chronic illness

The REAL Polyvagal Theory (how childhood stress can create chronic illness)

2024-10-24T14:32:37-07:00Healing Trauma, Nervous System Regulation, Pain & Chronic Illness, Polyvagal Theory|

There is a virtual circus of misinformation in ‘somatic’ spaces these days.  It’s become such a problem that I now try to avoid using the word ‘somatic.’ Sad, but true! It's been so overused (anyone else sick & tired of hearing the word somatic?) and its meaning so [...]

A jaw-dropping passage in Bessel van der Kolk’s book, “The Body Keeps The Score”

2024-09-06T10:57:26-07:00Irene's Musings, Pain & Chronic Illness|

If you're landing on this blog post, you have found some keynotes that Irene wanted to capture from the registration period of SmartBody SmartMind™ (SBSM) in September 2024. She highlighted an important passage from Bessel van der Kolk's book, The Body Keeps The Score, via two different social [...]

How hidden trauma shows up as chronic illness (Mitch’s story)

2024-07-18T13:14:33-07:00Anger & Healthy Aggression, Healing Trauma, Nervous System Health, Pain & Chronic Illness, SmartBody SmartMind, Trauma & Survival Physiology|

Meet Mitch. Today’s share is all about his story (which echoes the story of so many people). After a nearly 20-year journey of trying to heal from chronic disease and multiple shock traumas, Mitch finally feels like he’s found the metaphorical “needle in a haystack” that he’s been [...]

Medical gaslighting & healing complex chronic illness

2024-06-10T13:31:14-07:00Healing Trauma, Nervous System Health, Pain & Chronic Illness|

Since starting SBSM in February 2023, Leora has progressively experienced layers of relief and healing that many of these professionals might deem ‘impossible.’ I’m sharing a NEW interview chat with a very special guest, whose story is a testament to the fact that we do not have [...]

The intricacies of holistic skin healing with Rob Stuart

2024-04-20T14:35:03-07:00Pain & Chronic Illness, Practitioners & Professionals|

Today, I have a NEW special guest interview with Rob Stuart. He helps people heal from skin “disorders” like dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and more in ways that defy the traditional medical industry.  (Please note that the quotes around “disorders” are intentional. As we’ll cover, these aren’t diseases [...]

Intergenerational trauma – on feeling (and healing) the pain of our ancestors

2024-04-20T15:42:08-07:00Parenting & Child Development|

“Pain travels through families until someone is ready to feel it.” - Stephi Wagner Intergenerational trauma is trauma that’s been passed down through generations; also known as generational, transgenerational, or ancestral trauma.  This is never a fun one to write about, but it is true that we ‘keep’ [...]

A holistic approach to restoring health at all levels with bariatric surgeon Dr. Erika La Vella

2024-04-20T15:51:47-07:00Pain & Chronic Illness, Practitioners & Professionals|

Today I have a NEW expert guest interview for you with the brilliant Dr. Erika La Vella.  She’s a board-certified bariatric surgeon (caring for patients with obesity), with a passion for preventative medicine and teaching people how to heal their gut in ways that go way beyond diet [...]