Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Alejandra Carrasco.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born and raised here in Austin, TX. My whole life, I aspired to be a doctor. It was definitely a calling, and since there were no doctors in my family, I was forging a new path. It was an exciting, purposeful, and incredibly stressful journey that consumed my late childhood, teen, and young adult years.
I went to undergrad at Rice University and then went to medical school at The Long School of Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, TX.
During my 3rd year of medical school, my health crumbled overnight, and I developed panic attacks, migraines, and severe irritable bowel syndrome. After an abundance of scans, blood work, and specialist visits, I was told to go on a slew of medications, and that wasn’t a satisfactory solution for me. I started looking for more holistic solutions and spent time during my fourth year of medical school studying integrative medicine at The University of Arizona Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, as well as at the Continuum Center for Health and Healing in New York City.
After medical school, I took a year off before beginning my postgraduate residency education. That year, I was introduced to functional medicine while attending the Center for Mind Body Medicine’s Food as Medicine Professional Training Program, and my life was forever changed. And after attending a lecture by Dr. Mark Hyman, currently the Head of Strategy and Innovation at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, I learned about the prevalence of food sensitivities and how they are grossly underdiagnosed. I decided to go on an elimination diet, and within two weeks, my symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and migraines were largely gone.
From that point forward, I knew that functional medicine would be an important part of my path in medicine, and attended the Institute for Functional Medicine’s landmark course, Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice (AFMCP) that year. I also spent time during my year off doing research at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Integrative Medicine Program, focusing on nutritional interventions in cancer therapy, namely omega-3 fatty acids and medicinal mushrooms.
I completed my family medicine residency here in Austin at the old Brackenridge Hospital. After becoming a fellow of the American Board of Family Medicine, I went on to complete the Institute for Functional Medicine Certification Program.
In 2012, I started my private practice – Nourish Medicine, and ever since then, I’ve had the privilege of helping patients using a purely integrative and functional medicine approach.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Honestly, it’s been an awesome experience. I love my patients and I find my work incredibly fulfilling. I think the biggest obstacle was taking the leap and doing something a little against the grain, but it’s been wonderful.
We’ve been impressed with Nourish Medicine – Alejandra Carrasco, MD, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the founder of an innovative, integrative functional medicine practice based in Austin, Texas. I work closely with patients to help them address the root cause of their symptoms in order to restore health, prevent disease, and help them get their life back. I work with a wide variety of patients, some of whom are looking to optimize their health and others with specific health concerns. Many of my patients struggle with fatigue, chronic digestive issues, thyroid issues, or autoimmunity.
As a mom of three, I also love helping women who are trying to improve their fertility, optimize their health during pregnancy, and feel better in the postpartum phase of life.
My practice is completely virtual, which makes getting good care convenient — you don’t have to wait in a doctor’s office and it’s less time away from work and family.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Self-care isn’t selfish! I learned this lesson acutely during medical school when my health fell apart. The world is chaotic and stressful- taking care of yourself is a necessity.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@nourishmedicine.com
- Website: nourishmedicine.com
- Instagram: @dralexcarrasco
- Facebook: @nourishmedicine
Image Credits
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