Blog & Podcast
Welcome to my blog, where you’ll find articles and links to my podcast episodes.
If you’d like to discuss your health concerns or ask some specific questions, please contact me and we can get started on your journey to balanced health!
Functional Dysautonomia - How Neurological Imbalance Can Effect the Gut Health and More
In this 75th episode I discuss a neurological imbalance referred to as functional dysautonomia, which is an imbalance of the sympathetic (fight or flight) & parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system functions.
I also share a story about when my dog Cheddar and I were stalked by two coyotes in a local canyon.
Let It Go… Staying Strong When Others are Struggling
In this 74th episode, as I continue to recover from a bout of Covid-19, I ponder some concepts around taking on the negativity of those around us. As an empathic person, I find this to be a common challenge for me which absolutely challenges my health.
I offer a musical meditation piece called "We are Truth" which is something that speaks to me when I feel the need to remember to focus on a more centering perspective, and to let go of the things which are working against me.
Let go of those things which are working to bring you down. Most of the time, they are not really your burden to bear...
Are You an Acupuncturist Who’s Curious About Functional Medicine?
I am passionate about Functional Medicine. Since beginning my private Acupuncture practice in 2003, I have trained extensively in Functional Medicine. I find it both compatible and extremely valuable in caring for my patients, in tandem with TCM.
As a fellow Acupuncturist, you have probably heard about this modality, which focuses on blood work and lab tests to determine where the patient’s health imbalances are coming from. These diagnostic methods also allow the patient to see first hand the progress of their therapy.
One of my professional goals is to help educate other practitioners, which is why I have partnered with Acupuncture Insights to offer CEU courses in 4 major Functional Medicine topics.
Fighting Nasty Viruses, Functionally
In this 73rd episode I come to you in recovery from sickness. It started with my daughter, then to my wife, and then on to me. Like it does when living in close quarters.
Today I offer a short update on my health status, a little background on what my family has been experiencing (apparently COVID-19 as of positive tests this morning), a little reminder that it is okay to sit still sometimes and do nothing, and some nutraceutical/supplement advice for immune support as both preventative or therapeutic actions if sick with a virus.
We will discuss Vitamin D, Glutathione, Vitamin C, and other anti-viral support.
“Who Are You Calling Fat?!” says the liver…
In this 72nd episode I discuss the aptly-named condition "fatty liver," otherwise known as Steatosis.
Just like any other tissue of the body, the liver can begin to accumulate fatty deposits. This can hinder the function of the liver and even lead to destruction and more significant disease.
In this episode we will cover just what a fatty liver condition involves, how people get there, why it is not something you want, and how to reverse it.
Much Ado About Mold - Is Mold Harming You?
In this 71st episode I discuss several concepts around mold exposure. For sure mold is a hot topic in many circles. But how do you know if it is really a significant concern for you?
We will discuss the pros and cons of different types of testing for blood and urine, and how a home / office test, can be an important step.
We also discuss some of the more common symptoms of mold exposure, and just how something like this can be a significant "driver" for other medical conditions like autoimmunity.
Eat Fat to Burn Fat - The Ketogenic Diet
In this 41st episode we discuss concepts around a ketogenic diet, otherwise known as nutritional ketosis.
We will discuss what a ketone is as compared to glucose, how best to get into ketosis, why a person would do such a thing, and how the benefits can extend way beyond simple weight loss efforts.
Listen in and look beyond the more well known faddish concepts of Keto dieting! There is so much more to the story.
Ketogenic Diet | Keto Diet | Ketosis
The Gluten-Anxiety Connection
In this 61st episode we explore just how something like gluten, a protein found in grains, can be a significant driving force in the development and expression of anxiety, depression, and really any other mental/emotional concern.
We will discuss the role of the vagus nerve, the blood brain barrier, the gut barrier, antibody cross-reaction, GAD enzymes, deep cerebellar nuclei, purkinjie cells, and more! Yep nerdy stuff here, but fascinating and empowering once you see the connections.
Don't let something like anxiety or depression go untreated. Often times it is something you are doing every day that drives the whole business.
Gluten Cross Reactions - It Isn’t Just in Your Gut!
In this episode we will discuss some less-known concepts around gluten and how it can impact areas of the body, seemingly unrelated to the digestive system. As it turns out, upwards of 70% of gluten reactions are located in the brain and nervous system... Not in the gut!
This episode will focus on the topic of "cross-reactivity," which translates into "cases of mistaken identity." Sometimes the immune system just can't tell the difference.
Learn some foods which look and act a lot like gluten for the gluten sensitive population, and what tissues in the body also look a lot like gluten.
Lastly, we will discuss how gluten and autoimmune disease can be linked. This episode takes the basic concepts of gluten sensitivity and exposes the darker reality.
“I’m leaking from where, now?”
In this episode we will discuss Intestinal Permeability... aka. "Leaky Gut." We will detail the physiology of Leaky Gut and some very common mechanisms which promote the development of the condition, and the inflammatory cascades which can create a viscous cycle that drives itself over time.
Listen and learn how a breech in the gut barrier can have so much to do with autoimmunity, food sensitivity, joint pain, brain fog, and much much more.
The Cholesterol Misconception
In this episode we discuss some basic fundamentals around cholesterol and cardiovascular disease. Is LDL Cholesterol the only thing that matters? I think not. There is more to the story. To get started we will talk about vascular inflammation, LDL particle size and number, a few of the other possible contributing factors in cardiovascular disease, and some easy to obtain laboratory testing which can expand on the typical "Lipid Panel" normally ordered.
Introduction to Autoimmunity
In this 22nd episode, I will discuss some of the basic fundamentals of autoimmunity. We will explore the different stages of autoimmune expression, potential triggers, and how it might look before a full-blown diagnosis is given.
This is the first episode in a series of autoimmune episodes. Coming episodes will explore more about therapies/interventions, and specific autoimmune diseases.
Autoimmunity is an extremely common condition effecting many millions of people in this country. It is rare in fact not to have someone in your family with an autoimmune disease. That makes this episode, and mini-series on autoimmunity an important one to hear.
Is it the Gluten or the Sprays?
The discussion around gluten is certainly a big one. This podcast touches on just a few important concepts regarding gluten sensitivity, gut barrier integrity, processing of grain in the United States, and some literature suggesting that Celiac Disease is clearly on the rise! This is the first of many podcast episodes on gluten sensitivity reactions and how they can impact your health.
Functional Medicine, Explained
There are more ways than one to understand a medical concern, symptom, or diagnosis. Episode 1 is an entry point for many more discussions of functional medicine, mainstream medicine, physiology, neurology, endocrinology, autoimmunity, psychology, and much more.
The Hermit Crab and His Shell
A new name, a new location! Evolving my practice to better serve you.
Let's Talk Immune System, Plus New COVID-19 Antibody Test Available
I find the approach of simply sheltering in place to be short sighted and not giving justice to the abundant literature that is already published around optimizing immune function. Remember, sheltering in place only helps people avoid exposure to the virus. It does nothing to help a person have a more robust immune response, and it is a healthy and robust immune response that we want to not only fight off this virus if infected, but to provide a person and the community at large a natural immunity to the virus.
Also - I now offer Covid-19 antibody testing. Find out if you’ve already been exposed and have immunity!
My New Degree, and What That Means to My Practice
I have new letters after my name! What do they mean? Why did they change? And what else will change? Find out here!
Brain on Fire: Neuroinflammation and What You Can Do
If you’ve ever had a day where nothing seems to go well, or a day where you just aren’t able to do the things that you otherwise accomplish, this is a day where you are living with impaired brain function. It could be that you have neuroinflammation, or to be more picturesque, a brain on fire. Please read on and I will explain four possible different scenarios that might ring true for what you could be experiencing every day.
My Trip into Hellhole Canyon – A piece about goal setting for ultimate success
Goal setting can be self-sabotaging if not done carefully and mindfully. My much-needed solo trip to the desert ended up filled with valuable lessons about that. I hope my story sheds some light on this very important concept. It easily applies to those of you looking to set healthcare goals or major life changes.
The Autoimmune-Gut Connection
It is important to understand one major concept regarding autoimmunity: no one is born with an autoimmune disease. People are often born with a genetic propensity to develop a disease, but it tends to be factors in that person’s life that turn autoimmunity on. In this article, I explain more about autoimmunity, what impacts this unfortunate condition, and what can be done to ease the symptoms.
More helpful articles. Click on a category below...
- Acupuncture
- Autoimmunity
- Brain Health
- CEU Courses
- COVID-19
- Cholesterol
- Chronic Pain
- Chronic conditions
- Emotional Wellness
- Fatigue
- Fatty Liver
- FullScript
- Functional Medicine
- Getting Tested
- Gluten free
- Health Myths
- Health News
- Heart Health
- Hormonal Health
- Leaky Gut
- Mental Health
- Neurology
- Peptides
- Personal Stories
- Podcasts and interviews
- Proactive Healthcare
- Recipes
- Sleep Quality
- Specialized diets
- Supplements
- Thyroid conditions
- Weight Loss
- Women's Health