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
Inflammation And Cardiovascular Disease: Key Markers To Test
Identifying Inflammation’s Role in Cardiovascular Disease Inflammation is a natural and essential part of the body’s immune response to infection, injury, or exposure to toxins. In the short term, inflammation is protective and necessary for healing. However, when inflammation becomes chronic and unresolved, it can quietly damage tissues and significantly increase the risk of chronic disease—particularly cardiovascular disease. Chronic inflammation within the cardiovascular s
Dr. Caitlan Readhead, ND
4 days ago3 min read
Atherosclerosis: Beyond the Lipid Panel – 3 Advanced Markers to Assess Cardiovascular Risk Early
Despite the advances in cardiovascular medicine and surgery, atherosclerosis is still the leading cause of death globally. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the arteries characterized by the build-up of lipids, immune cells, and fibrous tissue in the arterial walls, leading to plaque formation. Arterial plaque begins with endothelial injury or dysfunction to the arterial walls, which facilitates the infiltration of LDL cholesterol particles. Oxidized LDL ch
Dr. Kellyann Tomko, ND
Feb 94 min read
Hawthorn for Heart Health: A Natural Ally Backed by Science
Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of illness worldwide. While medications and medical procedures play an important role in treatment, many people are looking for safe, research-supported ways to support cardiovascular health naturally . One botanical that has gained significant scientific attention is Crataegus , more commonly known as hawthorn . Used for centuries in traditional herbal medicine, hawthorn is now supported by modern research showing it may help i
Chelsea Birch, ND, RH (AHG), CBHT
Feb 34 min read
How Nutrition Supports the Nervous System: Gut–Brain Health, Stress & Emotional Balance
In my clinical practice, one truth stands out: balance begins by nourishing the nervous system. Unlike diets focused solely on weight or macros, nutrition grounded in nervous system health considers how food directly influences our biology, emotions, stress resilience, and overall sense of safety—especially during times like the holidays, when food is tied to comfort, memory, and connection. Why the Nervous System Matters The nervous system is not just the seat of thought; it
Elena DiPerri, CNS, LN
Jan 264 min read
Nervous System Healing & Stress Recovery: Why Rest, Somatic Work, and Parasympathetic Balance Matter
Our nervous system has two main modes that often act like opposing pedals on a car: the accelerator and the brake. These are driven by the two branches of the autonomic nervous system: The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) — our “fight, flight, or freeze” system The Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) — our “rest, digest, repair, and restore” system What’s the Difference? When the SNS is activated: Heart rate increases, breathing speeds up, and muscles tense. Digestion and
Dr. Sarah Kingsley, PT, DPT, RYT
Jan 195 min read
How to Reset Your Nervous System: Lower Cortisol, Calm Stress, and Improve Vagal Tone
Recently, I’ve been running more cortisol tests on patients, and levels are consistently coming back elevated. Many patients’ nervous systems are persistently activated in a chronic “fight-or-flight” state. While short bursts of stress are a normal and adaptive evolutionary response, prolonged sympathetic dominance can contribute to anxiety, sleep disruption, digestive dysfunction, and an overall diminished quality of life. To understand why this happens, it helps to review t
Dr. Stephanie Hendershot, ND
Jan 123 min read
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
bottom of page