels like to be a slave to modern medicine.  I was diagnosed with depression, told I had a brain chemical imbalance, and written a prescription for antidepressants.  I took them for more than a decade, hating every minute of having to rely on a mind-altering drug just to feel normal.  Years later, in 2002, I went on a salmon kick.  I didn't know why, but I craved the fish and ate it every night for six weeks before I found myself reading a book that discussed how salmon and other foods could supply the needed nutrients for balancing out brain chemicals.  My first thought was, "you mean I can eat these things and maybe not need to rely on prescription drugs?" and my second thought was, "I've got to share this with the world!"  Eagerly and carefully, I acted as my own physician and used nutrition instead of pharmaceuticals to correct my body's physiology.

It worked.  Today I am completely prescription-free, and have been since 2002.  My only complaint is, I had to do this on my own; I could never find a doctor who knew enough about body physiology to be able to help me.  This motivated us to open our own clinic and help others with these same problems, to let people know they have options.  I've helped people with depression, thyroid problems, anxiety, insomnia, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, mental fog, chronic fatigue, eczema and psoriasis, and more.  I've done my best to become the doctor I've always wanted but could never find: respectful, open-minded, compassionate, knowledgeable, and affordable.  Someone who would actually take TIME with patients, treat them as individuals, listen to them, and offer a variety of treatment avenues.  You're worth more than 3 minutes and a pill!

Dr. Jay Sweeney, DC, BS. NMT.
Advanced Chiropractic & Functional Neurology

I spent 19 years as a 911 Police, Fire, and Medical dispatcher.  People put their faith and trust in my hands during some of the most trying times of their lives, and letting them down was never an option.  In short, my job was to assess seemingly unsolvable problems, and creatively utilize any resource necessary to resolve issues quickly, efficiently, and effectively. When I became a chiropractic doctor, I brought my experience and wisdom into practice with me.

I take pride in my unique approach to chiropractic health care.  I use specific testing and diagnostic procedures to locate and identify the cause of a particular problem; I then blend many different adjusting styles, associated muscle and deep tissue work, and other tricks of the trade in order to fix the problem rather than just cover up its symptoms.   My goal is to show you what "Good" actually feels like, so when you stop feeling good, you'll know when to schedule your next appointment; remember, pain is the last symptom to appear, and the first symptom to disappear; feeling no pain doesn't mean your problem is gone.

Are you trying to avoid surgery, looking to eliminate chronic pain or discomfort, working on a better golf swing, or wanting to see your child gain a competitive edge or do better in school? Or, are you simply wishing to feel your best?   Part of my job as a respectable doctor is to educate both you, and your family, and help you understand what options may be available to you before more drastic measures are considered.  I'm more than your family doctor; I am also your neighbor, and the health of our whole community is why I do what I do.

Both Dr. Jay and Dr. Lara Sweeney's education consists of 8 years of pre-med and chiropractic medical education (including a 16-month internship), and over 3 years of post-doctoral education:

• Doctor of Chiropractic - Parker College of Chiropractic
• BS, Anatomy - Parker College of Chiropractic
• BS, Health & Wellness - Parker College of Chiropractic
• Functional Neurology - Carrick Institute
  
• Functional Blood Chemistry - University of Bridgeport
• Functional Endocrinology - University of Bridgeport
• Mastering the Thyroid - University of Bridgeport
• Neurotransmitters & Brain - University of Bridgeport
• Activator Methods, Level 1 - Dr. A. Fuhr
  
• Chiropractic Adjusting w/ Functional Neurology - Dr. John Donofrio
• Perinatal Care: Webster Certification - ICPA
• Chiropractic Family Wellness Care - ICPA
  
• Y-Files 2010 - Dr. John Donofrio
• M.L.S. - Dr. Arno Burnier

Board Certifications & Licenses:

• Doctor of Chiropractic - Texas
  
• National Board of Chiropractic Examiners - Part I, II, III, IV
• National Board of Chiropractic Examiners - Physical Therapy
• Massage Therapy License - Texas
  
• Neuromuscular Therapy Certification - Texas
  

Dr. Lara's Current Areas of Study / Future Plans:

• Board Certification by the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board (CCN)
• Diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Neurology (DACNB)
• American College of Functional Neurology Fellowship (FACFN)
  
• Texas State Certification for Massage Therapy Instructor (MTI)

 Dr . Jay's Current Areas of Study / Future Plans

• Diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Neurology (DACNB)
• American College of Functional Neurology Fellowship (FACFN)
  

Marisol Martinez, LMT. NMT. EMT-B/I.
Neuromuscular Therapist

I'm originally from the Rio Grande Valley where I graduated from high school in Edinburg TX. After attending a year at UTPA, I moved to San Antonio and continued my education at San Antonio College where I completed my coursework in 2000 to become an EMT-B/I.

After three years in the field as an EMT, and after a life altering event, I realized and made the decision to pursue a more natural approach to health and wellness: There had to be a better way to obtain it. In 2005 I enrolled in the massage therapy program at Austin School of Massage Therapy. I knew I always had a strong intuition about other things and found in massage school that I had a strong intuition about the body as well. With massage skills in hand I set off on my career and journey to explore the muscles of the human body with a new found knowledge and passion.

By 2006 I was a Licensed Massage Therapist and have been enjoying the field ever since. I have extended training in deep tissue massage, trigger point massage, and myofacsial release. I have also studied with a Reiki Master and am a Reiki level I practitioner. My beliefs in health lie in a more natural approach and deal with finding the imbalance in the body as opposed to causing more imbalance by creating symptoms with chemicals or surgery. Ultimately, my aspiration is to become a Doctor of Naturopathy and help patients with such imbalances. As a massage therapist, I have only begun to explore my path as a facilitator of the body and soul.