Every single one of us has a body.

People are complex and our bodies are no different.

Some of us feel at home in our bodies, while others of us do not, and it’s not always because of gender.

Difficult emotions can play a significant role in this disconnect, as well as trauma and its impact on the body. And having a disability, disease, or other condition can further strain the connection with the body.

But for many trans people, their transness is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what makes them and their bodies so different. 

Today we're diving into a crucial topic that affects the health and wellbeing of transgender individuals.

It's no secret that members of the LGBTQ+ community face unique health challenges, though there’s no definitive data or research correlating any of these issues with transness. They’re simply conditions that we commonly see in the same patients.

Which is why I wanted to talk to someone who has experience and expertise in treating patients with a lot of these co-occuring conditions that can make it harder for trans individuals to connect with their bodies.

Today we’re digging into the relationship of neurodivergence and transness and how it impacts the body and how holding a marginalized identity or identities literally shapes the body.

Dr. Sam Zoranovich is a chiropractor who specializes in providing care to the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities. Their own experiences with chronic pain, multiple surgeries, and feeling broken and betrayed by their body inform their practice and how they help people go from managing symptoms to thriving in their lives.

Check out the full episode to hear about:

• How the siloing of traditional medical specialists impacts diagnosis, treatment, and healing
• Why neurodivergence and how the brain processes stimulation can have such profound physical impacts
• The overlap of neurodivergence, digestive issues, hypermobility disorders, skin complaints, and more
• How neurodivergence and trauma impact the body’s fight or flight response and what happens when it gets stuck

Find out more about Dr. Sam Zoranovich:

• Zoranovich Chiropractic
• TikTok: @doctorsamz 

Find out more about Mackenzie Dunham:

• Wildheartsociety.org
• wildheartsociety.org/downloads
• Wild Heart Society on Facebook
• Wild Heart Society on Instagram

Resources:

• TikTok: The overlap of queerness and neurodivergence
• TikTok: Dr. Sam's Reply to Mack
• Disjointed Navigating the Diagnosis and Management of Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders
• 30 Essential Ideas you should know about ADHD, Dr. Russell Barkley