Dr. Victoria Chang DO

Optimal Health for Life

About Us: Dr. Victoria Chang, DO 



Integrative Health Care from a Functional Medicine, Environmental Medicine lens


Victoria Chang, D.O. provides integrative health care in San Antonio, Texas that promotes optimal health and healing for the whole body. Dr. Chang believes that you are integrated unit of mind, body and spirit and that the body is capable of healing itself. Her goal is to enhance and restart your body's self-healing capacity.

     

Victoria Chang, D.O. utilizes osteopathic manipulation and nutritional means to activate this inherent healing capacity and counteract chronic disease processes. She also looks at proper nutrition, sleep, and exercise to promote a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Obtaining a detailed environmental history can be an important step to optimal health. 

    

She feels strongly that when you are truly healthy, you can live life to your fullest. Her goal is to help patients be pain free, at their physical optimum, with plenty of energy and creativity. Your mind and body can heal itself and  regain optimal health through the therapeutic treatments provided by Dr. Chang. 

    

For an appointment, call or text 210 910-5155.

Biography


Dr. Chang graduated Cum Laude with a concentration in Biology from Harvard University in 2003, after which she did research on influenza at the National Institutes of Health for two years prior to starting medical school. She then graduated from Nova-Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2009 and completed a residency in Internal Medicine in 2012 from Loma Linda University. After this she completed a fellowship in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulation in Michigan in 2013. In 2017, she added Integrative Medicine certification. She is currently board-certified in Internal Medicine, Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine & Osteopathic Manipulation, and Integrative Medicine. Dr. Chang has been practicing since 2013. 

Special Interests


Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) for infants, children, and adults 

Environmental Medicine including non-heavy metals and heavy metals evaluation 

Nutritional profiling via genetic testing and laboratory work


Osteopathic Manipulation

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)

OMT is the term used to describe the use of manual techniques for the treatment of abnormal tissue tensions, skeletal misalignment and restrictions of motion.  These abnormalities are found after performing a history and physical examination.

The techniques range from very gentle, with the use of light pressure, to articular and thrust techniques.  Regardless of the technique used, the goal of OMT is to return the body structure to normal, so that body function is restored.   The results are decreased pain, improved blood and lymphatic flow, breathing and cellular activity.


Osteopathic manipulation is useful for treating:

 

  • Sinus disorders
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Headaches
  • Post-partum depression
  • Cognitive dysfunction from head trauma
  • Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
  • Neck pain
  • Plagiocephaly (mishapen head in infants)
  • Feeding difficulties in infant
  • Pain from previous accidents and injuries


Cranial OMT and Dentistry

  

Cranial OMT is OMT for the bones and tissues of the head.  The bones of the head are connected to each other by joints called sutures and connective tissues called dura mater.  The entire cranium moves in a gentle, rhythmic expansion and contraction cycle.  These motions are not visible to the naked eye but can be felt by trained practitioners.  Restriction of this motion due to misalignment of the joints can cause symptoms such as headache, tooth, jaw or face pain.  Sometimes, more subtle symptoms such as dizziness, mental fogginess, fatigue, irritability, sleep difficulty, and mood changes can develop.  These are changes related to the functions of the brain being affected by the structure of the cranium. 


Dental work and orthodontia, while necessary for the overall health of the patient, can sometimes lead to misalignment of the cranial bones, since shifting the teeth can shift the bones they are attached to and so on.  Often, the cranial bones return to normal position and function within a few days, but when they don’t, cranial OMT can help. 


Orthodontia can also affect the rest of the body since the alignment of the teeth and jaw can affect spinal alignment. These symptoms are more subtle, such as back aches or inability to sit up straight.  OMT can help the body adjust to the orthodontia.

 


   

 

Medical Detoxification

Chelation and Nutritional Therapies

We are constantly exposed to toxins on a daily basis in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat and the personal care products we use. The toxins we are exposed to include plasticizers, insecticides, herbicides, pesticides, electric and magnetic fields  (EMFs) and heavy metals.


Our exposure to the non-heavy metal toxins, especially through the consumption of genetically modified food products is increasing to alarming levels.  These toxins can affect multiple organs and cause a multitude of physical symptoms. Current exposure as well as damage to the DNA can be assessed via a urine test.


Daily exposure to toxic heavy metals including cadmium, mercury, lead and arsenic persists in the United States. A common daily exposure to mercury occurs via amalgam dental fillings, the silver fillings that are placed for cavities. Routine blood work will not often reveal these unless there is significant current exposure. However, these toxic metals are stored in our bones, kidneys, brain and fat tissue and impact multiple functions of the body including the nervous system, the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal system, kidneys and reproductive system.


  

Sympoms related to environmental exposure are quite non-specific such as brain fog, memory loss, chronic pain in muscles and joints, chronic fatigue, headaches and chronic infections such as candida. Basically the toxins, particularly the metals cause oxidative damange. Think of your car when rust eats away the car. This is what is happening to your body on the inside causing inflammation, which long-term will lead to signficant damage to the cardiovascular system. The inflammation effects the walls of your blood vessels, this can lead to medical issues such as high blood pressure and blocked arteries.

  

In our office we do chelation therapy orally to bind these toxic metals and/or a nutritional protocol to support the liver in detoxification. Chelation removes both toxic and essential metals, thus mineral supplementation is important part of treatment. Chelation has a long standing history in medicine, dating back to the 1940's when it was used on workers who were exposed to contaminated lead at the Brooklyn Navy Yard during World War II. Following treatment for this exposure to lead, the individuals that had angina (chest pain) had significant improvements in their angina as well as circulation. Since that time, other studies have been done showing improvements in cardiovascular health with chelation, particularly in patients with existing diabetes mellitus. 


SERVICES


New Patient Adult 60 min

Comprehensive history and physical, evaluation determines recommended treatments



New Patient Child (12 and under) 60 min

Comprehensive history and physical, evaluation determines recommended treatments



Follow-up Adult 60 min


Follow-up Adult 30 min


Follow-up Child (12 and under) 30 min



Dr. Chang does not accept insurance plans and payment is  due at the time of service.  Patients receive a superbill that can be submitted to their insurance company.  








Orenda International Products


Neurobiologix Products


ASEA Redox Products

CONTACT US

Dr. Chang offers free 15 min phone consults

Office: 210 910-5155

Fax: 210 829-8124


Dr. Victoria Chang is located in the Complementary Dental Office on the 2nd Floor

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

CHECK OUT SOME OF OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS. IF YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS, JUST CONTACT US.

What is a DO?


Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine are fully licensed physicians who emphasize health, wellness, and recognize the importance of the alignment and function of the musculoskeletal system.


They adhere to a holistic philosophy:

A person is a unified being of mind, body and spirit.

The body is self-healing.

Body structure and function are interrelated.

Rational treatment is based on these principles.

 

You do not accept insurance, will your services be reimbursed?


At every appointment the office staff provides a superbill for the office visit that you can submit directly to your insurance company.

The amount reimbursed depends on your out-of-network benefits.Every insurance company is different and has a separate form that needs to be completed and submitted with the superbill.

Conventional laboratory tests through laboratory providers such as Quest are usually covered as specified by your insurance.

What should I expect at a first visit?


The office visit begins with a history, physical exam, and review of available medical records.  OMT may or may not be performed on the first visit.

 

For children, they love to be active, so parents are encouraged to bring toys, books, or electronic devices which the child can play with while laying on his/her back. Most of the OMT is performed with the child on his/her back.

 

What should I expect after an osteopathic manipulative treatment?


OMT is very safe to perform in patients of all ages, including newborns and children.  However, occasionally children may experience slight alterations in activity level, appetite, sleep pattern, or mood.  These changes are usually transient and should resolve in 24 hours.  If not, please call Dr. Chang and let her know.  After OMT, children and adults should be encouraged to drink water. Often adults can feel sore and tired for up to 72 hours after a treatment. Plenty of water and not engaging in strenuous activity is helpful for 24 hours after a treatment.