IC Wellness Podcast
Welcome to the IC Wellness Podcast
Dedicated to helping others in their battle with interstitial cystitis and autoimmunity. Discover how to restore balance to your body and live with intention. In each episode, we will dive deep into diet, lifestyle, mindset, and living your best life.
Understanding interstitial cystitis and autoimmunity
In this episode, you will get answers to some of your biggest questions and learn what steps you can begin taking today to address IC head-on.
Laying the Foundation of good health
Integrative and functional nutritionist Brainne Thornton, MS, RD discusses the foundation for good health and the importance of eating the right foods for your individualized needs. She also touches on the need to consume foods that counter chronic inflammation.
Pelvic Pain and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Dr. Tayyaba Ahmed is a board-certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician at Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine in New York. In today’s episode, Dr. Ahmed discusses interstitial cystitis, pelvic pain, and how to recognize pelvic floor dysfunction.
Interstitial Cystitis and Depression
Anxiety, depression, stress, panic attacks, and mood swings are often shared by many that suffer from IC. The amazing thing is that if we identify the root causes, we can take control of our mental health. Learn 13 natural remedies for depression so that you can begin working on restoring balance to the body.
Individualizing Your Diet
Integrative and functional nutritionist Brianne Thornton, MS, RD, discusses the importance of individualizing one’s diet for optimal health. Personalizing one’s diet can be difficult, especially for those with IC. Learn what you can do to use food as medicine and restore balance.
Treating Chronic UTIs
Rochelle Stern is the founder of West Coast Mint and the creator of WCM D-Mannose, which is a key product for promoting bladder support as it works against the most common cause of E. Coli bacteria. Sourced from Ireland and packaged in the USA, Rochelle’s product is the best on the market.
Building Healthy Friendships
My dear friend Paige Ensley dropped by to discuss the importance of building healthy friendships, how to effectively handle conflict, and tackling the overarching problem of loneliness. Friendship is a lot of work but it is also vital to our health and so worth the effort.
Goal Setting in a Healing Journey
Lisa King is a Registered Pharmacist, the author of the book Tiny Life Changes, a Life Coach, and a fellow IC Warrior. In this episode, she discusses goal setting in a healing journey, and how we can achieve those goals one step at a time.
Heal Your Gut, Heal Your Body
Nutritionist Brianne Thornton, M.S., RD joins me to discuss the 5 Rs to addressing chronic inflammation and leaky gut. If your gut is healthy, your immune system is strong and better equipped to protect you from illness and disease.
The role the pelvic floor plays in iC
Dr. Nicole Cozean is the founder of Pelvic Sanity, a clinic specializing in the treatment of pelvic floor conditions, and she is the author of the book The Interstitial Cystitis Solution. Learn the role that the pelvic floor plays in IC.
Four Supplements to reduce IC Symptoms
There are four supplements that when used in combination have been shown to significantly reduce IC symptoms. Learn how you can benefit from the right supplements and begin reducing your symptoms.
IC Support Canada
Marnie is the founder of IC Support Canada and is working to create an IC footprint by bringing awareness and support to the IC community. If you live in Canada you are not going to want to miss this episode.
The Secret to reversing IC symptoms
Julie Hager with Inside Out Wellness is an integrative nutrition and functional medicine health coach. Julie lived with IC for 4 decades, but through identifying the root causes she has successfully sent her IC into remission.
clean beauty for better health
Alexia and I discuss our favorite clean beauty brand Monat and how it not only improved our health but transformed the health of our hair. Chronic illness puts stress on the body which can affect our skin and hair-but there are products that can help.
The Overlap Between IC and SIBO
Addressing the root cause of SIBO and interstitial cystitis requires balancing the gut and bladders microbiome through antimicrobial herbs and nutrition, which can both improve the bacterial balance and restore lost nutrients reversing IC symptoms.
Using Acupuncture to Address IC
Sarah graduated with a Masters of Acupuncture and Herbology, and she shares her journey with IC and how acupuncture can help those suffering from IC and other health-related issues. Sarah runs To The Point Acupuncture here in San Diego and is an advocate for women’s health.
Pelvic Health & The V Hive
Hannah is a health and wellness coach and the founder of the podcast and platform The V Hive. After suffering with pelvic pain, Vulvodynia, and IC, she realized how many women suffer in silence. She was determined to bring advocacy and education on these topics to the forefront.
One Woman's Resolve to Find Healing
After years of chronic health problems, Jaclyn has learned a thing or two about nutrition, mindset, and choosing joy in the midst of trials. If you find yourself with more questions than answers when it comes to your family’s health, then you can find encouragement from Jaclyn
The IC Diet; Fact or Fiction?
There is a lot of confusion surrounding the traditional IC Diet and a whole lot of misinformation. Nutritionist Brianne Thornton stops in to set the record straight. Learn the truth about what you should be eating and what you should be avoiding to decrease IC symptoms and restore balance to the body.
IC and The Mind Body Connection
Sula Windgassen is a Health Psychologist; more specifically, she is a mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral therapist as well as a published author. Her focus is on how psychology impacts physiology and her heart and commitment to the IC community is noteworthy and quite remarkable.
Painful Sex? What You Need to Know
Dr. Allyson Shrikhande is a board-certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist, and is part of the Manhattan-based Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine team that is committed to research in order to further understand complex pelvic pain conditions. Though pain during sex is common, it is not normal.
The Most Accurate Food Sensitivity Test
MRT is a blood test that checks your immune system response to 170 foods, food additives, and chemicals. Learn why this is the best and most accurate food sensitivity test currently available on the market with Integrative and Functional Nutritionist Brianne Thornton, MS, RD.
The Complete IC Diet Cookbook
Brianne and I discuss the best way to use our book, The Complete IC Diet Cookbook so that you are getting enough carbs, calories, and nutrients throughout the day. With over 70 delicious and nutritious recipes this cookbook is the first of it’s kind. Eating healthy just got easier!
Tips on Stress Management
Tracy Benson is a integrative health and wellness coach whose mission is to educate, support, and empower everyone she works with. Her programs are powerful in their simplicity, and designed to enable her clients to live a healthy, balanced life through lasting lifestyle changes.
Do You Have Histamine Inolterance?
Examining histamine intolerance requires a broad approach to see if there is a single root problem or a combination of a few problems. Histamines can also play a role in IC, sleep, mood (anxiety), and PMS. When each of these elements of histamine problems is combined, they can create the perfect storm for histamines to get out of control.
Lifestyle Tips to Boost Immunity
Learn how to boost immune function for optimal health with integrative and functional nutritionist Brianne Thornton, MS, RD. Our immune system is our first line of defense against illness and disease. Having IC puts additional stress on the immune system but there are things you can do to boost immune function. Diet and lifestyle choices can impact our health for the better.
How to Get A Good Nights Sleep
Interstitial cystitis can interrupt your sleep, and increase inflammation and stress in the body. Sleep can be one of the most challenging parts of IC, but identifying root causes will help restore balance so that you can get back to enjoying a good night’s rest. Functional Medicine Health Coach Julie Hager talks about ways to get a good nights sleep with IC.
The Cure for Chronic Pain
Nicole Sachs, LCSW is a speaker, writer, podcaster and psychotherapist who has dedicated her work and her practice to the treatment of chronic pain, symptoms, syndromes and conditions. She is the author of the book The Meaning of Truth, and the online course FREEDOM FROM CHRONIC PAIN. Her brand, The Cure for Chronic Pain, includes a Website, Podcast and YouTube Channel.
Diet, Lifestyle, and Self-Care
A Personal Health Update
2020 has definitely been a challenging year for everyone, and that includes me. I began experiencing pain in January and mistook it for a small hernia; it turned out I was wrong. As if dealing with health issues was not enough, COVID-19 brought the world to a screeching halt, and it has impacted all of on some level. But I have learned that even amid hardship, there is still beauty to be found.
Bladder Trauma and IC
Tracy Alexis, Ph.D., is an IC, fibromyalgia, and breast cancer survivor. She recently released her book Interstitial Cystitis, A Personal Journey of Complete Healing. Tracy has lived the last five years totally and utterly free of all IC and fibromyalgia symptoms. Tracy’s formal background is in Industrial/ Organizational Psychology.
Hormone Imbalance and IC
Dr. Carley Akehurst, ND, discusses the signs and symptoms of hormone imbalance and how it affects the bladder. Learn what a normal cycle looks like and how hormones fluctuate naturally throughout the month, how to identify hormone imbalance, and what testing options are currently available. This is part one of a two part series.
21 Tips to Handling an IC Flare
Help is on the way! An IC flare can be super frustrating and extremely stressful, but there are things you can do to begin reducing symptoms. You have plenty of options here, but mindset is key, and I made sure that you have all the support you are going to need during one of the most challenging struggles of an IC Warrior. See which ones work best for you.
3 Steps to Bladder Health
Feeling overwhelmed with where to start your journey to better bladder health? There are 3 things you need to be doing.
The Happy Pelvis
Michelle is the founder of the popular platform The Happy Pelvis. She shares her story and what led her to create her platform.
Are Oxalates Linked to IC?
Are oxalates to Balme for your interstitial cystitis pain? Nutritionist Brianne Thornton, MS, RD gives us the 411 on oxalates.
Treating Vulvodynia with Dr. Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
Dr. Jeffcoat, DPT is the founder of Fusion Wellness & Famina in Los Angles, the author of the book Sex Without Pain. You may know her best as @theladypartspt.
Stress, Anxiety, & Mindfulness
Rosey Sumrall shares her journey with IC, tips for managing stress and anxiety, and all about her new IC cookbook! To learn more check her out on her IG @wellandzen
Hormone Imbalance Part 2
Dr. Carley Akehurst, ND, brings her expertise and knowledge on the subject of hormone imbalance and interstitial cystitis. Restoring balance can have a tremendous affect our health and the overall health
Faith, Hope, & Resilience
Evan Hughes is a BEST Practitioner at Hope4Cancer. In this episode, he shares the incredible story that left him fighting for his life, his profound faith and trust in God, and encouragement for those of us amid a difficult season.
How to Stick to Your IC Diet During the Holidays
Integrative & functional nutritionist Brianne Thorton, MS, RD, discusses ways to enjoy the holidays without fear or the need to compromise on the foods you love.To work with Brianne on customizing your diet for optimal health, visit our services page.
Why Clean Beauty Matters
Clean beauty is essential to our overall health and wellness. Beautycounter consultant Andrea Settergren talks about the importance of using products without ingredients shown to impact human health or the environment negatively
Tips and Tricks for Picky Eaters
Are you a picky eater or do you have a child that is one? Integrative and functional nutritionist Brianne Thronton, MS, RD, stops by to talk about ways you can increase your love for a variety of foods.
Overcoming Candida Overgrowth
Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Shannon Rubenstone focuses specifically on helping women overcome chronic yeast infection and gut health issues, using a holistic approach.
Clean Eating 101
Integrative and functional nutritionist Brianne Thornton, MS, RD brings insight to the topic of clean eating for optimal health. Brianne specializes in interstitial cystitis and other chronic illnesses.
10 Pillars of Healthy Eating
The foods we eat play a key role in the development and healing of chronic illness. Each meal and snack, we have a chance to obtain essential vitamins and minerals from nutrient dense foods.
A Homeopathic Approach to IC
Dr. Nazanin Vassighi, ND is a Naturopathic Doctor and Associate Professor of Naturopathic Medicine and Homeopathy and Bastyr University. She discusses how to take a homeopathic approach to healing IC.
Dr. Amy Bock, PT, DPT, is a licensed physical therapist who dedicates her practice to the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction and advocacy for pelvic health and wellness. Learn how IC affects men and women differently.
managing IC
Holly DeLong, MS, RDN is a nutritionist with a master’s degree in nutrition and a background in psychology and research. She is also a fellow IC warrior that used nutrition to to overcome depression and IC.
Breaking the Sugar Addiction
Brianne Thornton MS, RD, discusses how sugar is one of the leading causes of chronic inflammation in the body. Inflammation is the precursor to most modern diseases including interstitial cystitis.
5 Things to Consider When Choosing a PT
Dr. Amy Bock is a licensed physical therapist who dedicates her practice to the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction and advocacy for pelvic health and wellness.
Does the Water You Are Drinking Matter?
Holly DeLong, MS, RDN is a nutritionist with a master’s degree in nutrition and a background in psychology and research. She is also a fellow IC warrior that used nutrition to to overcome depression and IC.
Getting Personal
Life can be crazy sometimes and filled with unexpected twists and turns. Integrative and functional nutritionist Brianne Thornton, MS, RD, and I chat about life and the things we have learned along the way.
Endo & IC
Jandra Mueller, DPT, MS is a pelvic health physical therapist at The Rehabilitation Center. She is also an integrative and health nutritionist and an Endo warrior. Ja brings her knowledge and expertise in all things end.
About the Host
I’m Elisabeth Yaotani. Author of How I Got My Life Back and The Complete IC Diet Cookbook, as well as the founder of IC Wellness. A few things about me, I am obsessed with family, traveling, cooking, reading, and all things fitness.