In this week’s episode of Intergative Medicine with Dr. Leland Stillman, we take a short break from the Autoimmunity Series to sit down with Emily Jurschak, a physical therapist and myasthenia gravis survivor, to discuss her remarkable journey through chronic illness and the limitations of conventional medicine. Diagnosed at just 17, Emily’s early experience was defined by the standard pharmaceutical-heavy approach, high-dose prednisone and immunosuppressants, all of which offered little results and, at times, unwanted side effects. Emily candidly shares the emotional toll of navigating her diagnosis as a teenager and the systemic gaps in care that left her reliant on lifestyle changes and implementing root-cause approach to managing her care and recovery.

Together, Dr. Stillman and Emily explore how lack of education around alternative therapies shaped the early course of her illness. As Dr. Stillman explains, medical management of autoimmune disease often emphasizes symptom suppression rather than root-cause resolution—a theme Emily lived out firsthand through years of recurring flares and medication side effects. Despite pushing herself physically and emotionally, Emily found herself on a therapeutic roller coaster,

But hope arrived in the form of personal empowerment. Emily was introduced to the world of quantum biology, circadian rhythms, and holistic health. This sparked a deeper exploration into nutrition and alternative therapies, an approach long ignored in her conventional care. As she began to reclaim her health and later overcame infertility challenges, Emily’s story is a testament to the importance of looking beyond the pharmaceutical model. This episode sets the stage for part two, where Emily’s healing journey continues.

If Emily’s journey inspired you, you can learn more about her work in physical therapy, especially if you are looking for support around pelvic floor or orthopedic recovery, by visiting her website - Fiat Physical Therapy or following her on Instagram @fiatphysicaltherapy

You don’t have to be stuck in survival modeYou can reclaim your health

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