By: Dr. Alyssa McPeak, DC, CFMP As a mom of four, I've spent my fair share of time buying kids' shoes. And if you've ever taken a toddler shoe shopping, you know it's often less about finding the best shoe and more about convincing them they don't need the light-up Frozen boots in every color. But here's the thing: The shoes our kids wear matter. A lot. Most parents think of shoes as something that protects their child's feet. But shoes do much more than that. They influence

By Dr. Alyssa McPeak, DC, CFMP Let's talk about something that can send even the most confident woman into a complete panic: Hair loss. Not the occasional strand that comes out in your hairbrush. I'm talking about the handfuls in the shower. The widening part. The ponytail that suddenly feels half the size it used to. The moment you catch a glimpse of your scalp in the mirror and think, "Wait... has it always looked like that?" As women, we spend years trying to tame our hair

By Dr. Alyssa McPeak, DC, CFMP The conversation around ticks has exploded over the past few years — especially with the growing awareness of Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS), the condition linked to the lone star tick that can trigger reactions to red meat and mammalian products. And while the headlines can feel alarming, fear should never be the thing driving your health decisions. At Roots Wholistic Health, we believe the best way to protect yourself is not through panic — but thro

By Dr. Alyssa McPeak, DC, CFMP Summer is for sunshine, patio nights, lake days, chasing kids through sprinklers, and sipping something refreshing in your favorite cup at a campfire. But what if your mocktail could actually support your hormones too? At Roots Wholistic Health, we love helping women understand that your hormones are not working against you — they’re communicating with you. One of our favorite ways to support women naturally is through Cycle Syncing. What is Cyc

By Dr. Alyssa McPeak, DC, CFMP Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or hiding in your pantry eating chocolate chips while avoiding your family for five minutes of peace), you’ve probably heard the word peptides everywhere lately. Peptides for weight loss. Peptides for anti-aging. Peptides for healing. Peptides for skin. Peptides for muscle recovery. Peptides for brain health. At this point, peptides are basically the new collagen. But what are they exactly… and why is ever

By Dr. Alyssa McPeak, DC, CFMP Motherhood is beautiful, messy, exhausting, and wildly demanding — all at the same time. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom managing the constant needs of little humans and maintaining a home, or a working mom balancing career, family, and the mental load of literally everything… the pressure is real. And so is the guilt. The guilt that creeps in when you feel like you’re not giving enough to your kids. The guilt of not contributing financially.

By Dr. Alyssa McPeak, DC, CFMP For years at Roots Wholistic Health, we’ve been saying something that is finally getting the attention it deserves: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is not actually an ovary problem. Yep. We said it. And have been saying it. The ovaries have been unfairly taking the blame for a whole-body hormone and metabolic issue, and frankly, they deserve a formal apology. That’s why there’s growing discussion in women’s health research around changing the terminol

By Dr. Alyssa McPeak, DC, CFMP The second that little plus sign shows up on the pregnancy test, everyone suddenly has opinions. Your mother-in-law. Your best friend. That random woman in the grocery store who somehow always has a traumatic birth story to share. And then comes the big assumption: “Well, I guess I just call an OB and go from there.” Umm… let us lovingly interrupt that thought. One of the most important decisions you will make during pregnancy is who you hire as

By Dr. Alyssa McPeak, DC, CFMP You went for a walk, a hike, maybe just out into your backyard—and now you’re wondering if that tiny tick bite could turn into something bigger. Lyme disease has become more common, especially here in Wisconsin, and yet it’s still widely misunderstood. Some people catch it early and recover quickly. Others deal with lingering symptoms that affect their energy, joints, and even their mood and brain function. If you’ve ever thought, “Would I even

By Dr. Alyssa McPeak, DC, CFMP One minute you’re fine… the next you’re ripping off layers like you’re starring in your own survival show. Sound familiar? Hot flashes have a way of showing up uninvited—during meetings, in the middle of the night, or right when you finally sat down for five seconds of peace. And if you’ve ever been told, “Oh, it’s just menopause,” as if that explains everything… yeah, we’re not settling for that. Because here’s the truth: hot flashes aren’t ran

By Dr. Alyssa McPeak, DC, CFMP If there’s one supplement we talk about almost daily in the office—it’s magnesium. Why? Because magnesium is involved in 300+ processes in the body, and most women are walking around depleted without even realizing it. Think: fatigue poor sleep anxiety hormone imbalances PMS headaches constipation 👉 All potential signs your body is asking for more magnesium. But here’s where it gets confusing…Not all magnesium is created equal. And if you’re ta

By Dr. Alyssa McPeak, DC, CFMP This is one of the most emotionally charged topics in modern parenting. And yet—most parents are asked to make decisions with very little real education about how their child’s immune system actually works or responds. At Roots Wholistic Health, we are not here to tell you what to do. We are here to do something far more important: Provide you with information from both perspectives so you can make informed decisions. Because your child is not a

By Dr. Alyssa McPeak, DC, CFMP Have you ever felt like you’re doing everything right —eating “healthy,” choosing low-calorie options, avoiding junk food—yet the scale isn’t moving… or you’re still dealing with fatigue, cravings, and bloating? You’re not alone. The truth is, many foods marketed as “healthy” are actually working against your metabolism, hormones, and blood sugar —making it harder to lose weight and easier to gain it. Let’s break down 5 common “health foods” tha

By Dr. Alyssa McPeak, DC, CFMP There’s a lot of buzz right now around GLP-1 medications for weight loss—and for many women, it can feel like the quick answer they’ve been searching for. But before jumping on the trend, it’s important to understand what GLP-1 actually is, what it does in your body, and the difference between taking it vs. supporting your body to naturally make it . Because there are always risks and side effects when you take something that your body should b

By Dr. Alyssa McPeak, DC, CFMP If you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS—or you suspect it might be the reason you’re struggling to get pregnant—you are not alone. PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is one of the leading causes of infertility in women. But here’s what so many women are not told: PCOS is not a life sentence. And in many cases, it can be reversed when you identify and address the root cause. The First Step: Ask Why If you’re not getting pregnant, the most important qu

By Dr. Alyssa McPeak, DC, CFMP Do you ever feel like you’re walking through your day in a haze—forgetful, unfocused, and just not quite yourself? You’re not alone. Brain fog is one of the most common symptoms we see in women, and yet it’s often dismissed or brushed off as “just being busy” or “normal.” Here’s the truth: brain fog is a symptom, not a diagnosis. And your body is trying to tell you something. What Does Brain Fog Feel Like? Brain fog can show up as: Trouble conce

By Dr. Alyssa McPeak, DC, CFMP For years, salt has been painted as the villain in our diets—blamed for everything from bloating to high blood pressure. But the truth is, salt is not the enemy. In fact, it’s essential for life. Let’s break down some of the biggest lies we’ve been told about salt—and what your body actually needs. Salt Is Essential for Cellular Health Every single cell in your body depends on salt to function properly. Sodium (a key component of salt) plays a c

By Dr. Alyssa McPeak, DC, CFMP Are you: Gaining weight even though you’re focusing on healthy food options? Exhausted… even after you sleep well? Watching your hair fall out like it’s going through its own seasonal transition? Cold all the time while everyone else is fine? Feeling foggy, moody, or just off ? And then you get your labs done and hear: “Your TSH is normal.” So why is my body screaming for help? Let’s Clear Something Up: TSH Is Not the Whole Thyroid Story Testin

By Dr. Alyssa McPeak, DC, CFMP Let’s talk about something that way too many women hear in a doctor’s office: “Your labs look normal.” Cool. So why do you feel like a walking zombie with a coffee dependency and zero patience for anyone breathing too loudly? If you’re exhausted, depleted, foggy, moody, gaining weight, not sleeping, or just feeling off … but being told everything is “fine”… you are absolutely not alone. And more importantly— this is common, but it is NOT norma

By Dr. Alyssa McPeak, DC, CFMP When life gets busy, stretching is often the first thing women skip. Between work, kids, sports practices, workouts, and everyday responsibilities, it can feel like there just isn’t time. But daily stretching is one of the most important habits for maintaining mobility, preventing pain, and supporting healthy aging . At Roots Wholistic Health , we see many women struggling with tight hips, stiff necks, shoulder tension, and lower back pain. In m