Naturopathic Medicine

Road To Recovery

I am finally on the road back to greater health and vitality after seeing Dr. Casey Berkebile for a few months.  I first visited her office seeking assistance with weight loss but Dr. Berkebile quickly figured out that the weight issues were part of a bigger picture that included adrenal fatigue and significant nutrient deficiencies. She started me on herbal supplements and vitamins while I cut out the caffeine (3-4 cups per day!), started working on stress management, and tried to limit sugar.  Rooting out sugar from my diet is/was the hardest part but it makes the biggest difference in how I feel every day.  The adrenal supplements that Dr. Berkebile prescribed are the key to balancing my body’s energy and blood sugar levels so that I am not always hunting down sugary foods for energy.  Now I can get through my day without using caffeine and sugar as energy crutches and without all the body aches and pains that had crept in.

However, Dr. Berkebile is not just about vitamins and being a compassionate listener (although she definitely is that.)  Dr. Casey works from hard data – comprehensive blood panels and hormone tests – and combines it with her extensive knowledge of chemistry, chemical pathways, and hormone processes to build a comprehensive picture of what is going on with my health. This is really smart medicine.

Now that the extreme fatigue has lessened considerably, I am able to stay away from sugar and have the energy to power my workouts and eat clean.  The weight is starting to come off.

Health Coach

Having Dr. Berkebile as a guide and coach made all the difference to my healing – a way to navigate the fear and uncertainty around a fairly common, but still unexpected medical test result. It was not “I hope you’ll be okay,” but “We’ll get through this.” She has a grounded and caring confidence, and I found her way of working such a refreshing change from my “regular” doctor. Dr. Berkebile asked questions and suggested ways forward, but also taught me how to trust my own intuitions about my body. I will always be grateful for this.

Women’s Health

I started seeing Dr. Casey Berkebile in Los Gatos at the offices of Naturopathic Family Health, near Good Samaritan Hospital in April 2013. In is August 2013 and I am a changed women for the better.

I came to Dr. Casey feeling like a walking zombie. Though I was eating relatively well and exercising regularly (I ran regularly 12 miles a week), I had no energy.  I had regular night sweats, hot flashes, terrible periods and my anxiety was no longer manageable. I had gone to my regular doctor to see is I was pre-menopausal. My doctor did a blood test to confirm that no I was not but offered me progesterone and a yearly DNCs that could help with the symptoms. I tried the progesterone and felt like I was having an out of body experienced where I raged and nearly broke a telephone at my office. NOT GOOD! At that time, it was my chiropractor who suggested that I see a Naturopath.

When I came to Dr. Casey I could barely stay awake in her office chair. She kindly and patiently listened to my story. She asked intelligent questions. I told her that despite my good intentions, I was known for a being a bit stubborn. I liked my coffee and my wine and didn’t want to give up everything if I could avoid it. I know this is going to sound cheesy, but she partnered with me on this journey to better health. She asked me to ‘try’ to reduce my coffee and wine and gave the reasons why it would benefit me. She never told me to stop. I never felt judged for being a coffee drinker. She did a blood test and hormone test to discover that I was very low in some critical areas. She knew I was wary of hormones, even the bio-identical kind, so we started out with vitamins for first two months. I did start feeling better, but my periods were still horrible. By July, we started with the Chinese herbs. OMG, in one month I was completely changed. No hot flashes, no terrible PMS or heavy cramps. My anxiety was back under control. I wish I would have tried the Chinese herbs earlier. As for coffee, I worked my way down to 1 cup a day and decaff or green tea for a second cup when needed. As for wine, I realize that I am prone to drink to much when it is just me and therefore I try to enjoy only with friends.

Now for the practical. My health insurance does not cover the cost of my visits with her, the labs, my vitamins, or my Chinese Herbs. I am lucky to be in a financial position to cover the cost. It is not inexpensive. If your insurance allows you to see a Naturopath as your primary, I was highly recommend it.

Extreme Digestive Pain

Dr. Casey Berkebile has given me my life back. I suffered from extreme digestive pain when eating, extreme reoccurring sinus infections, and fatigue. It has been a few months now since I first saw her and I feel like a completely different person. Thanks to Dr. Berkebile taking the time to listen, investigate and really zone in on my issues and ask detailed questions, she was able to help me so much!
I would highly recommend her to anyone. She really knows her stuff and is willing and able to answer any questions that have come up for me!

Chronic Pain

I have suffered from chronic pain for years, have disc degeneration in my back and have tried many different approaches to pain relief and strengthening my immune system over the years. I first went to see Casey about 6 months ago, having never gone to a naturopath before. I was so depressed by my medical challenges when I started seeing her that I was considering going on mainline antidepressants for the first time.

Casey deftly diagnosed underlying health issues that had slipped by my other MDs and started treatment to address these.  Her herbal and supplement recommendations have been spot-on. Since then, my pain load has lightened 20-25% and I’m experiencing noticeably improved energy, mood and cognitive ability.  She also introduced my to B12 shots. I have to say I was skeptical that this would lighten my pain load, but I decided to get one just to see. I felt so profoundly improved for the next three days that I started getting them regularly.

Casey is wonderful. She views her patients’ experience in an holistic and integrated manner and is able to take in a great deal of information with unflagging compassion. She is also a total brainiac and very learned in bio-chemistry, so she has a big toolbox with which to assess and treat her patients. Honestly, she has done more for me than any of my other specialists in terms of pain relief, stabilizing my overall heath and restoring a sense of well-being during a difficult time.

Hormonal Therapy

I have seen naturopathic doctors a majority of my life because I believe that the closer to nature one stays, the better it is in the long run.  Upon moving to the East Bay area, I interviewed many and actually tried one other before I visited with Dr. Berkebile in her Berkeley office.  Besides her being extremely mature and seasoned in life and understanding, she brought a purpose, determination and motive in choosing this occupation that shines through in all she does within it.  And, because of that core, she began to win me over.  She is delightful and comforting.  With her patient, kind, and encouraging presence, she gains your trust and confidence.  I went to her with a major lack of energy problem, along with severe menopause issues.  I have a horse (which she has had in the past) and did not have the strength or energy to consistently ride or care for it.  She put me on Chinese herbs to strengthen my adrenal glands along with other hormonal therapy, and voila!  I am a new horsewoman galloping about as if I was a spring pony.  Her ease and bedside manners are much to be praised.  She is confident and knowledgeable who teaches, explains scientifically, and instructs with no belittlement or frustration.  She is truly on her patience’ side to accomplish his/her goal:  HEALTH!  She has my complete trust and I cannot recommend her guidance and care more highly in accomplishing your health desires.  And, she’s beautiful as well!

Integrative Medicine

Dr. Berkebile really is as good as it gets! I started seeing her after my last ND moved away, and I was needing support with my health care. I was feeling really frustrated with my Western medical team, but having Dr. Berkebile on board has made everything so much easier to navigate through. I especially love that she is also a great acupuncturist and that has really increased my self care. I feel like I’m finally back on track and it is definitely thanks so Dr. Berkebile.

Telemedicine

I can’t say enough about Dr. Berkebile.  I have been seeing her for almost 2 years the past year by Telemedicine for Chronic Anxiety, Mood Swings and overall periods of low energy.  After taking the time to evaluate my overall symptoms, she worked with me on a plan that was easy to follow.  Anytime I had questions or needed anything, she responded in a timely manner and as always offered incredible advice.  I feel absolutely great and owe a lot of this to Dr. Berkebile.

Got My Life Back

Dr. Berkebile is an amazing, talented, compassionate doctor and human being. I started seeing her a couple of months ago when I decided to try something different after years of not feeling well. I had several issues and she developed a plan to tackle each one, including asthma, fatigue, poor sleep, pain. I spent two years seeing specialists t0 figure out why I suddenly had difficulty breathing…many medications, tests, and expenses later I did not feel well. After following the plan Dr. Berkebile prescribed for me of supplements, I was feeling better and within two weeks I was no longer on any of the asthma medications! I sleep like a baby and I now have the energy to exercise. I also see her for acupuncture which has greatly reduced my stress and joint pain. Being a cancer survivor, my only regret is that I did not start any of this sooner because Dr. Berkebile has helped me get my life back.

Naturopathic Family Health

The doctors at NFH are the best medical detectives you could ask for! I’ve been able to work individually with most of them over the years and cannot recommend this clinic more highly. Their kindness and empathy are matched only by how whip-smart they all are! In addition, they have a nutritionist, Jill, on staff to help navigate and implement the diet and supplement plans (necessary for this horrible, non-compliant patient!). I love having someone to check-in weekly with to make sure I’m achieving my goals.

Working and living with any chronic health issue can be a challenge, but the team at NFH has been instrumental in breaking down an overwhelming challenge into small, actionable steps. Big thanks to Jill and Drs. Su, Gignac, JL, and Berkebile! Also, amazing front desk staff – so helpful and kind!

Treating the Whole Body

Dr. Berkebile has helped me immensely! She treats my whole body not just the symptom I go in for. The office is great to work with as well!

Treating the Root Cause

My infant son and I both have had the pleasure of getting to know Dr Berkebile and being under her excellent care. The baby was struggling with chronic wheezing and coughing. Our pediatrician could only recommend asthma medication and while it helped his symptoms to stay under control, it wasn’t taking care of the root cause. Dr B went over baby’s health history, even the details of his birth and eating habits, and with the help of some supplements and new habits we have started building up his immune system as well as preventing him from getting sick again.

Because she was so welcoming, easy to talk with and extremely knowledgeable about health, I decided to become her patient myself. She’s helping me with my recovery from postpartum depression and anxiety. In our discussions about treatment and lifestyle, I have been very impressed with her knowledge of how the body and brain are linked as well as her non-judging, supportive manner of helping me sort through these concerns.

For those who are looking to treat the root cause of illnesses and not just the symptoms and just become well overall, I highly recommend Dr Berkebile!

You will not regret it!

I cannot say enough great things about Dr. Casey Berkebile. For years doctors tried to diagnose me, often bringing up scary diseases or immune disorders and were always wrong. By the time I had my appointment with Dr. Berkebile I had been poked and prodded more times than I care to count. She spent over an hour talking with me and actually listened to what my symptoms were. Dr. Berkebile explained everything in a way that I could understand and took the time, did the research and actually figured out what was wrong with me. I have never felt better!! If you are reading this review, stop reading and just book your appointment already. She’s amazing and will do amazing things for you and your health. You will not regret it!

Busy moms need this!