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
ACUPUNCTURIST
Zach is a licensed acupuncturist with a master’s degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego. Zach received his bachelor’s degree in psychology and philosophy the University of Nebraska and a massage degree from the School of Healing Arts of San Diego.
Over the past 12 years, Zachary has performed thousands of acupuncture and herbal treatments and has over 20 years experience in the general healing arts. He has worked in a variety of clinical settings including private and community clinics, San Diego Hospice, and Rady Children’s Hospital.
Zach’s extensive training includes several acupuncture styles including Japanese acupuncture, Balance Method, and Orthopedic Motor Point Acupuncture. His most influential teachers include Kiiko Matsumoto, Matt Callison, Richard Tan, and Yoshito Mukaino. He has over 20 years of experience in the healing arts of Yoga, Qigong (Chi Kung), Taijiquan (Tai Chi), and other mind-body awareness practices.
Zach’s acupuncture style is gentle and painless, yet very effective. It is so effective that many patients feel an immediate improvement in their symptoms. Zach treats a wide variety of conditions including sports injuries, insomnia, anxiety, hot flashes, intestinal disorders, and general pain management.
When not practicing medicine, Zach loves to be outdoors and frequently finds himself entertaining his children, bicycling, gardening, reading, and enjoying music.