PodcastDX
Our guest today is a Physical Therapist that specializes in Sciatica. Dean Volk, MPT, and owner of Sciatica Relief Now, has spent over 33 years revolutionizing sciatica treatment. After owning three successful clinics and a cash concierge practice and working with professional athletes, Volk transitioned to a virtual model in 2018, turning this side hustle into a full-time operation in 2021. Now based in Santa Monica, CA, Dean and his team of coaches provide virtual consultations and coaching to clients worldwide, helping them live their lives to the fullest. The cornerstone of Sciatica...
info_outline Myasthenia Gravis with Tasha WhitePodcastDX
In this episode we will discuss Myasthenia Gravis, an Autoimmune Disease affecting the neuromuscular system of the body with Tasha White, Director of a new Non-profit organization called My Walk with MG located in St. Louis, MO. Myasthenia gravis is a chronic neuromuscular disease that causes weakness in the voluntary muscles. Voluntary muscles include muscles that connect to a person’s bones, muscles in the face, throat, and diaphragm. They contract to move the arms and legs and are essential for breathing, swallowing and facial movements. Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune...
info_outline Blood ClotsPodcastDX
This week we discuss blood clots A blood clot is a clump of blood that has changed from a liquid to a gel-like or semisolid state. Clotting is a necessary process that can excessive blood loss when you have a cut, for example. Thrombosis is when a blood clot and reduces blood flow. There are two types: Arterial thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in an artery. Venous thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein. When a clot forms inside one of your veins, it may dissolve on its own. However, sometimes a clot doesn’t dissolve on its own, or part of it...
info_outline Hearing LossPodcastDX
This week we discuss hearing loss. A person who is not able to hear as well as someone with normal hearing – hearing thresholds of 20 dB or better in both ears – is said to have hearing loss. Hearing loss may be mild, moderate, severe or profound. It can affect one ear or both ears and leads to difficulty in hearing conversational speech or loud sounds. Hard of hearing refers to people with hearing loss ranging from mild to severe. People who are hard of hearing usually communicate through spoken language and can benefit from hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other assistive devices as...
info_outline Food Safety at the HolidaysPodcastDX
In this episode we will discuss food safety at the holidays. From prep to serving there are important tips to remember to ensure a toxin free meal for everyone! Parties, family dinners, and other gatherings where food is served are all part of the holiday cheer. But the joy can change to misery if food makes you or others ill. Typical symptoms of foodborne illness, also known as food poisoning, are vomiting, diarrhea, and flu-like symptoms, which can start anywhere from hours to days after contaminated food or drinks are consumed. The symptoms usually are not long-lasting in healthy...
info_outline Abdominal AdhesionsPodcastDX
This week we discuss Abdominal adhesions. These are bands of scar tissue that form between abdominal tissues and organs. Like the name suggests, the tissue can cause your organs to “adhere,” or stick together. Adhesions commonly form after abdominal surgery. Typically, you don’t need treatment unless they cause a complication, like a small bowel obstruction. Abdominal adhesions are bands of scar tissue that form between the organs in your belly and pelvis. Mainly, they form between loops of your . They can also form between an organ and the wall of your abdominal cavity. Your...
info_outline Vaccines/ Re-RunPodcastDX
The first human vaccines against viruses were based using weaker or attenuated viruses to generate immunity. The smallpox vaccine used cowpox, a poxvirus that was similar enough to smallpox to protect against it but usually didn’t cause serious illness. Rabies was the first virus attenuated in a lab to create a vaccine for humans. Vaccines are made using several different processes. They may contain live viruses that have been attenuated (weakened or altered so as not to cause illness); inactivated or killed organisms or viruses; inactivated toxins (for bacterial diseases where toxins...
info_outline Ablation or Meds for AFIBPodcastDX
This week we will discuss possible treatment methods for AFIB. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common type of irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that occurs when the upper chambers of the heart (atria) beat chaotically and out of sync with the lower chambers (ventricles). This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including: Palpitations (a feeling of a racing or irregular heartbeat) Fatigue Shortness of breath Dizziness or lightheadedness Chest discomfort AFib can increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications. ...
info_outline Vagus Nerve InjuryPodcastDX
This week we are talking about the Vagus Nerve. The vagus nerve (10th cranial nerve) is a critical part of the autonomic nervous system, responsible for regulating vital functions such as heart rate, digestion, and respiration. It extends from the brainstem (medulla oblongata) through the neck and chest to the abdomen, with motor and sensory fibers allowing communication between the brain and organs. The vagus nerve has two branches—left and right—which overlap in regulating autonomic functions. Functions and Importance Cardiac and Pulmonary Regulation: The left vagus nerve...
info_outline CRPS Complex Regional Pain SyndromePodcastDX
Our guest this week is Christine James. Christine is a mother to two daughters, 19 and 23, a nurse of 8 ½ years and now a chronic pain patient. She was happy to take the time to speak with us in order to bring awareness to a rare and largely unknown disease: CRPS or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. As a nurse she worked in the fields of home health, acute medical, psych, long term care, dialysis; and has floated to many other units within hospitals. She has worked at the bedside and have also held supervisory positions. Passionate about her career as a nurse, she hopes to get well...
info_outlineOur guest this week is Christine James. Christine is a mother to two daughters, 19 and 23, a nurse of 8 ½ years and now a chronic pain patient. She was happy to take the time to speak with us in order to bring awareness to a rare and largely unknown disease: CRPS or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.
As a nurse she worked in the fields of home health, acute medical, psych, long term care, dialysis; and has floated to many other units within hospitals. She has worked at the bedside and have also held supervisory positions. Passionate about her career as a nurse, she hopes to get well enough to work again.
In her 20’s she was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis of the spine. Over the course of many years she went through many procedures and treatments due to lumbar disc herniations to include six back surgeries- one of which resulted in permanent damage to her L-5/S-1 nerve root resulting in permanent right foot drop, and one of which was a fusion of L-5/S-1 using four screws and two rods.
After walking 10 years with foot drop and working as a nurse the instability and condition in her right ankle caused constant swelling and pain which led her to seek further treatment. It was found that her joint was arthritic and the bones were collapsing out of position. Her Achilles tendon was also found to be too tight. On March 11, 2024 she underwent a right Achilles tendon release, tendon transfer to improve foot drop. Three weeks later the symptoms of CRPS were recognized by her surgeon and she was diagnosed on April 8, 2024.
Due to her foundation of knowledge as a nurse and due to her drive to get better, she joined multiple social media platforms in search of how to find the treatment she needed and through that process she also began helping others learn about this disease.
When she is feeling healthy, she enjoys many creative hobbies, gardening, and is an avid concertgoer. She has two cats, & lives with her boyfriend in Michigan. They are currently struggling to make it through this difficult time with her health. Financial issues have become bad enough that she sold personal items, used food pantries, and started a gofundme.
She is currently active in Facebook groups and has a TikTok account that she uses to network with others that have CRPS, chronic pain, and chronic illness.
She is grateful to participate in the online community in any way to bring awareness and understanding to CRPS sufferers.