The Body Nerd Show

Being hypermobile usually puts you in one of two camps: you are incredibly bendy, excel at yoga and other stretchy things, and hardly ever feel the pull of a stretch everyone else complains about OR your body is super tight (and often painful) in some places because it's trying to create the stability your joints lack I was a #1 for the longest time - and in the most amount of pain when I was at m...

When was the last time you massaged your guts? And if you're thinking that sounds ridiculous - I agree. The first time I learned about abdominal massage during a yoga training, it seemed absolutely bizarre. But after committing to rolling out my stomach every day for a week, I noticed some changes. My lower back and overall digestion started feeling better (and my core work felt even more efficien...

When it comes to soreness, is there really a difference between foam rollers, massage guns, and therapy balls? Does the timing (aka pre-workout or after) matter? Today I'm joined by coach educator and sports science consultant, Jack Martin. Jack is currently a postgraduate student studying for his master's degree in sports and exercise science at the University of Winchester in England. He's a gen...

Scar tissue is pretty cool when you think about it. Your body has a built-in mechanism to repair and stitch itself back together after injury (or surgery). But scar tissue isn't anything like regular tissue. And that difference (and stiffness!) can be related to why you're feeling so stiff after surgery. So if you've had surgery recently, or it's been years - and movement still feels like a challe...

Stretching can be very polarizing. Some people love it - and some people hate it. Those of us who have some inherent bendiness often end up in a yoga class while others, who feel as stiff as the Tin Man, avoid stretching classes at all costs. But why is there such a focus on flexibility? Should it even be a goal? Does it actually have an effect on health and performance? And the most important que...

Foot pain is about more than just your feet. From flat feet, plantar fasciitis, heel pain, and more - the focus is often right where it hurts. But if you've been here for a while you know that where it hurts is not the issue! On today's episode, I'm joined by Holly Middleton, a former competitive dancer turned movement coach and physiotherapy assistant with a PhD in biology. So whether you have fo...

Have you ever had a tension headache? The slow-building creep of debilitating tension that freezes your neck in place? With a bonus headache that wraps all the way around your brain? It sucks. 😩 Like most headaches, there is no single cause - but what's going on in your jaw and neck definitely plays a part. Which also means addressing tension and weakness in the neck and jaw can help. So if you'r...

When it comes to ongoing neck pain and TMJ dysfunction, you probably haven't considered your tongue.  But did you know your tongue is actually 8 muscles? Some of which connect to all those tight and grouchy places around your head and neck?  So when it comes to neck and jaw pain - we have to talk about the tongue.  The inspiration for today's episode came from a message I received after episode 14...

I don't know about you, but I'm very familiar with how media, fashion, advertising, and the fitness industry makes us feel crappy about our capable, amazing bodies. Enter cellulite . And you'd think that for as much money is spent on the treatment of cellulite, there would be more research on it. Yet the literature, including peer-reviewed research, is a little wild to wade through - and there is...

Would you take a cold shower... intentionally? Because my guest today says you should, and she's got the science to back it up!  I'm joined by nurse and Wim Hof instructor Christina Casey, who is sharing all the benefits of cold exposure, including why you should be taking cold showers, how the cold can reduce stress and improve immunity, and how to start incorporating it into your regular routine...

What do neck pain, eye strain and post-concussive symptoms have in common? They're all connected to dysfunction in the tiny muscles at the base of your skull known as the suboccipitals.  I know I talk about how it's all connected - and that makes no difference if we're talking about your IT band, ankle, neck pain, or eyeballs.  Computer vision syndrome (aka digital eye strain) has been a recognize...

Braces and orthotics are super effective when they're used properly to limit range of motion at a joint (or joints).  But they're meant to be a short-term solution - not your newest accessory.  So if you're stuck with a brace and aren't sure how to build strength safely without it - today's episode is for you.  You'll learn: When to wear a joint brace (and the right way to use it) Common types of...

When it comes to pain, ice is the go-to pain-reliever. But how does it actually work? Does it penetrate all the way down to the joint to decrease inflammation? Can tissue injuries heal just from cold exposure? Today, I'm joined by physical therapist Dr. Sarah Court and we're talking about all things ice, including when and why you should ice an injury, how it works, and what to do instead of icing...

Do you snore at night? You're not alone! Some 45% of adults snore occasionally and 25% snore regularly. And while I fall into the occasional camp (I hope 😜), I do sleep next to someone who snores. So, as any Body Nerd would, I've been wondering - what causes snoring and what can you do to help? Because snoring isn't always just noise - you might wake up feeling groggy, with a dry mouth, or a sore...

Piriformis issues can be a real pain in the butt. 🙄 If you've never had hip pain or sciatica, you might not be familiar with this small, pear-shaped muscle deep within the hip. But if you've experienced pain here - you know exactly what I'm talking about. Sciatica is not the only reason for pain in the low back, hips, or legs - so understanding the role this deep hip rotator plays can help you ge...

Whether you've been injured, taking care of a loved one, or working through your own health issues - it's totally normal to take breaks from your workouts from time to time. And while building habits is important - you can always count on life to throw you a curveball and force you into a break. But how do you get back into your workouts without overdoing it or getting hurt? That's exactly what I'...

What are your thoughts on kettlebells? Yay or nay? I get it - kettlebells can be intimidating. Are you supposed to swing it around? Are they super duper heavy? How do you even use them? Which is why I'm so excited to be joined today by kettlebell coach Damali Fraiser.  Damali teaches safe evidence-based kettlebell training, body positive fitness and sustainable nutrition that supports you in start...

Low back pain is a bummer. And it can be super frustrating when the normal treatments of stretching and heat only provide a little bit of relief. But did you know that low back pain could also be related to your pelvic floor? Pelvic floor dysfunction is often only mentioned in the context of women after childbirth - but everyone has muscles at the base of the pelvis that help form core and spinal...

8 out of 10 people will experience back pain at some point in their lives. I know I've been there!  But just because your low back hurts doesn't mean you should be focusing all of your mobility efforts there. Everything in the body is connected - which also means that any of the muscles or tissues in and around your lower back could be contributing to pain. In this episode, we're focusing on the r...

Most of us spend more time on social media and the internet in general than we'd like to admit, so you've probably run across your share of influencers and experts.  My goal has always been to help you ask better questions so you can get to the bottom of what's going on. And while our focus has mostly been body detective in nature, I also want you to feel equipped to call out nonsense you see on t...

Do you actually need to meditate to relax?  I get it - sitting up in lotus pose for a long time with your eyes closed is super stressful for many people. How do you know if you're doing it right? What does "right" even mean? And is your low back supposed to feel like that?   Did you know that meditation and mindfulness aren't the only way to relax? That you can also unwind from stress in a number...

Did you move your arms over your head today? Because if you deal with shoulder pain on a regular basis, moving your arms more is an easy fix. And I get it - it seems too simple to work! But your body adapts to the shapes you make most often - and if you're anything like me, you spend a good chunk of your day working on tech in front of you. So if you have shoulder pain and are ready for some fixes...

Beyond just deep breathing, did you know that breath is a skill?  And that improving your breathing can reduce stress, optimize performance, and help decrease pain?  Seems like a big ask for something you do 20,000 times a day without thinking about it, but it is actually that simple!  So if you only think about your breathing when you're having a hard time catching yours, this episode is for you....

Are barefoot shoes best for everyone (and every foot)? And what's the best brand of shoe if you want happy and healthy feet and ankles (and get out of pain)? The foot is complex - with 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. And while wearing a wider, thinner soled shoe can help increase your foot strength and ankle mobility by allowing more of your foot to move, bu...

Movement brings me joy - but I realize it's not the same experience for everyone. Maybe you're struggling because of an injury or pain. Or maybe, moving your body has become inextricably linked with a goal of weight loss (which has zapped all the fun from it). You're allowed to enjoy movement and my guest today knows all about that! I'm joined by Barb Puzanovova, aka The Non-Diet Trainer who is a...