**The name of this podcast is changing on 6/4/24 to Open Heart Surgery with Boots.**

Researchers at Michigan Medicine developed a model for thoracic aortic aneurysms using bioengineered grafts, offering hope for heart patients like Boots. Additionally, Boots discusses the limited access to open heart surgery in Zimbabwe, where only nine surgeries were performed in the first quarter of 2024 (but hey... the surgery is free there). This highlights the need for increased awareness and support for heart patients globally. Stay tuned for more updates on heart surgery advancements and join the community of fellow heart patients on the upcoming rebranded podcast, "Open Heart Surgery with Boots."

Listen to Cody's story here.

Researchers create human aortic aneurysm model to | Newswise

In Zimbabwe, The Herald - Breaking news.

The Heart Chamber - A podcast for heart patients (theheartchamberpodcast.com)

Email: Boots@theheartchamberpodcast.com

Instagram: @theheartchamberpodcast or @boots.knighton

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boots-knighton

If you enjoyed this episode, take a minute and share it with someone you know who will find value in it as well. You can share directly from this platform or send them to:

The Heart Chamber - A podcast for heart patients (theheartchamberpodcast.com)

**Alert! The name of this podcast is changing on June 4th! Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss the announcement. Be sure to subscribe to the newsletter!**

Pain is real. Ignore it at your own peril. Think of it as your check engine light. While pain is not a good parameter for how much damage has happened, it does play a role in helping you assess how dangerous the situation is.

Boots Knighton and her physical therapist, Ann Alton, take you through a 40-minute lesson on pain, the brain's role in pain perception and recovery. They compare different types of pain, from broken legs to open-heart surgery, emphasizing the brain's influence and the importance of context. Ann shares her journey from chronic pain to becoming a pain neuroscience expert. They discuss the importance of clear medical explanations, the impact of emotional scars, and the brain's ability to rewire for healing. Ann highlights the need for patient-provider teamwork and in order to address healthcare biases.

Ann also walks us through how pain involves the whole body and all systems. Nociception is the perception of pain. Areas of the brain used to determine pain are: sensory cortex, somatosensory cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, insular cortex, prefrontal, visual, thalamus, cerebellum, and premotor motor.

Big thanks to Ann Alton for spending time with Boots today and in the clinic to help her navigate healing from a tib/fib spiral fracture!

00:00 Experiencing chronic pain led to becoming a physical therapist, inspired by pain neuroscience.

03:58 Pain is an alarm system, not a measure of damage.

09:30 Pain perception is based on context and prior experience.

11:36 Chronic body issues trigger brain's perceived danger, intervention options.

13:52 Pain perception is subjective; varies based on individual experience and expectations.

18:10 Extra nerve endings and inflammation signal danger to brain, causing concern and irritation.

22:44 Bias in medical system affects care for diverse patients. Research based on white men overlooks differences in care needs.

26:24 Practitioners struggle to keep up with new information and must learn independently.

29:57 Our brain helps us evaluate and visualize situations for appropriate action and memory recall.

34:01 Understanding and clarity bring relief.

35:19 Seek help for understanding medical information, simplify explanations.

The Heart Chamber - A podcast for heart patients (theheartchamberpodcast.com)

Email: Boots@theheartchamberpodcast.com

Instagram: @theheartchamberpodcast or @boots.knighton

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boots-knighton

If you enjoyed this episode, take a minute and share it with someone you know who will find value in it as well. You can share directly from this platform or send them to:

The Heart Chamber - A podcast for heart patients (theheartchamberpodcast.com)

In today's episode, I welcome Dr. Amy Neuzil to dive into the world of MTHFR and its impact on our heart health. Ever wondered how your DNA influences your health? Dr. Amy sheds light on how the genetic mutation, MTHFR, can affect homocysteine levels and alter our well-being. She also teaches us about the correlations between food preservation methods and behavioral issues in children.

Risk factors of MTHFR are heart disease, stroke, quality of life issues such as energy levels, sleep disturbance, and mental health.

It's time to get real on what is reasonable to expect from your doctor. There is no one human who can hold all the medical knowledge available today. We cannot outsource our medical needs to one single doctor anymore!

Amy Neuzil is a naturopathic doctor, educator and health coach. She is also a mom, wife, and overmethylator who writes novels, forages, and makes soap.

Dr. Amy has been helping people with their health since 2003. She operated an award-winning integrated wellness center in Austin, TX, taught at both the masters and doctoral levels, and co-hosted a number of radio shows. Now, she hosts the To Health With That! podcast and an amazing community called Genetic Rockstars designed to help MTHFR folks to connect, share stories, and become better.

Special thank you to Dr. Amy for offering Genetic Rockstars for FREE for one month: https://community.tohealthwiththat.com/plans/204575?bundle_token=4da8ed9c5f00a92363bcd15ad2ac26dd&utm_source=manual