Conquering Your Fibromyalgia Podcast

• Ep 232 What You Need to Know about Acute and Chronic Pain

  Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions In this episode of the Conquering Your Fibromyalgia podcast, host Mike introduces the podcast's first medical doctor guest, Dr. Maureen Allen. Dr. Allen shares her extensive journey from being a nurse to becoming a family medicine physician and an emergency medicine expert in Nova Scotia, Canada. The episode dives deep into the complexities of managing chronic pain, explaining how palliative care intersects with chronic pain treatment and the challenges patients face in finding the right care. They discuss the distinctions between acute and chronic pain, the role of emergency departments, and the need for a bottom-up approach to pain management. Dr. Allen also highlights the importance of patient education and shares insights from her own practice to help listeners understand and manage chronic pain more effectively.Watch on YouTube HERE00:00 Welcome to the Conquering Your Fibromyalgia Podcast00:10 Introducing Dr. Maureen Allen00:55 Dr. Allen's Medical Journey01:54 Chronic Pain and Palliative Care02:36 Addressing Misconceptions About Substance Use04:00 Challenges in Diagnosing Fibromyalgia05:39 Pain Education and Management in Canada09:08 Emergency Departments and Pain Management13:09 Understanding Chronic Pain Flare-ups20:13 Patient Concerns and Misdiagnoses23:29 Understanding Chronic Pain24:22 Acute Pain vs. Chronic Pain25:30 Pain Protective Behaviors27:33 The Role of Exercise in Pain Management32:27 The Intersection of Anxiety and Pain36:05 The Importance of Education and Support40:29 Real Stories and Hope Click here for the YouTube channel International Conference on ADHD in November 2025 where Dr. Lenz will be one of the speakers. Support the showWhen I started this podcast and YouTube Channel—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That’s why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope. If you’ve been told fibromyalgia “isn’t real” or that it’s “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you’ll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 29+ years as an MD. Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn’t replace per...

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• Ep 231 Wellness Industry Secrets Uncovered

  Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions In this episode, we welcome Amy Larocca, author of 'How to Be Well: Navigating Our Self-Care Epidemic, one Dubious Cure at a Time'. Amy joins us to discuss the intersection of fashion and wellness, chronic invisible illnesses, and the deceptive allure of the wellness industry. From her observations as a fashion journalist to her personal experiences and deep dive into the world of wellness, Amy reveals the psychological and cultural forces at play. We explore the commercialization of self-care, the rise of wellness trends, and the problematic blend of functional medicine with profit-driven motives. Amy also touches on the controversial role of celebrities, such as Gwyneth Paltrow, in promoting pseudoscience, and the constant societal pressure on women to achieve an unattainable standard of 'wellness'. Join us as we dissect the myths of the wellness industry and delve into the true meaning of self-care.Watch on YouTube Here00:00 The Origins of a Name00:22 Introducing Amy Larocca: From Fashion to Wellness01:11 The Intersection of Fashion and Wellness02:37 The Rise of Wellness Trends04:10 Motherhood and Wellness06:59 Gwyneth Paltrow and the Goop Phenomenon17:13 The Allure and Pitfalls of Functional Medicine23:49 The Growing Gap in Healthcare Access25:21 Debunking Health Myths25:43 The Juice Cleanse Phenomenon28:41 Balancing Humor and Seriousness in Health29:04 The Absurdity of Health Trends30:35 The Exploitation of Wellness39:36 Biohacking and Its Implications41:32 The Role of Lifestyle Medicine43:35 Concluding Thoughts on Wellness Click here for the YouTube channel International Conference on ADHD in November 2025 where Dr. Lenz will be one of the speakers. Support the showWhen I started this podcast and YouTube Channel—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That’s why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope. If you’ve been told fibromyalgia “isn’t real” or that it’s “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you’ll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 29+ years as an MD. Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn’t replace per...

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• Ep 230 The Science Behind Fibromyalgia: Neurological Insights

  Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions New Breakthrough: The Neurobiological Basis of Fibromyalgia Pain RevealedAre you or a loved one struggling with widespread pain often dismissed as stress-induced? Dr. Michael Lenz uncovers groundbreaking data showing that such pain is linked to measurable changes in the brain's structure. This episode delves into a massive study involving over 40,000 participants from the UK Biobank, validating the fibromyalgia index (FMI) as a reliable marker for nociplastic pain, especially seen in fibromyalgia. Key findings spotlight the altered structural connectivity within brain regions like the periaqueductal gray and amygdala, elucidating the link between chronic pain and symptoms such as fatigue and depression. Tune in to grasp a deeper understanding of the biological underpinnings of nociplastic pain and its ramifications for targeted treatments.Watch on Youtube Here00:00 Introduction to Nociplastic Pain01:32 Groundbreaking Study on Fibromyalgia Index01:52 Understanding Nociplastic Pain and Fibromyalgia02:52 Brain Networks and Pain Modulation04:08 Key Findings on Structural Connectivity04:53 Specific Brain Circuits and Symptoms06:10 Mediation Models and Symptom Domains07:10 Specificity of the Fibromyalgia Index07:48 Conclusion and Key Takeaways08:16  Final Thoughts Support the showWhen I started this podcast and YouTube Channel—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That’s why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope. If you’ve been told fibromyalgia “isn’t real” or that it’s “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you’ll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 29+ years as an MD. Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn’t replace per...

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• Ep 229 Examining the Wellness Industry Part 2

  Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions Navigating Chronic Pain and Pseudoscientific Treatments: A Deep DiveThe podcast episode features a conversation centered around the challenges and misconceptions in treating chronic conditions like fibromyalgia and ADHD. Topics covered include the shortcomings of mainstream medicine, supply issues of necessary medications, and the appeal of pseudoscientific treatments. Discussions extend to alternative therapies like EMDR for PTSD, their scientific validity, and potential psychological benefits. The episode critiques pseudoscientific grifts in wellness industries, emphasizes the importance of evidence-based medical approaches, and shares personal anecdotes to underline the significance of comprehensive, scientifically grounded care. The conversation concludes by advocating for skepticism over cynicism and the ethical duty of clinicians to empower patients with accurate information.00:00 Introduction and Patient Case Study00:05 Challenges with Fibromyalgia and ADHD00:31 Alternative Medicine and Root Causes01:43 Mainstream Medicine vs. Alternative Medicine03:08 Exploring EMDR Therapy03:54 The Purple Hat Metaphor05:15 Debate on EMDR's Effectiveness08:05 Neuroimaging and Mental Health Diagnosis11:54 Critique of Alternative Pain Models16:55 Red Flags in Evaluating Therapies19:08 Personal Story and Motivation22:14 Final Thoughts and Advocacy Click here for the YouTube channel Support the showWhen I started this podcast and YouTube Channel—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That’s why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope. If you’ve been told fibromyalgia “isn’t real” or that it’s “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you’ll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 29+ years as an MD. Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn’t replace per...

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• Ep 228 Examining the Wellness Industry with Jonathon Stea Part 1

  Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions Navigating Mental Health and Chronic Illness: Cutting Through Pseudoscience with Dr. Jonathan SteaIn this episode, clinical psychologist and science communicator Dr. Jonathan Stea joins the show to discuss the intersection of chronic illness and mental health. As an advocate against pseudoscience, Dr. Stea offers insights on identifying and avoiding predatory wellness trends while finding effective, evidence-based treatments. Highlighting the multifaceted reasons why people turn to alternative therapies, Dr. Stea emphasizes the importance of accurate information and ethical healthcare practices. The conversation addresses the proliferation of pseudoscientific diagnoses and the complex factors contributing to misinformation in the wellness industry.00:00 Introduction: Navigating the Maze of Mental Health and Wellness00:20 Meet Dr. Jonathan Stea: Separating Fact from Fiction00:46 The Rise of Alternative Therapies04:26 Understanding the Appeal of Pseudoscience05:57 The Cognitive and Social Factors at Play10:58 The Allure of Integrative and Functional Medicine18:24 The Harmful Impact of Pseudoscience19:57 Common Pseudoscientific Practices in Mental Health21:47 The Danger of Fake Diagnoses23:57 Conclusion: The Need for Evidence-Based Understanding Click here for the YouTube channel Support the showWhen I started this podcast and YouTube Channel—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That’s why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope. If you’ve been told fibromyalgia “isn’t real” or that it’s “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you’ll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 29+ years as an MD. Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn’t replace per...

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