Appalachian Integrative Health

A recent review from a PRP hip joint injection:

“The pain in my left hip had become unbearable. I could no longer do the things I enjoy doing such as exercising and gardening without great pain. I couldn't find a comfortable position for sitting or sleeping. Before taking a step, I had to carefully stand and position my hip for movement. Zac had explained the PRP procedure to me. I was planning to schedule hip replacement surgery at the time.

Although skeptical, I made an appointment with Zac for PRP. The procedure was quick and painless. The pain in my hip subsided within days. About a week later, I spent many hours in my yard pulling weeds, trimming shrubs and bending and stooping over and over again. The next day, I had zero pain. Many friends have commented on how fast I'm walking and how much easier my movements appear. I definitely recommend giving PRP a try.”

Hey everyone!

Appalachian Integrative will be closed on Thursday, June 4th. We'll be back at the office on Friday, June 5th.

Felt especially grateful this past weekend to have my mom and aunt in town visiting. There’s something really meaningful about getting to care for the people who helped care for you first.

While they were here, I treated my mom with PRP injections for her hip, knee, and the base of her thumb to help support healing, reduce pain, and improve function naturally. We also did a SAAT treatment for her seasonal allergies — something we’ve seen help so many patients here in the Roanoke area.

One of my favorite parts of practicing integrative medicine is being able to combine regenerative therapies and holistic approaches to help people feel their best. Even better when it’s family.

Very thankful for the visit, the laughs, and the chance to spend quality time together. 💚

Alpha-gal syndrome is becoming increasingly common throughout our region, and for many people, it can completely change the way they eat, socialize, and live. At Appalachian Integrative Health, we are proud to offer SAAT (Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment) — an innovative acupuncture-based treatment that has shown an approximately 95% success rate for many patients struggling with alpha-gal and other allergies.

SAAT utilizes a very specific acupuncture approach involving a tiny needle placed in the ear for a short period of time to help calm and retrain the body’s immune response. Many patients report significant improvements in their reactions and quality of life after treatment.

While alpha-gal is one of the most common allergies we see treated with SAAT here in Southwest Virginia, this therapy may also be helpful for:
• Seasonal allergies
• Environmental allergies
• Food sensitivities and allergies
• Pet allergies
• And more

Because every patient is unique, we take an individualized approach to determine whether SAAT may be appropriate for your situation and how best to support your overall immune health.

If you or someone you know is struggling with alpha-gal or chronic allergies, we’d love to help explore your options. Call our office to learn more about whether SAAT may be right for you.

Contact us today at 540-685-2718 to schedule a consultation.

Photo credit: Cleveland Clinic

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month 💚🐞

This weekend, I had the honor of participating in the Lyme Warrior 5K alongside my incredible friend and fellow Lyme-literate provider, Dr. Janine Talty. Events like these are such an important reminder of how many individuals and families are affected by Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses every single day.

Lyme disease can be incredibly complex and difficult to diagnose. Many patients suffer for years with symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, anxiety, neuropathy, headaches, digestive issues, and more before finally getting answers. Unfortunately, standard testing can sometimes miss cases, which is why more comprehensive specialty testing through labs such as IGeneX and Vibrant Wellness can be extremely valuable in certain patients.

At Appalachian Integrative Health, we work with many patients dealing with Lyme disease, co-infections, mold illness, and chronic inflammatory conditions. One of the most important things to understand is that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to healing. Every patient’s history, immune system, toxic burden, nervous system, gut health, and co-infections are unique — and their treatment plan should be too.

Our goal is always to provide compassionate, individualized care while helping patients uncover the root causes contributing to their symptoms.

As we move deeper into tick season here in Virginia, don’t forget to check yourself, your children, and your pets after spending time outdoors. Early detection and awareness truly matter.

Photo Credit: lymedisease.org

Zac spent last weekend in Atlanta advancing his skills with specialized training in Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections! 💉✨

PRP therapy uses a concentrated portion of your own blood—packed with healing platelets—to support tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and promote natural recovery. It’s a powerful option for treating joint pain, soft tissue injuries, and more.

We’re excited to bring this cutting-edge treatment to our patients—PRP appointments will be available soon! 🙌