The Body Nerd Show

LED face masks are all over my social media feed, but do they actually work? Or is just another expensive skincare gimmick? In this episode, we're diving into the science behind light therapy (aka photobiomodulation) and exploring whether red light therapy can truly improve your skin's texture, tone, and collagen production. From NASA's accidental discovery to clinical trials showing wrinkle reduc...

You've probably heard of gua sha, facial massage, or even therapy ball work for swelling and puffiness, but did you know those are all forms of lymphatic drainage? The lymphatic system is responsible for waste removal (and a whole bunch of other processes) throughout your body. And in this episode of The Body Nerd Show, I'm breaking down what the lymphatic system does, how lymphatic massage works,...

Do you need hours at the gym for it to count? Nope! In today's episode, I'm breaking down exactly how much movement it really takes to support your health… according to science, not social media. Whether you're struggling to stay consistent or just want to know what the bare minimum is (and why it's enough), I've got you covered with today's episode. You'll learn: How much you have to workout for...

If you've ever dealt with chronic pain or injuries, you know the journey to healing doesn't always feel linear. Some days, it's one step forward… and others feel like you've taken four steps back. But what if the marker of progress isn't pain? What if progress looks more like rebuilding trust in your body... …creating a sense of safety in how you move... …and learning how to listen without fear or...

Does having an injury or pain mean you need to stop moving? In this episode of The Body Nerd Show, I'm joined by Dana Jones, host of The Pain Free Athlete Podcast, for a myth-busting conversation about pain, injury, and movement. Together, we debunk some of the most common and harmful fitness myths that keep you stuck. If you've ever wondered what to do when you're in pain, why rest isn't always t...

If you're living with an autoimmune condition or managing chronic inflammation, building sustainable habits can feel overwhelming. But what if you could feel better by doing less, not more? This week on The Body Nerd Show, I'm joined by Dr. Amy Behimer, PharmD, NBC-HWC - a board-certified health and wellness coach, pharmacist, and the creator of The Habit Hub for Autoimmune Health™. Diagnosed with...

What if your flexibility is actually causing your pain? Hypermobility is more than just being bendy - it's a connective tissue condition that can affect your joints, your gut, your nervous system, and more. I just thought it was totally normal to be able to hyperextended my knees 🙊 In this episode of The Body Nerd Show, I'm joined by physical therapist and movement specialist Dr. Melissa Koehl, w...

Sitting too much is wrecking your body, but what if you could sneak in movement while stuck in the car? Whether you're commuting to work, driving the kids around, or just sitting at your desk, too much sitting can lead to stiff joints, back pain, and tight hips. But you don't need a full workout to feel better. Movement snacks (small, intentional movements throughout the day) can be more beneficia...

The Body Nerd Show is officially back! And today's episode is a little different. Instead of talking about how to move better, we're talking about grief. Because grief isn't just losing someone you love - it's forced change of any kind. The loss of a job, a friendship, a relationship, or even just life not turning out the way you expected. And for the last year, I've been deep in it. Losing my dad...

As someone who is currently diving deep into all things gut health-related, I am really excited to invite Dr. Meg Mill on today's episode. Dr. Meg is a Functional Medicine Practitioner, author and speaker and you might remember her from episode 195 on Hormones and Headaches . So when she reached out about today's topic, I was instantly interested. Especially because symptoms of mast cell activatio...

Today I'm joined by Ragen Chastain - a remarkable speaker, writer, and thought leader in weight science, weight stigma, and health.  With all the talk about Ozempic and Wegovy, I knew we needed to do a deep dive here on the Body Nerd Show Podcast and have an expert to guide us through.  And Ragen 100% delivered on both fronts.  Whether you're curious about these medications, interested in weight s...

Would it surprise you to know that you don't need to lose weight to get out of pain? I frequently get messages that include something along the lines of "I know I need to lose weight but…" which breaks my heart because I believe that life without pain is possible for everyone - no matter what your body looks like or feels like right now. We've been sold this idea that the pain in our joints is dir...

More than 50 million people in the U.S. live with osteoporosis, a bone disease that leads to a decrease in the structure and strength of bone. But what if I told you that the best way to rebuild bone strength doesn't require any pharmaceuticals? Because it might surprise you to know that osteopenia isn't the same as osteoporosis. But should we be treating them differently? In today's episode, I'm...

Do you drink coffee? When I posted the video "Why I Quit Caffeine (and you should too!!)" on YouTube in 2017, I quickly realized just how passionate folks are about their coffee rituals. Fast forward to 2024 - and I still don't drink coffee. Not a drop. Not even in ice cream! But I'm not entirely anti-caffeine. I do, however, still have a cup of tea every morning, but I tread carefully because too...

The internet is filled with fitness myths that promise quick fixes and magical solutions. From the carnivore diet to the "best exercise to make shredded abs!" - there's a lot of 💩 out there. So when UK-based Michael Ulloa (@michaelulloapt) came through my feed calling out lies on the internet - I knew I wanted to be friends and have him on the show. Michael is a personal trainer and performance n...

Unlock the secrets to a pain-free life - recent research reveals that retraining your brain is the key to saying goodbye to chronic back pain without surgery. But is life without pain possible? Even if you have an x-ray or MRI that says the only fix is surgical? Here's a revelation: MRI studies on people without back pain consistently reveal a significant percentage with disc issues but zero pain....

If you're ready to get started with weights or redefine your relationship with strength training — today's episode is for you. I'm joined by the incredible Allison Tenney ( @allisontenney ). As a former D1 Athlete and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Allison totally gets the "all or nothing" mentality that so often sabotages...

Are you curious about collagen powder and whether it lives up to the hype? In this week's episode of the Body Nerd Show, we're diving deep into the world of collagen, including exploring what it is, the various types, and most importantly the science behind collagen supplementation. How much should you take if you want to reduce joint pain? Or reduce aging? I'll be honest - I went into this knowin...

Has your physical therapist or chiropractor used a stainless steel tool to work on your persistent knots? If so, you've experienced Graston therapy. The Graston Technique is a type of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IATSM), which research has shown to be effective in improving range of motion and reducing pain. Personally, I've never been a big fan of hard tools, especially if they c...

Can blue light blocking glasses help prevent migraines? For many people who suffer from migraines, sensitivity to light (aka photophobia) is a debilitating piece of the migraine experience. To answer this question, we have to understand a little bit more about how your eyes work, the role blue light plays, and the nerdiest of nerdy cells in your eye - ipRGCs. While the science might not have defin...

Have you ever heard of "mouth taping"? Wondering if it's the real deal? Does it actually work? As a Body Nerd Show listener, you might remember previous episodes I've done on breathing, including episode 140 with renowned breathing expert Patrick McKeown. Now, as much as I love sharing only what I've personally tried and tested, let's give credit to my husband for this one. His venture into mouth...

You've probably heard about dry brushing and its benefits: from stimulating the lymphatic system to exfoliating the skin and boosting circulation. And after scrolling past yet another dry brushing post, you might be wondering - Is it all hype or does it really live up to its claims? In today's episode, I'm peeling back the layers with a comprehensive guide on all things dry brushing. We'll journey...

Is the placebo effect real? Is it possible to have significant improvements in symptoms even if you receive a sham treatment? Yep, it is - and on today's episode, we're diving deep into this fascinating topic that has a profound impact on medical research and our understanding of the mind-body connection. If you've ever wondered if there's power in "mind over matter", today's episode might just sw...

Today's episode doesn't need a whole lot of explanation: I had asparagus one day and couldn't help but wonder about a peculiar scent. If you eat asparagus, you know exactly what I'm talking about. So I dove into the research and learned way more about asparagus than I ever thought I would 🙈 Asparagus has some unique compounds that when metabolized, produce ammonia and various sulfur-containing de...

What if I told you there might be a way to reduce aging-related muscle loss? Or limit the damage to a heart after a heart attack? Recent research published in Frontiers in Pharmacology has uncovered some unexpected uses for acetaminophen, the common ingredient found in over 400 medications in the US. It turns out that the common ingredient in Tylenol and Excedrin may do more than just relieve pain...