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About Dr. Pistoia

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In Pursuit of Health
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My journey into health began in childhood, driven by my own struggles with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Those early years were emotionally overwhelming, shaped by my sensitivity, difficult family dynamics, and the separation of my parents. I believe these experiences played a significant role in triggering my IBS.

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Growing up, my family knew nothing about natural medicine. I'd never heard of a naturopathic doctor (ND) or natural medicine. Like you, I went to conventional doctors (MDs) for help. After seeing several MDs who couldn’t provide me with effective solutions, I realized I had to take my health into my own hands and explore what else was available.

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Fortunately, my father had a strong interest in healthy living and inspired me to develop healthy habits. I began reading books about nutrition and fitness and searched for ways to feel better. Learning also became a source of comfort and stability during my emotionally challenging childhood, and my curiosity pushed me to excel academically. I earned multiple awards before I finished middle school.

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One of my earliest health discoveries was that my IBS improved when I changed living environments. I realized that I took on an emotional burden from the separation of my parents, which affected my health dramatically. My mother abused alcohol, my brother was abusive, and I was insecure. When things became a bit more stable, it brought me some relief, but my journey to health was far from over.

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By the time I started high school, I had a solid understanding of how nutrition, exercise, and emotions impacted my health. Despite this, I frequently came down with colds and missed many school days. My home life improved, but I struggled with anxiety, low self-esteem, and insecurity. I continued to find comfort in reading, learning, and academics.

 

Determined to improve my health, I came across a book titled Finally, The Common Cold Cure. It introduced me to natural remedies like high-dose vitamin C, zinc, and green tea. The results were life-changing, and I became a passionate advocate for this protocol, educating my friends and family about it. I also spent some time at the local supplement store exploring some of the natural medicines. 

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In my senior year, I was unexpectedly appointed as the student representative of the faculty health committee. I used this opportunity to propose replacing vending machine junk food with healthier options like water and nutritious snacks—practices I’d already adopted.

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In college, my commitment to health deepened. By age 21, I transformed my body through fitness and became an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer. My goal was to help others achieve their health and fitness goals while demystifying wellness. I also volunteered as a youth tutor, earning an excellence award from the Town of Islip, NY, and as a health coach for Stony Brook University’s Fit Families for Life, where I taught children how to exercise.

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During my junior year in college, I was struck with a major life trauma when my abusive brother was suddenly killed. My family fell to pieces, and his death shook me to my core, sending me into an existential crisis. If you’ve ever lost a loved one prematurely, then you know what it’s like—you feel like a piece of you was stolen away, and you have to go on living without it. You question everything, feel angry, anxious, depressed . . . and that trauma stays with you. It changes the way you interact with the world, and may even change your personality. My life fundamentally changed in many ways after the death of my brother. It led me to what some call a “spiritual awakening,” where I began exploring spirituality, consciousness, and metaphysics.

 

After earning my Bachelor’s in Health Science from Stony Brook University, I was drawn to medicine but conflicted—I wanted to help others but didn't see the value in prescribing drugs. After some time Googling alternative career paths, I discovered naturopathic medicine! The philosophy of using lifestyle counseling and natural medicines to treat the whole person resonated deeply with me. It was clear that I’d found my life’s passion and purpose.

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I later applied to the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) to pursue a career as a naturopathic physician and was honored to receive the Stellar Achievement Scholarship.
 

Within a few months of starting medical school, I was struck by a cold for about eight weeks It came with a relentless night cough that made sleep nearly impossible, and usually woke up with severe throat pain. It was peculiar because the symptoms would then dissipate during the day, but never fully improved. Vitamin C, green tea, and zinc weren't helping, and I needed to perform in school under the pressure of weekly exams. I felt frustrated and disheartened, questioning whether I was making the right health choices.


In desperation, I visited a physician associate (PA), who diagnosed a virus and simply advised rest and fluids. Once again, I found myself without clear guidance.

 

Determined to find a solution, I turned to a book called Nature Cure, which opened my eyes to new possibilities and introduced me to homeopathy—a type of medicine I’d never heard of. Nature Cure was written by Henry Lindlahr, who is considered to be a prominent figure in the development of naturopathy in the United States.

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While researching homeopathy, I discovered a medicine called Pulsatilla that seemed like it could help with my lingering symptoms. I took a dose, but nothing happened. Frustrated, I later took another dose and then went to bed. The next morning, I woke up completely symptom-free! My cough, sore throat, and emotional turmoil had vanished. I felt an inexplicable lightness, as though a burden had been lifted. Emotionally, I was at peace, and physically, I felt relieved. This experience left me in awe, and I felt a deep sense of gratitude and debt toward the medicine.

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Motivated to learn more, I began religiously studying homeopathy and soon re-established the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians (HANP) chapter at my school, serving as its student representative. True to my passion for helping others, I shared homeopathy with those around me. One of my neighbors, who had symptoms similar to mine, experienced the same remarkable recovery with Pulsatilla. This reinforced my belief in homeopathy and revealed my natural aptitude for it. I began helping fellow students by prescribing homeopathic medicines and teaching them how to use homeopathy effectively, often with great success.

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During this time, I also represented the Naturopathic Medicine Institute’s Vitalist program (VNMI), which emphasizes traditional naturopathic practices like hydrotherapy and the body’s inherent capacity for healing. To further promote these principles, I co-founded the Naturopathic Society (a student vitalist club) and soon served as its president. My dedication to naturopathic medicine was later recognized when I received the Benedict Lust Award twice—an honor for embodying the core principles of naturopathy. Benedict Lust was the founder of naturopathy in America.

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In my second year of medical school, life threw another challenge my way: one of my parents was diagnosed with cancer. Although the condition didn’t require immediate treatment, the news hit hard, stirring waves of anxiety, insecurity, and uncertainty about their health and my life. This experience increased my interest in the causes and treatments for cancer from a naturopathic perspective. It led me to discover the value of mistletoe therapy and an eclectic branch of medicine known as Anthroposophy.

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Naturopathic medical school introduced me to many new principles and modalities of health, but homeopathy was the most profound. Reading and learning about it fundamentally transformed my understanding of health, illness, and what it means to be human. It deepened my knowledge and taught me that health extends far beyond the physical body. I came to appreciate the crucial role of psychology and spirituality in medicine, realizing that psycho-spiritual well-being often forms the foundation of both health and disease. From this perspective, homeopathy can be profoundly transformative, addressing the emotional (psychological) and spiritual roots of illness.

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I became a naturopathic physician in 2020, but like many others, I faced uncertainty during the pandemic. With no clear direction, I knew only that homeopathy would be central to my career. I relocated to Connecticut with my brother and soon published my first book, In Pursuit of Health. This also marked the beginning of a period of deep personal growth. While physically stable, I grappled with unsettled feelings of anger, sadness, grief, and depression, all of which were likely associated with my past traumas. The pandemic gave me the time and space to confront these emotions, leading to a profound revision of my personality and belief systems. True healing, I’ve found, often demands some degree of self-transformation—releasing outdated behavioral patterns and embracing healthier ones.

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Since 2020, I’ve been practicing both independently and alongside other naturopathic physicians. Thus far, I've spent about three years in primary care, treating patients of all ages with various acute and chronic conditions. My specialty as a provider is addressing the true cause of your symptoms, which I've found to be associated with your psychology and lifestyle. Naturally, evaluating your mental health is a major part of my approach.
 

I’m also strongly interested in gastrointestinal health and the microbiome. The “gut-brain axis” has become a pivotal area of scientific research, highlighting the intricate relationship between digestive health and emotional well-being.

 

While homeopathy and lifestyle counseling remain my cornerstone therapies, I integrate herbal medicine, supplements, and nutraceuticals to support detoxification, improve organ function, and to restore balance in your body. I also frequently use the ZYTO scan in my practice, which is a biofeedback device that provides me with an evaluation of the health of your body, its specific stressors, and which medicines may potentially help you. 

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In 2022, after giving testimony at a public hearing involving naturopathic physician title usage in Connecticut, I decided to join the board of the Connecticut Naturopathic Physician's Association (CNPA). Since joining, I’ve been very active in shaping and executing the organization’s overall mission and legislative strategy. As outlined in my book, In Pursuit of Health, naturopathic medicine has been under attack by the American Medical Association (AMA) since its inception. The AMA openly animadverts against naturopathic medicine, asserting that a naturopathic medical education is not a real medical education. These preposterous claims run in stark opposition to the overwhelmingly favorable opinions of naturopathic medicine and the knowledge of naturopathic physicians here in America. These claims also fail to acknowledge the rich history and worldwide use of naturopathic medicine. For my efforts in protecting naturopathic physicians here in Connecticut, I became the chair of the CNPA legislative committee.

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In 2023, I published my second book, Pocketful of Sunshine: How to Cultivate Joy When You Feel Depressed, offering actionable lifestyle strategies for managing mild to moderate depression. In addition to my books, I’ve also authored numerous wellness articles for Healthline.com and Psychcentral.com and published case reports in medical journals. If you're interested in my literary works, please see the publications page of this website. 

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In 2024, I became the Vice President of the CNPA and currently serve this role. The CNPA continues to protect the practice of naturopathic medicine here in Connecticut, as well as correct the scope of naturopathic medicine so that it aligns with naturopathic education standards. I'm also an active member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), which represents the national interests of naturopathic physicians. 

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​As you can see, I have a deep commitment to health and wellness. After nearly two decades worth of education about health, the core belief guiding my practice is that illness originates in the mind before manifesting in your body.

 

If you stumbled across my website searching for answers, I'm sure that you probably resonate with my truths about health. Is it possible that you too have endured a specific trauma, emotional disturbance, or psychological imbalance that is creating your physical symptoms? If so, let's explore what that looks like for you. I'm happy to guide you along your journey to finding optimal health and wellness! 

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(959) 333-9128

Hamden, CT

© 2020 by Dr. Pistoia, PLLC

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