Alcohol and pain don’t mix—literally. In this episode, Stacey gets real about how even moderate alcohol consumption can wreak havoc on your joints, muscles, hormones, gut, and sleep.

Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, perimenopause, or post-workout recovery struggles, this episode breaks down exactly how alcohol derails healing and what to drink instead if you still want to indulge occasionally. It’s the conversation your doctor probably isn’t having with you, but should.

• [00:01:10] Why alcohol and joint pain is a touchy topic (especially in Wisconsin)
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• [00:02:00] The #1 reason alcohol worsens joint and muscle pain: inflammation
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• [00:03:15] Alcohol raises inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-alpha, CRP) and oxidative stress
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• [00:04:47] Fascia, cartilage, and hydration—how alcohol dehydrates key tissues
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• [00:05:41] Gut damage, leaky gut, and lipopolysaccharides that attack your joints
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• [00:07:15] Histamines in alcohol: why wine, beer, and champagne can trigger joint flares
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• [00:08:00] Women in perimenopause/postmenopause are especially sensitive to alcohol
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• [00:10:00] The rebound estrogen crash: why one drink can worsen menopause symptoms
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• [00:11:22] How alcohol affects men: testosterone suppression and man boobs
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• [00:12:33] Alcohol + workouts = sabotage: it blocks muscle recovery and increases belly fat
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• [00:14:35] Poor sleep, increased pain sensitivity, and blood sugar crashes
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• [00:15:54] What to avoid: beer, red wine, sugary cocktails
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• [00:17:28] Better options: gluten-free vodka, seltzer with citrus, dry white wine or champagne
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• [00:19:07] How much is okay? Best practices for alcohol timing and pain management
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• [00:21:22] Avoid alcohol 2 days before/after SoftWave or intense training
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• [00:22:32] Why alcohol actually worsens the symptoms it’s often used to cope with
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• [00:23:48] The bottom line: inflammation, gut damage, hormones, and hydration matter
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If you’re dealing with joint pain, gut issues, or hormone imbalances, alcohol can make your symptoms worse—even if you drink moderately. Talk to your provider about how alcohol affects your specific pain condition, and consider taking breaks during flares or treatment periods.

Call us for personalized support and testing

📞 414-299-8121

📧 info@newyouhealthandwellness.com

• Pain-Free Formula Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pain-free-formula/id1802518411
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• Free eBooks - https://newyouhealthandwellness.com/ebooks
• Biomechanics: When Movement Matters
• Heal Your Gut, Heal Your Pain - The Gut Joint Axis: A Missing Link to Joint and Muscle Health
• Hormones: A Missing Piece in Pain Relief
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• Stacey’s Book on Amazon -