This episode of The Breathing Lab—featuring a powerful conversation with Dr. Silke Heine, PhD, expert in Holistic Nutrition and founder of Simplify Holistic Nutrition Consulting.

Dr. Heine has helped countless individuals uncover hidden food sensitivities using advanced diagnostics like the FIT 176 Food Inflammation Test. She’s also played a pivotal role in my own healing journey.

For years, I battled unexplained bloating, congestion, and discomfort—without real answers. It wasn’t until I began working with Dr. Heine and discovered my own unique inflammatory triggers (lime and dairy, surprisingly!) that everything started to shift.

In this episode, we will dive into:

What chronic inflammation actually looks like and how food plays a sneaky role

The often overlooked difference between food allergies and sensitivities
How gut issues like Candida and leaky gut often go missed

The essential link between digestion, breathing, diet, and
How the FIT test works as a truly personalized roadmap for better health
Whether you’re dealing with digestive discomfort, brain fog, chronic congestion—or simply want to feel your best—this episode is packed with insights that could change the way you eat and breathe.

P.S. If you’re curious about the FIT Test and how to get started, we cover that too—and why it might be one of the most personalized tools you can use for your health. Learn more about FIT test.

About Dr. Silke Heine:

Silke Heine, born in Duesseldorf, Germany, spent 11 years working as a buyer in the German fashion
retail industry. Moving to the U.S. with her American husband and two children, Silke started studying
many holistic nutrition topics with various programs/universities. Silke has a Ph.D. in Holistic Nutrition
and is the owner of Simplify, Holistic Nutrition Consulting (www.simplifyholisticnutrition.com). She
spent the last 20 years studying the relationship between health and food and helps her clients find the
bio-individual way of eating, matching their conditions and goals.

Because Silke has concentrated for many years on the topic of an Anti-Inflammatory Diet, she partnered
with KBMO Diagnostics and offers the FIT Test (Food Inflammation Test) in her practice. KBMO
Diagnostic added Silke as their head nutritionist, where she was leading a team of 10 meal-planners to
create a sample 7-Day Meal Plan for the FIT 132 and FIT 176 Test for providers all over the world, which
she stopped doing a year ago.

Silke has clients from many countries who have heard from her, many order the FIT Test on Silke’s
website and she reviews the test results in her office, or with her long distant clients virtually on Zoom,
or on the phone to implement a new way of eating according to the FIT Test results.

Silke has earned the following degrees:
2007: Bioenergetic Nutritionist from the Healthy Living Institute, Dr. Mark Mincolla
2010: Bachelor in Holistic Nutrition from Clayton College with Highest Honors
2013: Master’s degree in Holistic Nutrition from the University of Natural Health with Summa Cum
Laude
2013: Certified Natural Health Practitioner, Certified Holistic Nutrition Practitioner
2014: PhD in Holistic Nutrition from the University of Natural Health with Summa Cum Laude
2019: Certified Functional Medicine Health and Wellness Coach from the Functional Medicine Coaching
Academy
2021: Certified International Sports Nutritionist from ISSA
2022: Certified Functional Nutrition Counselor from the Function Nutrition Lab, Full Body Systems
2022: Certified Gluten-Free Diet Practitioner by Dr. Tom O’Bryan
Since 2015 part of the Integrative Practitioner Group that meets annually in NY at the Integrative
Healthcare Symposium, a conference led by the Institute for Functional Medicine.

Contact Silke Heine: 781 883 5951
Silke@simplifyholisticnutrition.com
www.simplifyholisticnutrition.com

At the Hobson Institute, we’re dedicated to exploring holistic approaches to health, with a strong focus on how breathing impacts overall well-being. In a recent Breathing Lab session, I had the pleasure of interviewing Patrick McKeown—a leading expert on breathing techniques and the Buteyko Breathing Method. Patrick shared with our listeners how simple changes in the way we breathe can help manage conditions such as asthma, sleep disorders, and anxiety.

Key Highlights from Our Podcast Discussion

Understanding the Unified Airway
We explored the concept of the unified airway—the idea that the entire respiratory system is interconnected. This understanding is essential when addressing sleep and breathing issues. For example, mouth breathing increases airway resistance, which can impair sleep quality and affect overall health.

Supporting Children with Anxiety and Breathing Issues
Children’s breathing habits can have a profound effect on their mental and emotional health. We discussed the importance of assessing children for both anxiety and dysfunctional breathing patterns. Gentle nasal breathing techniques, a calm and reassuring clinical environment, and tools like MyoTape can support better sleep and reduce anxiety by encouraging nasal breathing.

The Benefits of Mouth Taping
Mouth taping can help promote nasal breathing during sleep.

Breathing Techniques to Manage Anxiety
We also discussed how specific breathing practices—such as reducing breathing volume and encouraging nasal breathing—can help regulate carbon dioxide levels, promoting calm and relaxation. While results may take time, consistency and patience with these techniques can lead to meaningful improvements in anxiety symptoms.

How to Learn More For Healthcare Professionals
If you're a clinician interested in integrating these techniques into your practice, consider taking my Intro to Airway Evaluation and Treatment Course. In this course, I share how I’ve combined the Buteyko Breathing Method with myofunctional therapy, cranial nerve integration, and physical therapy into a comprehensive approach. Sign up here.

For Individuals Seeking Relief
If you're struggling with poor sleep, chronic tension, jaw clenching, TMJ, or tinnitus, our online breathing retraining program is designed to help you address these concerns through proven techniques. Sign up here.

At the Hobson Institute, our mission is to empower individuals and professionals with holistic tools and knowledge to achieve optimal health. We’re proud to continue this journey of exploration and education with our community.

About Patrick McKeown, Breathing Expert and Author

Patrick McKeown is a leading expert in breathing and its impact on asthma, sleep, and mental health, with over two decades of experience in breathing re-education. He has authored 12 books on the science of breathing, including the internationally acclaimed The Oxygen Advantage, and has a forthcoming book, The Sleep Cure, set for release in June 2025 by Humanix Books.

His work focuses on functional breathing, sleep-disordered breathing, and nervous system regulation, offering practical techniques to improve respiratory health, sleep quality, and mental well-being. His research has been published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, and he collaborates with leading experts in medicine, sports performance, and neuroscience.

Patrick trains healthcare professionals, athletes, and individuals worldwide, helping them harness the power of optimal breathing for better health, sleep, and resilience.

In this session, Dr. Murphy will share her personal journey of transitioning from traditional orthodontics to a more holistic airway focused approach. She will discuss the challenges she has had in her own profession and obstacles that she has overcome, along with valuable insights from her interdisciplinary approach that combines dentistry, breathing retraining and myofunctional therapy. You’ll have the opportunity to ask your questions in real-time and learn about her advanced evaluation and treatment methods.

Key takeaways from the webinar:

A Personal Story: Discover how Dr. Murphy’s personal experience with tongue tie issues and breathing dysfunction which has led her to work with interdisciplinary teams—sleep MDs, ENTs, myofunctional therapists, and dentists—to address growth, development, and airway concerns.

The Mentor: Dr. Murphy helps offices either start or transform their orthodontic departments to an airway treatment practice. She also mentors primary care practitioners in their orthodontic care.

Early Intervention: Dr. Murphy will take children in as early as 2 months or whenever their primary care dentist or parent notices a bad bite to start airway treatment. She will explain the importance of early intervention. She helps children with symptoms of ADHD, snoring, poor sleep, bruxism, asthma, and more.

Recent Books Written: She has written several books to provide a resource for families. She believes that the sooner myofunctional therapy and tethered oral tissues become household terminology, the sooner major shifts in preventative care will be made.

Dr. Catherine Murphy

Dr. Catherine Murphy is an orthodontist by profession and a holistic health advocate by passion.
As the author of two picture books (“Dear Momma…” and “Dear Friend…Do You Know About Tongue Ties?”, she empowers families to recognize the deeper connections between symptoms like poor breathing, sleeping, and/or eating, and their root causes. Her personal and professional experiences have led her to unlearn conventional approaches in favor of a more compassionate and collaborative model of care. Committed to providing life-enhancing treatments rather than short-term solutions, Dr. Murphy strives to bring health, hope, and harmony to every family and audience she serves.

We are thrilled to invite you to a special LIVE webinar featuring Dr. Jenny Hobson and Dr. Tiffany Lamberton, two experts who have pioneered a unique approach to treating Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD), craniofacial pain, and airway issues. Dr. Lamberton, who holds dual degrees in Dentistry and Physical Therapy, brings a holistic understanding of how the cervical spine impacts TMJ function and patient health.

In this session, Dr. Lamberton will share her personal journey in airway and TMD care, along with valuable insights from her interdisciplinary approach that combines physical therapy and dentistry. You’ll have the opportunity to ask your questions in real-time and learn about her advanced evaluation and treatment methods.

Key takeaways from the webinar:

A Personal Story: Discover how Dr. Lamberton’s personal experience with her child’s airway issues led her into this field and how she works with interdisciplinary teams—sleep MDs, ENTs, myofunctional therapists, and dentists—to address growth, development, and airway concerns.

Misdiagnosed TMJ Dysfunction: Learn about her comprehensive TMJ/TMD evaluation, which integrates both dentistry and physical therapy by addressing cervical spine issues, especially upper cervical dysfunction that is often missed in typical dental evaluations.

Advanced Imaging: Understand the importance of using CBCT and MRI to accurately diagnose and treat TMD, airway issues, and cervical spine problems for more effective care.

Integrating Anatomy into Treatment Plans: Explore how physical therapists’ knowledge of anatomy and the body’s wear and tear influences dental treatment plans, ensuring that patients’ whole-body health is considered in their care.

Dr. Tiffany Lamberton

Dr. Tiffany Lamberton resides in Washington State and holds dual degrees in Physical Therapy and Dentistry from Loma Linda University. Upon completing her DDS degree, she was honored with induction into the prestigious Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Honor Society and garnered recognition in Oral Pathology and Student Leadership. Her career as a general dentist has spanned various settings. Still, her passion eventually led her to utilize her physical therapy background and dental knowledge to focus exclusively on TMJ Disorders and Airway Dentistry. Presently, her practice centers on the evaluation and treatment of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders, and she welcomes new clients through her website, TMD Collective.

Dr. Tiffany has also participated in the educational arena, having delivered lectures at the Pacific Northwest Dental Convention and the Pierce County Dental Society. She will be a speaker for the upcoming Western Orthodontic Conference in November 2024. She is an advocate for spreading knowledge about TMJ, Airway, and Myofunctional Therapy. Her professional affiliations include membership in the ADA, WSDA, and the role of Treasurer for the Pierce County Dental Society Board. Furthermore, she is an active member of AOMT and the Chicago Study Club. Dr. Tiffany is committed to lifelong learning and shares her expertise through her bi-monthly podcast, “Jaw Talk with Dr. Tiffany,” where she hosts engaging discussions with guests on various topics within airway dentistry, and TMJ-related matters.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Dr. Tiffany resides in Tacoma North End, with her husband, two children, and their Cavapoo puppy, Wookie. In her leisure time, she loves snowboarding, wake surfing, and Pilates.

For our dental, myofunctional and physical therapy community, do you want to meet a driver of the Craniofacial therapy evolution? Dr. Jenny Hobson continued her discussion with expert craniofacial physical therapist, Dr. Harry von Piekartz, PT, CCTT. They discussed new material on post orthognathic surgery physical therapy, reviewing a shared Craniofacial pain patient case Dr. Jenny treated, referred by Dr. von Piekartz. They also previewed the upcoming CRAFTA conference on June 7-8, 2024 in Germany.

Covered topics include:

1. Orthognathic surgery physical therapy treatment. The importance of physical therapy. Review of a case study and how Dr. Piekartz treats orthognathic surgery and facial dysmorphia.

2. Review of Craniofacial treatment to pro-volleyball player who suffered a concussion. Discuss nasal release technique, cranial-osteopathic manual medicine, cranio-cervical manual therapy, cranio-mandibular manual therapy, breathing and swallowing training, oral posture training through GOPex and myofunctional therapy.

3. CRAFTA Conference: Review of schedule and what to expect.

Dr. Harry von Piekartz, PT, CCTT
Dr. Harry Piekartz is a Professor at the University of Applied Science in Osnabruck in Germany and is study director of the Master of Science in Musculoskeletal Therapy. He is senior IMTA Teacher of the International Maitland Teacher Association (IMTA) and founder of Cranial Facial Therapy Academy. He successfully completed his Master of Science degree in Physiotherapy at the University of Leuven (Belgium).

His thesis was on “The Neurodynamic Testing of the Mandibular Nerve: Reliability and norm-data“. In 2005 he received his Ph.D. in Rehabilitation science on the Staffordshire University in the UK, and his thesis was on Neuromusculoskeletal characteristics in pediatric headache. He directs several musculoskeletal research projects and works part-time in his specialized clinic in Ootmarsum, The Netherlands. In 2023 he became a certified Cervical and Temporo-Mandibular Therapist (CCTT) by the Physical Therapy Board of Craniofacial & Cervical Therapeutics (PTBCCT -USA).

He published 4 Books in 3 languages and more than 100 peer-reviewed articles in the field of Cranialfacial physical therapy, pain, and motor control and is specialized in neuromusculoskeletal assessment and treatment of head-neck face impairments and pain.

Want deeper insight into Dr. von Piekartz’s innovative work? He’s provided us with exclusive access to his most recent published article in the journal of Musculoskeletal Science & Practice. “Craniofacial Disorders & Headaches, A Narrative Review”

Dr. Jenny had the honor of interviewing a leader in the field of Cranial Osteopathy, Dr. Tasha Turzo. We will be learning how cranial osteopaths treat craniofacial pain patients. I will lead this discussion and dive into key treatment areas of the head and neck including the following:

• Osteopathic manual medicine: Discover how cranial osteopaths diagnose areas of strain or dysfunction using a highly trained sense of touch to feel subtle changes of tension and tissue quality in the living anatomy of the whole body.
• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections to the TMJ: Learn when to refer for PRP injections to the TMJ and what this type of treatment provides your craniofacial pain patients.
• Prolotherapy: Find out how dextrose or sugar water injections help reduce inflammation in the joints and how it compares to BOTOX injections.
• ALF treatment: Learn what the Advanced Lightwire Functionals (ALF) palatal expansion treatment entails from a cranial osteopathic point of view,an integral part of the treatment team.

Dr. Tasha Turzo, DO FCA graduated from Western University, Pomona, California in 1994 where she received a Post Graduate Osteopathic Manual Medicine/Anatomy Fellowship. She completed her internship at the UCSF Family Medicine Residency. She has been in private practice since 1995 practicing osteopathy, homeopathy, functional medicine, prolotherapy/ PRP, and specializing in craniofacial dysfunctions. Dr. Turzo has been teaching extensively in the field of craniofacial dysfunctions since 1997. She began co-treating patients with Dr. Nordstrom (creator of the ALF appliances) in 1995. Dr. Turzo is a founding member of AEI (ALF Educational Institute) and has taught (to date, 2024) 38 courses to osteopaths, dentists, and myofunctional therapists. Dr. Turzo presents an on-demand 11-hour course “The ALF Approach” and is the administrator of The ALF Approach Mentorship Program which is an inter-professional online educational platform. She is an internationally recognized expert in the application of osteopathy and functional dentistry, with a focus on the use of Advanced Lightwire Functional (ALF) devices and TMD. Dr. Turzo published her book, “The ALF Approach” in 2020. Dr. Turzo is also the medical director of two nutritional IV and injectables clinics, BeWell IV. Herwebsite is drtashaturzo.com.

Dr. Jenny had the honor of interviewing two European Experts in Craniofacial Therapy, Dr. Harry von Piekartz, PT, CCTT, and her mentor, Dr. Jan Dommerholt, PT, DPT, MPS on March 18, 2024.

Similar to the fascinating discussion with Dr. Rocabado and Dr. Paris this last October, this is another rare opportunity for you to hear about their groundbreaking work and how their important contributions have reshaped the landscape of Craniofacial physical therapy. Dr. Jenny led this discussion and dug into four key treatment areas of the head and neck including Cranio-Mandibular, Cranio-Cervical, Cranio-Neural, and Cranio-Facial.

Listen in to gain insight into the following:

The Importance of Craniofacial Therapy: Discover how this European approach to Craniofacial Therapy is revolutionizing both dentistry and physical therapy and how you can learn to integrate it into your practice for enhanced patient care.

Exploring Craniofacial Therapy: Unearth the unique techniques, rich history, and future prospects of this groundbreaking therapy that’s changing lives and improving patient outcomes. Harry von Piekartz, PT, PhD has developed a 4-part approach to this complicated body region.

Dry Needling and its Importance in Craniofacial treatment: Learn how Dr. Jan Dommerholt has been teaching physical therapists and dentists this effective treatment to reduce facial pain through Myopain Seminars.

History of bringing the European Craniofacial Treatment to the US: Learn how this unique relationship between two Dutch physical therapists has changed the practice of CranioFacial treatment in the US.

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