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

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
• 
  
• 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
• 
  
• Stacey’s Book on Amazon -

Are you tired of “just managing” pain and want a real breakthrough? What if the secret to lasting relief isn’t another pill, but rewiring the tiny engines inside your cells?

Stacey Roberts welcomes integrative medicine pioneer Dr. Scott Sherr to reveal the surprising science behind mitochondria, inflammation, and chronic pain. Together, they unpack how stress and diet ignite cellular dysfunction, why most Americans are living with suboptimal mitochondria, and what you can do now to restore energy, resilience, and relief.

Listen now to sidestep the endless trial-and-error loop, discover insider diagnostics, and finally reclaim your best life. These powerful strategies aren’t being taught anywhere else.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00:32] – Why the “little engine” in your cells might be sabotaging your pain recovery

[00:02:28] – How thousands of mitochondria per cell decide which organs break down first

[00:03:16] – The radical reason most doctors miss root causes of pain—Dr. Sherr’s personal story

[00:09:02] – Red blood cells ditch mitochondria, and why this matters for healing and oxygen

[00:10:44] – The #1 sabotage to your mitochondria: insulin resistance revealed

[00:13:32] – “Sympathetic spiral of doom”—How chronic stress traps your cells in fight-or-flight

[00:16:45] – A staggering fact: Only 6% of US adults have metabolically healthy mitochondria

[00:17:06] – Chronic pain, cortisol, and the inflammation loop—breaking free for real relief

[00:23:21] – Why your pain may not be about injury anymore (and what to do next)

[00:26:30] – GABA and the real neuroscience behind stress, anxiety, and cell burnout

[00:32:00] – Supplements are not a magic bullet—here’s what actually works for whole-body healing

[00:38:11] – The three tests Dr. Sherr uses to personalize healing and pain reversal

Dr. Scott Sherr is a board-certified internal medicine physician and the COO of Troscriptions. He is certified in Health Optimization Medicine (HOMe) and specializes in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). Scott’s mission is to make complex science easy to understand and apply. Through his clinical work, teaching, and media appearances, he helps people and practitioners use HBOT and HOMe principles to boost brain health, energy, and resilience. Known for clear, actionable education, he translates cutting-edge research into practical steps that improve everyday health.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Clinics:

📍Troscriptions® LLC, Dover, DE

• Genova Diagnostics
• Health Optimization Medicine and Practice (HOMeHOPe)
• One Base Health

• Pain-Free Formula Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pain-free-formula/id1802518411
• 
  
• 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

Cortisone shots are often handed out without warnings or disclaimers, but at what cost?

In this episode, Stacey breaks down the real science behind corticosteroid injections and why science has shown their short-term relief may come with long-term consequences.

From cartilage damage to increased risk of joint replacement, you’ll learn why informed consent matters and what safer, evidence-based alternatives you can explore.

[00:01:00] Cortisone’s reputation vs. reality: widely used but only provides short-term relief

[00:02:22] JAMA study: Corticosteroid every 3 months = more cartilage loss, no better pain relief

[00:03:00] Risks include cartilage damage, fractures, and rare joint collapse

[00:04:40] Cortisone shots near the shoulder linked to higher risk of rotator cuff tears

[00:06:14] More injections = higher risk of total joint replacements (especially knees)

[00:08:00] Injections into replaced joints can increase infection risk

[00:09:00] Systemic effects: blood sugar spikes, insomnia, flushing, elevated BP

[00:10:12] No “safe” number of injections—many studies show risk with just 1–2

[00:11:00] Safer options available

[00:13:40] Stacey’s personal story: Why she said no to the cortisone shot (and wrote her book)

[00:17:00] Why cortisone is still widely used

[00:22:06] Studies shows changes in biomechanics can reduce arthritis pain and slow progression

[00:24:02] If surgery is coming, when to avoid cortisone

[00:25:00] Strategic use may be okay but repeat use often backfires

⚠️ Important: Cortisone injections carry risks including cartilage breakdown, rotator cuff tears, systemic side effects, and higher rates of joint replacement. Discuss all options with your provider. If surgery is planned, avoid injections within 3 months of the procedure. This information is for educational use only and is not considered medical advice. Always speak to your healthcare provider when making health related decisions.

Call us for noninvasive regenerative options

📞 414-299-8121

📧 info@newyouhealthandwellness.com

• AAOS Knee OA Guidelines (2021): Read Here
• 
  
• JAMA RCT on cartilage loss: PubMed
• 
  
• RSNA: Steroid injections worsen OA: RSNA Report
• 
  
• Shoulder steroid → tendon tear: PMC
• 
  
• Increased TKA risk: PubMed
• 
  
• Infection risk if <3 months before surgery: PubMed
• 
  
• Systemic effects post-injection: PMC
• 
  
• PRP vs. steroid injections (regenerative medicine commentary): Regenexx
• 
  

• Pain-Free Formula Podcast -...

Menopause isn’t just about hot flashes. It can show up as unexplained joint pain, shoulder issues, pelvic dysfunction, and too often, women are told it’s all “just aging.” In this episode of The Pain-Free Formula Podcast, Stacey Roberts sits down with fellow physical therapist and pelvic health pioneer Stacey Futterman Tauriello to break down what’s really happening to our bodies during perimenopause and menopause, and why your hormones might be at the root of your pain.

They unpack how estrogen acts as an anti-inflammatory, why pelvic floor therapy matters more than Kegels, and how tools like SoftWave can help restore tissue health. Plus, they preview the upcoming 2026 Not Your Mother’s Menopause conference, what inspired it all and how you can gain access.

This is an empowering conversation for every woman navigating midlife changes, providers supporting them, or anyone ready to stop normalizing pain and start asking better questions.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00:00] – Meet Stacey Futterman Tauriello and why menopause is a pain topic, literally

[00:01:27] – How hormone shifts can trigger joint pain worse than hot flashes

[00:02:30] – Personal stories of perimenopause symptoms and the power of estrogen therapy

[00:04:30] – Behind the Not Your Mother’s Menopause conference and its explosive growth

[00:06:00] – Why HRT is not the only path: alternative sessions at the 2026 event

[00:07:00] – The gap in research and how providers can empower instead of gaslight

[00:08:40] – What PTs should ask about hormonal health (yes, even at age 38)

[00:09:50] – Estrogen as joint lube: how its loss changes recovery and performance

[00:10:55] – Why pelvic floor dysfunction shows up years after childbirth

[00:12:05] – The truth about “small bladders” and why we’ve normalized leaking

[00:13:00] – From intimacy to incontinence: why tissue health = muscle health

[00:14:20] – The misunderstood overactivity of pelvic floors

[00:15:00] – How SoftWave helps boost blood flow, rebuild tissue, and support healing

[00:16:15] – It’s not weakness—it’s circulation, coordination, and better input

[00:17:30] – Conference preview: Ozempic, hormones, cancer, sexual health & more

[00:18:55] – How to talk to your doctor: testing, questions, and empowerment

[00:20:30] – Creating community: why this is more than a lecture; it’s a movement

[00:22:00] – What drives Stacey Futterman: doing good in a chaotic world

[00:23:15] – Final takeaway: hope, community, and passing it on

Safety Reminders

Pelvic floor symptoms, hormonal shifts, and chronic joint pain during menopause are common, but not normal. If you’re dealing with new pain, incontinence, or tissue changes, consult a qualified provider. This episode is educational and does not replace medical advice.

About the Guest

Stacey Futterman Tauriello, PT, MPT, WCS, BCB-PMD is a nationally recognized pelvic and orthopedic physical therapist, founder of 5 Point Physical Therapy, cofounder of Not Your Mother’s Menopause, and a longtime instructor with the Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute. She blends orthopedic sports medicine with pelvic floor rehab to help patients resolve pain, regain confidence, and live fully. She’s been featured on NBC’s Today Show, CBS New York, and more.

Clinics:

📍 New York, NY: 5 POINT Physical Therapy PLLC

37 W. 20th Street, Suite 607 | Tel: 212-226-2066

📍 Millburn, NJ: 5 POINT Physical Therapy and Wellness LLC

318 Main Street, Suite 200A | Tel: 973-671-5855

🔗 5pt.com

🎟️ Not Your Mother’s Menopause Conference Info

• 📅 January 11, 2026
• 
  
• 🌐 Register:

Most people think of chocolate as a guilty pleasure, but what if the right kind could actually fight pain and inflammation? In this episode of The Pain-Free Formula Podcast, Stacey Roberts dives deep into the science behind dark chocolate, cocoa flavanols, and how they interact with your body’s inflammatory and nervous systems.

You’ll learn which types of chocolate could contribute to pain reduction, which ones might make it worse, and how to build a mindful, pain-friendly chocolate ritual. Whether you’re managing chronic joint pain or just love a good square of dark chocolate, this episode is packed with tasty, science-backed takeaways.

[00:00:00] – Chocolate boosts serotonin and dopamine for better mood and pain resilience

[00:00:34] – The Pain-Free Formula mission and Stacey’s message of hope

[00:01:27] – Welcome and topic reveal: The truth about chocolate and pain

[00:02:20] – The science behind cocoa and flavonoids

[00:03:07] – How dark chocolate reduces inflammation and oxidative stress

[00:03:36] – Chocolate’s impact on fibromyalgia, fatigue, and endorphins

[00:03:59] – The problem with most chocolate: sugar, dairy, and processed fats

[00:04:28] – How milk proteins block polyphenol absorption

[00:04:49] – Additives, shelf life, and hidden inflammation

[00:05:10] – The “good, bad, and bittersweet”: breaking down chocolate types

[00:05:36] – Why dark chocolate (70–90%) is the best choice for inflammation

[00:06:00] – What to look for: non-alkalized cocoa for maximum benefit

[00:06:06] – Milk chocolate: low cocoa, high sugar, and lost benefits

[00:06:36] – White chocolate: no antioxidants, all inflammation

[00:07:00] – Cacao nibs: the unprocessed superfood

[00:07:26] – The chocolate-hormone connection: serotonin, dopamine, and magnesium

[00:08:26] – When sugar and milk cancel out chocolate’s benefits

[00:08:49] – The nervous system connection: overactivation vs. rest-and-digest

[00:09:11] – Stacey’s “Pain-Free Formula Chocolate Ritual”

[00:09:33] – How to pair chocolate with healthy fats for better absorption

[00:09:53] – Mindful eating to activate healing and parasympathetic tone

[00:10:42] – Spice it up: turmeric and cinnamon as chocolate enhancers

[00:11:00] – The verdict: dark chocolate = medicine for your mitochondria

[00:12:00] – You don’t have to settle for pain—healing is possible

Choose high-quality dark chocolate (85%+ cacao) and avoid dairy-laden, sugar-filled varieties. If you’re experiencing pain flare-ups even with a clean diet, you may have hidden food sensitivities.

Call us for food sensitivity testing:

📞 414-299-8121

📧 info@newyouhealthandwellness.com

• Schümann, G., et al. (2008). The anti-inflammatory properties of cocoa flavanols. British Journal of Nutrition, 99, 777–786.
• 
  
• Ramirez-Sanchez, I., et al. (2020). Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Nociceptive Effects of Cocoa: A Review. Pain and Therapy, 9, 415–430.
• 
  
• Starowicz, P., et al. (2021). Chocolate intake and muscle pain sensation: A randomized cross-over trial. PLOS ONE.
• 
  
• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (2023). Dark chocolate is best choice for health—but don’t turn it into medicine.
• 
  
• UCLA Health. (2018). Dear Doctors: How much do sugar and additives impair dark chocolate’s benefits?
• 
  

• Pain-Free Formula Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pain-free-formula/id1802518411
• 
  
• Free...

What if your best pain reliever wasn’t in your medicine cabinet but in your sense of humor?

In this uplifting episode of The Pain-Free Formula Podcast, Stacey Roberts explores the surprising power of laughter as a tool for reducing chronic pain, stress, and even inflammation. Through storytelling, research, and a guided mini “laughter workout,” Stacey reveals how intentional laughter can shift brain chemistry, activate healing hormones, and provide real relief from discomfort, all without side effects.

Whether it’s Norman Cousins’ famous recovery through Marx Brothers reruns or modern studies showing how laughter yoga lowers cortisol and improves life satisfaction, this episode makes one thing clear: a daily dose of joy might just be part of your wellness plan.

[00:00:00] – Opening gratitude and intro to laughter as medicine

[00:01:00] – What is laughter therapy and why it matters

[00:01:30] – Norman Cousins’ healing story with laughter

[00:03:01] – The physiology of laughter: cortisol, endorphins, circulation

[00:04:00] – How laughter shifts pain perception

[00:05:00] – Parasympathetic response and relaxation after laughter

[00:06:13] – Structured laughter (laughter yoga) and contagious effect

[00:07:19] – Cortisol reduction and oxytocin release from social laughter

[00:08:00] – Practical laughter prescription: laugh before/during stress

[00:08:50] – Mini laughter workout guided by Stacey

[00:10:00] – Norman Cousins revisited: 10 minutes of laughter = 2 hours of sleep

[00:10:45] – Chronic pain patients using humor see better life satisfaction

[00:11:30] – Final thoughts: Stacey’s 5-point laughter prescription

Laughter won’t replace medical treatment, but it’s a complementary practice that supports healing. If your pain persists or worsens, consult a healthcare provider.

• Laugh every day — on purpose.

• Before something stressful, get your giggle reps in.

• Laugh with others — shared laughter multiplies the benefit.

• Reframe your pain — find humor in the struggle.

• And never underestimate a good snort-laugh.

📞 Call 414‑299‑8121

📧 Email info@newyouhealthandwellness.com

• Kramer, C. K., & Leitão, C. B. (2023). Laughter as medicine: A systematic review and meta-analysis of interventional studies evaluating the impact of spontaneous laughter on cortisol levels. PLoS ONE, 18(5), e0286260. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0286260
• 
  
• Şis, Ç., & Kılınç, T. (2022). The effect of laughter yoga on perceived stress, burnout, and life satisfaction in nurses during the pandemic: A randomized controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 49, 101638. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101638
• 
  
• Kuru Aliçi, N., & Bahçeli, P. Z. (2021). Effects of laughter therapy on life satisfaction and loneliness in older adults living in nursing homes in Turkey: A parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Rehabilitation Nursing, 46(2), 104–112. https://doi.org/10.1097/RNJ.0000000000000288
• 
  
• Hassanzadeh, R., et al. (2017). The effect of laughter yoga on anxiety and sleep quality in patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease. BMC Research Notes, 10, 371.

Do you ever notice your body aches more after a weekend of takeout or packaged snacks? It might not be your imagination.

In this episode of The Pain-Free Formula Podcast, Stacey Roberts explores the hidden impact of ultra-processed foods—those industrial, ingredient‑heavy items that often dominate modern diets—and how they may be quietly fueling inflammation associated with muscle and joint pain. Stacey walks through the evidence based science of gut barrier disruption, oxidative stress, microbiome imbalance, and how these mechanisms connect diet to pain signaling.

You’ll also get practical strategies for dialing down the inflammatory fire. This episode is for anyone who wants to understand why their pain flares and what to do about it.

• [00:00:00] – Why pain can flare up after takeout, snacks, or quick meals
• 
  
• [00:01:00] – What counts as ultra‑processed and why it matters more than you think
• 
  
• [00:02:00] – NIH study: two diets, same calories—very different results
• 
  
• [00:03:20] – How food companies design cravings and profit from inflammation
• 
  
• [00:03:40] – Hidden inflammation: what CRP, IL‑6, and TNF‑alpha reveal
• 
  
• [00:04:00] – Gut barrier damage: how additives trigger “fire alarms” in your body
• 
  
• [00:04:48] – The oxidative stress analogy: teenagers, houses, and free radicals
• 
  
• [00:06:00] – How processed foods strip antioxidants and weaken your defenses
• 
  
• [00:06:28] – The gut microbiome connection: fewer good bacteria, more inflammation
• 
  
• [00:07:18] – How gut inflammation spreads to joints, muscles, and nerves
• 
  
• [00:07:51] – Neurobiology 101: how inflammation turns into chronic pain
• 
  
• [00:08:27] – Central sensitization: when your nervous system stays “on alert”
• 
  
• [00:09:14] – Why even healthy foods can trigger pain if you’re sensitive to them
• 
  
• [00:10:00] – Not all processed foods are evil—balance and moderation matter
• 
  
• [00:11:23] – Why correlation isn’t causation (and what studies still can teach us)
• 
  
• [00:12:10] – First step: swap just one processed meal for a whole‑food option
• 
  
• [00:12:37] – Label literacy: short ingredient lists = healthier choices
• 
  
• [00:13:01] – Anti‑inflammatory allies: omega‑3s, polyphenols, and fiber
• 
  
• [00:13:32] – Why gentle movement helps inflammation and how to modify workouts
• 
  
• [00:14:41] – The food‑pain journal: how to spot triggers over time
• 
  
• [00:15:17] – What to do if you still have pain on a clean diet (hint: testing!)
• 
  
• [00:16:23] – When to get ALCAT testing and how it uncovers hidden sensitivities
• 
  
• [00:17:01] – Stacey’s closing message: “Pain is not a life sentence—heal from the inside out.
• 
  

• This episode doesn’t focus on dosage; it’s about food quality and habits.
• Avoid relying on IgG tests—they are less reliable in Stacey’s clinical experience.

If you suspect certain foods trigger your symptoms, call 414‑299‑8121 or email info@newyouhealthandwellness.com to learn more about ALCAT food sensitivity testing.

• Elma, Ö., Brain, K., & Dong, H. J. (2022). The Importance of Nutrition as a Lifestyle Factor in Chronic Pain Management: A Narrative Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(19), 5950.

Could your medication be the hidden cause of your joint or muscle pain?

In this episode of The Pain-Free Formula Podcast, Stacey Roberts breaks down six common medication categories that may be contributing to chronic pain, without you even realizing it. From statins and antidepressants to NSAIDs and antibiotics, Stacey walks you through the real side effects that may be worsening your symptoms, not helping them.

She shares what the research says, what to look for in your own medication history, and what conversations to have with your provider if any of these medications ring a bell. You’ll also learn how nutrient testing, hormone evaluation, and functional medicine strategies can help restore your body’s natural healing systems, without stopping medication abruptly or unsupervised.

If you’ve been managing pain with no clear cause, this episode might be the missing piece.

• Do not stop any medications abruptly.
• 
  
• If you suspect a medication might be contributing to your pain, consult your provider and:
• 
  
• Track when symptoms started vs. when you started the medication
• 
  
• Request nutrient testing, hormone testing, and functional support
• 
  
• Explore pain-safe alternatives with professional guidance
• 
  

At New You Health and Wellness, we support patients struggling with unexplained muscle and joint pain. Our clinic offers:

• Functional medicine consultations
• 
  
• Nutrient and hormone testing
• 
  
• A personalized SoftWave therapy program
• 
  
• Food and gut health assessments
• 
  

Call 414-299-8121 or email info@newyouhealthandwellness.com to learn more.

• Statins:
• European Atherosclerosis Society. (2015). https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehv043
• Ahmet et al. (2020). https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.118.009835
• NSAIDs:
• Solaiman et al. (2024). https://aoj.amegroups.org/article/view/8367/html
• Cervoni, E. (2024). https://www.bmj.com/content/386/bmj.q2030
• Antidepressants:
• Harvard Health Publishing. (2021). https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/what-are-the-real-risks-of-antidepressants
• Riediger et al. (2017). https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2017.00307
• Opioids:
• Lee et al. (2011). https://www.painphysicianjournal.com/current/pdf?article=MTQ0Ng%3D%3D&journal=60
• Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics:
• FDA Drug Safety Communication (2018).