Allison's Journey with Princeton Integrative Health
Meet Allison, a loving mother of two small children who light up her world. However, when Allison first came to us, she was struggling to fully enjoy these precious moments. She constantly felt:
- Tired
- Foggy
- Reliant on coffee to wake up
- In need of a glass or two of wine at night to calm the "wired" feeling that crept in around 9:30 PM
Overwhelmed and unable to stay on top of things, Allison felt perpetually behind. She experienced bloating after meals, found herself grazing between meals, and noticed her hair still falling out rapidly even a year after giving birth.
Despite seeking help for a year and a half, her doctor repeatedly told her, “Your labs are normal, you’re just a tired mom.” But Allison knew there had to be more to her struggles.
One day, she stumbled upon PIH while searching for answers about postpartum insomnia. Realizing it wasn’t normal to feel constantly tired but wired, she learned about functional medicine for the first time. Determined to find a solution, she signed up for an Empowered Health Program with PIH to address her health issues at their root cause.
Month One of an Empowered Health Membership
From the start, Allison's initial lab panel revealed several nutrient deficiencies impacting her well-being:
- Iron deficiency causing fatigue and hair loss
- A sub-optimal thyroid contributing to brain fog
- Low Omega 3 levels affecting her skin and hair
During her first session, Allison shared her story and reviewed her labs with her PIH doctor. For the first time in years, she felt validated and hopeful.
Next, she met with a PIH Certified Nutrition Consultant (CNC) who provided manageable action items to improve her nutrition and lifestyle. The CNC also helped her navigate questions and troubleshooting that arose after her doctor’s visit.
Month Two of an Empowered Health Membership
In her second month, Allison felt more energized and vibrant, ready to tackle the persistent bloating that made mealtimes uncomfortable. Her PIH doctor explained how her functional stool test results were linked to her bloating. A dysbiosis in her gut microbiome was causing excess gas, and low-functioning digestive enzymes were hindering nutrient absorption. A comprehensive gut healing protocol was designed to address these root causes and support long-term healing.
Her PIH CNC created a targeted nutrition plan to correct the dysbiosis and nutrient deficiencies, considering Allison's food preferences and lifestyle. As she followed the gut healing protocol, Allison was pleasantly surprised to see improvements in other symptoms like anxiety and brain fog, which she had thought were just part of being a mom.
Month Three of an Empowered Health Membership
By the third month, Allison's hair stopped falling out and even started growing back. Though healing is a continuous journey, she was ready for the next stage of her gut healing.
Allison felt relieved to have another session with her PIH CNC, where she discussed modifications to her nutrition plan and new ideas for eating on the go. This refined wellness plan continued to improve her well-being.
Though her bloating was improving, she still occasionally struggled with constipation, another symptom she thought was common.
Month Four+ of an Empowered Health Membership
In the fourth month and beyond, Allison rechecked her labs, showing improvement in her nutrient and thyroid panels. After completing the gut healing protocol and noticing improvements in her bloating, she retested her stool for comparison.
Recognizing the impact of stress on her symptoms, PIH ordered a functional saliva cortisol test to further guide her wellness plan.
By month four, Allison felt like a new person. She continued her membership to:
- Ask questions
- Retest labs
- Remain part of the PIH Community and connect with other members
- Receive delicious recipes vetted by PIH dietitians
- Have a PIH doctor and health coach by her side
How is PIH Different?
At PIH, we focus on the root cause, designing holistic plans that not only relieve symptoms but help you function optimally, so you can feel vibrant and alive.
Functional medicine works when you have the right team to support you. Our PIH experts are experienced in both conventional and functional medicine, enabling us to identify when something more serious requires further investigation.
Our Empowered Health Program is designed to provide ongoing support and adjustments when needed. With PIH, you can start your journey to lasting well-being today.
Empowered Health Program
Work 1:1 with PIH practitioners. We connect you with a dedicated care team of functional medicine experts to uncover the root causes of your health concerns and create a personalized plan for lasting well-being.