In this episode of Root to Rise, Dr. Emily Splichal sits down with Sue Hitzmann, creator of the MELT Method and a global pioneer in fascia-focused self-care.

Together, they explore the powerful intersection between fascia, sensory input, and nervous system regulation — and why sustainable movement must begin beneath the surface.

This conversation goes beyond biomechanics. It's about resilience, adaptability, and reconnecting to the body as an intelligent system.

• Why fascia is more than connective tissue — it's a communication network
• How dehydration, stress, and repetitive movement patterns alter tissue quality
• The relationship between fascia and the autonomic nervous system
• Chronic pain as a sensory processing issue
• Why subtle input can create profound change
• Longevity as adaptability — not just strength

About Sue Hitzmann:

Sue Hitzmann is a nationally recognized educator, manual therapist, and founder of the MELT Method — a revolutionary approach to restoring the supportive qualities of connective tissue through gentle, self-administered techniques.

Her work has been featured in major media outlets and is practiced globally as a sustainable approach to pain relief and longevity.

Learn More…

• www.themeltmethod.com

• https://www.instagram.com/meltmethod/

In this in-depth solo episode, Dr. Emily Splichal tackles one of the most misunderstood topics in foot health: flat feet.

Rather than treating flat feet as a single condition, Dr. Emily explains why the term itself is misleading and why understanding pronation, stability, timing, and foot type is essential for preventing pain and improving long-term movement health. You'll learn how foot mechanics influence everything from knee alignment and pelvic position to low back pain, fatigue, and injury risk.

This episode offers a clear, practical framework for identifying flexible vs. rigid flat feet, distinguishing muscle weakness from ligament laxity, and choosing the right combination of strengthening, support, and footwear for both adults and children.

• Why not all flat feet are the same and why classification matters
• How foot motion directly affects knees, hips, pelvis, spine, and posture
• When foot exercises can help (and when they can't change arch shape)
• How to approach flat feet in children without over-correcting too early

• Website & Virtual Consultations: https://thefunctionalfootdoc.com
• Instagram: @thefunctionalfootdoc
• Powerstep Arch Supports (Adults & Kids): https://powerstep.com
• NOBOSO Sensory Insoles: https://noboso.com
• Foot Wedges & Felt Pads: https://hapad.com

In this solo episode of Root to Rise, Dr. Emily Splichal unpacks one of the most misunderstood foot conditions — bunions — and reframes the conversation around what truly matters: big toe mobility and how we walk.

Rather than focusing only on the bunion "bump," Dr. Emily explains why the big toe is a critical driver of propulsion, glute activation, joint health, and longevity. You'll learn how limited big toe motion quietly changes your gait, drains energy, accelerates joint wear, and contributes to issues far beyond the foot — from knee pain to low back pain and instability throughout the body.

This episode separates myth from truth, explains what bunions actually are (and aren't), and offers clear guidance on prevention, conservative care, and when surgery may truly be the right choice all through the lens of long-term movement health.

• How limited big toe motion shortens stride length and increases joint wear
• The truth about bunion myths: genetics, shoes, and "reversing" bunions
• How to slow or pause bunion progression without surgery
• When bunion surgery may be protective — and when waiting too long limits your options
• Why walking mechanics are one of the strongest predictors of movement longevity

Resources & Links

• Website & Virtual Consultations: https://thefunctionalfootdoc.com
• Instagram: @thefunctionalfootdoc
• NOBOSO Toe Spacers & Sensory Tools: https://noboso.com
• Bunion Programs & Foot Strength Resources: https://dremilysplichal.com

In this episode of Root to Rise, Dr. Emily Splichal is joined by Danielle Kalmbach, wellness entrepreneur and founder of JOLT PEMF Lab, a modern recovery and performance studio specializing in Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy.

Danielle's work sits at the intersection of nervous system regulation, recovery science, and performance culture. Through JOLT, she is redefining PEMF not as a passive modality, but as an intentional tool for restoring energy, improving resilience, and supporting whole-body regulation. Together, Emily and Danielle explore how PEMF influences circulation, inflammation, cellular energy, and the nervous system — and why it is becoming a cornerstone in both recovery and high-performance lifestyles.

Key Topics:

• Why Danielle created a more intentional, human-centered PEMF experience.
• How PEMF supports cellular energy and nervous system regulation.
• Who benefits most from PEMF, from athletes to stressed professionals.
• How PEMF fits into a modern performance and recovery stack.
• Where PEMF and recovery technology are headed next.

About Jaime Passaglia:

Danielle Kalmbach is a wellness entrepreneur and founder of JOLT PEMF Lab, a modern recovery studio dedicated to optimizing nervous system health, energy, and human performance through Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy.

With a human-centered approach to technology-driven wellness, Danielle works with athletes and high-performing individuals seeking smarter recovery, sustainable vitality, and deeper regulation — one pulse at a time.

• Website: joltpemflab.com
• Instagram: @joltpemflab

In this episode of Root to Rise, Dr. Emily Splichal is joined by Jaime Passaglia, pediatric physical therapist and Chief Health Strategy & Clinical Officer of Solodome, to explore how immersive spatial audio and vibroacoustic technology support nervous system regulation, recovery, and whole-body wellness. Together, they discuss how sound and vibration influence physiology, where vibroacoustic therapy fits within modern healthcare, and why sound may be one of the most underutilized tools in human performance and resilience.

Key Topics

• How sound and vibration influence pain, sleep, and nervous system regulation.
• Where vibroacoustics fit within functional and traditional healthcare.
• Why sound is a powerful tool for calming and organizing the nervous system.
• Solodome's shift from movement and gaming into wellness and clinical care.
• How sound and frequency may reshape wellness, healthcare, and performance.

About Jaime Passaglia

Jaime Passaglia is a pediatric physical therapist and Chief Health Strategy & Clinical Officer at Solodome Audio, where he helps create immersive spatial audio and vibroacoustic experiences that support nervous system regulation, recovery, and whole-body wellness. His work bridges sound science and human physiology, transforming sound into a powerful tool for focus, balance, and resilience.

• Website: solodome.com
• Instagram: @solodomeaudia

In this powerful solo episode, Dr. Emily Splichal dives into a topic rarely discussed — yet deeply felt by millions of women: how female hormones shape foot health across every stage of life.

From the menstrual cycle to pregnancy and menopause, hormonal shifts profoundly influence collagen, ligament integrity, bone density, circulation, and nerve health — all of which directly impact how your feet look, feel, and function. If you've ever wondered why your feet changed during pregnancy, why arches collapse later in life, or why foot pain seems to "suddenly appear," this episode delivers the science — and the solutions.

Dr. Emily breaks down estrogen, progesterone, and relaxin through a functional lens and explains how women can proactively protect their foundation with strength, sensory input, recovery, and smart support. This is an empowering roadmap for staying grounded, strong, and mobile through every hormonal transition.

Key Takeaways

• How estrogen loss impacts collagen, ligaments, tendons, bones, nerves, and fat pads in the feet
• Why women can lose up to 2% of collagen per year during menopause — and what that means for foot integrity
• How pregnancy hormones like relaxin alter foot structure, gait, and arch stability
• Why injury risk changes throughout the menstrual cycle — and how to train smarter
• The connection between menopause, stress fractures, and delayed healing
• Practical tools to protect circulation, nerve health, and foot strength at every life stage

In this episode of Root to Rise, Dr. Emily Splichal sits down with Bill Parisi — legendary coach, entrepreneur, and founder of Parisi Speed School and the Fascia Training Academy — to explore what it truly means to build resilient, high-performing athletes for the long term.

With over 30 years of experience and more than one million athletes coached, Bill shares how his work bridges science, coaching, fascia, and human behavior. Together, Emily and Bill unpack the evolution of performance training, why fascia may be the missing link in athletic development, and how movement quality, sensory input, and foot function shape human potential from the ground up.

Together, they discuss:

• Bill Parisi's journey from elite athlete to founder of Parisi Speed School
• Why fascia is the missing link in speed, power, and resilience
• The foot's role in ground mechanics and athletic performance
• How to train durable humans, not just fast athletes
• What's next in performance training, recovery, and education

About Bill Parisi

Bill Parisi is the founder of the Parisi Speed School and a leading authority in human performance and speed training. Over the past three decades, he has coached more than one million athletes, ranging from youth beginners to NFL and Olympic competitors.

A pioneer in integrating fascia science into athletic development, Bill combines biomechanics, connective tissue research, and real-world coaching to help athletes move better, stay injury-resistant, and reach their full potential. He is the author of The Anatomy of Speed and Fascia Training: A Whole-System Approach, and continues to educate coaches and organizations worldwide on the future of performance training.

• Instagram: @bill_parisi

Parisi Speed School: parisischool.com

In this episode, Dr. Emily welcomes Dr. Sean Drake — chiropractor, performance innovator, and educator — for a deep dive into the future of energy medicine and human performance. Dr. Sean's work blends PEMF, photobiomodulation, breathwork, movement, vibroacoustics, and nervous-system regulation to help people recover faster, move better, and perform at their highest potential.

Together, they unpack how ancient practices and cutting-edge tools can work together, what actually drives cellular healing, and why the nervous system is the true gateway to resilience — whether you're training hard, traveling nonstop, or navigating the stressors of daily life.

Together, they explore:

• Energy-Based Healing - What PEMF really does and why EQ Flux Wave is different.
• Light as Medicine - How photobiomodulation boosts energy and healing.
• Breathwork, Sound, Vibration & Bioenergetics - How breathwork, sound, and vibration as nervous-system regulators for Coherence, Recovery & Performance
• Biohacking with Intention - Stacking modalities for better recovery and performance; avoiding extremes

About Dr. Dean Drake

Dr. Sean Drake is a chiropractor, performance innovator, and educator working at the intersection of physiology and technology. He integrates PEMF, light therapy, breathwork, vibroacoustics, movement, and nervous-system regulation to help people heal and perform at their best. As the founder of Modern Athlete and EQ Flux Wave, Sean teaches globally on energy medicine and recovery science, empowering people to take ownership of their health. You may also know him from the Modern Athlete documentary on Amazon Prime.

Resources & Links:

Instagram: @drseandrake

Websites:

• drseandrake.com
• moderneathlete.com
• eqfluxwave.com
• equniv.mykajabi.com

Documentary:

• Modern Athlete — available on Amazon Prime

In this solo episode, Dr. Emily Splichal breaks down one of the most stubborn and misunderstood conditions in foot health — plantar fasciitis.

If you've ever woken up with stabbing heel pain or felt defeated by chronic inflammation that won't go away, this episode is your roadmap to lasting relief. Dr. Emily reveals how plantar fasciitis develops, what's actually happening in your fascia on a microscopic level, and why most treatment approaches miss the root cause.

You'll learn her step-by-step, regenerative approach to getting patients out of pain for good — from the "Put Out the Fire" protocol to cutting-edge growth factor injections — all grounded in functional movement, tissue science, and self-recovery.

This is more than a conversation about heel pain. It's a masterclass in understanding your body's intelligence to heal itself — when you know how to support it.

• The anatomy decoded: What your plantar fascia actually does — and how microtears lead to pain.
• "Put Out the Fire" Protocol: Dr. Emily's four-step system for healing acute and chronic heel pain.
• Regenerative Medicine 101: How growth factor injections repair damaged tissue from the inside out.
• Tissue Stress Theory: Why overuse, not inflammation, is the real driver of chronic injury.
• 💪 The Functional Foot Protocol: How to rebuild foot strength, circulation, and resilience — for life.

• The real science of plantar fasciitis — collagen types, tissue remodeling, and why scar tissue isn't strength.
• How teachers, nurses, and runners can manage high daily stress loads on their feet.
• Why your fascia's "stickiness" after rest causes that sharp morning pain.
• When to know it's time for regenerative treatment — and how it heals tissue naturally.
• The role of red light therapy, systemic enzymes, and sensory stimulation in the recovery process.
• Why surgery should always be the last resort — and what to do instead.

Resources & Links

• Website: thefunctionalfootdoc.com
• Instagram: @thefunctionalfootdoc
• NOBOSO Sensory Tools: noboso.com
• Red Light Therapy: redlighttherapy.com
• Functional Foot Consultation: dremilysplichal.com/contact

In this episode, Dr. Emily sits down with Dr. Neel Bulchandani — chiropractor, movement educator, and creator of the "Floor of the Mouth"–body connection. Neel's work bridges breath, fascial release, integrative movement, and expressive arts, revealing how tension patterns in the tongue, mouth floor, and airway can shape posture, mobility, and nervous-system regulation.

This conversation invites listeners to reconsider how the smallest internal spaces can influence our entire sense of movement, healing, and presence — and what the future of integrative movement education might hold.

Together, they explore:

• Ecstatic Dance & Movement: How expressive movement shaped Neel's understanding of embodiment and body-mind connection.
• Resilience-Building Practices: Movement, breath, sound, and touch techniques to support nervous-system regulation, posture, and mobility.
• The Floor of the Mouth–Body Connection: The genesis of his groundbreaking map, its function beyond anatomy, and how tension here can manifest as broader physical or emotional patterns.
• The Role of Sound: How music, rhythm, and vibration support movement education and nervous-system resilience, plus tips listeners can apply at home.
• What's Next: The future of integrative movement and nervous-system education, and how Neel envisions the next generation of practitioners blending anatomy, somatic intelligence, and emotional literacy.

About Dr. Neel Bulchandani

Dr. Neel Bulchandani is a chiropractor, movement educator, and creator of the Floor of the Mouth–body connection, a model linking oral anatomy to posture, movement, and nervous-system regulation. He integrates breath, fascial release, expressive arts, and sound into his teaching to help individuals reconnect with their bodies and build resilience. Through his Movintuit workshops, courses, and clinical practice, Neel guides movers of all levels to explore embodiment, nervous-system awareness, and holistic healing in innovative, accessible ways.

Resources & Links:

• Instagram: @neelbulchandani
• Website: neelbulchandani.com
• Floor of the Mouth Course: neelbulchandani.com/floorofthemouth
• Movintuit Workshops: neelbulchandani.com/movintuit
• Podcast: Compromised to Alchemized