Functional Medicine with Dr. Hennie

Kimberly Spair, PhD MCD CCC-SLP/L • May 01, 2019

Does an Open-Minded Medical Doctor Exist?

So many of you have asked us if an open-minded medical doctor exists—one that will support healing the root cause, embrace using food as medicine, help wean you off of medications, or jump in to help in reversing chronic symptoms in your children.

Many of you have hit the ground running, and are reversing chronic and mystery symptoms one right after another. There are also others that may have come into this on a long list of pharmaceutical medications and are now wondering if they are all necessary. Thyroid healing, anyone?

If you have a very complex case, are feeling like it’s time to review your current prescriptions, or need an open-minded pediatrician for your children, you will want to watch the video below! Kimberly and Dr. Hennie will be collaborating in the near future!

Meet Dr. Hennie!

photo of Dr. Hendrieka Fitzpatrick examining a toddler

More About Dr. Hennie

Dr. Hennie (Hendrieka Fitzpatrick M.D., AFMCP) has been exclusively practicing Functional and Integrated medicine for more than 15 years. She is Board certified in Functional and Biological medicine, as well as Family Practice.

Hennie graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Medical Ethics and received her M.D. from George Washington University in 1981. She received her Family Medicine Board certification in 1985 from Case Western University. She spent 10 years in the National Health Service Corps before moving to Santa Fe, New Mexico where she discovered a passion for understanding the root causes of chronic illness. Hennie was a student and colleague of Thomas Rau M.D. of the Paracelsus Clinic in Lustmuehle, Switzerland. She became certified by the Institute of Functional Medicine in 2016.

Hennie is a mother of five, an avid athlete, and a former member of the Santa Fe Women’s Circus.

Visit Dr. Hennie Wellness

14 Jan, 2024
To understand how beneficial red light therapy can be as a healing tool, we must first unpack what it is and when I see this healing tool be most effective in my personal practice. What is red light therapy? A treatment that emits low wavelength red light that is most widely recognized and discussed for its ability to improve skin's appearance (reducing wrinkles, acne, redness, stimulating collagen, improving skin texture) and can also assist with other symptoms and conditions including skin cancer, psoriasis, cold sores, warts, improve scars, reduce inflammation in cells and pain, increasing blood circulation, helping with gum recession and more. This therapy is non-toxic and non-invasive and is also completely different from ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun (sunlight is very beneficial with proper exposure but we know some can be sensitive to the sun/heat while healing) or tanning booths (not at all recommended and harmful to the body). The origins of this technology are said to be first discovered by NASA when experimenting with plant growth and to help heal wounds in astronauts. What types of devices are available? Not all red-light devises are created equal. I prefer ones that have Low EMF exposure, and you should too. I really like red light heating pads, there’s also smaller pads that are specifically designed for knee pain or larger scale pads designed for back support. There are also handheld red-light devices available to target specific parts of the body as well as oral red-light devices on the market too. Fun fact, many biological and holistic dental clinics are now offering red light treatments during visits. Lastly, and most popular on the market, are red light face masks to target fine lines and speed up skin healing. If you were looking at a red light device or were curious about the ones I use at home on myself and my family, Novaalab is currently having a holiday sale and for those interested you can apply code Kimberlyspair for 10% off . Vital Red Light is another brand I trust, and I also have a code Drkimberly15 to save 15% off of your order. My Aduro LED face mask is also on sale (this is the one I too use at home). What does red light therapy and the specific devices mentioned do? Heating pads can be used to ease discomfort during women’s cycles when and if cramps and abdominal pain arise, the knee and back pads can be used to target chronic inflammation and pain or speed-up the recovery from physical injuries, the handheld devices are particularly helpful for targeting certain pain points and can also be considered as an effective tool for speeding up the disappearance of cold sores, herpes, eczema and psoriasis flares, and other skin conditions such as acne. Finally, the oral red light device can be quite helpful for those struggling with gum recession, small cavities, yellowing teeth, tooth decay, gingivitis and more. Many women in particular enjoy the benefits of red light for aesthetic reasons alone and is favored by estheticians and skin enthusiasts because it accelerates skin healing. It utilizes light energy in different electromagnetic spectrums to stimulate fibroblast growth factors. Red light therapy is a non-invasive way to stimulate collagen formation resulting in a more plump, smooth and glowing complexion. It can also improve the following: Wound healing. Fresh stretch marks. Wrinkles, fine lines and age spots. Facial texture Scars. Sun-damaged skin. Clients have also reported benefits since including red light into their routines for symptoms related to seasonal affective disorder, gum recession (dental), anti-aging benefits, chronic pain, and inflammation support. I really enjoy the benefits of red light therapy and incorporate red light into my personal wellness routines. Watch some of my preferred red light products in the pelvic floor health reel, and women's immune system reel here! Remember that chronic inflammation and pain are symptoms and are not to be mistaken for root causes of any condition. There’s always more to the story with physical pain including the consideration of pathogens and viral loada, external toxins, heavy metals, radiation and unproductive foods can also play a role as well. Here is a list of a few of the supplements that can be extremely beneficial for reducing or managing pain. For dosages, speak with your practitioner or learn more in my Empowered Wellness Circle Monthly Membership: Alpha Lipoic Acid California poppy Curcumin Lemon Balm Magnesium MSM Nettle B12 and B complex Topicals to work with supplements or on their own: Arnica Comfrey Magnesium For kids specifically, my favorite go-to options include: Magnesium, nettle, arnica (homeopathy), lemon balm, B vitamins, ginger and turmeric. Topically, frankincense, chamomile, lavender, peppermint, clove essential oils diluted into a carrier oil can be used (age and sensitivities permitting). If you cannot tolerate supplements or supports taken orally, consider supportive topicals mentioned in this post, simply sipping on ginger tea, epsom salt baths, or using warm/cool therapy— switching from a warm water bottle to ice packs on the area in need. When in pain, the body is in distress, the adrenals are working harder producing stress hormones, and the liver is working to soak up the extra adrenaline. It is helpful to get pain under control while you keep working away at uprooting underlying causes. If you are someone looking for pain management support or would like to Reset this January (starting TOMORROW!) by focusing more on your health and wellbeing, join me inside my monthly membership Empowered Wellness Circle, or join for an 8-day group cleanse in Empowered Reset. Here you will receive all the support without judgment, learn from teaching lessons and an uplifting community of other participant questions.
10 Jan, 2024
I cannot stress enough how important this distinction is: acne has little to do with hygiene! Women and Men that struggle with acne are some of the most hypervigilant when it comes to self-care and cleanliness. Let's please put this antiquated stigma to rest once and for all. If you are a mom with a teen that is experiencing their first breakout, this point is also really helpful for you to know. Dealing with acne can be emotionally taxing enough without the false judgments marketing campaigns use to sell their products. Consider this - There are many women that can go to sleep forgetting to wash off their makeup and they do not break out the next morning. There are also many men and women with acne that do not have hormonal imbalances. Acne Truths Here's the truth. Acne is bacterial in nature. This is why the first response from medical professionals is prescribed antibiotics. If you consult your physician or a dermatologist, it is extremely common to be given both topicals and internal antibiotics. We know from Anthony that strep is what causes acne. More specifically, those with acne also have an accumulation of antibiotic-resistant strains of strep. Antibiotics can actually worsen the issue over time. (We have included a helpful post from Anthony, Medical Medium at the bottom of this email for you.) Here's the other truth. You can absolutely manage acne really well with topical products such as Tretinoin (a very popular topical Retinol treatment that is having a moment) and other acne-treating serums, but this will only mask the issue. You might experience relief from inflamed acne spots, most definitely, but as soon as you take out the products and diligent skincare routine the acne will still be there. Furthermore, these same harsh products directly contribute to your liver load which feeds the very symptom you are trying to solve. They can also stop being effective over time. Here's What You Can Do To Rid Yourself Of Acne: Adopt a Cleansing Diet The keyword is cleansing. For acne specifically, you can see such improvement right away as you remove eggs, soy, and dairy products from the diet. Most dermatologists will actually instruct their clients to remove these foods as well. Keeping out the "no foods" is the first step towards lowering your strep load. Bringing in an abundance of fruits and vegetables is cleansing to the liver and lymphatic system (where strep resides). Lower your Fat Intake or Go Completely Fat-Free for a Period of Time If you are already on a cleansing diet and feel your skin is not at all improving and you are in a position to lower your fat intake or go completely fat-free, try this tool. Up your calories when you remove fats from clean carbohydrates like potatoes, squash, raw honey, and fruits to make up for lost calories. This is helpful as it gives your liver a break, helps with thick blood, and allows for the lymphatic system to catch up. Remove Grains and or Legumes Yes, as you work on healing acne you might very much benefit from removing grains and legumes. Why? It takes more work for the liver to break down and if your liver is already sluggish with producing bile, these foods can be harder for you to digest. This can improve over time with daily celery juice. This step isn't needed for everyone and we recommend doing one thing at a time. Start with bringing in more fruits and vegetables, then remove the no foods, and so on. Rebounding Rebounding moves the lymphatic system which is critical. We know that acne is caused by strep in the lymphatic system. If you are new to rebounding try 5 minutes and work up to 20 minutes per day. Key Foods That Help Get Rid Of Acne: Strawberries (top of the list!), leafy greens, lemon water, celery juice, papaya, wild blueberries, garlic, and turmeric are all amazing acne-fighting powerhouses. Consume 1 cup of strawberries and at least 1/2 pound of leafy greens per day to really start to move that lymph. Enjoy a smoothie mixed with strawberries, spinach, bananas, and coconut water, or any blend you prefer keeping in mind these tools. Need Guidance on your Acne Healing Journey? You can get rid of strep bacteria and knock down your strep levels for good. Did you know this? Bacterial loads are different from viral loads. If you are struggling with skin issues and your confidence, please join me inside Empowered Reset next Monday. January 15 th! Let's work on providing you with the skin healing tools you need to get rid of this symptom once and for all. You can heal from acne at any age. Free Resource! Medical Medium Acne Guide
06 Jan, 2024
Bloating can be incredibly uncomfortable. For those experiencing it regularly, the impact on your daily life, social engagements, and even food choices can be significant. The discomfort and distension caused by bloating often lead to questioning your dietary decisions and doubting your body's cues. In some cases, it can even create a fear of certain foods, or, in extreme situations, a fear of eating altogether. But here's the reality: It's not just a mental struggle. That extra weight you feel isn't fat—it's the bloat causing confusion! Let's navigate this together and understand the truth behind bloating. And if you're someone dealing with unwanted weight gain, this month in our monthly membership we are focusing on uprooting weight struggles as our most highly requested topic.  1. A Sluggish Liver Anthony has elaborated on how our livers can become stagnant or sluggish due to various factors like pathogens, toxic heavy metals, adrenaline, environmental chemicals, and a high-fat diet (considering that protein often contains high fat content). Adrenaline can arise from consuming a diet rich in fats, experiencing trauma or emotional events, excessive coffee intake (which affects the adrenals), or leading a busy, high-stress lifestyle that keeps the body in a constant fight-or-flight mode. As the holidays approach, joy and stress often come hand in hand. To gain a comprehensive understanding of adrenaline's function and how to support your adrenals, liver, and digestive system, we recommend delving into 'Cleanse to Heal.' Additionally, these topics will be covered in the Reset mini course starting on January 15th. While stress might be inevitable, we can certainly bolster our bodies to safeguard our adrenals and overall health. 2. Low HCL Low hydrochloric acid plays a significant role as an underlying cause of bloating. This might seem counterintuitive initially, as conventional treatments for stomach issues often revolve around using stomach-acid inhibitors, assuming there's an excess of acid. However, understanding this distinction is crucial. When there's insufficient bile and hydrochloric acid production, typically stemming from a sluggish liver, bloating can result from undigested foods. Anthony sheds light on this process in 'Liver Rescue': "Ammonia permeability, a condition often mistaken for leaky gut, develops due to food decomposition in the intestinal tract. This produces ammonia gas, leading to further expansion of the intestinal tract, causing bloating, cramping, discomfort, and distension." – Anthony William 3. Chronic Streptococcus (antibiotic resistance) Bacterial infections, including strep, can easily transfer from one person to another, with numerous strains posing a potential risk. Anthony highlights that there exist over 50 groups of streptococcus bacteria, surpassing the count identified by current research and science. Some of us harbor specific strains of streptococcus bacteria inherited from our parents or contracted during childhood or teenage bouts of strep throat. Additionally, it's effortless to acquire multiple varieties of strep bacteria via intimate contact, restaurant meals, or public bathrooms. The activity level of strep in the body fluctuates depending on an individual's immune system and current life circumstances. This information ties directly into bloating and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). Frequently, antibiotics are prescribed to alleviate symptoms, but this approach proves ineffective. Strep strains causing bloating often resist antibiotics, exacerbating the root issue. When addressing bloating, where should one begin? Consider these nutritional, herbal, and supplement supports: Celery Juice: Consumed daily, this fresh juice helps increase hydrochloric acid and reduce bacterial loads, aiding in debloating. Foods that Aid Bloating: Incorporate peppermint tea, onions, oranges, kiwis, leafy greens, papaya (or a blend of papaya with celery juice), ginger, and the heavy metal detox smoothie to target bloating. Reducing High-Fat Foods : Cutting back on high-fat foods, especially animal protein, can give your liver, gallbladder, and overall digestion a break. Simplifying meals with more plant-based foods can be tremendously helpful. Herbs and Supplements : Target potential bacterial loads in the gut using herbs such as goldenseal, cat's claw, oregano, olive leaf, thyme, or garlic. Supplements like monolaurin, vitamin C, zinc, B12, and magnesium can also aid in addressing underlying issues. Move past bloating! Join Empowered Reset In the 8-day Empowered Reset, I will teach you how you can UPROOT bloating and SIBO for good. Participating in this Reset will be especially helpful if you are dealing with ANY kind of bloating. The lessons are packed with information on how to improve hydrochloric acid, lower pathogen and bacteria load in the body, tips for removing the effects of stress in the body, and more on the connection between the lymphatic system and the liver. I will also teach you how to get back into exercise and movement with chronic illness and symptoms. Empowered Reset is extremely popular among participants for the affordable cost, the in-depth lessons on popular topics, and the ability to have your personal questions answered. Have you ever wanted to try a 28-day cleanse or a 369 cleanse and felt intimidated? Now is your chance to have guided support in a community of like-minded wellness friends. Pregnant and breastfeeding moms are also welcome to join!
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