Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Smithback
Hi Chelsea, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I became a naturopathic doctor because I wanted to really see people thrive in their lives. From an early age I always knew I wanted to be a doctor, but in my senior year of college I found out about naturopathic medicine and that type of medicine resonated with me. I want to focus on treating the root cause of disease, understanding why patients are having the conditions they have, instead of just masking the symptoms with a medication.
My own skin and hormonal health was what propelled me to find alternative health treatments. I had tried all conventional medicines and it didn’t work, and then I applied naturopathic medical changes and had great results. In addition, i have always had an interest in sports medicine, and was a dual sport college athlete and am also a certified personal trainer and nutritionist. I love to bring people to their optimal level of performance to help them reach their goals.
After undergrad, i graduated from Bastyr University Naturopathic Medical School. I then attended Residency after medical school in Encinitas, CA where I saw patients of all conditions.
During medical school and residency is when I found a passion for treating hormones, mental health, gut health, sports medicine, and pediatrics.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Medical school definitely is a beast on it’s own. During medical school you usually have 14 hour days every day, and on the weekends you are studying all day. That was a big reason as to why I treat high stress patients, because I understand the effects of a high stress life on a person. Through that, I also understand how important a work/life balance is, and in many cases we can’t necessarily change the stressor a patient is going through, but we can build up their resilience to the stress and mitigate the side effects of a high stress life.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Dr. Chelsea Smithback?
I am a naturopathic doctor based in San Diego, CA.
Naturopathic medicine is an integrative and holistic healthcare system that focuses on integrating modern evidence-based scientific knowledge with holistic healing practices. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) focus on identifying and addressing the root causes of illness, rather than merely treating symptoms. Naturopathic medicine utilizes a variety of natural therapies, including IV therapy, botanical medicine, nutrition, nutraceuticals, homeopathy, lifestyle counseling, and pharmaceutical medications when necessary, to heal patients. Our goal is to empower you with the tools and knowledge to achieve optimal health, fostering a partnership between patient and practitioner.At our clinic, we are dedicated to providing personalized care for each of our patients. Naturopathic doctors attend a 4 year medical school and pass medical board exams to be licensed.
My clinical specialties’ include Sports Medicine, PRP injections, Skin health, Mental health, Hormones, Weight management and Gut health. I love treating those conditions and have a huge passion for them.
My clinical approach is very patient-centered and based on finding the root cause and treating with a variety of naturopathic modalities. I believe in the mind-body connection and the power each person has to take their health into their hands.
In addition to my naturopathic expertise, I am also a certified personal trainer and nutritionist, bringing a holistic and comprehensive perspective to her practice.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson i’ve learned is that every patient is different. What I love about how I practice naturopathic medicine is that I tailor each treatment plan to the specific patient. For example, you could have three different patients all coming in with migraines or anxiety, and the cause, the presentation and the treatment plan will all be different for them. A doctor needs to be able to see the patient that is in front of them and not just treat a symptom, but rather the whole person.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.drchelseasmithback.com
- Instagram: dr.chelseasmithback
