How Dr. Erin Sharman is Bringing Holistic Health and Beauty to Martinez
Written by Heather Anderson
Dr. Erin Sharman is a naturopathic doctor who brings a unique blend of holistic medicine, women’s health, and family care to her practice in Martinez, CA. After years of working in Oregon, she transitioned her family and practice to the East Bay, where she has built a reputation for offering alternative solutions to traditional medicine. In this interview, Erin discusses her passion for naturopathic medicine, how she balances life as a mom of three energetic children, her new AgeWell program, and exciting plans for the future. Get a glimpse into her philosophy and how she helps her patients feel their best, naturally.
Could you share with us what initially drew you to naturopathic medicine and how your personal experiences shaped your approach to treating patients?
I guess my family played a big role. My mom always sought out alternative care for me when I was growing up, and I really liked how alternative medicine had answers where traditional medicine seemed to hit a wall. When I decided to study Ayurvedic medicine after college, I loved how it explained the body’s response to the environment. But I felt like I needed a broader base of knowledge to be able to integrate both Eastern and Western philosophies, which is where naturopathic medicine came in. It blends those two worlds perfectly—giving me the tools to speak the language of conventional medicine while still being able to incorporate the more holistic, intuitive side of care.
As a mother of three and a professional naturopathic doctor, how do you balance your demanding professional life with personal responsibilities? And what tips do you have for other working parents?
Finding balance is sometimes impossible, honestly! You just have to be kind to yourself and do the best you can. My kids will always come first, but I’ve also learned to adjust my pace in both life and business. Before having children, my career moved at a hundred miles per hour, but now I’ve become more comfortable with allowing things to progress organically. One thing that helps is setting really clear boundaries—I try not to multitask. When I’m working, I focus entirely on that, so that when I’m done, I can switch hats and give my full attention to my family.
“I want to be the doctor who offers other options—whether it’s natural remedies, lifestyle changes, or a combination of therapies—that empower people to take control of their health and maximize their potential.”
You have a strong focus on women’s health and pediatric care. Can you discuss a particular case or moment in your career that reinforced your passion for these areas?
Pediatric care became a focus during my residency when I saw a lot of children in a busy family practice. One moment that stands out is a case where a mom came in with her four-month-old baby, who had severe reflux. Her pediatrician had prescribed anti-acid medication, but I suggested she try eliminating dairy and gave her some homeopathic remedies. The reflux disappeared, and they didn’t need any medication. It was such a simple fix, but it changed their entire family’s quality of life.
In women’s health, I’m passionate about improving the standard of care. I find that the typical medical approach to women's health—whether it's birth control for menstrual problems or "just exercise more" for menopause—isn’t enough. I love being able to offer better, more personalized options.
I know you’ve seen a lot of positive results using HRT for your patients. Can you break down who might benefit most from it, what it does, and what it is?
HRT, or Hormone Replacement Therapy, is exactly what it sounds like—replacing hormones in the body, especially for women in perimenopause and menopause. I only use bio-identical hormones because they’re safer and more natural. Hormones control so many vital functions, from sleep and brain function to skin and cardiovascular health. When hormone levels decline during menopause, it impacts every organ system. With HRT, we can help counteract some of that decline and maintain healthier brain and cardiovascular functions, and even improve mood and energy levels.
There are standard options like pills or patches, but I also work with more customized approaches, where we tailor the dosing for each patient, often using compounding pharmacies to get the exact formulation needed.
What’s a compounding pharmacy, and how does it work?
A compounding pharmacy is different from your typical CVS or Walgreens. Instead of filling standardized prescriptions, they create custom medications tailored to each patient’s needs. This allows me to adjust hormone doses very precisely for each individual, which is especially helpful in HRT. For example, we can customize the strength, dosage form (like creams, pills, or suppositories), and even the base it's mixed with, ensuring that the patient is getting exactly what their body needs.
You advocate for using holistic approaches over traditional pharmaceutical interventions, especially for children. Can you share some success stories or insights into how this approach has transformed the health of your patients?
I have a few favorite success stories. One is about a 38-year-old woman who had been on a beta blocker for over a decade due to palpitations. After taking a detailed history, I suspected it was actually a blood sugar issue. Once we addressed her diet, the palpitations disappeared, and she no longer needed the medication.
Another example is a three-year-old with severe eczema and digestive issues. We eliminated dairy from his diet and used an in-office treatment called Advanced Allergy Therapeutics (AAT), which is a non-invasive way to help the body reset its response to allergens. His eczema cleared up, and he’s no longer a picky eater. It’s these simple changes that make such a big difference.
The AgeWell program you’ve launched focuses on health and beauty in a holistic way, including treatments like microneedling and PRP. What inspired you to start this, and what makes it different from other aesthetic treatments?
Turning 40 and seeing the aging process in myself was a big motivator. I wanted a solution that aligned with my principles—natural, effective, and with minimal downtime. Microneedling and PRP fit that bill perfectly. These treatments stimulate the body’s ability to regenerate, which I love. There’s very little recovery time—just 24 to 48 hours of what looks like a mild sunburn—and the effects can last nine months to a year. For optimal results, we begin with a series of monthly sessions for 4-6 months, and then we’ll go into maintenance mode, typically bi-annually. Plus, it’s safe for all skin types and can be done year-round.
With PRP, especially for hair, I feel like I’ve found a magic wand. It’s one of the most effective, localized treatments available, using the patient’s own blood to stimulate hair follicles and encourage regrowth.
Can you tell me more about PRP for hair and what kind of patients you've seen come in?
PRP for hair is fantastic for both men and women. It’s particularly effective if you catch the hair thinning early, like in your 30’s or 40’s. We take your blood, spin it down to extract the platelet-rich plasma, and then inject that directly into the scalp where needed. It stimulates the hair follicles, so you see both an increase in hair growth and thicker hair strands.
The treatment is safe because we’re using the patient’s own blood, and there’s no risk of allergic reactions. You come in once a month for four to six months, then move to maintenance treatments once or twice a year. I also package the treatments with a laser helmet called Theradome, which patients can use at home to further stimulate hair growth.
You mentioned having big dreams for your practice, including starting a nutrient IV and injectable component at your clinic. What are some other aspirations you hope to achieve in the next few years?
I’d love to see the clinic grow and become a full-time operation. We’re working on starting a nutrient IV program that would offer high-dose Vitamin C, selenium, and magnesium treatments, which can be great for everything from migraines to immune support. There’s so much potential for IV therapy to help people who are nutritionally depleted or battling chronic illness.
Lastly, as someone deeply integrated into your local community through The Remedy Martinez, how do you see your work impacting the community’s overall well-being?
One of my biggest goals is to give people options. So many patients feel unheard by the traditional medical system, like their only choices are medication or nothing. I want to be the doctor who offers other options—whether it's natural remedies, lifestyle changes, or a combination of therapies—that empower people to take control of their health and maximize their potential.
If you’re curious about naturopathic medicine or want to learn more about Dr. Erin Sharman’s holistic approaches to health and beauty, you can book a free 15-minute consultation or schedule an appointment at The Remedy Martinez.
Microneedling and PRP treatments are now available! Book here for a special VIP offer.
Interested in a microneedling or PRP party with friends? Learn more about how to host a private event here.
Connect with Dr. Sharman on Instagram or Facebook.
You can also find her on The M List, The Mamahood’s searchable database of mom-recommended resources, or connect and collaborate with her inside The Club membership for women founders.