In this week’s episode of Healthspan Academy, I chatted with Dr. Emily Splichal, who is podiatrist and foot function specialist. We talked about matching footwear to anatomic specificity, activity, and terrain. Dr. Emily discussed causes and solutions for a range of foot pathologies, including: fallen arches, turf toe, and inflammation. We also chatted about the importance of optimizing hip function as it relates to the foot and a practical method for improving the foot-to-hip chain. 

Dr. Emily Splichal is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, a Human Movement Specialist, and a Global Leader in Barefoot Science and Rehabilitation. She is the mind behind the Evidence-Based Fitness Academy, creator of the Barefoot Training Specialist®, BarefootRx®, and BARE® Workout Certifications, founder of Naboso Barefoot Technology, and author of Barefoot Strong. 

With over 16 years of expertise, Dr. Splichal has dedicated her medical career to studying postural alignment and human movement as it relates to barefoot science, foot-to-core integration, and from the ground up training. She is actively involved in barefoot training research and education as it relates to athletic performance, injury prevention, and movement longevity. Sharing her unique approach, she taught 20,000 professionals both nationally and internationally, with her Barefoot Training Specialist® Program in over 35 countries worldwide which led her quickly to become a global leader in barefoot training and rehabilitation.

Due to her unique background, she also serves as a consultant and expert for some of the top fitness, footwear, and orthotic companies, including Aetrex Worldwide, Bunion Bootie, Crunch Fitness, Lissom Footwear, NIKE Innovations, PowerPlate USA, RAD Roller, and Trigger Point Performance Therapy. 

Find more information about Dr. Splichal and her practice in integrative podiatry medicine, you can visit her website at www.dremilysplichal.com and on Instagram at @dremilydpm.   

*** Please note that the content discussed in this podcast is intended for self-education and is not to be interpreted as medical advice.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:40 — 41.4MB)

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In this week’s episode of Healthspan Academy, I chatted with Dr. Sebastien Lomas, who is a biological dentist. We discussed some of the key factors in developing the optimal routine for oral health. Dr. Lomas outlined the function of the oral microbiome and the principles of maintaining equilibrium. We chatted about general best practices for oral hygiene, including toothpaste selection, brush selection, oil pulling vs mouthwash, and the best foods for optimizing tooth and gum health. 

Dr. Sebastien Lomas, aka “Dr. Seb” is a UK-based qualified dentist that utilizes a whole-body approach to oral care with interest in integrating holistic health with modern dentistry. Having been so anti ‘natural solutions’ for his whole life, ironically, natural solutions were the only thing to get him out of his health crisis. As his life journey evolved, he found himself studying Biochemistry at Loughborough University completing it in 2013. His passion for dentistry was eventually actualized when he graduated in 2020 from the University of Central Lancashire. 

As a Biological Dentist, Dr. Seb promotes minimally invasive dentistry, educating patients, and always using safe, biocompatible dental materials based on tailored biocompatible blood and genetic testing. He has received advanced mercury removal training following the IAOMT SMART guidelines. With an individualized approach to care instead of the traditional “one size fits all” dental model, he recognizes that every patient is unique and should be treated according to their specific needs.

Driven by a strong desire to share his knowledge with others, his goal is to empower people to take back control of their gum health, teeth health, and their health as a whole. He is grounded firmly in helping remove oral interferences and imbalances.

Together with his wife Alexandra, Dr. Seb co-founded Wonder of Wellness in 2018 which helps clients manage daily stresses utilizing CPTG Essential Oils and natural goods preserved with Essential Oils resulting in an enhanced immune system and experience increased cellular energy. Currently, he also works as a Biological Dentist in Portman Dental Care.

Find out more about Dr. Seb on his website at www.wonderofwellness.co.uk and on Instagram at @biological_dentist.   

*** Please note that the content discussed in this podcast is intended for self-education and is not to be interpreted as medical advice.

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In this week’s episode of Healthspan Academy, I chatted with Dr. Kirsten Perley, who is a Naturopathic Doctor and a Frequency-Specific Microcurrent (FSM) practitioner. Dr. Perley chatted about some of the underlying research and clinical cases that have demonstrated a wide range of benefits of FSM therapy, including chronic inflammation, pain management, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. We also discussed the utility and efficacy of FSM for self care and biohacking, specifically its use for improved cognitive function. Kirsten also outlined some of the exclusion criteria and limitations of the therapy.

Dr. Kirsten Perley started her academic career with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from McMasters University. She went on to complete a doctorate degree in Naturopathic Medicine at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine developing a special interest in the impact of trauma and establishing parasympathetic dominance in her patients early on in her career.  It became very clear to her that when one could facilitate change in the nervous system early on in treatment, a massive change could occur. 

Kirsten co-taught the Maternal Newborn Care Course at the Canadian College of Naturopathic medicine from 2008 to 2014 given her previous background of being a Labour and Delivery Registered Nurse for fourteen years.

Taking a multifaceted approach to Naturopathic Medicine, Dr. Perley utilizes the full range of treatment options available to Naturopathic Doctors including botanical medicine, nutritional medicine, physical medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, and lifestyle counseling. In 2018, Dr. Perley started using Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) in her practice as a modality for treating and managing acute and complex chronic pain and to aid in nervous system regulation.

Find out more about Dr. Perley on her website at www.drkirstenperleynd.com.

*** Please note that the content discussed in this podcast is intended for self-education and is not to be interpreted as medical advice.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:47 — 35.1MB)

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In this week’s episode of Healthspan Academy, I chatted with Lynne Knapman, who is a 12-time CrossFit Games Masters competitor. We chatted about how Lynne managed to becoming one of the fittest in the world in her age group with a very limited athletic background prior to discovering CrossFit. Lynne outlined her training regimen, her nutrition strategy, and her keys to staying injury free throughout her athletic career. 

Lynne Knapman started her CrossFit journey in her 50s after deciding to support a friend in running a 14km road run. Prior to this, she used to run on the treadmill for three kilometers at nine kilometers an hour. After telling her husband she wanted to run the 14 kilometers, he put her in touch with his trainer, Chad McKay, a former CrossFit Games athlete, who has now been her coach for the past 13 years.

Lynne is only athlete to have qualified for every CrossFit Games masters competition since it was introduced and has been the Australian National Champion in her age group several times. She is now a 12-time CrossFit Games athlete, which is the most appearances in the history of the CrossFit Games. She took the 8th place finish in her first year, a career-best finish of second place in 2015 in the Masters 55-59 Division, following it with another podium finish in 2016, when she took third. In 2020, she took first place in the Open Masters 60-64 Division.

You can follow Lynne’s fitness journey on Instagram @lynne_knapman

*** Please note that the content discussed in this podcast is intended for self-education and is not to be interpreted as medical advice.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:11 — 42.8MB)

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In this week’s episode of Healthspan Academy, I chatted with spine biomechanics mastermind Dr. Stuart McGill. We chatted about the most effective tactics for rehabilitating and preventing back pain and improving performance. Dr. McGill discussed the data and methodology he used to develop the “big 3” as his core recommended pain resolution protocol. We talked about common misconceptions and miscues when it comes to resolving back dysfunction. Dr. McGill also discussed the key aspects of assessing back pain and prescribing the optimal solution based on how the symptoms are being expressed. 

Dr. Stuart M. McGill is a distinguished professor emeritus at the University of Waterloo, where he taught for 30 years. His laboratory and experimental research clinic investigated issues concerning the etiology of back pain, how to rehabilitate back-pain patients, and how to improve injury resilience and performance. 

Dr. McGill started his academic career with a bachelor’s degree in Health and Performance at the University of Toronto then went on to attain a master’s degree in Anthropology and Biomechanics from the University of Ottawa. Later, he completed his PhD in Kinesiology and Biomechanics at the University of Waterloo.

During his scientific journey, he mentored 37 graduate students and taught thousands of clinicians and practitioners in professional development and continuing education courses around the world. Furthermore, governments, corporations, legal experts, medical groups, celebrities and elite athletes and teams from across the globe frequently seek his counsel. 

He has also authored several books on low back disorders and back pain. Over 245 peer-reviewed scientific journal papers, multiple textbooks, and numerous international accolades, including the Order of Canada in 2020 for leadership in the field of back pain, have resulted from his efforts. Currently, Dr. McGill continues to serve as Backfitpro Inc.’s Chief Scientific Officer. 

Find more about his work through his website at BackFitPro.com.

*** Please note that the content discussed in this podcast is intended for self-education and is not to be interpreted as medical advice.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:07:02 — 61.8MB)

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