Native Wellness
Meet Your Practitioners: LaKrista & Amber
Hi, I'm LaKrista! I'm an, RN, Holistic Nutritionist, Health Coach, Nutrition Response Testing Practitioner, and owner of Native Wellness.
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In 2008, I graduated from nursing school with a drive and a passion for helping people. Fast forward about 5 years into my career and I found myself burning out... and fast. I came to the realization that no one was getting better, medication lists kept getting longer, and my gut was telling me something had to change. I wanted to be that change.
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In 2014, I woke up with some strange pains in my left wrist. The physical therapist I worked with at the time told me that I had carpal tunnel and gave me a brace. The very next day, the pain was in my right wrist, but my left didn't hurt at all. The pain continued to jump from one joint to the next until one day my lips, face, hands, and feet started to swell. By the end of the day, my feet were so swollen, I was unable to walk. I went to the ER only to be sent home discouraged with a possible diagnosis of Lyme disease. After multiple appointments and medications, I was finally diagnosed with Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis. I was completely devastated. I was 27 years old and in terrible pain all the time.
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In 2016, I became pregnant with my 3rd child and had to stop all of my medications. As you can imagine, all of my symptoms intensified very rapidly. My midwife sent me to a Nutrition Response Testing Practitioner and within a few weeks, my symptoms had drastically improved! I couldn't believe it! I started referring everyone I knew! The only issue is that she was almost 2 hours away and the people I had referred were struggling to get to her. I knew there had to be a solution. Remember when I said I wanted to be the change?
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Not long after, I quit my job and took off to Florida for training to become a practitioner and I never looked back! Now I practice full-time as a Nutrition Response Testing Practitioner and have continued to expand my knowledge over the years. I've also acquired my Holistic Nutritionist and Holistic Health Coaching certifications.
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"Medicine is not healthcare. Food is healthcare. Medicine is sick care. Let's all get this straight for a change."
-Karen Pendergrass
Hey there, I'm Amber! I started my nursing career at Duncan Regional Hospital on the Labor & Delivery unit. Supporting new moms during one of the greatest moments of life was one of the best jobs possible. I transitioned from L&D to Home Health Care for a better schedule and to be closer to home. I spend 13 years helping homebound patients reclaim their health through IV therapy, wound care, and education. My most recent experience is in rural Med-Surg nursing. I love caring for our local community and watching as they regain their independence and I enjoy learning new ways to help patients achieve optimal health.
One thing I have learned for certain, is continuing education is vital for nurses, as the medical community is always evolving. In recent years, I have developed a desire to blend holistic medicine with traditional medicine to give clients the very best outcomes. My desire to blend holistic with traditional medicine was inspired by my best friend, LaKrista O’Dell. She and her practice are such an asset to our community and she is so passionate about helping others live their best and healthiest lives through lifestyle modifications and holistic treatment. Her passion is contagious and I am beyond excited to join the Native Wellness Team!
When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, crafting, and reading. I am married to my husband of 26 years, Justin. We have 2 amazing kiddos, Taylor & Alexis and was just blessed with our first grandbaby, Sawyer
