Synergy Integrative Wellness

05/23/2026

Finding a tick attached to your skin is no fun. But knowing what to do in that moment can make all the difference. Here's what to do:

Step 1 — Remove it promptly and properly
Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with slow, steady pressure. Do NOT crush it, twist it, or apply heat, petroleum jelly, or chemicals. Clean the area with soap and water or an alcohol-based cleanser.

Step 2 — Save the tick
Place it in a sealed bag or container. Note the date it was removed and where on your body it was attached.

Step 3 — Get it tested
PA residents — send your tick to TickLab.org for FREE testing! Other states can use TickReport.com. Testing can identify the tick species and detect pathogens it may be carrying.

Step 4 — Watch for symptoms
Symptoms can appear days to weeks after a bite and may include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle or joint pain, or a skin rash near the bite. Note — a bull's-eye rash doesn't always appear, and no rash doesn't mean no risk. Talk to a medical clinician familiar with tick bites to see if prophylaxis treatment is right for you.

Step 5 — Don't assume you're in the clear
No immediate symptoms doesn't mean no infection. Ticks can also carry co-infections beyond Lyme — including Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, and more. So pay attention to how you feel.

If symptoms develop, connect with a clinician experienced in tick-borne illness. Early awareness matters.

Save this. Share this. It could matter to someone you love.

💬 Questions? Drop them below.
More resources at https://www.synergyintegrativewellness.com/

05/20/2026

Lyme is one of the most misunderstood illnesses because it's a master of disguise.

Lyme disease is known as "the great imitator." It can look like the flu, arthritis, chronic fatigue, MS, fibromyalgia, depression, even Parkinson's. Over 150 Lyme symptoms overlap with other diseases — which is why so many people go years without a proper diagnosis.

Know the early signs:
Rash - bull's-eye, expanding red, OR irregular (not everyone gets one)
Flu-like symptoms - fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, joint pain
Swollen lymph nodes
Bell's Palsy (one sided facial paralysis)

Symptoms can progress to:
Neurological symptoms - brain fog and memory problems
Heart issues - including Lyme carditis, heart block, and palpitations
Digestive problems - nausea, IBS-like symptoms
Severe fatigue and migrating joint pain
Hormone disruption - thyroid issues
Muscle twitching and cramps
Neuropathy and paresthesia (numbness and tingling in legs)

Important reminders:
A bull's-eye rash is not required — many people never get one
Symptoms can appear days, weeks, or even months after a bite

Ticks can carry co-infections too, so symptoms may be more complex or unusual.
If something feels off after a tick bite — or even if you don't remember one — trust your instincts and find a provider experienced in tick-borne illness.

May is Lyme Disease awareness month, share this to help educate everyone.

💬 Have questions or a story to share? Drop them below.

05/20/2026

Lyme awareness month- Time to pay attention.

05/20/2026

Sleep isn't a luxury. It's medicine.

While you sleep, your brain activates its waste-clearing system, your body repairs damaged tissue, stress hormones reset, and your immune system does its most important work.

No pill, no shortcut, no biohack replaces what a good night's sleep does for you.

And when you don't get enough? Your body works against you.

Even one night of poor sleep spikes your hunger hormone (ghrelin) and drops your fullness hormone (leptin) — leaving you hungry even after eating. Cravings for sugar and processed foods intensify. Cortisol rises and drives fat storage right around your belly. Blood sugar regulation suffers. And that weight that just won't budge? Sleep may be a missing piece nobody told you about.

Chronic sleep deprivation also shows up as pain, fatigue, brain fog, and a weakened immune system. Sound familiar?
The good news — better sleep is something you can work on starting tonight.
5 tips to start sleeping better:

-Same bedtime and wake time every day
-No screens 60 minutes before bed — blue light blocks melatonin
-Keep your room cool, dark, and quiet
-Get outside for morning sunlight within 30 minutes of waking, resets your body's rhythm
-Create a wind-down ritual — stretching, breathing, herbal tea, journaling

Your body wants to heal. Give it the sleep it needs.

And if you've tried the basics and still can't sleep well — it may be time for a functional medicine workup.
Hormone imbalances, cortisol dysregulation, gut issues, and nutrient deficiencies can all quietly sabotage your sleep. There's often a root cause worth finding- schedule a consult:
https://www.synergyintegrativewellness.com/

05/16/2026

Pennsylvania is at the center of the Lyme epidemic

Awareness matters. Prevention matters. Early effective treatment matters. 🌿

Pennsylvania consistently reports some of the highest numbers of Lyme disease cases in the country, making tick awareness especially important for those of us who live and spend time outdoors.

But awareness doesn’t mean fear.
It means:
✔ knowing how to protect yourself
✔ recognizing symptoms early
✔ understanding that Lyme can affect the whole body
✔ seeking the right care when needed

Ticks are now active in many environments—not just deep woods, but also yards, gardens, parks, and hiking trails.
The good news? Small prevention steps and knowledge can make a big difference.

Check out the facts and resources on my website https://www.synergyintegrativewellness.com/lyme-disease-treament-central-pa

Follow along to keep learning more…

05/15/2026

You’re trying to do all the right things. Why don’t you feel your best?

Most people push through fatigue, stress, poor sleep, brain fog, digestive issues, weight changes, or feeling “off” because they assume it’s just part of life.

But many times, these aren’t random symptoms. They’re signals from the body.
That’s where we start.

Synergy Integrative Wellness & Functional Medicine looks at the body as an interconnected system — addressing and supporting all body systems together rather than focusing on symptoms in isolation.

Hormones. Nutrition. Inflammation. Gut health. Stress response. Metabolic health. Nervous system balance. Immune regulation...

Advanced lab testing, nutraceuticals, prescription therapies, hormones, or peptides can all be valuable tools — but true healing involves more than simply writing a prescription or replacing a hormone.

Because feeling well isn’t about one prescription or pushing harder.
It’s about understanding what your body needs to function well and truly thrive.

✨ Discover a more personalized approach to health
Schedule today https://www.synergyintegrativewellness.com/

05/06/2026

Huntingdon county, and surrounding central Pa— did you know that almost 40% of area ticks carry Lyme disease? Join us this Saturday to learn more about tick-borne diseases and the importance of prevention. Offered in conjunction with Huntington Health & Wellness and Juniata College School of Nursing.

Lyme & Tick Diseases Presentation by Dr. Bethany Stough, DNP, FNP-C, IFMCP on:

Saturday, May 9th from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

This free seminar Is the first in a series promoting wellness In the Huntingdon community in collaboration with Synergy Integrative Wellness and the Juniata College Nursing Program.

We are at the epicenter of Lyme Disease. Learn the facts. Stay safe.

For more information, please contact Dana Jefferson at [email protected].

05/05/2026

What fun it is to share a life passion with others, and see a new spark ignite inside of them too! That was this weekend, teaching Holistic Wellness at the HealthMood women’s retreat.
Thanks to everyone for sharing the weekend and being life long learners:) Cheers to our future selves for taking good care today!

05/01/2026

Holistic Hormonal Balance. Functional medicine as the foundation. Personalized bioidentical hormones as one powerful part of your plan.

For decades, women were told to simply endure.
Suffer through it. Push past it. Accept it.

That guidance has changed.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is now supported by a growing body of scientific evidence as a safe and effective option for many women — not just for relief, but for long-term health protection.

Yes, it helps with the symptoms you know:
🌡️ Hot flashes and night sweats
😴 Sleeplessness
🌫️ Brain fog and memory lapses
😔 Mood swings and anxiety
⚡ Fatigue and low energy
💧 Vaginal dryness and discomfort

But the research goes much further than symptom relief.

Studies show that hormone therapy, when initiated at the right time/manner and tailored to the individual, offers powerful protection for your body long term:
🦴 Bone strength — reduces risk of osteoporosis and fracture
❤️ Heart health — lowers cardiovascular disease risk when started in the early menopausal window
🧠 Brain protection — associated with reduced risk of dementia and cognitive decline
🔥 Metabolic health — supports healthy weight, blood sugar regulation, and insulin sensitivity
💪 Muscle preservation — helps maintain lean mass and physical strength as you age
😊 Quality of life — improved mood, vitality, sexual health, and overall sense of wellbeing
🌙 Sleep quality — deeper, more restorative sleep that impacts every system in your body

This is not about chasing youth.
This is about protecting the woman you are — for the decades ahead.

You deserve to know your options.
You deserve to make an informed choice.

🔗 Learn more about Holistic Hormones at https://www.synergyintegrativewellness.com/

04/29/2026

Free online education about Lyme disease from top experts, great info for anyone interested in learning more.

Register now for this free online event, May 9–13. It brings together 43 experts to examine how Lyme disease and co‑infections impact the brain--and what to do about it. Details: https://drtalks.com/summits/lyme-summit?oid=108&ref=3982&uid=946