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Amy Wise | OT + Functional Practitioner

@wiselivinghealth

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Helping moms & kids achieve better moods, bellies & feeding through root cause care
🧠 OT + gut-brain support
🧪 Functional testing
📍STL | Virtual ⬇️

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✨Big news for Wise Living! ✨

Beginning August 27, I’ll officially be offering in office appointments at @bloommindbodyco_soco in South County!

And since there are quite a few new faces around here lately, this feels like the perfect time to re-introduce what I actually do!

I’m Amy- an occupational therapist + functional health practitioner + mom of 2, and I created Wise living because I wanted to practice differently.

Instead of looking at one problem or symptom in isolation, I want to understand the whole person.

Why is your child struggling with feeding, regulation, development, or sensory processing?

Could gut health, nutrition, nervous system function, retained reflexes, environmental stressors or other underlying factors be contributing?

why does a mom still feel off for months or years after having a baby?

Why do symptoms keep coming back even though you’ve tried all the things?

At Wise Living, the answer isn’t another quick fix. We zoom out and connect all the dots.

And that’s where my combination of OT + functional health comes in. 🧠🌿

I work with moms, babies & children through:
•Pediatric + infant OT
•Feeding therapy + picky eater support
•Reflex integration + neurodevelopmental support
•Functional health + nutrition
•Gut-brain health
•Functional testing
•Postpartum mom/baby wellness

And now you’ll have more ways to work with me:
🏡 In-home
📍In-office
💻 Virtual

My first day in-office will be August 27 & appointments are officially OPEN!

If you’ve been following along thinking, “I wonder if Amy could help with this…” this is your invitation to ask.

Comment BLOOM or send me a DM & I’ll help you figure out the best place to start 💛

#integrativehealthcare #holisticoccupationaltherapy #functionalhealthandwellness #stltherapist taken in Oakville, Missouri by @wiselivinghealth

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2 months ago

Tired of spending so much energy chasing individual symptoms & never stopping to ask if they’re connected?

I already felt this frustration at 17. I knew my body & I knew everything was connected.

I remember asking my doctor, “don’t you think hormones are related to my gut issues?”
Their answer: “No, go get a colonoscopy.” 🤦🏽‍♀️

Maybe for you its it’s constipation or picky eating.
Maybe it’s eczema, poor sleep, anxiety, or frequent meltdowns.

They’re treated as separate problems by separate specialists. You bounce around like a ping pong ball between providers.

But what if they’re pieces of the same puzzle?

One of my favorite parts of what I do is helping families zoom out, look for patterns & help connect dots.

That doesn’t mean every person has the same root cause. It means symptoms don’t happen in isolation, and understanding how the nervous system, gut, nutrition, movement, sensory processing, and development interact can change the entire approach.

Instead of asking:
❌ “How do we stop this symptom?”

I like to ask:
✅ “Why is the body communicating this in the first place?”

⬇️

🚨Spoiler alert: the answer is never a diagnosis!

Curiosity to connect the dots will change everything.

💬 Which symptom surprised you most when you learned it could be connected to something bigger?

#pediatricoccupationaltherapist #functionalhealth #healthcascade #pickyeating #eczema by @wiselivinghealth

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4 months ago

If you’ve ever felt like your symptoms are brushed off or like you’re doing all the “right” things and still not getting answers, this is exactly why I do what I do. Been there, done that, so I know exactly how you’re feeling. 💛

When you work with me, you’re not just getting another generic protocol. You’re getting:
✨ Functional lab testing that reveals why your body is struggling
✨ Step-by-step guidance for nutrition, stress, sleep, movement & more
✨ A whole-body approach that includes your gut, hormones, detox pathways, and nervous system
✨ Strategies that actually work in real life — not just on paper

Most importantly, you’re getting a partner who helps you understand your body and build lifelong habits that support your health long after our work together ends. 🌿

If you’re ready to stop guessing and finally get answers about your body, click the link in my bio or DM me “READY” and let’s talk about your next step. 💌 taken in United States of America by @wiselivinghealth

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a year ago

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2 years ago

Sometimes the physical symptoms are SO loud that we forget to ask what’s happening underneath them.

The gut issues. The chronic pain. The fatigue. The inflammation. The hormonal changes. The nervous system that never seems to settle.

I spent YEARS searching for answers to my physical symptoms.

And it took me YEARS of trial & error to finally recognize that emotional healing HAD to be included in the healing journey.

It’s easy to focus on fixing what can be FELT & SEEN physically, but ignoring the hard emotional stuff is likely adding time to your true healing.

Here’s what I’ve learned, both personally and professionally:

Your emotional health and physical health are not separate.

Chronic stress and unresolved emotional distress can influence your nervous system, digestion, sleep, pain perception, and immune function. Ever seen someone’s health crash after a stressful time or after losing a loved one? It’s not a coincidence.

After seeing multiple practitioners for multiple pieces of the puzzle, I’m so excited that my methods at Wise Living address the whole picture—the physical, emotional, spiritual & mental.

Sometimes healing isn’t about doing MORE, but rather, doing the HARD thing that you’ve been avoiding. 💙

Have you ever noticed your physical symptoms getting worse during emotionally stressful seasons or times of day?

#holistichealing #functionalOT #functionalhealthpractitioner #dothehardthing by @wiselivinghealth

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2 days ago

Your nervous system plays a MUCH bigger role in digestion than you might think. 🧠💩

The vagus nerve is a major communication highway between your brain and gut. It helps regulate your parasympathetic nervous system, also known as your “rest and digest” state.

When your body feels safe, calm, and regulated, it can better support functions like digestion, gut motility, and elimination.

That’s why I love incorporating nervous system regulation with the @rezzimaxpaintuner into our bedtime routine!

And the fact that he needed to poop right afterward? 😂 A perfect opportunity to talk about the brain–gut connection!

Here’s what I want you to understand:

Constipation isn’t always JUST about fiber, water, or what you’re eating.

Stress, nervous system regulation, gut motility, pelvic floor coordination, and daily habits can ALL influence bowel movements.

And this is exactly why I look beyond the symptoms in my integrative OT + functional health practice.

Because supporting the gut means looking at the nervous system, too. 🧠

Your brain and gut are constantly communicating. Are you supporting BOTH?

#GutBrainConnection #VagusNerve #NervousSystemRegulation #ConstipationRelief #IntegrativeOT FunctionalHealth WiseLiving taken in Saint Louis, Mo by @wiselivinghealth

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5 days ago

For years, I thought my chronic back pain was a structural problem.

I focused on my spine, muscles, alignment, massage and all the places that hurt.

But what changed everything for me was looking BEYOND the pain.

I started addressing other areas I didn’t think were related—my gut health, inflammation, chronic stressors, and nervous system. And over time, the chronic back pain I dealt with for several years disappeared.

Your body doesn’t operate in isolated systems.

🧠 Your nervous system influences how your brain processes pain, tension, and threat.

🔥 Inflammation can contribute to pain sensitivity throughout the body.

🦠 Your gut communicates with your immune system and brain through complex pathways.

🕸️ Your fascia, muscles, and connective tissues respond to movement, stress, and changes in nervous system activity.

❤️ Trauma and chronic stress can influence how your body processes and responds to pain—even long after the original stressor.

This is why I believe in looking at the WHOLE person.

If there wasn’t a specific injury & you have chronic pain, I encourage you to listen closer. See what your mind & body are trying to tell you.

My experience completely changed how I approach health and healing, both personally and professionally.

Have you ever experienced pain that improved after addressing something seemingly unrelated?

Drop yours below! 👇🏼

#Chronicpain #holistichealing #functionalhealth #functionalOT by @wiselivinghealth

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7 days ago

Sensory tools. Movement breaks. Visual schedules. Therapy goals. Supplement protocols.

All can have their place. But what if we’re missing pieces of the bigger picture?

When a child struggles with attention, emotional regulation, sensory processing, feeding, or development, I don’t just want to know WHAT they’re struggling with.

I want to understand WHY.

I’m looking beyond the symptoms and considering how multiple systems may be influencing one another:

🧠 Neurology:Primitive reflex patterns, motor development, sensory integration, postural control, and nervous system regulation.

🌿 Physiology: Gut health, nutrition, nutrient status, digestion, and other factors influencing how the body functions.

💤 Lifestyle: Sleep, movement, daily routines, and recovery.

🤍 Stress & environment: Emotional well-being, stress responses, relationships, and the demands placed on the child.

Because the brain and body don’t operate independently.

Your child’s physiology influences their nervous system. Their nervous system influences their physiology. And BOTH influence how they feel, behave, learn, and participate in everyday life.

Accommodations and sensory strategies can be incredibly valuable. But I also want to build foundational skills, investigate contributing factors, and support the child’s overall health.

That’s where occupational therapy and functional health come together. ✨

Not simply managing the challenges we see on the surface, but understanding the whole child and creating an individualized path toward better function.

That’s the kind of care I believe families deserve through Wise Living Health & Wellness.

If you’re looking for a more comprehensive approach to your child’s health and development, I’d love to connect.

DM me WHOLE CHILD to learn more.

#holisticoccupationaltherapy #functionalhealth #rootcausesolutions #functionalOT by @wiselivinghealth

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8 days ago

✨ I added another certification to my toolbox this weekend—but this one is especially meaningful to me.

I am officially certified in the Pneuma Method, a method that incorporates muscle response testing through physical, nutritional, emotional and spiritual components of whole-person health.

But this isn't simply another modality I decided to learn on a whim.

This type of work has been one of the BIGGEST pieces of my own healing journey for the past 7 years.

I've experienced firsthand how powerful it can be to look beyond individual symptoms and consider the body as the interconnected system that it is. Getting to finally put the pieces together at a deeper level and learn how to incorporate it into the care I provide feels very full-circle. I learned other muscle testing methods, but this one felt deeply aligned.

The Pneuma Method provides a structured framework for introducing different inputs and evaluating the body's response through the muscular system. It allows us to explore the person from multiple angles—including physical, nutritional, emotional and faith-based components—rather than looking at each piece in isolation.

And because you'll hear me talk more about frequency with this work, I want to clarify what that means. Frequency is not from a place of manifestation, “asking the universe,” or replacing God with energy.

I approach the body through biology, neurology, chemistry and biophysics—and through my Christian belief that God designed every bit of it. Science and faith aren't opposites.

The more I've learned about the electrical, chemical and biological complexity of the human body, the more amazed I am by its Creator.

This certification feels different because I finally achieved what I told my own practitioner YEARS ago when he helped me---that I would learn this tool & help others in the same way.

And I am SO excited to begin thoughtfully incorporating the Pneuma Method into the work I already do at Wise Living. 🤍

More to come. It's just getting good :) taken in Oakville, Missouri by @wiselivinghealth

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9 days ago

Ever wake up at the SAME time every night? 👀

According to the TCM Body Clock, each organ system has a 2-hour window when its energy is most active. And when you consistently wake during a certain window, TCM patterns may help guide you to tuning into what’s really going on.

🌙 Digestion
🌙 Stress + nervous system regulation
🌙 Emotions
🌙 Elimination
🌙 Hormonal patterns
🌙 Breathing + respiratory health

This doesn’t mean you have a sick organ, but it can help us connect the dots within the bigger picture of your health.

Swipe through to see what your usual waking time is associated with according to the TCM Body Clock. →

Every time I tune into the TCM clock, it’s always right on the money for me!

What time do you tend to wake up?

#functionalhealth #organtime #healthdetective

The TCM Body Clock is a traditional Chinese medicine framework and is not intended to diagnose a medical condition. by @wiselivinghealth

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10 days ago

Did you know ferritin isn’t usually included in routine bloodwork—yet low iron stores can be easy to miss?

Low ferritin can show up as fatigue, hair shedding, feeling cold, headaches, dizziness, low exercise tolerance, brain fog + more.

And it can be especially relevant postpartum, when pregnancy increases iron demands and blood loss during delivery can further deplete iron stores.

But I don’t like to stop at “your ferritin is low—take iron.”

I want to ask WHY!

Is there ongoing blood loss?
Not enough iron coming in?
Poor absorption?
GI inflammation or gut dysfunction?
Are we missing nutrients that support healthy iron metabolism?

Because replacing iron may be part of the plan—but understanding why it became low in the first place matters too.

If you’re experiencing several of these symptoms, talk with your provider about whether a full iron panel—including ferritin—makes sense for you.

At Wise Living, I offer comprehensive blood chemistry + functional testing with an individualized plan and coaching to help you connect the dots and know what to do next.

Ready to dig deeper into your health? DM me ‘READY’ and we’ll schedule a free consult call.

#functionalhealth #postpartumhealth #functionalnutrition #bloodchemistryanalysis by @wiselivinghealth

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19 days ago

Your symptoms don’t exist in separate boxes. So why should your care?

When you work with me, I’m not only looking at the symptom that brought you through my door.

I’m looking at the WHOLE picture.

Because your physiology, nervous system, environment, daily habits, and mental/emotional health are constantly influencing one another & your ability to function in everyday life.

This is where my background in both functional health AND occupational therapy gives me a unique lens.

I combine detailed history, clinical assessment, physical health principles, functional labs when appropriate, and years of experience understanding the body, nervous system, development, and everyday function.

My job isn’t to chase every symptom separately. It’s to connect the dots, recognizing meaningful patterns, prioritize what deserves attention in the most beneficial way, and create a plan that makes sense for YOU.

because health affects how you live & how you live affects your health.

That’s the whole-body approach behind Wise Living 💛

📍STL integrative care + virtual functional health

DM me WHOLE if you’re looking for someone to take a deeper look at your care.

#holisticot #functionalOT #integrativemedicine #functionalhealth #occupationaltherapist by @wiselivinghealth

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19 days ago