Practitioner of the Month

We're thrilled to highlight our Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Juliana Mannella, as our Practitioner of the Month! Joining us in June at our original location, Dr. Juliana has already made a remarkable impact with her exceptional skills and has received several glowing reviews from patients. Dr. Juliana is a strong advocate for helping individuals in their wellness journey and getting the root concerns of a patient’s symptoms. Her aim is to develop a treatment plan that involves working together to help you return to your normal self, whatever that means for you. Working Mondays - Fridays she’s available for all your naturopathy and IV therapy needs.

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What drew you to naturopathic medicine specifically - was there a personal experience, moment, or frustration with conventional care that pushed you toward this path?

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“What drew me to naturopathic medicine was the time we spend with patients. I think a lot of people are familiar with rushed doctor's visits, only expressing one complaint at a time, or being told “everything looks good” when they don’t feel good. With naturopathic medicine, I liked that there was the time and space to dig into health concerns. There is an almost methodical teasing apart of the history that allows us to look for patterns, connections, and contributing factors that may otherwise be missed.”

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What's the biggest misconception people have about naturopathic medicine that you wish you would clear up?

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“Many people don’t realize that naturopathic doctors can have prescriptive authority and are trained in conventional pharmacology, meaning we can prescribe medications for many common health conditions. I think this is an important part of understanding what naturopathic medicine can offer, it doesn’t have to be an either-or approach. We can use both conventional and naturopathic tools, depending on what is most appropriate for the patient.”

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What kinds of conditions or concerns do you find naturopathic care is most helpful for and how does that complement (rather than replace) conventional medicine?

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“I think one of the areas that naturopathic medicine can be particularly helpful is shifting the narrative from “sick care” to preventative care. What we see most commonly is that people become sick or receive a diagnosis and then seek help. There is an opportunity to intervene much earlier by identifying risk factors, addressing areas of concern, and supporting overall health before they develop into a larger problem. 

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At the same time, naturopathic medicine is complementary to conventional care. When patients have a diagnosed condition and are already on medication but continue to experience symptoms or feel that there are aspects of their health that are not being adequately addressed, we can work alongside their medical treatment. This may involve looking more closely at nutrition, lifestyle, underlying contributing factors, and other areas that can support their health and long-term outcomes.

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Ultimately, I see naturopathic medicine and conventional medicine as complementary approaches. Each has its strengths, and using them together can provide more comprehensive care for patients.”

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Walk me through what a first visit with you actually looks like - what should someone expect that's different from a typical doctor's appointment?

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“An initial visit is typically a 50-55 minute deep dive into your current health concerns, health history, and goals. Rather than focusing solely on individual symptoms, I want to understand the broader picture, including lifestyle, sleep, stress, nutrition, medications, and other factors that may be contributing. We will discuss whether any further testing or investigations would be valuable and begin building a plan that is goal oriented, realistic and sustainable.

I believe the amount of time spent with patients, the depth of questioning, and the collaborative nature of the appointment are what make a naturopathic visit unique from your conventional doctor's visit.”

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Outside of your practice, what's something people would be surprised to know about you - a hobby, a personal healthy journey, or something that shapes how you show up for patients?

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“Outside of clinic, I really enjoy staying active, spending time with my dog, and catching up with friends and family. I have always loved team sports, not just for the competition, but for the social aspect that comes with being a part of a team. I still play soccer semi competitively with some former university teammates, and play casually with friends in an indoor league. For me, exercise is more enjoyable when it's also an opportunity to spend time with the people around me.”

 

Special sneak peak news: IV Therapy will be coming after the Open House! A special word from Dr. Juliana:

“I’m excited to be introducing IV therapyinto my practice soon! IV therapy allows us to provide vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients directly into the bloodstream for use by the body. It’s another option for supporting your health goals and creating individualized treatment plans tailored to your needs. Keep an eye out for more information of what IV therapy is, options we’ll be offering, and what you can expect!”