FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
Whole-Person Support for Patients on GLP-1 Medications
GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide can be powerful tools. At Root & Stem, we add personalized nutrition, acupuncture, lab review, and practical support so you can feel cared for throughout treatment. We work alongside your prescribing provider and never replace their medical guidance.
CARE COORDINATED WITH YOUR PRESCRIBER
NUTRITION, LABS ACUPUNCTURE
OAKLAND NEVADA CITY
A STEADIER TREATMENT EXPERIENCE
Support Through Every Phase of Your GLP-1 Journey
Medication is only one part of the picture. Your appetite, digestion, energy, nourishment, sleep, stress, and daily routines can all affect how treatment feels. We help you build a realistic plan around your body, your goals, and the care plan established by your prescribing clinician.
Getting Started
We review your health history, current medications, eating patterns, digestion, energy, and goals. Together, we identify practical ways to prepare for treatment and communicate clearly with your prescriber.
Adjusting to Treatment
When appetite and digestion change, meals can suddenly feel complicated. We offer strategies for hydration, protein, fiber, meal timing, and food tolerance while using acupuncture to support comfort and overall well-being.
Staying Nourished
Weight change should not mean losing sight of strength and nourishment. We help you make each meal count, review relevant labs, and create habits that support steady energy, digestive health, and adequate nutrient intake.
Planning Ahead
If you and your prescriber are discussing a dose change or taper, we help strengthen the routines around your care. The goal is a durable plan that supports your metabolism and protects the progress you have made.
COMMON CONCERNS
Help Navigating Side Effects and Daily Changes
Nausea, constipation, abdominal discomfort, reduced appetite, and fatigue are among the concerns people may experience while taking GLP-1 medications. Symptoms should always be discussed with your prescribing clinician, especially when they are new, severe, or persistent.
Our role is supportive. We look at the patterns surrounding your symptoms and create an individualized plan that may include acupuncture, nutrition guidance, hydration strategies, and carefully selected herbal support when appropriate. We also help you track changes so you can give your medical team useful, organized information.
- Digestive comfort and regularity
- Protein, fiber, fluids, and meal tolerance
- Energy, nourishment, and maintaining strength
- Stress, sleep, and sustainable daily routines
- Questions to bring to your prescribing provider
INTEGRATED, PERSONALIZED CARE
Three Ways We Support the Whole Person
Your plan is built from the tools that fit your needs. Care can be adjusted as your symptoms, labs, nutrition, and goals change.
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Acupuncture & Eastern Medicine
Acupuncture can be incorporated to support digestion, comfort, energy, sleep, and stress regulation. When herbal support is appropriate, we review your full medication and supplement list and coordinate cautiously with the rest of your care.
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Functional Lab Review
Lab review may help us understand patterns involving nutrient status, blood sugar, and hormone balance. We explain results in plain language and use them to guide nutrition and lifestyle recommendations-not to alter your medication plan.
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Personalized Nutrition
Smaller appetites can make nutrition harder. We focus on tolerable, nutrient-dense choices with enough protein and fiber, plus hydration and meal strategies that match your digestion, preferences, schedule, and stage of treatment.
Build a Plan for What Comes Next
Stopping or changing a GLP-1 medication should only happen with your prescribing clinician. If a transition is being considered, we help reinforce the non-medication pieces of your plan: satisfying nutrition, digestive support, consistent routines, stress care, and strategies that support long-term metabolic health.
Root & Stem does not prescribe, discontinue, or adjust GLP-1 medications. Medication decisions remain with the clinician who manages your prescription.
CARE THAT CONNECTS THE DOTS
Meet Your Functional Medicine Team
Dr. Joseph and Dr. Shoshana bring functional medicine and Eastern medicine together, helping you understand your body and turn complex information into clear next steps. Your support plan is personalized and designed to complement -not compete with-the care you already receive.
Dr. Joseph
Offers thoughtful lab interpretation and practical guidance that connects nutrition, digestion, energy, and daily habits.
Dr. Shoshana
Provides individualized care that brings together your health history, symptoms, treatment experience, and personal goals.
TWO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATIONS
GLP-1 Support Close to Home
Appointments are available in Oakland and Nevada City. Choose the clinic that works best for you, and our team will help you understand the most appropriate way to begin.
Oakland clinic
3515 Grand AvenueOakland, CA 94510 510.4634304Nevada City clinic
530 Searis Ave, Suite BNevada City, CA 95959 530.900.4304FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions About GLP-1 Support
Clear answers before you schedule.
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No. We provide complementary care for people who are already working with an authorized prescribing clinician. Your prescriber is responsible for medication selection, dosing, monitoring, and any decision to continue, pause, or stop treatment.
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We can offer supportive strategies using acupuncture, individualized nutrition, hydration guidance, and, when appropriate, herbal care. Because these symptoms can have many causes, we encourage you to keep your prescriber informed. Severe, worsening, or persistent symptoms require prompt medical attention.
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Lab selection depends on your health history and goals. A functional medicine review may consider markers related to nutrient status, blood sugar, and hormone or metabolic patterns. We explain what the results may mean in context and share recommendations that complement your primary medical care.
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Many people can include acupuncture in their care, but every plan should be individualized. Tell us about all medications, supplements, diagnoses, and recent symptoms. We will also let you know when a concern should be evaluated by your prescribing or primary care clinician first.
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We can support the nutrition, digestion, routines, and lifestyle side of a transition, but we do not direct medication tapers. Any dose reduction or discontinuation must be planned with your prescribing clinician. Our role is to help you build sustainable support around that medical plan.
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Yes. GLP-1 support is available through Root & Stem in Oakland and Nevada City. Call or book with your preferred location, and tell the team that you are looking for whole-person support alongside GLP-1 treatment.
Build Better Support Around Your Treatment
Start with a personalized visit at our Oakland or Nevada City clinic.