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Hi!
Melissa came to our clinic with a concerning list of physical symptoms: chronic digestive issues, persistent headaches, unexplained skin rashes, and debilitating fatigue. She’d been through extensive medical testing that revealed nothing conclusive—leading several doctors to suggest her symptoms might be “just stress” or even “all in her head.”
“I know stress affects health,” she told me during our first meeting, “but these symptoms feel so physical. My skin is literally breaking out in rashes. My stomach hurts no matter what I eat. I can barely stay awake past dinner. This can’t all be from stress…can it?”
In fact, it could—and was. But not in the dismissive way Melissa had been told. Her symptoms weren’t psychosomatic or imagined; they were the physical manifestation of her body’s prolonged stress response.
Comprehensive testing revealed the mechanisms behind her symptoms:
* Elevated cortisol was disrupting her gut function, causing inflammation and digestive symptoms
* Stress-induced immune dysregulation was triggering inflammatory skin responses
* Chronic sympathetic nervous system activation was depleting her energy reserves
The solution wasn’t to simply “stress less”—a frustrating suggestion she’d heard repeatedly. Instead, we created a targeted protocol to address both the physiological effects of stress and the stressors themselves:
1. We started with nervous system regulation techniques matched to her specific pattern of dysregulation
2. Added targeted nutritional support to replenish stress-depleted nutrients
3. Implemented specific gut-healing protocols to address the digestive inflammation
4. Created personalized stress management techniques that fit her personality and lifestyle
5. Optimized sleep to support her body’s natural recovery systems
“I was skeptical at first,” Melissa admitted three months later. “But the improvements have been undeniable. My skin is clear for the first time in years. I can eat without pain. My energy has returned. And most surprisingly, I’m handling work stress without it taking the same physical toll.”
What made the difference for Melissa wasn’t denying the role of stress or throwing medications at each individual symptom. It was recognizing that stress creates very real physiological changes throughout the body—and addressing both the stress itself and its physical effects.
Throughout April, we’ll explore the many ways stress and anxiety impact your physical health—and how a functional medicine approach can create resilience in both mind and body.
This months Meetup will be on Stress, Anxiety & Your Body. Join us on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. The Meetup will be online, the Google Meet link will be emailed the day of to anyone who RSVPed.
🌐 **Join Our Community:** I’m also excited to announce the launch of our new virtual Meetup group, Perks of Functional Medicine. This group is dedicated to exploring the world of functional medicine and getting to the root causes of your health issues. Whether you’re a seasoned health enthusiast or just starting your journey to wellness, there is something here for everyone. Join us for informative discussions, workshops, and events that will empower you to take control of your well-being and live your best life.
Our next virtual Meetup is Tuesday, 4/22/25 at 6:30pm PST on Stress, Anxiety & Your Body. The Google Meet link provided on the 4/22 once you sign up.
Meetup Group (https://www.meetup.com/perks-of-functional-medicine/)
P.S. If you found this tip helpful, keep an eye on your inbox. I’ll be sharing more valuable insights to help you take control of your health in the coming days.
Be Good to Yourself,
Dr. Brian Perks DC, MPH
Perks of Wellness
2333 First Avenue #105
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 238-0345
drperks@perksofwellness.com
https://www.facebook.com/PerksofWellness
Perks of Wellness (https://healthrestorecenters.com/california/)
https://facebook.com/PerksofWellness
Facebook (https://facebook.com/PerksofWellness)
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