Australian Stories of Healing Pain

Varsha Chowdhury has been residing in Australia for 9 years but grew up in India. She lives in Sydney and is the co-director of The Liberation Project.

Varsha's challenges started in school where she felt invisible and a waste of space. Her self-esteem and self-worth was destroyed which she carried through to her adult life. Varsha was never a traditional Indian girl and didn't believe in arranged marriages. However when she met someone that her father approved of, things moved quickly and she found herself married without ever really testing the relationship.

Varsha was married for 6 toxic years before she decided to change her life.

12-18 months of working on herself, working past the depression and realising her self-worth through different therapies. Not only has Varsha been able to heal her emotional pain, but also some physical pain too.

Tune in to listen to Varsha's journey of healing emotional pain through dance, reiki, meditation, journaling and symbolic release.

An eye opening and inspiring story of healing.

You can connect with Varsha here:

Instagram: @theliberationprojectoz

Website: www.theliberationproject.com.au

Varsha's recommendations & resources:

•Reiki healer and teacher as mentioned in the interview is Samantha Avery. Her website is https://samanthaavery.com/

•Varsha subscribed to, attended masterclasses, and bought personal growth online programs, by Mindvalley https://www.mindvalley.com/

Some books that Varsha loved reading and helped her a lot are:

•Many Lives Many Masters by Dr. Brian Weiss

•Can't hurt me by David Goggins

•Simplicity in Spirit by Michelle Madsen Smith

•The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

•The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku

Ready to tell your story?

Please connect with me, Tess Thompson:

•Instagram: @myowithme

•E-mail: [email protected]

You can share your support for the podcast by:

•Subscribing

•Rating

•Sharing episodes on social media

•Shouting me a coffee

This podcast does not replace medical advice. Please advocate for yourself and discuss possible changes to your health care plan with your preferred health care provider.

Sam was only 10 years old when she first got her period and starting experiencing the associated endometriosis pain.

Sam suffered for over ten years, being told it was 'normal' and to manage with pain medication and heat packs. It wasn't until Sam was in her early twenties that she got a referral to a gynaecologist and was diagnosed with endometriosis.

3 laparoscopy surgeries over the years did not improve Sam's symptoms, and in fact they were getting significantly worse. Flare ups would last beyond her menstrual cycle and could turn up at any time of the month. Sam found herself bedridden and not working for 6 months.

It was when Sam went into her local pharmacy to refill yet another script when the pharmacist noticed Sam was looking worse and gave her the phone number of an integrative GP. This was when things turned around for Sam, and the beginning of the holistic approach to her health care.

Tune in to find out about Sam's experience with an integrative GP and endocrinologist. Sam discusses her anti-inflammatory diet, meditation, sleeping well, reducing stress and movement/exercise.

Sam has reduced her pain from the level of taking medication after medication and weeks of pain flare ups - to being able to reduce her flare ups and manage with no medication at all!

You can connect with Sam here:

•Instagram: @empowered_holistic_counselling

•Website: https://empoweredholisticcounselling.com.au/

Sam's recommendations:

Endometriosis Specialist:

•Professor Alan Lam

•https://www.sydneycare.com.au/alan-lam/

Integrative GP:

•Dr Sam Rewais

•https://regalmedicalcentre.com.au/

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist:

•Angela Rodwell

•https://www.phytness.com.au/angela-rodwell

Dietician/Nutrition:

•Anne-Marijke Gerretsen (AMG)

•https://eatwelllivewell.com.au/

Pain Management Program:

•https://www.mtwilgaprivate.com.au/Our-Services/Day-Patient-Programs/Pain-Management-Program run by Dr Glen Sheh

Empowered Holistic Counselling & Wellness

•Both face to face and online holistic counselling with a special interest in endometriosis and women's health.

•https://empoweredholisticcounselling.com.au/

Ready to tell your story?

Please connect with me, Tess Thompson:

•Instagram: @myowithme https://www.instagram.com/myowithme/

•E-mail: [email protected]

This podcast does not replace medical advice. Please advocate for yourself and discuss possible changes to your heal...

Michelle is a Kinesiology and Mind Body Medicine practitioner in Sydney. She is married with a cute puppy and is a hockey umpire.

Michelle was umpiring hockey when she damaged her PCL (ligament in the knee) and cartilage, causing pain when the cartilage flap would 'catch' during certain movements. After seeing a myriad of specialists to first get a diagnosis, Michelle was given advice from a surgeon that surgery wasn't necessary. The 'flap' would eventually wear away, meaning the pain would eventually disappear.

Michelle was 12 months into waiting for the cartilage to wear away, after seeking help from acupuncturists to massage therapists, when her Mum saw an ad for kinesiology in the newspaper. They didn't know anything about kinesiology at the time but thought 'why not?'

The kinesiologist was able to link Michelle's physical pain to an emotional problem, and the rest is history! Michelle was so impressed with what she experienced in the one session that she enrolled in a Kinesiology course herself. A few months later, after receiving 'free' treatments during her study, Michelle no longer experienced any pain in her knee.

Tune in to find out about awareness, visualising, processing, mental pain stories, pain cycles, resetting feelings, bio feedback loops, acupuncture points, emotional freedom technique, rewiring the nervous system, breathing, hydration and muscle activation. A whole range of techniques used in Kinesiology to address pain.

You can connect with Michelle here:

•Instagram: @michelle_farnill

•Website: www.tigereyewellbeing.com

Michelle's recommendations:

•Chiropractor - Dr Luke Niseet

•Acupuncture - Kirsten Lee

•Pilates

Ready to tell your story?

Please connect with me, Tess Thompson:

•Instagram: @myowithme

•E-mail: [email protected]

You can show your support for the podcast by:

•Subscribing

•Rating

•Sharing episodes on social media

•Shouting me a coffee

This podcast does not replace medical advice. Please advocate for yourself and discuss possible changes to your health care plan with your preferred health care provider.

Episode 9 of Australian Stories of Healing Pain introduces Gabby Glen. Gabby is a 29 year old wife and mother of 2 who works for an online fashion label. Gabby is interested in health and wellness.

At the age of 17 Gabby was diagnosed with Graves' disease after experiencing a myriad of symptoms including fainting, heat intolerance, cold hands and feet, feeling sweaty and clammy, anxious, insomnia, bulging eyes, bulging neck, jittery, weight loss, increased appetite, brittle hair and dry skin. At this age Gabby did not have the focus of health and wellbeing that she has now. She was living an unhealthy lifestyle, partying and drinking, and also negating to take her medication after 12 months nor did she book any doctors appointments to check up on her own health. Gabby didn't recognise that anything was wrong within her body.

It was after Gabby was married with two children that she started to experience symptoms that prompted her to seek advice from a doctor. She received the devastating news of thyroid cancer. Doctors allowed Gabby a few weeks to decide on which surgeon would be in charge of not only cutting out the tumour, but also her whole thyroid - which meant having to take medication for the rest of her life, as well as other cancer treatment therapies.

It was Gabby's Mum who gave her the first nudge in the 'healthy' direction. Guiding her towards reading different information to heal her body naturally.

Against doctors advice, Gabby decided to try the 'healthy way' first. Juices, dramatic dietary changes, coffee enemas, fasting and the sauna. Gabby would also consult with naturopaths from time to time but found she was able to navigate the right path herself through her own reading and research. It was through these changes that Gabby noticed that when she was fasting and exercising, the pain she had would disappear. A horrible pain up the right side of her face, jaw and down through the right side of her neck.

Tune in to hear about the strategies Gabby is using to SHRINK her tumour in detail. A wealth of information and thought provoking ideas to inspire you on your own health journey.

You can connect with Gabby here:

•Instagram: @gabbyglen

Gabby's recommendations:

•Never Fear Cancer Again by Raymond Francis

•Hope for Cancer by Antonio Jimenez

•The Autoimmune Fix by Tom O'Bryan

•Medical Medium Thyroid Healing by Anthony William

•The Great American Health Hoax by Raymond Francis

•I Quit Sugar by Sarah Wilson

•Square One by Chris Wark

•Becoming Supernatural by Joe Dispenza

•Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Joe Dispenza

YouTube:

•The Betrayal Series

•The Truth About Cancer

Instagram

•Dr Mark Hyman @drmarkhyman

•Peter Crone @petercroneofficial

Website:

•Michael Singer

Functional Medicine

•Jarrod Cooper (Perth) - https://naturopathlife.com.au/about/jarrod-cooper/

•Dr Sandra Parsons (Melbourne) - https://niim.com.au/clinic/practitioners/dr-sandra-parsons

Heather Musgrove (Naturopath, Mildura) - https://www.live-well.com.au/

Ready to tell your story?

Please connect with me, Tess Thompson:

•Instagram: @myowithme https://www.instagram.com/myowithme/

•E-mail:

Episode 8 of Australian Stories of Healing Pain introduces Craig Lipnicki. Craig is a father of 3 in Western Australia and co-owner of Five Vegans online store.

At the age of 17 Craig started to experience intermittent back pain and by the age of 23 he was diagnosed with Sherman's disease. It wasn't until Craig was 33, after suffering from pain for over a decade, that he was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis. Craig was offered anti-inflammatories and over the counter medication for his pain. He was referred to a group class to discuss pain where he was told that he would be in pain forever. A mindset that didn't sit well with Craig.

It was when Craig's wife was studying naturopathy that he decided to take another path with healing his pain. Dietary changes were an easy transition for Craig, first cutting out processed foods and dairy. Cheese was hard, but is now a distant memory!

After following a plant based diet Craig's pain had basically disappeared, including pain in the hands and iritis. But this is when Craig was faced with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome which caused pain and discomfort. He tried altering his diet again including a low FODMAP diet but was still experiencing symptoms. Craig was referred to a psychologist where he learnt about pain centres, neural pathways and TMS - tension myositis syndrome.

Tune in to find out how Craig has retrained his brain to forget about the IBS pain and any lingering Ankylosing Spondylitis pain. A fantastic episode full of amazing insights into nutrition, gut health, animal activism, anxiety and how the brain perceives pain.

You can connect with Craig here:

Instagram: @fivevegans

https://www.fivevegans.com.au/

Craig's recommendations:

Rebecca Strachan - Naturopath - https://www.healingwithincentre.com/

Clint Paddison - https://www.paddisonprogram.com/

Michael Greger - https://drgreger.org/ - Book: How Not To Die

Website: https://nutritionfacts.org/

Dr Neal Barnard - https://www.pcrm.org/yourbodyinbalance - Book: The Vegan starter kit

Dr Howard Schubiner - https://www.unlearnyourpain.com/ - Book: Unlearn your pain

App: The Curable App - https://www.curablehealth.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-7eTvdbE8gIVSoNLBR3vsAo8EAAYASAAEgJ4MfD_BwE

James Aspy - @jamesaspeyhttps://www.instagram.com/jamesaspey/?hl=en

Documentaries

- Forks over Knives - https://www.forksoverknives.com/

- Game Changers

- What the Health

- Dominion - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQRAfJyEsko&t=4479s

Ready to tell your story?

Please connect with me, Tess Thompson:

Instagram: @myowithme

E-mail: [email protected]

Do you like what I'm doin...

Host: Tess Thompson @myowithme

Episode 7 of Australian Stories of Healing Pain introduces Kayla Morgan. Kayla is a Reiki practitioner meditation creator and artist in South Australia.

In 2016 when Kayla was 28 years old, she began to experience symptoms such as food intolerances, fatigue and anxiety. Doctors couldn't find an explanation for her symptoms and Kayla started to believe it was all in her head, making excuses and brushing them off. While there were some abnormal thyroid results during this time, doctors were unable to find a clear cut diagnosis.

It was when Kayla was crying at her work desk that a colleague suggested she see a naturopath. With some 'testing' by the naturopath, a detailed health history and checking of previous bloods, Kayla was given a dietary plan going forwards. It was hard, but it helped.

Fast forward a few years to 2019 and the symptoms start creeping back in. Fatigue, hair falling out, dry skin and pain. The pain was in Kayla's neck and shoulder, it would appear in line with her menstrual cycle and was so bad that she would find herself on the couch all day taking Panadol after Panadol. Once again Kayla brushes them off and makes excuses. But it is with the devastating experience of a pregnancy loss that Kayla is finally diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease.

Tune in to find out how Kayla has managed the symptoms of Hashimoto's, including intense neck and shoulder pain during her menstrual cycle, as well as anxiety and depression. A holistic approach to health care including a GP, specialist general practitioner, bioresonance therapist, reiki practitioner and meditation. A well rounded team all with the goal of returning Kayla to optimal health and wellbeing.

You can connect with Kayla here:

Instagram: @kayladmorgan

https://www.kaylamorganart.com.au/

Kayla's recommendations:

Dr Angela Teh - General Physician - Gawler Specialists Clinic

Reiki Practitioner - Jason McGrice

https://www.jasonmcgrice.com/reiki-energetic-lightwork

Instagram: @jasonmcgrice

Bioresonance Therapy - Emmeline Khor

https://renewedhealthclinic.com/

Instagram: @renewed_health_clinic

Meditation - Insight Timer app (free)

Movement

Nature

Diet

Ready to tell your story?

Please connect with me, Tess Thompson:

Instagram: @myowithme

E-mail: [email protected]

This podcast does not replace medical advice. Please advocate for yourself and discuss possible changes to your health care plan with your preferred health care provider.

Episode 6 of Australian Stories of Healing Pain introduces Desiree Taylor. Desiree is a mother of one, residing in Sydney. She is a Holistic Health and Wellness Coach.

Desiree was 26 years old when she was bedridden for 8 months and received the devastating diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. She was a busy woman playing hockey for the NSW women's team, a manager for a global recruitment firm, she loved wining and dining and living a burn and churn lifestyle. She didn't have time for Chronic Fatigue.

It took Desiree 4 years of research and experimenting along with the help of a few health professionals to turn her life around. She was able to return her body to a state of health where she no longer experiences the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Not without setbacks... Desiree caught a common cold that caused her to be blind in both eyes. Optic Neuromyelitis. Another learning curve where Desiree looked into her diet, stripped back foods and reduced the inflammation in her body. She was able to regain her sight without taking the recommended prescribed lifelong medication.

Tune in to listen to Desiree's truly inspiring story, along with tips, recommendations and a wealth of knowledge on healing the body. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome does not have a cure and researchers are still working hard to understand why it occurs, however, Desiree was able to rid her body of any symptoms providing she continues to life a healthy and balanced life.

You can connect with Desiree here:

Instagram: @desireetaylor

www.desireetaylor.com.au

Desiree's recommendations:

Desiree Taylor - Holistic Health and Wellness Coach - www.desireetaylor.com.au

The Grove Health Pymble - www.grovehealthpymple.com.au

- Helen Padarin - Naturopath

Hills Spinal Health Clinic - www.hillsspinal.com.au

- Andrew Powell - Chiropractor

- Adeline Yap - Chiropractor

Ready to tell your story?

Please connect with me, Tess Thompson:

Instagram: @myowithme https://www.instagram.com/myowithme/

E-mail: [email protected]

This podcast does not replace medical advice. Please advocate for yourself and discuss possible changes to your health care plan with your preferred health care provider.

Episode 5 of Australian Stories of Healing Pain introduces Lauren Duscher. Lauren is a mother of two and works as a social worker and mediator in Mildura.

When Lauren was pregnant with her first child Teddy in 2017, she started to experience significant pain in her hips. Because this is such a common complaint during pregnancy that disappears after birth, Lauren's complaints were not of great concern to her health care providers. It is also not possible to undergo some tests while pregnant, and the thought was that the pain would shortly disappear anyway.

Teddy's birth ended up being a traumatising experience for Lauren where she needed an assisted delivery that put extra pressure on her hips and possibly caused more damage.

Lauren's postpartum journey was stressful, frustrating and painful. Becoming a mum for the first time is hard enough without being in pain and unable to walk. Lauren's mental health was poor and she used whatever energy she had left to find an explanation for her pain and treatment options.

At around three months post partum Lauren was diagnosed with transient osteoporosis, which is a condition that gets better on its own.

After the symptoms didn't disappear, Lauren was later diagnosed with avascular necrosis. Not before being re-diagnosed with transient osteoporosis and then avascular necrosis again.

With a diagnosis, Lauren was able to start implementing strategies to promote healing in her hips, body and mind.

Tune in to find out Laurens tips and how she found a fantastic osteopath and bowen therapist who were able to relieve her chronic pain and allow her to live a more normal life. Avascular necrosis does not have a cure, but implementing healing techniques, rest and also re-training supporting muscles can lead to healthier joints and a significant reduction in pain.

You can connect with Lauren here:

Instagram: @lozzzi_87

Lauren's recommendations:

Bowen Therapy - Dennis Chaplin: 96 Lemon Avenue, Mildura, VIC, 3500. Ph: (03) 5021 3468

Osteopath - Fiona Hooper: Instagram @fionahooper_osteo (Sunshine Coast)

Rheumatologist - Dr Sabina Ciciriello: Private Medical Centre Royal Melbourne Hospital, Level 4 Suite 25, Royal Parade, PARKVILLE, VIC, 3052. Ph: (03) 9347 3937

Yoga - Dani Loxton: Instagram @hymntoher (Mildura)

Ready to tell your story?

Please connect with me, Tess Thompson:

Instagram: @myowithme https://www.instagram.com/myowithme/

E-mail: [email protected]

This podcast does not replace medical advice. Please advocate for yourself and discuss possible changes to your health care plan with your preferred health care provider.

Episode 4 of Australian Stories of Healing Pain introduces Hannah Donaldson. Hannah grew up in Mildura and is now a local Physiotherapist and Pilates Instructor.

When Hannah was dancing at a music festival during her college years in Adelaide her neck seized up. Over the course of 4 weeks the pain travelled to different parts of her body and made it painful to simply breathe and she couldn't walk. Hannah jumped from health professional to health professional looking for answers and relief until finally she was diagnosed with reactive arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. She used medication at the beginning but decided to seek an alternate route to healing her pain which ended up having the best long lasting results for her pain and inflammation.

Hannah talks us through her experience with being diagnosed, the advice she got from varying health professionals, trying different treatments and learning about what works for her body.

It wasn't until Hannah found an Ayurvedic Doctor in Adelaide that she was on the path to truly healing her pain. Through the help of the Ayurvedic Doctor, learnings from her physiotherapy course and pain science subjects, a love for Pilates and a mindset shift, Hannah was able to slowly wean off her pain medication and live a pain free live.

Hannah no longer experiences pain from ankylosing spondylitis or reactive arthritis.

A truly inspiring, informative and motivating interview.

Whether you have been diagnosed with a form of arthritis, you suffer from a different pain condition or you know someone in pain - this episode is for you!

If you have been stuck in a rut around your pain, Hannah's tips will leave you feeling motivated about the next step in your healing journey.

You can connect with Hannah here:

https://www.themovementconcept.com.au/

Instagram: @themvmntconcept

Hannah's recommendations:

•Adriana from Adelaide Ayurvedic Clinic. 28 Garden Terrace, Underdale SA 5032 Phone: (08) 8352 8057

It is important to find a group of health professionals who are willing to help you through your journey. This should involve a combination of managing a healthy diet, consistent exercise and learning about your pain in a proactive way.

Hannah recommends people in Mildura and surrounding areas that can help with this are:

Nutrition and naturopathy:

Demi Green (Naturopath)

https://www.demigreen.com/new-page

Britt Christensen (Nutritionist)

https://www.nutritionbybritty.com.au/

Pain education

Resources to learn about pain:

Episode 3 of Australian Stories of Healing Pain introduces Katie Tankard. Katie grew up in Mildura and now runs the local and well known THRIVE Fitness, a boutique studio that offers reformer pilates and functional fitness/strength and conditioning. She has a Master of Personal Training, Certified Level 1 Yoga Teacher, Certified Holistic Health Coach and has a Bachelor of Education. Katie has a passion for fitness and health.

While attending a Gym, Katie injured her back. She was in pain for 4 years. Katie was diagnosed with a torn annulus between her lumbar vertebrae. She saw a myriad of therapists who helped educate her on her condition. It wasn't until she visited an Adelaide Ayurvedic clinic where she learned about her emotional connection to the pain that she was on the true path to healing. Katie talks us through her journey to healing her back pain and how the ayurvedic clinic, emotional freedom technique (EFT) and tapping helped her work through the emotional connection to her pain. She no longer experiences any pain from her back injury and continues to live a healthy and balanced life. A truly inspiring story.

You can connect with Katie here:

https://www.thrivefitnessandwellbeing.com/

Katie's recommendations:

· Adriana and Leigh from Adelaide Ayurvedic Clinic. 28 Garden Terrace, Underdale SA 5032 Phone: (08) 8352 8057

· Hannah Donaldson - The Mvmnt Concept Clinical Pilates and Physiotherapy - https://www.themovementconcept.com.au/

· Kendall Bateman (Woodward) - https://www.facebook.com/kendallbatemanbodyandbirth/

· Romany Bowen - https://www.myosports.com.au/

· Third Space Yoga - https://www.facebook.com/thirdspacemovement/

· Maggie's Holistic Health - http://milduraacupuncture.com.au/

Books

· Warrior Pose: How Yoga (Literally) Saved My Life

· Book by Brad Willis (Bhavan Ram)

· Sarah Key - Back Sufferers Bible

Ready to tell your story?

Please connect with me, Tess Thompson:

Instagram: @myowithme https://www.instagram.com/myowithme/

E-mail: [email protected]

This podcast does not replace medical advice. Please advocate for yourself and discuss possible changes to your health care plan with your preferred health care provider.