The Nervous System Eats First: Autism Spectrum, Menopause & Beyond

Læs mere The Nervous System Eats First: Autism Spectrum, Menopause & Beyond

The Nervous System Eats First is a podcast about the midlife body—when masking stops working, menopause hits hard, and your nervous system demands more than just supplements and willpower. Hosted by Dr. Stacey Denise, a board-certified physician and founder of the Neuroaesthetic MD™ method, this show invites listeners into a new kind of recovery: one where healing begins through the senses. Each episode blends science, sensory ritual, and somatic insight to help women reclaim regulation—not as a reward, but as a requirement. This is not “self-care.” This is nervous system nutrition for: Autistic and ADHD women unmasking in midlife Black women and women of color navigating medical gaslighting Women in menopause who feel invisible, exhausted, and emotionally unmoored Highly sensitive women trying to feel something without getting overwhelmed If you’ve ever asked, “What is happening to my body?”—this podcast is your permission slip to find out, slowly and with grace. 🎧 The Nervous System Eats First Where your body is the expert, and your senses are the medicine.

When Pain Won't Sleep: Touchology & Reflexology for Midlife Women with Dr. Njideka Olatunde | Ep. 18

Burning feet at 2am. Aching joints that won't settle. Restless legs stealing your sleep. Your labs are fine. You're told it's just menopause, just aging, just weight gain. But your body is screaming — and nobody is listening. In the Season 1 finale of The Neuroaesthetic MD Podcast, Dr. Stacey Denise sits down with Dr. Njideka Olatunde — naturopath, master reflexologist with 40 years of experience, and creator of Touchology — a medication-free approach to chronic pain relief. After losing family and friends to the opioid epidemic, Dr. Njideka dedicated her practice to teaching people how to use their own hands as their first line of defense against pain. This episode is your body's permission slip to be heard. What You'll Discover: * The 5-5-5 deep breathing technique as your body's circuit breaker for pain signals * Emergency hand reflexology — the thumb-walking technique you can use anywhere, anytime * Why stress that isn't released tries to exit through body pain — and how to break the cycle * How generational trauma manifests as chronic illness — and why we are due our healing * Why listening is the number one treatment for pain relief before any technique begins * The vintage wine reframe — aging as blossoming into greatness, not declining * How to honor what worked before while adding newness — breaking cycles without losing your roots * The touch of gratitude — Dr. Njideka's personal practice and the most powerful words in the universe Timestamps: 00:00 Cold open — when pain won't sleep 03:00 Meet Dr. Njideka Olatunde 05:00 Origin story — from social work to Touchology 08:00 The opioid crisis — why touch became first-line defense 10:00 The pain-stress connection — why they're inseparable 14:00 Empowerment — you must participate in your healing 16:00 Midlife wisdom — aging as vintage wine 22:00 Nervous system 101 — the elbow example 28:00 Practical tool 1 — deep breathing 5-5-5 technique 30:00 Practical tool 2 — hand reflexology tutorial 35:00 Generational trauma and healing — we're due our healing 40:00 Making new traditions — adding newness to foundation 45:00 Nourish or numb segment 51:00 The touch of gratitude — Dr. Njideka's personal practice Special Gift from Dr. Njideka: In the African tradition, when you visit someone's home for the first time, you bring a gift. Dr. Njideka offers all listeners a FREE medication-free pain relief poster with hands-on techniques you can use immediately → touchologyreflexology.com This Episode Is For You If: * You're navigating menopause-related joint pain, burning feet, or restless legs * Sleep-disrupting body pain is making everything harder * Traditional medicine has dismissed your pain as just aging or just menopause * You want medication-free tools you can use with your own hands tonight Guest: Dr. Njideka Olatunde — naturopath, master reflexologist, creator of Touchology Website: focusonhealing.com [https://focusonhealing.com/] Podcast: Touchology Wellness Experience [https://www.touchologywellnessexperience.com/] FREE Pain Relief Poster: touchologyreflexology.com [https://www.touchologywellnessexperience.com/] Your Next Step: Take the free Sleep Saboteur Quiz if pain is stealing your sleep → quiz.drstaceydenise.com/sleep-saboteur-start-here [https://quiz.drstaceydenise.com/sleep-saboteur-start-here] Take the free Gut Saboteur Quiz if inflammation and body pain are connected to your digestion → quiz.drstaceydenise.com/gut-quiz-start-here-page [https://quiz.drstaceydenise.com/gut-quiz-start-here] Ready to work with Dr. Stacey directly? Book a Reset Foundations Consultation → drstaceydenise.com/reset-foundations-consult [https://secure.gethealthie.com/appointments/embed_appt?dietitian_id=11771006&require_offering=true&offering_id=231132&hide_package_images=false&primary_color=d40078] This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Reflexology and Touchology are complementary practices and should not replace professional medical care. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new health practice, especially if you have chronic pain, are taking medications including GLP-1s, are pregnant, or have any medical conditions. MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: This video is for educational purposes only. The information shared does not constitute medical advice and does not establish a physician-patient relationship. Dr. Stacey Denise is a licensed physician but is not YOUR physician unless you are an active patient of SDM Medical PLLC. Individual results vary. The practices discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. Always consult your own qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen.

10. feb. 2026 - 51 min