What is Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS)?
Maybe this is you...
You’ve seen multiple practitioners for help with your inexplicable health issues.
You’ve tried radical nutritional plans and spent thousands of dollars on supplements - but you still don't seem to have the energy for any physical or mental activity.
You don’t have a clear reason for what’s causing your fatigue (chronic), let alone a way to solve it.
You’ve been given a less-than-helpful diagnosis like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivities, or something along those lines.
You want to feel fed up and frustrated at your situation, but you’re just too tired.
If you said yes to most or all these prompts, you are likely suffering from Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, or CIRS. CIRS is a genetically linked disease that causes your immune system to flare up continually when you are exposed to certain mycotoxins.
And yes, it has a cure.
Here at Flourish Clinic, we specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of CIRS called the Shoemaker Protocol. I have studied it for years so I can help people just like you.
I’m Mark Volmer – Certified Shoemaker Protocol Practitioner.
I’m Mark, the Clinic Director here at Flourish Clinic and resident expert on all things fatigue and chronic illness. I'm also a Certified Shoemaker Protocol Practitioner.
My specialty is CIRS. I find the way the body's immune system reacts to certain mycotoxins fascinating, and there is nothing more rewarding for me than guiding a CIRS patient back to health.
I am thrilled to welcome Jane Prescot, FMCHC. Jane is a Shoemaker-certified CIRS Proficiency Partner Diplomate who has an accomplished background in supporting CIRS patients.
Jane suffered from CIRS herself and successfully completed the Shoemaker Protocol. Her healing journey has a greater purpose now that she is able to help others get their lives back on track.
Jane and I are Canada's only two certified Shoemaker Protocol practitioners.
Book a complimentary call with one of us today to find out how we can help you!
Treating CIRS at Flourish Clinic
While groundbreaking, the Shoemaker Protocol is not considered a quick cure. The first three steps alone may take months to work through and require a high level of support.
Unfortunately, there aren’t any insurance plans that cover the protocol. There are often unexpected costs each month, and supplements can run into the hundreds if not thousands of dollars.
Because other clinics require payment, many patients are caught choosing between testing and treatments. On top of that, you will still need to pay your practitioner.
Saving money for treatment ultimately means you will have to wait longer before undergoing the Shoemaker Protocol.
At Flourish Clinic, we make following the Shoemaker Protocol easy. As our clinic works exclusively with CIRS patients, we know what it takes to nurse you back to health.
Here at Flourish, we have an all-inclusive program with everything you need to improve. Our team of practitioners will work closely with you as you complete each step.
For one price, you will receive:
Included:
A monthly appointment with your Shoemaker Protocol Practitioner. You can also contact them through DM and email.
Value: $1000/month
Included:
All testing, including the GENIE test and home testing.
Value: $7000
Included:
Up to 12 appointments with a CIRS counsellor.
Value: $3600 (a receipt can be provided for insurance)
Included:
We know CIRS patients can require a high level of support. That's why we include one-on-one support coaching as needed.
Value: $300/hr
Included:
Access to a custom app containing in-depth information about CIRS. Patients are also able to connect with one another.
Value: $500/month
Included:
All supplements included in the Shoemaker Protocol, including our custom natural binder.
Value: $5000
As you can see, the Shoemaker Protocol is incredibly expensive and can cost thousands each month in testing and supplements alone. It can take 12 months to complete, and over the course of one year, that can really add up.
At Flourish Clinic, we have calculated the cost of one year of treatment and divided it into twelve equal payments. This allows you to budget for payments each month and access everything you need for one single price.
One price.
No hidden costs.
We are confident our Flourish CIRS Treatment Program is the best way for CIRS patients to work through the Shoemaker Protocol.
Meet Claire.
Fifteen years ago, Claire started not just tired but exhausted all the time. With two small children, a career on the rise, and a life full of friends and family, she assumed it was normal. Her doctor ran some blood work, and when the results came back normal, he agreed.
A few years later, she noticed her stomach was reacting to different foods, so she started eliminating the usual suspects: gluten and dairy. That seemed to settle her gut for a while. But when it flared back up, her doctor ran more tests. They were all inconclusive, and she ended up with an unhelpful diagnosis of IBS.
Five Years Later...
Claire had to stop working. She initially tried to reduce her workload, but even five hours per week in front of a screen made her so tired-- to the point where she wouldn’t be able to leave her bed for two whole days. At this point, her stomach was so reactive that she was only able to tolerate a handful of foods.
Claire found herself canceling plans with friends and loved ones to stay indoors and rest. She experienced mood swings. She could not participate in any physical activities and couldn’t enjoy spending time with her children.
Claire didn’t succumb to her fatigue without a fight.
Over the course of five years, Claire visited:
- Her family doctor (many, many times)
- A rheumatologist
- An Internist
- Three different naturopaths
- A health coach outside the US
- Two acupuncturists
- And three massage therapists
Claire has had two MRIs, one CT scan, and close to sixty vials of blood taken from her for different laboratory tests.
She’s been told she has poor mental health, specifically anxiety, depression, PTSD, SIBO, parasites, candida overgrowth, and heavy metal toxicity by natural health practitioners.
Her doctor and more traditional practitioners would tell her she simply had fibromyalgia, IBS,or chronic fatigue syndrome.
Claire has tried multiple different treatments for each diagnosis. Some improved her health temporarily. But most of them just made her feel worse. She also tried many different diets from keto and carnivore to vegan and paleo. Nothing helped.
That is, until Claire found us.
Does Claire’s story sound like yours?
Maybe your story is more severe.
Maybe you can’t get out of bed or even remain upright.
Maybe your fatigue came about so intensely and suddenly.
Maybe you’re not where Claire is now, but you can see that’s the direction you’re heading…
If you’re dealing with fatigue, you’re in the right place.
If you’re dealing with a long list of vague but common symptoms that no one is able to make sense of, you’re in the right place.
If you’ve seen 10+ practitioners and haven’t seen any results, you’re in the right place.
If you’ve got a less-than-helpful diagnosis like fibromyalgia, CFS, Lyme disease, mast cell activation disorder, or multiple chemical sensitivities, you’re in the right place.
You are not alone. You are not crazy. It is likely that you have Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS).
You were likely exposed to mycotoxins, probably from black mold, and your immune system has been reacting to it ever since.
The good news is that the Shoemaker Protocol can get your condition under control.
What is the Shoemaker Protocol?
The Shoemaker Protocol is the only scientifically validated treatment for CIRS created by Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, MD. He has also led the fight for CIRS to be a recognized medical condition.
How does the Shoemaker Protocol work?
Before beginning the Shoemaker Protocol, we need to determine exactly what is happening inside your mitochondria.
We need to look at the mitochondria in your cells because they cause the majority of illnesses that cause fatigue. The reason why your lab tests have come back normal every time is that none of the tests have analyzed your mitochondria.
That’s why we use the GENIE test.
The GENIE test
The GENIE test is a genetic test that analyzes the genes inside your cell’s nucleus and inside the mitochondria This is the only test that examines mitochondrial genes. The mitochondria create energy for your body. If you’re dealing with fatigue, the mitochondria is affected.
The GENIE test tells us:
- If you are suffering from CIRS
- How CIRS is affecting your body
- What is causing your illness
- The best path forward for treatment
After we have the diagnostic criteria results back from the GENIE test, we are able to begin the Shoemaker Protocol.
Here’s how The Shoemaker Protocol works:
Why Choose Flourish Clinic's CIRS Treatment Program?
When it comes to an illness as complex as CIRS, not all clinics are equal.
| Flourish | Clinic 1 | Clinic 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scientifically proven method of testing for CIRS | Yes - GENIE + Proteomics | YES - GENIE or Proteomics | No - urinary mycotoxin test |
| Monthly appointments with primary practitioner | Yes | No | Yes |
| Ability to direct message and email primary practitioner | Yes | No | No |
| Scientifically based treatment | Yes - Shoemaker Protocol | Yes - Shoemaker Protocol | No - based on anecdotal evidence |
| Shoemaker Protocol certified practitioner. This means your practitioner is up to date on all of the evolving science related to CIRS. | Yes - Canada's only two certified practitioners | No - practitioner is familiar with Shoemaker Protocol but not certified | No |
| Personalized, patient-centred care | Yes - every patient experiences CIRS differently, and every treatment plan is unique to each patient | No | No |
| Clinic works exclusively with CIRS patients | Yes | No | No |
| Additional support easily available at no additional charge between practitioner appointments | Yes | No | No |
| Guaranteed price with no hidden fees | Yes | No - costs vary widely month to month depending on practitioner's advice and clinic markup | No - costs vary widely month to month depending on practitioner's advice and clinic markup |
| Additional treatment features including: | |||
| Online community of CIRS patients | Yes | No | No |
| Comprehensive course on blood sugar | Yes | No | No |
| Appointments with a trained counsellor | Yes | No | No |
| Comprehensive course on somatic responses | Yes | No | No |
Over the years of treating CIRS patients, our team understands you need a high level of support with no surprises. Having CIRS is stressful enough - you shouldn't have to choose what test or treatment is best for you based on your budget that month. At Flourish Clinic we work exclusively with CIRS patients through an all-inclusive program that gives you unlimited access to everything you need to get better.
One consistent price.
No surprises.
Our goal is to get you better, and the Flourish CIRS Treatment Program will do just that.
FAQs
Yes, CIRS is a very real condition. It has many studies behind it in published, peer-reviewed journals.
Testimonials
I had seen over 62 doctors, specialists, and practitioners in four different countries in 20 years... until we found Mark in December 2019 by searching the internet. My husband and I were always on the lookout for a possible cure for 'electroallergy', the rare condition I lived with for over 20 years. Back in the year 2000, little was known about this condition, with no known cure. We came as far as knowing that there are more people in the world with this same condition.
In December 2019 my husband found a blog written by Mark about 'electroallergy' as being one of the symptoms from CIRS. When we got a reply back from Mark on January 1, 2020 with the magical words that he could help me, our year started off truly wonderful.
We called it our year of healing: "Healing 2020".
For about the 63rd time my hopes were up and we put our trust in yet another treatment, which would hopefully heal me from this condition. This time it seemed we had hit the jackpot. Eight months into treatment, my symptoms were considerably less and this continued as time went by. I could even work on a computer again and have client video calls. Simple things I hadn't been able to do for years, I was doing again.
Celebration after celebration followed.
My prayer was answered.
MARISA
From the moment you walk thru the door you feel welcomed, like old friends picking up right where you left off. You never feel rushed and you continue to be fully supported outside of regular office hours. The lines of communication remain open to allow for any addition concerns or questions. This is worth its weight in gold.
KIM
A little over a year ago I learned of CIRS and felt like I finally had some answers to all the health challenges I was experiencing for decades that no one could help me with. I started working with Mark which had me moving towards health and that felt fantastic. As healing can go I went through ups and downs and I just finished the CIRS protocol and I feel amazing. I find myself no longer needing to figure things out because I’m now a healthy human being and WOW does that feel amazing! I enjoyed working with Mark so much. He brought lightness, compassion and humour to our sessions which I appreciated greatly. A HUGE thank you to Mark and his team at Flourish. I am forever grateful.
AMBER
Mark V is an incredible human and an outstanding CIRS practitioner. Flourish Clinic has the smoothest operations of any medical practice I’ve ever interacted with. His staff is awesome. They are amazing communicators, educators and facilitators. They are also very kind and run an awesome program! I am so grateful to God that my path lead me to Mark. I don’t know where I’d be without his expertise and guidance. I was healed from this awful disease thanks to him and the Shoemaker protocol. Couldn’t recommend Flourish Clinic more.
ANTHONY
Forever grateful to the amazingly phenomenal people here that gave me my life back. They will do the same for you! Love you guys!!
ERIC
What's my first step?
Your first step is scheduling a complimentary 15 minute phone chat with either Mark or Jane. This will allow our Certified Shoemaker Practitioner to learn about your health goals, and let you ask any questions you may have to ensure Flourish is a good fit.
If you're ready to proceed, we will order the GENIE test.
Once we have the results of your GENIE test, our Certified Shoemaker Practitioner will create a custom plan that will enable them to personally guide you back to health.