The Shepherd Center for Integrative Health

The Shepherd Center for Integrative Health Your brilliant body knows best...when we listen to it. Our trained hands identify old injuries and i It's all about the detective work...and really good hands.

Our knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and movement allow us to problem solve why you are having pain and health issues. We quickly identify areas and structures that are not moving and working as well as they could be, thus interfering with overall efficiency of all of your bodily systems and movements. Hands-on techniques improve the mobility and health of these structures and restores the ability for your body to work more efficiently as a whole. Restore your body...restore your life!

So honored and excited to present how I integrate Manual Therapy with Functional Medicine for the CC25 Barral Symposium!...
08/19/2025

So honored and excited to present how I integrate Manual Therapy with Functional Medicine for the CC25 Barral Symposium!

This conference is full of pioneering practitioners working to move the needle on improving the lives of humans and of our failing healthcare systems.

Link for more information as well as a link to my discount code is in the comments. Get ready to be inspired!❤️

While there are things that stir anger in me, there are very FEW things that make my blood boil!Hospital bills, expensiv...
08/19/2025

While there are things that stir anger in me, there are very FEW things that make my blood boil!

Hospital bills, expensive insurance premiums, and high deductibles.

I JUST paid off 7K for my appendectomy in 2023. I am on a payment plan for 3K for an endoscopy that was not helpful and I ended up with a nerve injury from a bad IV stick. Hundreds of dollars for urgent care visits from hockey injuries.

Now, I’m getting billed for a visit that never even occurred. 🤦‍♀️

I have insurance, which I try not to use, as I have a $7400 deductible. Most practitioners I work with for prevention, like myself, do not mess with insurance companies.

What if there was transparency in health care?
What if we took out the middle man of 3rd party payors?
Why can’t consumers work directly with providers versus insurance companies.

We need a better way…💪

PS…my goal is to keep you OUT of the healthcare systems.😉

It’s that time of year for me…-clearing the pantries and fridge of accumulate junk from the summer-planning our eating a...
08/18/2025

It’s that time of year for me…

-clearing the pantries and fridge of accumulate junk from the summer

-planning our eating as we transition to school schedules

It was a fun summer if treats and indulgences and we all are feeling it in our bodies! Insomnia, pains, skin issues and creeping weight gain.

I’m ready to hit the reset button…
-eat to support my genetics
-get back into regular exercise

It takes planning and prepping to do so, though.

For me, it starts with a deep purge and assessment of my kitchen and pantries.

What do I need to support healthy eating in a busy family…?

What temptations or quick fixes get in the way?

I’m current exploring the way my body utilizes glucose and fatty acids…genetics are NOT in my favor, so it takes more work for me.

But I am SO worth being taken care of❤️

So are you.

I hit the reset button on September 8th. LMK if you’d like to join me!

My big kid had a rough night sleeping last night night…I worked with the pathways of his hypothalamus (a primary regulat...
08/17/2025

My big kid had a rough night sleeping last night night…

I worked with the pathways of his hypothalamus (a primary regulator of temperature, blood pressure, hormones, and so much more) and his pineal (primary area of melatonin synthesis and regulation).

In the morning, we talked about his screen time and caffeine intake…yes, even in the early afternoon. (Darn that TikTok influencing of the new Taco Bell drinks, not to mention energy drinks, and the coffee shops that sell drinks containing Red Bull.)

We’ll start with pulling caffeine and “wind down” time before sleep…trying to support the parasympathetic nervous system.

As I also endured some sleep debt last night, I am not shy about pulling a quick power nap in the back seat before a soccer game!😉

I recommend my patients and athletes do their foam roll routine BEFORE they work out or exercise. The more mobility and ...
08/09/2025

I recommend my patients and athletes do their foam roll routine BEFORE they work out or exercise.

The more mobility and ease of movement you can get throughout your body, the less strain and overuse you will put on joints and singular muscles and have better length and joint position for better muscle recruitment and joint health.

Maximize the results of your mobility work by following up with effective stability work.

As people recover from hip and knee surgeries, we talk about mobility…balance, the ability to get on and off the floor…w...
08/06/2025

As people recover from hip and knee surgeries, we talk about mobility…balance, the ability to get on and off the floor…which is CRITICAL if one were to trip and fall or to get somewhere quickly.

Or to get out of the ocean from a family of sharks!

We just watched the lifeguard call everyone out of the water due to a shark sighting. I watched an older gentleman struggle to move quickly out of the water.

Don’t take your mobility for granted…when you have the right tools you can keep your body moving with strength and ease for a lifetime!

Learn more about our online course: The Shepherd Method for Structural Health, in which you will learn the MOST effective and efficient techniques, concepts and exercises to keep your body moving optimally, with internal strength and ease, for a LIFETIME.

www.thef3h.com

R&R Time. Rest and Relaxation brings us Recovery. It’s been a busy summer of travel baseball, working in the clinic and ...
08/05/2025

R&R Time.

Rest and Relaxation brings us Recovery. It’s been a busy summer of travel baseball, working in the clinic and creating programs, taking care of family and visiting with friends.

We decompress, put nothing on the agenda, and bask in the beauty of the ocean.

We’ll be getting ready for back to school and great work in the clinic. We’ll be rested and ready to go.

Many of my patients a who struggle with significant health issues are in need of rest… Our bodies were made to work, AND play, and to do both well, we need rest. Where they can catch their breath, breathe deep, and let go…even if just a few minutes during the day.

Our bodies can’t push hard for long…

It is heartbreaking and infuriating that these products are marketed as “healthy.” Sucralose-harmful to the liver and gu...
07/30/2025

It is heartbreaking and infuriating that these products are marketed as “healthy.”

Sucralose-harmful to the liver and gut lining-artificial sweeteners continue to prime the brain to crave sweet.

Canola Oil. Artificial Flavor and Color. Milk Proteins-many people have sensitivities to dairy which can further drive inflammation…among many other ingredients potentially harmful to our cells.

We can do better.

Be a wise consumer of healthcare and health information. Take control of your health.

You really can eat well when you are on the go…I have some time at the airport, waiting on a kiddo.I almost grabbed a Pe...
07/28/2025

You really can eat well when you are on the go…

I have some time at the airport, waiting on a kiddo.

I almost grabbed a Perfect Bar and Decafe almond milk latte, but I thought about what I would eat the rest of day. There was no way I’d get the veggies this salad will provide me.

We need our food to nurture and fuel our cells and our bodies let us know when we don’t!

Catching up on some reading…multiple day fasts have NOT been good for my body in the past. But I am very aware of the importance of supporting cellular health by autophagy and entering states of ketosis. Especially those of us who have strong genes for inflammation and chronic disease.

Looking forward to exploring the wisdom of timing our nutrients and various fasting methods with our menstrual cycles.

“Mom, I got something for you!”My 16 year old has been paying attention over the years, as I have been embracing a healt...
07/20/2025

“Mom, I got something for you!”

My 16 year old has been paying attention over the years, as I have been embracing a healthier lifestyle.

I have discovered dairy, among a few other foods contributes to inflammation in my cells. I put on weight quickly, and my gut, mood, joints, and skin struggle. So I mostly avoid them. And sugar…😳

At the same time, I do believe sharing a pint of “ice cream” on the couch with my 16 year old is a precious moment to cherish.

I believe in 85/15…it’s really hard to be super clean and strict in a diet for a long period of time, and the stress of it can actually be very harmful to our nervous systems. But, as our bodies become more robust and resilient cellularly, a treat here and there in good company, chosen wisely, is important as well.

❤️

This is Alzheimer’s prevention…I wasn’t blessed with the best genes…but we now know genes do NOT need to be our destiny!...
07/18/2025

This is Alzheimer’s prevention…

I wasn’t blessed with the best genes…but we now know genes do NOT need to be our destiny!

✨Structural efficiency for optimal oxygenation and blood flow to the brain

✨Strength training to optimize structural efficiency, bone density and metabolism

✨Increasing cardiovascular endurance for optimizing blood flow and waste clearance did the brain

✨ Additionally to decrease risk of injury and arthritis, which often results in drugs and surgeries both of which can be detrimental to live brain health

✨And of course airway and sleep quality, reducing inflammation, optimizing nutrients, minimizing toxin exposure, maximizing the body’s ability to detoxify, supporting our nervous systems and healthy relationships.

This work starts in our 30s and 40s…and our new healthy habits continue for a lifetime. While it’s never too late to to choose a healthier lifestyle… there does come a point when a disease process is running at high speed and overcoming it is significantly harder.

I teach all of this to my patients and through my online learning center The Foundations for Functional Health.
❤️

Be sure to stay in the know with the latest, researched supported and personally tested information and strategies to live a healthy, robust life and decrease your risk of disease.

Sign up now❤️
www.tscfih.com
Link in bio and in comments

Drugs, surgeries, and expensive tests with no results or guidance don’t have to be the norm of aging and healthcare…We b...
07/16/2025

Drugs, surgeries, and expensive tests with no results or guidance don’t have to be the norm of aging and healthcare…

We believe when you have the right knowledge, resources, and guidance, you can live a radiant life of hope, peace, and purpose.

Address

2001 Crocker Road Gemini Towers Suite 410
Westlake, OH
44145

Telephone

+12167721636

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Our Story

Your amazing, unique, intelligent body wasn’t created to be put in a box. We all have our individual histories, genetic makeup, past and present circumstances that make us who we are today. It’s ALL connected inside and out. Most things are figureoutable when we take the time to problem solve, listen, feel and honor one’s human needs.

...It's all about the detective work...and really good hands. Exquisite knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and movement enable me to problem solve the “whats” and “whys” that significantly contribute to your pain or illness. I quickly identify areas and structures that are not moving as well as they could be, thus interfering with overall efficiency of movement. A specialized variety of precise hands-on techniques improve the mobility of these structures so body to move more efficiently and in balance.

I specialize in complex chronic pain and illnesses, not limited to: concussion, anxiety and depression, emotional trauma, digestive disorders, pain, autoimmune disorders, trauma, injuries, accidents, post surgery, endocrine disorders...

Restore your movement, restore your health.