Brain & Body Things

Most people are told a concussion is "mild" and that they’ll feel better in a week or two. Many do. But when symptoms linger, people are often left without answers. They’re told their scans are normal, that it’s “just stress,” or to rest in a dark room and wait.

In this episode, I sit down with neuropsychologist Dr. Megie Shean to talk about what actually happens to the brain after a concussion. Where the term "mild" comes from, and why we still use it. We cover why recovery isn’t a straight line and what a thoug...

Most people know Botox from the dermatologist's office. But in rehab medicine, it's a workhorse. In this episode, Dr. Natasha Mehta, a double board-certified physician and physiatrist, breaks down how botulinum toxin quiets overactive muscles. We cover the difference between a spasm, spasticity, and dystonia, what the injection actually does, how long it lasts, who it helps, the real safety picture, and why the shot is only half the treatment. Plus: is "trap Botox" wellness or nonsense?

More in Wellness or Nonsense?, we take on the viral “cortisol cocktail.” And in Mom Life Prescription, the simple habits that...

Longevity medicine is everywhere right now, but what does it actually look like in a doctor's office? This week I talk with Dr. Avinish Reddy, an internal medicine physician who now focuses on longevity, about how prevention-first care works, who concierge medicine is really for, and how to tell useful testing from expensive noise. We also get into the wellness-adjacent side of longevity: the trends, the tools, and the habits that matter more than any of them.

About Dr. Reddy: Dr. Avinish Reddy is a board-certified internal medicine physician focused on longevity and prevention, and...

Can your body's own biology help it heal? This week I sit down with Dr. Danielle Aufiero, a fellow PM&R physician and one of LA's early leaders in regenerative medicine, to talk about platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and the wider world of orthobiologics. We separate what the evidence supports from the hype, and talk about who's a good candidate, what recovery actually looks like, and where these treatments fit between physical therapy and surgery.

About Dr. Aufiero: Dr. Aufiero is board-certified in PM&R and has more than 20 years of experience as a regenerative musculoskeletal...

What does a real training week look like when you're a doctor, a business owner, and a mom of young kids? In this AMA, Dr. Natasha Mehta, a double board-certified physician, walks through her actual week of workouts: what she does, why she does it, and how she fits it around clinic, school drop-off, and everything else. No perfect routine. Just the priorities that keep her strong, mobile, and functional for the long haul.

Then in Wellness or Nonsense?, we discuss intermittent fasting. And in Mom Life Prescription, we discuss Exercise Snacks and...

This week I sit down with Frank Hawley, founder and head trainer at Verro Training in Venice, CA. Frank built his career on the belief that good training should be measurable — not guesswork. A University of Wisconsin–Madison grad and former research lab assistant at Tufts, he's spent years applying biometric data, velocity tracking, and individualized programming to help everyone from competitive athletes to everyday clients get real, trackable results.

Frank's own story backs up his philosophy: a former USAPL National Powerlifting Champion, he transformed his body composition multiple times — including a 170-pound swing in body weight — in the p...

After a long pause, I'm back. This episode explains where I went and why I'm returning to the mic now.

I'm a physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor, which means I work in the part of medicine most longevity conversations skip: how your body actually moves, holds up, and recovers. Healthspan isn't just lab numbers and supplements. It's whether you can still get up off the floor, carry your own groceries, and keep doing the things you love at 70.

I'm joined by the beautiful Nadia Khan-Singla to introduce two segments you'll hear on AMA episodes all...

In this episode, host Dr. Natasha Mehta, a physical medicine & rehabilitation physician switches things up by interviewing a business owner. Aryan Rashed is not your average fitness instructor. She started her career in law before finding her passion, and ultimately success, in pilates. She has developed a highly sought after technique which can be found at her Tremble studios currently expanding throughout the country. 

In this episode we discuss:
- Aryan's story.
- The history and development of high intensity pilates.
- The reformer.
- Benefits to pilates, and ways to use it i...

In this episode, host Dr. Natasha Mehta, a physical medicine & rehabilitation physician delves into the intricacies of maintaining a fitness program during pregnancy. Expert OB/GYN Dr. Linbee Sayat covers key topics such as cardiovascular changes, hormonal impacts, and exercise modifications for expecting mothers. The discussion provides actionable tips for safe fitness practices and highlights the benefits of staying active during pregnancy, aiming to empower expectant mothers with knowledge and practical advice. Tune in to learn about the best ways to balance fitness with the physical demands of pregnancy.

00:00 Introduction to the Brain and Body...

When a person or individual becomes a patient, their life changes forever. Sometimes it's a one time event, and things go back to what they once were. Other times, a new diagnosis or impairment alters the course of history. 

Meet Lorena. 

We discuss:

- Lorena as an individual and person.
- Her diagnosis.
- Her experience with treatment.
- Her decision to go beyond the treatment she received from her medical doctors in the United States and add in advice from Eastern practices.
- Emotional health & coping.
- Ho...

In this engaging episode of the Brain and Body Things podcast, the host delves into the intricacies of brain mapping with QEEG with return guest Dr. Andrew Hill. The episode explores a personal brain mapping session using Qualitative EEG (QEEG) with Dr. Hill, providing detailed insights into attention, executive function, and cognitive health. The host, Dr. Natasha Mehta, underscores the importance of understanding the complex nature of brain functions alongside stress, sleep and overall well-being.

The Neurofeedback interview with Dr. Hill from Season 3 can be found here.

00:00 Introduction
01:01 Receiving the QEEG Equipment
02:06 Brain...

In this episode of the Brain and Body Things Podcast, host Dr. Natasha Mehta interviews Dr. Molly Bachman, a doctor of physical therapy specializing in pelvic health. They discuss the importance and nuances of pelvic rehabilitation, debunk common misconceptions, and explore how pelvic health therapy can address issues such as incontinence, pelvic pain, and post-surgical recovery. Dr. Bachman shares her journey into this niche field and highlights the significant impact pelvic therapists can have on improving patients' quality of life. The conversation also delves into how stress and trauma can influence pelvic health and the importance of comprehensive care.<...

In this episode of the Brain and Body Things podcast, host Dr. Natasha Mehta is joined by Dr. Veda Giri and Dr. Nancy Borstelmann from Yale Cancer Center to discuss early onset cancer. Dr. Giri, a medical oncologist specializing in clinical cancer genetics, and Dr. Borstelmann, an expert in chronic disease epidemiology and social work, both co-lead Yale's Early Onset Cancer Program. They delve into the unique needs and challenges faced by young cancer patients, insights into genetic testing, the importance of tailored cancer screening, and the multifactorial nature of rising cancer rates in younger populations. The episode also...

In this episode of the Brain and Body Things podcast, host Dr. Natasha Mehta welcomes back neurosurgeon Dr. Ali Mesiwala for an in-depth discussion on brain health, particularly focusing on injuries and their management. Dr. Mesiwala shares his rich experience from his practice and fellowship training, highlighting the intricacies of different brain injuries, from concussions in athletes to traumatic injuries from accidents. They explore diagnostic approaches, including advanced MRI techniques and the evolution of treatments like cognitive rehabilitation, medications, light therapy, and emerging stem cell and exosome therapies. The episode offers actionable insights for individuals looking to optimize brain...

In this episode of the 'Brain and Body Things' podcast, host Dr. Natasha Mehta, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, sits down with Dr. Sandeep Palakodetti to explore the concept of longevity. Dr. Palakodetti, an internal medicine physician and co-founder of Rebel Health Alliance, shares his journey from traditional healthcare to focusing on longevity and wellness. They discuss the seven pillars of longevity: getting lean, getting strong, moving more, sleeping well, eating right, building community, and having purpose. The episode dives deep into each pillar, providing actionable insights and data-driven advice to enhance overall health and optimize lifespan.
<...

In this episode of the 'Brain and Body Things' podcast, hosted by physiatrist Dr. Natasha Mehta, guests Dr. Ali Mesiwala, a neurosurgeon, and Dr. Leia Rispoli, a pain medicine specialist, join for an enriching roundtable discussion. They delve into the collaborative nature of their fields, share personal experiences and challenges in balancing professional and personal lives, and discuss the impact of their work on patient care. The conversation covers a wide range of topics including the stereotypes and misconceptions of their professions, the importance of lifestyle modifications in patient care, and the complexities of making difficult medical decisions. They...

Invited lecture at Kessler Grand Rounds (October 6, 2023).

Youtube link for slides: https://youtu.be/grl_6vn0e6c

In this episode of the Brain and Body Things podcast, host Natasha Mehta, a physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor, delves into the concept of neuroplasticity and its implications for treating brain and body injuries. She discusses the various evidence-based and exploratory interventions, from rehabilitation exercises to brain stimulation, and the promising, yet still research-focused, avenues of supplementation and stem cell therapy. The episode aims to clarify myths surrounding neuroplasticity and offers actionable insights for patients and healthcare...

Board-certified neurosurgeon Ali H. Mesiwala, MD, FAANS, takes a solution-based approach to determine anatomic and functional abnormalities and then treats them with leading-edge technologies and integrative medicine.  At his three offices in Newport Beach, Marina del Rey, and Rancho Cucamonga, California, he focuses on helping all of their patients return to their normal lives, getting back into motion as quickly as possible. His team treats a vast array of neurological conditions. After intensive neurological exams and diagnostic testing, they recommend the best nonsurgical treatments for each person's unique health care needs. They recommend surgery when symptoms are severe or p...

Arti Thangudu, MD, is a triple board-certified physician and endocrinology, diabetes, and thyroid specialist who provides high-level, well-rounded care at Complete Medicine in San Antonio, Texas. She takes an evidence-based approach to care, focusing on the whole patient, not their disease or symptoms. At her membership-based practice, Dr. Thangudu offers her patients direct access via phone, text and email, long and frequent visits, continuous glucose monitoring, access to diabetes technology and constant support to help her patients achieve their health goals. 

She received her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Texas Health Science C...

Shanika Esparaz M.D. is a board-certified Ophthalmologist who is currently in private practice at Northeast Ohio Eye Surgeons. She provides comprehensive care as well and performs cataract surgery. She serves as a clinical associate professor of surgery at NEOMED. She enjoys connecting with her patients in clinic as well as teaching and connecting with young professionals on social media platforms. She is also board certified in Lifestyle Medicine as well as a certified health coach. She enjoy coaching other women in healthcare in terms of their health and wellbeing.

Dr. Esparaz has launched two digital courses...

Dr. Andrew Hill is the founder of Peak Brain Institute and a leading neurofeedback practitioner and biohacking coach for clients worldwide. He has lectured on psychology, neuroscience, and gerontology at UCLA’s Department of Psychology where he received a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience.

At Peak Brain, Dr. Hill provides individualized training programs to help you optimize your brain across goals of stress, sleep, attention, brain fog, creativity, and athletic performance. He is the host of the Head First podcast and continues to do research on attention and cognitive performance. 

In thi...

Just a quick thank you as I get my $tuff together.

Anum Saeed, MD is a Cardiologist & Lipidologist based in Pittsburgh. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and a staff cardiologist at UPMC. She completed a clinical and research fellowship in Atherosclerosis and Lipidology at Baylor College of Medicine followed by her clinical cardiology fellowship training at UPMC. She is a non-invasive cardiologist who is specialized in general cardiology, cardiovascular disease prevention strategies, echo reading and nuclear studies.

She has received numerous local and national awards for her research which currently is focused on investigating the...

Leia Rispoli, MD, is an experienced interventional pain medicine physician who offers exceptional pain management and physiatry services to patients in and around Marina Del Rey and Newport Beach, California. 

Double board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Management, Dr. Rispoli has a profound empathy for patients suffering severe or prolonged pain. She uses innovative, non-surgical interventions alongside evidence-based treatments to restore function and reduce or eliminate her patients’ pain. 

She treats people with a variety of painful conditions but I’ve brought her on the podcast today to talk about pelvic pain. This is an...

Dr. Meredith Smith received her doctorate in Physical Therapy from Elon University and her Bachelor’s degree from the College of Charleston in Exercise Science. She completed a neurologic residency program with OhioHealth and Ohio University. Meredith is a Board Certified Neurologic and Geriatric Clinical Specialist. She works in the outpatient setting treating individuals with neurologic and/or vestibular diagnoses. Meredith is also an adjunct professor with Bowling Green State University's DPT program in the neurologic and aging adult classes. Her clinical passion is treating individuals who have had a brain injury or stroke and is a strong advocate fo...

Dr. Joe Verghese graduated from St. Johns Medical College, Bangalore, India in 1989. He did his postgraduate training in Internal Medicine and Neurology in United Kingdom. He completed his Neurology residency at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY in 1998. He did his fellowship training in Neurophysiology as well as Aging & Dementia in 1999 at the same institution. He received a Master of Science degree in Clinical Research Methods with Distinction in 2001. Dr Verghese is board-Certified in Neurology. 

Dr. Verghese is Professor of Neurology and Medicine, Murray D. Gross Memorial Faculty Scholar in Gerontology, and D...

Dr. Preeti Raghavan is a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physican who specializes in neurorehabilitation after stroke or brain injury. After completing her medical education in India, Dr. Raghavan trained at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx and Columbia University. She began her career at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, followed by Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine at New York University Langone Medical Center, and is now at Johns Hopkins Medical Center where she is a Professor of Stroke Treatment, Recovery, and Rehabilitation. She is an associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation and is a partner...

Neal A. Mesnick, M.D., M.A., FAAPMR is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, a member of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, a member of the American Medical Association and a member of the Medical Society of the state of New York. He is an attending physician at New York Presbyterian Medical Center and is on the faculty at Weill-Cornell Medical College where he is an Assistant Clinical Professor in Rehabilitation Medicine. He has published abstracts and has presented at national...

In this episode you will hear - just me.

A break from our usual interview-style content while I work on next season for you all!

I'm sharing a little bit about exercise prescription with a spin towards the brain and nervous system considerations. Inspired by a lecture I recently gave about this topic. We will have a future episode next season diving into exercise prescription specifics for neurological disorders.

This is a short episode, so take a listen and let me know what you think!

Subscribe to stay up to date...

Edward M. Phillips, MD, is Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School and is Founder and Director of the Institute of Lifestyle Medicine (ILM) at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.  In his work at the ILM since 2006 he has directed 26 live CME programs attended by over 25,000 clinicians from 115 countries. 

In 2015 Phillips joined the VA Boston Healthcare System and now serves as Whole Health Medical Director. He is integrating Whole Health-lifestyle medicine training for students and trainees across the VA as National Whole Health Education Champion for Health Professions Trainees. Additionally, Phillips is a...

Dr. Leada Malek is a licensed physical therapist and board-certified sports specialist located in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is one of the 9% of therapists in the US who are specialized in sports therapy. She received her doctorate degree from Samuel Merritt University and completed her bachelors degree from the University of San Francisco in Exercise & Sport Science. She completed her graduate internship with Stanford University's varsity athletics and has since continued to work in the outpatient setting treating a variety of patients. 

Dr. Malek uses a combined approach of manual therapy and specific therapeutic exercise t...

Dr. Kirkham is currently serving as the Program Director for the Geriatric Fellowship at Grant/OhioHealth in Columbus, OH. She is proud to be part of a team dedicated to teaching residents, fellows, and peers the very real opportunities that exist in the care of their older adults. She was a university system internist until 5 years ago when she completed a mid-career, geriatric fellowship and moved to a large community-based teaching setting. With her new-found knowledge and resources, she looks forward to engaging others in the very real potential of clinically richer, more effective care of their older adult...

Aniket Natekar, MD, MSc, is a board certified general neurologist and board certified headache specialist. He uses individualized approaches to the treatment of headache and develops long-term relationships with his patients.

He completed his undergraduate degree from Western University in London, Ontario and his Master’s of Science in Pharmacology at the University of Toronto. He then moved to Honolulu, Hawaii for 4 years to complete his medical education at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii. He then completed his residency in neurology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, including a fe...

Dr. Richard Ulm is a chiropractor who developed his interest in the human body and it’s physical capabilities as an athlete. He studied English, philosophy and political science at Ashland University while training in track and field under the guidance of now 4 time Olympian, Jud Logan.

He is a former collegiate track and field coach who competed in the 2004 Olympic Trials in Sacramento, California.  Following the Olympic Trials he coached at New Mexico State University where he was both a strength and conditioning coach as well as the head throwing coach. 

He completed a do...

Aaron Bunnell, M.D., is a board certified physician at the Rehabilitation Clinic at Harborview and a UW assistant professor of Rehabilitation Medicine.
 
Dr. Bunnell specializes in treatment of severe traumatic and neurologic injuries and neuromuscular diseases. He aims to help patients return to the health, activities and interests that give them quality of life by providing individualized, compassionate care.
 
Dr. Bunnell earned his M.D. at UC San Francisco. He is triple board certified in Brain Injury Medicine, Electrodiagnostic Medicine and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. His clinical interests include acute inpatient rehabilitation of stroke, spinal co...

Laura B. Vater, MD, MPH is a gastrointestinal oncologist, writer, and speaker. She has published a number of narrative medicine essays, is a member of the Pegasus Physician Writers at Stanford, and is working on her first novel. 

In 2017, she developed and trademarked a tool to help patients and clinicians simplify and prioritize health (the SMILE Scale™). This tool is being used in schools and clinics in the US and UK. 

Laura earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Notre Dame, a Master of Public Health from the Unive...

Dr. Heidi Prather is an Attending Physiatrist at Hospital for Special Surgery. She specializes in sports medicine and the diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of spine and hip disorders and conditions.

After receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honors in biology and chemistry from Drury College, she received her Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from the University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine. Following medical school, she completed a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. 

Dr. Prather served as Professor, Vice Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and F...

Dr. Amy Moore is a plastic surgeon at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. She specializes in super microsurgery for peripheral nerve injuries and peripheral neuropathies including complex hand and trauma reconstructive surgery. She regularly performs procedures to reanimate limbs, relieve patients’ debilitating pain, and restore sensation for those with nerve injuries.

She is one of the few peripheral nerve surgeons in the world, and she has a focus on improving her patients’ quality of life. Nerve growth is a years-long process, and she supports her patients the entire way through recuperating and regaining func...

Dr. Shounuck Patel is double board-certified in Sports Medicine and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation as well as fellowship trained in interventional pain management. He focuses his clinical practice on the use of exercise, nutrition, osteopathic manipulation, and natural therapies such as regenerative cell therapy for the treatment of orthopedic injuries and pain conditions. 

Dr. Patel earned  his degrees across the nation at the George Washington University in Washington DC, Drexel University in Philadelphia, and Midwestern University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine in Chicago. He completed his residency at the prestigious Kessler Institute in New Jersey, fellowship with the Orth...

Meredith Broderick, MD is neurologist specializing in sleep medicine and behavioral sleep medicine.  She is one of the only physicians in the country to hold this trifecta combination of board certifications.  Her career has included academics, private practice, urban and under-served areas.  She has spent most of her career practicing in the Puget Sound region.  In 2021 she started Sound Sleep Guru, a holistic boutique sleep medicine practice located in Bellevue, WA and with telehealth reaching WA, CA, and AK. 

 In this episode we discuss: