Having been a chiropractor for over 20 years, I know about non-pharmaceutical-driven healthcare. The integrative medicine practiced by Rachel Abrams MD is the future of healthcare, and she is a shining star in that discipline. Rachel excels at determining exactly which lab tests to order, how to interpret them, and then how to prescribe the best supplements to correct the problem. She is especially adept at resolving hormonal issues and cholesterol problems, but can handle any medical problem, and especially preventative care. However, she is also there with a hug at the right time when needed. She is brilliant, caring, and very kind-hearted, and this comes through in her holistic approach. Rachel really helped me and gave me my quality of life back. She listens and takes the time to get to the real root of the problem. I truly trust her and her body of knowledge and can't I imagine not receiving this kind of healthcare. I am super happy with the high-quality healthcare I am getting from Rachel. The only downside to Rachel's practice is that her office does not bill insurance plans and she is not a preferred provider on PPO plans and is not on any HMO plans, so she is out of network. However, this is understandable given that dealing with insurance companies is an unpleasant, full-time job. Therefore, her services are expensive, but are worth it, so overall it's a good value. When it comes to your health, it's really worth it. If you just want to take a pill for the rest of your life and are OK with all of the possible side effects, then integrative medicine is probably not for you. However, if you want to be able to spend quality time with your doctor and be able to talk to and work with your doctor to get to the root of the problem and solve it, and not just mask the symptoms, then Rachel is who you want to see for your healthcare. read more

Dr. Rachel cares deeply about her patients. She uses her extensive knowledge to hone in on exactly what is important. Her explanations are clear and concise. She follows up and explains options. She's generous with her time. I highly recommend Dr Rachel and her integrative health approach. read more

I have been on thyroid medicine for over 20 years, but about 5 years ago my husband complained that I was always tired, plus I was having hair loss which was noticeable. My M.D., which was not Rachel Abrams, took some blood work and said everything was fine. Finally I found Dr. Abrams and she immediately noticed that the blood work was not fine. My T3 T4 seemed ok, but my TSH was doubling every year. She changed my thyroid meds. What a difference. Probably helped my marriage too. Why didn't my other doc notice the TSH? Rachel knows how to think outside the box. Love her as my doc. read more

Dr. Abrams is giving me a second chance at living my life! She gives you hugs, looks into your eyes when you're talking - like you're an actual person, not "just another patient." She's very knowledgeable, and explains the treatment(s) she's recommending so you are sure of what medication you're taking, what it does, what to expect etc. etc. I cannot recommend Dr. Abrams enough. I feel so blessed to have a doctor I can trust! read more

Dr. Abrams is amazing in all ways - professional, meticulous, conservative in the right ways, liberal in the right ways, joyful, positive and inspiring. There's no one I trust more in the medical community. An absolute gem. read more

When I had my first appointment with Dr. Abrams, after months of dealing with chronic pain and inflammation among other issues, and seeing doctors who weren't able to help, I felt so hopeful that she was my light at the end of the tunnel. She seemed very knowledgable and suggested my issues could be related to things other doctors hadn't thought of. She ordered several tests, one of which was a blood draw with her nurse, Nina, at the office. I came in for the blood draw, explained to the nurse that I have difficult veins, and told her where phlebotomists have had success drawing blood in the past. I was a little put off by the fact that there was no real blood draw station, and instead she drew my blood sitting in a worn out armchair with my arm in my lap, and that she ripped the finger off her glove to feel for my vein with her bare finger and did not wipe my arm with an alcohol swab afterwards, but figuring she was the professional, I went with it. She successfully got the needle in after some painful wiggling of the needle, and blood was flowing. She filled almost an entire vial. So far, so good. Then her glove got stuck to the loose tape (which was not taped down to my arm for some reason), and the needle ripped out of my arm. She said, "Uh oh!" and put a piece of gauze over it. I was a little annoyed, but no big deal, mistakes happen. I knew I had one good vein on my other arm in a rather odd place that she could try. Then she started laughing and said, "This is my worst blood draw ever!" As if her mistake, when she knew I had some anxiety about my difficult veins, was somehow funny. I was quite bothered by her lack of professionalism at this point, but was willing to let her try again. Instead of trying my other arm, in the place I told her phlebotomists have had success before, she wanted to draw from my hand. I told her I wasn't comfortable with that, so she asked if she could try the side of my wrist instead (???). Still trusting she knew what she was doing, I let her try there. She put the needle in quite deep, which was extremely painful. No blood was flowing, so I asked her to stop. She did, and I told her I couldn't continue. I walked out of the room, annoyed, upset, and on the verge of tears at this point. I went to the front desk and told the receptionist I just needed to pay for the other part of the testing I had brought with me. Nina followed me out and explained she couldn't draw blood because I wiggling (completely untrue). I said that it wasn't my fault that she ripped the needle out of my arm. The receptionist was helpful and explained to my husband and myself that I could go to a different lab for them to try and that I would take the whole testing kit to them. I walked out while my husband got further instructions from the receptionist. I went to a proper lab, where they actually listened to me when I told them where I've had success before. They were able to draw my blood on the first try, no issues. I thought a lot about it, and figured that Dr. Abrams was still a good doctor and that I wanted to continue to see her, but that if she ordered blood tests in the future, I would just request to go to a lab instead. I was annoyed, but ready to let it go. A few hours later, I received a call from her office. I assumed it was her or her nurse calling with an apology for what had happened. But WOW, was I wrong! She said she thought there had been a "misunderstanding" with the nurse. She told me Nina had told her that the blood had stopped flowing because I wiggled, so she took out the needle, and I stormed out. A complete and total, bold faced lie to cover her mistake. I was completely shocked and explained to Dr. Abrams what had actually happened. After all, what on earth would I have to gain from fabricating a story like this? I've had blood draws just not work out before because of my veins, and while it's frustrating, I would never be this upset about it. However, the nurse has a reputation and career to maintain, so of course she doesn't want it to look like she made mistakes. It was clear Dr. Abrams did not believe me and immediately sided with her nurse. She then went on to scold me like a school child for "creating a negative environment" in her waiting room because I was "cussing and yelling" (I was visibly upset and on the verge of tears, but there was absolutely no yelling. I didn't even talk very much, as I was just ready to get out of there. I said one curse word in a normal conversational voice.) I am so saddened and hurt by the accusations from Dr. Abrams and her staff, and very bothered their lack of professionalism in handling the matter. It is also so heartbreaking to me to be ill for so many months, and to finally find a doctor who I hoped could help me, only to have to start back at square one. read more

Dr. Rachel Abrams is truly a shining star in health care. She keeps up with the cutting edge in medical research, incorporates natural solutions through integrative medicine, and - get this - she genuinely cares about her patients! I have rarely met anyone who "connects the dots" of health and medicine with even a fraction of the ingenuity that Dr. Abrams carries. Command of western medicine, added together with knowledge of natural remedies and simple kindness, create an environment in which well-being becomes more attainable, more friendly, and easier to navigate. She is humble in the true sense of the word, meeting her patient wherever that patient is, without judgement, but full of knowledge, solutions, and compassion. In one of her books, "Body Wise," Dr. Abrams reaches out to educate people all over the world about listening their bodies. Santa Cruz, we are both proud and lucky to have such a world class doctor right here in our midst. One thing - If you are going to book with her, plan ahead... It can take a while to get an appointment. read more

Dr. Abrams literally changed my life! When I went to see her, I was pretty much in a bad place both physically and emotionally. Previous doctors had given me medicine for my ailments, but none of them helped and nobody helped me realize that there was much more going on that just sinus infections. In that first appointment, she got me on the path of healing a hip injury, a nutrition and exercise plan, natural supplements to deal with anxiety and a referral to a therapist to help me unravel the perfectionist lifestyle that had taken over my life. I am happy to say that 1 year later, I have lost 15 pounds, exercise 3-4 days a week and feel more purpose and joy than I think I've ever felt in my whole life. I will never forget that first visit. I knew the very moment I left the office that this appointment would change my life. Thank you Dr. Abrams! read more

Dr. Abrams has been my physician for over a decade; I knew her before she began the Integrative Medicine Clinic. She is not only a brilliant medical doctor, but also a careful listener and compassionate person. I highly recommend her. read more

Dr. Abrams is a fabulous doctor and a kind, caring person. As an MD, she can prescribe drugs but she doesn't give you drugs that you don't need. She works on fixing the problems and not simply masking the symptoms. She takes the time to listen to you and truly cares about the health of her patients. I have referred many friends to Rachel and they all decided to make her their family doctor. As a senior citizen, I am proud to say that I am now in excellent health and don't take any drugs. Rachel has contributed significantly to my good health. read more