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Journal
Welcome to our integrative health journal, where our team of holistic practitioners shares their expertise to help you achieve optimal well-being. Each month, we delve into a new theme, providing you with insightful articles, practical tips, and the latest in holistic health trends. Whether you're interested in nutrition, natural remedies, mental health, or physical fitness, our diverse team of experts offers a wealth of knowledge to support your wellness journey. Join us as we explore the multifaceted world of holistic health and empower you to live your healthiest life.
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C-Section Recovery: Understanding Cesarean Scar Tissue and the “C-Section Shelf”
Healing Through All Phases of Postpartum Recovery I have said it time and time again: bringing life into the world is one of the hardest jobs in this world. It doesn't matter whether childbirth happens through vaginal or cesarean delivery, there is always some level of recovery required postpartum. Your body has gone through an incredible physical experience, and healing doesn't stop once your baby arrives. “Mommy, why does your belly look like you're wearing an apron?” Imagi
Dr. Mièka Bryan, PT, DPT
7 hours ago5 min read
GLP-1 Therapy: What It Actually Does to Your Hormones, Gut, and Metabolism
Why This Conversation Matters Right Now If you're considering or already taking a GLP-1 medication such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) or tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro), you've probably heard plenty about weight loss—and much less about everything else these medications affect. GLP-1 therapy interacts with multiple systems throughout the body, including the gut, muscle mass, micronutrient status, hormones, and metabolism. These effects matter whether you're a woman naviga
Dr. Marissa Boyd, ND
Sep 306 min read
10 Signs Your Nervous System Is Stuck in Survival Mode (And What Your Body Is Trying to Tell You)
Many people think stress only affects their mood, but chronic stress can impact nearly every system in the body. When your nervous system becomes stuck in "survival mode," it can influence your hormones, digestion, immune system, metabolism, sleep, skin, and overall well-being. Over time, your body may begin responding as though it's facing a constant threat—even when no immediate danger exists. At IVY Integrative, we often remind patients that your body isn't working against
Dr. Megan Ding, ND
Sep 2310 min read
Cold & Flu Season: How to Support Your Body Before You Get Sick
Every year, as the weather gets cooler and the days get shorter, I start hearing the same thing from patients: “Everyone around me is getting sick, and I really don't want to be next.” Maybe you have children bringing home every bug from school, you're traveling for the holidays, or you're simply feeling run down after a busy year. While there is no magic supplement or perfect immune-boosting routine that can guarantee you won't get sick, there are simple things you can do ev
Dr. Katrina Robinson, NDM, PMNHP-MFT, CHN
Sep 234 min read
Seasonal Changes and Sleep: How Sunlight and Temperature Affect Your Sleep Cycle
With September in full swing, seasonal changes are right around the corner. As summer transitions into fall, you may notice subtle changes in your sleep—even before the end of Daylight Saving Time. Earlier sunsets, changing temperatures, and shifts in daily sunlight exposure can all influence your circadian rhythm, the internal biological clock that helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle. So, if you feel like your sleep habits change with the seasons, you're probably not imagin
Dr. Kellyann Tomko, ND
Sep 165 min read
ADHD, Autism & Perimenopause: Why Symptoms Can Surface in Midlife
The Pattern Clinicians Are Finally Naming If you’re a woman in your late 30s to 50s who suddenly can’t hold a thought, loses words mid-sentence, forgets why you walked into a room, or feels like your executive function has quietly dissolved, you are not imagining it—and you are not alone. A growing body of research and clinical observation suggests that ADHD symptoms in women can become more noticeable during perimenopause, including in women who functioned well or masked eff
Dr. Marissa Boyd, ND
Sep 116 min read
The Cortisol-Insulin Connection
How Chronic Stress Affects Blood Sugar, Weight & Hormone Health Have you ever felt like you're eating healthy, exercising consistently, and still struggling with stubborn weight gain, sugar cravings, or low energy? If so, the missing piece may not be your diet—it may be your stress. When we think about improving blood sugar or losing weight, we often focus on calories, carbohydrates, or exercise. While those factors certainly matter, one of the most overlooked influences on m
Dr. Katrina Robinson, NDM, PMNHP-MFT, CHN
Sep 54 min read
Nervous System Dysregulation: Is Your Body Stuck in Survival Mode?
A Natural Back-to-Routine Health Reset for Better Sleep, Less Stress & More Energy As summer winds down and routines begin to shift, many people notice increased stress, fatigue, poor sleep, digestive issues, and anxiety. If you've been feeling overwhelmed or exhausted, your body may be experiencing nervous system dysregulation, often called being "stuck in survival mode." The transition from summer to fall is the perfect opportunity for a health reset. By supporting your ner
Dr. Katrina Robinson, NDM, PMNHP-MFT, CHN
Aug 265 min read
How to Reset Healthy Habits Without Starting Over
There are seasons when healthy habits seem to fall into place effortlessly. You're preparing nourishing meals, moving your body regularly, sleeping well, and staying on top of your responsibilities. Your routines feel natural, and taking care of yourself doesn't require nearly as much thought or effort. Then life happens. A child gets sick. Work becomes busier than expected. Vacation throws off your schedule. Dinner plans change because the groceries you bought didn't last as
Dr. Katherine Lewis, OTD, OTR/L
Aug 179 min read
Back-to-School Immune Support: Simple Ways to Keep Your Family Healthy This School Year
As a new school year begins, families settle back into routines, classrooms fill up, and schedules become busier. Unfortunately, this time of year also marks the beginning of cold and flu season. While it's impossible to avoid every illness, there are simple habits you can start now that help strengthen your immune system and support your family's overall health throughout the school year. At IVY Integrative, we believe that a healthy immune system starts with a strong founda
Dr. Megan Ding, ND
Aug 103 min read
Chronic Fatigue and Infections: Could an Underlying Infection Be the Root Cause?
Chronic Fatigue: Looking Beyond Lack of Sleep Do you constantly feel exhausted, even after a full night's sleep? Chronic fatigue is more than simply feeling tired after a busy week. It is persistent, excessive fatigue that does not improve with adequate rest and can significantly impact your daily life. Chronic fatigue can be associated with a variety of medical conditions. When no clear cause can be identified, it may be diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or Myalgic
Dr. Caitlan Readhead, ND
Jul 283 min read
The Pros and Cons of SPF: Should You Wear Sunscreen Every Day?
Finding the Balance Between Healthy Sun Exposure and Skin Protection If you've spent any time researching sunscreen, you've probably come away more confused than informed. One article says everyone should wear SPF every single day—even indoors. Another warns that sunscreen blocks vitamin D, contains questionable ingredients, and may do more harm than good. So, who's right? As with many topics in medicine, the answer isn't as simple as "always" or "never." At IVY Integrative,
Dr. Chelsea Birch, ND, RH (AHG), CBHT
Jul 215 min read
Natural Travel Wellness Tips for Better Digestion, Energy & Immune Support
Vacation is meant to be a time to relax, recharge, and create lasting memories—but travel can also challenge your health. Long flights, disrupted sleep schedules, unfamiliar foods, dehydration, and changes in routine can leave you feeling tired, bloated, constipated, or even sick before your vacation truly begins. The good news? With a little preparation and a few simple habits, you can support your body naturally while traveling and return home feeling refreshed instead of n
Dr. Katrina Robinson, NDM, PMNHP-MFT, CHN
Jul 164 min read
Why Some People Don't Fully Recover from Lyme Disease
For some individuals, symptoms continue long after a tick bite or even after completing multiple rounds of treatment. Persistent fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, headaches, and other ongoing symptoms are often associated with chronic Lyme disease or Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS). When symptoms persist despite appropriate treatment, it's important to look beyond Lyme disease alone. One commonly overlooked factor is the presence of co-infections. What Are Lyme Co-
Dr. Caitlan Readhead, ND
Jul 63 min read
Natural Ways to Support Gut Health During Seasonal Changes
Simple Tips to Reduce Bloating, Improve Digestion & Support Your Gut Microbiome Naturally As the seasons change, most of us expect shifts in the weather, allergies, and even our mood—but many people are surprised to find that their digestion changes too. If you've noticed more bloating, constipation, food sensitivities, sluggish digestion, or changes in your energy during the transition from one season to the next, you're certainly not alone. Our digestive system is incredibl
Dr. Katrina Robinson, NDM, PMNHP-MFT, CHN
Jun 295 min read
Why Does Eczema Flare in the Summer? The Science Behind Summer Eczema and Natural Support Strategies
What Is Eczema? Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by dry, itchy, and irritated skin. While it appears on the surface, eczema is much more than a skin-deep issue. It develops through a complex interaction between genetics, immune function, environmental exposures, and the skin barrier itself. Healthy skin acts as a protective shield, keeping moisture in and irritants out. In individuals with eczema, this barrier is
Dr. Chelsea Birch, ND, RH (AHG), CBHT
Jun 226 min read
Importance of Detox Pathways with Mold Illness
Why Supporting Detoxification Matters During Mold Recovery Exposure to toxic mold can have a significant impact on overall health. Certain species of mold produce mycotoxins, harmful compounds that can trigger a wide range of symptoms and contribute to both acute and chronic illness. People experiencing mold illness often report symptoms such as: Chronic fatigue Brain fog Headaches Digestive concerns Skin issues Mood changes Poor sleep Allergy-like symptoms While reducing mol
Dr. Caitlan Readhead, ND
Jun 192 min read
Your Skin Is What You Eat: The Gut-Skin Connection Behind Eczema & Inflammation
Deadlines are approaching, bills are due, and summer schedules are filling up fast. During stressful seasons of life, many people naturally reach for comfort foods like pastries, soft drinks, candy, or ice cream. While these foods may provide temporary relief, consistently consuming excess added sugar can negatively impact the gut microbiome and contribute to inflammation throughout the body — including the skin. When the gut microbiome becomes imbalanced, a condition known a
Melanie Baughman, BS
Jun 83 min read
Why Acne Often Returns After Antibiotics: A Root-Cause Approach to Clearer Skin
Acne is often treated as a surface-level skin condition, but from a naturopathic and functional medicine perspective, acne is rarely just about the skin. While topical treatments, antibiotics, and skincare products may temporarily reduce breakouts, they often fail to address the deeper imbalances contributing to chronic inflammation, hormonal disruption, and immune dysfunction. As a result, many people experience acne that repeatedly returns despite trying multiple products a
Dr. Stephanie Hendershot, ND
Jun 13 min read
Can a Gluten-Free Diet Help Parkinson’s Symptoms? The Gut-Brain Connection Explained
Over the years, many clinicians working with individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease have observed a recurring theme: diet can significantly influence daily symptoms. In particular, high intake of gluten and sugar has been associated with increased inflammation, digestive issues, and fluctuations in energy and cognition. While more large-scale research is needed, clinical observations and emerging studies suggest that reducing gluten may support both motor and non-moto
Dr. Sarah Kingsley, PT, DPT, RYT
May 263 min read
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