“Healing was always part of my life,” says Gruver. “Even as a kid I would sit behind my dad on long car trips and rub his neck so he wouldn’t get headaches, but never thought it would be a career.” But after her mom died when she was 18 she discovered a passion for helping others. “Her death was one motivating factor in attracting me to alternative health; it sure gives me a different perspective when working with clients in pain and suffering from an illness.”

Gruver, who has earned her PhD in natural health sees over 25 clients a week and helps people with everything from muscle issues and stress to cancer and autoimmune disease. She is working on her second book on Mind/Body Medicine. Her first, The Alternative Medicine Cabinet was recently selected as a finalist for the IndyExcellence Awards. In her 21 years in practice she has seen over 11,000 people most of them here in Santa Barbara in the last 10 years. “This has been the perfect place for me to have my practice. I’ve met some amazing individuals and am truly honored that I’ve been able to help so many. I’ve assisted with births…and deaths and have seen many clients come and go over the years. But the love I feel for them is beyond words.”

Dr. Gruver has been a featured expert in dozens of publications including First for Women, Discover, SB Fitness, The Calgary Sun, and has been a guest on over 55 radio shows, and has done over 40 lectures nationwide on health and alternative medicine. She has authored dozens of articles related to wellness for publications such as Pacific Coast Business Times, Massage Magazine, Massage and Bodyworks, Corporate Wellness Magazine, and Big Blend Magazine. She even appeared on Lifetime Television this year talking about alternative medicine. Kathy served on the faculty at Santa Barbara Business College teaching massage and fitness students and also serves as an expert witness in massage-related court cases. Her local business, Healing Circle Massage, was selected as a “Best Practice” by Massage Magazine two years in a row and she has an instructional massage DVD, Therapeutic Massage at Home; Learn to Rub People the RIGHT Way. It’s been a busy decade indeed!

For Gruver, healing is a way of life and sharing that with the Santa Barbara community for a full decade has been an honor.

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