Pain Relief University

Your knees didn't "just get old" — and Googling your symptoms may be making it worse.

In this episode of The Pain Relief University, host Arthur Toole sits down with Dr. Remi Onifade, PT, DPT — a physical therapist and co-owner of Team Rehab West End in Atlanta — to unpack why everyday aches show up in our 30s, 40s, and 50s, and what actually brings relief.

Dr. Remi explains what physical therapists — the "doctors of movement" — really do, why self-diagnosing with Google or ChatGPT is so risky, and how movement itself is one of the most underrated ways to prevent chronic knee, back, hip, and even jaw and pelvic-floor pain. You'll also hear how "direct access" lets you see a PT without a doctor's referral in many states, when surgery might be avoidable, why recovery stalls when you skip your at-home work, and how she uses natural, plant-based topicals in her clinic alongside hands-on care.

"Listen to the pain." — Dr. Remi Onifade, PT

CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - Welcome To Pain Relief University
00:01:23 - What Physical Therapists Actually Do
00:04:55 - The Problem With Self Diagnosis
00:09:04 - Why Our Bodies Break Down Faster
00:13:49 - Pain In Surprising Places
00:16:10 - When To Seek Help For Pain
00:19:58 - A Patient Story That Sticks
00:22:57 - Recovery Requires Work At Home
00:27:12 - Back Pain Questions That Matter
00:32:48 - Topical Relief Inside The Clinic
00:34:24 - One Rule To Prevent Suffering
00:35:47 - Why Natural Options Can Fit
00:38:11 - How To Reach Dr. Remi

RESOURCES & LINKS - Connect with Dr. Remi Onifade, PT — Team Rehab West End (West End / SW Atlanta, near Grady): Instagram @TR_WestEnd · Facebook: Team Rehab West End · Call 470-905-2800 · https://team-rehab.com/location/atlanta-west-end/ 

Curious whether your knees are aging faster than you are? Take the free 4-minute Knee Age Quiz → How old are my knees?

Learn more about MegRelief plant-based topical relief → megrelief.com

DISCLOSURE: Host Arthur Toole and his wife Danette are the co-founders of MegRelief. MegRub, a plant-based topical for the temporary relief of everyday aches and joint pain, is used in Dr. Onifade's clinic. This episode is for general education only and isn't medical advice — for a diagnosis or treatment plan, see a licensed clinician.

For us on our socials to learn more:
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | MegRelief

Pain Relief University is proudly presented by MegRelief – the ultimate all-natural pain solution. Say goodbye to pills and chemicals; MegRelief offers pure relief through natural and organic ingredients. With just one spray, soak, or massage, you can experience quick and effective pain relief. 

Everyone's favorite day to start is tomorrow. Arthur and Danette Toole are asking you to start today.

In this special episode — recorded live from a wellness class Arthur and Danette taught — they share the simple, faith-centered framework that changed their own health. You'll hear why "you are the sum of your last ten years of choices" isn't a guilt trip but an invitation, how Danette got off her blood pressure medication, and the five small paths anyone can start walking right now.

You'll also hear the BRAIN framework for making confident decisions at the doctor's office, and the story of how a plant-based oil in Grenada became MegRelief. No pills required. Just one small, honest step — starting today.

In This Episode

• The mindset shift: your health today is largely the result of the choices you've made — which means you have the power to change your tomorrow
• The 3 things that come before any health change: Decide → Know Your Why → Start Now
• Why "honor God with your body" is a stronger why than chasing your 20-year-old self (1 Corinthians 6:19–20)
• Redefining health: skinny isn't the same as healthy, and yesterday's best isn't today's standard
• The Five Paths to Better Health: Move More · Sleep More · Hydrate Well · Eat Better · Stress Less
• Danette's rule for goals that actually stick: small, actionable, attainable, practical
• The BRAIN framework for talking to your doctor about any medication or treatment
• Free and low-cost ways to check your health in Montgomery County
• The Grenada story behind MegRelief

The BRAIN Framework (as promised in the class)

A simple set of questions to bring to any doctor's visit when a medication or treatment is recommended:

• B — Benefit: What are the benefits of this option?
• R — Risk: What are the risks or side effects?
• A — Alternatives: Are there other options available?
• I — Intuition: What is the Holy Spirit telling you? (Your discernment is part of your health team.)
• N — Nothing: What happens if I do nothing?

The Five Paths — Quick Reference

1. Move More — a sedentary day does more damage than you realize. Start with a walk around the block or one flight of stairs.
2. Sleep More — there's healing in sleep. Under five hours a night and your body can't restore itself; it can even show up as pain. Add 30 minutes at a time.
3. Hydrate Well — nothing replaces water. Aim toward half your body weight in ounces. Need flavor? Add real fruit, lemon, cucumber, or coconut water — not artificial sweeteners.
4. Eat Better — eat food, not food products. Shop the outer aisles. Aim for 80/20.
5. Stress Less — practice joyfulness. If you can't change the circumstance, change how you think about it. "A joyful heart is good medicine." (Proverbs 17:22)

Resources Mentioned

• Quest Labs — low-cost A1C testing
• Adventist HealthCare Rehab — free 15-minute injury screenings with a physical therapist
• Holy Cross Health Senior Fit — low-cost/free exercise therapy with a doctor's referral
• Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 · Proverbs 17:22

Get in Touch / Next Step
Pick ONE small change from the Five Paths and start it today. Then talk to your doctor before beginning any new diet or exercise routine.

New to MegRelief? It's the plant-based pain relief cream and spray Arthur and Danette created after that trip to Grenada — relief without the pills. [Link]

🎧 Always consult your doctor before starting any new treatment.

NOTE:
Acetaminophen — the active ingredient in Tylenol — is the #1 cause of acute liver failure in the United States, responsible for roughly half of all cases. And here's the part most people miss: nearly half of those are unintentional — regular folks overusing everyday pain and cold products that quietly contain it. A product marketed as safe, and most people never knew the risk.

Source: Larson et al., Hepatology (2005); U.S. Acute Liver Failure Study Group.

For us on our socials to learn more:
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | MegRelief

Pain Relief University is proudly presented by MegRelief – the ultimate all-natural pain solution. Say goodbye to pills and chemicals; MegRelief offers pure relief through natural and organic ingredients. With just one spray, soak, or massage, you can experience quick and effective pain relief. 

Can tiny, hair-thin needles really reduce pain, calm anxiety, and improve sleep?

In this episode of Pain Relief University, host Arthur Toole interviews licensed acupuncturist Sandy Root, founder of Root Acupuncture in Miami Beach, to break down how acupuncture works — in both traditional Chinese medicine and modern scientific terms 

Sandy Root interview.mp4 (1).

Whether you’re dealing with:

• Chronic back or neck pain
• Arthritis and inflammation
• Stress and anxiety
• Poor sleep
• Digestive issues like IBS

…or you’re just curious how acupuncture actually works, this episode answers your biggest questions.

Inside this episode:

✔️ What acupuncture really does in the body
 ✔️ How trigger point release can create immediate muscle relief
 ✔️ The science behind endorphins and natural opioid peptides
 ✔️ How acupuncture “resets” the nervous system
 ✔️ Why stress may be the hidden cause of your pain
 ✔️ How inflammation and arthritis may respond to treatment
 ✔️ What a typical acupuncture session feels like (it’s not what you think)

Sandy explains how acupuncture stimulates blood flow, supports the body’s natural healing mechanisms, and may even activate your body’s own pain-relieving chemicals 

Sandy Root interview.mp4 (1).

If you’ve ever wondered:

• “Does acupuncture hurt?”
• “Is there real science behind it?”
• “Can this help me avoid pain medications?”
• “Is acupuncture safe?”

This conversation provides clear, evidence-informed answers in simple language.

🎧 Whether you're skeptical or searching for natural pain relief options, this episode may completely change how you think about healing.

For us on our socials to learn more:
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | MegRelief

Pain Relief University is proudly presented by MegRelief – the ultimate all-natural pain solution. Say goodbye to pills and chemicals; MegRelief offers pure relief through natural and organic ingredients. With just one spray, soak, or massage, you can experience quick and effective pain relief. 

We are honored to have Dr. Evans to talk through pain and what you can do to relieve it.

For us on our socials to learn more:
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | MegRelief

Pain Relief University is proudly presented by MegRelief – the ultimate all-natural pain solution. Say goodbye to pills and chemicals; MegRelief offers pure relief through natural and organic ingredients. With just one spray, soak, or massage, you can experience quick and effective pain relief. 

Yoga can do more than stretch your body! It may also relieve that pain in your back, knees, and more!

Learn more about her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-hardy-896014175/

For us on our socials to learn more:
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | MegRelief

Pain Relief University is proudly presented by MegRelief – the ultimate all-natural pain solution. Say goodbye to pills and chemicals; MegRelief offers pure relief through natural and organic ingredients. With just one spray, soak, or massage, you can experience quick and effective pain relief. 

In this episode of Pain Relief University, I’m joined by Gregory Lafortune, MS, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian and certified health coach with over 5 years of experience in nutrition and health education. Gregory shares his innovative approach to using nutrition and personal wellness to tackle chronic pain. We explore the importance of healthy eating in pain management, how personalized nutrition plans can help reduce inflammation, and how small dietary changes can lead to big results in living a pain-free life.

Tune in to learn how food can be your ally in relieving pain and enhancing overall wellness!

For us on our socials to learn more:
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter "X" | MegRelief

Pain Relief University is proudly presented by MegRelief – the ultimate all-natural pain solution. Say goodbye to pills and chemicals; MegRelief offers pure relief through natural and organic ingredients. With just one spray, soak, or massage, you can experience quick and effective pain relief.

Lesly Devoliere Jr., PT, DPT, is the Founder and Physical Therapist of Quality Movement Restoration — Low Back Physical Therapy & Performance in Lynbrook, NY. He is a compassionate and dedicated physical therapist with excellent interpersonal skills, committed to delivering exceptional patient outcomes. Lesly specializes in evaluating and treating a wide range of conditions, including chronic and acute pain, disc prolapse, whiplash, dislocations, arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, stroke, and neuropathies, using a personalized approach to restore movement and improve quality of life.

Learn more about him on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslydevolierejr/

For us on our socials to learn more:
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | MegRelief

Pain Relief University is proudly presented by MegRelief – the ultimate all-natural pain solution. Say goodbye to pills and chemicals; MegRelief offers pure relief through natural and organic ingredients. With just one spray, soak, or massage, you can experience quick and effective pain relief. 

This week, we are joined by Dr. Thompson, founder of Generational Health Physical Therapy and Wellness LLC and an advocate for maternal health. With a background in outpatient orthopedics, Dr. Thompson identified a need for pelvic floor therapy and created a program to serve pregnant and postpartum clients virtually and in-home. We dive into her work with Operation M.I.S.T., where she monitors women’s health remotely to provide the resources and support needed for a healthy pregnancy and recovery.

Find out more about Dr. Thompson on her Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-thompson-pt-dpt-44744164/

For us on our socials to learn more:
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | MegRelief

Pain Relief University is proudly presented by MegRelief – the ultimate all-natural pain solution. Say goodbye to pills and chemicals; MegRelief offers pure relief through natural and organic ingredients. With just one spray, soak, or massage, you can experience quick and effective pain relief. 

Join us as we speak with Taylor Adkins, PT, DPT, a dedicated physical therapist from HPRC in Stockbridge, Georgia, with a passion for orthopedics and pain science. 

Taylor shares insights on holistic approaches to pain management, the importance of health promotion, and the critical role physical therapists play in improving patient outcomes. We also dive into his volunteer work at the Good Samaritan Health Center and his efforts to mentor underrepresented students through his nonprofit, Exceed Three, Inc.

Learn more about her on her Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/k-taylor-adkins-pt-dpt-ocs-cert-dn-9bba7750/

For us on our socials to learn more:
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | MegRelief

Pain Relief University is proudly presented by MegRelief – the ultimate all-natural pain solution. Say goodbye to pills and chemicals; MegRelief offers pure relief through natural and organic ingredients. With just one spray, soak, or massage, you can experience quick and effective pain relief. 

Can we really eat our way to being pain free?  Check out this episode with Casey Terrell to find out.

Who is she?
A registered dietitian and communication specialist, who discusses the powerful role nutrition plays in pain relief and overall health. 🌿🍽️ With her vast experience in sustainable healthy eating behaviors and translating the latest science into actionable advice, Casey shares how culturally relevant, science-based nutrition can help us manage pain naturally. Whether you’re looking to improve your diet or understand how nutrition impacts pain, this conversation is packed with valuable insights!

Learn more about her on her Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseyeterrell/

For us on our socials to learn more:
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | MegRelief

Pain Relief University is proudly presented by MegRelief – the ultimate all-natural pain solution. Say goodbye to pills and chemicals; MegRelief offers pure relief through natural and organic ingredients. With just one spray, soak, or massage, you can experience quick and effective pain relief.