top of page
IVY Integrative / About IVY / Blog
Blog
Welcome to our integrative health blog, 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.
Search


Hormonal Headaches: Understanding the Root Causes & Natural Relief Strategies
Headaches and hormones are closely interconnected, and many patients notice their headaches follow a pattern that aligns with their menstrual cycle, stress levels, or major hormonal transitions such as menopause. From a naturopathic perspective, understanding how hormones influence the nervous system and inflammation helps us get closer to the root cause rather than only treating symptoms as they arise. Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone affect the brain’s pain-regula

Dr. Stephanie Hendershot, ND
Dec 22, 20253 min read


The Hidden Link Between Blood Sugar Imbalance and Chronic Migraines
Migraines are part of a complex disease process that continues to be rigorously studied in terms of both physiology and therapeutic interventions. While the dilation of blood vessels in the head and neuroinflammation are well-known factors, one less discussed avenue is the role metabolic dysfunction may play in the development of migraines. For many individuals, migraines are utterly debilitating—affecting quality of life, impairing work productivity, disrupting social activi

Dr. Kellyann Tomko, ND
Dec 15, 20253 min read


Hangry Holidays: How Skipping Meals Triggers Headaches and Ruins Your Festive Fun
The only thing worse than the Grinch stealing Christmas? An uninvited headache from skipping breakfast and lunch just to overindulge at festive dinners. And nobody wants that! Let’s explore some common holiday habits we’re all guilty of, how skipping meals affects your brain, and practical tips to protect your holiday spirit. Because the best gift we can give ourselves is feeling good. WHAT you eat can also cause headaches. We recommend starting with vegetables, fats, and pro

Melanie Baughman, BS
Dec 8, 20253 min read


Why You Get Headaches at Work (and How to Make Them Stop)
It’s 3:24 PM. Your inbox is overflowing, your neck feels like a stone column, your eyes are dry and cranky, and your head is pulsing with that familiar, annoying ache. You’re tired, slightly grumpy, and secretly wondering, “Is my job trying to kill my brain?” If this sounds dramatic, that’s okay. Headaches have a way of making everything feel dramatic. And if you get them often at work, you are absolutely not alone. Office and screen-time headaches are incredibly common in pe

Dr. Marissa Boyd, ND
Dec 1, 20258 min read


Eczema Treatment: Effective, Evidence-Based Approaches
The itch that rashes. The endless cycle. The never ending plague. #Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, affects millions worldwide, causing red, itchy, inflamed skin, sleep disturbances, and a reduced quality of life. If you’re searching for effective eczema treatment, it’s important to focus on evidence-backed approaches rather than quick fixes. In my realm of naturopathic medicine, the three (currently) most studied strategies to address the never-ending itch are topical

Chelsea Birch, ND, RH (AHG), CBHT
Nov 24, 20254 min read


Eczema Healing Journey: How Diet, Gut Health, and Genetics Shape Skin Recovery
Eczema is a topic that hits close to home for me—born and raised with arms and legs smothered in steroid creams and endless itch. My mother had no choice at the time; few alternative treatments were offered. I remember the stinging, the scratching until I bled, especially during every sports season when shin guards and sweat made my legs erupt in pain. As I entered adulthood, the frequency of flare-ups eased, but the condition quietly lingered. It wasn’t until college—when my

Dr. Sarah Kingsley, PT, DPT, RYT
Nov 17, 20254 min read


The Gut–Skin Connection: How a GI Map Can Reveal the Root Causes of Eczema
While eczema can have a variety of contributing factors, gut health remains a pivotal component to consider. An overactive immune system, poor microbial diversity, and underlying infections have all been correlated with eczema. Since 70–80% of the immune system originates in the gastrointestinal lining, utilizing a GI Map can be a valuable tool in managing eczema. Intestinal dysbiosis—an imbalance or disruption of gut microorganisms—can lead to infections within the gastroin

Dr. Caitlan Readhead, ND
Nov 11, 20252 min read


The Gut-Skin Connection: A Naturopathic Approach to Healing Eczema from Within
Eczema, or more precisely atopic dermatitis , is more than just dry, itchy skin—it’s a chronic inflammatory condition that often reflects what’s happening inside the body. Characterized by itching, redness, dryness, and sometimes thickened or oozing skin, eczema is conventionally understood as a multifactorial condition influenced by genetics, immune dysregulation, and environmental triggers. From a naturopathic perspective, however, the skin acts as a mirror of the internal.

Dr. Stephanie Hendershot, ND
Nov 3, 20254 min read


The Root Cause of Anxiety: A Naturopathic Guide to Healing the Mind and Body Naturally
Anxiety isn’t just mental—it’s often a physiological reaction to an internal imbalance. In my clinical experience, addressing these imbalances is where true healing begins.

Dr. Marissa Boyd, ND
Oct 28, 20254 min read


Natural Anxiety Treatments That Work | Evidence-Based Herbal & Mindfulness Support
Anxiety affects over 30% of adults at some point in their lives, making it one of the most common mental health challenges worldwide. It affects both the mind and body, and symptoms can vary widely from person to person. Understanding the signs can help you recognize when anxiety is becoming more than everyday stress and may benefit from natural or professional support.

Chelsea Birch, ND, RH (AHG), CBHT
Oct 20, 20255 min read


How Anxiety Shows Up in the Body: 5 Signs You Might Be Missing
October brings falling leaves, crisp air, and celebrations. But sometimes, even with all the fun and festivities, something still feels... off. If you find yourself dodging party invites, jumping at more than just spooky yard décor, or feeling tense for no clear reason, anxiety might be the ghost whispering worries you can’t shake. Unlike Halloween specters, anxiety isn’t imaginary. It’s real—rooted in your nervous system—and your body often feels it before your mind catches

Cheyenne Nichols, LMBT
Oct 13, 20254 min read


Functional Medicine Approaches to Anxiety: Root Causes, Gut Health, and Nutritional Deficiencies
This is a quick read blog explaining objective tests that can uncover the roots of your anxiety.

Dr. Caitlan Readhead, ND
Oct 6, 20252 min read


How Protein Balances Blood Sugar for Better Sleep and Less Stress
Waking up at 2 a.m. feeling tired but wired? This blog explains how eating enough protein during the day helps balance blood sugar, reduce cortisol spikes, and support deep, restorative sleep.

Dr. Stephanie Hendershot, ND
Sep 22, 20253 min read


How Blood Sugar After Meals Impacts PCOS Symptoms, Hormones, and Health
If you’re living with PCOS, you’ve probably heard about insulin resistance. But what does that actually mean day to day? A big piece of the puzzle is how your body handles blood sugar after meals, also called postprandial glucose regulation.

Elena DiPerri, CNS, LN
Sep 15, 20253 min read


Beyond the Cookie: Surprising Ways Blood Sugar Fluctuates (and How a Naturopathic Doctor Can Help You Stay Balanced)
Picture glucose as the VIP of your bloodstream—your body’s all-access energy pass. It’s the essential fuel for your brain, muscles, and organs, keeping everything running smoothly. But keeping blood sugar “just right”—not too high, not too low—is where the real magic happens.

Dr. Marissa Boyd, ND
Sep 6, 20254 min read


The Gut–Autoimmune Connection: How Nutrition Can Heal Inflammation from the Inside Out
This is a short blog linking nutrition with autoimmune conditions and applying the optimum diet and nutrients needed to overcome autoimmune conditions.

Elena DiPerri, CNS, LN
Aug 25, 20255 min read


Managing Long COVID with Functional Medicine: Personalized Lab Testing & Treatment Approaches
If you are someone who has struggled to return to your “normal” self after a COVID-19 infection, you are not alone. Long COVID, also known as long-haul COVID, is a chronic illness that can affect multiple organ systems...

Dr. Caitlan Readhead, ND
Aug 25, 20252 min read


Endometriosis Explained: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors & Treatment Options
This is a brief accurate overview on endometriosis and the holistic and conventional treatments available.

Dr. Mièka Bryan, PT, DPT
Aug 19, 20253 min read


Is Your Immune System Burned Out? Signs of Dysfunction and How to Reset It Naturally
If you think your immune system operates like a polished, well-oiled machine, think again. It’s more like a dysfunctional office filled with burned-out staff, passive-aggressive emails, and immune cells throwing shade at the water cooler. Let’s take a tour behind the scenes—and learn how to catch the dysfunction before it becomes a full-on HR disaster.

Dr. Marissa Boyd, ND
Aug 11, 20254 min read


Why Sleep Is the Missing Link in Healing and Immune Health: A Naturopathic Perspective
As a Naturopathic Doctor, I have the unique privilege of observing how everyday lifestyle habits impact the body’s ability to heal. From...

Dr. Stephanie Hendershot, ND
Aug 11, 20253 min read
bottom of page
