Have you ever been to a primary care doctor and wondered why they focus on treating symptoms instead of addressing the root cause of your illness? Rather than take a patient-centered approach to address questions like, “Why are you ill?” they prescribe medications that alleviate symptoms but don’t do much to solve the underlying issue that’s causing you to be sick.
When you have a runny nose, you’re handed an antihistamine. When you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, you’re prescribed a pill that treats the number. The truth is that this approach only tackles your symptoms. When the root cause isn’t fixed, your symptoms can get exponentially worse. Remember - your body’s dysfunction isn’t due to your meds not working.
This begs the question: Wouldn't you rather address the underlying cause of your health concerns so you can experience long-term relief? As a naturopathic doctor in Bellingham, WA, Dr. Erica Oberg takes a functional approach to medicine and well-being instead of treating the symptoms her patients endure.
Health is a state of vibrant vitality, abundant energy, and positive affect. It can be learned, cultivated, and practiced by everyone. Dr. Oberg's approach to health and medicine combines the rigors of science with the wisdom of nature and our bodies. She is passionate about helping people experience a higher level of health and vitality. As such, her clinical practice focuses on preventing, reversing, and taming chronic disease, neuro-degeneration, and anti-aging.
Dr. Oberg specializes in nutrition & lifestyle, IV therapy, and identifying the underlying causes of disease using advanced testing and creating customized treatment plans to help individuals dial in their lifestyle, dietary supplements, peptides, bioidentical hormones, anti-aging pharmaceuticals, and more. If you’re looking for individualized, science-based, proactive functional, integrative, or natural medicine, we believe you’ll resonate with Dr. Oberg and work your way through life’s challenges with help from our functional medicine clinic in Bellingham, WA.
Dr. Oberg and her team of licensed providers specialize in a range of naturopathic and science-based services, including but not limited to:
If you're ready to reclaim your vitality and learn more about Dr. Oberg's approach to health and medicine, we make it easy to get started. The first step is to have a complimentary 15-minute phone call to ask questions and determine if her approach is a good fit. Once Dr. Oberg understands your health needs and goals, your journey to optimal health and wellness truly begins.
Now that you know more about what makes Dr. Oberg different from other physicians, let's dig a little deeper into some of the most popular programs and clinical services offered at her functional medicine clinic.
As people get older, many things change in life. Often, those changes are good, like having more self-control, financial freedom, and patience. Others are hard to deal with, especially when they're out of our control. Like all things in life, our hormones change when we get older. These fluctuations can cause problems for both men and women, including:
If those symptoms sound familiar, you're not alone. A 2019 American Psychological Association survey found that almost half of women aged 30 to 60 in the US have experienced symptoms of a hormonal imbalance. Of course, as men age, they suffer from imbalanced hormones, too. Research from BodyLogicMD states that nearly 38% of males in America aged 45 and older have a testosterone deficiency.
The good news is that balancing your hormones and addressing the root cause of your symptoms doesn’t have to be hard. It’s a realistic goal with Dr. Oberg by your side. As a functional medicine doctor in Bellingham, WA, she can help your body metabolize and detoxify both your own hormones and the endocrine-disrupting chemicals infiltrating your life. When your hormones are in harmony, you experience improved energy, mood, and overall health – and that’s something to be excited about.
Our comprehensive Three-Month Hormone Balancing Program is designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools to take control of your hormonal health. This is no "one-and-done service" - it's a holistic journey that spans three transformative months, offering the support and guidance to become confident, capable, and healthier than ever. Features of our hormone balancing program include:
You will receive support throughout your journey from Dr. Oberg, who will provide healthcare services, and our health coaches, who offers personalized coaching tailored to your specific needs.
Nutrition has a significant impact on hormonal health. A customized hormone-balancing diet plan will be provided to help nourish the body optimally based on individual goals.
We provide a range of practical strategies and tips for regulating hormone balance through your nervous system. These techniques aim to empower you to take control of your well-being.
When appropriate, we’ll prescribe you hormone replacement therapy (HRT), testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), or growth hormone peptide therapy to help balance your hormones.
At our functional medical office, we make it a point to correct the root causes of our patient's problems. We don't treat symptoms - but we do use them to figure out the underlying issues you're facing. If you notice any of the following symptoms, it could be time to consider HRT.
When you mention hormone replacement therapy, most people think the treatment is exclusively for females going through menopause. While that's partially true - HRT can relieve night sweats, hot flashes, and other menopause-related problems - men also deal with imbalanced hormones.
Testosterone plays a crucial role in male sexual health. Low levels can result in decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and other sexual performance issues. Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection may be a sign of imbalanced hormones or low testosterone levels.
When your sleep patterns change - like when you have trouble falling or staying asleep - it could be a sign of a hormone imbalance. Testosterone is involved in regulating the sleep cycle, and insufficient levels of it can disrupt quality rest.
Imbalances in hormones can affect mental health and mood. If a man shows signs of irritability, mood swings, or depression, it could indicate low testosterone or other hormonal issues. Hormone replacement therapy can help regulate mood by balancing your hormone levels.
Menopause happens when a woman has not had a menstrual cycle for at least 12 consecutive months. It is a result of declining sex hormone levels, causing the ovaries to stop releasing egg cells. During menopause, women face a range of challenges.
Testosterone plays a crucial role in male sexual health. Low levels can result in decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and other sexual performance issues. Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection may be a sign of imbalanced hormones or low testosterone levels.
Irregular menstrual cycles are a common sign that women are nearing menopause, and their hormone levels may be shifting. The frequency of their periods may increase or decrease, and the amount of bleeding could be more or less than usual, while also lasting for a shorter or longer time.
Hot flashes are perhaps the most well-known symptom of menopause and a frequent sign that a woman's hormones are imbalanced. Hot flashes are sudden feelings of warmth and sweating that are usually most intense on your face, neck, and chest.
Don't let hormone imbalances dictate your life. Take the first step towards reclaiming your balance, energy, and vitality. By working together with Dr. Oberg and her team, you can unlock the path to a healthier, more harmonious you.
When you choose Dr. Oberg as your naturopathic doctor in Bellingham, WA, a new world of healthy living and wellness options are at your disposal. One of the most popular and effective ways to give your body the goodness it needs is with custom IV therapy at our functional medicine office.
Customized IV therapy from Dr. Oberg is all about tailoring your treatment to meet your health goals and needs. Unlike one-size-fits-all IV clinics, our team considers factors like nutrient deficiencies, hydration levels, and overall health to create a customized infusion. This personalized approach gives you better and more applicable results, whether you're looking to get a boost of energy, fortify your immune system, or get relief from a specific ailment.
Your custom IV therapy begins with a consultation with Dr. Oberg. During your initial meeting, we’ll get a better sense of what your brain and body needs. From there, we’ll create a custom infusion for you – not just a formula that matches your height, weight, and age.
Our IV drip therapy menu includes infusions such as:
IV therapy is considered one of the best ways to get the nutrients and immune-boosting goodness your body needs because it gives you a more direct, efficient means of delivery. Unlike oral supplement, which often falls short due to digestive limitations, IV therapy ensures swift and comprehensive nutrient absorption. Some of the biggest benefits of IV therapy from a functional medicine doctor in Bellingham, WA include the following:
IV fluids and electrolytes rapidly hydrate your body, providing an efficient remedy for dehydration resulting from illness, physical activity, or excessive alcohol intake.
IV treatment is able to increase energy and fight tiredness, which can make you feel re-energized.
IV infusions containing immune-enhancing vitamins and antioxidants can fortify your immune system and assist in recovering from illness.
IV therapy containing growth factors, exosomes, and vitamins is effective in improving the health and appearance of the skin and hair. These components complement hair and facial microneedling treatments exceptionally well.
IV therapy can help reduce the symptoms of toxic exposure, like headaches, nausea, fatigue, and dehydration, whether it's from a basic hangover or prolonged exposure to molds, heavy metals, or other toxins.
Dr. Oberg’s personalized IV infusions can serve as an initial boost for making lifestyle changes and play a role in a sustained plan to control persistent conditions like diabetes, autoimmune disorders, cancer, heart disease, and others.
Support Mitochondria function and Anti-aging
Dr. Oberg offers carefully sourced and research backed regenerative therapies such as exosome and stem cell infusions. These can be powerful options for people recovering from chronic infections such as long COVID or Epstein Barr or Lyme. They are also powerful for neuro-regeneration and we frequently use them in stroke recovery and for traumatic brain injury.
Dr. Oberg offers personalized IV micronutrient therapy tailored to address specific nutritional deficiencies, hydration needs, and overall health. This therapy is based on advanced testing that evaluates your cells' nutrient levels. Whether you need more energy, a stronger immune system, or relief from different health issues, IV drip therapy can be customized to help you rediscover the very best version of yourself.
As we get older, our bodies experience a range of changes that affect our health and appearance. These changes are primarily caused by issues with mitochondria and cellular aging. However, there have been significant developments in regenerative medicine, offering the potential to turn back the hands of time and improve health. Schedule a consultation today with Dr. Oberg to begin your journey with regenerative medicine.
Regenerative medicine is an exciting, innovative field that centers on activating your body's innate regenerative abilities to repair and revitalize tissues, cells, and organs. Its focus is on improving your body's natural healing processes to counteract the impacts of aging and different health issues. If you find that old, nagging injuries won’t go away or that fine lines and wrinkles have become overwhelming, anti-aging medicine from a functional medicine doctor in Bellingham, WA may be perfect for you.
At our naturopathic medical office, we use treatments like IV therapy, hormone replacement therapy, and Peptide Therapy to manage a broad array of health and aesthetic concerns. These treatments can aid in tissue repair, inflammation reduction, and enhancement of cellular function.
Anti-aging services offered at our functional medicine clinic include the following:
Peptides are fundamental components of proteins and play a crucial role in various biological processes, such as the aging process. Dr. Oberg offers peptide treatments to help counteract age-related decline, enhance muscle growth and performance, improve skin health, and more.
When you bring your hormones back into balance, you can fight back against issues such as fatigue, mood swings, reduced libido, and even erectile dysfunction.
Replenish vital nutrients, antioxidants, and hydration for improved energy levels, skin health, and immune support.
Exosomes are tiny vesicles generated from mesenchymal stem cells. These vesicles serve as powerful communicators, transmitting signals to various tissues in the body. Their main function is to trigger healing, regeneration, and repair processes, mimicking the actions of younger cells. They are considered to be one of the most effective strategies for combating the aging process.
When nutrition guidance, lifestyle adaptations, and powerful supplements are combined with naturopathic medical therapies from Dr. Oberg, you can reverse chronic diseases in your life and reach your anti-aging goals.
Our goal with regenerative medicine treatments is to rejuvenate deteriorating or aging tissue. Our approach to treatment centers on fixing and reversing damage instead of solely addressing symptoms like pain. Regenerative medicine harnesses the power of healthy cells to renew and restore function by enhancing the body's innate capacity for self-healing.
Dr. Oberg uses regenerative medicine to treat a range of issues, both aesthetic and injury-related, including the following:
Experience the future of anti-aging and regenerative medicine with Dr. Erica Oberg. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and embark on your journey to a healthier, more youthful you.
When you visit our functional medicine clinic, you can rest easy knowing Dr. Erica Oberg uses her unique skills, knowledge, and naturopathic principles for the betterment of your health and well-being. Unlike many traditional primary care providers, our team combines the best aspects of traditional wisdom and modern scientific medicine to diagnose, treat, and prevent chronic diseases.
You don't have to worry about us suggesting addictive pain medications or treatments that simply mask your aesthetic or medical challenges. Instead, our goal is to address the underlying factors holding you back. If you're ready to take the first step toward purposeful progress and healthy living, contact us today.
AcmeAcme Elementary 5200 Turkington Rd Acme, WA 98220West side of school parkingBellinghamSudden Valley 2020 Lake Whatcom Blvd Bellingham, WA 98229Sudden Valley Security Turnaround, Gate OneSehome Haggen 210 36th St Bellingham, WA 98225NE Corner of parking lotWWU, Wade King Student Recreation Center 1880 Bill McDonald Pkwy Bellingham, WA 98225Outside of Student Recreation Center on the east side...
Acme Elementary 5200 Turkington Rd Acme, WA 98220
West side of school parking
Sudden Valley 2020 Lake Whatcom Blvd Bellingham, WA 98229
Sudden Valley Security Turnaround, Gate One
Sehome Haggen 210 36th St Bellingham, WA 98225
NE Corner of parking lot
WWU, Wade King Student Recreation Center 1880 Bill McDonald Pkwy Bellingham, WA 98225
Outside of Student Recreation Center on the east side
WWU, Red Square 516 High St Bellingham, WA 98225
Outside of Bond Hall on the east side
Courthouse South Parking Lot 247 Grand Ave Bellingham, WA 98225
Enter from Grand Ave
Whatcom County Auditor’s Office 311 Grand Ave, Ste 103 Bellingham, WA 98225
Inside Auditor’s Office at the Election Division counter
Barkley Village 3055 Woburn St Bellingham, WA 98226
Between WaFD Bank and Scotty Browns, NW Corner of parking lot
Whatcom Community College 620 W Kellogg Rd Bellingham, WA 98226
Outside the Auxiliary Services Building
Blaine Library 610 3rd St Blaine, WA 98230
NW Corner of parking lot
Birch Bay 4581 Birch Bay Lynden Rd Blaine, WA 98230
North Whatcom Fire & Rescue parking lot
Custer Elementary 7660 Custer School Rd Custer, WA 98240
NW Corner of school
Deming Library 5044 Mt Baker Hwy Deming, WA 98244
South end of parking lot
Everson WECU 106 E Main St Everson, WA 98247
Outside front entrance
Ferndale Pioneer Pavilion Community Center 2007 Cherry St Ferndale, WA 98248
North Side of parking lot
Lummi Nation Admin Building 2665 Kwina Rd Bellingham, WA 98226
Outside front entrance
Lynden Library 216 4th St Lynden, WA 98264
On Liberty St between 3rd St & 4th St
Meridian (Laurel Grange) 6172 Guide Meridian Lynden, WA 98264
South side of parking lot
Maple Falls Post Office 7392 Mt Baker Hwy Maple Falls, WA 98266
Outside front entrance
North Fork Community Library 7506 Kendall Rd Maple Falls, WA 98266
West side of parking lot
Point Roberts Marketplace 480 Tyee Dr Point Roberts, WA 98281
Located inside, contact the store for hours
Sumas Post Office 534 Railroad Ave Sumas, WA 98295
NW Corner of parking lot behind post office
It lost 200 jobs in June 2026. Those figures comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ state and local employment report, which tracks monthly job changes. Job numbers can swing month to month as local economies expand or contract, but over the past five years the Bellingham, WA Metro Area has averaged about 100 new jobs per month. These figures are often revised in later months as more complete data rolls in.-200month to month change in number of jobs (June 2026)Source: Bureau of Labor StatisticsThe...
It lost 200 jobs in June 2026. Those figures comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ state and local employment report, which tracks monthly job changes. Job numbers can swing month to month as local economies expand or contract, but over the past five years the Bellingham, WA Metro Area has averaged about 100 new jobs per month. These figures are often revised in later months as more complete data rolls in.
-200
month to month change in number of jobs (June 2026)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Bellingham, WA area job loss of 200 in June 2026 swung from a gain of 100 jobs in May 2026.
During the latest five-year period (July 2021 to June 2026), the Bellingham, WA area gained jobs in 29 out of 60 months. June 2026 had the seventh-highest job growth during this period. The highest gains during this period occurred in December 2021 (+1,500) while job growth was weakest in March 2023 (-800).
Monthly change in nonfarm employment in the Bellingham, WA area
In 2026, the Bellingham, WA area has lost an average of 67 jobs every month. That's lower than the 2025 average monthly decrease of 25, and the lowest since 2020. The 2026 average ranks as the fourth-worst in job growth since 2020.
When excluding the two pandemic-affected years of 2020 and 2021, job growth ranged from a loss of 3,800 every month in 2009 to a gain of 3,000 every month in 2012.
Average monthly change in the number of jobs in the Bellingham, WA area, seasonally adjusted
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Years after a fire burned down a mainstay for exotic pets in Whatcom County, a new shop opened just blocks away to fill the need for out-of-the-ordinary pet care. As long-time locals know, nothing quite beats the listlessness of a rainy day in Bellingham like stepping into a haven of niche critters.Kementari’s Creatures sits on Chestnut Street in downtown Bellingham, nestled between a bar and a poké restaurant. It doesn’t smell like a traditional pet store. Inside, soothi...
BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Years after a fire burned down a mainstay for exotic pets in Whatcom County, a new shop opened just blocks away to fill the need for out-of-the-ordinary pet care. As long-time locals know, nothing quite beats the listlessness of a rainy day in Bellingham like stepping into a haven of niche critters.
Kementari’s Creatures sits on Chestnut Street in downtown Bellingham, nestled between a bar and a poké restaurant. It doesn’t smell like a traditional pet store. Inside, soothing overhead lights and aisles of animal enclosures packed with foliage offer reprieve from the downtown commotion. The warm interior and rich wood paneled ceilings and walls calm the nerves.
Plus, there’s no shortage of dart frogs, ball pythons and tarantulas to peruse.
Four years ago, Ed Curtis and his wife Leslie packed up and moved their Mount Vernon shop closer to home. They arrived in Bellingham a few years after a downtown fire destroyed Clark’s Feed and Seed store in 2019, leaving a vacancy in the exotic pet store industry. Curtis said that before they moved locations, there was no competition for exotic pets and products in Mount Vernon.
A lot of people consider aesthetically-pleasing, cute, furry animals when they think of pets. These animals, reminiscent of charismatic megafauna like pandas and big cats, are the top sellers at big-name pet stores and animal shelters.
Growing up in Kansas, Curtis has memories of his early introduction to less-popular companions.
“You had dogs and cats and maybe a parakeet somewhere in a pet shop. But really I used to try to keep frogs,” he said. “We had lots of frogs and toads and crawdads. A little perch we’d try to catch in the creeks that were in Kansas. And then we’d take them home in our wagon and try to keep them alive. It didn’t always go so well back then because you just didn’t know. Nobody had any experience with this stuff.”
Curtis was a math and science teacher before diving into reptile and insect sales. He credits his interest in reptiles, amphibians and insects to his teaching days.
Despite the store’s success, Curtis admits that he’s not very business-minded.
“One of the things I left teaching for was all the constraints they put on us for controlling our classroom made it impossible to teach, and so I wasn’t successful. I feel like in this shop, if the shop fails, it’s kind of on me,” he said. “And its rewarding that we’ve been fairly successful, at least for a little niche reptile shop.”
Kementari’s does business with a range of stores across western Washington and local sellers. Curtis works with breeders and maintains his own pet projects. The shop also lists animals for sale online with regional shipping. The diverse selection of creatures draws discerning buyers to the shop.Their top seller: Tarantulas. Ed says there’s a good reason for it.
“If you go over to the big box stores, they’ll have like one or two tarantula. And we have maybe a hundred species at any given time. So we attract people from all over. People drive up from Tacoma. They drive over from Anacortes and down from Canada.”
Pet owners know that taking care of one creature can be a time-consuming task. Maintaining a shop filled with animals is another feat entirely.
“We just try to do as much as we can each day. It’s a lot. I mean, we have in our care – including tarantula – we probably have 500 or 600 animals. Some of them don’t require daily care, but some of them do,” Curtis said.
Kementari’s, though packed with exotic pets and products, has a relatively small showroom floor. Curtis mentioned he’d like to expand the shop, but at the mercy of the world’s uncertainties, he has reason for hesitation.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Curtis picking out a store in Mount Vernon with a large side room that he could dedicate to teaching classes and working on projects. The plans to expact what Kementari’s offered was put on hold however as the pandemic got underway.
With the online reptile industry booming, Curtis chose to turn the area into a breeding area in order to keep the doors open.
“When I look at the risk and the cost of expanding, getting basically a second shop, it’s kind of scary to take that leap right now,” Curtis said. “And you’re like, ‘It’s working right now. Let’s not mess with it. Let’s not rock the boat,’ you know.”
Curtis says its rewarding seeing Kementari’s succeed. For both its owner and those who depend on it for their pet needs, the shop is a testament to the community’s passion for unique animals.
We are Whatcom is a weekly column featuring Whatcom County residents making a positive impact on the community. To submit a Whatcom County resident to be featured, click here.
Who doesn’t love a discount? College students, in particular, are always looking to save. With a new year starting at Western Washington University on Wednesday, Sept. 23, The Bellingham Herald went in search of deals and discounts for local students.Here’s what we learned:Which Bellingham restaurants have student discounts?As a part of the Downtown Partnership, many local businesses offer discounts on food, drinks, merchandise and more on select days.Every Wednesday, students, faculty members and st...
Who doesn’t love a discount? College students, in particular, are always looking to save. With a new year starting at Western Washington University on Wednesday, Sept. 23, The Bellingham Herald went in search of deals and discounts for local students.
Here’s what we learned:
As a part of the Downtown Partnership, many local businesses offer discounts on food, drinks, merchandise and more on select days.
Every Wednesday, students, faculty members and staff at Western and Whatcom Community College can present their IDs to “score deals and discounts all day long,” the partnership said
Popular restaurants including Aslan Depot, , Ramen + Bowl and Sweet As Waffles offer discounts for students.
If you’re looking for things to do in downtown Bellingham, a number of businesses offer deals for college students.
Bellingham Axe offers $5 off axe throwing.
Students can get in free to weekly jazz nights at The Blue Room, and admission to the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention is 10% off for students.
The Pickford Film Center gives students free popcorn.
Taking care of yourself is an important step to success.
Luckily, your student ID can get you discounts on that too.
Students can get 10% off at Angel Nails, a half-price haircut with foils at Salon Indigo Rose and $5 off a appointment at Screamin’ Eve and Adam Too, A Waxing Studio.
Students pay $10 for drop-in classes at Hatha Yoga or $12 for classes at Bellingham Jazzercise.
The discounts don’t stop at restaurants, shopping and self-care.
Some hotels near Western Washington University offer discounts via links or codes.
The Heliotrope Hotel and Hotel Leo offer 15% off for students and guests visiting WWU students.
You can also get WWU room rates at Hotel Bellwether and the
To explore local options for food, drinks and activities, venture downtown during First Night Out on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
“Join thousands of Western students in this annual tradition by walking the 20 minutes from WWU’s Red Square to the streets of downtown Bellingham,” the Downtown Bellingham Partnership website says. “Once there, the downtown community will be ready to greet you with live entertainment, music, food, games and more.”
Several companies offer discounts for college students in need of a technology upgrade.
Need Photoshop or InDesign? Students can save $50 a month on the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite.
For $19.99 a month, you get access to multiple Adobe software programs.
Apple and Lenovo offer several discounts via their education stores.
Dell gives students and teacher an extra 10% off every purchase.
Students and teachers can also get up to 40% on various HP products.
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