#58: Margie Bissinger - Building Bones and Boosting Happiness: Functional Strategies for Osteoporosis
Release Date: 07/08/2025
The Clinician's Corner
In this episode of the IRH Clinician’s Corner, guest host (and IRH practitioner) Kristin Whitaker sits down with Laurie Hammer, a functional nutrition therapist and founder of the Calm Mom Academy, as well as the creator of Mind Thrive, a practitioner training program specializing in targeted amino acid therapy. Laurie shares her experience working with clients and practitioners to restore cognitive function, emotional stability, and resilience through targeted amino acid therapy, including how it can calm chaos, resolve cravings, and transform mood in real time. In this interview, we...
info_outlineThe Clinician's Corner
For this week’s episode of the Clinician’s Corner, we’ve gone into the archives to pull out another clinical pearl from one of our favorite episodes – a fascinating conversation with our beloved Medical Director, Dr. Chris Turnpaugh, where we discuss chronic infections, immune dysregulation, and detox strategies. This interview first aired early last year (2025), and the full interview can be viewed . Clinical pearls we extracted from the original interview: Overview of chronic infections and the immune system The role of environmental toxins on the immune system/immune...
info_outlineThe Clinician's Corner
In this episode of the IRH Clinician’s Corner, guest host (and IRH lead practitioner) Sara Fields sits down with Dr. Julie Greenberg, a licensed naturopathic doctor and registered herbalist renowned for her root-cause approach to skin and hair disorders. Listeners will hear fresh insights on the vital connections between gut health and skin conditions, uncover the most common root causes behind eczema, acne, and hair loss – and learn why functional medicine offers hope for patients who've felt helpless in conventional care. In this interview, we discuss: The foundations...
info_outlineThe Clinician's Corner
In this solocast episode of the IRH Clinician’s Corner, Margaret invites us to rethink what success truly means—especially for those of us constantly chasing big dreams and setting audacious goals. She also explores how happiness and fulfillment shouldn’t be reserved for some far-off achievement, but can—and should—be experienced in our everyday lives. The Clinician’s Corner is brought to you by the . Follow us: Keywords: functional health practitioners, clinical skills, reversing chronic disease, actionable insights, success, goal setting, chasing big dreams, happiness,...
info_outlineThe Clinician's Corner
For this week’s episode of the Clinician’s Corner, we’ve gone into the archives to pull out another clinical pearl from one of our favorite episodes - and today we discuss beta glucuronidase and its surprisingly wide-ranging impact on our health (from hormones to gut health and even bone health). This interview first aired earlier this year (2025), and the full interview can be viewed . Clinical pearls we extracted from the original interview: Understanding beta-glucuronidase (what it is and what it does) Challenging established views on beta glucuronidase...
info_outlineThe Clinician's Corner
In this episode of the IRH Clinician’s Corner, IRH lead practitioner Sara Fields sits down with Star Edwards, Healthcare Practice Director at Tiny Health, for an enlightening conversation about the evolution of gut health diagnostics—especially in pediatrics, but with insights spanning all ages. From understanding key differences between pediatric and adult microbiomes to exploring innovative metrics like HMO digestion and inflammatory markers, Sara Fields and Star Edwards make this complex data approachable, actionable, and relevant. In this interview, we discuss: The...
info_outlineThe Clinician's Corner
In this special solocast episode of the IRH Clinician’s Corner, host Kristin Whitaker explores the transformative journey that brought Deanne Landers from the vibrant social life of an expat to the frontlines of holistic healing. We discuss the power of mindset in client transformation, and the vital importance of collaboration and community within the field of functional nutrition. Deanne also shares insights on international challenges, from supplement access to the changing landscape of certification, and offers empowering advice for both new graduates and seasoned practitioners...
info_outlineThe Clinician's Corner
For this week’s episode of the Clinician’s Corner, we’ve gone into the archives to pull out another clinical pearl from one of our favorite episodes - and today we discuss the powerful healing properties of sulforaphane with David Roberts & Dr. John Gildea, from Mara Labs. This interview first aired in 2023, and the full interview can be viewed . Clinical pearls we extracted from the original interview: The story behind BrocElite, a stabilized sulforaphane supplement The motivation behind the research The scientific background on sulforaphane (e.g., its...
info_outlineThe Clinician's Corner
In this episode of the IRH Clinician’s Corner, Margaret Floyd Barry sits down with the inspiring Dr. Marisol Teijeiro—known to many as the Queen of Thrones—for a deep dive into the transformative power of castor oil and castor oil packs. In this lively and illuminating conversation, Dr. Marisol Teijeiro shares her personal healing journey and the surprising science behind these age-old wellness tools, revealing how they help us reconnect with our bodies, support energetic balance, and embrace purposeful self-care. In this interview, we discuss: The transformational...
info_outlineThe Clinician's Corner
In this special solocast episode of the IRH Clinician’s Corner, we’re pulling back the curtain on the personal and professional journey of Courtenay Fisher, as she joins Kristin Whitaker for an unscripted, honest conversation that is both inspiring and relatable. Courtenay shares how she navigated the twists and turns of career changes, self-doubt, and the pursuit of helping others. You’ll hear how she came to bring her clinical expertise and heartfelt compassion to the Institute of Restorative Health both as an instructor and as a guiding voice in the community. The Clinician’s...
info_outlineIn this episode of the RWS Clinician’s Corner, Margaret Floyd Barry talks with Margie Bissinger – a powerhouse physical therapist, integrative health coach, author, and happiness trainer, with more than 25 years of experience helping people with osteoporosis and osteopenia reclaim their bone strength. Margie shares not only the common missteps she sees in osteoporosis management, but also the most effective, science-backed strategies to build bone density safely. Margie is known for her truly holistic approach, blending the latest research on exercise and nutrition with mindset and happiness training to empower clients and prevent fractures.
In this interview, we discuss:
Common misconceptions and risks in exercise for osteoporosis
Safe and effective resistance training for osteoporosis
The role of medication in osteoporosis management
Underlying contributors and root causes of bone loss (like gut health)
Addressing mindset, happiness, and emotional health in clinical practice
Margie’s four-step process for prevention and treatment
The Clinician’s Corner is brought to you by Restorative Wellness Solutions.
Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/restorativewellnesssolutions/
Join us for a FREE 3-Part Fertility Masterclass Series: Precision Nutrition for Fertility
Grab your spot now!
Connect with Margie Bissinger:
Website: https://margiebissinger.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Margie-Bissinger-MS-PT-CHC-100063542905332/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margiebissinger/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margiebissinger
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3-1i9q8ls5FbjOOVeJRW2g
Here is your unique link for Margie’s Osteoporosis Exercises, designed to strengthen bones and prevent fractures. *Note, once you sign up for these exercises, you’ll be on her mailing list and will receive future correspondence about her one-of-a-kind practitioner program!
Other Bone Health Resources:
The Onero Bone Clinic in Australia
List of physical therapists who've been trained in the Bone Fit program/methodology
Tribecular Bone Scan - click this link to find places that do DEXA scans with the TBS
Dr. Deva Boone’s Parathyroid Disease Analysis Tool (enter PTH and blood calcium levels to assess risk for parathyroid disease).
Timestamps:
00:00 "Happiness Habits for Healing"
08:56 Lack of Exercise Guidance Harms
10:54 "Effective Resistance for Bone Density"
20:01 "Expert Training Beyond Gym Workouts"
22:09 Bone Health: Medication and Movement
28:40 Medication Guidance for Bone Health
34:43 Integrative Approaches to Arthritis
40:07 Focus on Solutions, Not Problems
46:47 Bone Health: Causes and Evaluations
49:36 Calcium, Diet, and Bone Health
55:39 Certification Program for Health Testing
01:02:52 Clinician's Corner: Listener Engagement Message
01:03:38 The Clinician's Corner Preview
Speaker bio:
Margie Bissinger is a physical therapist, integrative health coach, author, and happiness trainer. Margie has over 25 years of experience helping people with osteoporosis and osteopenia improve their bone health through a comprehensive integrative approach. She hosts the Happy Bones, Happy Life Podcast and has hosted four summits on Natural Approaches to Osteoporosis and Bone Health. Margie oversees all the osteoporosis initiatives for the state of New Jersey as a physical therapy representative to the NJ Interagency Council on Osteoporosis.
Margie has lectured to Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, hospitals, and women’s groups throughout the country. She has been featured in the New York Times, Menopause Management, OB GYN News and contributed to numerous health and fitness books.
Keywords:
osteoporosis, bone health, osteopenia, resistance training, bone density, physical therapy, integrative health, functional health, happiness training, stress reduction, spine fractures, exercise for osteoporosis, forward bending spine, weight bearing exercises, DEXA scan, trabecular bone score (TBS), parathyroid hormone, hyperparathyroidism, gut health, inflammation, menopause, nutrition for bones, supplements for bone health, calcium intake, vitamin K2, protein intake, balance training, PT BoneFit, medication for osteoporosis, root cause analysis
Disclaimer:
The views expressed in the RWS Clinician’s Corner series are those of the individual speakers and interviewees, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Restorative Wellness Solutions, LLC. Restorative Wellness Solutions, LLC does not specifically endorse or approve of any of the information or opinions expressed in the RWS Clinician’s Corner series. The information and opinions expressed in the RWS Clinician’s Corner series are for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. If you have any medical concerns, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional. Restorative Wellness Solutions, LLC is not liable for any damages or injuries that may result from the use of the information or opinions expressed in the RWS Clinician’s Corner series. By viewing or listening to this information, you agree to hold Restorative Wellness Solutions, LLC harmless from any and all claims, demands, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with your participation. Thank you for your understanding.