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


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


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


Tending Your Inner Fire: Chinese Medicine Tips for Summer Joy, Balance, and Connection
Chinese Medicine reminds us that human beings are part of the natural world. The energetic shifts that occur in nature—such as the...

Ashley Paraiso, LAc, DiplOM
Jul 9, 20254 min read


Why Gut Health Is the Key to Whole-Body Wellness: A Naturopathic Doctor Explains
If you’ve been a patient of mine, you’ve likely heard me talk about gut health. Although you might be coming to see me for acne or even...

Dr. Stephanie Hendershot, ND
Jun 30, 20253 min read


How Stress Wrecks Your Gut—and How Naturopathic Medicine Can Heal It
Introduction Gut health is more than just digestion. It’s a critical part of your mental, immune, and hormonal well-being. In a world...

Dr. Marissa Boyd, ND
Jun 16, 20254 min read


Gut Health Is Whole-Body Health: How Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Support Your Microbiome
Chinese Medicine and acupuncture have long been used to treat the root causes of indigestion, constipation, bloating, and other digestive...

Ashley Paraiso, LAc, DiplOM
Jun 2, 20254 min read


Chronic Stress, Cortisol, and Migraines: How HPA Axis Dysregulation Triggers Headaches
Chronic stress can affect the body in many different ways. One adverse effect of chronic stress is the frequent development of headaches...

Dr. Kellyann Tomko, ND
May 5, 20253 min read


Kindness and Wellness: How Acts of Compassion Boost Your Mind, Body, and Longevity
As a holistic wellness doctor, I often remind my patients that healing isn't just about what we put into our bodies—it’s also about what...

Dr. Marissa Boyd, ND
Feb 24, 20253 min read


Boost Your Mood and Health Naturally: The Science of Kindness and Neurotransmitters
As a Naturopathic Doctor, my approach to patient care extends beyond addressing physical health concerns; I also focus on the mental and...

Dr. Stephanie Hendershot, ND
Feb 2, 20253 min read


Reduce Chronic Stress with Gratitude and Integrative Therapies: A Holistic Guide to Lasting Resilience
In today’s fast-paced world, chronic stress has become a common reality, especially for individuals juggling work, family, and personal...

Dr. Marissa Boyd, ND
Nov 18, 20247 min read


DEPRESSION: Common Misconceptions
Did you know that there have been significant breakthroughs in understanding depression in the past few years? There are multiple new...

Karen McKinney, LCMHCA
Oct 12, 20223 min read


DEPRESSION: Methylation Station
The best holistic approach to depression considers the mental/emotional as well as the biochemical. Let’s talk for a moment about the...

Dr. Kellyann Tomko, ND
Oct 10, 20222 min read


DEPRESSION: Mental Health in Pregnancy and Postpartum
I was on a train recently and I spotted a mother and daughter. The mother was sitting behind her daughter as the train wasn’t crowded....

Patti Rumsey
Oct 4, 20222 min read


DEPRESSION: Is Posture Affecting Your Mood?
Depression rates have continued to rise in America, and these rates were especially increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. While social...

Dr. Sarah Kingsley, PT, DPT, RYT
Oct 3, 20224 min read
bottom of page
