Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) is a complex, multi-system condition triggered by exposure to water-damaged buildings, biotoxins, and related environmental stressors. Patients often struggle for years with fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, pain, hormonal imbalance, and gut dysbiosis before receiving an accurate explanation for their symptoms.
Dr. Andrea Jordheim, DC, CFMP brings a rare depth of clinical and research-level expertise to this area. She serves on the Scientific Advisory Board for the CIRS Research Foundation and is actively engaged in ongoing research alongside Dr. Christian Navarro-Torres,Ph.D. at CIRS Lab, contributing to the emerging science of how biotoxin illness affects the body at a cellular and systemic level.
request an appointmentWhat is Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome?
CIRS develops in genetically susceptible individuals following exposure to water-damaged buildings or other biotoxin environments. Because the immune system cannot properly identify and clear the toxin, it continues mounting an inflammatory response long after the initial exposure has ended. This can produce a wide range of symptoms affecting multiple body systems simultaneously, often becoming progressive and chronic over time.
What are the symptoms of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome?
Common symptoms associated with CIRS include:
- Fatigue and exercise intolerance
- Cognitive difficulties and memory concerns
- Dizziness and body weakness
- Headaches
- Body aches and sharp pain
- Histamine and environmental sensitivities
- Hormone imbalance
- Shortness of Breath
- Gastrointestinal distress
How Dr. Jordheim Support CIRS Clients
In practice, Dr. Jordheim applies this research-informed perspective to evaluate clients with a history of biotoxin exposure and complex multi-system symptoms using a comprehensive, multi-system investigative process, including specialized CIRS laboratory testing, gastrointestinal and microbiome analysis, methylation and nutrient status profiling, detoxification pathway assessment, assessment of immune and inflammatory patterns through laboratory analysis, hormonal and metabolic pattern review through functional laboratory testing, and individualized root-cause wellness protocols tailored to each patient’s unique biology.
Her approach is also informed by a critical and often overlooked structural dimension: the role of the upper cervical spine in CIRS recovery. The upper cervical region directly influences brainstem function, influences cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, supports vagal tone, and neurological signaling, all of which are commonly disrupted in biotoxin illness. Structural compromise at the atlas and axis can perpetuate neuroinflammation, impair the body’s detoxification signaling, and stall recovery even when other interventions are in place. Addressing upper cervical alignment as part of a comprehensive CIRS protocol supports the nervous system’s capacity to regulate, heal, and respond.
Her goal is to help patients understand what is driving their illness, build a clear picture of their biology, and support the body’s natural capacity to recover through a structured, root-cause approach that integrates both clinical investigation and structural care.
Working with a CIRS-Proficient Team
She works alongside physicians and other licensed professionals who are trained in CIRS diagnosis and medical management to ensure clients receive coordinated, comprehensive care. If you have been told your labs are “normal” but you continue to struggle, or if you have a known history of mold or biotoxin exposure, Dr. Jordheim’s clinical process may provide the clarity and direction you have been looking for.
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