Understanding Autoimmune Connective Tissue Disorders

hi everyone I am so sorry for the delay hi everyone I am so sorry for the delay hi everyone I am so sorry for the delay gotta love technical difficulties but my gotta love technical difficulties but my gotta love technical difficulties but my computer was not connecting to the computer was not connecting to the computer was not connecting to the camera so so problem is solved so I'm camera so so problem is solved so I'm camera so so problem is solved so I'm going to get started with our topic going to get started with our topic going to get started with our topic tonight thank you for those of you that tonight thank you for those of you that tonight thank you for those of you that have been in here waiting patiently have been in here waiting patiently have been in here waiting patiently so so as you know for those of you that so so as you know for those of you that so so as you know for those of you that have signed up we are talking all about have signed up we are talking all about have signed up we are talking all about autoimmunity this month and specifically autoimmunity this month and specifically autoimmunity this month and specifically today we are talking about autoimmune today we are talking about autoimmune today we are talking about autoimmune connective tissue conditions and I connective tissue conditions and I connective tissue conditions and I apologize there's gonna be some noise in apologize there's gonna be some noise in apologize there's gonna be some noise in the background everybody's excited that the background everybody's excited that the background everybody's excited that it's finally nice out in New Jersey but it's finally nice out in New Jersey but it's finally nice out in New Jersey but um as we talk tonight so we're gonna be um as we talk tonight so we're gonna be um as we talk tonight so we're gonna be touching base on a variety of different touching base on a variety of different touching base on a variety of different autoimmune connective tissue disorders autoimmune connective tissue disorders autoimmune connective tissue disorders like lupus and scleroderma Osler rendu like lupus and scleroderma Osler rendu like lupus and scleroderma Osler rendu which is a pretty rare connective tissue which is a pretty rare connective tissue which is a pretty rare connective tissue disorder and even just mixed connective disorder and even just mixed connective disorder and even just mixed connective tissue disorder and my goal is is for tissue disorder and my goal is is for tissue disorder and my goal is is for you to understand more about the origin you to understand more about the origin you to understand more about the origin of why these different conditions of why these different conditions of why these different conditions manifest but also as you'll understand manifest but also as you'll understand manifest but also as you'll understand some of the limitations with the testing some of the limitations with the testing some of the limitations with the testing and even the research as to why you and even the research as to why you and even the research as to why you might not really be getting a solution might not really be getting a solution might not really be getting a solution that is outside of just an that is outside of just an that is outside of just an immunosuppressant and I'm gonna talk to immunosuppressant and I'm gonna talk to immunosuppressant and I'm gonna talk to you also about some really really you also about some really really you also about some really really interesting case studies of patients interesting case studies of patients interesting case studies of patients that I've worked with that have had many that I've worked with that have had many that I've worked with that have had many different root causes when it comes to different root causes when it comes to different root causes when it comes to their autoimmune conditions and I their autoimmune conditions and I their autoimmune conditions and I promise you it is things that you have promise you it is things that you have promise you it is things that you have never heard before so so as we get never heard before so so as we get never heard before so so as we get started I want to kind of start by just started I want to kind of start by just started I want to kind of start by just kind of telling you a little bit about kind of telling you a little bit about kind of telling you a little bit about myself and a little bit about like Who I myself and a little bit about like Who I myself and a little bit about like Who I am and what I do so overall I'm an am and what I do so overall I'm an am and what I do so overall I'm an integrative medicine physician and one integrative medicine physician and one integrative medicine physician and one of my most favorite things to do is to of my most favorite things to do is to of my most favorite things to do is to help people understand that you don't help people understand that you don't help people understand that you don't know what you don't know when it comes know what you don't know when it comes know what you don't know when it comes to your health because there is so many to your health because there is so many to your health because there is so many limitations with the testing that is limitations with the testing that is limitations with the testing that is offered nowadays and in addition to that offered nowadays and in addition to that offered nowadays and in addition to that there are many false beliefs but all so there are many false beliefs but all so there are many false beliefs but all so misunderstandings - why we potentially misunderstandings - why we potentially misunderstandings - why we potentially get autoimmune conditions or why our get autoimmune conditions or why our get autoimmune conditions or why our health can decline with time we kind of health can decline with time we kind of health can decline with time we kind of think that it's really just part of the think that it's really just part of the think that it's really just part of the aging process but we don't always aging process but we don't always aging process but we don't always realize that there can be some very realize that there can be some very realize that there can be some very specific foundational reasons why we are specific foundational reasons why we are specific foundational reasons why we are not feeling our best and that's because not feeling our best and that's because not feeling our best and that's because a lot of the testing that we do on an a lot of the testing that we do on an a lot of the testing that we do on an annual basis like blood work doesn't annual basis like blood work doesn't annual basis like blood work doesn't always reveal the bigger picture and in always reveal the bigger picture and in always reveal the bigger picture and in addition to that doctors don't always addition to that doctors don't always addition to that doctors don't always have enough time to spend with you to have enough time to spend with you to have enough time to spend with you to piece the puzzle together piece the puzzle together piece the puzzle together so for myself and my practice at so for myself and my practice at so for myself and my practice at integrated wellness group we have really integrated wellness group we have really integrated wellness group we have really challenged a lot of what we've been challenged a lot of what we've been challenged a lot of what we've been taught about how medicine should be done taught about how medicine should be done taught about how medicine should be done and I feel like personally for me I just and I feel like personally for me I just and I feel like personally for me I just found that not a lot of things always found that not a lot of things always found that not a lot of things always made sense it didn't make sense to me made sense it didn't make sense to me made sense it didn't make sense to me that you just develop an autoimmune that you just develop an autoimmune that you just develop an autoimmune condition out of nowhere that all of a condition out of nowhere that all of a condition out of nowhere that all of a sudden everybody has some type of food sudden everybody has some type of food sudden everybody has some type of food intolerance or food allergy and all of a intolerance or food allergy and all of a intolerance or food allergy and all of a sudden people are starting to have you sudden people are starting to have you sudden people are starting to have you know vaccine reactions and autism there know vaccine reactions and autism there know vaccine reactions and autism there are so many things that when I was are so many things that when I was are so many things that when I was growing up were not the normal were not growing up were not the normal were not growing up were not the normal were not the common occurrence and now we have the common occurrence and now we have the common occurrence and now we have taken a turn for the worst with our taken a turn for the worst with our taken a turn for the worst with our health and now we're having young health and now we're having young health and now we're having young children with autoimmune conditions children with autoimmune conditions children with autoimmune conditions we're having a massive epidemic of we're having a massive epidemic of we're having a massive epidemic of things like lupus and slurred irma and things like lupus and slurred irma and things like lupus and slurred irma and it's just becoming the normal and we're it's just becoming the normal and we're it's just becoming the normal and we're not necessarily not necessarily not necessarily challenging that and saying well why why challenging that and saying well why why challenging that and saying well why why is this happening and we have always is this happening and we have always is this happening and we have always questioned why why does this happen and questioned why why does this happen and questioned why why does this happen and why are we being told that there's no why are we being told that there's no why are we being told that there's no cure and there is no reason that all of cure and there is no reason that all of cure and there is no reason that all of a sudden one day the immune system just a sudden one day the immune system just a sudden one day the immune system just turns on itself that was something that turns on itself that was something that turns on itself that was something that didn't necessarily feel right to me didn't necessarily feel right to me didn't necessarily feel right to me which is what kept me on my journey of which is what kept me on my journey of which is what kept me on my journey of learning more and more and more and for learning more and more and more and for learning more and more and more and for those of you listening you know you're those of you listening you know you're those of you listening you know you're probably attracted to this topic because probably attracted to this topic because probably attracted to this topic because either yourself or someone else around either yourself or someone else around either yourself or someone else around you that you know is a friend or a loved you that you know is a friend or a loved you that you know is a friend or a loved one is dealing with some type of one is dealing with some type of one is dealing with some type of autoimmune condition like Vasseur autoimmune condition like Vasseur autoimmune condition like Vasseur scleroderma etc but the thing you have scleroderma etc but the thing you have scleroderma etc but the thing you have to understand that you're gonna learn to understand that you're gonna learn to understand that you're gonna learn tonight is that this is not necessarily tonight is that this is not necessarily tonight is that this is not necessarily about the diagnosis this is about about the diagnosis this is about about the diagnosis this is about understanding the bigger picture beyond understanding the bigger picture beyond understanding the bigger picture beyond it because when I work with someone it's it because when I work with someone it's it because when I work with someone it's never that you just have lupus or you never that you just have lupus or you never that you just have lupus or you just have an autoimmune condition there just have an autoimmune condition there just have an autoimmune condition there are usually other pieces of the puzzle are usually other pieces of the puzzle are usually other pieces of the puzzle that are all intertwined that are either that are all intertwined that are either that are all intertwined that are either the cause or a side effect or both so the cause or a side effect or both so the cause or a side effect or both so when I you know people ask me what I do when I you know people ask me what I do when I you know people ask me what I do I work with a lot of different types of I work with a lot of different types of I work with a lot of different types of conditions and because it's not about conditions and because it's not about conditions and because it's not about the condition it's not about the the condition it's not about the the condition it's not about the pathology it's about what is the pathology it's about what is the pathology it's about what is the foundational reason for why your immune foundational reason for why your immune foundational reason for why your immune system is not functioning properly system is not functioning properly system is not functioning properly what is the foundational reason why what is the foundational reason why what is the foundational reason why you're so fatigued and you can't sleep you're so fatigued and you can't sleep you're so fatigued and you can't sleep and you know you can't think straight and you know you can't think straight and you know you can't think straight there is always going to be a there is always going to be a there is always going to be a foundational reason and I think that foundational reason and I think that foundational reason and I think that this is somewhat refreshing to people this is somewhat refreshing to people this is somewhat refreshing to people and you'll see this more as we continue and you'll see this more as we continue and you'll see this more as we continue the conversation but when I work with my the conversation but when I work with my the conversation but when I work with my patients you know they're so overwhelmed patients you know they're so overwhelmed patients you know they're so overwhelmed when they come through my doors because when they come through my doors because when they come through my doors because at that point they have so many symptoms at that point they have so many symptoms at that point they have so many symptoms they're like I'm in pain I'm achy I'm they're like I'm in pain I'm achy I'm they're like I'm in pain I'm achy I'm tired but I can't sleep at night and I tired but I can't sleep at night and I tired but I can't sleep at night and I can't think clearly and like I can't can't think clearly and like I can't can't think clearly and like I can't even articulate words or or have a even articulate words or or have a even articulate words or or have a intellectual conversation and they just intellectual conversation and they just intellectual conversation and they just feel so broken and when we actually do feel so broken and when we actually do feel so broken and when we actually do their testing and I'm able to piece the their testing and I'm able to piece the their testing and I'm able to piece the puzzle together they're refreshed to puzzle together they're refreshed to puzzle together they're refreshed to know that there's not a million things know that there's not a million things know that there's not a million things wrong with them there's really just one wrong with them there's really just one wrong with them there's really just one or two foundational reasons as to why or two foundational reasons as to why or two foundational reasons as to why they feel the way they do and they feel the way they do and they feel the way they do and there's usually somewhat of a simple way there's usually somewhat of a simple way there's usually somewhat of a simple way of of helping them heal and helping them of of helping them heal and helping them of of helping them heal and helping them tackle those things so I'm not gonna sit tackle those things so I'm not gonna sit tackle those things so I'm not gonna sit here and say the healing process is here and say the healing process is here and say the healing process is sunshine and rainbows but when you know sunshine and rainbows but when you know sunshine and rainbows but when you know the root cause really anything is the root cause really anything is the root cause really anything is possible from a healing perspective so for myself you know when I got into so for myself you know when I got into so for myself you know when I got into this field I did not get into this field this field I did not get into this field this field I did not get into this field because I was super sick and nobody because I was super sick and nobody because I was super sick and nobody could help me I wasn't necessarily could help me I wasn't necessarily could help me I wasn't necessarily someone who was eventually diagnosed someone who was eventually diagnosed someone who was eventually diagnosed with lupus and you know found myself with lupus and you know found myself with lupus and you know found myself deteriorating and then eventually found deteriorating and then eventually found deteriorating and then eventually found functional integrative medicine that got functional integrative medicine that got functional integrative medicine that got me back to health I actually kind of me back to health I actually kind of me back to health I actually kind of felt guilty about my story for a very felt guilty about my story for a very felt guilty about my story for a very long time because I found that many long time because I found that many long time because I found that many people in my industry that was their people in my industry that was their people in my industry that was their story they were super sick and story they were super sick and story they were super sick and functional a functional or integrative functional a functional or integrative functional a functional or integrative doctor helped them for me what I found doctor helped them for me what I found doctor helped them for me what I found was my story was actually almost more was my story was actually almost more was my story was actually almost more relatable to the common public because I relatable to the common public because I relatable to the common public because I was dealing with things that became my was dealing with things that became my was dealing with things that became my normal I was fatigued I had brain fog I normal I was fatigued I had brain fog I normal I was fatigued I had brain fog I was struggling in school telling myself was struggling in school telling myself was struggling in school telling myself that I wasn't smart enough for this that I wasn't smart enough for this that I wasn't smart enough for this field I was you know struggling with field I was you know struggling with field I was you know struggling with abnormal periods and I was fainting abnormal periods and I was fainting abnormal periods and I was fainting around periods there were all of these around periods there were all of these around periods there were all of these random things that came and went that random things that came and went that random things that came and went that were just my normal and I found that to were just my normal and I found that to were just my normal and I found that to be very fascinating because when I did be very fascinating because when I did be very fascinating because when I did my testing and it revealed that I really my testing and it revealed that I really my testing and it revealed that I really wasn't as healthy as I thought I wasn't as healthy as I thought I wasn't as healthy as I thought I realized that I just settled for feeling realized that I just settled for feeling realized that I just settled for feeling crappy and this is the case for so many crappy and this is the case for so many crappy and this is the case for so many people because we're being told oh this people because we're being told oh this people because we're being told oh this is what happens as you get older or is what happens as you get older or is what happens as you get older or you're having a conversation with your you're having a conversation with your you're having a conversation with your friends and family now and everybody's friends and family now and everybody's friends and family now and everybody's tired and everyone sleeps like crap and tired and everyone sleeps like crap and tired and everyone sleeps like crap and everybody gets bloated after they eat everybody gets bloated after they eat everybody gets bloated after they eat and these things are becoming more and and these things are becoming more and and these things are becoming more and more normal because everybody is dealing more normal because everybody is dealing more normal because everybody is dealing with them to some capacity but in with them to some capacity but in with them to some capacity but in reality none of them are normal and reality none of them are normal and reality none of them are normal and they're just warning signs of our bodies they're just warning signs of our bodies they're just warning signs of our bodies saying hey there's something wrong or saying hey there's something wrong or saying hey there's something wrong or there is something developing and we there is something developing and we there is something developing and we need to pay better attention to these need to pay better attention to these need to pay better attention to these things because for me when I started to things because for me when I started to things because for me when I started to heal my own body that was eye-opening heal my own body that was eye-opening heal my own body that was eye-opening because I then was able to sit back and because I then was able to sit back and because I then was able to sit back and be like holy crap I really didn't feel be like holy crap I really didn't feel be like holy crap I really didn't feel well but I had no idea because I didn't well but I had no idea because I didn't well but I had no idea because I didn't know any different and that was know any different and that was know any different and that was something that I really found was something that I really found was something that I really found was valuable to what I bring to my patients valuable to what I bring to my patients valuable to what I bring to my patients because it's not about just settling for because it's not about just settling for because it's not about just settling for feeling a little bit better you can feeling a little bit better you can feeling a little bit better you can actually wake up and be excited to to actually wake up and be excited to to actually wake up and be excited to to wake up and you could feel good and wake up and you could feel good and wake up and you could feel good and sustain energy and not rely on coffee sustain energy and not rely on coffee sustain energy and not rely on coffee and get a good night's sleep and be and get a good night's sleep and be and get a good night's sleep and be happy you can beat all of those things a happy you can beat all of those things a happy you can beat all of those things a lot of us don't even think that that's lot of us don't even think that that's lot of us don't even think that that's possible possible possible so I know it's around 7:30 there are so I know it's around 7:30 there are so I know it's around 7:30 there are tons of things going on in our house tons of things going on in our house tons of things going on in our house right now but like I said as we got right now but like I said as we got right now but like I said as we got started the things I'm gonna talk to you started the things I'm gonna talk to you started the things I'm gonna talk to you about tonight are not your about tonight are not your about tonight are not your run-of-the-mill information I'm not run-of-the-mill information I'm not run-of-the-mill information I'm not gonna sit here and tell you everything gonna sit here and tell you everything gonna sit here and tell you everything starts in your gut I'm not gonna sit starts in your gut I'm not gonna sit starts in your gut I'm not gonna sit here and tell you to go on an here and tell you to go on an here and tell you to go on an elimination diet I'm not gonna tell you elimination diet I'm not gonna tell you elimination diet I'm not gonna tell you any of those things I am gonna tell you any of those things I am gonna tell you any of those things I am gonna tell you things that you have never heard before things that you have never heard before things that you have never heard before in relation to autoimmune conditions I'm in relation to autoimmune conditions I'm in relation to autoimmune conditions I'm gonna help you understand why you gonna help you understand why you gonna help you understand why you potentially have lupus that you haven't potentially have lupus that you haven't potentially have lupus that you haven't been able to get better from I can help been able to get better from I can help been able to get better from I can help you understand why maybe the you understand why maybe the you understand why maybe the immunosuppressants that you're taking immunosuppressants that you're taking immunosuppressants that you're taking are also not working so stick with me are also not working so stick with me are also not working so stick with me for at least the next 20 minutes so you for at least the next 20 minutes so you for at least the next 20 minutes so you that you can really get some clarity as that you can really get some clarity as that you can really get some clarity as to why you feel the way you do but also to why you feel the way you do but also to why you feel the way you do but also know what can be some action steps for know what can be some action steps for know what can be some action steps for you to get on a path to healing you to get on a path to healing you to get on a path to healing so first and foremost I always start my so first and foremost I always start my so first and foremost I always start my webinars with this is that I want you to webinars with this is that I want you to webinars with this is that I want you to know that if you have not been able to know that if you have not been able to know that if you have not been able to get better it is not your fault if the get better it is not your fault if the get better it is not your fault if the medications that you've taken have not medications that you've taken have not medications that you've taken have not helped you it is not your fault if you helped you it is not your fault if you helped you it is not your fault if you try to try to change your diet and it try to try to change your diet and it try to try to change your diet and it didn't help you it's not your fault if didn't help you it's not your fault if didn't help you it's not your fault if you just tried to research what can I do you just tried to research what can I do you just tried to research what can I do in conjunction with my medications and in conjunction with my medications and in conjunction with my medications and you became paralyzed it's not your fault you became paralyzed it's not your fault you became paralyzed it's not your fault there is so much information out there there is so much information out there there is so much information out there which is amazing but at the same time which is amazing but at the same time which is amazing but at the same time it's overwhelming and it's confusing and it's overwhelming and it's confusing and it's overwhelming and it's confusing and the most important thing that you need the most important thing that you need the most important thing that you need to know is that what you need is to know is that what you need is to know is that what you need is completely different than what somebody completely different than what somebody completely different than what somebody else needs I do not care if you and your else needs I do not care if you and your else needs I do not care if you and your best friend both have been diagnosed best friend both have been diagnosed best friend both have been diagnosed with lupus your needs are going to be with lupus your needs are going to be with lupus your needs are going to be completely different for what diet you completely different for what diet you completely different for what diet you should eat what supplements you should should eat what supplements you should should eat what supplements you should take what men occasion you potentially take what men occasion you potentially take what men occasion you potentially need because the root of why that need because the root of why that need because the root of why that developed is going to be different so developed is going to be different so developed is going to be different so it's not your fault if you have kind of it's not your fault if you have kind of it's not your fault if you have kind of thrown your hands up and said you know thrown your hands up and said you know thrown your hands up and said you know what I don't even know where to begin so what I don't even know where to begin so what I don't even know where to begin so I'm gonna just quit because you need I'm gonna just quit because you need I'm gonna just quit because you need that better testing and you need to know that better testing and you need to know that better testing and you need to know your body and what your body needs to be your body and what your body needs to be your body and what your body needs to be successful and actually getting better successful and actually getting better successful and actually getting better so a foundational principle for so a foundational principle for so a foundational principle for understanding everything we're gonna understanding everything we're gonna understanding everything we're gonna talk about tonight is some of you are talk about tonight is some of you are talk about tonight is some of you are here because you're like oh well she here because you're like oh well she here because you're like oh well she must be an expert in lupus scleroderma must be an expert in lupus scleroderma must be an expert in lupus scleroderma mixed connective tissue disorder etc I mixed connective tissue disorder etc I mixed connective tissue disorder etc I personally feel that always seeking out personally feel that always seeking out personally feel that always seeking out the specialist in our condition is the specialist in our condition is the specialist in our condition is potentially what gets us to hit potentially what gets us to hit potentially what gets us to hit roadblocks with our health and I say roadblocks with our health and I say roadblocks with our health and I say this because we are assuming that all of this because we are assuming that all of this because we are assuming that all of our systems are are our systems are are our systems are are operating separately we are assuming operating separately we are assuming operating separately we are assuming that our gut is not connected to our that our gut is not connected to our that our gut is not connected to our brain and our brain is not connected to brain and our brain is not connected to brain and our brain is not connected to our heart and our immune system is not our heart and our immune system is not our heart and our immune system is not connected to our lymph nodes etc we are connected to our lymph nodes etc we are connected to our lymph nodes etc we are assuming that we are a bunch of separate assuming that we are a bunch of separate assuming that we are a bunch of separate systems that are working independently systems that are working independently systems that are working independently and that brings me to the second point and that brings me to the second point and that brings me to the second point of basic physiology so 90 to 95 percent of basic physiology so 90 to 95 percent of basic physiology so 90 to 95 percent of your serotonin which is your of your serotonin which is your of your serotonin which is your feel-good hormone it is the hormone that feel-good hormone it is the hormone that feel-good hormone it is the hormone that makes you happy it allows you to makes you happy it allows you to makes you happy it allows you to experience joy this is made in your gut experience joy this is made in your gut experience joy this is made in your gut so if you have irritable bowel syndrome so if you have irritable bowel syndrome so if you have irritable bowel syndrome or celiac disease or some other type of or celiac disease or some other type of or celiac disease or some other type of gut condition or maybe you just have gut condition or maybe you just have gut condition or maybe you just have bloating and you are also dealing with bloating and you are also dealing with bloating and you are also dealing with depression you're probably seeing a depression you're probably seeing a depression you're probably seeing a psychiatrist or a psychologist that's psychiatrist or a psychologist that's psychiatrist or a psychologist that's giving you something to boost your giving you something to boost your giving you something to boost your serotonin levels or support your mood serotonin levels or support your mood serotonin levels or support your mood and then you're probably also walking and then you're probably also walking and then you're probably also walking with a cat working with a with a cat working with a with a cat working with a gastroenterologist that might be giving gastroenterologist that might be giving gastroenterologist that might be giving you some vacation to really subdue some you some vacation to really subdue some you some vacation to really subdue some of your symptoms but at the end of the of your symptoms but at the end of the of your symptoms but at the end of the day day day that is a hundred percent connected and that is a hundred percent connected and that is a hundred percent connected and it's because most of that serotonin that it's because most of that serotonin that it's because most of that serotonin that feel-good hormone is being made in your feel-good hormone is being made in your feel-good hormone is being made in your gut so if we try to work with these two gut so if we try to work with these two gut so if we try to work with these two things separately we're not going to things separately we're not going to things separately we're not going to necessarily achieve what we're hoping necessarily achieve what we're hoping necessarily achieve what we're hoping for or you're gonna need a higher dose for or you're gonna need a higher dose for or you're gonna need a higher dose of medication or you're gonna need to of medication or you're gonna need to of medication or you're gonna need to add another antidepressant or eventually add another antidepressant or eventually add another antidepressant or eventually an anti-anxiety etc because we're not an anti-anxiety etc because we're not an anti-anxiety etc because we're not getting to the root and that's the getting to the root and that's the getting to the root and that's the beauty of functional integrative beauty of functional integrative beauty of functional integrative medicine is being able to decipher what medicine is being able to decipher what medicine is being able to decipher what is the root and I'm not gonna sit here is the root and I'm not gonna sit here is the root and I'm not gonna sit here and say that everybody knew that house and say that everybody knew that house and say that everybody knew that house depression has a gut issue maybe you depression has a gut issue maybe you depression has a gut issue maybe you truly do have a brain imbalance but if truly do have a brain imbalance but if truly do have a brain imbalance but if you do have some type of gut issue and you do have some type of gut issue and you do have some type of gut issue and you're dealing with depression simply by you're dealing with depression simply by you're dealing with depression simply by healing your gut you could potentially healing your gut you could potentially healing your gut you could potentially boost your serotonin and feel happy boost your serotonin and feel happy boost your serotonin and feel happy again again again so one of the big questions that I so one of the big questions that I so one of the big questions that I always get is why doesn't everybody do always get is why doesn't everybody do always get is why doesn't everybody do what you do why doesn't everybody use what you do why doesn't everybody use what you do why doesn't everybody use the types of technologies that you use the types of technologies that you use the types of technologies that you use at iwg why doesn't everybody look for at iwg why doesn't everybody look for at iwg why doesn't everybody look for the root cause and one of the biggest the root cause and one of the biggest the root cause and one of the biggest things that you have to understand about things that you have to understand about things that you have to understand about traditional medical training is that traditional medical training is that traditional medical training is that most of the training is on the premise most of the training is on the premise most of the training is on the premise of using chemistry based testing so what of using chemistry based testing so what of using chemistry based testing so what I mean by that is your most common test I mean by that is your most common test I mean by that is your most common test that you get on an annual basis is what that you get on an annual basis is what that you get on an annual basis is what it's blood work so blood work is a it's blood work so blood work is a it's blood work so blood work is a chemistry based test the other chemistry based test the other chemistry based test the other interesting thing about blood work is interesting thing about blood work is interesting thing about blood work is it's just a snapshot in time so if I run it's just a snapshot in time so if I run it's just a snapshot in time so if I run the same exact panel one week later the same exact panel one week later the same exact panel one week later chances are chances are chances are you will have different results I'm not you will have different results I'm not you will have different results I'm not gonna say maybe they're polar opposite gonna say maybe they're polar opposite gonna say maybe they're polar opposite but they will be different so when we're but they will be different so when we're but they will be different so when we're looking always at chemistry chemistry looking always at chemistry chemistry looking always at chemistry chemistry chemistry we're looking at chemistry chemistry we're looking at chemistry chemistry we're looking at chemistry because if you have compromised because if you have compromised because if you have compromised chemistry we're going to fix that chemistry we're going to fix that chemistry we're going to fix that pathway by manipulating chemistry aka pathway by manipulating chemistry aka pathway by manipulating chemistry aka that is the foundation of using drugs that is the foundation of using drugs that is the foundation of using drugs medication pharmacology medication pharmacology medication pharmacology pharmacology is going to manipulate the pharmacology is going to manipulate the pharmacology is going to manipulate the pathways the chemistry based paths of pathways the chemistry based paths of pathways the chemistry based paths of the body so we all know that you know the body so we all know that you know the body so we all know that you know Medicaid is a for-profit industry so Medicaid is a for-profit industry so Medicaid is a for-profit industry so most of the research on most of the most of the research on most of the most of the research on most of the testing that we do is looking for broken testing that we do is looking for broken testing that we do is looking for broken chemistry that we can then fix with chemistry that we can then fix with chemistry that we can then fix with chemistry aka drugs so when we look chemistry aka drugs so when we look chemistry aka drugs so when we look beyond that we actually can dig deeper beyond that we actually can dig deeper beyond that we actually can dig deeper figure out if there's other layers and figure out if there's other layers and figure out if there's other layers and we can actually decipher what is the we can actually decipher what is the we can actually decipher what is the root cause and once you understand that root cause and once you understand that root cause and once you understand that information you can also know that it's information you can also know that it's information you can also know that it's not necessarily about this one pill cure not necessarily about this one pill cure not necessarily about this one pill cure or this one-size-fits-all treatment or this one-size-fits-all treatment or this one-size-fits-all treatment because every single person's body is because every single person's body is because every single person's body is extremely different again you could have extremely different again you could have extremely different again you could have the same diagnosis but the way that one the same diagnosis but the way that one the same diagnosis but the way that one person needs to be treated versus the person needs to be treated versus the person needs to be treated versus the other is going to be completely other is going to be completely other is going to be completely different I am never different I am never different I am never I'm never cease to be amazed because of I'm never cease to be amazed because of I'm never cease to be amazed because of the way that we test our patients we the way that we test our patients we the way that we test our patients we actually test their DNA for what types actually test their DNA for what types actually test their DNA for what types of supplements herbs remedies detox of supplements herbs remedies detox of supplements herbs remedies detox therapies neurological therapies what is therapies neurological therapies what is therapies neurological therapies what is best for their body and no two people best for their body and no two people best for their body and no two people are like ever so when you can get that are like ever so when you can get that are like ever so when you can get that specific on treatment that is a specific on treatment that is a specific on treatment that is a game-changer because you can see people game-changer because you can see people game-changer because you can see people with the most you know significant with the most you know significant with the most you know significant diagnosis like lupus get better in a few diagnosis like lupus get better in a few diagnosis like lupus get better in a few months or a few weeks even and that's months or a few weeks even and that's months or a few weeks even and that's really why I get up every day is to be really why I get up every day is to be really why I get up every day is to be able to see these changes that people able to see these changes that people able to see these changes that people never thought were possible never thought were possible never thought were possible okay so let's get into this whole okay so let's get into this whole okay so let's get into this whole autoimmune talk about connective tissue autoimmune talk about connective tissue autoimmune talk about connective tissue so number one the big question is why so number one the big question is why so number one the big question is why would the immune system start to attack would the immune system start to attack would the immune system start to attack connective tissue better yet why would connective tissue better yet why would connective tissue better yet why would it attack certain tissue so for those of it attack certain tissue so for those of it attack certain tissue so for those of you that are dealing with say mixed you that are dealing with say mixed you that are dealing with say mixed connective tissue or scleroderma or connective tissue or scleroderma or connective tissue or scleroderma or lupus you hear about lupus and you read lupus you hear about lupus and you read lupus you hear about lupus and you read about it and scary because they say well about it and scary because they say well about it and scary because they say well Lou this can affect your joints but it Lou this can affect your joints but it Lou this can affect your joints but it could eventually progress into affecting could eventually progress into affecting could eventually progress into affecting your organs your organs your organs so how does it choose why why does it so how does it choose why why does it so how does it choose why why does it maybe start in the joints and then go to maybe start in the joints and then go to maybe start in the joints and then go to the organs or why does it affect the the organs or why does it affect the the organs or why does it affect the organs and then go to the joints why organs and then go to the joints why organs and then go to the joints why does it sometimes affect people's does it sometimes affect people's does it sometimes affect people's cardiovascular system why does it cardiovascular system why does it cardiovascular system why does it sometimes affect people's hands that's sometimes affect people's hands that's sometimes affect people's hands that's always this is what I'm talking about always this is what I'm talking about always this is what I'm talking about when I've always questioned because it when I've always questioned because it when I've always questioned because it doesn't it doesn't line up to just say doesn't it doesn't line up to just say doesn't it doesn't line up to just say Oh some people it's just gonna attack Oh some people it's just gonna attack Oh some people it's just gonna attack their left hand and then other people their left hand and then other people their left hand and then other people it's gonna attack their gut because it's gonna attack their gut because it's gonna attack their gut because connective tissue is your ligaments it's connective tissue is your ligaments it's connective tissue is your ligaments it's your tendons it's your muscles it's your your tendons it's your muscles it's your your tendons it's your muscles it's your fascia it's your organs like it's your fascia it's your organs like it's your fascia it's your organs like it's your blood vessels everything is made of blood vessels everything is made of blood vessels everything is made of connective tissue so the point of me connective tissue so the point of me connective tissue so the point of me asking you this is to get you thinking asking you this is to get you thinking asking you this is to get you thinking outside of the box because what is the outside of the box because what is the outside of the box because what is the primary role of our immune system the primary role of our immune system the primary role of our immune system the primary role of our immune system is primary role of our immune system is primary role of our immune system is going to be to attack foreign invaders going to be to attack foreign invaders going to be to attack foreign invaders so in attacking foreign invaders that's so in attacking foreign invaders that's so in attacking foreign invaders that's gonna be things like bacteria gonna be things like bacteria gonna be things like bacteria fungus mold parasites toxins all fungus mold parasites toxins all fungus mold parasites toxins all different types of chemicals mold I said different types of chemicals mold I said different types of chemicals mold I said mold um but overall your immune system mold um but overall your immune system mold um but overall your immune system is designed to protect you from anything is designed to protect you from anything is designed to protect you from anything that is going to be damaging so if you that is going to be damaging so if you that is going to be damaging so if you have some type of foreign invader that have some type of foreign invader that have some type of foreign invader that gets into your body and then gets into a gets into your body and then gets into a gets into your body and then gets into a specific tissue which we're gonna specific tissue which we're gonna specific tissue which we're gonna elaborate further on elaborate further on elaborate further on wouldn't it make sense that if the wouldn't it make sense that if the wouldn't it make sense that if the immune system is doing its job it's immune system is doing its job it's immune system is doing its job it's coming to the scene of wherever that coming to the scene of wherever that coming to the scene of wherever that foreign invader is and it's trying to foreign invader is and it's trying to foreign invader is and it's trying to attack that foreign invader but attack that foreign invader but attack that foreign invader but if that foreign invader or that bacteria if that foreign invader or that bacteria if that foreign invader or that bacteria or that fungus is burrowed within a or that fungus is burrowed within a or that fungus is burrowed within a tissue tissue tissue then unfortunately that tissue is in the then unfortunately that tissue is in the then unfortunately that tissue is in the line of fire it is going to start to line of fire it is going to start to line of fire it is going to start to have breakdown because of the have breakdown because of the have breakdown because of the inflammatory process because that's all inflammatory process because that's all inflammatory process because that's all that an immune system attack is is an that an immune system attack is is an that an immune system attack is is an inflammatory cascade inflammatory cascade inflammatory cascade so if you think about it when your so if you think about it when your so if you think about it when your immune system is attacking things and immune system is attacking things and immune system is attacking things and you are inflamed that's when all those you are inflamed that's when all those you are inflamed that's when all those symptoms kick up you feel fever as you symptoms kick up you feel fever as you symptoms kick up you feel fever as you feel swollen you feel tired you feel feel swollen you feel tired you feel feel swollen you feel tired you feel like you have a headache you you have like you have a headache you you have like you have a headache you you have aches pains etc so then you get aches pains etc so then you get aches pains etc so then you get diagnosed with your autoimmune condition diagnosed with your autoimmune condition diagnosed with your autoimmune condition and they give you an immunosuppressant and they give you an immunosuppressant and they give you an immunosuppressant so your immunosuppressant shuts down so your immunosuppressant shuts down so your immunosuppressant shuts down your immune system a K shuts down the your immune system a K shuts down the your immune system a K shuts down the inflammatory response and you feel inflammatory response and you feel inflammatory response and you feel better better better but the thing about it is that you just but the thing about it is that you just but the thing about it is that you just shut down your immune system from shut down your immune system from shut down your immune system from attacking the primary thing that is attacking the primary thing that is attacking the primary thing that is damaging your tissue so this is why damaging your tissue so this is why damaging your tissue so this is why these immune autoimmune conditions these immune autoimmune conditions these immune autoimmune conditions progress is because you are suppressing progress is because you are suppressing progress is because you are suppressing the immune system and suppressing the the immune system and suppressing the the immune system and suppressing the inflammatory response and you're inflammatory response and you're inflammatory response and you're controlling your symptoms but you are controlling your symptoms but you are controlling your symptoms but you are actually perpetuating the root cause actually perpetuating the root cause actually perpetuating the root cause which is a foreign invader that you're which is a foreign invader that you're which is a foreign invader that you're testing or your doctor has not found yet testing or your doctor has not found yet testing or your doctor has not found yet so when we talk about why certain so when we talk about why certain so when we talk about why certain tissues it's because different organisms tissues it's because different organisms tissues it's because different organisms have an affinity for different tissues have an affinity for different tissues have an affinity for different tissues so we're gonna dive into that a little so we're gonna dive into that a little so we're gonna dive into that a little bit more so I don't want to jump too far bit more so I don't want to jump too far bit more so I don't want to jump too far ahead cuz I have a tendency to do that ahead cuz I have a tendency to do that ahead cuz I have a tendency to do that so I'm gonna pop in the chat box and so I'm gonna pop in the chat box and so I'm gonna pop in the chat box and just see if anybody okay so no questions yet okay so I want to tell you a story okay so I want to tell you a story okay so I want to tell you a story specifically in relation to what we're specifically in relation to what we're specifically in relation to what we're talking about here so we have I have a talking about here so we have I have a talking about here so we have I have a patient she came in with fatigue patient she came in with fatigue patient she came in with fatigue depression tons of body aches um and depression tons of body aches um and depression tons of body aches um and then after we did her testing it turned then after we did her testing it turned then after we did her testing it turned out that she had lupus presenting in her out that she had lupus presenting in her out that she had lupus presenting in her left hand so number one one thing I want left hand so number one one thing I want left hand so number one one thing I want you to understand is that she was you to understand is that she was you to understand is that she was working with a her primary care working with a her primary care working with a her primary care physician and she was she had her second physician and she was she had her second physician and she was she had her second child and she was talking all about child and she was talking all about child and she was talking all about having a lot of body aches and she was having a lot of body aches and she was having a lot of body aches and she was having a lot of joint pain and she was having a lot of joint pain and she was having a lot of joint pain and she was really fatigued so her physician ran really fatigued so her physician ran really fatigued so her physician ran actually ran lupus markers ran the A&A actually ran lupus markers ran the A&A actually ran lupus markers ran the A&A marker which is related to lupus and marker which is related to lupus and marker which is related to lupus and other types of autoimmune conditions and other types of autoimmune conditions and other types of autoimmune conditions and they all came up negative so I think it they all came up negative so I think it they all came up negative so I think it was about four weeks later she was was about four weeks later she was was about four weeks later she was getting worse so she came to see me and getting worse so she came to see me and getting worse so she came to see me and she was still experiencing a lot of she was still experiencing a lot of she was still experiencing a lot of these body aches I ran blood work and these body aches I ran blood work and these body aches I ran blood work and then I ran a variety of other tests that then I ran a variety of other tests that then I ran a variety of other tests that we do in house and her and a marker was we do in house and her and a marker was we do in house and her and a marker was positive four weeks later so can I sit positive four weeks later so can I sit positive four weeks later so can I sit here and say that four weeks prior she here and say that four weeks prior she here and say that four weeks prior she didn't have lupus no she probably did didn't have lupus no she probably did didn't have lupus no she probably did but the immune system is super resilient but the immune system is super resilient but the immune system is super resilient so things can Evan flow so when you go so things can Evan flow so when you go so things can Evan flow so when you go to the doctor and you get a positive AMA to the doctor and you get a positive AMA to the doctor and you get a positive AMA and then they retested a couple of weeks and then they retested a couple of weeks and then they retested a couple of weeks later and then it's negative it's like later and then it's negative it's like later and then it's negative it's like oh I'm in the clear I don't actually oh I'm in the clear I don't actually oh I'm in the clear I don't actually have lupus that's not the right way to have lupus that's not the right way to have lupus that's not the right way to think about that the right way to think think about that the right way to think think about that the right way to think about it is your immune system is still about it is your immune system is still about it is your immune system is still trying it's still strong enough that it trying it's still strong enough that it trying it's still strong enough that it is trying to get back to a place of is trying to get back to a place of is trying to get back to a place of homeostasis but if you don't do anything homeostasis but if you don't do anything homeostasis but if you don't do anything about your current health situation that about your current health situation that about your current health situation that will progress to the point that you have will progress to the point that you have will progress to the point that you have full-blown lupus all the time so it's full-blown lupus all the time so it's full-blown lupus all the time so it's not about just like oh it's negative I'm not about just like oh it's negative I'm not about just like oh it's negative I'm in the clear it's your body saying hey in the clear it's your body saying hey in the clear it's your body saying hey I'm really trying here but you need to I'm really trying here but you need to I'm really trying here but you need to help me out help me out help me out so her marker was positive but the thing so her marker was positive but the thing so her marker was positive but the thing about it is that you look at bloodwork about it is that you look at bloodwork about it is that you look at bloodwork and then the end of the story is is oh and then the end of the story is is oh and then the end of the story is is oh you have lupus and and that's if you you have lupus and and that's if you you have lupus and and that's if you don't dig any deeper it would just be don't dig any deeper it would just be don't dig any deeper it would just be that's the answer and we need to put you that's the answer and we need to put you that's the answer and we need to put you on medication and that's the end of the on medication and that's the end of the on medication and that's the end of the story so because of the way that we look story so because of the way that we look story so because of the way that we look at the body and a lot of testing that we at the body and a lot of testing that we at the body and a lot of testing that we do I was able to see where the lupus was do I was able to see where the lupus was do I was able to see where the lupus was manifesting and it was specifically in manifesting and it was specifically in manifesting and it was specifically in her left hand so here's the kicker her left hand so here's the kicker her left hand so here's the kicker why her left hand so if this was really why her left hand so if this was really why her left hand so if this was really just about just about just about if this was really just about her in if this was really just about her in if this was really just about her in relation to like her joints then it relation to like her joints then it relation to like her joints then it would be in most of her joints not just would be in most of her joints not just would be in most of her joints not just her left hand but there is an emotional her left hand but there is an emotional her left hand but there is an emotional tie to the left hand so left side of the tie to the left hand so left side of the tie to the left hand so left side of the body emotionally is tied to a female body emotionally is tied to a female body emotionally is tied to a female figure in figure in figure in addition to that when you're dealing addition to that when you're dealing addition to that when you're dealing with autoimmune manifestations in with autoimmune manifestations in with autoimmune manifestations in different parts of the body this is different parts of the body this is different parts of the body this is going to be tied to going to be tied to going to be tied to what are you holding on to that is the what are you holding on to that is the what are you holding on to that is the specific emotional tie to the hand specific emotional tie to the hand specific emotional tie to the hand so because of this presenting in this so because of this presenting in this so because of this presenting in this way I asked her and I said is there way I asked her and I said is there way I asked her and I said is there anything specific that is going on with anything specific that is going on with anything specific that is going on with a female figure in your life that you're a female figure in your life that you're a female figure in your life that you're holding on to and she kind of broke down holding on to and she kind of broke down holding on to and she kind of broke down and she's like I'm dealing with a big and she's like I'm dealing with a big and she's like I'm dealing with a big blowout fight that I got into with my blowout fight that I got into with my blowout fight that I got into with my mom and I haven't spoke with her for mom and I haven't spoke with her for mom and I haven't spoke with her for four weeks and it's eating away at me four weeks and it's eating away at me four weeks and it's eating away at me and and and I thought that this was just so I thought that this was just so I thought that this was just so significant because this is a patient significant because this is a patient significant because this is a patient who potentially would have just been who potentially would have just been who potentially would have just been deemed a lupus lupus deemed a lupus lupus deemed a lupus lupus case and she would have just been put on case and she would have just been put on case and she would have just been put on this immunosuppressant and been told you this immunosuppressant and been told you this immunosuppressant and been told you know this is just the reality of your know this is just the reality of your know this is just the reality of your condition and this is what you need to condition and this is what you need to condition and this is what you need to do to maintain it but there was a deep do to maintain it but there was a deep do to maintain it but there was a deep deep emotional connection that she was deep emotional connection that she was deep emotional connection that she was not necessarily dealing with in that not necessarily dealing with in that not necessarily dealing with in that moment so we helped her to kind of work moment so we helped her to kind of work moment so we helped her to kind of work through some of the things that she was through some of the things that she was through some of the things that she was dealing with with her mom and when we dealing with with her mom and when we dealing with with her mom and when we retested her her a na we retested it retested her her a na we retested it retested her her a na we retested it four weeks later and we tested another four weeks later and we tested another four weeks later and we tested another eight weeks later and it was completely eight weeks later and it was completely eight weeks later and it was completely stable in addition to all of our other stable in addition to all of our other stable in addition to all of our other testing that we did in I also did not testing that we did in I also did not testing that we did in I also did not present with lupus anymore so the point present with lupus anymore so the point present with lupus anymore so the point of me saying this is not that every of me saying this is not that every of me saying this is not that every single person that has this autoimmune single person that has this autoimmune single person that has this autoimmune condition has an emotional tie but this condition has an emotional tie but this condition has an emotional tie but this is the beauty of digging deeper asking is the beauty of digging deeper asking is the beauty of digging deeper asking better questions and being able to better questions and being able to better questions and being able to understand that it's not always just understand that it's not always just understand that it's not always just about an immune system gone rogue about an immune system gone rogue about an immune system gone rogue so I know that there are some questions so I know that there are some questions so I know that there are some questions about the sessions so we're talking about the sessions so we're talking about the sessions so we're talking about a combination today of autoimmune about a combination today of autoimmune about a combination today of autoimmune connective tissue disorders and we're connective tissue disorders and we're connective tissue disorders and we're gonna talk a little bit of the gonna talk a little bit of the gonna talk a little bit of the neurological piece as well so with the neurological piece as well so with the neurological piece as well so with the neurological autoimmune conditions we're neurological autoimmune conditions we're neurological autoimmune conditions we're gonna also be talking even more about gonna also be talking even more about gonna also be talking even more about that next week so feel free if you want that next week so feel free if you want that next week so feel free if you want to stay with us tonight also if you are to stay with us tonight also if you are to stay with us tonight also if you are part of it next week or you just want me part of it next week or you just want me part of it next week or you just want me to send you the replay we'll be diving a to send you the replay we'll be diving a to send you the replay we'll be diving a little bit more into the autoimmune little bit more into the autoimmune little bit more into the autoimmune neurological conditions like multiple neurological conditions like multiple neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis and pandas and things like sclerosis and pandas and things like sclerosis and pandas and things like that so definitely feel free to ask that so definitely feel free to ask that so definitely feel free to ask questions as we go I'm definitely happy questions as we go I'm definitely happy questions as we go I'm definitely happy to touch on it more if you have specific to touch on it more if you have specific to touch on it more if you have specific questions okay so all of this talk about okay so all of this talk about okay so all of this talk about connective tissue you might be thinking connective tissue you might be thinking connective tissue you might be thinking okay well what the heck are these okay well what the heck are these okay well what the heck are these foreign invaders that potentially can foreign invaders that potentially can foreign invaders that potentially can trigger this because again it's assumed trigger this because again it's assumed trigger this because again it's assumed oh well the immune system just goes oh well the immune system just goes oh well the immune system just goes rogue and starts to attack parts of the rogue and starts to attack parts of the rogue and starts to attack parts of the body so it is not limited to these body so it is not limited to these body so it is not limited to these things but the most most common things but the most most common things but the most most common organisms that I find that are organisms that I find that are organisms that I find that are associated with different kids and this associated with different kids and this associated with different kids and this includes neurological disorders that are includes neurological disorders that are includes neurological disorders that are autoimmune is Lyme disease specifically autoimmune is Lyme disease specifically autoimmune is Lyme disease specifically triggered by the bacteria called triggered by the bacteria called triggered by the bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi Borrelia burgdorferi Borrelia burgdorferi the other one being syphilis which I'm the other one being syphilis which I'm the other one being syphilis which I'm gonna elaborate further on because many gonna elaborate further on because many gonna elaborate further on because many people think syphilis is long gone it is people think syphilis is long gone it is people think syphilis is long gone it is not even something that is part of not even something that is part of not even something that is part of society anymore and also everybody society anymore and also everybody society anymore and also everybody thinks that it is sexually transmitted thinks that it is sexually transmitted thinks that it is sexually transmitted which is also not true the other one is which is also not true the other one is which is also not true the other one is strep yes the strep that gets into your strep yes the strep that gets into your strep yes the strep that gets into your throat I have found strep in people's throat I have found strep in people's throat I have found strep in people's knees in people's um heart I found it in knees in people's um heart I found it in knees in people's um heart I found it in woman's uterus that are dealing with woman's uterus that are dealing with woman's uterus that are dealing with polyps or uterine fibroids in addition polyps or uterine fibroids in addition polyps or uterine fibroids in addition the other one associated with autoimmune the other one associated with autoimmune the other one associated with autoimmune conditions of the hands including conditions of the hands including conditions of the hands including rheumatoid arthritis is mold rheumatoid arthritis is mold rheumatoid arthritis is mold okay so let's elaborate further on this okay so let's elaborate further on this okay so let's elaborate further on this so when we are talking about Lyme so when we are talking about Lyme so when we are talking about Lyme disease this bacteria called Borrelia disease this bacteria called Borrelia disease this bacteria called Borrelia and the other being syphilis these are and the other being syphilis these are and the other being syphilis these are two different bacterias that are two different bacterias that are two different bacterias that are classified as spirochetes so think of a classified as spirochetes so think of a classified as spirochetes so think of a spirochete as a spirochete as a spirochete as a corkscrew-shaped worm corkscrew-shaped worm corkscrew-shaped worm so what happens is you get infected with so what happens is you get infected with so what happens is you get infected with either one of these organisms that can either one of these organisms that can either one of these organisms that can come from either a tick bite a spider come from either a tick bite a spider come from either a tick bite a spider bite a mosquito bite it can be sexually bite a mosquito bite it can be sexually bite a mosquito bite it can be sexually transmitted it could be passed down from transmitted it could be passed down from transmitted it could be passed down from mom all of those are possibilities so mom all of those are possibilities so mom all of those are possibilities so you get exposed to this bacteria it you get exposed to this bacteria it you get exposed to this bacteria it moves through your body and then it moves through your body and then it moves through your body and then it finds vulnerable tissue so if you had a finds vulnerable tissue so if you had a finds vulnerable tissue so if you had a ton of urinary tract infections when you ton of urinary tract infections when you ton of urinary tract infections when you were young your bladder or urinary tract were young your bladder or urinary tract were young your bladder or urinary tract might be susceptible vulnerable tissue might be susceptible vulnerable tissue might be susceptible vulnerable tissue if you were a basketball player or a if you were a basketball player or a if you were a basketball player or a soccer player and you banged up your soccer player and you banged up your soccer player and you banged up your knees that could be vulnerable tissue if knees that could be vulnerable tissue if knees that could be vulnerable tissue if you've had constant gut issues most of you've had constant gut issues most of you've had constant gut issues most of your life that can be your susceptible your life that can be your susceptible your life that can be your susceptible tissue so it's really a matter of what tissue so it's really a matter of what tissue so it's really a matter of what tissue has been inflamed or damaged tissue has been inflamed or damaged tissue has been inflamed or damaged that's where this organism it's gonna that's where this organism it's gonna that's where this organism it's gonna find that tissue it's going to corkscrew find that tissue it's going to corkscrew find that tissue it's going to corkscrew itself into that tissue and that's gonna itself into that tissue and that's gonna itself into that tissue and that's gonna be its new home so this helps you to be its new home so this helps you to be its new home so this helps you to understand why when you're doing understand why when you're doing understand why when you're doing traditional blood work you're traditional blood work you're traditional blood work you're potentially not finding these things and potentially not finding these things and potentially not finding these things and it's because it's in your connective it's because it's in your connective it's because it's in your connective tissue it is not in your blood these tissue it is not in your blood these tissue it is not in your blood these things are burrowed they're hiding so things are burrowed they're hiding so things are burrowed they're hiding so you have to use very specific labs and you have to use very specific labs and you have to use very specific labs and very specific strategies to figure this very specific strategies to figure this very specific strategies to figure this out so for those of you that are like out so for those of you that are like out so for those of you that are like I've been tested for live they tested it I've been tested for live they tested it I've been tested for live they tested it in my blood that was negative that test in my blood that was negative that test in my blood that was negative that test is not good enough you have to do it in is not good enough you have to do it in is not good enough you have to do it in the right way you need to work with the right way you need to work with the right way you need to work with physicians that are lyme literate that physicians that are lyme literate that physicians that are lyme literate that know what they're doing and syphilis know what they're doing and syphilis know what they're doing and syphilis nobody is testing for syphilis but the nobody is testing for syphilis but the nobody is testing for syphilis but the fascinating thing about syphilis is that fascinating thing about syphilis is that fascinating thing about syphilis is that it is the great imitator of psoriasis so it is the great imitator of psoriasis so it is the great imitator of psoriasis so sometimes it's Rises sometimes it's sometimes it's Rises sometimes it's sometimes it's Rises sometimes it's eczema patches sometimes it's hives eczema patches sometimes it's hives eczema patches sometimes it's hives syphilis has a huge manifestation in the syphilis has a huge manifestation in the syphilis has a huge manifestation in the skin and syphilis again is not going to skin and syphilis again is not going to skin and syphilis again is not going to always be always be always be transmitted sexually this can be passed transmitted sexually this can be passed transmitted sexually this can be passed in many many different ways but both of in many many different ways but both of in many many different ways but both of these organisms are spirochetes that these organisms are spirochetes that these organisms are spirochetes that corkscrew themselves into connective corkscrew themselves into connective corkscrew themselves into connective tissue and that is one of the primary tissue and that is one of the primary tissue and that is one of the primary reasons why you can develop these reasons why you can develop these reasons why you can develop these autoimmune connective tissue disorders autoimmune connective tissue disorders autoimmune connective tissue disorders literally you're going to have your literally you're going to have your literally you're going to have your immune system come to the scene target immune system come to the scene target immune system come to the scene target the bacteria and try to kill it off that the bacteria and try to kill it off that the bacteria and try to kill it off that is its job but it will start to create is its job but it will start to create is its job but it will start to create an inflammatory breakdown process in an inflammatory breakdown process in an inflammatory breakdown process in that connective tissue that eventually that connective tissue that eventually that connective tissue that eventually will cause a positive AAA in your blood will cause a positive AAA in your blood will cause a positive AAA in your blood work which will then be deemed some type work which will then be deemed some type work which will then be deemed some type of autoimmune connective tissue disorder of autoimmune connective tissue disorder of autoimmune connective tissue disorder so this is two of the most common that I so this is two of the most common that I so this is two of the most common that I see in addition to that the strep so for see in addition to that the strep so for see in addition to that the strep so for those of you asking about the autoimmune those of you asking about the autoimmune those of you asking about the autoimmune neurological disorders so one of the neurological disorders so one of the neurological disorders so one of the most fascinating things about strep it most fascinating things about strep it most fascinating things about strep it is now being acknowledged but it is is now being acknowledged but it is is now being acknowledged but it is being acknowledged mainly in pediatric being acknowledged mainly in pediatric being acknowledged mainly in pediatric cases in cases like pandas so pandas is cases in cases like pandas so pandas is cases in cases like pandas so pandas is pediatric autoimmune pediatric autoimmune pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric neuropsychiatric neuropsychiatric streptococcal disorder so literally streptococcal disorder so literally streptococcal disorder so literally let's break that down and make it super let's break that down and make it super let's break that down and make it super simple strep is getting into the simple strep is getting into the simple strep is getting into the cardiovascular system it's traveling up cardiovascular system it's traveling up cardiovascular system it's traveling up to the brain and then the immune system to the brain and then the immune system to the brain and then the immune system is coming to the scene to be like oh my is coming to the scene to be like oh my is coming to the scene to be like oh my gosh this is bad get rid of it get rid gosh this is bad get rid of it get rid gosh this is bad get rid of it get rid of it get rid of it but it is then of it get rid of it but it is then of it get rid of it but it is then causing an autoimmune inflammatory causing an autoimmune inflammatory causing an autoimmune inflammatory reaction in the brain reaction in the brain reaction in the brain so I commonly see that strep is so I commonly see that strep is so I commonly see that strep is associated with either autoimmune associated with either autoimmune associated with either autoimmune neurological disorders but I also see neurological disorders but I also see neurological disorders but I also see that it is very common an autoimmune that it is very common an autoimmune that it is very common an autoimmune connective tissue disorders that are connective tissue disorders that are connective tissue disorders that are affecting the cardiovascular system so affecting the cardiovascular system so affecting the cardiovascular system so these are people that have potentially these are people that have potentially these are people that have potentially had different types of aneurysms or have had different types of aneurysms or have had different types of aneurysms or have had strokes or have been diagnosed with had strokes or have been diagnosed with had strokes or have been diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome these are very antiphospholipid syndrome these are very antiphospholipid syndrome these are very very very tied to strep because as strep very very tied to strep because as strep very very tied to strep because as strep gets into the tonsils it could get into gets into the tonsils it could get into gets into the tonsils it could get into the lymph then it gets into the blood the lymph then it gets into the blood the lymph then it gets into the blood and then it starts to affect the and then it starts to affect the and then it starts to affect the cardiovascular system and this is not my cardiovascular system and this is not my cardiovascular system and this is not my opinion or new information if you've opinion or new information if you've opinion or new information if you've ever heard you ever hear how when kids ever heard you ever hear how when kids ever heard you ever hear how when kids have strep the doctors freak out and say have strep the doctors freak out and say have strep the doctors freak out and say you have to do antibiotics the reason you have to do antibiotics the reason you have to do antibiotics the reason being is because being is because being is because there is a known condition called there is a known condition called there is a known condition called rheumatic fever rheumatic fever is when rheumatic fever rheumatic fever is when rheumatic fever rheumatic fever is when the strep gets into the heart and that the strep gets into the heart and that the strep gets into the heart and that is very serious so when you're talking is very serious so when you're talking is very serious so when you're talking about strep mobilizing and getting into about strep mobilizing and getting into about strep mobilizing and getting into the cardiovascular system that is the cardiovascular system that is the cardiovascular system that is actually very common so unfortunately actually very common so unfortunately actually very common so unfortunately when I do my testing I find that many when I do my testing I find that many when I do my testing I find that many people have had rheumatic carditis in people have had rheumatic carditis in people have had rheumatic carditis in their past and now they have random their past and now they have random their past and now they have random heart popu tations mitral valve prolapse heart popu tations mitral valve prolapse heart popu tations mitral valve prolapse or they have a heart arrhythmia and they or they have a heart arrhythmia and they or they have a heart arrhythmia and they get told this and they're like oh we get told this and they're like oh we get told this and they're like oh we don't know why you just have that and don't know why you just have that and don't know why you just have that and it's actually because strap have gotten it's actually because strap have gotten it's actually because strap have gotten into their pericardium so these into their pericardium so these into their pericardium so these infections are not uncommon they are so infections are not uncommon they are so infections are not uncommon they are so common but it's more so the question we common but it's more so the question we common but it's more so the question we need to ask is why are some of some need to ask is why are some of some need to ask is why are some of some people walking around with these people walking around with these people walking around with these infections that are totally benign no infections that are totally benign no infections that are totally benign no symptoms functioning fine and why are symptoms functioning fine and why are symptoms functioning fine and why are some people having such a significant some people having such a significant some people having such a significant immune reaction so again I want you to immune reaction so again I want you to immune reaction so again I want you to understand this because I don't you just understand this because I don't you just understand this because I don't you just sit here and think oh my gosh I need to sit here and think oh my gosh I need to sit here and think oh my gosh I need to go to Al I'm literate doctor this sounds go to Al I'm literate doctor this sounds go to Al I'm literate doctor this sounds like me and then you get put on these like me and then you get put on these like me and then you get put on these high high dose antibiotics and you hope high high dose antibiotics and you hope high high dose antibiotics and you hope for the best because I had lime in my for the best because I had lime in my for the best because I had lime in my system and I technically I had some system and I technically I had some system and I technically I had some heart flutters but I didn't ever develop heart flutters but I didn't ever develop heart flutters but I didn't ever develop lupus I didn't ever have joint pain I lupus I didn't ever have joint pain I lupus I didn't ever have joint pain I was never bedridden because my immune was never bedridden because my immune was never bedridden because my immune system was functioning optimally to to system was functioning optimally to to system was functioning optimally to to deal with it so it's why is your immune deal with it so it's why is your immune deal with it so it's why is your immune system reacting so poorly is it because system reacting so poorly is it because system reacting so poorly is it because of chemical toxicity is it because of chemical toxicity is it because of chemical toxicity is it because you're mentally and emotionally stressed you're mentally and emotionally stressed you're mentally and emotionally stressed out is it because you don't sleep is it out is it because you don't sleep is it out is it because you don't sleep is it because you hate your job is it because because you hate your job is it because because you hate your job is it because of all of these other reasons you have of all of these other reasons you have of all of these other reasons you have to dig deeper than just saying I have to dig deeper than just saying I have to dig deeper than just saying I have Lyme disease and that's why I have lupus Lyme disease and that's why I have lupus Lyme disease and that's why I have lupus and I'm just gonna take antibiotics and and I'm just gonna take antibiotics and and I'm just gonna take antibiotics and call it a day it's more to it because call it a day it's more to it because call it a day it's more to it because unfortunately many of the people that I unfortunately many of the people that I unfortunately many of the people that I work with went down that road of going work with went down that road of going work with went down that road of going on a killing spree and trying to kill on a killing spree and trying to kill on a killing spree and trying to kill kill kill all of these infections are kill kill all of these infections are kill kill all of these infections are buying the mold or killed a strap and buying the mold or killed a strap and buying the mold or killed a strap and they didn't get better because there they didn't get better because there they didn't get better because there were more pieces to the puzzle so it's were more pieces to the puzzle so it's were more pieces to the puzzle so it's very very significant to understand that very very significant to understand that very very significant to understand that it's not just about the infection it's it's not just about the infection it's it's not just about the infection it's also about why is your immune system also about why is your immune system also about why is your immune system reacting so poorly reacting so poorly reacting so poorly so with all of that being said I want so with all of that being said I want so with all of that being said I want you to understand you don't know you you to understand you don't know you you to understand you don't know you don't know it's impossible for you to don't know it's impossible for you to don't know it's impossible for you to know is there you know is your know is there you know is your know is there you know is your connective tissue compromised because connective tissue compromised because connective tissue compromised because you have mold toxicity is it compromised you have mold toxicity is it compromised you have mold toxicity is it compromised because you potentially have some type because you potentially have some type because you potentially have some type of spirochete infection you will never of spirochete infection you will never of spirochete infection you will never know these things unless you do better know these things unless you do better know these things unless you do better testing and you also have a physician testing and you also have a physician testing and you also have a physician whose PC excuse me the puzzle together whose PC excuse me the puzzle together whose PC excuse me the puzzle together for you and we need to stop accepting for you and we need to stop accepting for you and we need to stop accepting symptoms as our new normal or just make symptoms as our new normal or just make symptoms as our new normal or just make peace with oh I have lupus and I just peace with oh I have lupus and I just peace with oh I have lupus and I just have to manage this for the rest of my have to manage this for the rest of my have to manage this for the rest of my life because this is not about bad genes life because this is not about bad genes life because this is not about bad genes or bad family history this is about your or bad family history this is about your or bad family history this is about your immune system is being triggered by immune system is being triggered by immune system is being triggered by something that someone didn't figure out something that someone didn't figure out something that someone didn't figure out yet yet yet so this was a really interesting patient so this was a really interesting patient so this was a really interesting patient and for those of you that are familiar and for those of you that are familiar and for those of you that are familiar with one of my mentors dr. Klink Hart with one of my mentors dr. Klink Hart with one of my mentors dr. Klink Hart this is something that's honestly being this is something that's honestly being this is something that's honestly being uncovered more in the past two years is uncovered more in the past two years is uncovered more in the past two years is this conversation about very specific this conversation about very specific this conversation about very specific viruses that compromise the immune viruses that compromise the immune viruses that compromise the immune system so for those of you that are here system so for those of you that are here system so for those of you that are here that have been down the road of that have been down the road of that have been down the road of functional medicine integrative medicine functional medicine integrative medicine functional medicine integrative medicine and you've been trying that route for and you've been trying that route for and you've been trying that route for your autoimmune condition and you're your autoimmune condition and you're your autoimmune condition and you're still not getting better there is a still not getting better there is a still not getting better there is a piece of the puzzle that has not piece of the puzzle that has not piece of the puzzle that has not necessarily been acknowledged because necessarily been acknowledged because necessarily been acknowledged because this is new research and new information this is new research and new information this is new research and new information so this specific patient she came to us so this specific patient she came to us so this specific patient she came to us um I guess about a year ago and she came um I guess about a year ago and she came um I guess about a year ago and she came in she's about 48 years old I'm she had in she's about 48 years old I'm she had in she's about 48 years old I'm she had a ten year history of lupus and she was a ten year history of lupus and she was a ten year history of lupus and she was managing her lupus with Plaquenil which managing her lupus with Plaquenil which managing her lupus with Plaquenil which is an immunosuppressive drug so we is an immunosuppressive drug so we is an immunosuppressive drug so we worked with her and she actually did worked with her and she actually did worked with her and she actually did quite well quite well quite well but I just felt there were so many ups but I just felt there were so many ups but I just felt there were so many ups and downs she would do so well and then and downs she would do so well and then and downs she would do so well and then all of a sudden she would have a flare all of a sudden she would have a flare all of a sudden she would have a flare and take steps backwards and then she and take steps backwards and then she and take steps backwards and then she would do really well and then she would would do really well and then she would would do really well and then she would take steps backwards and for me I know take steps backwards and for me I know take steps backwards and for me I know one of my personal values in my health one of my personal values in my health one of my personal values in my health which I carry over into how I practice which I carry over into how I practice which I carry over into how I practice as a physician is I want to create as a physician is I want to create as a physician is I want to create sustainable changes I don't want to sustainable changes I don't want to sustainable changes I don't want to create a dynamic that my patients have create a dynamic that my patients have create a dynamic that my patients have to see me forever and ever and ever to see me forever and ever and ever to see me forever and ever and ever because all we're doing is managing because all we're doing is managing because all we're doing is managing their symptoms my goal is to help my their symptoms my goal is to help my their symptoms my goal is to help my patients resolve the root cause of patients resolve the root cause of patients resolve the root cause of everything so with that being said these everything so with that being said these everything so with that being said these ups and downs just kept me questioning ups and downs just kept me questioning ups and downs just kept me questioning like what am I missing what am I missing like what am I missing what am I missing like what am I missing what am I missing and I went to a conference with one of and I went to a conference with one of and I went to a conference with one of my mentors dr. Klink Hart and he was my mentors dr. Klink Hart and he was my mentors dr. Klink Hart and he was talking about some of the new research talking about some of the new research talking about some of the new research in relation to retroviruses so what's in relation to retroviruses so what's in relation to retroviruses so what's interesting about these retroviruses is interesting about these retroviruses is interesting about these retroviruses is that one of the known retroviruses is that one of the known retroviruses is that one of the known retroviruses is HIV HIV HIV which we all know as being the most which we all know as being the most which we all know as being the most immunosuppressive virus that exists that immunosuppressive virus that exists that immunosuppressive virus that exists that usually is you know fatal to many people usually is you know fatal to many people usually is you know fatal to many people and I'm not saying that this woman had and I'm not saying that this woman had and I'm not saying that this woman had HIV but she had something called a HIV but she had something called a HIV but she had something called a retrovirus which is in the same family retrovirus which is in the same family retrovirus which is in the same family and the thing to understand about this and the thing to understand about this and the thing to understand about this like this was the most fascinating part like this was the most fascinating part like this was the most fascinating part to me is that retroviruses have been part of all of retroviruses have been part of all of retroviruses have been part of all of our DNA for thousands of years our DNA for thousands of years our DNA for thousands of years but most of the time they have been but most of the time they have been but most of the time they have been silenced so when they become active silenced so when they become active silenced so when they become active because of chemical environmental because of chemical environmental because of chemical environmental emotional stress then they can become emotional stress then they can become emotional stress then they can become very compromising to the immune system very compromising to the immune system very compromising to the immune system and be a trigger for autoimmune and be a trigger for autoimmune and be a trigger for autoimmune conditions conditions conditions so my question was is well if these so my question was is well if these so my question was is well if these viruses are so harmful to our immune viruses are so harmful to our immune viruses are so harmful to our immune system why why are they part of our DNA system why why are they part of our DNA system why why are they part of our DNA so so so what what came to light is that when what what came to light is that when what what came to light is that when female specifically get pregnant female specifically get pregnant female specifically get pregnant the you would question okay if a female the you would question okay if a female the you would question okay if a female is pregnant and she is essentially is pregnant and she is essentially is pregnant and she is essentially growing another human that is foreign to growing another human that is foreign to growing another human that is foreign to her body why wouldn't her immune system her body why wouldn't her immune system her body why wouldn't her immune system attack the baby attack the baby attack the baby so one of the reasons is because one of so one of the reasons is because one of so one of the reasons is because one of these retroviruses becomes activated these retroviruses becomes activated these retroviruses becomes activated during pregnancy to shut down the part during pregnancy to shut down the part during pregnancy to shut down the part of your immune system that would attack of your immune system that would attack of your immune system that would attack the baby like how freaking crazy is that the baby like how freaking crazy is that the baby like how freaking crazy is that like that is so crazy to me that is so like that is so crazy to me that is so like that is so crazy to me that is so freaking fascinating I am like never I freaking fascinating I am like never I freaking fascinating I am like never I am always so fascinated by the body the am always so fascinated by the body the am always so fascinated by the body the more and more that I learn and how more and more that I learn and how more and more that I learn and how amazing and complex that it is so the amazing and complex that it is so the amazing and complex that it is so the point of me telling you this is that point of me telling you this is that point of me telling you this is that these retroviruses serve a purpose at these retroviruses serve a purpose at these retroviruses serve a purpose at certain times in our life certain times in our life certain times in our life because of all of the stress that our because of all of the stress that our because of all of the stress that our bodies are under with all of the Wi-Fi bodies are under with all of the Wi-Fi bodies are under with all of the Wi-Fi the Bluetooth the working long hours the Bluetooth the working long hours the Bluetooth the working long hours burning the candle at both ends burning the candle at both ends burning the candle at both ends comparison game on social media living comparison game on social media living comparison game on social media living up to everybody's expectations working up to everybody's expectations working up to everybody's expectations working in New York City and commuting and doing in New York City and commuting and doing in New York City and commuting and doing 15 16-hour days like these things are 15 16-hour days like these things are 15 16-hour days like these things are activating these retroviruses and these activating these retroviruses and these activating these retroviruses and these retroviruses are compromising our immune retroviruses are compromising our immune retroviruses are compromising our immune system and they are not allowing us to system and they are not allowing us to system and they are not allowing us to bounce back from just a flu or it's not bounce back from just a flu or it's not bounce back from just a flu or it's not allowing us to heal even with our allowing us to heal even with our allowing us to heal even with our efforts from these autoimmune conditions efforts from these autoimmune conditions efforts from these autoimmune conditions so if you're the person who's tried so if you're the person who's tried so if you're the person who's tried everything and you've done so much and everything and you've done so much and everything and you've done so much and you've hit a million roadblocks you you've hit a million roadblocks you you've hit a million roadblocks you might be dealing with a retrovirus and might be dealing with a retrovirus and might be dealing with a retrovirus and there are very simple ways that you can there are very simple ways that you can there are very simple ways that you can test this to uncover is this part of the test this to uncover is this part of the test this to uncover is this part of the puzzle puzzle puzzle so one of the biggest myths around so one of the biggest myths around so one of the biggest myths around autoimmune conditions and really just autoimmune conditions and really just autoimmune conditions and really just many avenues of health is that your many avenues of health is that your many avenues of health is that your testing is always accurate for those of testing is always accurate for those of testing is always accurate for those of you that have been with me the the full you that have been with me the the full you that have been with me the the full 40 minutes a positive AAA I have run 40 minutes a positive AAA I have run 40 minutes a positive AAA I have run blood work one week apart I've seen a blood work one week apart I've seen a blood work one week apart I've seen a positive ami and then I've seen a positive ami and then I've seen a positive ami and then I've seen a negative a na na is the primary marker negative a na na is the primary marker negative a na na is the primary marker that dictates if you are potentially that dictates if you are potentially that dictates if you are potentially developing a autoimmune connective developing a autoimmune connective developing a autoimmune connective tissue disorder the other thing that's tissue disorder the other thing that's tissue disorder the other thing that's really fascinating about this is if really fascinating about this is if really fascinating about this is if you're a na is positive and your doctor you're a na is positive and your doctor you're a na is positive and your doctor did the reflex test then certain things did the reflex test then certain things did the reflex test then certain things that pop up will indicate is this that pop up will indicate is this that pop up will indicate is this scleroderma is this mmm Sjogren's is scleroderma is this mmm Sjogren's is scleroderma is this mmm Sjogren's is this lupus but what I find fascinating this lupus but what I find fascinating this lupus but what I find fascinating is I will run the blood work and is I will run the blood work and is I will run the blood work and technically the markers will be for technically the markers will be for technically the markers will be for lupus but then as I'm talking to the lupus but then as I'm talking to the lupus but then as I'm talking to the patient they're like but I'm so stiff patient they're like but I'm so stiff patient they're like but I'm so stiff I'm so stiff I can't move I can't bend I'm so stiff I can't move I can't bend I'm so stiff I can't move I can't bend my fingers I'm in so much pain it's so my fingers I'm in so much pain it's so my fingers I'm in so much pain it's so hard to get out of bed hard to get out of bed hard to get out of bed and I use my my in-house testing and it and I use my my in-house testing and it and I use my my in-house testing and it reveals that they actually have slurred reveals that they actually have slurred reveals that they actually have slurred Irma so you can't always rely just on Irma so you can't always rely just on Irma so you can't always rely just on these blood work markers you also have these blood work markers you also have these blood work markers you also have to consider what are the symptoms of the to consider what are the symptoms of the to consider what are the symptoms of the patient because your symptoms matter and patient because your symptoms matter and patient because your symptoms matter and they do not deserve to be ignored they a they do not deserve to be ignored they a they do not deserve to be ignored they a hundred percent are significant because hundred percent are significant because hundred percent are significant because there is limitations with any test that there is limitations with any test that there is limitations with any test that you use that's why through our you use that's why through our you use that's why through our onboarding process I use five different onboarding process I use five different onboarding process I use five different types of technology with blood work and types of technology with blood work and types of technology with blood work and I put that all together with your I put that all together with your I put that all together with your history to understand the bigger picture history to understand the bigger picture history to understand the bigger picture I'm not sitting there relying on one I'm not sitting there relying on one I'm not sitting there relying on one test because that is what made me run test because that is what made me run test because that is what made me run into roadblocks with my patients in the into roadblocks with my patients in the into roadblocks with my patients in the past and I have worked very hard to try past and I have worked very hard to try past and I have worked very hard to try to evolve my my diagnostic process so to evolve my my diagnostic process so to evolve my my diagnostic process so that I can understand the route from day that I can understand the route from day that I can understand the route from day one and help put you on the right path one and help put you on the right path one and help put you on the right path as soon as possible and the other thing as soon as possible and the other thing as soon as possible and the other thing too about this infectious disease too about this infectious disease too about this infectious disease testing is that if you have been with me testing is that if you have been with me testing is that if you have been with me the whole time we talked about how these the whole time we talked about how these the whole time we talked about how these connective tissue disorders can be tied connective tissue disorders can be tied connective tissue disorders can be tied to strep they can be tied to Lyme to strep they can be tied to Lyme to strep they can be tied to Lyme disease they can be tied to syphilis disease they can be tied to syphilis disease they can be tied to syphilis even so the infectious disease testing even so the infectious disease testing even so the infectious disease testing is only being done by infectious disease is only being done by infectious disease is only being done by infectious disease physicians physicians physicians nobody's going to an infectious disease nobody's going to an infectious disease nobody's going to an infectious disease doctor unless you have reoccurring doctor unless you have reoccurring doctor unless you have reoccurring fevers that nobody can figure out or if fevers that nobody can figure out or if fevers that nobody can figure out or if you have reoccurring diarrhea that's not you have reoccurring diarrhea that's not you have reoccurring diarrhea that's not going away so a lot of times you're not going away so a lot of times you're not going away so a lot of times you're not being tested properly for these being tested properly for these being tested properly for these infectious diseases and then in addition infectious diseases and then in addition infectious diseases and then in addition if your doctor is ooh lets rule out Lyme if your doctor is ooh lets rule out Lyme if your doctor is ooh lets rule out Lyme disease your traditional run-of-the-mill disease your traditional run-of-the-mill disease your traditional run-of-the-mill Lyme panel through LabCorp and quest is Lyme panel through LabCorp and quest is Lyme panel through LabCorp and quest is a crap test it's not a good test so it's a crap test it's not a good test so it's a crap test it's not a good test so it's really a matter of knowing that not all really a matter of knowing that not all really a matter of knowing that not all of this testing is always going to give of this testing is always going to give of this testing is always going to give you the whole picture and you the whole picture and you the whole picture and this is kind of the example that I gave this is kind of the example that I gave this is kind of the example that I gave earlier if I wanted to give you guys a earlier if I wanted to give you guys a earlier if I wanted to give you guys a visual because I know this is not always visual because I know this is not always visual because I know this is not always the easiest to process but looking for the easiest to process but looking for the easiest to process but looking for Lyme disease when you're when physicians Lyme disease when you're when physicians Lyme disease when you're when physicians are looking for Lyme and if they're are looking for Lyme and if they're are looking for Lyme and if they're looking for it through a spinal tap or looking for it through a spinal tap or looking for it through a spinal tap or they're even looking at looking for it they're even looking at looking for it they're even looking at looking for it through a biopsy they're always looking through a biopsy they're always looking through a biopsy they're always looking for the spirochetes the spirochetes are for the spirochetes the spirochetes are for the spirochetes the spirochetes are I don't know if that actually works but I don't know if that actually works but I don't know if that actually works but the spirochetes are these squiggly the spirochetes are these squiggly the spirochetes are these squiggly things that I circled here so the thing things that I circled here so the thing things that I circled here so the thing about the squiggly is is that they don't about the squiggly is is that they don't about the squiggly is is that they don't always look like that so most of the always look like that so most of the always look like that so most of the time when you're looking at a biopsy or time when you're looking at a biopsy or time when you're looking at a biopsy or looking at a spinal tap the spirochetes looking at a spinal tap the spirochetes looking at a spinal tap the spirochetes they revert back into what you see on they revert back into what you see on they revert back into what you see on the left circled in the red which is the left circled in the red which is the left circled in the red which is called a bleb or a round body cysts so called a bleb or a round body cysts so called a bleb or a round body cysts so when you're talking about Lyme as a when you're talking about Lyme as a when you're talking about Lyme as a bacteria it is the triki triki triki bacteria it is the triki triki triki bacteria it is the triki triki triki bacteria it is very hard to diagnose bacteria it is very hard to diagnose bacteria it is very hard to diagnose properly because it changes form properly because it changes form properly because it changes form depending on where it is in the body it depending on where it is in the body it depending on where it is in the body it also hides and burrows itself so again also hides and burrows itself so again also hides and burrows itself so again it's just reiterating that not always is it's just reiterating that not always is it's just reiterating that not always is your testing going to be a hundred your testing going to be a hundred your testing going to be a hundred percent accurate so I have kind of talked about this with so I have kind of talked about this with so I have kind of talked about this with a case study that I mentioned about the a case study that I mentioned about the a case study that I mentioned about the woman with her left hand so when we're woman with her left hand so when we're woman with her left hand so when we're talking about these autoimmune talking about these autoimmune talking about these autoimmune conditions I have found that emotional conditions I have found that emotional conditions I have found that emotional ties are so freaking significant I am so ties are so freaking significant I am so ties are so freaking significant I am so sorry for the noise sorry for the noise sorry for the noise but one of the fascinating things about but one of the fascinating things about but one of the fascinating things about the hands because lupus and surgery the hands because lupus and surgery the hands because lupus and surgery might have a tendency to affect the might have a tendency to affect the might have a tendency to affect the hands pretty tremendously and even hands pretty tremendously and even hands pretty tremendously and even rheumatoid arthritis and one of the big rheumatoid arthritis and one of the big rheumatoid arthritis and one of the big ties to that is what are you holding on ties to that is what are you holding on ties to that is what are you holding on to is there something that you haven't to is there something that you haven't to is there something that you haven't been able to let go is there a bad job been able to let go is there a bad job been able to let go is there a bad job you're holding on to is there a you're holding on to is there a you're holding on to is there a relationship you're holding on to you is relationship you're holding on to you is relationship you're holding on to you is there a grudge that you're holding the there a grudge that you're holding the there a grudge that you're holding the gut um this was something really gut um this was something really gut um this was something really significant that came up not too long significant that came up not too long significant that came up not too long ago for me and it was specifically I was ago for me and it was specifically I was ago for me and it was specifically I was getting weird sensations in my which is getting weird sensations in my which is getting weird sensations in my which is tied to your large intestine and I also tied to your large intestine and I also tied to your large intestine and I also had a rash on my thumb and my pointer had a rash on my thumb and my pointer had a rash on my thumb and my pointer finger and it was only in that area finger and it was only in that area finger and it was only in that area so when it comes to the thumb and the so when it comes to the thumb and the so when it comes to the thumb and the pointer finger those are meridians and pointer finger those are meridians and pointer finger those are meridians and those meridians are connected if the those meridians are connected if the those meridians are connected if the large intestine and the lung so the lung large intestine and the lung so the lung large intestine and the lung so the lung is about Greece and the large intestine is about Greece and the large intestine is about Greece and the large intestine is about elimination so one of the is about elimination so one of the is about elimination so one of the Chinese medicine doctors that I was Chinese medicine doctors that I was Chinese medicine doctors that I was working with is he said you know when working with is he said you know when working with is he said you know when you're dealing with a large intestine you're dealing with a large intestine you're dealing with a large intestine issue a lot of times is like what are issue a lot of times is like what are issue a lot of times is like what are you not willing to eliminate out of your you not willing to eliminate out of your you not willing to eliminate out of your life and it was a very interesting life and it was a very interesting life and it was a very interesting it was very significant to me at that it was very significant to me at that it was very significant to me at that time because I was going through a time because I was going through a time because I was going through a pretty significant transition personally pretty significant transition personally pretty significant transition personally and there were things that I was really and there were things that I was really and there were things that I was really scared of letting go of her or scared of letting go of her or scared of letting go of her or eliminating out of my life there was a eliminating out of my life there was a eliminating out of my life there was a lot of fear around that and there was lot of fear around that and there was lot of fear around that and there was also a little bit of grief around moving also a little bit of grief around moving also a little bit of grief around moving on from that so it's just so fascinating on from that so it's just so fascinating on from that so it's just so fascinating that these things pop up at different that these things pop up at different that these things pop up at different times but they can truly affect us from times but they can truly affect us from times but they can truly affect us from a physiological standpoint and knees and a physiological standpoint and knees and a physiological standpoint and knees and ankles I know that this is another ankles I know that this is another ankles I know that this is another really really common area that gets really really common area that gets really really common area that gets affected when we're dealing with these affected when we're dealing with these affected when we're dealing with these autoimmune conditions and knees and autoimmune conditions and knees and autoimmune conditions and knees and ankles has a lot of significance to you ankles has a lot of significance to you ankles has a lot of significance to you know what are you fearing moving forward know what are you fearing moving forward know what are you fearing moving forward from or why are you scared of taking from or why are you scared of taking from or why are you scared of taking that next step or what are you scared of that next step or what are you scared of that next step or what are you scared of walking away from so it's a very very walking away from so it's a very very walking away from so it's a very very interesting thing and it's not about interesting thing and it's not about interesting thing and it's not about everybody needing you know deep everybody needing you know deep everybody needing you know deep emotional work or talk therapy this is emotional work or talk therapy this is emotional work or talk therapy this is really just about really just about really just about sometimes it's just acknowledgement sometimes it's just acknowledgement sometimes it's just acknowledgement acknowledging that that piece is part of acknowledging that that piece is part of acknowledging that that piece is part of your health puzzle some of it is using your health puzzle some of it is using your health puzzle some of it is using methods like acupuncture or using one of methods like acupuncture or using one of methods like acupuncture or using one of the things that we use that is is a the things that we use that is is a the things that we use that is is a Chinese medicine meridian based Chinese medicine meridian based Chinese medicine meridian based technologies called the bioscan and some technologies called the bioscan and some technologies called the bioscan and some of it is just been balancing out of it is just been balancing out of it is just been balancing out something called your chakras can help something called your chakras can help something called your chakras can help you lift the burden of some of these you lift the burden of some of these you lift the burden of some of these things that you're holding so it's not things that you're holding so it's not things that you're holding so it's not again unnecessarily about therapy it's again unnecessarily about therapy it's again unnecessarily about therapy it's just about knowledge meant and using just about knowledge meant and using just about knowledge meant and using different methods that are congruent for different methods that are congruent for different methods that are congruent for your body to release these things so this was specifically a patient she so this was specifically a patient she so this was specifically a patient she presented with I put quote/unquote presented with I put quote/unquote presented with I put quote/unquote thyroid issues because she had a lot of thyroid issues because she had a lot of thyroid issues because she had a lot of symptoms that many women come to me with symptoms that many women come to me with symptoms that many women come to me with that are like oh it's my thyroid where that are like oh it's my thyroid where that are like oh it's my thyroid where it's my hormones so she was very cold it's my hormones so she was very cold it's my hormones so she was very cold all the time she had a really cold hands all the time she had a really cold hands all the time she had a really cold hands and feet technically had Raynaud's and feet technically had Raynaud's and feet technically had Raynaud's phenomenon which is when your hands and phenomenon which is when your hands and phenomenon which is when your hands and feet have really poor circulation her feet have really poor circulation her feet have really poor circulation her hair was falling out and again she was hair was falling out and again she was hair was falling out and again she was like dealing with some varicose vein like dealing with some varicose vein like dealing with some varicose vein issues she definitely knew that her issues she definitely knew that her issues she definitely knew that her circulatory system wasn't working at its circulatory system wasn't working at its circulatory system wasn't working at its best she was also dealing with some best she was also dealing with some best she was also dealing with some dizziness and some fainting occasionally dizziness and some fainting occasionally dizziness and some fainting occasionally not all the time just occasionally so not all the time just occasionally so not all the time just occasionally so with all of this it's very easy for us with all of this it's very easy for us with all of this it's very easy for us females to peg this as hormonal or females to peg this as hormonal or females to peg this as hormonal or thyroid related but in reality being thyroid related but in reality being thyroid related but in reality being cold having varicose veins being dizzy cold having varicose veins being dizzy cold having varicose veins being dizzy fainting and even hair falling out is fainting and even hair falling out is fainting and even hair falling out is all very circulatory because if your all very circulatory because if your all very circulatory because if your scalp is not getting proper blood supply scalp is not getting proper blood supply scalp is not getting proper blood supply you're going to then have issues with you're going to then have issues with you're going to then have issues with your hair falling out you might also your hair falling out you might also your hair falling out you might also have headaches or migraines or what you have headaches or migraines or what you have headaches or migraines or what you call sinus pressure which is because call sinus pressure which is because call sinus pressure which is because your blood flow in and out of your head your blood flow in and out of your head your blood flow in and out of your head is not working optimally so what I find is not working optimally so what I find is not working optimally so what I find so fascinating is that many women that so fascinating is that many women that so fascinating is that many women that come to me with their quote-unquote come to me with their quote-unquote come to me with their quote-unquote hormonal issues sometimes this ends up hormonal issues sometimes this ends up hormonal issues sometimes this ends up being tied back to an autoimmune being tied back to an autoimmune being tied back to an autoimmune connective tissue disorder like lupus connective tissue disorder like lupus connective tissue disorder like lupus but it's affecting their connective but it's affecting their connective but it's affecting their connective tissue of their cardiovascular system so tissue of their cardiovascular system so tissue of their cardiovascular system so this can cause all of these symptoms this can cause all of these symptoms this can cause all of these symptoms like the cold like the cold like the cold you know cold hands and feed hair you know cold hands and feed hair you know cold hands and feed hair falling out dizziness etc but more falling out dizziness etc but more falling out dizziness etc but more importantly this creates a importantly this creates a importantly this creates a susceptibility for you to be at risk for susceptibility for you to be at risk for susceptibility for you to be at risk for a stroke or for an aneurysm and I'm a stroke or for an aneurysm and I'm a stroke or for an aneurysm and I'm and this late on so the really and this late on so the really and this late on so the really interesting thing about this is that I interesting thing about this is that I interesting thing about this is that I personally again you don't know what you personally again you don't know what you personally again you don't know what you don't know I was a ticking time bomb and don't know I was a ticking time bomb and don't know I was a ticking time bomb and I ended up having a genetic condition I ended up having a genetic condition I ended up having a genetic condition called takayasu's which is actually has called takayasu's which is actually has called takayasu's which is actually has to do with the cardiovascular system and to do with the cardiovascular system and to do with the cardiovascular system and what it does is it makes your connective what it does is it makes your connective what it does is it makes your connective tissue more septa both in your aorta tissue more septa both in your aorta tissue more septa both in your aorta which is the really big vessel that which is the really big vessel that which is the really big vessel that comes off your heart and goes down into comes off your heart and goes down into comes off your heart and goes down into your abdomen it makes it more your abdomen it makes it more your abdomen it makes it more susceptible to having to tearing and susceptible to having to tearing and susceptible to having to tearing and having an aneurysm having an aneurysm having an aneurysm so it was just very fascinating because so it was just very fascinating because so it was just very fascinating because I was having random heart pop you I was having random heart pop you I was having random heart pop you tations I was having random circulatory tations I was having random circulatory tations I was having random circulatory issues issues issues cold hands and feets like really really cold hands and feets like really really cold hands and feets like really really cold feet when I slept I had to wear cold feet when I slept I had to wear cold feet when I slept I had to wear socks when I was sleeping even in the socks when I was sleeping even in the socks when I was sleeping even in the summer so there are all these things summer so there are all these things summer so there are all these things that were again my normal they were no that were again my normal they were no that were again my normal they were no big deal to me you know is just that's big deal to me you know is just that's big deal to me you know is just that's the way my body is and using the the way my body is and using the the way my body is and using the technology that we use in house I was technology that we use in house I was technology that we use in house I was able to see that all of those things able to see that all of those things able to see that all of those things were being contributed to because of were being contributed to because of were being contributed to because of this genetic predisposition that I had this genetic predisposition that I had this genetic predisposition that I had so I'm saying this to you not because so I'm saying this to you not because so I'm saying this to you not because now I'm doomed because that's my now I'm doomed because that's my now I'm doomed because that's my genetics I just now know how to properly genetics I just now know how to properly genetics I just now know how to properly take care of my body in order to take care of my body in order to take care of my body in order to preserve that system and one of the ways preserve that system and one of the ways preserve that system and one of the ways that I do that is making sure that I do that I do that is making sure that I do that I do that is making sure that I do cardiovascular activity like workouts cardiovascular activity like workouts cardiovascular activity like workouts but I also make sure that I keep my but I also make sure that I keep my but I also make sure that I keep my lymphatic system very healthy because lymphatic system very healthy because lymphatic system very healthy because your lymph in your cardiovascular system your lymph in your cardiovascular system your lymph in your cardiovascular system work hand-in-hand so if you're a person work hand-in-hand so if you're a person work hand-in-hand so if you're a person that doesn't sweat or you're constantly that doesn't sweat or you're constantly that doesn't sweat or you're constantly getting swollen glands swollen lymph or getting swollen glands swollen lymph or getting swollen glands swollen lymph or ingrown hairs and your armpits if you're ingrown hairs and your armpits if you're ingrown hairs and your armpits if you're also feeling very puffy very bloated you also feeling very puffy very bloated you also feeling very puffy very bloated you have a lot of cellulite those are all have a lot of cellulite those are all have a lot of cellulite those are all signs that your lymphatic system is not signs that your lymphatic system is not signs that your lymphatic system is not working optimally so it's very very working optimally so it's very very working optimally so it's very very significant to to be able to take these significant to to be able to take these significant to to be able to take these symptoms as not being your normal but symptoms as not being your normal but symptoms as not being your normal but the fact that they potentially have a the fact that they potentially have a the fact that they potentially have a root Hanz and these are things that you root Hanz and these are things that you root Hanz and these are things that you can work on - obviously prevent anything can work on - obviously prevent anything can work on - obviously prevent anything more serious in the future more serious in the future more serious in the future so the biggest myth of them all is that so the biggest myth of them all is that so the biggest myth of them all is that autoimmunity is irreversible and it has autoimmunity is irreversible and it has autoimmunity is irreversible and it has no known cause so I think at this point no known cause so I think at this point no known cause so I think at this point you realize that there is going to be a you realize that there is going to be a you realize that there is going to be a cause but more importantly is that when cause but more importantly is that when cause but more importantly is that when you understand the root anything is you understand the root anything is you understand the root anything is possible possible possible I have seen auto immune markers I have seen auto immune markers I have seen auto immune markers stabilized I have seen a anaise become stabilized I have seen a anaise become stabilized I have seen a anaise become negative and stay negative and these are negative and stay negative and these are negative and stay negative and these are things that people never thought more things that people never thought more things that people never thought more possible and again it's not always just possible and again it's not always just possible and again it's not always just about the autoimmune condition or even about the autoimmune condition or even about the autoimmune condition or even the infections that are to financially the infections that are to financially the infections that are to financially correlated with it it's about why is correlated with it it's about why is correlated with it it's about why is your immune system so reactive why is it your immune system so reactive why is it your immune system so reactive why is it not able to to deal with the different not able to to deal with the different not able to to deal with the different organisms that your body is fighting off organisms that your body is fighting off organisms that your body is fighting off like why is it struggling so much and like why is it struggling so much and like why is it struggling so much and this usually comes back to your body's this usually comes back to your body's this usually comes back to your body's inability to filter the bad stuff out inability to filter the bad stuff out inability to filter the bad stuff out because this is always something that I because this is always something that I because this is always something that I explain to my patients and like holy explain to my patients and like holy explain to my patients and like holy crap that makes a lot of sense but we crap that makes a lot of sense but we crap that makes a lot of sense but we have our bodies are designed to filter have our bodies are designed to filter have our bodies are designed to filter the bad stuff out our bodies are the bad stuff out our bodies are the bad stuff out our bodies are designed to deal with toxins molds designed to deal with toxins molds designed to deal with toxins molds infections viruses all of it but the infections viruses all of it but the infections viruses all of it but the major systems that get rid of the bad major systems that get rid of the bad major systems that get rid of the bad stuff is stuff is stuff is tonsils liver spleen tonsils liver spleen tonsils liver spleen goblet of fatty liver how many people goblet of fatty liver how many people goblet of fatty liver how many people get you have gut issues or have parts of get you have gut issues or have parts of get you have gut issues or have parts of their colon removed how many people are their colon removed how many people are their colon removed how many people are missing in appendix these are missing in appendix these are missing in appendix these are significant things like these are all of significant things like these are all of significant things like these are all of your immune system filtration organs your immune system filtration organs your immune system filtration organs excuse me so instead of a cig Knology excuse me so instead of a cig Knology excuse me so instead of a cig Knology well why did this become compromised or well why did this become compromised or well why did this become compromised or why is this is this organ so overloaded why is this is this organ so overloaded why is this is this organ so overloaded we just remove them and say oh problem we just remove them and say oh problem we just remove them and say oh problem is solved and it's not any of our fault is solved and it's not any of our fault is solved and it's not any of our fault this is just what we're being told it's this is just what we're being told it's this is just what we're being told it's like you don't need an appendix it's a like you don't need an appendix it's a like you don't need an appendix it's a useless organ that's what I always find useless organ that's what I always find useless organ that's what I always find so fascinating when we say things are so fascinating when we say things are so fascinating when we say things are useless I'm like well why would it be to useless I'm like well why would it be to useless I'm like well why would it be to our body if it's completely useless and our body if it's completely useless and our body if it's completely useless and serves no purpose so your appendix is serves no purpose so your appendix is serves no purpose so your appendix is like the primary filter of getting the like the primary filter of getting the like the primary filter of getting the bad stuff out of your gut so if your bad stuff out of your gut so if your bad stuff out of your gut so if your appendix became an appendicitis and appendix became an appendicitis and appendix became an appendicitis and ruptured that's why they say it's deadly ruptured that's why they say it's deadly ruptured that's why they say it's deadly if it ruptures because it pours bacteria if it ruptures because it pours bacteria if it ruptures because it pours bacteria into your bloodstream and you could die into your bloodstream and you could die into your bloodstream and you could die from that so your appendix very much from that so your appendix very much from that so your appendix very much serves a purpose you can survive without serves a purpose you can survive without serves a purpose you can survive without it but the bigger understanding is that it but the bigger understanding is that it but the bigger understanding is that if your appendix got to the point of an if your appendix got to the point of an if your appendix got to the point of an appendicitis that means your gut is appendicitis that means your gut is appendicitis that means your gut is dealing with a boatload of issues so the point is is that if you haven't so the point is is that if you haven't so the point is is that if you haven't gathered this yet is that very rarely do gathered this yet is that very rarely do gathered this yet is that very rarely do things manifest like the textbook very things manifest like the textbook very things manifest like the textbook very rarely if it you just have lupus and rarely if it you just have lupus and rarely if it you just have lupus and that's the end of the story there is that's the end of the story there is that's the end of the story there is always going to be more to the story to always going to be more to the story to always going to be more to the story to understand why that's developed in your understand why that's developed in your understand why that's developed in your body why is your immune system being so body why is your immune system being so body why is your immune system being so triggered and most importantly is if you triggered and most importantly is if you triggered and most importantly is if you don't match the textbook how is your don't match the textbook how is your don't match the textbook how is your treatment going to match the textbook it treatment going to match the textbook it treatment going to match the textbook it is impossible to think that you're going is impossible to think that you're going is impossible to think that you're going to get your life back by just shutting to get your life back by just shutting to get your life back by just shutting down your immune system and calling it a down your immune system and calling it a down your immune system and calling it a day there are so much more to be day there are so much more to be day there are so much more to be evaluated that can help you truly get to evaluated that can help you truly get to evaluated that can help you truly get to the root cause the root cause the root cause so some of you listening might be so some of you listening might be so some of you listening might be completely brand new to this whole idea completely brand new to this whole idea completely brand new to this whole idea of functional and integrative medicine of functional and integrative medicine of functional and integrative medicine and maybe you're here just to learn a and maybe you're here just to learn a and maybe you're here just to learn a little bit more and then there's some of little bit more and then there's some of little bit more and then there's some of you that have been down the road of you that have been down the road of you that have been down the road of functional medicine and maybe you got functional medicine and maybe you got functional medicine and maybe you got some results and hit a plateau maybe you some results and hit a plateau maybe you some results and hit a plateau maybe you got no results the thing I want you to got no results the thing I want you to got no results the thing I want you to understand about this is that there is understand about this is that there is understand about this is that there is the conventional way of looking at the the conventional way of looking at the the conventional way of looking at the body which is really based on looking at body which is really based on looking at body which is really based on looking at the chemistry through the blood work and the chemistry through the blood work and the chemistry through the blood work and then utilizing tools such as drugs and then utilizing tools such as drugs and then utilizing tools such as drugs and surgery and then there's functional surgery and then there's functional surgery and then there's functional medicine that brings in a lot more medicine that brings in a lot more medicine that brings in a lot more elaborate testing which really helps you elaborate testing which really helps you elaborate testing which really helps you dig deeper to get to the root cause but dig deeper to get to the root cause but dig deeper to get to the root cause but a lot of times functional medicine is a lot of times functional medicine is a lot of times functional medicine is really relying on two major tools in the really relying on two major tools in the really relying on two major tools in the toolbox diet and supplements I used to toolbox diet and supplements I used to toolbox diet and supplements I used to practice that way and I don't practice practice that way and I don't practice practice that way and I don't practice that way anymore because that way anymore because that way anymore because I hit plateaus with it and I found that I hit plateaus with it and I found that I hit plateaus with it and I found that there were limitations in addition to there were limitations in addition to there were limitations in addition to that I didn't want to be on an that I didn't want to be on an that I didn't want to be on an elimination diet for the rest of my life elimination diet for the rest of my life elimination diet for the rest of my life and it was very hard for me to advocate and it was very hard for me to advocate and it was very hard for me to advocate that for my patients because I didn't that for my patients because I didn't that for my patients because I didn't feel that that was really the way that feel that that was really the way that feel that that was really the way that it should be I I knew that there was it should be I I knew that there was it should be I I knew that there was more I just didn't know it early on in more I just didn't know it early on in more I just didn't know it early on in practice so I kept digging digging practice so I kept digging digging practice so I kept digging digging digging and evolving and that brought me digging and evolving and that brought me digging and evolving and that brought me to integrative medicine one of my to integrative medicine one of my to integrative medicine one of my mentors dr. clang Hart he said to me mentors dr. clang Hart he said to me mentors dr. clang Hart he said to me don't call yourself integrative if all don't call yourself integrative if all don't call yourself integrative if all you do is diet in supplements and our you do is diet in supplements and our you do is diet in supplements and our practice is called integrative Wellness practice is called integrative Wellness practice is called integrative Wellness Group and it has been since day one so Group and it has been since day one so Group and it has been since day one so it really got me thinking and made me it really got me thinking and made me it really got me thinking and made me realize okay we need to we need to bring realize okay we need to we need to bring realize okay we need to we need to bring more to the table and that is why we more to the table and that is why we more to the table and that is why we have detoxification therapies we have have detoxification therapies we have have detoxification therapies we have lymphatic drainage therapies we have lymphatic drainage therapies we have lymphatic drainage therapies we have neurological therapies we do physical neurological therapies we do physical neurological therapies we do physical type therapies we do so many different type therapies we do so many different type therapies we do so many different types of modalities and it's not that types of modalities and it's not that types of modalities and it's not that everybody gets all of those things every everybody gets all of those things every everybody gets all of those things every single person gets a customized approach single person gets a customized approach single person gets a customized approach according to their results and this is according to their results and this is according to their results and this is what allows us to get results in a short what allows us to get results in a short what allows us to get results in a short amount of time is because amount of time is because amount of time is because not everybody just needs a supplement not everybody just needs a supplement not everybody just needs a supplement regimen not everybody needs to be on an regimen not everybody needs to be on an regimen not everybody needs to be on an elimination diet some people really just elimination diet some people really just elimination diet some people really just need detox some people just need to work need detox some people just need to work need detox some people just need to work through the arm their emotional traumas through the arm their emotional traumas through the arm their emotional traumas and they'll feel fine everybody is so so and they'll feel fine everybody is so so and they'll feel fine everybody is so so different different different so everybody always asks you know how so everybody always asks you know how so everybody always asks you know how does this all work this all sounds great does this all work this all sounds great does this all work this all sounds great like does this go through my insurance like does this go through my insurance like does this go through my insurance you know all the logistical questions you know all the logistical questions you know all the logistical questions well I really think that health care is well I really think that health care is well I really think that health care is going in a positive direction because going in a positive direction because going in a positive direction because people are demanding more out of their people are demanding more out of their people are demanding more out of their experience they are demanding more experience they are demanding more experience they are demanding more answers and you know we're not a hundred answers and you know we're not a hundred answers and you know we're not a hundred percent there yet so fortunately a lot percent there yet so fortunately a lot percent there yet so fortunately a lot of your blood work and lab testing is of your blood work and lab testing is of your blood work and lab testing is going to go directly through your going to go directly through your going to go directly through your in-network insurance but most of the in-network insurance but most of the in-network insurance but most of the services and the detox therapies are services and the detox therapies are services and the detox therapies are going to be classified as out of network going to be classified as out of network going to be classified as out of network and it's really like that right now and it's really like that right now and it's really like that right now because we choose to serve you instead because we choose to serve you instead because we choose to serve you instead of serving insurance providers insurance of serving insurance providers insurance of serving insurance providers insurance providers try to dictate what is providers try to dictate what is providers try to dictate what is medically sorry which we all know that medically sorry which we all know that medically sorry which we all know that that never works out in the favor of that never works out in the favor of that never works out in the favor of their of the patient because how are their of the patient because how are their of the patient because how are they supposed to know what is best for they supposed to know what is best for they supposed to know what is best for your body they're not physicians they're your body they're not physicians they're your body they're not physicians they're a for-profit company so we choose to a for-profit company so we choose to a for-profit company so we choose to serve you and to spend time with you to serve you and to spend time with you to serve you and to spend time with you to really dig deeper and to be able to give really dig deeper and to be able to give really dig deeper and to be able to give you a plan that is going to give you you a plan that is going to give you you a plan that is going to give you results and also most people end up results and also most people end up results and also most people end up getting their out-of-network getting their out-of-network getting their out-of-network reimbursement as well as using their reimbursement as well as using their reimbursement as well as using their health savings accounts or even flex health savings accounts or even flex health savings accounts or even flex savings accounts which are fantastic one thing I said which I got a standing one thing I said which I got a standing one thing I said which I got a standing ovation at my last speaking engagement ovation at my last speaking engagement ovation at my last speaking engagement was if you value your health was if you value your health was if you value your health do not let anyone tell you that you do not let anyone tell you that you do not let anyone tell you that you can't invest in it obviously there's can't invest in it obviously there's can't invest in it obviously there's always conversations to be had as a always conversations to be had as a always conversations to be had as a family with your spouse and loved ones family with your spouse and loved ones family with your spouse and loved ones but you know when it comes to feeling but you know when it comes to feeling but you know when it comes to feeling nervous about being judged for spending nervous about being judged for spending nervous about being judged for spending money on your health or or even just money on your health or or even just money on your health or or even just taking a step to take care of yourself taking a step to take care of yourself taking a step to take care of yourself instead of taking that money to spend on instead of taking that money to spend on instead of taking that money to spend on you know extracurricular things for your you know extracurricular things for your you know extracurricular things for your kids I can't tell you the massive guilt kids I can't tell you the massive guilt kids I can't tell you the massive guilt that people feel about that and I think that people feel about that and I think that people feel about that and I think it is very unfair for us to be it is very unfair for us to be it is very unfair for us to be programmed to think that we shouldn't programmed to think that we shouldn't programmed to think that we shouldn't take care of ourselves that we shouldn't take care of ourselves that we shouldn't take care of ourselves that we shouldn't spend money on our health because at the spend money on our health because at the spend money on our health because at the end of the day if we are healthy and we end of the day if we are healthy and we end of the day if we are healthy and we are preserved we show up so much better are preserved we show up so much better are preserved we show up so much better for our loved ones and for our jobs and for our loved ones and for our jobs and for our loved ones and for our jobs and for our employees if you're a business for our employees if you're a business for our employees if you're a business owner you show up completely differently owner you show up completely differently owner you show up completely differently and you impact people in such a positive and you impact people in such a positive and you impact people in such a positive way so don't let anybody tell you that way so don't let anybody tell you that way so don't let anybody tell you that you don't deserve that and you don't deserve that and you don't deserve that and again health care is about answers and again health care is about answers and again health care is about answers and solutions I think that we forget that I solutions I think that we forget that I solutions I think that we forget that I think we settled for just being told oh think we settled for just being told oh think we settled for just being told oh well we finally figured it out it's well we finally figured it out it's well we finally figured it out it's lupus here's your drug call it a day and lupus here's your drug call it a day and lupus here's your drug call it a day and it's really about well why why do I have it's really about well why why do I have it's really about well why why do I have this where did this come from how did it this where did this come from how did it this where did this come from how did it how did it develop like what can I do how did it develop like what can I do how did it develop like what can I do like with my lifestyle what can I do like with my lifestyle what can I do like with my lifestyle what can I do beyond just taking a pill beyond just taking a pill beyond just taking a pill we deserve those answers and we deserve we deserve those answers and we deserve we deserve those answers and we deserve to know what we can do to help ourselves so you may be thinking well how the heck so you may be thinking well how the heck so you may be thinking well how the heck do they get all this crazy information do they get all this crazy information do they get all this crazy information so our onboarding process is very unique so our onboarding process is very unique so our onboarding process is very unique because we specifically do a variety of because we specifically do a variety of because we specifically do a variety of different tests and compile all of the different tests and compile all of the different tests and compile all of the information together so we do Meridian information together so we do Meridian information together so we do Meridian based testing which allows us to know is based testing which allows us to know is based testing which allows us to know is there things that are weighing you down there things that are weighing you down there things that are weighing you down emotionally emotionally emotionally are you absorbing tons of bad energy are you absorbing tons of bad energy are you absorbing tons of bad energy from the people around you from your job from the people around you from your job from the people around you from your job from your boss so that is amazing from your boss so that is amazing from your boss so that is amazing information by looking at that piece of information by looking at that piece of information by looking at that piece of the puzzle we also look at chemical the puzzle we also look at chemical the puzzle we also look at chemical allergies or chemical sensitivities allergies or chemical sensitivities allergies or chemical sensitivities environmental allergies food allergies environmental allergies food allergies environmental allergies food allergies then we look down to the DNA level using then we look down to the DNA level using then we look down to the DNA level using the bio resonance what is going on the bio resonance what is going on the bio resonance what is going on that's compromising your DNA that's that's compromising your DNA that's that's compromising your DNA that's compromising your cells do you have compromising your cells do you have compromising your cells do you have toxins do you have infections like toxins do you have infections like toxins do you have infections like what's hiding in your body that your what's hiding in your body that your what's hiding in your body that your conventional tests haven't found we test conventional tests haven't found we test conventional tests haven't found we test for heavy metals mineral deficiencies for heavy metals mineral deficiencies for heavy metals mineral deficiencies vitamin deficiencies and my absolute vitamin deficiencies and my absolute vitamin deficiencies and my absolute favorite the autonomic response testing favorite the autonomic response testing favorite the autonomic response testing so this was actually created by dr. so this was actually created by dr. so this was actually created by dr. Klink Hart so this has taken all of the Klink Hart so this has taken all of the Klink Hart so this has taken all of the guessing out of how we do things we do guessing out of how we do things we do guessing out of how we do things we do not guess we test so when it comes to not guess we test so when it comes to not guess we test so when it comes to your recommendations that we give to you your recommendations that we give to you your recommendations that we give to you nothing is cookie-cutter nothing is the nothing is cookie-cutter nothing is the nothing is cookie-cutter nothing is the Lupus protocol the scleroderma protocol Lupus protocol the scleroderma protocol Lupus protocol the scleroderma protocol the the irritable bowel protocol every the the irritable bowel protocol every the the irritable bowel protocol every single thing is tested against your body single thing is tested against your body single thing is tested against your body so your supplements are tested your the so your supplements are tested your the so your supplements are tested your the herbs the homeopathics the detox herbs the homeopathics the detox herbs the homeopathics the detox neurological therapies physical neurological therapies physical neurological therapies physical therapies all of these things are tested therapies all of these things are tested therapies all of these things are tested and your body tells us this is good for and your body tells us this is good for and your body tells us this is good for me to start the healing process me to start the healing process me to start the healing process so it's pretty amazing when you're able so it's pretty amazing when you're able so it's pretty amazing when you're able to walk in with a plan that you know is to walk in with a plan that you know is to walk in with a plan that you know is congruent for what that person's body congruent for what that person's body congruent for what that person's body needs and that's really something that needs and that's really something that needs and that's really something that we pride ourselves on because not many we pride ourselves on because not many we pride ourselves on because not many people are doable I don't know if people are doable I don't know if people are doable I don't know if anybody's doing it but I'm sure maybe anybody's doing it but I'm sure maybe anybody's doing it but I'm sure maybe somewhere in the world somewhere in the world somewhere in the world so we do this unique onboarding process so we do this unique onboarding process so we do this unique onboarding process because I was really tired of giving because I was really tired of giving because I was really tired of giving people all of these different tasks people all of these different tasks people all of these different tasks blood work stool samples nasal swabs blood work stool samples nasal swabs blood work stool samples nasal swabs saliva test hormone tests and they spend saliva test hormone tests and they spend saliva test hormone tests and they spend all this money two three four thousand all this money two three four thousand all this money two three four thousand dollars on all these fancy tests and dollars on all these fancy tests and dollars on all these fancy tests and then still sometimes I wasn't really then still sometimes I wasn't really then still sometimes I wasn't really able to connect the dots so we've able to connect the dots so we've able to connect the dots so we've learned we've grown we've evolved we've learned we've grown we've evolved we've learned we've grown we've evolved we've trained under Russian quantum physicists trained under Russian quantum physicists trained under Russian quantum physicists we've trained with Integrative doctors we've trained with Integrative doctors we've trained with Integrative doctors we've trained with German physicists we've trained with German physicists we've trained with German physicists we've trained with biological dentists we've trained with biological dentists we've trained with biological dentists we have trained with so many different we have trained with so many different we have trained with so many different people different countries different people different countries different people different countries different professions to collaborate all of these professions to collaborate all of these professions to collaborate all of these diagnostics under our roof so that we diagnostics under our roof so that we diagnostics under our roof so that we can get you the most accurate answers can get you the most accurate answers can get you the most accurate answers number one number two is that we can number one number two is that we can number one number two is that we can actually save you money on your testing actually save you money on your testing actually save you money on your testing so you can spend money on what's so you can spend money on what's so you can spend money on what's important which is actually getting important which is actually getting important which is actually getting better better better and also to like at the end of the day and also to like at the end of the day and also to like at the end of the day for you if you've been searching for for you if you've been searching for for you if you've been searching for years upon years to figure out what can years upon years to figure out what can years upon years to figure out what can I do how can I work with this autoimmune I do how can I work with this autoimmune I do how can I work with this autoimmune condition what can I do to resolve it condition what can I do to resolve it condition what can I do to resolve it what can I eat what can I not eat what can I eat what can I not eat what can I eat what can I not eat depending on you and your goals what you depending on you and your goals what you depending on you and your goals what you can achieve with this information is can achieve with this information is can achieve with this information is priceless and you know there are many priceless and you know there are many priceless and you know there are many people that are new to this and they're people that are new to this and they're people that are new to this and they're like yeah this sounds great but like like yeah this sounds great but like like yeah this sounds great but like whatever I don't really have that many whatever I don't really have that many whatever I don't really have that many symptoms and then there's a lot of symptoms and then there's a lot of symptoms and then there's a lot of people that are like oh my gosh where people that are like oh my gosh where people that are like oh my gosh where have you been all my life so I think have you been all my life so I think have you been all my life so I think it's just so invaluable when you're able it's just so invaluable when you're able it's just so invaluable when you're able to truly truly know what's going on in to truly truly know what's going on in to truly truly know what's going on in your body your body your body so everybody always wants to know how's so everybody always wants to know how's so everybody always wants to know how's it work what does it cost so our it work what does it cost so our it work what does it cost so our onboarding process for all of the tests onboarding process for all of the tests onboarding process for all of the tests that I described is 1425 those of you that I described is 1425 those of you that I described is 1425 those of you again new to this world might be again new to this world might be again new to this world might be thinking that is a lot of money which I thinking that is a lot of money which I thinking that is a lot of money which I totally get but again when you go to totally get but again when you go to totally get but again when you go to other types of facilities a lot of times other types of facilities a lot of times other types of facilities a lot of times you're going to be spending maybe three you're going to be spending maybe three you're going to be spending maybe three four or five hundred dollars for your four or five hundred dollars for your four or five hundred dollars for your consultation with the doctor and then consultation with the doctor and then consultation with the doctor and then after that you will have to complete a after that you will have to complete a after that you will have to complete a variety of different tasks that usually variety of different tasks that usually variety of different tasks that usually will rack up to about anywhere between will rack up to about anywhere between will rack up to about anywhere between you know a thousand up to five thousand you know a thousand up to five thousand you know a thousand up to five thousand dollars so it's important to know the dollars so it's important to know the dollars so it's important to know the bigger picture behind it because the bigger picture behind it because the bigger picture behind it because the test that we are doing are very very test that we are doing are very very test that we are doing are very very customized but they also fall under this customized but they also fall under this customized but they also fall under this onboarding fee but it is very important onboarding fee but it is very important onboarding fee but it is very important for us to always make sure that we know for us to always make sure that we know for us to always make sure that we know that the people that work with us are a that the people that work with us are a that the people that work with us are a good fit for us as well as we are a good good fit for us as well as we are a good good fit for us as well as we are a good fit for them so this is a direct link if fit for them so this is a direct link if fit for them so this is a direct link if you want to set up time with one of our you want to set up time with one of our you want to set up time with one of our client services team members to talk to client services team members to talk to client services team members to talk to them a little bit more about how it all them a little bit more about how it all them a little bit more about how it all works and a little bit more about your works and a little bit more about your works and a little bit more about your condition and how we work with work with condition and how we work with work with condition and how we work with work with that condition because we always want to that condition because we always want to that condition because we always want to make sure that we are going to meet your make sure that we are going to meet your make sure that we are going to meet your needs and help you achieve your health needs and help you achieve your health needs and help you achieve your health goals goals goals also if you are long-distance I always also if you are long-distance I always also if you are long-distance I always just say this earlier you can do all of just say this earlier you can do all of just say this earlier you can do all of your testing from a distance what's your testing from a distance what's your testing from a distance what's amazing about some of the testing that amazing about some of the testing that amazing about some of the testing that we do is it's DNA based you have DNA in we do is it's DNA based you have DNA in we do is it's DNA based you have DNA in your hair so simply by sending us a hair your hair so simply by sending us a hair your hair so simply by sending us a hair sample you actually have the ability to sample you actually have the ability to sample you actually have the ability to do a lot of your testing from a distance do a lot of your testing from a distance do a lot of your testing from a distance for those of you that are like that for those of you that are like that for those of you that are like that sounds great but what about care I sounds great but what about care I sounds great but what about care I really like what you guys are doing from really like what you guys are doing from really like what you guys are doing from a care perspective we do offer something a care perspective we do offer something a care perspective we do offer something called immersion weeks and those called immersion weeks and those called immersion weeks and those immersion weeks are amazing because immersion weeks are amazing because immersion weeks are amazing because people come and do a morning and people come and do a morning and people come and do a morning and afternoon session over the course of six afternoon session over the course of six afternoon session over the course of six days and get fully immersed into our days and get fully immersed into our days and get fully immersed into our program and walk away really radically program and walk away really radically program and walk away really radically changing their health changing their health changing their health so I want to check to see if there's any so I want to check to see if there's any so I want to check to see if there's any question you know I checked earlier it question you know I checked earlier it question you know I checked earlier it doesn't seem like there were many um but doesn't seem like there were many um but doesn't seem like there were many um but definitely feel free to pop them in definitely feel free to pop them in definitely feel free to pop them in there as we continue so I really you there as we continue so I really you there as we continue so I really you know want you guys to know that this is know want you guys to know that this is know want you guys to know that this is one of my biggest passions is getting on one of my biggest passions is getting on one of my biggest passions is getting on here and helping you to understand more here and helping you to understand more here and helping you to understand more about these autoimmune conditions and about these autoimmune conditions and about these autoimmune conditions and help you to get clarity on things that help you to get clarity on things that help you to get clarity on things that maybe you've never heard before and this maybe you've never heard before and this maybe you've never heard before and this is truly more of an educational is truly more of an educational is truly more of an educational experience but when you're able to get experience but when you're able to get experience but when you're able to get your testing and know what's going on in your testing and know what's going on in your testing and know what's going on in your body that's when this becomes a your body that's when this becomes a your body that's when this becomes a breakthrough experience because it just breakthrough experience because it just breakthrough experience because it just allows everything to line up and and for allows everything to line up and and for allows everything to line up and and for you to sit back and be like holy crap you to sit back and be like holy crap you to sit back and be like holy crap that makes so much sense and I finally that makes so much sense and I finally that makes so much sense and I finally feel empowered and like I have some feel empowered and like I have some feel empowered and like I have some level of control over my own health level of control over my own health level of control over my own health because I know that being diagnosed with because I know that being diagnosed with because I know that being diagnosed with these autoimmune conditions saying these autoimmune conditions saying these autoimmune conditions saying there's no cure and you know we don't there's no cure and you know we don't there's no cure and you know we don't know why it's it's very very know why it's it's very very know why it's it's very very disempowering but I promise you there is disempowering but I promise you there is disempowering but I promise you there is always always a root cause and if there always always a root cause and if there always always a root cause and if there is always going to be a solution once is always going to be a solution once is always going to be a solution once you know that root cause you know that root cause you know that root cause so definitely check out our website if so definitely check out our website if so definitely check out our website if you're looking for more information if you're looking for more information if you're looking for more information if you want to hear any of our podcast you want to hear any of our podcast you want to hear any of our podcast specifically about lupus or lime or the specifically about lupus or lime or the specifically about lupus or lime or the connection between the two or connection between the two or connection between the two or scleroderma or other connective tissue scleroderma or other connective tissue scleroderma or other connective tissue disorders definitely check us out disorders definitely check us out disorders definitely check us out because we have tons and tons of because we have tons and tons of because we have tons and tons of podcasts that I've done about all podcasts that I've done about all podcasts that I've done about all different topics and I really hope you different topics and I really hope you different topics and I really hope you enjoyed this tonight next week we are enjoyed this tonight next week we are enjoyed this tonight next week we are back back back autoimmune conditions it's our last autoimmune conditions it's our last autoimmune conditions it's our last module of the month before we go into module of the month before we go into module of the month before we go into June which is all about Lyme disease but June which is all about Lyme disease but June which is all about Lyme disease but next week we're going to be talking next week we're going to be talking next week we're going to be talking about autoimmune neurological conditions about autoimmune neurological conditions about autoimmune neurological conditions so again sorry for those of you that so again sorry for those of you that so again sorry for those of you that were here that we're hoping we were were here that we're hoping we were were here that we're hoping we were talking about that but we will talking about that but we will talking about that but we will definitely be talking about that next definitely be talking about that next definitely be talking about that next week so please join us and share this week so please join us and share this week so please join us and share this with your friends and family because with your friends and family because with your friends and family because it's so important for people to get it's so important for people to get it's so important for people to get access to this information so I thank access to this information so I thank access to this information so I thank you guys and I hope to see you next week