Americkan Wellness LLC

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🪴 In-home occupational therapy services for NE Ohio; dedicated to providing comprehensive, client-centered pelvic floor therapy services.
🌞 Focused on supporting women through a holistic healthcare lens.
đź©ş Functional medicine practitioner.

08/28/2026

Strength training isn’t just about building muscle or changing the way your body looks.

Muscle is metabolic tissue. And the more we understand about healthy aging, the more important maintaining muscle becomes.

Here’s why I want more women to prioritize strength training:

1. Muscle helps regulate blood sugar.

Your skeletal muscle is one of the major places your body stores and uses glucose. Building and maintaining muscle can improve insulin sensitivity and help your body handle blood sugar more effectively.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 27 studies found that resistance training significantly improved markers of insulin resistance, including fasting insulin and HOMA-IR.

2. It helps protect your metabolism as you age.

Muscle mass naturally declines with age. This isn’t just about losing strength—it can affect metabolic health, mobility, independence and overall resilience.

3. It supports bone health.

Progressively loading your muscles also places stress on your bones, giving your body a reason to maintain stronger bones as you age.

4. It helps you maintain independence.

Being able to lift, carry, squat, get off the floor, climb stairs and move your body confidently becomes increasingly important as we get older.

5. It may help you live longer.

A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that muscle-strengthening activity was associated with a 10–17% lower risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. (British Journal of Sports Medicine)

And newer long-term research continues to support the importance of resistance training. A 2026 analysis of more than 147,000 adults found that 90–119 minutes of resistance training per week was associated with a 13% lower risk of all-cause mortality compared with no resistance training. (British Journal of Sports Medicine)

So no, you don’t need to spend two hours in the gym every day.

You don’t need to become a bodybuilder.

You don’t even need to love lifting weights.

But you do need to give your muscles a reason to stay.

Start where you are. Lift something challenging. Progress gradually. Be consistent.

Because strength training isn’t just about how your body looks.

It’s about how your body functions 10, 20 and 30 years from now.

You will NOT get through an evaluation or treatment session with me without hearing about the importance of strength training!

Want to know more about how to support your body through movement?

Call Ericka at 330-614-4253 to schedule your personal evaluation today!



Study: Shailendra et al., American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2022; “Resistance Training and Mortality Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

08/27/2026

7 Facts About Pregnancy You Don’t Hear Enough

Pregnancy is one of the most metabolically demanding times in a woman’s life. From a functional medicine perspective, it’s not just about “growing a baby”—it’s about how the mother’s body adapts, nourishes, and protects two systems at once.

Here are a few important, often overlooked facts:

1. Blood sugar balance becomes even more important.
During pregnancy, insulin resistance naturally increases to help ensure the baby has a steady fuel supply. If blood sugar is already dysregulated before pregnancy, this can increase the risk of gestational diabetes. Supporting stable glucose through protein, fiber, movement, and muscle mass becomes especially important.

2. Muscle is a metabolic buffer.
Skeletal muscle acts like a “glucose sink,” helping clear sugar from the bloodstream. This is one reason maintaining muscle mass before and during pregnancy can support healthier glucose regulation.

3. Nutrient demand increases significantly.
Pregnancy increases requirements for nutrients like iron, folate, choline, iodine, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids. Functional medicine focuses on nutrient density first—because depletion in the mother can affect both maternal energy and fetal development.

4. The gut microbiome shifts dramatically.
Pregnancy naturally alters gut bacteria to support energy storage and immune adaptation. Diet quality, fiber intake, and stress levels can influence how balanced this shift is.

5. Inflammation balance matters.
Pregnancy is not a low-inflammatory state by default. Excess inflammation (from poor sleep, high blood sugar, nutrient deficiencies, or chronic stress) can impact both maternal wellbeing and pregnancy outcomes.

6. The thyroid works harder.
Thyroid hormone demand increases in pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. This is why iodine, selenium, and iron status are so important for both maternal energy and fetal brain development.

7. Movement still matters.
When appropriate and cleared by a provider, gentle strength training and walking can support circulation, blood sugar balance, mood, and musculoskeletal health during pregnancy.

The big picture:

Pregnancy is not just a “passive” state—it’s a period of intense physiological adaptation.

From a functional medicine and pelvic floor lens, the goal is simple:

Support the mother’s metabolism, nutrients, and resilience so both mom and baby thrive.

Want to know more about how to optimally support your body throughout pregnancy?

Call Ericka at 330-614-4253 to schedule your custom evaluation today!

08/26/2026

!! Your Skin’s Worst Enemy Might Not Be What You Think !!

We all know that UV exposure can damage our skin—and yes, protecting your skin from the sun is important.

But there’s another piece we don’t talk about enough:

Your blood sugar.

When blood glucose is consistently elevated, sugar can attach to proteins like collagen and elastin through a process called glycation.

This creates compounds called advanced glycation end products (AGEs).

Why does that matter?

These compounds can contribute to collagen becoming stiffer, less flexible, and harder for your body to remodel.

Over time, this can contribute to some of the things we associate with skin aging:

- Loss of elasticity
- Wrinkles
- Reduced skin resilience
- Increased oxidative stress and inflammation

This isn’t about one dessert or one high-carb meal.

It’s about your overall metabolic health and repeated exposure to elevated blood sugar over time.

So if you’re focused on healthy, glowing skin, don’t ONLY ask:

“What am I putting ON my skin?”

Also ask:

“What am I doing INSIDE my body to support healthy skin?”

Think:

Strength training — supports muscle and metabolic health.

Adequate protein — provides amino acids needed for tissue repair and maintenance.

Fiber-rich, nutrient-dense foods — support healthy blood-sugar regulation.

Quality sleep — important for metabolic health and tissue repair.

Healthy blood-sugar regulation — helps minimize chronic glucose elevations.

Sun protection — because UV exposure absolutely still matters.

Healthy skin isn’t about spending $100 on a “ageless” serum.

It’s about creating the right environment inside your body for your skin to thrive.

Your skincare routine doesn’t start with your moisturizer.

It starts with how you take care of your body.

To learn more about how your daily choices affect your body and skin, book an evaluation today by calling or texting 330-614-4253!

08/25/2026

One of the biggest things I tell my patients is that I don't want you choosing a vitamin just because the bottle says “natural,” “clean,” or “professional grade.” (or that it's the cheapest or most convenient option!)

What matters is what's actually inside the supplements!

When I'm recommending supplements, I look for brands that prioritize:

-Quality ingredients
-Transparent labeling
-Appropriate dosages and nutrient forms
-Minimal unnecessary additives or preservatives
-Testing for purity and potency
-Heavy metal and contaminant testing
-Good manufacturing practices
-Third-party quality testing when available

Some of the practitioner-focused brands I commonly look to include:

-Pure Encapsulations
-Seed
-Designs for Health
-Integrative Therapeutics
-Momentus
-Metagenics
-ORA

That doesn't mean every product from these companies is right for every person. Even within a high-quality brand, the specific product and ingredient list matter.

Non-toxic” and “filler-free” aren't regulated guarantees. (since the FDA does NOT regulate vitamins and supplements)

Supplements should complement a strong foundation of nutrition, sleep, movement, stress management, and lifestyle—not replace it.

Quality matters.
Individualization matters more.

If you want personalized input on the vitamins, supplements, or daily habits/lifestyle factors that are right for you.

Reach out to me today at 330-614-4253 to schedule your custom evaluation!

08/24/2026

To say I am proud is the understatement of a lifetime!!!

Love helping women do what their bodies and naturally made to do! 🩷👏🏻

Why are high-protein snacks so important?From both a functional medicine and pelvic floor therapy perspective, protein i...
08/24/2026

Why are high-protein snacks so important?

From both a functional medicine and pelvic floor therapy perspective, protein isn't just about building muscle. It's one piece of supporting the whole body.

If you find yourself hitting that afternoon crash, getting hungry shortly after eating, or reaching for something sweet at night, your snacks may be missing an important piece: protein.

Protein can help support:

-Muscle maintenance, recovery, and strength (especially as we age, we need protein more post menopausal!)
-Pelvic floor and surrounding muscle health
-Tissue repair and recovery
-Satiety (feelings of fullness for longer)
-Consistent energy throughout the day
-Blood sugar regulation when paired with fiber-rich carbohydrates and healthy fats
-Meeting your body's nutritional needs during periods of increased stress, exercise, or recovery

From a pelvic floor perspective, I often talk about strengthening, but muscles also need adequate nutrition to recover and function well. Your pelvic floor is part of your larger muscular system, and it benefits from the same fundamentals: adequate protein, hydration, movement, recovery, and overall nutrition.

From a functional medicine perspective, I also like to look at the bigger picture. If you're constantly exhausted, experiencing intense cravings, struggling with recovery, or feeling hungry between meals, it's worth looking at your overall eating pattern rather than simply adding another supplement.

Instead of a quick sugar rush, try pairing protein + fiber for a more satisfying snack!

The goal isn't perfection.

It's about giving your body the building blocks it needs to support energy, muscle, recovery, and overall function.

Next time you reach for a snack, ask yourself:

"Where's the protein?"

DM me for this high protein PDF!

5 SIGNS OF EARLY MENOPAUSE YOU SHOULDN’T IGNOREMenopause isn’t just something that happens in your 50s.When these change...
08/21/2026

5 SIGNS OF EARLY MENOPAUSE YOU SHOULDN’T IGNORE

Menopause isn’t just something that happens in your 50s.

When these changes start happening before age 45, it’s considered early menopause—and menopause before 40 is considered premature menopause.

Here are 5 signs worth paying attention to 👇

1. Your periods suddenly change
Cycles become irregular, you start skipping periods, or your flow changes significantly.

2. New hot flashes or night sweats
Suddenly feeling intensely hot or waking up sweaty can be a sign that your hormones are shifting.

3. Your sleep changes
Trouble falling asleep, frequent nighttime waking, or waking up exhausted can accompany changing hormone levels.

4. Your mood or brain feels different
Increased anxiety, irritability, mood swings, brain fog, or difficulty concentrating can occur during hormonal changes.

5. Changes in vaginal & sexual health
New vaginal dryness, painful in*******se, decreased lubrication, urinary symptoms, or changes in libido can be clues that estrogen levels are changing.

!! But here’s the important part !!
These symptoms don’t automatically mean you’re entering menopause.

Thyroid issues, pregnancy, nutritional deficiencies, stress, certain medications, and other health conditions can cause similar symptoms.

Don’t just normalize significant changes in your cycle or symptoms—especially when they happen earlier than expected.

Ask: “WHY is this happening?”

Your hormones affect far more than reproduction. They play important roles in your bones, brain, cardiovascular system, metabolism, pelvic health, and overall wellbeing.

Your symptoms are information. Don’t ignore them.

Want to know more about your symptoms?

Look no further! Call, text, or DM to book your evaluation today!



(This is educational information only and not a diagnosis or substitute for individualized medical care.)

10 Things I Wish Everyone Knew From a Functional Medicine Perspective1. “Normal” labs don’t always mean optimal health.L...
08/20/2026

10 Things I Wish Everyone Knew From a Functional Medicine Perspective

1. “Normal” labs don’t always mean optimal health.
Lab results need to be interpreted in context of symptoms, history, trends, and the individual—not just whether a number falls inside a “reference” range.

2. Your symptoms are information.
Fatigue, brain fog, digestive changes, headaches, poor sleep, and low energy shouldn’t automatically be dismissed as “just getting older” or “just stress.”

3. Food is more than calories.
Protein, fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and adequate hydration provide the raw materials your body needs to function.

4. Your gut affects more than digestion.
Your gastrointestinal system interacts with your immune system, metabolism, nervous system, mental health, and overall well-being.

5. Sleep is not optional.
Your body uses sleep for recovery, regulation, memory, immune function, and countless other processes.

6. Stress is a physical input.
Your body doesn’t separate emotional stress from everything else happening in your environment. Chronic stress can influence sleep, digestion, recovery, and how you feel day to day.

7. Movement doesn’t have to mean a gym.
Walking, strength training, mobility work, playing with your kids, and simply moving throughout the day all count.

8. Your body systems don’t work independently.
Hormones, digestion, nutrition, sleep, movement, the nervous system, and metabolism are interconnected. Sometimes the symptom isn’t the whole story.

9. Prevention is worth more than waiting for a problem.
You don’t have to wait until something is significantly wrong to start paying attention to nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, and your health trends.

10. Health isn’t about chasing perfect numbers.
It’s about understanding your body, identifying patterns, addressing contributing factors, and creating sustainable habits that support you long-term.

Functional medicine isn’t about treating a lab value. It’s about looking at the person behind the lab value. You lifestyle creates your reality.

Find out what story your lab values are telling today!

Comment “labs” to find out more!

I HATE to be the one to break it to you, BUT that nightly glass of wine? It may not be as “healthy” as we’ve been told.F...
08/19/2026

I HATE to be the one to break it to you, BUT that nightly glass of wine? It may not be as “healthy” as we’ve been told.

For years, we heard that red wine was good for the heart because it contains polyphenols and antioxidants.

And yes—polyphenols are beneficial plant compounds. 🌱

But here’s the catch:

You don’t need the alcohol to get the polyphenols.

Polyphenols are naturally found in foods like fruits, vegetables, olive oil, green tea, herbs and spices, and cacao/dark chocolate.

Red wine contains polyphenols such as resveratrol, but the presence of these compounds doesn’t make alcohol a health food. (AND the amount that you get from wine doesn’t make it healthy by ANY means)

Meanwhile, drinking wine regularly can:

-Disrupt sleep: You may fall asleep faster, but alcohol can interfere with sleep quality and nighttime rest.

-Impact mood & stress: Regular drinking may contribute to anxiety, irritability, or mood changes in some people.

-Affect blood sugar & appetite: Alcohol can influence glucose regulation and increase cravings for some people.

-Affect the gut & inflammation: Alcohol can irritate the gastrointestinal tract and contribute to inflammatory processes.

-Increase cancer risk: Alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk of several cancers, including breast and colorectal cancer.

So does this mean you can NEVER have wine?

No. This isn’t about fear or perfection.

It’s about recognizing the difference between:

🍷 “I occasionally enjoy a glass of wine.”

and

🍷 “I need a glass of wine every night to relax.”

That second statement is worth paying attention to.

Your nightly wine may be affecting your sleep, hormones, mood, gut, metabolism, and long-term health more than you realize.

You don’t have to give up everything you enjoy. But you should know what your daily habits are actually doing inside your body.

Want to know more about how your habits and daily routine are affecting your health?

Book an evaluation today by texting or calling 330-614-4253!

08/18/2026

Anti-inflammatory is a HUGE buzz word in today's society.

When people hear “anti-inflammatory diet,” they often think they need to cut out a huge list of foods or live on salads and smoothies.

That’s not really the point.

An anti-inflammatory approach is more about the overall pattern of how you eat and live versus restriction.

Anti-inflammatory lifestyle goes FAR beyond the dietary choices that we make on a daily basis.

Things that can influence inflammation in your body include; dietary choices, sleep quality and quantity, nervous system functioning, hydration status, stress responses, movement and exercise, quality socialization, environmental toxins, natural sunlight exposure, smoking and/or alcohol use, genetics, weight, infections, etc,.

Anti-inflammatory living can help diminish long term inflammation in the body, which can assist with prevention of a multitude of diseases and illnesses. (This is why an anti-inflammatory lifestyle is one of the biggest factors that I preach to my patients!)

One cookie isn’t going to cause inflammation. One salad isn’t going to fix everything.

Your body responds to patterns, not perfection.

So instead of asking, “What foods do I need to eliminate?” try asking: “What can I ADD more of that supports my health?”

More colorful plants.
More whole foods.
More purposeful movement.
More quality sleep.
More consistency.

If you would like to know how to support your body best in striving towards a healthy lifestyle and healthy living, call or text 330-614-4253 to schedule your custom evaluation today!

Address

North Canton, OH

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 7pm
Tuesday 7am - 7pm
Wednesday 7am - 7pm
Thursday 7am - 7pm
Friday 7am - 7pm
Saturday 7am - 12pm

Telephone

+13306144253

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