When Harmony Brown first walked into an acupuncturist’s office as a teenager, she had no idea it would set the course for her life’s work in integrative wellness. At just 19 years old, she was diagnosed with an aggressive stage 3B lymphoma while backpacking through Europe.
“I was living my best life, and suddenly I could barely walk up a flight of stairs without getting dizzy,” she recalled. Months of chemotherapy and radiation followed, and she thought her cancer journey was behind her. But four and a half years later, a routine scan revealed that the cancer had returned.
From Survivor to Practitioner: A Whole-Person Approach to Healing
This second diagnosis shifted everything. Rather than repeating the same conventional approach, Harmony explored functional medicine and complementary therapies. She worked with integrative doctors in Mexico, changed her diet, incorporated acupuncture and herbs, and focused heavily on stress reduction.
“When I went for my stem cell transplant, I was supposed to be in the hospital for two months. I got out in two weeks,” she said.
That healing experience revealed just how powerful the body can be when supported holistically. It inspired her to become a practitioner herself. Today, Harmony Brown is an acupuncture physician, certified functional medicine practitioner, and founder of Reclaim Wellness, where she supports patients in rebalancing their health through a combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and modern diagnostics.
What Is Functional Medicine and How Does It Work with Acupuncture?
Functional medicine is rooted in the principle of identifying and addressing the root cause of illness. Harmony blends this with the ancient philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which sees the body as an interconnected system of energy and function.
“It’s all about creating an environment that will not be a host to disease,” she explained. Acupuncture helps regulate the nervous system, balance energy flow, and support organ function, while functional testing provides concrete data on things like hormone levels, gut microbiome imbalances, and inflammatory markers.
The Emotional Body: How Stress Affects Hormones, Digestion, and More
One of Harmony’s most powerful insights is that physical symptoms often have emotional roots. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, each organ is tied not just to biological function, but to emotional processing. The liver, for instance, is responsible for detoxifying both toxins and emotions like frustration, overwhelm, and anger.
“If your liver is overwhelmed emotionally, it can lead to things like hormone imbalances, joint pain, or digestive issues,” she explained.
She often treats women with symptoms labeled as IBS, fatigue, anxiety, or hormonal swings. These are usually connected, not isolated. In her words, “All of these little things are like check engine lights. It’s all connected.”
Hormone and Gut Health Testing: Functional Medicine Insights
Harmony uses tests like the GI Map and Dutch Hormone Panel to identify hidden imbalances that may not show up in conventional bloodwork. For example, she often sees women whose lab results are “normal” but who still feel off — exhausted, bloated, or burned out.
“We can’t just stop at the test result. We still have to ask why,” she said. One patient, for example, had zero levels of Akkermansia, a beneficial gut bacteria linked to metabolic health. By identifying that and using a targeted probiotic, they were able to support her digestion and energy.
But even with sophisticated tests, Harmony always brings it back to basics: sleep, stress, movement, and digestion.
Why Slowing Down Is the Ultimate Medicine
When patients come in thinking they’re reacting to a food or supplement, Harmony often uncovers that it’s not the item, but the state they were in when consuming it.
She shared the story of a patient who thought she was suddenly allergic to her protein bar. “There was no moment in her morning where her body knew it was time to rest and digest,” Harmony said. That bar was eaten in a car, during a stressful commute, after a chaotic morning — a perfect storm for poor digestion.
Sometimes the most effective medicine is simply slowing down and chewing.
More Isn’t Always Better: Wellness for High Achievers
Many of Harmony’s patients are high-functioning, Type A women who are doing all the “right” things — green smoothies, 5 AM workouts, infrared saunas, meditation, journaling, and still feeling exhausted.
“I ask them how they feel, and they say they’re wiped out. I’m like, yeah, that sounded exhausting,” she said.
She often reminds her clients that they don’t need to do all the wellness things. They need to find the right ones that support their unique body and nervous system. “More is not always better, especially if you’re already sleep-deprived and burned out,” she added.
A Space Designed for Healing: Inside Reclaim Wellness
Harmony’s clinic is not your typical sterile medical environment. It’s designed to be a sanctuary, from the soft lighting to the calming essential oil scent. “I want healing to happen the moment you walk in the door,” she said.
She works with a collaborative team of female providers offering acupuncture, functional testing, hormone support, lymphatic massage, breathwork, and energy therapy. “It’s a true multidisciplinary space. You don’t need everything. But you do need the right combination that works for you,” she explained.
Find Harmony at Reclaim Wellness
