Dr. Rebecca Sand, ND, L.Ac.
Introduction
Dr. Rebecca Sand is a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist in Portland, Oregon. She graduated from Bastyr University in Seattle and completed a combined residency in gastroenterology, women’s health, and integrative fertility. Her practice specializes in conditions of the digestive tract, microbiome, gut-brain axis, and hormone systems using a combined Eastern and Western medicine approach. Rather than just treating symptoms, Dr. Sand strives to uncover the root of disease.
Dr. Sand’s style of medicine emphasizes compassionate listening and honors the body’s innate wisdom to heal. Some of the conditions she treats are IBS, SIBO, Candida, Crohn’s, UC, heartburn, food sensitivities, GERD, chronic bloating, endometriosis, recurrent vaginal or bladder infections, painful or heavy periods, PCOS, autoimmune disease, menopause, and hormone imbalances. She also loves supporting patients adjunctively with fertility, pregnancy, and the post-partum period.
Dr. Sand is trained in a wide range of Eastern and Western healing modalities that she incorporates into her practice. Some options you might be offered include:
- Supplements, herbs, nutrients
- Acupuncture, moxa, or cupping
- Maya Abdominal Therapy
- Visceral manipulation
- Craniosacral therapy
- Dietary guidance
- Mind-body regulation techniques
- Pharmaceuticals, when needed
- Chinese herbal medicine
Dr. Sand’s Story
Prior to medical school, Dr. Sand studied genetics and Mandarin while working in biomedical laboratories in the U.S. and China. Some of her research included heart stent coatings, novel treatments for blood-based cancers, HIV therapies, and vaccine development for infectious diseases. For more info on her research and publications: https://www.drrebeccasand.com/about-dr-sand
In pursuit of a more comprehensive healthcare system, Dr. Sand also spent over 10 years studying under traditional healers in Tibet, China, India, and Polynesia to integrate the wisdom of ancient healing systems into modern care. As a result, she is passionate about creating dynamic, individualized treatment plans, taking into account the whole person and their environment.
Dr. Sand knows firsthand how debilitating chronic disease can be, having dealt with her own complex gut and hormone conditions for over 15 years. Her personal experience led her to develop collaborations with diverse integrative providers to provide a better platform of care for her patients.
“As an ND, I love being able to know my patients on a deeper level. Together, we can create a truly individualized treatment plan to help you achieve your goals.”
Outside of Work
When she’s not doing deep-dives into the latest microbiome research, Dr. Sand enjoys traveling, attempting crosswords, searching for the best pizza, gardening, petting your dog, visiting farmers markets, and writing postcards to her pals around the globe. Dr. Sand lives in Portland, Oregon with her partner and daughter.
For more information, including the latest blog posts check out: www.drrebeccasand.com
To listen to The Turd Nerds, a podcast collaboration with Dr. Ilana Gurevich and Dr. Ami Kapadia, click here: https://www.drrebeccasand.com/podcast