Meet Kristen Poe, PhD, DN | Functional Medicine & Naprapathic Doctor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristen Poe, PhD, DN and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristen Poe, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I believe the most important factor in my success is my passion for helping others, as well as dedication and consistency. I think it is so important to personally believe what you and your brand stands for, and to be passionate about it in a way that others can see. I think we have all experienced situations where you could tell someone did not enjoy what they were doing, and weren’t passionate about it.  I believe we should do things in life that bring us joy and helps others in the process. A big part of reaching our full potential is doing things that we love and believe in. I truly care about the health and well-being of my patients and clients, and have made it my mission to do whatever I can to help them optimize their health and wellness.

What should our readers know about your business?
POE Holistic Health and Wellness is a Functional Medicine and Naprapathy practice that offers both in office appointments and consultations, as well as virtual appointments. The mission of POE Holistic Health is ‘helping people live healthier lives holistically’. My hashtag and mantra is “live holistic but realistic.” I believe in the power of holistic health and nutrition, but also like to keep it real. I strongly believe in a harmonious synergy of traditional Western medicine and alternative medicine for truly optimized health. Growing up in a traditional Western medicine family and having a lot of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, I have gained a lot of knowledge about traditional medicine. I have the utmost respect for Western medicine and have certainly had many instances in my own life, as well as the lives of my children, family members and friends, where I have been extremely grateful for the modern medical field and its cutting edge doctors, procedures, technology, and medicine. However, my own experiences have given me the opportunity to also see the ways holistic health and good nutrition can truly prevent and improve many medical conditions and symptoms. Research has shown significant statistical decreases in many diseases and comorbidities that exist today just by making proper eating and nutrition a focal part of our daily lives.

I believe my caring nature and personalized approach is what sets me apart from others. I also believe my balanced belief in both functional and western medicine set me apart as a practitioner. As one of the few Naprapathic Doctors in the Northeast, my goal is to help as many people as possible return to a more pain-free and active lifestyle. Naprapathy is appropriate for people seeking a gentler, more conservative means to pain and discomfort relief before considering pharmaceuticals and surgical interventions. Naprapathy uses no pharmaceutical medications, gentle-hand therapy of connective tissue (fascia) and adjoining structures (ligaments, joints, muscles), nutritional counseling, and other therapeutic modalities (including heat, cold, light, water, radiant energy, sound, air, and assistive devices to correct and alleviate pain). I am Graston Technique® certified, which is nearly always a part of a naprapathic session with me. The Graston Technique® (GT) is a patented form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization used to break down scar tissue. The main goals of treatment with GT are to decrease swelling, pain, and to increase range of motion.  During an initial consultation, I really take the time to get to know a patient, listen to them, and understand their health history and the ways I can help. I serve as a support system for the patient and work with them through their health journey. Each patient journey is different and may include nutrition, labs, supplementation, herbs/homeopathy, and naprapathic manual therapy. I personalize my approach and place the utmost importance on a patient’s comfort level with me and the process.  The ultimate goal of a Naprapathic treatment is to restore “myofascial freedom” so that patients can return to a more pain-free and active lifestyle.

It has been a long road and certainly not smooth. However, it’s the bumps in the road that has made it so rewarding. It was extremely challenging to go back to school, complete course work, a dissertation, and clinical hours with patients while having three small babies at home. There were days I wondered what I was doing and if it was worth it. However, my passion drove me, and I knew not finishing was not an option. It has also been extremely challenging to start from the beginning and open and build my own practice. It was intimidating and I had many days I felt defeated. However, with time, patience, support, and consistently doing what I love with my clients and patients, POE Holistic Health evolved into the practice it is today. It is true and sounds cliche, but consistency, not giving up (especially on the days it seems like that is the easiest thing to do) and surrounding yourself with an uplifting and inspiring social circle are truly the keys to both success and overcoming challenges. POE Holistic Health will continue to help as many people as possible, but will also be branching out into teaching and course creation, as well as becoming involved in the CBD and Cannabis Industry with renowned Chef Alina Eisenhauer, called The Dr. & The Chef.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh, this is a fun question! I would definitely have it be in the summer. I am a sunny, beach/pool and hot weather kind of girl.  Cape Cod, Narragansett and Newport have some great beaches and places to visit.   I am also a huge foodie, so the week would likely involve a lot of good food, and a lot of time at the beach and pool.  There are great places to eat in Boston and Providence.  A good steakhouse is always Mandatory-Some suggestions would include Ruth Cris, Abe and Louie’s, Capital Grill and Smith and Wollensky.  I also highly recommend some authentic Italian cuisine at the Northend in Boston or Providence, Rhode Island. I would also suggest a visit to one of my favorite wineries on the planet, Nashoba Valley Winery. They have a wonderful wine tasting experience. I would also suggest hitting up a night in Boston to experience some NightLife. There are amazing places to see and hang out at in Boston.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The people who have supported and helped me most are my family and close friends. My husband has been my rock through the past decade of me finishing school, completing clinicals, and opening my own practice. He has been the voice of reason, and the person who is always there to pick me up when things have gotten difficult. I also have an endless gratitude for my parents, who have always been here to love and support me my whole life. Professional mentors have included Dr. Jackie Debs and InBalance Chiropractic and Wellness, Dr. Shante Griggs and The American Naprapathic Association, Dr. Joy DeMarcaida, Dr. Karen Clickner, and Dr. Shawn Pourgol. You have all taught me so much and provided me with so much guidance and expertise that I will forever be grateful for.

Website: https://www.poeholistichealth.com/

Instagram: @drkristenpoe

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkristenpoe

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DRKRISTENPOE/ POE Holistic Health and Wellness

Image Credits
Erb/Dufault Photography, Reg Bradford Photography, Melissa Casel Photography