Natural Health Improvement Center of Des Moines - Branding Photos
When I launched the 'In Your Skin' campaign, I knew I wanted to focus on women as well as the businesses that help support women. In my heart, I knew I wanted to showcase a holistic health practice. I think there's both of a place for Western medicine and a place for holistic care. Knowing who to turn to and how to access the resources is essential though. Sarah Outlaw with Natural Health Improvement Center of Des Moines was one of the first people that reached out to me when my family moved to Norwalk seven years ago, so naturally I approached Sarah about being part of the campaign.
Sarah wears many hats with over two decades in the industry--including BCDHH, MH, MSACN - Board Certified Doctor of Holistic Health, Clinical Nutritionist and Herbalist. She has been in private practice for twelve years--nine of those here in Iowa. Natural Health Improvement Center (NHIC) relocated from Des Moines to Waukee in March and they are growing their roots in Dallas County as well as virtually. Sarah's daughter, Ava, also works at National Health Improvement Center of Des Moines.
Their goal is to give women a place where they feel heard, understood, educated, and empowered to take an active role in their health. Sarah and her team see patients of all ages but works with women in all stages. Sarah reports that many of their patients come to them after years of being frustrated and not getting to the root cause of their issue. Sarah is able to take a whole-person approach using functional nutrition, comprehensive bloodwork and lab testing, individualized nutritional support, and non-invasive testing to look for underlying stressors and imbalances. They work with women through every season of life, including fertility and pregnancy, postpartum, thyroid concerns, digestive and autoimmune issues, chronic health challenges, weight and metabolic concerns, and especially perimenopause and menopause. Natural Health Improvement Center accepts HSA and FSA account card as well as cash and card for payment options.
Natural Health Improvement Center was born out of Sarah's own journey getting to the core reason for her own health concerns. She was feeling defeated when doctors continued to tell her everything looked normal, when she knew deep down, that something was off and nobody was willing to dig deeper. This experience solidified Sarah's desire to help people and became the foundation to NHIC. Natural Health Improvement Center's core mission is to help people get to the root of their health concerns through education, functional nutrition, individualized testing, and natural approaches that support the body as a whole. Sarah especially wants women and families to know that they deserve to be heard, that their symptoms matter, and that “everything looks normal” does not have to be the end of the conversation.
When asked how would you rate your business's current focus on empowering women, Sarah disclosed that it's a core pillar of her business. In addition to tailoring services to women, Sarah also has women-lead hiring initiatives and works closely with females in the industry through educational workshops and seminars.
Sarah is a firm believer about learning about your body and asking questions. At NHIC they have a lending library of books and resources available for their clients to dig deeper and learn more about their health. Sarah wants to reassure potential clients that you don't need to know everything the first time you walk through the door. her job is to look at the whole person and to connect the dots to figure out the root cause of the issues before developing a treatment plan. Sarah warns others that although there is a lot of information readily available--especially through influencers, not all of it may be accurate or the right fit for you or your needs. That's why working with a credentialed provider is helpful and safer than trying to manage symptoms based on other people or a one-size all approach.
At NHIC they believe that the physiology changes in women such as hormonal changes, blood sugar instability, nutrient deficiencies, thyroid function, chronic inflammation, poor sleep, gut health, chronic illness, environmental stressors, and prolonged stress can all influence how a woman feels physically and emotionally. What is happening inside can affect a woman's physical and mental well-being and by teaming up with other providers, you can create a comprehensive plan.
Sarah recommends that women not wait until they are feeling completely depleted before scheduling their appointment but rather schedule an appointment at the first sign of an issue. She goes on to say that women are so often the main caretakers in their homes, that they are used to putting other people first. At NHIC they can support women better by listening, reducing the stigma around asking for help, creating stronger community connections, and reminding women that caring for themselves is part of caring for the people they love. Women need preventative care and not just crisis care.
Sarah's goal for NHIC is so much more than a traditional office. Our vision is to build a true wellness community where individuals and families have access to education, functional nutrition, individualized wellness support, and services that help them become active participants in their own health. Sarah is also incredibly passionate about changing the conversation around women's health. Women should not have to spend years saying, “I know something is wrong,” before someone listens. They should not have to accept feeling exhausted, disconnected from themselves, or chronically unwell simply because a basic test came back within a standard range. Sometimes the most important thing we can do is listen, get curious, look deeper, and help someone understand their body. That is what I want NHIC to be known for: a place where people feel heard, where we look at the whole person, and where hope is still part of the conversation. Need more information? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions tab on the webste. If you are ready to take the first step towards your health journey, you can request an appointment. You can also follow along on Facebook or Instagram.
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