Appalachian Integrative Health

10/31/2026

🎃👻 A Little Halloween Magic from Appalachian Integrative Health! 👑✨

They say it takes a village, but I’m convinced I have the most extraordinary team in the entire Roanoke Valley!

As we celebrate Halloween, I wanted to take a moment to recognize the incredible people who make Appalachian Integrative Health so much more than just a healthcare practice. Behind every patient interaction, every treatment, and every bit of healing that happens within our walls is a team of individuals who genuinely care about the people we serve.

💙 Wes Brusseau – Sully from Monsters, Inc.
One of our newest additions to the team, Wes brings an incredible wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to acupuncture through his extensive background as a licensed counselor. His ability to understand the connection between emotional and physical well-being is truly a gift to our patients. We are so fortunate to have his wisdom, compassion, and experience on our team!

🎀 Elizabeth Fuller, RN – Halloween Minnie Mouse
Elizabeth is one of those rare individuals who can walk into a room and immediately make someone feel comfortable, understood, and cared for. Her infectious personality, natural ability to connect with patients, and exceptional nursing skills make her an invaluable part of our practice. She brings warmth, laughter, and an incredible amount of heart to everything she does!

🧙‍♀️ Alex Watkins – Our Wonderful Witch
Alex is an exceptionally talented acupuncturist and herbalist, but what makes her truly special goes far beyond her clinical expertise. She is a genuinely wonderful human being whose kindness, intelligence, and dedication to her patients shine through every day. Her knowledge of Chinese medicine and herbal healing is remarkable, and I am endlessly grateful for everything she contributes to our practice.

⚔️ Mike Holcomb – Hercules
Every kingdom needs its Hercules, and ours certainly has one! Mike is the glue that holds so much of our daily operations together. From greeting patients at the front desk to managing the countless moving pieces behind the scenes, he wears more hats than I can count. His dedication, versatility, and ability to keep our office running smoothly allow the rest of us to focus on what we love most: caring for our patients. I truly don’t know what we would do without him!

🩸 Angie Dobbins – Carrie
Don’t let the costume fool you! Angie is one of the most intuitive and gifted massage therapists I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. She possesses an extraordinary ability to sense what her clients need, not just physically, but energetically as well. Her meticulous bodywork, compassionate presence, and natural healing intuition make every session something special. She brings a beautiful dimension of healing to our practice.

👑 And then there’s me, apparently the king of this wonderfully magical kingdom! 😂

But the truth is, no crown could ever mean as much to me as the privilege of working alongside these remarkable people.

Building Appalachian Integrative Health has been one of the greatest adventures of my life. And while I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come, what makes me proudest isn’t the practice we’ve built, the services we offer, or the milestones we’ve reached. It’s the people who show up every day and pour their hearts into making a difference in the lives of others.

Each of these individuals brings something irreplaceable to our team. Different talents, different personalities, different strengths, but one shared commitment to compassionate, individualized care.

To my team: Thank you for believing in what we’re building, for caring so deeply about our patients, for supporting one another, and for making even the busiest days a little brighter. I appreciate each of you more than words can express.

And to our wonderful patients and community, thank you for trusting this amazing group of humans with your care.

Happy Halloween from our wonderfully spooky family at Appalachian Integrative Health! 🎃🧡

10/23/2026

We’ve got quite the crew representing at the ILADS Conference this year! 🦠🩺

So grateful to be here alongside Dr. Talty, Maegan Ransome, and Sarah Knoeckel — spending a few days learning, collaborating, and connecting with some of the brightest minds in the world of Lyme and tick-borne disease.

One of the things I love most about ILADS is being surrounded by clinicians who understand just how complex these patients can be — and who are willing to keep asking questions, challenging conventional thinking, and looking for better ways to help the people who have often spent years searching for answers.

We’re bringing plenty of new knowledge, ideas, and inspiration back home with us. 💚

07/01/2026

I’m still a little speechless.

Being featured as a Top Doc on the cover of The Roanoker Magazine is something I never imagined when I first started this journey, and I am incredibly humbled and grateful for the honor.

Seeing this cover made me pause and reflect on where it all began. I remember living in Charlotte, putting out my little practice sign, and feeling genuinely thankful if one or two patients walked through the door that week. I was working three other jobs just to keep the dream alive, but I believed deeply in what holistic medicine could offer people.

As my practice grew, I realized I wanted to expand the ways I could care for my patients. That led me back to nursing school for my BSN and eventually my Family Nurse Practitioner degree. During that journey, I had the privilege of serving on COVID units at Carilion here in Roanoke and Novant in Charlotte, as well as working on the transplant unit at Duke and the Special Pathogens Unit at UVA. Those experiences taught me so much and shaped me into a better clinician, but they also continually reminded me why I entered healthcare in the first place: to help people through holistic, preventive, and personalized care.

The Roanoke Valley is filled with incredibly talented physicians and healthcare providers. To be recognized alongside so many people I respect is truly an honor.

The truth is, I don’t think I’m the smartest doctor or the most experienced doctor. What has always mattered most to me is that every patient who walks through our doors feels heard, respected, and genuinely cared for. If I’ve accomplished anything, I hope it’s creating a place where people feel seen and where healing is approached with compassion, curiosity, and partnership.

None of this would be possible without the incredible team at Appalachian Integrative Health. Your dedication, kindness, and commitment to our patients inspire me every day. And to every patient who has trusted us with your health—thank you. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey. Your trust is the greatest privilege of my career.

This recognition belongs to all of you as much as it does to me. Here’s to continuing to learn, grow, and serve this incredible community for many years to come.

Thank you, Roanoke. 💜

Our July/August issue is here! 🎉 Inside, you'll find our annual Top Docs feature, recognizing the medical professionals selected by their peers as leaders in their specialties across the region.

You'll also discover a closer look at perimenopause and midlife health, the challenges facing healthcare providers and patients, and personal stories about the physical and emotional realities of significant weight loss.

Elsewhere in the issue, meet the families who have made teaching a shared calling across generations, tour a stunning Smith Mountain Lake home renovation, and learn how Dorothy & Frank's has built a dining experience that defies easy labels.

Plus, you'll find our special sections featuring the Virginia College Guide, Faces, and Education, along with local history, summer recipes, and so much more.

Get your copy on newsstands now, or read more at TheRoanoker.com.

On the cover: Dr. Zachary Hurt, owner of Appalachian Integrative Health, represents this year's Top Docs winners. Congratulations to all of the physicians recognized by their peers! Image by David Rehor.

06/19/2026

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.”

06/04/2026

What in the world is Evil Bone Water?

If you’ve ever been in the office and spotted a bottle labeled “Evil Bone Water”, you’ve probably done a double-take.

We get asked about it all the time.

No, it’s not cursed.
No, it’s not made from bones.
And thankfully, it’s not evil. 😆

Evil Bone Water is a modern homage to the traditional Chinese liniment Zheng Gu Shui (“bone-setting water”), a formula that has been used for generations by martial artists, acupuncturists, and practitioners of East Asian medicine to help support recovery from bumps, bruises, sore muscles, sprains, strains, and the occasional reminder that we’re not as young as we used to be.

The formula contains a blend of traditional herbs and botanicals, including ingredients such as camphor, menthol, dragon’s blood resin, and myrrh, which contribute to its distinctive aroma and cooling, invigorating sensation.

Around our office, it’s become somewhat legendary. Patients often come in asking:

“What’s that smell?”
“What is Evil Bone Water?”
“Can I try some?”

Whether you’re recovering from a tough workout, a weekend hike, an acupuncture treatment, or simply existing after the age of 30, Evil Bone Water will likely be the answer to those aches and pains.

Stop by the office and give it a sniff—you’ll either love it immediately or spend the rest of the day wondering why you suddenly feel like you’ve walked into an old-school herbal apothecary.

06/03/2026

Hey everyone!

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

05/26/2026

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. 💚

05/18/2026

This weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the Medicines from the Earth conference in Black Mountain, NC, and it was exactly the kind of experience my soul needed. 🌿

There was something incredibly rejuvenating about being back in my herbal element, surrounded by fellow naturopaths, acupuncturists, herbalists, and holistic practitioners who share the same passion for natural medicine and whole-person healing. It was also wonderful reconnecting with colleagues and friends I haven’t seen in years.

The weekend was filled with inspiring classes and hands-on learning — from herb walks along beautiful hiking trails, to tincture and salve making workshops, to fascinating discussions on treating hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome with herbal medicine, among many other topics.

Experiences like this are such an important reminder of why I fell in love with this work in the first place. I’m grateful to continue learning, growing, and bringing new knowledge back to my patients and community at Appalachian Integrative Health. 🌱

05/15/2026

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

05/13/2026

We are excited to officially announce that we are now offering PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy at Appalachian Integrative Health!

PRP is a regenerative treatment that utilizes your body’s own healing factors to support tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and promote recovery. After a small blood draw, the blood is spun in a centrifuge to isolate the platelet-rich plasma — a concentrated portion rich in growth factors and healing proteins. This PRP is then used to support healing in targeted areas of the body.

PRP is commonly used for:
• Joint pain and arthritis
• Tendon and ligament injuries
• Sports injuries
• Chronic inflammation
• Muscle strain and overuse injuries

One of the things we love most about PRP is that it works with the body instead of simply masking symptoms. It is a powerful option for patients looking for a more natural and regenerative approach to pain and healing.

As with everything we do at Appalachian Integrative Health, treatment is individualized. Some patients may benefit from PRP alone, while others may benefit from combining it with therapies such as prolotherapy, trigger point injections, physical rehabilitation, acupuncture, nutritional support, or lifestyle modifications.

Check out the photos/video below to see the PRP process in action — including the platelet-rich plasma after centrifugation! 🩸✨

If you’re interested in learning whether PRP may be a good fit for you, feel free to reach out to our office for more information.