Functional Medicine

Ladies: you’ve probably heard all about the hot flashes, mood swings, and physical changes that are all part of the inevitable process of menopause. Maybe you’ve even started experiencing some of these things. If you have, you’re certainly not alone. One of the most common changes women notice during this time is weight gain or redistribution, particularly around the middle. Though it can be a frustrating time for your mind and body, it doesn’t have to dictate your quality of life beyond menopause.

Irregular cycles, painful cramps, heavy periods, severe acne, mood swings… any of these symptoms ring a bell? It’s possible that hormone imbalances are at play. Imbalances between male and female sex hormones can range in severity and symptoms, with the more severe cases resulting in conditions like endometriosis or PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).

EMDR is having its moment in the mental health space. Though not a new treatment, it has gained much traction in recent years as more and more people have embraced it and attained impressive results.

Meet the “jack of all trades” of your body: the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is a bit of a hot topic in the health and wellness sphere right now — and for good reason. It affects or is directly involved in dozens of physiological processes that influence how you feel on a day-to-day basis — from digestion to breathing to the stress response. So, what exactly is the vagus nerve and how does it function?

Do you struggle with joint pain that inhibits your ability to stay active? Conditions like arthritis, tendinopathy, and even just generalized inflammation in the joints can make everyday activities a challenge, let alone training or working out. But, it’s still important — in fact, probably even more important — for those with joint problems to stay active. Staying sedentary and losing fitness due to pain can lead to other issues down the line, such as a weakened musculoskeletal system, a decline in energy, and decreased longevity. The long and short of it? Joint pain does not have to stand in the way of staying active and fit.

Imagine you’re sitting in a meeting for work. Your boss is talking about planning for the next quarter. You have a notebook out and you’re scribbling notes. Then, you hear a ding from your phone, which is lying face-down on the table next to you. You start to wonder who it’s from, what it’s about, and if you need to check it. You quickly glance at it to make sure it’s not something pressing. In the time since you first heard the ding, you’ve completely switched gears in your brain and missed several minutes of discussion on the next quarter’s goals.

Feeling low energy lately? Getting sick more often than usual? Feel like your body just isn’t recovering as well as it should from day to day? A lot of these symptoms can be associated with a deficiency or dip in essential vitamins and nutrients. There are many ways you can address those deficiencies or bolster your natural concentrations of essential nutrients, but one of the fastest and most direct ways to do so is intravenously, also known as IV drip therapy.

Spring is a time of transition — the weather gets warmer, plants start blooming, and we all start to come out of our winter shells. That winter hibernation period can often leave us feeling cluttered, scattered, and stir-crazy, so what better time than spring to get organized and refocused?

It’s that time of year again — sneezing, itching, sniffling, and coughing. Chances are, you’re one of the 24 million Americans who experience seasonal allergies, and you’re familiar with the toll it can take on your body. Due to both the symptoms of seasonal allergies, and the physiological process your body goes through when reacting to an allergen, your health can suffer more than usual during this time of year. And oftentimes, allergy medicines only provide temporary relief. It’s important to keep in mind your body’s overall well-being when dealing with allergies, and not just treat the isolated symptoms.

What do you do when you’ve had a stressful day and need to recover from it? Take a day off, plan a relaxing evening, or maybe soak in a warm bath? Letting your mind rest and process that stress allows you to come back ready to take on the next day. Interestingly enough, this kind of recovery doesn’t only apply to your mental state. Physiologically, your body works the same way.