Brain & Body Things

Can your body's own biology help it heal? This week I sit down with Dr. Danielle Aufiero, a fellow PM&R physician and one of LA's early leaders in regenerative medicine, to talk about platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and the wider world of orthobiologics. We separate what the evidence supports from the hype, and talk about who's a good candidate, what recovery actually looks like, and...

What does a real training week look like when you're a doctor, a business owner, and a mom of young kids? In this AMA, Dr. Natasha Mehta, a double board-certified physician, walks through her actual week of workouts: what she does, why she does it, and how she fits it around clinic, school drop-off, and everything else. No perfect routine. Just the priorities that keep her strong, mobile, and...

This week I sit down with Frank Hawley, founder and head trainer at Verro Training in Venice, CA. Frank built his career on the belief that good training should be measurable — not guesswork. A University of Wisconsin–Madison grad and former research lab assistant at Tufts, he's spent years applying biometric data, velocity tracking, and individualized programming to help everyone from compet...

After a long pause, I'm back. This episode explains where I went and why I'm returning to the mic now. I'm a physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor, which means I work in the part of medicine most longevity conversations skip: how your body actually moves, holds up, and recovers. Healthspan isn't just lab numbers and supplements. It's whether you can still get up off...

In this episode, host Dr. Natasha Mehta, a physical medicine & rehabilitation physician switches things up by interviewing a business owner. Aryan Rashed is not your average fitness instructor. She started her career in law before finding her passion, and ultimately success, in pilates. She has developed a highly sought after technique which can be found at her Tremble studios currently expand...

In this episode, host Dr. Natasha Mehta, a physical medicine & rehabilitation physician delves into the intricacies of maintaining a fitness program during pregnancy. Expert OB/GYN Dr. Linbee Sayat covers key topics such as cardiovascular changes, hormonal impacts, and exercise modifications for expecting mothers. The discussion provides actionable tips for safe fitness practices and highlight...

When a person or individual becomes a patient, their life changes forever. Sometimes it's a one time event, and things go back to what they once were. Other times, a new diagnosis or impairment alters the course of history.  Meet Lorena.  We discuss: - Lorena as an individual and person. - Her diagnosis. - Her experience with treatment. - Her decision to go beyond the treatment she received f...

In this engaging episode of the Brain and Body Things podcast, the host delves into the intricacies of brain mapping with QEEG with return guest Dr. Andrew Hill. The episode explores a personal brain mapping session using Qualitative EEG (QEEG) with Dr. Hill, providing detailed insights into attention, executive function, and cognitive health. The host, Dr. Natasha Mehta, underscores the importanc...

In this episode of the Brain and Body Things Podcast, host Dr. Natasha Mehta interviews Dr. Molly Bachman, a doctor of physical therapy specializing in pelvic health. They discuss the importance and nuances of pelvic rehabilitation, debunk common misconceptions, and explore how pelvic health therapy can address issues such as incontinence, pelvic pain, and post-surgical recovery. Dr. Bachman share...

In this episode of the Brain and Body Things podcast, host Dr. Natasha Mehta is joined by Dr. Veda Giri and Dr. Nancy Borstelmann from Yale Cancer Center to discuss early onset cancer. Dr. Giri, a medical oncologist specializing in clinical cancer genetics, and Dr. Borstelmann, an expert in chronic disease epidemiology and social work, both co-lead Yale's Early Onset Cancer Program. They delv...

In this episode of the Brain and Body Things podcast, host Dr. Natasha Mehta welcomes back neurosurgeon Dr. Ali Mesiwala for an in-depth discussion on brain health, particularly focusing on injuries and their management. Dr. Mesiwala shares his rich experience from his practice and fellowship training, highlighting the intricacies of different brain injuries, from concussions in athletes to trauma...

In this episode of the 'Brain and Body Things' podcast, host Dr. Natasha Mehta, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, sits down with Dr. Sandeep Palakodetti to explore the concept of longevity. Dr. Palakodetti, an internal medicine physician and co-founder of Rebel Health Alliance, shares his journey from traditional healthcare to focusing on longevity and wellness. They dis...

In this episode of the 'Brain and Body Things' podcast, hosted by physiatrist Dr. Natasha Mehta, guests Dr. Ali Mesiwala, a neurosurgeon, and Dr. Leia Rispoli, a pain medicine specialist, join for an enriching roundtable discussion. They delve into the collaborative nature of their fields, share personal experiences and challenges in balancing professional and personal lives, and discuss...

Invited lecture at Kessler Grand Rounds (October 6, 2023). Youtube link for slides: https://youtu.be/grl_6vn0e6c In this episode of the Brain and Body Things podcast, host Natasha Mehta, a physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor, delves into the concept of neuroplasticity and its implications for treating brain and body injuries. She discusses the various evidence-based and exploratory interve...

Board-certified neurosurgeon Ali H. Mesiwala, MD, FAANS, takes a solution-based approach to determine anatomic and functional abnormalities and then treats them with leading-edge technologies and integrative medicine.  At his three offices in Newport Beach, Marina del Rey, and Rancho Cucamonga, California, he focuses on helping all of their patients return to their normal lives, getting back into...

Arti Thangudu, MD, is a triple board-certified physician and endocrinology, diabetes, and thyroid specialist who provides high-level, well-rounded care at Complete Medicine in San Antonio, Texas. She takes an evidence-based approach to care, focusing on the whole patient, not their disease or symptoms. At her membership-based practice, Dr. Thangudu offers her patients direct access via phone, text...

Shanika Esparaz M.D. is a board-certified Ophthalmologist who is currently in private practice at Northeast Ohio Eye Surgeons. She provides comprehensive care as well and performs cataract surgery. She serves as a clinical associate professor of surgery at NEOMED. She enjoys connecting with her patients in clinic as well as teaching and connecting with young professionals on social media platforms...

Dr. Andrew Hill is the founder of Peak Brain Institute and a leading neurofeedback practitioner and biohacking coach for clients worldwide. He has lectured on psychology, neuroscience, and gerontology at UCLA’s Department of Psychology where he received a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience. At Peak Brain, Dr. Hill provides individualized training programs to help you optimize your brain across goals of...

Just a quick thank you as I get my $tuff together.

Anum Saeed, MD is a Cardiologist & Lipidologist based in Pittsburgh. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and a staff cardiologist at UPMC. She completed a clinical and research fellowship in Atherosclerosis and Lipidology at Baylor College of Medicine followed by her clinical cardiology fellowship training at UPMC. She is a non...

Leia Rispoli, MD , is an experienced interventional pain medicine physician who offers exceptional pain management and physiatry services to patients in and around Marina Del Rey and Newport Beach, California.  Double board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Management, Dr. Rispoli has a profound empathy for patients suffering severe or prolonged pain. She uses innovative,...

Dr. Meredith Smith received her doctorate in Physical Therapy from Elon University and her Bachelor’s degree from the College of Charleston in Exercise Science. She completed a neurologic residency program with OhioHealth and Ohio University. Meredith is a Board Certified Neurologic and Geriatric Clinical Specialist. She works in the outpatient setting treating individuals with neurologic and/or v...

Dr. Joe Verghese graduated from St. Johns Medical College, Bangalore, India in 1989. He did his postgraduate training in Internal Medicine and Neurology in United Kingdom. He completed his Neurology residency at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY in 1998. He did his fellowship training in Neurophysiology as well as Aging & Dementia in 1999 at the same institution. He received a...

Dr. Preeti Raghavan is a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physican who specializes in neurorehabilitation after stroke or brain injury. After completing her medical education in India, Dr. Raghavan trained at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx and Columbia University. She began her career at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, followed by Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine...

Neal A. Mesnick, M.D., M.A., FAAPMR is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, a member of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, a member of the American Medical Association and a member of the Medical Society of the state of New York. He is an attending physician at New York Pres...