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Send a text to Melissa and she'll answer it on the next episode. Pain that shoots down your leg and won't let you sit, stand, or sleep without a fight can feel scary and isolating. We open up about sciatica and low back pain with straight talk, lived experience, and a clear plan to get you moving again. You'll hear how a piriformis spasm, a tilted pelvis, or a rough adjustment can set off a cascade of nerve pain—and how targeted remedies and simple routines can turn the tide.We break sciatica into patterns you can recognize: worse from motion or worse from rest, relief from bending forward, stabbing or electric pain, nighttime aggravations, and numbness or tingling down to the foot. Then we match those patterns to specific homeopathic options: Hypericum for electric nerve pain, Bryonia when movement is unbearable, Rhus tox when stiffness eases with motion, Colocynthis when pressure and bending forward help, Arnica after strain or falls, Mag phos for spasms soothed by heat, Calc carb for knife-like pain in the early hours, and Ruta for ligament strain and sacral soreness. We also share tried-and-true combos, smart potency choices, and the value of sticking with what works.Beyond remedies, we walk through practical supports you can start today: heat or ice based on your response, piriformis and hamstring stretches, gentle core work, short walks, and breaking up long sits. We talk gentle chiropractic and craniofascial techniques for alignment, plus anti-inflammatory helpers like magnesium glycinate, omega-3s, turmeric/curcumin, ginger, and Boswellia. Small habits, like not carrying a phone in your back pocket and adding electrolytes, can make a big difference for nerve comfort and muscle calm.Ready for a plan that respects both mechanics and the nervous system? Tune in, take notes, and build your personal relief toolkit. If you want help mapping your exact pattern, join the Inner Healing Circle at join.melissacrenshaw.com or book a personalized care session at melissacrenshaw.com. If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a friend who's hurting, and leave a review so others can find their way out of pain too.You may also gain Access to my Fullscript dispensary and save 30% by going to: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/mcrenshawFIND ME!
Send a text to Melissa and she'll answer it on the next episode. Surgery doesn't end when the sutures go in; that's when the real work begins. We open up the full map of recovery, from the moment anesthesia fades to the first confident steps back into daily life, and share a practical, compassionate toolkit that supports the whole person. Our focus is simple: reduce pain and swelling, steady the nervous system, restart digestion, and help the skin, bones, and connective tissues rebuild with less stress and fewer setbacks.We start with what the body actually experiences during a procedure—tissue trauma, nerve irritation, detox load, emotional vulnerability—and explain how specific remedies can meet each need. Arnica addresses bruising and shock. Hypericum calms sharp, shooting nerve pain after dental work, spinal procedures, or C-sections. Staphysagria supports clean incisions and the quiet anger or overwhelm that can linger. Calendula promotes healthy closure and reduces scarring when used appropriately. For anesthesia nausea, dizziness, and sensitivity, Phosphorus steadies the system, while Nux vomica helps when medications stall digestion and increase irritability.Deeper layers get their due. Bellis perennis helps when soreness sits in the abdomen, pelvis, or breasts after deeper work. Ruta supports tendons and ligaments after orthopedic or dental procedures, and Symphytum backs bone healing after fractures, spinal surgery, or extractions. We also share a straightforward cheat sheet so you can match symptoms to remedies with confidence and space doses as relief sets in.Recovery isn't only about remedies. We walk through hydration with electrolytes, protein-forward meals, warm foods after abdominal procedures, steady magnesium, and gentle walking to reduce clot risk and wake up digestion. We talk candidly about emotional support and the moment to escalate care: fever, spreading redness, severe swelling, drainage, intense unrelenting pain, breathing trouble, or persistent constipation. If you want personalized guidance for an upcoming procedure—or need help now—join the Inner Healing Circle or book a consult so we can build your plan together. If this helped, subscribe, share with a friend facing surgery, and leave a review to help others find us.You may also gain Access to my Fullscript dispensary and save 30% by going to: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/mcrenshawFIND ME!
Our favorite herbalist Kyle Denton finally started his own podcast, and on this episode I'm in the guest seat. We start with one of the most interesting practitioner-to-practitioner biofield conversations you'll hear, and by the end we're talking about where things are headed for humanity with a surprising level of confidence.There are some very practical pieces here. What reading someone's field feels like, how tuning actually works, and how to work with herbs as intelligent teachers. There are also a lot of real stories, including a recent session where I cleared someone's chronic back pain in minutes. It's a good example of how simple mind-body healing can be, even with bigger issues.Follow Resonature Podcast at https://substack.com/@resonature or Youtube @tippecanoeherbsTOPICS• Chance's origin story (festival days, tuning forks, the whole nine)• The “party trick” — pulling memories straight out of someone's field• A real session that clears chronic pain almost instantly• What stuck energy actually feels like (not theory, experience)• Herbs like Arnica stepping in like a coach, not a supplement• Why “being the nice guy” can literally wreck your body• Divination, synchronicity, and when it stops feeling like coincidence• The moment you stop needing tools and just… know• Astrology shows up late and takes over the ending• A real question: are your beliefs yours, or were they installed?The Elementals Gathering is coming up May 8th thru 10th. Get your tickets here and use coupon code 'innerverse' to save $30 : https://elementalsgathering.comSUPPORTBiofield Tuning with Chance: https://www.innerversepodcast.com/sound-healingTarot Readings with Chance: https://www.innerversepodcast.com/oracle-cardsKyle Denton's Potent Plant Medicines – Tippecanoe Herbs (use coupon code 'innerverse'): https://www.tippecanoeherbs.comSupport InnerVerse by trying Melissa's Homepathic Remedies (use coupon code 'innerverse'): https://rmdycollective.com/chancegartonFlower Elixirs by LotusWei: https://www.lotuswei.com/innerverseLearn To Trade Like A Wizard: https://www.skool.com/tradingbusiness/about?ref=6043c01b48d04a20ba5e90e1dd83602d Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of the Homeopathy247 podcast, Mary welcomes back the radiant Felicity Gray. They dive into the sensitive and highly requested topic of fertility, exploring how homeopathy can be a game-changer for couples struggling to conceive naturally or preparing for IVF treatments. Preparing the Body: The 3-to-4 Month Window Conventional doctors often advise couples to try conceiving for a year before seeking medical intervention. Felicity suggests using this crucial time—or at least 3 to 4 months prior to trying or starting IVF—to work with a homeopath. During this window, homeopathy helps to: Detox the Liver: Clear out old toxins, including residual effects from years of taking the contraceptive pill. Balance Hormones: Naturally regulate estrogen and progesterone to improve cycle health and uterine lining thickness. Improve Egg & Sperm Quality: Both partners should be treated to ensure the healthiest possible genetic material. Can Homeopathy Be Used Alongside IVF? Absolutely! Felicity emphasizes that homeopathy is perfectly safe to use alongside prescribed IVF medications. IVF is a grueling process that involves intense hormonal deregulation and stimulation. Homeopathy provides critical support during the IVF cycle by: Managing Hormonal Rollercoasters: Easing the extreme emotional highs of estrogen stimulation and the crashing lows or "PMS-like" symptoms that follow egg retrieval. Healing Physical Trauma: Remedies like Arnica or Bellis Perennis help the ovaries and abdomen recover from the physical trauma of egg harvesting (which can involve multiple punctures). Creating a "Cozy Living Room": Relaxing the uterus to create the best possible environment for embryo implantation. Addressing Secondary Infertility and PCOS Felicity also touches on specific fertility hurdles: PCOS: Homeopathy can help balance androgens and estrogens. For women with PCOS going into IVF, this balance can prevent the dangerous over-production of poor-quality eggs (sometimes up to 30 at once), focusing the body's energy on producing a few high-quality eggs instead. Secondary Infertility: Often, women struggle to conceive their second child simply because their vital force is depleted. Lack of sleep and constant exposure to nursery viruses leave mothers exhausted. Remedies like Sepia can help restore the immune system and energy levels. Important links mentioned in this episode Felicity Gray's website: https://fghom.com/ Know more about Felicity Gray: https://homeopathy247.com/professional-homeopaths-team/felicity-gray/ Read Felicity's blog post about infertility and IVF: https://fghom.com/blogs-and-newsletters/f/homeopathic-support-for-infertility-and-ivf Subscribe to our YouTube channel and be updated with our latest episodes. You can also subscribe to our podcast channels available on your favourite podcast listening app below: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homeopathy247-podcast/id1628767810 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/39rjXAReQ33hGceW1E50dk Follow us on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homeopathy247 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homeopathy247 You can also visit our website at https://homeopathy247.com/
On this episode of Vitality Radio, Jared shares his personal approach to natural pain relief after a season of bumps, strains, sore feet, and everyday aches. Instead of relying on NSAIDs, he walks through the natural tools he keeps on hand—including homeopathic T-Relief, curcumin formulas, PEA, CBD, magnesium, and targeted nutrients for nerve and joint support. Jared explains how different types of discomfort—such as bruises, nerve irritation, or joint stiffness—may benefit from different strategies and why experimentation is often key to finding what works best for your body. He also discusses collagen, bone broth protein, and joint lubrication support for long-term mobility, plus a cleaner topical lidocaine option for short-term relief. The goal isn't just masking discomfort—it's building a natural toolkit that supports resilience, recovery, and everyday movement.Products:MediNatura Pain ProductsCuraMed Acute PainPEACBD Products - Call us to order! 801-292-6662BenfotiamineAlpha Lipoic AcidNerve ReverseBaxylMagnesium BisglycinateMagnesium LotionRebuild+ Functional Bone Broth ProteinAdditional Information:#622: Natural Pain Relief: Homeopathy, Arnica, and a Cleaner Approach to Lidocaine with Marie Camille#620: CBD, THC, and Hemp: How to Use Them Wisely for Sleep, Stress, and Pain#472: Could LDN Be Your Answer For Autoimmune Disease? With Dr. Keith BerkowitzVisit the podcast website here: VitalityRadio.comYou can follow @vitalitynutritionbountiful and @vitalityradio on Instagram, or Vitality Radio and Vitality Nutrition on Facebook. Join us also in the Vitality Radio Podcast Listener Community on Facebook. Shop the products that Jared mentions at vitalitynutrition.com. Let us know your thoughts about this episode using the hashtag #vitalityradio and please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. Thank you!Just a reminder that this podcast is for educational purposes only. The FDA has not evaluated the podcast. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The advice given is not intended to replace the advice of your medical professional.
On this episode of Vitality Radio, Jared welcomes back Marie J. Camille from MediNatura to explore natural approaches to managing everyday aches and pains. They discuss the role of homeopathic formulas like T-Relief and BHI remedies, how topical and internal options can work together, and why these products have become popular tools for supporting comfort after exercise, minor injuries, and daily physical stress. Jared and Marie also talk about targeted homeopathic formulas designed for concerns such as headaches, muscle spasms, and back discomfort. The conversation also introduces a new clean-formula topical lidocaine designed without many of the common additives found in conventional products. If you are looking for options to support comfort and recovery while minimizing unnecessary ingredients, this episode offers practical insights and education about integrating homeopathy and topical support into your wellness routine.Products:MediNatura Pain ProductsVitality Radio POW! Product of the Week - Buy Vital 5 Magnesium Bisglycinate and get an 8oz bottle of Life Flo Magnesium Lotion for $2.99 (No code needed, just add both to your cart! One combo per customer)Additional Information:#429: Homeopathic Formulas for Pain, Cold and Flu, and Seasonal Allergies with Marie Camille#501: Pet Health with Homeopathy with Marie CamilleVisit the podcast website here: VitalityRadio.comYou can follow @vitalitynutritionbountiful and @vitalityradio on Instagram, or Vitality Radio and Vitality Nutrition on Facebook. Join us also in the Vitality Radio Podcast Listener Community on Facebook. Shop the products that Jared mentions at vitalitynutrition.com. Let us know your thoughts about this episode using the hashtag #vitalityradio and please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. Thank you!Just a reminder that this podcast is for educational purposes only. The FDA has not evaluated the podcast. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The advice given is not intended to replace the advice of your medical professional.
Nir is an experienced information security leader, executive, expert and a public speaker at leading conferences globally, including Black Hat, Defcon, BSides, and RSA. Before founding Arnica, Nir lead the product and data security across Finastra, established security at Kabbage (acquired by Amex) as CISO, and headed application security across NCR. Innovation is a key driver for Nir, as reflected by his contribution to open source projects and invention of 7 patents in software security.You can find Nir on the following sites:BlogLinkedInXYouTubeHere are some links provided by Nir:Arnica PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTSpotifyApple PodcastsYouTube MusicAmazon MusicRSS FeedYou can check out more episodes of Coffee and Open Source on https://www.coffeeandopensource.comCoffee and Open Source is hosted by Isaac Levin
Feat. fresh music from LÜRUM, Cosmic Gate, Tim Grand, Paul Thomas, Layton Giordani & Camden Cox, REYSSR, Tom Tainted and many more. Summit Sessions is your escape into the heights of Progressive House, recorded in the heart of the Swiss Alps by DJ and Producer REYSSR. ⚡️Like the Show? Click the [Repost] ↻ button so more people can hear it!
Let's talk homeopathy - one of the most misunderstood (and most magical) forms of medicine. ✨You've probably heard of remedies like Arnica for bruising or Chamomila for teething, but homeopathy is so much more than that. It's a system of medicine built on the principle of “like cures like,” where remedies are chosen not just for the symptom, but for the person behind it — their emotions, reactions, and unique body responses.In this episode, Dr. de Luna breaks down how homeopathy works, when to use it, and why it's a game-changer in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. From back labor and breech birth to mastitis and tears, we're covering the remedies every mama (and practitioner) should know about.We'll cover:
I've used homeopathy for years in the form of combinations on the shelf. Things like Hyland Teething Gel (before they changed the formula), Arnica cream for bruising, Oscillo for the flu, and this amazing decongestant that is safe for 6 month old babies and up. It one of those modalities that people don't really understand and tend to shy away from. It IS a tool in the medical toolbox. In this episode Homeopathist Pam Klein explains what it is, how it works, and shares case studies to help us wrap our heads around this modality. Connect with Pam: https://homeopathytoheal.com/ Connect with Marian: https://www.roadtolivingwhole.com/
On this episode of Vitality Radio, Jared is joined once again by homeopathic consultant Amanda Kotter of Elemental Health to demystify one of the most misunderstood natural medicine systems: homeopathy—specifically how it's used safely and effectively with children. Parents often feel unsure about homeopathic remedies because of unfamiliar names, unusual potencies, and misconceptions about strength and safety. In this conversation, Jared and Amanda simplify the process by walking through a short list of essential remedies every parent should understand. You'll learn when and why remedies like Ferrum Phos, Mag Phos, Aconite, Chamomilla, and Arnica are commonly used for kids, how to think about potency without getting overwhelmed, and why homeopathy is often a gentle first step rather than a last resort. This episode is practical, approachable, and designed to help parents feel confident using homeopathy in real life. Products:Build your own Kids Remedy Kit: Choose any 5 products from this Collection and automatically receive 20% off through February 26, 2026.Vitality Radio POW! Product of the Week: Source Naturals Screen Time Stamina 50% Off! PROMO CODE: POW25Additional Information:#509: New! Vitality Nutrition Homeopathic Consultations with Amanda Kotter#393: What Is Homeopathy and How Does It Work? With Guillaume LoisTo schedule your Homeopathy Consultation with Amanda:Email Amanda@vitalitynutrition.comCall/Text 801-388-4133Elemental Health ClinicElemental Health InstagramVisit the podcast website here: VitalityRadio.comYou can follow @vitalitynutritionbountiful and @vitalityradio on Instagram, or Vitality Radio and Vitality Nutrition on Facebook. Join us also in the Vitality Radio Podcast Listener Community on Facebook. Shop the products that Jared mentions at vitalitynutrition.com. Let us know your thoughts about this episode using the hashtag #vitalityradio and please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. Thank you!Just a reminder that this podcast is for educational purposes only. The FDA has not evaluated the podcast. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The advice given is not intended to replace the advice of your medical professional.
Web and Mobile App Development (Language Agnostic, and Based on Real-life experience!)
In this conversation, Nir Valtman, co-founder and CEO of Arnica, discusses the transformative impact of AI on code security and the software development lifecycle. He emphasizes the importance of understanding vulnerabilities, managing dependencies, and integrating security into developer workflows. In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, ensuring code security has never been more critical. Krish & Nir dive deep into the transformative role of artificial intelligence in software development life cycles. Nir shares his unique insights on how AI is reshaping code security and the essential steps developers must take to mitigate risks. The discussion also touches on the balance between feature development and security, the role of AI in generating code, and the evolving landscape of development teams.
This episode will feature a conversation with Jill on her remarkable and significant body of work, the mega potencies, which homeopaths and their patients may all use to their advantage going forward. Jill Turland studied homeopathy in Sydney under Alan Jones. In practice since 1979, she is one of Australia's most experienced practitioners. In 1984, she initiated the illustrious academic journal, ‘Similia', which she edited for four years. Research into common trauma remedies started in 1991 when she began to refine her understanding of the psychology of injuries and the corresponding benefits of injury remedies in resolving our major epidemic of chronic diseases. Jill has been associated for many years with osteopaths and chiropractors and has been working since 1990 with Bryan Barrass, an osteopathic chiropractor with a great interest in homeopathy. Together, they have researched the homeopathic remedies applicable to muscular and skeletal patterns and the emotional origins of these patterns. This is the main thrust of the clinical, qualitative research - the use of very high-potency homeopathic remedies for the resolution of guilt, grief, and fears and their subsequent physical illnesses. Combining psychoneuroimmunology and quantum mechanics with chiropractic and osteopathic wisdom, Jill has been able to expand her understanding of how homeopathic remedies work, placing homeopathy on a sound scientific footing. Through this knowledge, many complex chronic physical problems are being resolved, and the understanding of the mental aspects of common homeopathic remedies is being expanded beyond previous boundaries - to date, Aconite, Arnica, China, Conium, Gelsemium, Hydrastis, Hypericum, Ignatia, Ledum, Natrum muriaticum, Ruta graveolens, Staphisagria, and Symphytum. These remedies and the story of their amazing new uses are written up in detail in ‘Getting Back On Track Using Megapotency Homeopathy.". Jill and Bryan have now retired and enjoy living in a small country town in NSW. Check out these episode highlights: 04:53 - How Jill first discovered homeopathy 20:31 - What are mega potencies 27:54 - Homeopathy has the ability to affect muscle and skeletal alterations 32:49 - What inspires Jill to begin learning about mega potencies 36:44 - Head cold symptoms picture and the pendulum 39:17 - Jill's amazing experience using radionics developed by David Tansley 4252 - Why homeopaths have a hard time with skeptics 44:39 - How mega potencies can make structural changes 53:07 - How mega potencies work in chronic vs acute situations 01:07:01 - How to know when to stop a remedy Connect with Jill Website: https://www.homeopathy-thetruehealing.com/ If you would like to support the Homeopathy Hangout Podcast, please consider making a donation by visiting www.EugenieKruger.com and click the DONATE button at the top of the site. Every donation about $10 will receive a shout-out on a future episode. Join my Homeopathy Hangout Podcast Facebook community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HelloHomies Here is the link to my free 30-minute Homeopathy@Home online course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqBUpxO4pZQ&t=438s Upon completion of the course - and if you live in Australia - you can join my Facebook group for free acute advice (you'll need to answer a couple of questions about the course upon request to join): www.facebook.com/groups/eughom
Send a text to Melissa and she'll answer it on the next episode. Hemorrhoids aren't glamorous, but the path to relief doesn't have to be confusing or painful. We unpack what's actually going on—internal, external, prolapsed, and thrombosed types—and translate symptoms into a simple, calm plan you can use at home. You'll learn how to read the signs your body gives you: bleeding that points to venous weakness, stabbing “golf ball” pain without much blood, relentless itching made worse by heat and long sitting, and constipation from stress or diet that keeps flares going.We walk through a practical remedy map so you can act with confidence. Hamamelis for dark, venous bleeding and bruised soreness; Arnica for trauma and straining, especially postpartum; Aesculus hippocastanum for sharp, stabbing pain with heaviness and dryness; Sulphur for burning itch that craves cool; Nux vomica for the tense, constipated, irritable pattern; Collinsonia for pregnancy and postpartum pressure with dry stool; and Aloe for protruding hemorrhoids with a “loose” sensation and urgent morning stools. We also explain how and when to use the Banerji-style protocol pairing Hamamelis 200C with Arnica 3C, and what to adjust as symptoms improve.Supportive habits matter just as much. Hydration with trace minerals, magnesium to ease stool passage, warm Epsom sitz baths, witch hazel compresses, fiber-rich foods, and less time sitting all reduce strain and help tissues heal. We share clear guidance on red flags—heavy or persistent bleeding, severe pain, fever, or uncertainty about the source of bleeding—and why getting checked can be an empowering step, not a surrender of autonomy. Most hemorrhoids respond well to targeted remedies plus steady daily care, and with the right match you can often feel relief within a day or two.If you're ready to build skills and get personalized guidance, join the Inner Healing Circle at join.melissacrinshaw.com or book a consult at melissacrinshaw.com. If this helped, subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help more people find thoughtful, stigma-free support.You may also gain Access to my Fullscript dispensary and save 30% by going to: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/mcrenshawFIND ME!
Intro: We harvested chickens, daylight savings.11:27: Titus takes a bull.14:13: Molly's musing: The hunting culture and healthy rights of passage.18:06: JR's response: Fatherhood, sons leveling up.21:55: Age ranges for parenting and windows of opportunity.24:40: Passing the mantle and raising kids up In competence.26:38: To what end do raise our kids? Becoming who God created us to be and the fullness of glorifying God. 31:45: The Courage of Sarah Noble and a house that has no love in it.37:03: Daughter passes out and terrifies mom.42:27: Arnica's magic.48:10: Back to Sara Nobel and blunt kids who think you suck.51:11: Molly quit using Pinterest because it's all AI, a Dumpling Smash Taco recipe and Japanese BBQ sauce.56:00: Crispy Rice. And rice and potatoes and how to prepare them for better glycemic index properties.57:35: Homeopathic stuff: PRID, cats purring and dads getting frisky.1:02:53: Molly's stone heating pad. 1:05:55: Daughter smokes dad in activity competition.1:06:45: Upcoming episode teasers and Molly's trip to a conference.1:10:00: Show CloseToo Busy to Flush Telegram GroupCanavoxPique Tea - Referral Link (it's super-delicious and healthy)Wealthfront Referral LinkMolly's Preferred Milk FrotherIncogni (data removal and internet anonymizer) Get full access to Too Busy to Flush at www.toobusytoflush.com/subscribe
Gem-The "Mend, Don't Mute" Workout Wisdom for Silver Streakers & All Ages!Title: The "Mend, Don't Mute" Workout Wisdom for Silver Streakers & All Ages!
Arnica es un género de plantas herbáceas perennes de la familia del girasol.
In this episode:In the MMB we take a look at the science behind the popular homeopathic remedy arnica. Is there any merit to this topically applied plant derivative for treating delayed onset muscle soreness? Plus, our guest, Stephanie Van Bebber, brings her expertise in clinical research to the table as we navigate through the headlines that have left many in the running community feeling a bit queasy (and not just from the gels). The study in question reveals that ultra runners might be at an increased risk for advanced adenomas, those pesky precursors to cancer. But before you toss those running shoes into the nearest donation bin, let's unpack what this really means. It's not about condemning the sport we love, but rather about understanding the potential risks and the importance of screening. If you're an ultra runner or just a casual jogger, this episode offers valuable insights into how we can better care for our bodies while still pursuing our passion for running. From the biological theories behind inflammation and gut health to practical advice on when to see a doctor, we cover it all. Segments:[06:49]- Medical Mailbag: Arnica[35:56]- Interview: Stephanie VanBebberLinksSteph on IG: @stephanievanbebberhttps://www.fiv3racing.com/https://svbcoach.com/
This episode was originally released under Raw Health Rebel and it's one of the most requested conversations I've ever had.So many of you have been messaging me asking, “Where's the episode about amalgam fillings and oral health?” Well, here it is. I'm joined by the brilliant Daniel Sutcliffe — a holistic and biological dentist based in London, whose special interest is safe amalgam removal. Daniel is not only highly skilled but deeply compassionate, with an approach that looks at the whole person, not just their teeth.Daniel was actually the dentist who removed my own amalgams - I'd put it off for years out of fear and yet he removed four fillings in less than an hour. It was painless, effortless and life-changing and my only regret was waiting so long.In this episode we cover the hot topics so many of you ask about:Amalgam fillings and the SMART removal techniqueHow oral health connects with the brain, gut and heartThe oral microbiome and why it matters as much as gut healthFluoride, hydroxyapatite and how to choose the right toothpasteMouth taping, airway health, and why nose breathing is vitalRoot canals, implants, stress-grinding, xylitol and moreThis isn't just about fillings — it's about how your mouth is a gateway to whole-body health, and why looking after it can transform your wellbeing in ways you might not expect.Key Takeaways:Why Daniel refuses to use amalgam and the precautions he takes when removing itThe truth about fluoride, hydroxyapatite and biocompatible alternativesHow gum disease is linked with heart disease, diabetes and even dementiaThe role of the oral microbiome and why we should nourish, not disinfect itSimple daily practices to radically improve your oral healthIf you've ever wondered whether what's in your mouth could be affecting your health, this conversation will give you answers, tools, and a lot of reassurance.Resources Mentioned:Daniel's practice: The Bespoke DentistHomeopathy remedies I used post-amalgam removal: Arnica, Phosphorus, Mercury, X-raySend us a textConnect with Lisa Strbac:
In this insightful episode, Mary welcomes back homoeopath Ekta Kaur Ross to discuss one of the most beloved and essential remedies in homoeopathy: Arnica. Ekta describes Arnica as her “kingpin remedy”—a go-to for beginners and experienced users alike. Whether you're dealing with a physical injury, emotional trauma, or preparing for surgery, Arnica has something to offer. What Is Arnica? Arnica is a yellow-flowered plant from the sunflower family, often found in high-altitude mountainous regions. It's also known as mountain daisy or leopard's bane. Interestingly, these are the very places where accidents are more likely to occur—mirroring Arnica's role in healing bruises, trauma, and falls. Ekta explains how Arnica is transformed from a herbal remedy into a safe and gentle homeopathic remedy through dilution and potentisation. When to Use Arnica Ekta stresses that Arnica should be a staple in every household: in your handbag, bathroom, car, or bedside drawer. The classic advice? “If in doubt, give Arnica.” It's especially useful for: Bruising, knocks, and falls Pre- and post-surgery support Dental work and recovery Labour and childbirth Sports injuries Emotional trauma and shock Arnica for Old Injuries and Emotional Healing While Arnica is widely known for acute injuries, Ekta also highlights its use in chronic or lingering symptoms—especially when someone says, “I've never been well since...” Arnica helps improve circulation and shift stagnant emotional or physical trauma. Whether it's an old car accident or a past emotional shock, Arnica can bring deep healing and movement where there was stagnation. The Arnica Constitution Ekta touches on Arnica as a constitutional remedy—where it matches the person's overall state. These individuals often downplay their pain (“I'm fine, I'm okay”) and prefer to care for others. Circulation issues, emotional distancing, and the tendency to hide vulnerability are common themes. Self-Prescribing Arnica For newcomers to homoeopathy, Ekta recommends starting with Arnica in 6C or 30C potency. It's easy to use, has no side effects, and is safe for everyone—including newborns and pets. Take one pill, and if no relief is felt after 10 minutes, repeat up to three times. Often, relief comes quickly. Ekta calls Arnica the “accelerator” of recovery. It can reduce the need for conventional painkillers and helps the body self-heal more efficiently. Creams, Pills, and Practical Tips Arnica also comes in topical creams, which can be helpful for bruises—so long as the skin is not broken. However, the internal pill form is often more effective, working from the inside out. Store your remedies away from heat, light, and strong smells to preserve them—they can last for decades when stored properly. Important links mentioned in this episode: Visit Ekta's website: https://complementaryremedies.com/ Know more about Ekta Kaur Ross: https://homeopathy247.com/professional-homeopaths-team/ekta-kaur-ross/ Join the Homeopathy for Menopause Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/709957734435668/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel and be updated with our latest episodes. You can also subscribe to our podcast channels available on your favourite podcast listening app below: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homeopathy247-podcast/id1628767810 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/39rjXAReQ33hGceW1E50dk Follow us on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homeopathy247 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homeopathy247 You can also visit our website at https://homeopathy247.com/
The ABMP Podcast | Speaking With the Massage & Bodywork Profession
Getting “good at money” doesn't happen overnight. Business or Pressure host Allissa Haines shares the financial ups and downs of the last year and the skills that got her through. Resources: What It's Like to Be...A Massage Therapist, https://www.whatitsliketobe.com/2246914/episodes/17326674-a-massage-therapist Host: Allissa Haines is a practicing massage therapist and business owner. You can find her building websites and coaching massage therapists at deepbreathdigital.com. Author links: Website: www.deepbreathdigital.com Sponsors: Discerning massage therapists deserve high-quality products that perfectly support and enhance your healing work. Pure Pro Massage Products are created by a massage therapist for massage therapists and bodyworkers who care deeply about the quality of their massage products. Pure Pro's full line of oils, creams, and Arnica lotion, has everything you need for your favorite modality and will always leave your clients' skin feeling clean and fresh after each treatment. We've put together our 5 most popular products for you to explore in your practice in our ALL FOR YOU KIT. Log into your ABMP membership at ABMP.com and click on Industry Discounts to find the special link to Pure Pro's ALL FOR YOU kit just for ABMP members. Website: https://purepro.com/ Email: info@purepro.com Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/purepromassageproducts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purepromassageproducts/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCncpFzRVwZA_V_SnylkHyMw
Christopher Smith from Tinderry Mountain Herbs, is an extraordinary person doing some really important work in the herbal community in Australia. Christopher is a herbalist, horticulturalist and herbal educator who draws on over 40 years of horticultural experience to grow a line of rare and endagered herbs at the herb farm he runs called Tinderry Mountain Herbs, at Tinderry Mountain near Canberra. These herbs are supplied to herbalists in Australia, and Christopher has the noble vision of assisting Australia to become self-sufficient with it's herb supply- in particular Arnica, Goldenseal and Solomons Seal. This is a vision that we both share and are actioning in our own ways.Christopher is passionate about sharing the world of plants and medicinal herbs with people. He runs regular workshops and classes through the Heirophant in Canberra teaching people how to make an array of herbal preparations. He also runs online workshops and classes, and has a potent online offering called the Herbology Hub. Check out the shownotes for his offerings.In this conversation, we explore the diverse pathways within herbal medicine, emphasizing the importance of community, curiosity, and the non-linear journey of becoming a herbalist. We talk about the need for various niches in the herbal field, the significance of growing and guardianship of medicinal herbs, and the creation of a supportive ecosystem for herbalists. We discuss the value of unique experiences and the importance of fostering connections within the herbal community. Random fact- the last time I interviewed Christopher, the episode was released on the Autumn Equinox (2023) and this time, this episode is released only a few days after the Winter Solstice!You can visit Christopher's website here:https://tinderrymountainherbs.com.au/You can also follow him on Facebook here:https://www.facebook.com/tinderrymountainherbsHerbology Hub:https://tinderrymountainherbs.com.au/pages/herb-growers-coaching-programIf you liked this interview, you would love his recent class he presented to Switch on Health- watch the video presentation here:https://tinderrymountainherbs.com.au/blogs/news/christophers-journey-into-the-plant-world*BUY ME A CUPPA*If you liked the episode and want more, a cuppa fuels our work and time, which is given for free. Leave a comment and a few bucks here: www.buymeacoffee.com/theeldertree**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**You can join our Patreon here and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time!To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at www.theeldertree.org and donate to the crowdfunding campaign here.You can also follow The Elder Tree on Facebook and Instagram and sign up to the newsletter.Find out more about this podcast and the presenters here. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at: info@theeldertree.orgThe intro and outro song is "Sing for the Earth" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins. You can find Chad's music here and here. ** TATIANA's PERSONAL OFFERINGS **Aside from founding and managing The Elder Tree, Tatiana runs Alchemilla Herbals, and is a herbal educator, community herbalist, medicine grower and medicine maker (among many other things).Find her here:www.alchemillaherbals.com.auwww.facebook.com/alchemillaherbalswww.instagram.com/alchemillaherbals
The ABMP Podcast | Speaking With the Massage & Bodywork Profession
Small business owners are often asked to donate money, time, and skills to various events and causes. Business or Pressure host Allisa Haines walks through the factors to consider before you commit to giving your work away. Resources: Chris Widlund Owner, CranioSacral practitioner at Stillpoint in VT https://www.stillpointvt.com/ Host: Allissa Haines is a practicing massage therapist and business owner. You can find her building websites and coaching massage therapists at deepbreathdigital.com. Author links: Website: www.deepbreathdigital.com Sponsors: Discerning massage therapists deserve high-quality products that perfectly support and enhance your healing work. Pure Pro Massage Products are created by a massage therapist for massage therapists and bodyworkers who care deeply about the quality of their massage products. Pure Pro's full line of oils, creams, and Arnica lotion, has everything you need for your favorite modality and will always leave your clients' skin feeling clean and fresh after each treatment. We've put together our 5 most popular products for you to explore in your practice in our ALL FOR YOU KIT. Log into your ABMP membership at ABMP.com and click on Industry Discounts to find the special link to Pure Pro's ALL FOR YOU kit just for ABMP members. Website: https://purepro.com/ Email: info@purepro.com Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/purepromassageproducts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purepromassageproducts/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCncpFzRVwZA_V_SnylkHyMw
In this episode of the Homeopathy 247 podcast, host Mary Greensmith welcomes Dr. Devang Shah, a homeopath based in Mumbai, India. Dr. Shah shares his insights into homeopathy training in India, his approach to musculoskeletal conditions, and how homeopathy works holistically to support healing. Homeopathy Education in India Dr. Shah explains that homeopaths in India undergo 4.5 years of formal medical study, followed by a one-year internship—similar to mainstream medical doctors. The main difference is that instead of pharmacology, homeopaths study materia medica, which covers homeopathic remedies. Public Awareness of Homeopathy Homeopathy is well-known in many parts of India, particularly in cities like Calcutta where people often use remedies like Arnica and Belladonna at home. In more rural areas, awareness is growing. The more skilled homeopaths graduate, the more homeopathy spreads. Treating Musculoskeletal Conditions Dr. Shah began treating chronic pain conditions after being invited to consult at a friend's orthopedic hospital. There, he treated conditions like osteoarthritis and back pain—especially where conventional medicine offered little relief. The Link Between Stress and Pain Stress often worsens back pain, whether emotional (grief, anxiety) or physical. Dr. Shah explains that homeopathy addresses both physical and emotional causes of pain, offering more complete and lasting relief than simply masking symptoms with painkillers. Understanding the Vital Force In homeopathy, the “vital force” is the body's innate healing power. When this force is weakened, symptoms appear. Remedies stimulate the vital force to restore balance and activate healing from within. How Remedies Are Selected Homeopaths follow the “law of similars”—choosing remedies that produce symptoms similar to the patient's condition. For example, Apis (made from the honeybee) is used for conditions that mimic a bee sting: swelling, redness, and burning pain relieved by cold. Proving Remedies and Materia Medica Homeopathic remedies are “proved” on healthy individuals who record physical, emotional, and mental changes. This data forms the basis of materia medica—the homeopath's guide to choosing remedies. These records have been collected for over 200 years. Avoiding Remedy Overuse Unlike conventional medicine, homeopathic remedies are not meant to be taken continuously. Once symptoms improve, the remedy should be paused. Overuse may lead to “proving” symptoms—new symptoms created by the remedy itself. Proper timing and follow-up are key. Chronic Illness and Long-Term Benefits Even long-standing conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can improve significantly. Dr. Shah shares a case where a patient avoided costly injections and painkillers thanks to homeopathy. While early treatment brings the best outcomes, even later stages can benefit. Homeopathy and Conventional Medicine Homeopathy can be safely used alongside conventional treatments. Dr. Shah notes that patients on medications like thyroid pills often reduce or even stop them under supervision as homeopathy restores balance and health. This episode offers a deep and clear explanation of how homeopathy works—especially in treating musculoskeletal issues. Dr. Devang Shah highlights the importance of holistic understanding, symptom matching, and the body's own ability to heal. Visit Dr. Devang Shah's website to learn more: https://www.drdevangshah.com/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel and be updated with our latest episodes. You can also subscribe to our podcast channels available on your favourite podcast listening app below: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homeopathy247-podcast/id1628767810 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/39rjXAReQ33hGceW1E50dk Follow us on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homeopathy247 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homeopathy247 You can also visit our website at https://homeopathy247.com/
I'm sharing everything inside my travel wellness kit with exactly what I bring on every trip to be prepared for: anxiety, constipation, breakouts, food poisoning, insomnia + every other vacation vibe-killerFor Nausea + Motion SicknessGinger: Chimes ginger chews, NFH Ginger SAP, Natural Factors Ginger tabs, ginger tea bagsHomeopathic Remedies: Hyland's Motion Sickness, Cocculine by BoironActivated Charcoal: OrganikaOther Aids: Sea bands, peppermint oil (Saje), Tummydrops, sour candy, nausea essential oil inhalers, alcohol wipes, tissues, Gravol, Dramamine, fan/cold pack, motion sickness bagsFor AnxietySupplements: L-Theanine (Calm-Pro, RelaxMax, Gaba-T), Rhodiola, Kava kavaRescue Remedy, Calm App, Insight Timer, binaural beatsExtras: Gum/mints (Pur Gum, Altoids)For Gut/ConstipationProbiotics: MegaSporeBiotic, HMF Travel, SeedDigestive Enzymes: Digestzymes (Designs for Health), DigeZyme (Alpha Science), bromelain, papainConstipation Relief: Magnesium Citrate (NFH, Natural Factors), Renew Life, Triphala, Smooth Move TeaFor SleepMelatonin: Natural Factors Peppermint 3mgSleep Formulas: Ortho Sleep (AOR), Pascoflair NightAromatherapy: Lavender oil or roll-onImmune HealthVitamin C: Liposomal, AOR, Ener-CZinc & Elderberry: Lozenges (Wedderspoon, Therazinc, Honibe, Herbion)Propolis Spray: Beekeeper's NaturalsOil of Oregano: Capsules or dropsSkin HealthColloidal Silver Spray: Multi-use (skin, nasal, throat, sanitizer)Arnica (cream or tablets)Calendula CreamHypochlorous Acid SprayOtherElectrolytes: LMNT, BioSteel, Re-Lyte, SALTT, OrganikaGreens Powder: Organifi, ine+Protein Powder: anyB12: Tricobalamin by DFHMiscellaneous:Hand sanitizer, alcohol wipesTissues, wet wipes, AquaphorBandaids, Advil, TumsConnect with Alex:- Currently accepting clients worldwide - work with me here- Have period cramps? Check out my online course-Free resources-IG: @nutritionmoderation-TikTok: @nutritionmoderation-nutritionmoderation.comDISCOUNTS:-40% off Cozy Earth with code: HWHPODCAST-15% off at MUDWTR using code: ALEXADELE-10% off at Pascoe using code: ALEXKING10- Discount on Canadian Supplements: https://ca.fullscript.com/welcome/aking- Discount on US Supplements: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/aking1654616901For podcast inquiries email: holisticwomenshealthpodcast@gmail.com
The ABMP Podcast | Speaking With the Massage & Bodywork Profession
Decisions are often made with emotion. In this episode of Business or Pressure, Allissa Haines presents some questions to ask yourself to help make better decisions in your business. Resources: Nanci Newton: Owner of The Healing ZONE Therapeutic Massage in western Massachusetts. www.thehealingzonemassage.com Pan-Mass Challenge https://www.pmc.org/volunteer/massage Host: Allissa Haines is a practicing massage therapist and business owner. You can find her building websites and coaching massage therapists at deepbreathdigital.com. Author links: Website: www.deepbreathdigital.com Sponsors: Discerning massage therapists deserve high-quality products that perfectly support and enhance your healing work. Pure Pro Massage Products are created by a massage therapist for massage therapists and bodyworkers who care deeply about the quality of their massage products. Pure Pro's full line of oils, creams, and Arnica lotion, has everything you need for your favorite modality and will always leave your clients' skin feeling clean and fresh after each treatment. We've put together our 5 most popular products for you to explore in your practice in our ALL FOR YOU KIT. Log into your ABMP membership at ABMP.com and click on Industry Discounts to find the special link to Pure Pro's ALL FOR YOU kit just for ABMP members. Website: https://purepro.com/ Email: info@purepro.com Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/purepromassageproducts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purepromassageproducts/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCncpFzRVwZA_V_SnylkHyMw
The ABMP Podcast | Speaking With the Massage & Bodywork Profession
Having your business finances together can have a positive impact on every part of your life. Allissa considers the balance of structure and freedom in money management. Resources: Megan Belanger, Owner of One River Massage Therapy in Massachusetts https://onerivermassage.com/ Under Your Skin cartoons https://onerivermassage.com/category/under-your-skin/ A Liberated Mind, Steven C. Hayes, PhD https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/549319/a-liberated-mind-by-steven-c-hayes-phd/ Host: Allissa Haines is a practicing massage therapist and business owner. You can find her building websites and coaching massage therapists at deepbreathdigital.com. Author links: Website: www.deepbreathdigital.com Sponsors: Discerning massage therapists deserve high-quality products that perfectly support and enhance your healing work. Pure Pro Massage Products are created by a massage therapist for massage therapists and bodyworkers who care deeply about the quality of their massage products. Pure Pro's full line of oils, creams, and Arnica lotion, has everything you need for your favorite modality and will always leave your clients' skin feeling clean and fresh after each treatment. We've put together our 5 most popular products for you to explore in your practice in our ALL FOR YOU KIT. Log into your ABMP membership at ABMP.com and click on Industry Discounts to find the special link to Pure Pro's ALL FOR YOU kit just for ABMP members. Website: https://purepro.com/ Email: info@purepro.com Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/purepromassageproducts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purepromassageproducts/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCncpFzRVwZA_V_SnylkHyMw
When my daughter sprained her ankle during a softball game, I was grateful to have Comfrey growing in the garden and some Arnica oil stashed in the van. But as I reached for what I had on hand, I realized most of my oils were past their prime.This episode is a real-life story behind that moment, the herbs I turn to for sprains and strains, and why it's time to restock my home apothecary. I also talk about what happens when we get excited about making herbal medicine—but don't plan ahead for what we'll actually use.And if you've been wondering what remedies to have on hand for your own family, I'll share how you can join me in the upcoming Herbal Medicine Planning Party—a free, fun, and practical way to get clear on what to make for the next 1–2 years.01:10 – My daughter's sprain and how I responded03:45 – Using older oils in a pinch (and what I'd do differently)06:15 – What's in my Bobcat Balm: the herbs I always use for injuries08:20 – Why Cayenne is a key player in these formulas10:10 – The power of Comfrey12:40 – How easy it is to make remedies without a plan—and why that leads to waste13:45 – Why I'm getting intentional with my medicine making this year14:20 – What we'll be doing inside the Herbal Medicine Planning PartyWanna join the party? Click here and get on the list! theherbalistspath.com/herbal-medicine-planning-party-regLike the show? Got a Q? Shoot us a Text!Great herbal remedies start with great ingredients—plants gathered at their peak! Join me and a beautiful community inside Medicine Makin' Mommas during our spring sale and learn to make remedies you trust. Click here to learn more.Support the showIf you love the show and learned something new, please don't forget to leave us a bunch of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!And, share it with your friends so that we can make herbalism #SpreadLikeWildFlowers Are you ready to use more plants as medicine within your family???Well if you love learning about herbs...Grab my Medicinal Herbs Moms Must Know & Grow Guide Here.
In this episode of The Sandy Show, Sandy and Tricia kick things off with some fun banter about the end of the school year. They dive into a quirky story about Meghan Markle and a fan suing her over a bath recipe gone wrong. The hosts are skeptical and think it's a money grab. They then chat about their Mother's Day plans, opting for Mexican food over a home-cooked meal. Tricia shares her love for Shirley Temples, and they laugh about past drink mishaps. The episode wraps up with Sandy's amusing attempt to impress Tricia by cleaning out his email inbox. (00:00:00) Sandy introduces the morning radio show and teases a Meghan Markle story.School Year End Approaches(00:00:21) Discussion about the approaching end of the school year and personal reflections.Meghan Markle's New Name(00:00:57) Tricia mentions Meghan's preference to be called Meghan Sussex and public resistance.Lawsuit Over Bath Recipe(00:01:06) A fan claims skin ulcers from a bath recipe shared by Markle, leading to a lawsuit.Skepticism About the Lawsuit(00:02:21) Sandy and Tricia express doubts about the legitimacy of the lawsuit against Markle.Mother's Day Dinner Plans(00:03:25) Sandy shares his initial plan for Mother's Day dinner, which changes to dining out.Tricia's Favorite Drink(00:04:41) Tricia reveals her enjoyment of Shirley Temples and a humorous anecdote about ordering one.Exploring the Ocean(00:06:47) Tricia shares a surprising fact about ocean exploration and its vast unexplored areas.Discussion on Squirrel Pets(00:07:09) Tricia humorously discusses her desire to have a pet squirrel, contrasting Sandy's views.Kelly Clarkson Show Replacement Rumors(00:08:34) Tricia speculates on potential replacements for Kelly Clarkson on her show.Ocean Exploration Facts(00:09:27) Tricia shares statistics about deep-sea dives and unexplored ocean areas.Household Chores and Attraction(00:10:41) Sandy discusses how household chores can make him more attractive to Tricia.
In this episode, I speak with Stephanie Joachim, a homeopath and black belt in Taekwondo, about how homeopathy can support active individuals and families dealing with sports-related injuries and stress. Stephanie shares how her family uses remedies for everything from bruises, sprains, and concussions to nerves before competitions, muscle cramps, and travel sickness. We also discuss the role of rest and listening to the body, and how homeopathy fits alongside that. She explains how remedies like Arnica, Aconite, Natrum sulph, Ruta, and tissue salts are used in her day-to-day life, and why she's putting this experience into an upcoming eBook for parents and athletes. In this episode, we discuss: Common injuries in sports like Taekwondo and hurling Homeopathic support for concussions, sprains, bruises, and ligament damage Managing anticipatory anxiety and performance nerves naturally Remedies for jet lag and travel sickness Helping children understand and use remedies confidently Why symptoms are signals and what they might be telling us Resources: Visit Stephanie's website: https://treeoflifehomeopathy.com/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel and be updated with our latest episodes. You can also subscribe to our podcast channels available on your favourite podcast listening app below: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homeopathy247-podcast/id1628767810 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/39rjXAReQ33hGceW1E50dk Follow us on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homeopathy247 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homeopathy247 You can also visit our website at https://homeopathy247.com/
Bumps, bruises, and beyond—Arnica to the rescue! In this episode, Marianne and Andrea dive into the #1 homeopathic remedy for injuries, soreness, and even emotional trauma. From kids' spills to post-workout aches, find out why Arnica deserves a spot in your first aid kit.www.sistertipsters.com**Follow Sister Tipsters on Instagram
Ever felt stuck with an injury that won't heal? Whether it's a sprained ankle, chronic pain, or post-surgery recovery, what if you could speed up the healing process—naturally?In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jo, a former aerospace engineer turned homeopathy expert, who shares her jaw-dropping journey from satellites to sprains. She reveals how a desperate search for her daughter's healing led her to discover the power of homeopathy—and eventually create ActiveMend, a game-changing product that accelerates the body's ability to heal itself.We dive into real-life stories, including a pro athlete who went from nearly quitting to a career breakthrough, and the science behind why Arnica and homeopathy work. If you've ever dealt with an injury, know someone in pain, or simply want to understand how to optimize your body's natural healing powers, this episode is a must-listen!Tune in now to learn how you can recover faster, move better, and get back to the things you love—without relying on pharmaceuticals.Chapter:[00:00] Episode's Preview[00:49] Podcast Introduction[01:33] Topic and Guest Introduction[03:30] Meet Dr. Jo: From Aerospace Engineer to Homeopathy Expert[07:19] ActivMend: A Breakthrough in Natural Healing[11:30] Why ActivMend Works Better Than Traditional Arnica[13:49] Does Homeopathy Work for Everyone?[15:51] Stigma Around Homeopathy[18:41] God's Design for Healing[19:44] Why Some Injuries Never Heal & How to Fix It[24:50] A Pro Tennis Player's Miraculous Recovery[29:18] Faster Recovery After Surgery: A Plastic Surgeon's Study[31:42] Dr. Jo's Personal Life: Tennis, Dance, & Fun[33:24] Final Thoughts & How to Get ActivMend and My FreebieResources mentioned:ActivMend WebsiteFREE VISIBLY FIT™ in 7 DAYS Workout & Meal PlanVisibly Fit 7-Week Accelerator ProgramConnect with today's guest:Dr. Jo Polich was thriving in her engineering career, leading major projects at IBM and Alcatel, until life threw her a curveball—her young daughter fell seriously ill. Despite visiting countless specialists, no one could find a solution. Out of sheer desperation, Dr. Jo turned to a natural remedy. To her amazement, her daughter's digestive issues disappeared for the first time in a year.Driven by curiosity and hope, Dr. Jo dove into researching natural treatments and their effectiveness. Inspired by her daughter's recovery, she made a bold move—leaving her role as Director of Engineering to pursue a medical degree and open her own practice. She dedicated herself to understanding the science behind natural healing, blending her engineering mindset with medical expertise.Her first breakthrough, a high-potency hydrogel called OcuMend, quickly gained the trust of top dermatologists for its ability to dramatically reduce bruising and pain. Their success stories were so compelling that pharmaceutical giant Allergan licensed the technology—the first time a major company embraced an arnica-based product.Now, Dr. Jo has taken her innovation even further with ActivMend, a powerful formula designed to help athletes and active individuals recover faster from injuries. Whether you're getting back on the field, into your workout routine, or just back to feeling your best, ActivMend is here to speed up your healing journey.As a frequent guest on health and wellness podcasts, Dr. Jo shares her inspiring story and expert insights, helping people everywhere discover faster, more effective ways to heal...
In this episode of The Whole Body Detox Show, David DeHaas welcomes Dr. Jo Polich, founder of Active Mend, to discuss the power of homeopathy in healing injuries and chronic pain. Dr. Polich shares her fascinating journey from engineering to natural medicine, revealing how homeopathic remedies like Arnica, Rustox, Ledum, and Ruda can support tendon, ligament, and muscle recovery. Learn how she developed a breakthrough topical application for pain relief and discover the science behind holistic healing. If you're looking for natural alternatives to surgery and pharmaceuticals, this episode is a must-watch!Topics Covered:-Homeopathy for pain relief & recovery-Natural remedies for ligament and tendon injuries-The science behind holistic healing-How Dr. Polich transitioned from engineering to homeopathyTune in to explore how homeopathy can enhance your body's natural healing process!Support the showRELATED EPISODE: https://www.wholebodydetoxshow.com/176-vax-vs-unvax-let-the-science-speak-with-dr-brian-hooker/https://www.wholebodydetoxshow.com/204-organic-farming-raw-milk-and-sustainability-insights-with-nathan-wilder-jones-of-kings-cro/https://www.wholebodydetoxshow.com/200-reversing-brain-fog-dementia-and-alzheimers-part-1/ Ready for your healing journey?Visit our website: www.LivingWatersCleanse.com Or give us a call at: (208) 378-9911Stem Cell Activation Patches:www.StemCellPatch.netGet your Supplements and Natural Body Products Here:www.livingwaterscleanse.com/supplementsQI-Shield EMF Devices:Protect your whole home or office with a touric shield from EMF's. 1. QI Shield Covers 16'x16' 2. QI Home Covers 50' x 50' 3. QI Max Covers 250'x250'Click on link and enter Livingwaters in discount code section during checkout Magnesium Soaks:Follow us on our socials:...
Early on in life Mel Dupres realized that her calling is to help herself and others to be happy, healthy and free. As an adoptee she has struggled with the feelings and consequences of loss, grief and abandonment. Working diligently to overcome this for herself she now assists others in their process and is humbled and honored to do so. She developed a passion for Complementary Medicine over 20 years ago. After completing a Human Science degree at UCL, she eagerly went on to The London College of Classical Homeopathy to complete a Licenciate in 1998 and spent time on postgraduate work at the University of Westminster. She enjoys practicing homeopathy to this day and knows it is one of the most profound systems of medicine available. Leaving her Bermuda island home as a teen, she spent many years in the U.K. which led her down a path of revelation and self discovery through study, clinical practice and work in homeopathic pharmacy. She spent years traveling: to India to learn from Rajan Sankaran and the Gondia Homeopathic College and Hospital, to Ghana where she ran homeopathic clinics, with homeopaths including Ellen Kramer and to various other countries around the world where she would seek connection with other homeopaths as well as purchase Arnica for her 'global collection'! In 2000 she began to practice yoga on and off but it was not until a trip to a healing centre in India, where she practiced daily, that yoga helped tremendously unlocking her own health issues due to stress at the time. This experience sparked her desire to teach yoga and she went on to complete the 200 hour yoga training in 2011 with Yoga London. Homeopathy, which explores the mental/ emotional, physical and spiritual aspects of dis-ease through case taking and remedies, and the breath work/ asana (postures) of yoga, which move the vital energies, combine beautifully to bring about transforming a patients experience to health. Adding therapeutic touch and reiki is the icing on the cake allowing Mel to bring a unique and dynamic approach to caring for those willing to embark on a healing journey. A love of food and in particular a wandering palate has lead Mel to create tasty foods that are plant based, free of common allergens (dairy, gluten and nuts). Knowing that food is not only sensory but ideally for nourishing the body, keeps the inspiration for seeking foundation through food as building blocks for heath for herself and her clients. These modalities and approaches complement each other incredibly well, giving clients the opportunity to transcend illness and transform into a new state of being. Life is journey - for Mel it is one of fun, healing and devotion and by embracing this there is quest for deep connection and understanding of herself and others. She lives in Bermuda and can be contacted as follows: email: meldupres@yahoo.co.uk Facebook: Healing Essentials MD Instagram: healingessentialsmd Website: COMING SOON! If you would like to support the Homeopathy Hangout Podcast, please consider making a donation by visiting www.EugenieKruger.com and click the DONATE button at the top of the site. Every donation about $10 will receive a shout-out on a future episode.
Looking to help your pets overcome health issues naturally? For the first time on Vitality Radio, Jared is covering your furry companions! Marie Camille returns to the show to talk about the MediNatura line of homeopathic solutions for common pet health issues. Jared and Marie cover the products that address pain, arthritis, allergies, anxiety, and digestive issues for your housepets and farm animals. You'll learn why each of these formulas are effective for an array of issues and have incredible safety profiles. Homeopathy is an affordable, natural way to keep your beloved pets feeling their best.Products:MediNatura Pet LineAdditional Information:#474: Homeopathic Formulas for Cold and Flu Symptom Relief with Marie Camille#429: Homeopathic Formulas for Pain, Cold and Flu, and Seasonal Allergies with Marie Camille#393: What Is Homeopathy and How Does It Work? With Guillaume LoisVisit the podcast website here: VitalityRadio.comYou can follow @vitalitynutritionbountiful on Instagram, or Vitality Radio and Vitality Nutrition on Facebook. Join us also in the Vitality Radio Podcast Listener Community on Facebook. Shop the products that Jared mentions at vitalitynutrition.com. Let us know your thoughts about this episode using the hashtag #vitalityradio and please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. Thank you!Just a reminder that this podcast is for educational purposes only. The FDA has not evaluated the podcast. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The advice given is not intended to replace the advice of your medical professional.
Revolutionary New Product For Rapid Healing On Sprains and Strains Click On My Website Below To Schedule A Free 15 Min Zoom Call: www.Over40FitnessHacks.com Over 40 Fitness Hacks Facebook Group Get Your Whoop4.0 Here! Dr. Jo Polich - ActivMend Patches www.ActivMend.com In this episode of the Over 40 Fitness Hacks, Brad Williams interviews Dr. Jo Polich, a former engineer turned chiropractor with a passion for scientifically addressing chronic pain. Dr. Polich shares her unique journey from engineering satellites to developing Active Mend, a groundbreaking solution for ligament, tendon, and muscle recovery. The discussion focuses on the stages of tendon injuries—reactive, disrepair, and degenerative—and the importance of early and proper healing to prevent long-term damage. Dr. Polich explains how untreated injuries often lead to recurring issues, scar tissue buildup, and permanent damage. She emphasizes the body's natural ability to heal and cautions against masking pain with steroids, which can worsen conditions. Dr. Polich introduces Active Mend, a high-potency, topical patch using natural remedies like Arnica and other flower-based components. This innovative product accelerates recovery by amplifying the body's inflammatory response, reducing swelling, and alleviating pain without painkillers. She highlights its effectiveness with compelling case studies, including ankle and ACL injuries that healed significantly faster than conventional treatments. Brad and Dr. Polich discuss the implications of neglecting proper injury recovery, sharing personal experiences and actionable advice for managing injuries in midlife and beyond. The episode underscores the value of supporting the body's natural processes for long-term health and mobility. If you're interested in online personal training or being a guest on my podcast, "Over 40 Fitness Hacks," you can reach me at brad@over40fitnesshacks.com or visit my website at: www.Over40FitnessHacks.com Additionally, check out my Yelp reviews for my local business, Evolve Gym in Huntington Beach, at https://bit.ly/3GCKRzV
Join us in this episode with Jan Blair, a registered homeopath and coach, as we explore the challenges and solutions surrounding Irlen syndrome, a visual processing condition that significantly impacts learning and reading abilities. Jan shares her personal story, including how a chance discovery of Irlen syndrome helped her son overcome his reading struggles. We delve into the visual distortions associated with the condition, such as words blurring or moving, and how these issues often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Jan also discusses the use of colored overlays and lenses as effective tools for managing Irlen syndrome, along with the potential role of homeopathic remedies in supporting those affected. Episode Highlights: 03:03 - Jan's Journey into Homeopathy 05:03 - A Mother's Realization 14:52 - Understanding Irlen Syndrome 18:03 - Symptoms and Misdiagnosis 25:36 - How Irlen Affects Everyday Activities 34:05 - Exploring Homeopathic Remedies for Erlen Syndrome 36:09 - Personal Stories and Experiences 38:55 - The Impact of Erlen Lenses on Sensory Processing 46:19 - Identifying Symptoms and Red Flags 50:19 - Practical Tips and Remedies for Managing Erlen Syndrome 57:31 - Creative and Musical Abilities in Irlen Patients About my Guest: Jeanette "Jan" Blair is a second-generation homeopath, coach, supervisor, remedial massage therapist, NLP practitioner, and Irlen assessor. Growing up with a homeopath mother, Jan was immersed in holistic healing from a young age, though she initially pursued a degree in languages and a career in the computer industry. It wasn't until she found herself naturally advising clients on remedies like Arnica that her passion for homeopathy was reignited. At 28, she returned to university to study homeopathy, eventually building a successful practice. Her personal journey with Irlen Syndrome began when her son struggled with reading and was diagnosed with visual processing issues. Now, with nearly 20 years of experience in homeopathy, Jan helps children and adults overcome challenges like Irlen Syndrome and continues to inspire others with her deep commitment to holistic well-being. Find out more about Jan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jbhomeopathy/ Email: jan@fraserblair.com If you would like to support the Homeopathy Hangout Podcast, please consider making a donation by visiting www.EugenieKruger.com and click the DONATE button at the top of the site. Every donation about $10 will receive a shout-out on a future episode. Join my Homeopathy Hangout Podcast Facebook community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HelloHomies Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/eugeniekrugerhomeopathy/ Here is the link to my free 30-minute Homeopathy@Home online course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqBUpxO4pZQ&t=438s Upon completion of the course - and if you live in Australia - you can join my Facebook group for free acute advice (you'll need to answer a couple of questions about the course upon request to join): www.facebook.com/groups/eughom
"The more inflamed you are, the faster you age."In this episode:The perimenopause, inflammation and aging connection Digestive enzymes to combat inflammation! Collagen and coffee - don't do it!Arnica for injury and inflammation What is NAD+ and why is it important? Semaglutides / GLP-1s and weight loss GLP-1s for managing menopause symptoms
How can homeopathy and herbal remedies support holistic family health?
In this episode, I'm talking all about restlessness and anxiety in dogs—something I get a lot of questions about. I'm answering a listener's question on how we can use herbs to help with things like reactivity, separation anxiety, and just general restlessness. I share some of my go-to herbs, like nettles and chamomile, that support the kidneys and nervous system, plus some tips for calming your dog's anxiety. I also talk about how we, as dog owners, need to check in with our own stress levels because our dogs pick up on our energy. And of course, we go over why I'm not a huge fan of meds like Prozac and Trazodone for behavioral issues, and why natural remedies like flower essences and calming herbs are often the way to go. Show Links: Aconite and Arnica (by Adored Beast) Relax Formula Rescue Remedy Sponsored By: Goodness Gracious Real Mushrooms Check Out Rita SIGN UP FOR MY NEW BOOK Rita's Instagram Facebook Group My Courses My Website and Store Produced By: Drake Peterson
In this week's episode of The Radical Health Rebel Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Jo Polich, a leading expert on Arnica and other homeopathic remedies for injury recovery, especially sprains and strains. Dr. Jo combines scientifically validated methods with traditional knowledge, offering effective solutions for both athletes and non-athletes alike.We explore how these remedies can be a powerful addition to your healing toolkit, helping you recover faster from muscle and ligament injuries.Whether you're an athlete looking for quick recovery solutions or just someone wanting to heal better, this episode is packed with practical insights!We discussed:0:00Healing With Homeopathy7:03Healing Through Alternative Medicine Success19:11Understanding Homeopathy Nanostructures35:22Understanding Homeopathic Treatments and Prevention41:37Enhancing Recovery Through Homeopathy and Healing51:33Healing Chronic Injuries With Homeopathy1:04:06Exploring Pain and Healing ConceptsYou can find Dr Jo @:https://activmend.com/Send us a textSupport the showDon't forget to leave a Rating for the podcast!You can find Leigh @:Leigh's website - https://www.bodychek.co.uk/Leigh's books - https://www.bodychek.co.uk/books/ Eliminate Adult Acne Programme - https://eliminateadultacne.com/Radical Health Rebel YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@radicalhealthrebelpodcast
Join us in this episode with Cornelia Maute as she offers a wealth of insights into the application of homeopathy in agriculture. By embracing homeopathic remedies, gardeners and farmers can reduce their reliance on pesticides, promote healthier plant growth, and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices. Cornelia's expertise and personal experiences provide valuable guidance for anyone interested in exploring this innovative approach to plant care. Tune in to find out how agri-homeopathy can transform your environmental impact and contribute to a richer, more diverse ecosystem in your farming practices. Episode Highlights: 02:47 - Cornelia's Journey into Homeopathy 14:17 - Use of Arnica for Plant Recovery 15:30 - Benefits of Silica in Plant Growth 17:33 - Sulfur's Role in Pest Management 20:33 - Impact of Monocultures and the Need for Soil Regeneration 22:17 - Potency Preferences in Plant Homeopathy 24:57 - Preventive Treatment for Plant Diseases 27:06 - Fungal Disease Treatment Recommendations 31:56 - Cleaning Watering Cans Between Remedies 34:04 - Radiation Remedies for Plants 36:39 - Where to Find the Book and Courses About my guest: Cornelia Maute has been deeply engaged with classical homeopathy since childhood, initially through treating her family and pets. Her interest expanded when her mother's pioneering work in "plant homeopathy" inspired her to delve into this innovative and eco-friendly approach to plant care. Collaborating with her mother on books and consultations, and participating in a study group of horticulturists and winegrowers, Cornelia has continually enhanced her expertise. She contributes as a co-author to "Homeopathy for Plants," manages customer service, and designs personalized treatment plans for a diverse clientele. Cornelia's role also includes delivering lectures and seminars both in Germany and internationally. Her dedication was further demonstrated in December 2017 when she completed her education as an animal homeopath. The rewarding interactions with clients and their positive outcomes remain a significant motivation for her. Find out more about Cornelia Website: https://maute-pflanzenhomoeopathie.de Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pflanzenglobuli/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maute.pflanzen If you would like to support the Homeopathy Hangout Podcast, please consider making a donation by visiting www.EugenieKruger.com and click the DONATE button at the top of the site. Every donation about $10 will receive a shout-out on a future episode. Join my Homeopathy Hangout Podcast Facebook community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HelloHomies Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/eugeniekrugerhomeopathy/ Here is the link to my free 30-minute Homeopathy@Home online course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqBUpxO4pZQ&t=438s Upon completion of the course - and if you live in Australia - you can join my Facebook group for free acute advice (you'll need to answer a couple of questions about the course upon request to join): www.facebook.com/groups/eughom
Send a text to Melissa and she'll answer it on the next episode. Can you imagine a fall season without the constant itchiness and sneezing from allergies? In this episode, we reveal Melissa's go-to remedies—Kali mur, Apis, and Allium Cepa—that have been a game-changer for managing those pesky fall allergy symptoms. We also dive into the technique of water dosing to make your remedies last longer and discuss the benefits of consistent use, especially for families with kids. Plus, Melissa introduces Calc carb 30c, a remedy designed for long-term allergy relief, and we start to explore potential solutions for sinus infections that often follow allergies.Transitioning to school season, we tackle school-related anxiety and stress with remedies like Gelsemium 30c and Kali phos 6c. We also discuss remedies for common sports injuries, including Arnica for general injuries and Ruta 6c for sprained ankles. Don't miss our tips for dealing with heat exhaustion and the importance of hydration, highlighting remedies like Aconite and bioplasma. Finally, we share Melissa's expert advice on managing winter eczema, backed by inspiring success stories. Get ready to arm yourself with practical health tips to keep your family thriving all year round!FIND ME!
It's been on my mind to have Michael Pilarski on the show for quite a while now, so when he dropped by the other day to see my garden, it seemed like the perfect time to invite him to be here. I loved talking with Michael about his experience of both wildcrafting and farming, and his perspective about the benefits and drawbacks of both of those ways of working with the land. And it was so much fun chatting with him about our love for herbal gatherings!Michael also shared some fantastic tips on gathering arnica and making medicine with it, including his recipe for Arnica Liniment. You can find the link to a beautifully illustrated recipe card for Michael's liniment at: https://bit.ly/4daL0Z5 Arnica is an herb that belongs in everyone's first aid kit! Here are two ways arnica's medicinal gifts shine:► To help speed recovery of bumps and bruises► To reduce joint and muscle pain and swellingTo get all the details and hear more about gathering and working with arnica, be sure to tune in to the entire episode!By the end of this episode, you'll know:► How working with wildcrafted herbs can sometimes be more sustainable than working with farmed herbs► Which arnica species are medicinally active - and how to tell by looking at the plant► Why Michael prefers using arnica liniment rather than arnica-infused oil► Why medicine made with fresh arnica is better than dried - and why you should make your own!► Harvesting tips for arnica► and so much more…For those of you who don't know him, Michael Pilarski is an herb farmer, wildcrafter and educator with 50 years of experience in Washington State, Oregon, north Idaho and Northwest Montana. He farms a diversity of medicinal and food plants in agroforestry/permaculture systems and has expertise in seed collecting, value-added products and propagation of native and non-native species. He has worked with over 1,000 species of plants. Michael combines the science of herbs with the magic of herbs through his studies in plant spirit medicine. He has initiated and organized many herb gatherings including the Northwest Herbal Fair, the Montana Herb Gathering, and the Medicinal Herb Growing & Marketing Conference.I'm thrilled to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book
Send us a Text Message.Ever wondered how to breeze through your travels without succumbing to common ailments? This episode promises to equip you with indispensable homeopathic remedies that can transform your travel experience from stressful to seamless. Learn how to protect and carry these remedies safely, including the benefits of using an EMF protective bag and the necessity of requesting hand checks at airport security. We share essential remedies for typical issues like Arsenicum Album for diarrhea and Nux Vomica for constipation, plus insights into remedies for symptoms caused by specific conditions, such as Mag Phos for dehydration-induced constipation.Facing jet lag, overindulgence, or chemical sensitivities during your journey? We've got you covered. Discover how remedies like Arnica and Cocculus can alleviate jet lag and how Nux Vomica can help with stomach issues from overindulgence. We also delve into managing allergic reactions with Apis, the onset of illness with Aconite and Bryonia, and motion sickness with Kali Muraticum. Tune in to build a well-rounded homeopathic kit that ensures a healthier and more comfortable journey, no matter how often you travel. Don't miss out on these practical tips and expert advice that can make your next trip a breeze!FIND ME!
Have you ever questioned the conventional path to disease prevention and wondered if there's a natural alternative? Tune in as we journey through homeoprophylaxis, where we examine the homeopathic approach to fending off illnesses and the compelling teachings of Dr. Robin Murphy. This episode promises to peel back layers of controversy, sharing personal tales and research to illuminate a path less traveled in healthcare. We don't just skim the surface; we delve into the heart of why treating symptoms as they arise may be more aligned with homeopathic principles than preemptive remedies, all while navigating the diverse landscape of parental choice and responsibility.Join us as we address the topic of unnecessary medical practices, stirring an honest conversation about the role homeopathy can play in readying the body for upcoming health challenges. From preparing for dental work with remedies like Arnica and Ruta, to managing childhood diseases at home, this episode is a testament to the power of informed decision-making. We explore the nuances of individual health histories, the impact of lifestyle on disease severity, and when mainstream medical intervention is warranted. As we share these insights, we invite you to become part of a community that values knowledge and support in making health-related choices, and to consider the profound potential homeopathy holds for you and your family's well-being.FIND ME!
Homeopathy can feel complicated. How do you know which remedy to use, and when? MediNatura takes the guesswork out of it for you with formulas that are comprehensive and effective. On this episode of Vitality Radio, Jared talks to Marie Camille from MediNatura about their formulas for many different kinds of pain, a true cold and flu remedy, and a one-two punch for seasonal allergies that covers everything from your drippy nose and itchy eyes, to skin reactions. You'll learn how and why these formulas simplify homeopathics for you and why you may want them in your medicine cabinet.Products:MediNatura ProductsAdditional Information:#393: What Is Homeopathy and How Does It Work? With Guillaume Lois#406: TUDCA's Many Uses Beyond Liver Support; Plus Arnica's Place In Your Medicine Cabinet Visit the podcast website here: VitalityRadio.comYou can follow @vitalityradio and @vitalitynutritionbountiful on Instagram, or Vitality Radio and Vitality Nutrition on Facebook. Join us also in the Vitality Radio Podcast Listener Community on Facebook. Shop the products that Jared mentions at vitalitynutrition.com. Let us know your thoughts about this episode using the hashtag #vitalityradio and please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. Thank you!Please also join us on the Dearly Discarded Podcast with Jared St. Clair.Just a reminder that this podcast is for educational purposes only. The FDA has not evaluated the podcast. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The advice given is not intended to replace the advice of your medical professional.
The times are unprecedented and there is no template for the future. We all feel this, and we feel the overwhelm of information, influence, and opinions. Herbalism, as it always has, offers us sanctuary from everything vying to take hold of our attention and life force. Not so that we can check out in an endless fog of self care, but so that we can be truly present and embodied as we navigate this time of rapid and radical change. The plants call us home to ourselves. Kami's Free Workshop The Art of Arnica: 7 Steps to High Potency Oil & Healing Benefits and Safe Application (week of 3/3/24 only) Kami's Free Webinar How to Use Kami's Top Herbal Oil Blends to Soothe Anxiety and Support Daily Nervous System Reset (week of 3/3/24 only) Kami's revered Handcrafted Healing Herbal Oils course Video Sneak Peak at the Handcrafted Healing Herbal Oils Course from Kami McBride (what it looks like when you log in) Medicine Stories Retreat: Croatia w/ Amber Magnolia Hill (August ‘24) Mastery by Robert Green Medicine Stories Patreon (podcast bonuses!) Take our fun Which Healing Herb is Your Spirit Medicine? quiz My website MythicMedicine.love Mythic Medicine on Instagram Medicine Stories Facebook group Music by Mariee Siou (from her beautiful song Wild Eyes)
We love hearing stories of how our Women of Strength navigate birth in an empowered way, no matter the outcome. Rebecca's story shows how she carefully selected the most supportive homebirth midwife, created a safe birth space in her home, labored hard and beautifully with her husband, took time to process information, assessed her situation, and consented to her second Cesarean when the time felt right to her. Meagan also talks about the different types of positioning and some signs that your baby might be in a less-than-ideal position. Rebecca and Meagan discuss tips and tricks to help prevent a swollen cervix and what options you have if that happens to you!Additional LinksNeeded WebsiteHow to VBAC: The Ultimate Prep Course for ParentsFull Transcript under Episode Details Timestamp Topics01:54 Review of the Week04:31 Rebecca's first pregnancy07:25 Consenting to an unexpected C-section for breech presentation8:53 Fertility Fridays11:02 Sparked interest in VBAC and getting pregnant again13:53 Planning for a HBAC18:00 Tachycardia and GBS positive21:27 Early labor24:18 Calling the team30:10 Laboring through the night39:02 Making the decision to transfer44:53 Consenting to a C-section46:43 Tips for when things don't go as planned50:43 Signs of wonky positioning53:31 What to do57:00 Why you shouldn't skip the repeat Cesarean storiesMeagan: Hello, hello. It is Meagan with another amazing story on The VBAC Link podcast. Thank you so much for listening to us, you guys. I love this community. I know I talk about it. I know it's weird that I don't even know you, but I love you. I love you so much and I'm so glad that you are here with us today. We have our guest today from, let's see, Virginia. I think it's Virginia. That's what my mind is saying. Rebecca: Yep. Meagan: This is Rebecca, so welcome, Rebecca. Rebecca: Thank you. Thank you for having me. I'm really excited. Meagan: Absolutely. Me too. Her story, you guys, today is a repeat Cesarean story so if you didn't know on The VBAC Link, we do share repeat Cesarean stories because they are important to share as well. I'm excited for you to share more about your story and we're going to talk a little bit about swelling of the cervix at the end of this episode because this is something that we see and is a little bit of a part of your story. 01:54 Review of the WeekBefore we dive into the story and all of the things, we of course want to share a Review of the Week. This review is from shotsie3 and it says, “Amazing is not a strong enough word.” That is really awesome. I love that. It says, “I cannot say enough good things about The VBAC Link. Listening to this podcast not only saved my mental health but gave me the knowledge and confidence to take control of my second pregnancy. After my home birth turned into a hospital transfer and Cesarean with my first child, I felt broken. When I unexpectedly found out I was pregnant just 7 months postpartum, I felt scared and lost. I was afraid of failing again and doubted my body's ability to birth naturally, but I knew I absolutely could not have another Cesarean so I started obsessively researching VBAC. That's when I found The VBAC Link. I've been binging episodes ever since. Listening to these stories has been incredible. Each episode is like giving a shot of confidence into the arm.” Oh, I love that. A shot of confidence into the arm. We're giving you guys a little vaccine of confidence. It says, “Both my midwives and doulas have commented on how far my mental prep has come and I know it's all thanks to The VBAC Link. Julie and Meagan have given me lots of tools and resources to control my birth.” I love that. Control your birth. “I am now looking forward to welcoming my second child via HBAC in just five short weeks. I want to shout it from the rooftop, ‘EVERYONE SHOULD LISTEN TO THE VBAC LINK!'”This review was a little while ago, so shotsie3, if you are still listening with us, which we hope you are, email us. Let us know how your birth went. 04:31 Rebecca's first pregnancyMeagan: Okay, cute Rebecca, thank you so much for being here with us today. Rebecca: Yeah, thanks for having me. I'm really excited to share. Meagan: Absolutely. Well, I'd love to turn the time over to you. Rebecca: All right, well I guess I'll start with just a little recap of my daughter's birth who is my first C-section. My daughter was born in January of 2021. We got pregnant with her during kind of the height of COVID. That pregnancy went really smoothly other than it was COVID times so of course, my husband couldn't come to any of the appointments or anything like that. I didn't really do much prep with her because I wasn't going to go to a birth class. There weren't a lot of resources available. All I really did was watch some YouTube videos. I kind of knew I wanted to try to have a natural birth, but I didn't prepare that much for it really. I read Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth and stuff, but I didn't do too much preparation. She went to 41 weeks with no complications. I didn't want to be induced, so my OB was like, “We'll go to 41 weeks and then we'll bring you in for an NST and an ultrasound.” So we went in on January 10th for her NST. She passed that with flying colors and I had asked them if they would give me a membrane sweep before they would induce me. They said they could try that, so they were going to come in and give me the membrane sweep, but luckily, one of the doctors there was like, “Well, let's do her ultrasound first just to make sure that everything's fine because that just makes sense before going down there and doing the membrane sweeps.” They did the ultrasound and she was like, “Did you know your baby's breech?” I was like, “No, I did not.” Meagan: News to me. Rebecca: Yeah. Every time the OBs would very quickly, I will say, very quickly palpate me, they'd be like, “Yep. Feels like she's head down. Everything's good.” She was like, “Yeah. She's breech so we're going to go ahead and schedule a C-section for today at 4:00.” It was around 11:00 or something when this happened, so I just immediately started crying because I did not want a C-section. That wasn't what I was planning for at all. She was like, “Well, we don't do the (ECV)s here.” Is that what it's called? (ECV)? Am I saying it right?Meagan: Mhmm, yeah. Rebecca: Yeah. She was like, “We don't do that here. Your amniotic fluid is kind of low, so yeah. This is your option.” Meagan: I wonder why they don't do it there. Rebecca: I don't know. She just said that they don't offer that service. I guess I didn't really know to ask for a second opinion or to see what other– I was just like, “Well, she's telling me that this is my only option,” so we consented to the C-section which was really disappointing. 07:25 Consenting to an unexpected C-section for breech presentationRebecca: My husband had to go home and get a hospital bag ready because we didn't bring it with us or anything. We were like, “Oh, we will have time to go back if they are going to induce me.” I don't know. We just weren't prepared. Anyways, around 4:00, she was born via C-section and it was uncomplicated. It was uncomplicated. She did well. She did have some hip dysplasia because she was frank breech and they think she was probably frank breech for a long time, so her hips and the bones weren't in the socket at all. But other than that, she was completely healthy. But yeah, I remember that night kind of laying in bed with her nursing, and my husband was asleep. I just was quietly sobbing because I felt like everything that I was looking forward to kind of got ripped away from me and I didn't really have a choice in the matter. So I never got to experience one single contraction or any of that with her. I didn't even really have Braxton Hicks with her. It almost felt like there was no closure to the pregnancy. It felt like I should still be pregnant. I definitely, yeah. That was a struggle. That was a struggle for a while afterward kind of trying to find closure of that whole experience because it was just like, “Okay, you're pregnant and now you're not pregnant.” There was no transition. That was her story. 8:53 Fertility FridaysActually, to be honest with you, shortly after her birth, I was kind of like, “Well, if we get pregnant again, I think I'm just going to do a C-section again because I know what to expect. My body's already been through it. You know, I think I'm just going to do a C-section again.” That was kind of what I was thinking. But as I went on throughout my postpartum time, when I got my period back, I noticed throughout the year that I had some weird issues. I was spotting a lot all throughout the month and just different things were happening that I was like, “This doesn't seem quite right.” When I went to the OB about it, they were like, “Oh, it's fine. Your body is probably just getting back into the swing of things.”But it would be like, “Okay, well I've been postpartum for a while now.” This was two years down the line. I think that there's probably something going on that needs investigating. They were kind of like, “No, it's fine. It's fine.” I ended up finding a podcast actually called “Fertility Fridays”. I don't know if you've heard of it, but it's really awesome. Meagan: I haven't. Rebecca: It just teaches women about their bodies. How to track your cycle and what your cycle means, and how to know if you're actually fertile at that time because that's another thing. It took us a year to get pregnant with Emma Jean. I was also afraid, “Well, it took us a long time last time. Maybe something was wrong.” I just got really into body awareness and women owning their bodies and the different choices that we make and that our bodies have all of these natural processes that we don't even really know about all of the time because we are not educated about those things. Meagan: Yeah. Rebecca; So as I educated myself on how my body worked and all of its amazing processes, I also became really interested in physiological birth again. It re-sparked my interest in that and my passion for that. I kind of was like, “Well, my body is set up to do all of these amazing things. Why don't I let it do that? If I do get pregnant again, I do think I want to try to have a VBAC and let my body do what it's supposed to do.” 11:02 Sparked interest in VBAC and getting pregnant againRebecca: That kind of sparked my interest back into the VBAC and the physiological birth. I got pregnant again in, I guess it was September of 2023. It's 2023 now, right? Meagan: Mhmm, yeah. Rebecca: It was 2022 that I got pregnant again with the first time trying because I had used these methods that I had learned to actually know, “Hey, I'm fertile on these days.” Unfortunately, that pregnancy did end in a miscarriage so we miscarried that baby in November around this time of year. That was also crushing, but luckily, we started again in January, and again, right away, the first time we tried, we got pregnant again with my son, Arthur who luckily is here with us today. We got pregnant with him in January of 2023 and that was a pretty scary first trimester because I was definitely worried about miscarriage and things of that nature. But as soon as we got pregnant with him, I started listening to The VBAC Link. I also just started to think about, because you guys talk about it all of the time, finding a provider that was friendly to VBAC, truly friendly. Meagan: Yes. Rebecca: Based on my experience with my OB that I was with, I felt like they were tolerant of VBAC but not necessarily supportive. I figured with her, I went to 41 weeks and I hadn't experienced a single contraction. I think they would have been like, “Well, if you don't go into labor by 39 weeks, it's going to be a repeat Cesarean.” I wanted to look for other options and one of my friends had a wonderful home birth for her second child and she recommended Kelly Jenkins who is Blue Ridge Birth. Meagan: What city are you in? Rebecca: I'm in Winchester, Virginia and she works all throughout the surrounding area so the Northern Virginia area. I called her around 7 weeks. I was like, “I know it's kind of early.” She was like, “No. This is perfect timing because I'm already almost full for October,” which was when I was due. She was just really great about going through all of the fears and concerns we have as VBAC parents going into a home birth. She just made me feel so comfortable. She was just really thoughtful with all of our questions, had a lot of stats and evidence, and just really practical which was what I was looking for. Somebody who really was practical and knew their stuff, but also wasn't necessarily a traditional OB. 13:53 Planning for an HBACRebecca: We ended up signing on with her for our care. She would come to our house at the normal time and an OB would come and spend a whole hour with us and just answer all of our questions which was awesome. Meagan: Wow. Rebecca: I never felt like, “Oh, well you're a VBAC so you are a huge risk.” Everything was just supportive and always gave us all of the evidence for all of the choices we had to make all along the way. I also did yoga throughout this pregnancy. I immediately downloaded the Spinning Babies yoga thing. We watched the Spinning Babies parent class because I was trying to do everything not to have a breech baby. Meagan: Yes. Rebecca: I went to the chiropractor a lot and yeah. I just tried to do everything with my posture and all of these things to make sure this baby was not going to be breech. That was my biggest fear. He never was breech, so that wasn't the problem. We also took a Bradley class. I have mixed feelings about Bradley, especially as a repeat Cesarean parent. Meagan: Yep. Rebecca: I think Bradley is really great, but I will stand on a soapbox just for a minute and say I also think Bradley is pretty dated and somewhat unfair to parents because it really does villainize any kind of drug or anything. Sometimes you have to do things for the safety of your child and I feel like it really villianizes using a lot of medical tools that sometimes you truly need. Meagan: That are necessary. Interesting, yeah. Rebecca: Luckily, we had a great doula who taught our Bradley class. It was Bethany Bagnell. She definitely gave it her own spin and kind of, I feel like, was more open-minded whereas if you read the Bradley book, I feel like he's very stringent and I just feel like some of the things he promotes are a little bit outdated in my opinion. But I really liked her so it was a very informative class. We felt really prepared going into the birth. 18:00 Tachycardia and GBS positiveWe really didn't have any complications until week– I guess it was 34 or 35. Kelly came to our house to do our normal check-up and the baby's heartbeat was really fast. She called it tachy. She was really concerned about that and so we actually did go to the hospital to get an NST. They were pretty rude to us at the hospital. They were kind of like, “Why are you guys here? I don't understand why you are here.” We were like, “Our midwife–”Meagan: Just checking up. Rebecca: You know, the heartbeat was really high. I don't know. They just weren't very kind to us while we were there. But anyway, they ended up not giving us the test that she asked them for. She wanted them to do an ultrasound and an NST and they refused to do the ultrasound. We ended up having to drive up to Laden to get the ultrasound. Everything was fine. His heart rate had settled back down and he looked fine. He was head down so we were happy about that. But that was the only little scare that we had. The other thing that was a little bit of a complication but not a complication, just something that happened is we did test positive for GBS. That was not a big deal. We could get the antibiotics at home so it did not preclude us from having a home birth or anything. We did research a lot about that because we kind of wanted to avoid antibiotics so we did a lot of research to decide what the best decision was for us whether we wanted to do those antibiotics. We decided we were just going to play it by ear based on how soon my water broke and different things. Meagan: Signs. Yeah, all of those things are really good things to take into consideration. Rebecca: Yeah, exactly. My urine was clear for GBS. It was just the swab so that was another good indicator that it might be okay. Then yeah, we were just going to kind of wait and see. I also went on a really stringent diet. I cut out white foods and a lot of the things that are shown to feed GBS then I added a lot of fermented foods and probiotics and stuff like that. Meagan: Awesome.Rebecca: So those were really the only two little bumps in the road. The whole pregnancy, every time, she would palpate which would be a full belly map by the way. When the OB would touch my belly, it would be for 10 seconds. Kelly would actually go in and she would completely map out my belly and be like, “I can feel his neck here and his butt.” Every time she did that, she would be like, “He's in a great position. He's in a perfect position.” We were really hopeful going into things. Of course, he did go over the due date but I kind of expected that because Emma Jean did the same thing. The difference with him was I had a lot of Braxton Hicks and I did actually have a few days where I had some prodromal labor or some episodes that I was like, “Maybe this is labor,” and then it kind of just fizzled out. 21:27 Early laborHe went to 41 weeks and I was starting to get a little nervous that we might have to induce. I really didn't want to do that, so the day that he was 41 weeks, I started feeling contractions every 10 minutes throughout the day. I was at work and I was just kind of breathing through them. They weren't painful, but I was definitely like, “Okay. These are kind of timable, every 10 minutes or so.” Right after work, I got together with some of my work friends and we went for a really nice, hilly, 3-mile walk and sure enough, by the time I got home from that, I was feeling contractions become stronger and closer together. They weren't painful yet, but around the time that I was cooking dinner, I went upstairs and I went to the bathroom and I had blood all over my toilet paper. I was like, “Okay. That's a good sign. Maybe I am in labor. Maybe this is finally it,” because we had a few episodes and we had been trying all of the things to get things going. I told my husband, “Maybe things are really happening.” I texted my midwife and she just told me, “Go to bed early tonight. After you put your daughter down, go to bed and see if you can get some rest because it sounds like this might be it so try to get some rest.” I got my daughter down and tried to lay down probably around– she went to be around 8:00 and I tried to lay down around 8:30. As I was laying in bed, I just couldn't get comfortable. What it felt like to me was gas pains. I had always heard period cramps, but I was feeling very strong gas pains. I told my husband, “Maybe I just have gas.” He was like, “Your gas doesn't come in waves like that. I think you're having contractions.” I was like, “I don't know.” Meagan: It doesn't come in waves. Rebecca: He was like, “You're having contractions. I think you're really having contractions.” So he started to time those and they were coming every 5-7 minutes and it was too uncomfortable for me to stay in bed, so I was like, “Well, let's go ahead and go into the basement.” We have a nice finished basement and we were going to birth down there. That's where we were going to set up the pool. I was like, “You can get the tub set up and I can kind of pace around and we will make sure we won't wake up Emma Jean,” who is my daughter. We came into the basement probably around 10:00 and pretty much as soon as we got into the basement, my contractions became strong enough that I wasn't really feeling like I could talk through them anymore. I was leaning over the ball and breathing. My dog, Maggie, was right beside me. Her face is right next to mine the whole time. She was kind of starting to distract me so I was like, “Let's call my dad to come get the dog.” I was like, “I think this is really happening.” 24:18 Calling the teamRebecca: We called everyone. We called Kelly and we called my mom and my sister who were going to help and attend the birth. Everybody just started rolling in. My dad came and got the dog. My mom and sister came and then Kelly was coming around midnight. By the time Kelly got there, I was definitely like, Rick was already helping me out with counterpressure because my contractions were so strong in my back. Everything was in my back, not in my abdomen at all. I remember in the back of my head, I was like, “Man, I remember that means position.” Meagan: Usually. Rebecca: It's probably not what it should be. Kelly, on the phone, had told me to try to do some of the Miles circuit. I had been working through that a little bit when she showed up. When she showed up, I was on the bed in the head down position with the butt up which is part of the Miles circuit and my water broke. My water broke right around midnight when she arrived and that was really cool for me because I had not gotten to experience that with Emma Jean so that feeling is still something that I think of fondly because I never got any of that with my first daughter. Kelly was like, “Just so you know, your contractions might pick up now because your water is broken.” I was like, “Okay,” and they definitely, definitely did pick up. I feel like I almost didn't even go through that early labor stage. I feel like I kind of went straight into that active, you've got to focus. You've got to breathe. My husband had to be right there with me with the counterpressure. Things were pretty strong. They were tolerable and I was excited, so I wasn't like, “Oh, this is really painful.” I was like, “Oh my gosh. It's happening. This is all happening.” That really, I think, helped with the pain tolerance. I was excited for it. But for most of that part of labor, I was leaning over the bed or the couch, and my sister, I would hold her hands and look at her. My husband would be behind me with the counterpressure. They were getting the tub all going and everything. Then Kelly was like, “Do you want me to check you?” I let her check me, but I told her not to tell me how dilated I was. She checked me and she was like, “Well, he's really, really, really low. I can already feel his head. You're almost completely effaced so that's good.” She didn't tell me how dilated I was, but I was like, “Okay. He's low. I'm effaced. Things are sounding good.” Then the nurse got there and we had to decide if we wanted to start the antibiotics for the GBS. My water had broken so I was kind of like, “Um, I don't know. Let's see.” Then I asked Kelly, “Can you just tell me how dilated I was so I can kind of get a sense of how much time we have?” She said I was only at a 1. I was kind of disappointed by that, but I was like, “I haven't been laboring that long. I know that dilation can come really quickly. It's not the only thing. I'm effaced and he's low,” so I didn't let it get me down, but we did decide to go ahead and run the antibiotics. She hooked me up with those and I was able to still be in the tub and everything. She just covered it with a dressing and a plastic so I could be in the tub. I did get in the tub at that point. I got in the tub probably a little after midnight. I don't know the exact timeframe. The tub was nice, but my husband hates baths so at first, he was like, “I'm not going to get in the tub with you.” I was like, “Okay, well I need your counterpressure so buddy, you're going to have to.” Meagan: Get in.Rebecca: Yeah. I went through a few contractions in the tub without him in there with me and to do the counterpressure, I would press my butt as hard as I could against the bottom of the tub. I was like, “This is not cutting it. You're going to swim with me now. Get in.” He did. He got in. He's kind of a germaphobe which is part of him not liking tubs thing. Meagan: Okay, fair. Rebecca: He got in with me and he did what he needed to do. He was awesome. Basically, I would just press against– I was lined up against his pelvis and I would press my butt into him as hard as I could because every contraction felt like my butt would fly apart if I didn't have somebody holding it together. Meagan: I can totally relate. I was in labor. I was like, “He's going to come out my butt.” Everyone was like, “No, he's not.” I'm like, “Yes, he is.” Those posterior babies. Rebecca: Yep. It just felt like my butt would fly apart if no one held it together. That was how I was getting through each contraction. I labored in the tub for a while then I had to use the bathroom so they were like, “You should labor on the toilet for a while. People love laboring on the toilet.” So I was like, “All right.” I did not like laboring on the toilet. Meagan: Dilation station. Rebecca: I think I just really needed my husband's body. I don't know why. I needed to be pressed against him in some form or another. He was definitely my rock through that whole thing. He was really good. He read The Birth Partner book and everything. He really was with me 100% of the way which is another reason I'm so thankful that I got to labor this time because the bonding between the two of us going through that together was just something that I could never replace. It was just amazing. 30:10 Laboring through the nightRebecca: We kind of went back and forth between the tub and the bed and doing different things. Everything was going well. I remember asking people what time it was a few times and I was like, “Man, the night's really going by quickly. I feel like I'm laboring really hard, but I'm managing and everything was going well.” We labored all through the night until my daughter woke up at 7:00 in the morning. I wanted to say goodbye to her before she went off to school to daycare. I waited for a contraction to end because I was like, “I don't want her to come down here while I'm acting crazy.” When the contraction ended, I called up to my mom. I was like, “Bring down Emma Jean.” She was so cute. She was like, “You're swimming? You're in the pool? What's happening?” I was like, “Yeah. Your brother is coming. Kelly is here,” and she was really excited that Kelly was here because she got to know her throughout the pregnancy. She was really excited. She gave us a kiss and we told her, “Probably when we pick you up from daycare, your brother will be here,” so it was really cute. Then my mom took her. She took her to breakfast and was going to take her to daycare. Basically, as soon as she left, that was my permission to make as much noise as possible. Meagan: Let it go, yep. Rebecca: Yeah. My contractions were starting to be really, really strong. I was starting to feel pushy and I was having to basically roar through them. I was really fighting it. I was sounding angry. I was kind of roaring through them with sort of gritted teeth which I know is the opposite. You're not supposed to grit your teeth. You're supposed to let your jaw be loose and all of that. I was definitely roaring through those contractions. At that point, Kelly was like, “Look, it seems like you might be getting kind of close. Let's check you again and see what's going on.” The intensity of where I was and what I was doing to get through the contractions, I was really expecting and hoping that she was going to say I was maybe a 9 or a 10. She told me later she was fully expecting to tell me, “You're a 9 or a 10.” But when she checked me, I was only a 4.That was kind of crushing to me, but I was like, “Okay.” Actually, I told her not to tell me at first. I was like, “Don't tell me. Again, don't tell me unless it's time to push.” Meagan: Do not tell me, yeah. Rebecca: She said, “Okay, it's not time to push.” The way she said it, I was like, “Something's weird. Something's wrong.” She was like, “I really need you to relax. We're not going to get back in the tub. I want you to lay in the bed. I want you to be in a side-lying position.” She put me in very specific positions and she was like, “I really need you to rest and relax.” 33:09 First signs of swellingI was kind of like, “Okay, something is weird,” so I just asked her. I was like, “Well, what am I at?” She was like, “You're only at a 4.” I was like, “What? I've been laboring all night intensely.” She was like, “And the baby's head is already trying to come through and his head at the top is starting to swell a little bit,” which they called a caput. She was like, “So you know, he's good. His heart rate's good. Your heart rate's good. I'm not worried, but we do have to keep an eye on that.” So she was like, “I'm going to have you go through some different phases of the Miles circuit to see if we can change his position a little bit, get him off your cervix a little bit,” and things like that. I was not able to get those really strong counterpressure that I needed from Rick in that side-lying position, so I was like, “Let's get some music going. I need some kind of distraction.” I'm a singer. I love to sing and I play music and stuff so we put on our wedding playlist. We were just both lying on the bed. I had him get my comb for me so I could squeeze it and I was just singing through our wedding songs. That was actually a really beautiful part of the labor for me. I was sitting there and singing through our songs. It was kind of a chance to just be quiet and think about things. I just kept saying in my head, “Okay. Dilate. Dilate. You're going to dilate,” and thinking that over and over again. She had me do 30 minutes in each of these different positions. The one with the head down and the butt up was super uncomfortable I think because my neck was hurting. I was so ready for that to be over. After we went through those, she was like, “Okay, let's get you up and get you moving again.” This was probably at least an hour later that she was like, “Let's get you up off the bed and we'll just move around.” Rick and I danced around. Every time a contraction hit, I would just squat down really low and he would squat down and hold me in a chair almost and just hold onto me, then we would sway and dance. Meagan: How cute. Rebecca: Yeah. It was really special. We did that for probably another half hour, then it was time for me to get another round of the IV which I guess I had been getting every 4 hours is what that generally is. Kelly was like, “How about we do another round of the antibiotics and then I'll check you again because it will have been about two hours more or so. We will see if you have progressed and what is going on.” At this point, I was starting to feel a little discouraged. I remember I was sitting on the birth ball and Bethany, the nurse, was giving me the antibiotics. I just remember looking at Rick and I was like, “I'm trying so hard.” I was tearful. I was like, “I am trying so hard. I know that I'm a good mom.” He was like, “You're the best mom.” He was crying and I was crying. He was like, “We're going to get through this and we're going to do what we need to do.” Throughout my whole pregnancy, I had told him, “If I don't get a VBAC, it's going to be so hard for me. It's going to be really crushing for me.” His perspective on it the whole time was always like, “Look. We're going to make the best decisions possible with the information we have.” He was like, “Hopefully, that is you getting your VBAC, but if it's not, it's because we had to move to the next plan because it was the best decision.” He was kind of like, “Look. That's the same thing. We're going to make the best decisions with the information we have. You're a great mom and you're doing a great job. I'm so proud of you.” That was just really special. We were just going through the emotions. After we got the antibiotics, she checked me again. I want to say this was around 10:00 in the morning and she was like, “Becca, you're still a 4.” And she said, “Now, your cervix is swelling.” She said, “Look. You know, you're not in danger at this point. The baby's not in danger. This is not an emergency. But, I can't tell you that if you keep going for a few more hours, you're going to have your baby here. I don't know.” She was like, “Chances are your cervix will continue to swell. You've also been in labor for a long time. You're getting tired.” She just kind of started to talk to us about hospital transfer. She was like, “Maybe if we go to the hospital and you get an epidural and you can relax and maybe we can try some different positions with the epidural and get the baby to come off the cervix some.” We started talking about it and I remember I was going through a contraction on the edge of the bed. I had my arms up on the bed and I was just sobbing. I was like, “I tried so hard. I'm trying so hard.” But I remember as soon as I found out I was still just at a 4 and that my cervix was swelling, it is very mental because my tolerance of the contractions, my pain tolerance, just went down. Meagan: Yeah. Rebecca: All of a sudden, they just felt so much more painful because I was going from being like, “Well, maybe I'll meet my baby any second,” to “Who knows? Who knows what's going to happen?” Meagan: Starting to feel the defeat and doubt. Rebecca: Exactly. We talked about it and we were like, “Well, we could labor here for who knows how long and still need to transfer, or we could go ahead and transfer and try something new.”39:02 Making the decision to transferWe made the decision to transfer. Luckily, I only live 5 minutes away from the hospital, so it wasn't a super long process to do that. We already had our hospital bag packed this time. I was ready with that. I had my hospital bag packed. I had my C-section plan just in case. I had my hospital plan just in case. I at least felt ready to go. Nobody said, “You have to transfer.” It was our decision. We felt like we had the information and we made the decision together. That part of going to the hospital, I remember just wishing I could turn these contractions off now because now, getting in the car, not having the counterpressure, all that, and the funny thing was we walked out onto our patio. I had a contraction on the side of my patio and of course, my neighbors drive by and roll down their windows and are like, “How's it going?” Meagan: “Are you okay? How's it going?” Rebecca: Yeah. I was like, “Oh my gosh.” I love these neighbors. They are amazing, but I was like, “This is not what I want to be doing.” But we made it to the hospital. We got to triage. They strapped me all up. I was lying flat on my back in the most uncomfortable position, but basically, we got through triage and everything. From the time I got to the hospital to the time I got the epidural was probably still another hour and a half of labor at least. That was really tough. We made it there. We got there. We finally got the epidural placed. I would say it was around noon when I finally got the epidural placed. I will tell you. I am all about natural labor and if somebody had told me, “You'll have to labor 10 more hours, but you're going to push your baby out and everything is going to be fine,” I would have found it in myself to do that.Meagan: Yeah? Yeah? Rebecca: I will still say that epidural felt so freaking good. Meagan: I bet. Rebecca: It was just a warm wave of a warm tingling hug. As soon as I got the epidural, all of the pain just kind of melted away. I was like, “This is where we are so I might as well enjoy this for what it is and take this relief.” Yeah. The other thing was that the doctor was, I would say, VBAC tolerant for sure, the doctor on call. He kind of came in and gave us a big spiel about TOLAC and did we know the risks. He was like, “Look, you can try for a VBAC, but if anything goes wrong, we're not going to try to fix it. It's just going to be a C-section because we're going to play it safe.” I was like, “Okay.” I didn't have any problems with him. He was a nice guy and everything, but as soon as he said that, I was like, “I have a feeling this is going to be a C-section. I think it's just going to be a C-section.” The nurse was very great. She put me on the peanut ball. She moved me around some different positions to try to get him to back off my cervix. When they checked me again, I was still a 4 even after that time. I labored with the epidural for about two more hours to the point where I was like, “I'm getting kind of bored and antsy. I sort of want to know what's going to happen. What's the plan at this point?” At about two hours in, the doctor came back in and he checked me again. He said, “I could push you to a 5, but you're still basically a 4.” He said, “Your cervix is very swollen.” He said, “I could give you Benadryl or something like that for the cervix to come down.” He was like, “But I really don't like to do that because at this point, whatever is happening to your cervix is a position thing. It's a mechanical, positional thing.” Also, the epidural slowed my contractions way down. They went from being 3 minutes apart to being 10-12 minutes apart. He was like, “I'd probably have to give you Pitocin to get this going again.” He was like, “I'm not comfortable doing that.” He basically said, “I recommend a C-section and that's basically your option.”Meagan: I was like, “Okay. Can you give us a few minutes to talk it over?” He did. He left the room. My midwife, Kelly, was still there. She stayed on the whole time as my doula. She basically was like, “You know, I do understand what he is saying.” She was like, “I kind of wish he would have told you that earlier and not made you wait for two hours.” She was like, “I agree. It probably is positional and there's probably not a ton we can do.” Oh, another thing he had said was that the baby was having some decels after my contractions. He was like, “You know, that can show us the baby is in a little bit of distress.” She was kind of like, “You know, I understand what he is saying and I'm not sure that I would give you any other advice. I'm not sure I would tell you anything different.” My husband and I talked it over and we were like, “Let's just meet our baby. Let's just meet our baby now.” We had them go over our C-section plan and of course, they weren't willing to do most of the things that we had on that plan. They didn't have the clear drapes. There were just a lot of things that they weren't willing to do, but they did agree that the nurse could take pictures of the surgery for us which was something I didn't have with my daughter.Meagan: Which is nice. Rebecca: Yeah. She took pictures for me and that's pretty much the only thing, I think, that was really different. She took pictures of everything that happened. 44:53 Consenting to a C-sectionRebecca: Around 4:00, we consented to the C-section, and then yeah. They just prepped me. My sister took a picture of me giving a thumbs up getting ready to go. She took a picture of my husband and his whole suit and everything. I was like, “Okay. Let's just do this thing and get our baby now.” I did shed some tears while they were rolling me into the OR and I remember the anesthesiologist well-meaning was kind of like, “What? Are you afraid of a C-section? You've already done this!” I know she was trying to be like, “There's nothing to be scared of,” but I was kind of like, I even said to her, “I'm not scared. That's not why I'm crying.” She was like, “Well, what's wrong?” I was like, “I'm disappointed.”Meagan: This is not what I wanted, yeah. This is not what I planned for. Rebecca: That was a little bit like, “Okay. Come on. Empathize a little bit here. There are lots of reasons why someone could be crying going into this.” Long story short, the C-section all went to plan, but as soon as they did pull him out, they did say he was OP. He was sunny-side up and then they also said, “And he's 9 pounds.” So he was pretty big. I mean, I could have pushed him out for sure but he–Meagan: Yeah, on the bigger side. Rebecca: But he was in sort of a poor position which could be why I had the swelling and everything of the cervix. He came out and he was really, really healthy. Once we got to the recovery room, he nursed right away. He was definitely a hungry little boy right from the beginning so that was awesome. He latched right on and nursed and everything. Yeah, that's pretty much the story. 46:43 Tips for when things don't go as plannedMeagan: You know, it's so interesting how we have these things. We go through all of these things and we end sometimes in the way we didn't want, right? Rebecca: Yeah. Meagan: I've been there too, not nearly as intense as you. You went through a lot. I just had an unsupportive provider from the get-go. I ended up walking down to the OR in general, but we have these experiences, but we still grow from them. Rebecca: Absolutely. Meagan: I mean, I heard little nuggets within your story like bonding with your husband, having faith in your body, working through it, experiencing labor, having support, but are there any other things that you would tell our Women of Strength, our listeners, especially if something doesn't happen exactly as planned? Rebecca: Yeah. There are a couple of different things. The first one was all throughout when I was prepping for labor in particular, especially for dealing with pain, the word that kept coming up and coming up was surrender. I kept thinking, “Surrender to the contraction. Surrender to the sensation.” I always applied that very specifically to labor and labor pains, but I want people to take it a step further and just be like, surrender to your birth however it's going to happen because even if you do everything right and you do all of the steps, there are no guarantees in birth that you are going to have the outcome that you wanted. Even if you have a good outcome, most likely, there's going to be something about it that was unexpected or wasn't perfect so just try to surrender to the whole experience. Yeah, of course, surrender to the contractions. Surrender to the labor, but surrender to the whole experience and the fact that you can't control it. That doesn't mean you are doing anything wrong. Meagan: Yeah. Rebecca: That's the other thing. I hear it a lot in VBAC and I understand why people use this word, but I feel a little bit, I guess I would say use some caution in using it. A lot of people label their VBAC as a redemption or redemptive. You own whatever experience you have. I'm sure it is redemptive, but I guess what I would say is that we don't need to redeem ourselves. There is nothing we did wrong that we have to have redemption for. Can the experience feel redemptive? Absolutely, but I don't want women to then apply that to themselves like, “I need redemption because I failed at something.” You are making the best decision for yourself and your child with the information that you have at that moment. That is what parenting is all about. You can't control anything when you become a parent either. There are always going to be these little decisions you have to make that are unexpected or huge decisions. I think that was the difference between this C-section for me and the last one was the last one, I didn't feel like I had a choice. With this one, every step of the way, I was given choices by my midwife with my husband. We had time to talk through things. We had time to think through things. We made the choices that we felt were the best choices at the moment. So those are the two things I would really say. Surrender to your whole experience because you have no idea what it's going to bring and you don't need redemption because you are already being the best mom that you can possibly be or the best birthing parent that you can possibly be just by being in the moment and making those good decisions with the information that you have. Meagan: I love that so much. I love that so much. Thank you for sharing that. Rebeca: Yeah, absolutely. 50:43 Signs of wonky positioningMeagan: I want to dial into that. The swelling of the cervix, the “stalling” of this labor and I'm putting it in quotes, but it does happen and sometimes despite all of our efforts, it doesn't change and sometimes it does change, but I wanted to talk about the swelling of the cervix and what that really means and what kind of signs we can look out for to know that we've maybe got a baby in a wonky position that could cause a swollen cervix and then what we can do. I mean, just like you were talking about, we were talking about how you just needed your husband to hold your butt together. That is a sign. If we are having all back or butt labor, that could mean a sign that a baby is in an OP or occiput posterior position. That doesn't always cause a swollen cervix or a delay or a stall in labor or anything like that, but it can.Another position is called asynclitic and that's where the head is kind of tipped to the side a little bit and we're not coming down with a nice chin-tucked position into the pelvis. Another one is where the chin is extended or we're in that military position. I've also seen it sometimes in a transverse. It's like a transverse asynclitic. I don't know exactly what that one is where the head is back, the chin is up, and we're in an asynclitic position. We're not looking straight up. Those are positions that may mean our babies are in a less-ideal position. Some of the things are prodromal labor beforehand. You had mentioned that. That means sometimes there is a baby that needs help getting in a different position or a back labor or a butt labor. A coupling pattern where there are two contractions and then there is a big break and then there's a big strong one. Our body is trying to get that baby to rotate. Rebecca: Yep. I did have really long contractions and I did have some double peaks so that makes sense to me.Meagan: Yes. Yes. I call them coupling contractions where that's what they can do. Our body is brilliant. It's trying to rotate these babies and work with us, but sometimes, it's more difficult and sometimes we have to help our body by rotating and moving and working with the pelvis in things like this. 53:31 What to doSome of the things we can do, it sounds really weird and I saw this from a nurse years ago and I was like, “What is she doing?” Then I was like, “Oh my gosh, it worked.” We had an anterior lip where it was swelling on the one side. She said, “I want you to get in the biggest fetal position that you can, the tightest fetal position.” We're holding her even around and imagine a 9-month belly. So it was a little difficult to wrap ourselves around it, but we brought knees all the way to her chest, had her wrap around her knees like this and she laid there. We had to do a lot of counterpressure. Rebecca: Yeah, I can imagine. Meagan: Because that was not a comfortable position. We did five contractions like that and it was hard, but she said, “I want to do it. I want to do it.” We got into it with lots of counterpressure then we did, I don't know what you call it, but we did the throne where you sit up feet to feet, knees out, but after that contraction, she got a check and the lip was gone. That was something that was kind of cool that I had never heard of. I had been a doula for years then I saw this and I was like, “Huh, okay.” I haven't seen anyone do that. Rebecca: Yeah. I read a lot of the books and I didn't see that anywhere. Meagan: Never saw it anywhere, but yeah. This nurse here in Utah was like, “I know just the trick.” She did it and I was like, “Whoa, okay.” Yeah. Some people will say that sometimes ice, there is a circulation issue and sometimes ice can actually stop circulation. Sometimes ice isn't the best and then Arnica or Benadryl. You mentioned Benadryl that they wouldn't give you but they mentioned it. I don't even know how to say the word. It's actually something that I just was talking to a labor and delivery nurse in our community who wants a VBAC. It's Cemicifuga. I don't even know actually, you guys. I don't know how to pronounce it, but those, I've seen arnica, out-of-hospital midwives will use or getting into a tub. Sometimes that can or sometimes an epidural because it can offer relaxation. But then that always and then yeah, just moving, moving, and working with position. But then sometimes, despite all of our efforts, just like cute Rebecca, for whatever reason it doesn't change. That's when we have to surrender on our whole experience and make the choice that is best for us at that point. If that's a repeat Cesarean, that's a repeat Cesarean. Repeat Cesareans can also be healing. Rebecca: Yeah. I would say this was because I definitely felt totally different about the experience afterward. I still mourned it of course and you will, but I felt much more empowered and I got so much out of just going through the labor process that I wouldn't give it up for the world. It still was healing for me for sure. 57:00 Why you shouldn't skip the repeat Cesarean storiesMeagan: I love that. Well, thank you so much for sharing your stories with us, being here with us today, and talking about swollen cervixes. Rebecca: Yeah. I hope people actually click on this. I know when I was preparing for VBAC, I was kind of guilty of, “Oh, a repeat Cesarean, I don't want to listen to this one.” So again, hopefully, people will be open because you never know what your story is, or maybe you'll come back and find it after you've had a repeat Cesarean and feel proud of yourself for everything that you did because I think hearing these stories after you've had a repeat Cesarean could be really helpful. Meagan: Absolutely. Just like they are helpful after having a Cesarean and preparing for a VBAC, after having a repeat Cesarean, these stories can be very healing and validating as well. These stories, I know that there are so many people out there who won't click or will avoid them because they don't want to even think or go there, but a lot of these stories with repeat Cesareans actually offer tools that can help heal if that does happen and ways that you can prepare for if that does happen because it's any birth. I mean obviously, look at all of us. There are hundreds of us and thousands of us who have had an unexpected Cesarean. We weren't planning on that Rebecca: No. Meagan: So preparing before for all outcomes is so powerful. Rebecca: Definitely. Definitely. Have that backup plan because I didn't even have one at all for my first and I was really glad I had it for my second. Meagan: Yes. Oh, well thank you again so much for being here with us today, and congratulations on your baby. Rebecca: Thank you. Thanks for hearing my story. I love what you do and I think it's really, really important, so thank you. Meagan: Thank you. ClosingWould you like to be a guest on the podcast? Tell us about your experience at thevbaclink.com/share. For more information on all things VBAC including online and in-person VBAC classes, The VBAC Link blog, and Meagan's bio, head over to thevbaclink.com. Congratulations on starting your journey of learning and discovery with The VBAC Link.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vbac-link/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
You may have started hearing about TUDCA and wondered what it is. A quick google search will have you thinking it's solely for liver support. While it is amazing in that capacity, it's also been studied for brain health, blood sugar control, mitochondrial health, and more! On this episode of Vitality Radio, Jared breaks down the latest research on this amazing bile salt which also turns out to be a powerful antioxidant. You'll learn when and how you might want to incorporate TUDCA into your supplement regimen. Jared also shares another Homeopathic Minute from his series of quick, easy to digest information on single homeopathic remedies. Today's remedy is Arnica Montana, commonly known just as Arnica. You'll learn why this particular homeopathic remedy is recognized even by allopathic doctors and why Jared believes everyone should have it in their medicine cabinet.Products:NutraBio TUDCACellCore Advanced TUDCAArnica MontanaAdditional Information:#359: Comprehensive Detoxification of Parasites, Lyme, and Other Toxins With Dr. Todd Watts of CellCore Biosciences#385: Rebalancing and Healing the Body Through Functional Medicine Detoxification With Dr. Stephen Cabral***Be sure to listen to Wednesday's podcasts this year for Jared's Homeopathic Minute to learn more about specific remedies.#393: What Is Homeopathy and How Does It Work? With Guillaume LoisVisit the podcast website here: VitalityRadio.comYou can follow @vitalityradio and @vitalitynutritionbountiful on Instagram, or Vitality Radio and Vitality Nutrition on Facebook. Join us also in the Vitality Radio Podcast Listener Community on Facebook. Shop the products that Jared mentions at vitalitynutrition.com. Let us know your thoughts about this episode using the hashtag #vitalityradio and please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. Thank you!Please also join us on the Dearly Discarded Podcast with Jared St. Clair.Just a reminder that this podcast is for educational purposes only. The FDA has not evaluated the podcast. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The advice given is not intended to replace the advice of your medical professional.