STACIE HAN, Naturopathic Doctor, Licensed acupuncturist

I was fortunate enough to learn from an early age that health centered around supporting the body’s innate ability to heal. My mom was my best teacher and she showed me how FOOD was medicine. Sweating was induced to facilitate fevers to support immune function. I was a believer of acupuncture at 7 years old when my nausea and vomiting ceased immediately after treatment. My mom taught me how to live with simple, gentle, yet powerful medicines. I owe much to my “Buddha Momma” who also taught me about patience, balancing yin and yang, that too much of a good thing is not a good thing. 

 

I earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in accounting and finance from the University of Hawaii and worked as a CPA and auditor before discovering my true passion for Naturopathic & East Asian medicine. I attended Bastyr University in Seattle where I received both my doctorate in naturopathic medicine and masters in acupuncture and East Asian medicine. I completed a residency with Dr. Owen Miller, ND, at the Holistic Health Clinic in Tacoma, a thriving naturopathic primary care clinic. While there, I further strengthened my belief that diet and lifestyle are the foundations for health, and without these in place, drugs, hormones, and supplements are no more than symptom relief.

Before relocating back to the west coast in sunny San Diego in 2022, I had a busy private practice in New Jersey for 3 years (2019-2022) and Illinois for 4 years (2015-2019) & worked alongside Dr. Donald Raden, MD who specialized in functional medicine & chronic inflammatory response syndrome in Highwood, IL. Before moving to Illinois, I had a practice in Seattle, WA, for 5 years (2010-2015). I am a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and NCCAOM board certified in acupuncture and oriental medicine.

I provide naturopathic and East Asian medicine to all. I have strong interests in:

·      Gastrointestinal disorders such as IBS, SIBO, SIFO

·     Autoimmune disorders – Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Hashimoto’s, Graves, Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Celiac Disease

·      Women’s health – PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids, PMS, PMDD, perimenopause, menopause

·      Metabolic syndrome – High cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, obesity

I center recommendations foremost on proper nutrition and getting the digestive system functioning optimally.  Then I share how certain herbs, vitamins, nutrients, amino acids and homeopathy can encourage the body back into balance. BUT a lot of clients already know what they should be eating or doing but continue to struggle with making the right choices. This is where modalities like acupuncture can help. Acupuncture is a great vehicle to access and get un-stuck how the body stores stress, trauma, angst, pent up emotions. I believe that in many cases the root cause of dis-ease lies in emotional trauma that has not been adequately addressed. In East Asian Medicine, energy aka “qi” stagnates in areas of pain & trauma. The body holds onto pain when there is no other outlet. Acupuncture can help to break up the stagnation and move & release the pain so that the body no longer hurts.

On my time to restore, I enjoy yoga, swimming especially in the ocean waters of Oahu where I often visit my family, and traveling to different countries with my husband and premier gurus, my 2 children Maia and Xavier. I am honored to be sharing how you can immerse yourself in an ideal environment so that you may THRIVE.

Common Complaints: 

gastrointestinal

Unless your digestion is properly functioning, you will not feel healthy – period. I can help you tailor your diet that is right for you and only you. Use of antibiotics in the past, proton pump inhibitors (Omeprazole, Prevacid, Protonix), long-term stress, years of the Standard American Diet (SAD), past episodes of food poisoning and parasites can disrupt your intestinal flora and lead to constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, halitosis, fatigue, food cravings, inability to lose weight, and mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, etc.

I often use specialty testing such as food sensitivity tests, comprehensive stool analysis, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) breath tests to find out the underlying cause of your symptoms. Some of the following conditions I can help with are:

  • Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD, Heartburn, Indigestion

  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

  • Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and/or Small intestinal fungal overgrowth (SIFO)

  • Constipation, diarrhea

  • Gas/bloat

  • Abdominal pain

  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s, Ulcerative colitis)

  • Candida/Yeast overgrowth

  • Recurrent Clostridium Difficile infection

Autoimmune disease

Autoimmune disease is on the rise. Why? I believe the attack to self is multifactorial and could be due to one or often times a combination of the following factors:

  • Unresolved lingering infections that the body has a difficult time clearing

  • Environmental toxicity -

    • Heavy metals

    • Poor diet

    • Endless endocrine disruptors in everyday products (detergents, personal hygiene, make up, cleaning products, etc)

  • Past dental work -

    • Dental amalgams, cavitations, root canals

  • Physical and/or emotional trauma - unresolved trauma and abuse can dampen one’s immune strength and make one susceptible to attack on self. Stuffing or suppressing one’s pain can have deleterious affects on physical health.

METABOLIC SYNDROME

Metabolic syndrome, also known as the “Silent Killer” affects 34% of the adult population. It is a cluster of pathologies that includes:

  1. High blood pressure

  2. High blood sugar

  3. High triglycerides or fat cells

  4. Low HDL

  5. Obesity

I have worked with clients to improve and normalize their levels with proper nutrition, improved sleep, stress coping mechanisms and exercise.

HORMONE IMBALANCE

Many health conditions may have their root in hormone imbalance. Hormones generally refer to sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, etc.), thyroid hormone, and adrenal hormones. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have been shown to improve gynecological conditions, especially fertility. Some common conditions that may be improved with balancing these three hormonal systems include:

  • Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

  • Irregular cycles

  • Amenorrhea

  • Heavy and/or painful periods

  • Fibroids

  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

  • Endometriosis

  • Infertility

  • Peri-menopause: hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, irritability, insomnia

  • Fatigue

  • Insomnia

  • Weight gain/Inability to lose weight

  • Low libido

  • Brain fog

  • Low immune function

PRENATAL, pregnancy & POSTPARTUM SUPPORT

Trying to get pregnant, achieving pregnancy, giving birth and taking care of your child(ren) are the most important and rewarding times in a mother’s life. It can also be a time of high stress, exhaustion, and depression. This is a crucial time to feel healthy, strong and mentally stable. Working with pregnant moms and mothers is a joy. The following are common complaints I help with:

  • Can you help with my nausea, vomiting and fatigue of pregnancy?

  • What diet is ideal during my pregnancy and while nursing?

  • Is acupuncture safe and recommended in pregnancy?

  • Can acupuncture stimulate a past due pregnancy?

  • Can you help with my postpartum depression?

  • Why am I feeling so exhausted all the time? I’m not pregnant anymore.