Gordon Medical Forum

Structural instability in the upper cervical spine is showing up more frequently in patients with complex chronic illness, yet most practitioners miss the connection between craniocervical issues and symptoms like dysautonomia, MCAS, and debilitating headaches.
Dr. Nafysa Parpia sits down with Dr. Andrew Maxwell, the pediatric cardiologist who identified Spiky-Leaky Syndrome, in which intracranial pressure alternates daily with CSF leaks, driven by breathing patterns and structural compression.
Dr. Maxwell explains the diagnostic signs and why this may be the missing link in treating tick-borne disease, Long COVID, ME/CFS, and fibromyalgia.
Episode Highlights:
Spiky-Leaky Syndrome involves cyclical intracranial pressure surges and CSF leaks, presenting with alternating headaches, dysautonomia, and cranial nerve dysfunction
Cranial nerves IX–XII often compress near C1, contributing to vagal dysregulation, tinnitus, dysphagia, and autonomic instability
Mast cell activation and connective tissue laxity compromise craniocervical stability, worsening POTS and autonomic dysfunction
Diagnosis combines CO2 monitoring, cone beam CT imaging, and venogram assessment of jugular compression
Listen in to learn more :
 
[0:00:00] Spiky Leaky Syndrome as a Missing Link in Complex Illness
[0:01:46] Daily High-Pressure/Low-Pressure CSF Cycle Explained
[0:03:55] Cranial Nerve Injury Pentad and Symptom Constellation
[0:07:24] Pseudo-Eagle Syndrome and Stylohyoid Ligament Calcification
[0:09:24] Environmental Triggers, Mast Cells, and Focal Hypermobility
[0:12:01] Rethinking MCAS, Dysautonomia, and Hypermobility Diagnosis
[0:15:21] From Pediatric Cardiology to Systems View of POTS and CCI
[0:19:02] POTS as a Physiologic State and Blood Pooling Mechanism
[0:22:00] Lifestyle, Exercise, Compression, and the “Big Five” POTS Meds
[0:24:47] Clinical Workup and Testing Strategy for Spiky Leaky
[0:27:24] Internal Jugular Compression and CSF Flow Pathways
[0:30:03] Individualized Treatment: Diamox, Airway, and CCI-Focused Rehab

About Andrew Maxwell, MD
Dr. Andrew Maxwell is a Board Certified Pediatric Cardiologist specializing in dysautonomia, hypermobility syndromes, and mast cell activation syndrome. His research focuses on endothelial control of vasomotor tone, nitric oxide, and the relationship between environmental toxins and autonomic dysfunction. He identified Spiky-Leaky Syndrome and has published numerous articles and book chapters on complex chronic illness. 

Learn more about Dr. Maxwell https://www.heartofthevalley.us/

RESOURCES 
Gordon Medical Associates 
Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gordonmedical.com/ 
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/gordonmedical/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GordonMedicalAssociates

Gordon Medical Forum
Website: https://gordonmedicalforum.com/
Plasmapheresis at Gordon Medical
Website: https://plasmapheresiswest.com/

💬 Text us your feedback and future show ideas! (Please note we can't respond to texts - email questions to info@gordonmedical.com)

Interested in Becoming A Patient?

Find out if working with Gordon Medical is right for you. Set up a complimentary discovery call with our new patient coordinator at www.gordonmedical.com.

** This information is not to be taken as medical advice. Always consult your practitioner before making any changes to your treatment.

Most patients with chronic illness focus on biochemistry while overlooking how physical structure affects inflammation, lymphatic drainage, and immune function. Dr. Eric Gordon sits down with Dr. Yonatan Whitten to discuss how loss of spinal curves and foot arches increases all-cause mortality, impairs tissue oxygenation, and perpetuates chronic illness.
Dr. Whitten explains why modern footwear weakens foot muscles and flattens arches, how forward head posture reduces lung capacity by 33% and increases chronic neck pain eighteen-fold, and why simple interventions can restore normal structure and reduce inflammatory burden.
Episode Highlights:
Loss of cervical, lumbar, and foot arch curves increases all-cause mortality and reduces functional capacity
Modern shoes weaken foot muscles by 17% in just two weeks
Forward head posture reduces lung capacity 33%, increases neck pain eighteen-fold, and impairs lymphatic drainage
Simple interventions reduce disc compression and pain
Listen in to learn more : 
[0:01:16] Returning the Body to “Normal” Homeostasis
[0:02:17] Daily Rhythms as Therapeutic Levers
[0:03:05] Structural Load as a Driver of Stress
[0:05:00] The Lifelong Story of Spinal Curves
[0:06:04] Efficiency Curves and Energy Conservation
[0:07:01] Loss of Curves, Loss of Function, Higher Mortality
[0:08:27] The Foot Arch as a Spring and “Second Heart”
[0:10:00] Collapsed Arches, Pump Failure, and Energy Loss
[0:12:06] Plantar Fasciitis as Structural Breakdown
[0:12:32] Modern Footwear as Structural Sabotage
[0:13:49] Heels, Toe Spring, and Chronic Tissue Strain
[0:15:00] Arch Supports as “Braces” That Weaken Muscles
[0:16:50] Cushioned Shoes, Harder Landings, Weaker Feet
[0:18:10] Minimalist Walking as Built‑In Foot Rehab
[0:19:05] Preserving Secondary Curves to Prevent Pain

About Yonatan Whitten, DC
Dr. Yonatan Whitten is an expert in the art & science of permanent pain resolution. In addition to his hands-on work with patients over the last 20 years, Dr. Whitten has spent years conducting research and studying with experts in functional neurology, manual medicine & rehabilitation.

Learn about the new science of pain resolution in Dr. Whitten’s free webinar 
https://painfixprotocol.com/referral.html?p=GMA&w=webinar 

Gordon Medical Associates 
Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gordonmedical.com/ 
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/gordonmedical/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GordonMedicalAssociates 

Gordon Medical Forum
Website: https://gordonmedicalforum.com/

Plasmapheresis at Gordon Medical
Website: https://plasmapheresiswest.com/

💬 Text us your feedback and future show ideas! (Please note we can't respond to texts - email questions to info@gordonmedical.com)

Interested in Becoming A Patient?

Find out if working with Gordon Medical is right for you. Set up a complimentary discovery call with our new patient coordinator at www.gordonmedical.com.

** This information is not to be taken as medical advice. Always consult your practitioner before making any changes to your treatment.

The body doesn't forget. Every surgery, injury, infection, and chronic stressor leaves a mark on the nervous system, and for many patients with complex chronic illness, it's those accumulated imprints that are keeping them sick. 
Dr. Eric Gordon sits down with Dr. Alex Egerter, a DO who specializes in neural therapy and regenerative medicine, to explore how targeted injections of procaine can interrupt these deeply embedded nervous system patterns and open the door to healing that other therapies alone can't access.
Episode Highlights:
Why scars and old injuries create "interference fields" that silently disrupt the entire nervous system
How the stellate ganglion block is being used for Long COVID, PTSD, anxiety, and sleep disorders
The difference between procaine and longer-acting anesthetics, and why shorter is better for nervous system reset
Why neural therapy has real limitations when active infections are still present
How combining neural therapy with osteopathic manipulation unlocks a level of healing neither can achieve alone
Listen in to learn more : 
[0:00:00] Nervous System Reset As Key To Chronic Illness
[0:00:57] Neural Therapy Basics And Modern Use Cases
[0:02:35] Procaine’s Unique Effects On Autonomics
[0:05:56] Scars As Hidden Drivers Of Systemic Dysfunction
[0:09:02] Nervous System Memory And Chronic Illness Patterns
[0:20:03] Blood Flow, Fight-Or-Flight, And Organ Function
[0:26:57] Synergy Of Neural Therapy And Osteopathy

Resources 

Gordon Medical Associates 
Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gordonmedical.com/ 
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/gordonmedical/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GordonMedicalAssociates

Gordon Medical Forum
Website: https://gordonmedicalforum.com/
Insgram: https://www.instagram.com/gordonmedicalforum/

Plasmapheresis at Gordon Medical
Website: https://plasmapheresiswest.com/

- - - - - 
About Alex Egerter, DO
Dr. Alex Egerter trained in Osteopathic Neuromuscular Medicine and Emergency Medicine, and completed a three-year apprenticeship in integrative pain medicine. He served as a frontline emergency physician in New York City during the 2020 COVID pandemic, deepening his commitment to patients with long COVID, ME/CFS, PTSD, and nervous system dysregulation. He specializes in neural therapy, regenerative medicine, and Osteopathic manipulation, with particular expertise in stellate ganglion blocks, platelet-rich plasma, prolotherapy, and cranial Osteopathy.

Dr. Egerter is seeing patients at Gordon Medical Associates. Learn more and view his full bio https://gordonmedical.com/alex-egerter/

💬 Text us your feedback and future show ideas! (Please note we can't respond to texts - email questions to info@gordonmedical.com)

Interested in Becoming A Patient?

Find out if working with Gordon Medical is right for you. Set up a complimentary discovery call with our new patient coordinator at www.gordonmedical.com.

** This information is not to be taken as medical advice. Always consult your practitioner before making any changes to your treatment.

Plasmapheresis is having a moment, from hospital neurology wards to biohacker clinics to celebrity wellness trends. But what is it actually doing, and who does it really help? 
Dr. Eric Gordon joins Dr. Nafysa Parpia for a deep dive into one of the most talked-about therapies in complex chronic illness and longevity medicine. They discuss how TPE differs from EBOO, IVIG, and inuspheresis and make clear that it is not a standalone cure. In the right person, at the right time, with the right preparation, it can help shift a system that's been stuck in chronic inflammation for years.
The discussion covers everything from PANS and PANDAS in children to Long COVID, Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, and even healthy adults looking to protect cognitive function as they age. 
Dr. Gordon draws on years of clinical experience to explain why preparation matters, why most clinics aren't testing deeply enough, and what happens when you skip the foundational work.
Episode Highlights:
What plasmapheresis actually removes, autoantibodies, environmental toxins, senescent proteins, and why that matters for chronic illness
How it differs from EBOO, IVIG, and the double-filtration inuspheresis therapies coming from Europe
Why preparation is non-negotiable: the labs, nutrients, and cofactors that determine whether someone thrives or crashes after treatment
The PANS and PANDAS cases that first put plasmapheresis on the map for complex chronic illness
Why healthy people in their forties and fifties are seeing meaningful results, and what most clinics are missing when they skip deeper testing
Listen in to learn more :
0:00:00 – Plasmapheresis Spotlight: Cutting Through the Hype
0:00:39 – How Plasmapheresis Actually Works in the Body
0:02:29 – Hospital Roots: Autoimmunity and Neurologic Crises
0:02:44 – From ICUs to Influencers: Why Celebrities Want It
0:02:59 – Parabiosis Experiments: Young Blood, Old Bodies, New Clues

Plasmapheresis at Gordon Medical: A New Chapter in Health
Plasmapheresis, also known as Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE), is reshaping modern medicine by providing the body with a cellular reset, removing harmful proteins and toxins that drive inflammation and accelerating repair at the most fundamental level.

At Gordon Medical, we bring decades of proven hospital-based use into integrative care for chronic illness recovery and proactive wellness, combining medical expertise with therapeutic innovation.

As environmental exposures such as heavy metals and microplastics rise to unprecedented levels, plasmapheresis offers a powerful tool for restoring balance and renewing vitality.

Learn more https://plasmapheresiswest.com/ 
- - - - - 
References Mentioned in This Episode

• Stanford parabiosis and plasma exchange aging research
https://www.nature.com/articles/nature03260 

• Neutral blood exchange and plasma dilution research
https://www.aging-us.com/article/103418/text 

• Therapeutic plasma exchange in autoimmune neurologic disease
https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181da3b48 

• PANDAS/PANS plasma exchange research
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10513708/ 

• Review of plasmapheresis in Long COVID
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2023.1189091/full 
💬 Text us your feedback and future show ideas! (Please note we can't respond to texts - email questions to info@gordonmedical.com)

Interested in Becoming A Patient?

Find out if working with Gordon Medical is right for you. Set up a complimentary discovery call with our new patient coordinator at www.gordonmedical.com.

** This information is not to be taken as medical advice. Always consult your practitioner before making any changes to your treatment.

Plasmapheresis is having a moment, from hospital neurology wards to biohacker clinics to celebrity wellness trends. But what is it actually doing, and who does it really help? 
Dr. Eric Gordon joins Dr. Nafysa Parpia for a deep dive into one of the most talked-about therapies in complex chronic illness and longevity medicine. They discuss how TPE differs from EBOO, IVIG, and inuspheresis and make clear that it is not a standalone cure. In the right person, at the right time, with the right preparation, it can help shift a system that's been stuck in chronic inflammation for years.
The discussion covers everything from PANS and PANDAS in children to Long COVID, Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, and even healthy adults looking to protect cognitive function as they age. 
Dr. Gordon draws on years of clinical experience to explain why preparation matters, why most clinics aren't testing deeply enough, and what happens when you skip the foundational work.
Episode Highlights:
What plasmapheresis actually removes, autoantibodies, environmental toxins, senescent proteins, and why that matters for chronic illness
How it differs from EBOO, IVIG, and the double-filtration inuspheresis therapies coming from Europe
Why preparation is non-negotiable: the labs, nutrients, and cofactors that determine whether someone thrives or crashes after treatment
The PANS and PANDAS cases that first put plasmapheresis on the map for complex chronic illness
Why healthy people in their forties and fifties are seeing meaningful results, and what most clinics are missing when they skip deeper testing
Listen in to learn more :
0:00:00 – Plasmapheresis Spotlight: Cutting Through the Hype
0:00:39 – How Plasmapheresis Actually Works in the Body
0:02:29 – Hospital Roots: Autoimmunity and Neurologic Crises
0:02:44 – From ICUs to Influencers: Why Celebrities Want It
0:02:59 – Parabiosis Experiments: Young Blood, Old Bodies, New Clues

Plasmapheresis at Gordon Medical: A New Chapter in Health
Plasmapheresis, also known as Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE), is reshaping modern medicine by providing the body with a cellular reset, removing harmful proteins and toxins that drive inflammation and accelerating repair at the most fundamental level.

At Gordon Medical, we bring decades of proven hospital-based use into integrative care for chronic illness recovery and proactive wellness, combining medical expertise with therapeutic innovation.

As environmental exposures such as heavy metals and microplastics rise to unprecedented levels, plasmapheresis offers a powerful tool for restoring balance and renewing vitality.

Learn more https://plasmapheresiswest.com/ 
- - - - - 
References Mentioned in This Episode

• Stanford parabiosis and plasma exchange aging research
https://www.nature.com/articles/nature03260 

• Neutral blood exchange and plasma dilution research
https://www.aging-us.com/article/103418/text 

• Therapeutic plasma exchange in autoimmune neurologic disease
https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181da3b48 

• PANDAS/PANS plasma exchange research
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10513708/ 

• Review of plasmapheresis in Long COVID
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2023.1189091/full 
💬 Text us your feedback and future show ideas! (Please note we can't respond to texts - email questions to info@gordonmedical.com)

Interested in Becoming A Patient?

Find out if working with Gordon Medical is right for you. Set up a complimentary discovery call with our new patient coordinator at www.gordonmedical.com.

** This information is not to be taken as medical advice. Always consult your practitioner before making any changes to your treatment.