Our Team
Dedicated to your health & wellbeing
Dr. Gary Dreger
NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN, ACUPUNCTURIST
Dr. Gary Dreger, a naturopathic physician and licensed acupuncturist, has practiced medicine for more than 35 years. His breadth and depth of experience and knowledge have allowed him to excel at treating many types of complex cases. His patients appreciate his warmth, genuine interest, relaxed style, and natural curiosity. He engages with patients with a whole person approach, with the goals of increasing their ongoing health, sense of well being and vitality along with focused attention on recovery from chronic and acute illness. Emphasizing the use of natural medicines and methods, Dr. Dreger provides a broad spectrum of treatment options tailored individually for each patient, including acupuncture, nutrition, herbal medicines, spinal manipulation, homeopathy, and iv nutritional therapies. He may also employ information gained from lab tests, ranging from standard profiles to the most up to date and innovative tests available, which can help provide an overview of health and inform the design of the most effective treatment plan. Dr. Dreger graduated from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine and the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in Portland. He regularly attends advanced trainings in both eastern and western medicine. He loves to keep up to date, research new approaches, and expand his knowledge.
Dr. Joanne Gordon
NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN / CLINICAL GENOMICS CONSULTANT
Dr. Joanne Gordon is the co-founder of Natural Health Works and a naturopathic physician with over 25 years of clinical experience. She specializes in personalized, precision-based care for women and men who want to age well, think clearly, and stay strong and mobile. Her work blends advanced laboratory testing, clinical genomics, evidence-based hormone therapy, and regenerative injection therapies to uncover why symptoms are happening—and how to address them at the root.
Dr. Gordon focuses on hormone balance, metabolic and brain health, and musculoskeletal wellness, with particular expertise in menopause and andropause, insulin resistance, joint and connective tissue pain, fatigue, and cognitive concerns. She is known for moving beyond symptom management to create individualized treatment strategies that support long-term vitality, resilience, and healthy aging.
Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, Dr. Gordon integrates functional medicine, modern hormone therapy, regenerative and orthopedic treatments—including prolotherapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and allogeneic cell-based therapies—along with genomics-guided insights to tailor care to each patient’s unique biology. Her goal is to help patients feel like themselves again—clear-headed, energized, mobile, and confident in their health.
Dr. Gordon earned her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Boston University, a master’s degree in orthopedic and sports physical therapy from Quinnipiac College, and her doctorate in naturopathic medicine from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. She has completed extensive post-graduate training in clinical genomics, hormone optimization, regenerative medicine, musculoskeletal ultrasound, osteopathic manipulative techniques, and prolotherapy.
At Natural Health Works, Dr. Gordon partners with patients who are ready to take a proactive, personalized approach to their health. Through thoughtful evaluation and science-backed care, she helps patients build a foundation for better energy, stronger bodies, sharper minds, and long-term vitality.
Zachary Nelms, LAC, MAOM
Licensed ACUPUNCTURIST
Zachary Nelms is a licensed acupuncturist with over 25 years of experience in the healing arts and more than 20 years in clinical practice. He earned his Master’s degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Philosophy from the University of Nebraska. His foundation in bodywork includes formal training in massage therapy from the School of Healing Arts of San Diego.
Throughout his career, Zach has performed thousands of acupuncture and herbal treatments across diverse clinical settings, including private and community clinics, San Diego Hospice, and Rady Children’s Hospital. This breadth of experience enables him to work effectively with patients of all ages and conditions.
Zach’s training encompasses multiple acupuncture styles, including Japanese acupuncture, Balance Method, and Orthopedic Motor Point Acupuncture. He has studied with renowned teachers Kiiko Matsumoto, Tsuyoshi Shimmamura, Matt Callison, Richard Tan, and Yoshito Mukaino. His practice is further enriched by over 25 years of experience in mind-body disciplines including yoga, Qigong, and Taijiquan, which inform his integrative approach to healing.
Known for his gentle, painless technique, Zach delivers treatments that are both calming and remarkably effective, with many patients experiencing immediate symptom relief. He specializes in sports and orthopedic injuries, auto accident recovery, chronic and acute pain, insomnia, anxiety, hot flashes, digestive issues, and stress-related conditions.
When he’s not in the clinic, Zach enjoys bicycling, hiking, gardening, reading, and spending quality time with his family.