Breaking Down Back Pain | Dr. Betsy Grunch

Breaking Down Back Pain | Dr. Betsy Grunch

Dr. Pamela Mehta sits down with board-certified neurosurgeon Dr. Betsy Grunch to talk about what it’s really like to deal with back pain. Dr. Grunch shares her own story of herniating three discs and navigating her personal wellness journey, bringing a uniquely empathetic perspective to a notoriously complex medical topic. Together, they break down the physical and mental resilience it takes to recover, why instant surgical fixes aren't always the answer, and how taking care of your overall health radically impacts your spine. What You’ll Learn: * The counterintuitive biological reason why undergoing a surgical procedure can sometimes accelerate long-term spinal degeneration. * How a specific, common lifestyle habit acts as a hidden vasoconstrictor to permanently disrupt your body’s natural tissue-healing mechanisms. * The multi-quadrant structural framework that defines true core strength far beyond conventional abdominal exercises. * Why the intersection of metabolic health, GLP-1 medications, and structural anatomy dictates your daily chronic pain levels. * The clinical reality behind the success rates of non-invasive therapies for major disc herniations and when to safely avoid the operating room. Guest Resources: * Instagram: https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/dr.pamelamehta@LadySpineDoc [https://www.instagram.com/ladyspinedoc/] * Tiktok: @LadySpineDoc [https://www.tiktok.com/@ladyspinedoc] * Website: https://www.southernneurosurgery.com/ [https://www.southernneurosurgery.com/] Host Resources: * Instagram: @dr.pamelamehta [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/dr.pamelamehta] * Tiktok: @dr.pamelamehta [https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.pamelamehta] * Youtube Channel: Pamela Mehta MD [https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.pamelamehta/videos] * Become a Patient: Resilience Orthopedics [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.resilienceortho.com] * Earn FREE CE Credit: Learn at Pinnacle App [http://learnatpinnacle.com/education] This episode is brought to you by ⁠The Pinnacle Podcast Network⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Sports Medicine and Mental Health in Female Athletes | Dr. Jessica Gray

On this episode of The Resilience Factor, host Dr. Pamela Mehta sits down with Dr. Jessica Gray, a board-certified family medicine physician, clinical assistant professor, and team physician for Texas Tech women's basketball. Dr. Gray pulls back the curtain on transitioning from a self-proclaimed "band nerd" to managing the high-stakes world of D1 collegiate sports medicine. The conversation dives deep into why treating elite athletes requires looking far beyond the physical injury to address the hidden, complex intersection of body and mind.  What You’ll Learn: * The unique connection between specialized concussion protocols and underlying mood changes that dictates an athlete's timeline for a safe return to play. * How a history of depression or anxiety acts as a critical factor that can significantly delay physical recovery from a mild to moderate head injury. * The specific screening strategy used to uncover hidden signs of eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and restrictive eating behaviors in competitive spaces. * How the relentless pressure of social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok directly impacts the mental resilience of modern collegiate players. * The emerging medical research regarding female athletes that links specific phases of the menstrual cycle to a heightened risk for severe injuries like an ACL tear. Guest Resources: * Instagram: https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/dr.pamelamehta@drjessicagraymd [https://www.instagram.com/drjessicagraymd/] * Podcast: The Med Edit Podcast [https://www.themededitpodcast.com/]  Host Resources: * Instagram: @dr.pamelamehta [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/dr.pamelamehta] * Youtube Channel: Pamela Mehta MD [https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.pamelamehta/videos] * Become a Patient: Resilience Orthopedics [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.resilienceortho.com] * Earn FREE CE Credit: Learn at Pinnacle App [http://learnatpinnacle.com/education] This episode is brought to you by ⁠The Pinnacle Podcast Network⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

The Truth About Strength Training | Shannon Ritchey DPT

Dr. Pamela Mehta sits down with Dr. Shannon Richey, a doctor of physical therapy and founder of Evlo Fitness, to dismantle the exhausting "more is more" philosophy that dominates the fitness world. After a career-stalling back injury forced her to rethink everything, Shannon discovered that many women are inadvertently under-stimulating their muscles while over-stressing their joints. This conversation is a deep dive into the minimum effective dose of exercise and how to stop the cycle of burnout to start building true physiological resilience. What You’ll Learn: * The "sweet spot" of repetition speed that signals you’ve actually reached a potent muscle stimulus. * Why common "combo moves" might be the reason you feel exhausted but aren't seeing real physical changes. * The metabolic secret of muscle mass that fundamentally shifts how your body processes glucose and insulin as you age. * A specific breathing technique that connects the diaphragm to the pelvic floor to safeguard your trunk during heavy lifts. * The counterintuitive reason why "earning your shower" through sweat isn't the best indicator of a successful workout. Guest Resources: * Instagram: https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/dr.pamelamehta@Dr.Shannon.DPT [https://www.instagram.com/dr.shannon.dpt/] * Website: evlofitness.com [http://evlofitness.com/] (Use code: PINNACLE) * Podcast: The Dr. Shannon Show [https://evlofitness.com/podcast] Host Resources: * Instagram: @dr.pamelamehta [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/dr.pamelamehta] * Youtube Channel: Pamela Mehta MD [https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.pamelamehta/videos] * Become a Patient: Resilience Orthopedics [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.resilienceortho.com] * Earn FREE CE Credit: Learn at Pinnacle App [http://learnatpinnacle.com/education] This episode is brought to you by ⁠The Pinnacle Podcast Network⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

What Happens Inside a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit | Dr. Anita Patel

In this episode of The Resilience Factor, the host sits down with Dr. Anita Patel, a pediatric critical care physician who navigates the razor-thin line between life and death every single day. While her resume spans from the front lines of a high-stakes ICU at Children’s National to the cutting edge of AI and big data research, this conversation dives deep into the quiet, heavy moments that happen behind the hospital curtain. We explore the profound emotional intelligence required to lead a family through their worst nightmare and how one physician maintains her own humanity while holding the weight of a child’s future in her hands. What You’ll Learn: * The "Eye-Level" authority trick that bridges the power gap between a double board-certified physician and a parent in total shock. * Why a child's lack of accumulated "micro-trauma" creates a biological loophole for surviving injuries that would be terminal for an adult. * The "vague yet vital" phrasing Dr. Patel uses to de-escalate a family’s terror by reframing a crisis as a predictable medical milestone. * How the "Toe-Touch" requirement in the age of Big Data and AI is the only thing keeping the soul of pediatric medicine alive. * The heartbreaking moment a child’s own resilience allows them to reach a "ready" state before the adults in the room can catch up. Guest Resources: * Instagram: https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/dr.pamelamehtahttps://www.instagram.com/anitakpatelmd/ [https://www.instagram.com/anitakpatelmd/] * Website: https://www.anitakpatelmd.com/ [https://www.anitakpatelmd.com/] Host Resources: * Instagram: @dr.pamelamehta [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/dr.pamelamehta] * Youtube Channel: Pamela Mehta MD [https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.pamelamehta/videos] * Become a Patient: Resilience Orthopedics [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.resilienceortho.com] * Earn FREE CE Credit: Learn at Pinnacle App [http://learnatpinnacle.com/education] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

The Mental and Physical Reality of Injury Recovery in Elite Athletes | Kerri Walsh Jennings

Whether you are a seasoned athlete, a sports parent, or someone navigating a high-pressure career, the pursuit of excellence is a universal journey. In this episode, host and fellow Bay Area local connects with five-time Olympian and three-time gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings to discuss the human side of professional dominance. They move past the highlight reels to explore the grit of injury recovery, the complexities of raising competitive children, and why hunger is the ultimate performance enhancer. It is a raw look at what it takes to stay on top when life - and your own body - demands a pivot. What You’ll Learn: * The surprising psychological advantage of a "bronze medal mindset" when facing devastating professional setbacks. * Why the most decorated beach volleyball player in history believes youth sports systems are currently failing the next generation. * The "vague yet vital" connection between core integration and surviving five major reconstructive surgeries. * How a "blind date" setup between two legendary competitors sparked a 112-match win streak and redefined Olympic partnerships. * The reality of competing at the highest level of global sport while five weeks pregnant and the "advanced maternal" labels that follow. Guest Resources: * Instagram: https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/dr.pamelamehtahttps://www.instagram.com/kerrileewalsh/ [https://www.instagram.com/kerrileewalsh/] * Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/platform1440/ [https://www.instagram.com/platform1440/]  [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.resilienceortho.com] * Website: https://p1440.com/ [https://p1440.com/] Host Resources: * Instagram: @dr.pamelamehta [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/dr.pamelamehta] * Youtube Channel: Pamela Mehta MD [https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.pamelamehta/videos] * Become a Patient: Resilience Orthopedics [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.resilienceortho.com] * Earn FREE CE Credit: Learn at Pinnacle App [http://learnatpinnacle.com/education] This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]