In this episode of Functional Medicine Unlocked, Dr. Miiko Rowley, Functional Medicine Physician, sits down with Brain Scientist Ronald Swatzyna, PhD to explore how understanding the brain can unlock real healing when conventional approaches fall short.

Together, they dive into how advanced brain mapping tools like EEGs help uncover why psychiatric medications may not work for some individuals and why symptoms often persist when the root cause is missed.

Dr. Swatzyna shares his experience helping patients identify hidden patterns in brain function, while Dr. Rowley brings the body into the conversation, highlighting the critical connection between brain health, physiology, and whole-body healing.

This powerful discussion bridges the gap between neuroscience and functional medicine, showing how collaboration between brain and body specialists creates more personalized, effective paths to healing.

Disclaimer: The information shared on The Dr. Miiko Rowley Show: Functional Medicine Unlocked is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Miiko Rowley and her guests and does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns, conditions, or treatment decisions. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking care because of something discussed on this show.

Perimenopause is more than the end of menstrual cycles. It is a complex hormonal transition that can affect energy, mood, sleep, metabolism, and brain function.

Many women expeience fatigue, brain fog, and low energy long before their last period and feel like their body is working against them.

In this episode, Dr. Miiko Rowley, a Functional Medicine Physician, sits down with her patient Colleen McKnight, a successful Houston attorney, to hear her personal journey through perimenopause. Colleen shares what it felt like to navigate overwhelming symptoms while maintaining a demanding career and how she found clarity and relief through a functional medicine approach.

By watching this conversation, you will gain awareness that your perimenopause symptoms are real, they deserve attention, and they are not something you have to silently endure. This episode is for anyone who wants to recognize the signs early, take their symptoms seriously, and explore ways to feel like themselves again.

- - -

Disclaimer: The information shared on The Dr. Miiko Rowley Show: Functional Medicine Unlocked is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Miiko Rowley and her guests and does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns, conditions, or treatment decisions. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking care because of something discussed on this show.

What does it really mean to heal in today’s world? After experiencing two life-altering neurological events and receiving an MS diagnosis, Dr. Rowley chose a different path.

One focused not on managing symptoms, but on understanding root causes and supporting the body’s natural ability to heal. That decision led her to medical school, functional medicine training, and a healing journey that has kept her symptom-free for more than 18 years.

Dr. Miiko Rowley is a Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician, a Certified Practitioner with the Institute for Functional Medicine, and the owner of KaleMD, a Functional Medicine practice in Houston, Texas. Drawing from both her clinical experience and her personal health journey, she breaks down how chronic illness develops and what it actually takes to create lasting health.

The Dr. Miiko Rowley Show: Functional Medicine Unlocked features thoughtful conversations with leading voices in Functional and Integrative Medicine. Each episode explores the science behind chronic disease, the stories behind real transformation, and practical strategies you can apply in everyday life.

This show is for anyone who wants to better understand their body, move beyond symptom-focused care, and take an active role in their health through nutrition, lifestyle, and mindset. If you are ready to explore health from a root cause perspective, subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Welcome to The Dr. Miiko Rowley Show.

Disclaimer: The information shared on The Dr. Miiko Rowley Show: Functional Medicine Unlocked is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Miiko Rowley and her guests and does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns, conditions, or treatment decisions. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking care because of something discussed on this show.

In this episode of The Dr. Miiko Rowley Show, you’ll sit in on a powerful conversation between Functional Medicine Physician Dr. Miiko Rowley and Cardiologist Dr. Asif Ali as they unpack why heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the United States and what you can actually do to prevent it.

You’ll hear them break down the real root causes behind America’s heart disease epidemic, including lifestyle, metabolic health, and familiar risk factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, and inflammation, in a way that is clear and actionable for you. Together, they translate the science into practical, prevention-focused steps you can start using right away, covering nutrition, movement, stress management, and how to catch silent warning signs early.

Dr. Rowley and Dr. Ali also show you what is possible when functional medicine and cardiology work hand in hand, moving beyond a model that centers only on procedures and prescriptions toward a more holistic approach that supports true, long-term heart health.

- - -

Asif Ali, MD | Cardiologist

Website: https://hccheart.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asif-ali-md/

- - -

Miiko Rowley, MD | Functional Medicine Physician

Website: https://kalemd.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miiko-richardson-rowley-md-abfm-ifmcp-357278a/

The Menopause Mentor: https://kalemd.com/master-your-menopause-journey/

Shop Supplements: https://shop.kalemd.com

Shop Labs: kale.wellproz.com/patient/home

- - -

Disclaimer: The information shared on The Dr. Miiko Rowley Show: Functional Medicine Unlocked is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Miiko Rowley and her guests and does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns, conditions, or treatment decisions. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking care because of something discussed on this show. ​