Chronic Pain OR Central Sensitization? The Hidden Condition Affecting Millions With Dr. Shabita Teja
Welcome back to Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal! Join us as we uncover our lives as healthcare professionals.
This is Episode 69, where Dr. Meenal Agarwal explores the groundbreaking topic of Central Sensitization with guest Dr. Shabita Teja. Watch the video episode on YouTube and listen to the audio episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your other favorite podcast spots – follow and leave a 5-star review if you’re enjoying the show!
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- Show Notes
- Learn more about Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal
- Learn more about Dr. Meenal Agarwal
Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal Episode #69: Chronic Pain OR Central Sensitization? The Hidden Condition Affecting Millions With Dr. Shabita Teja
Chronic pain affects 1 in 4 adults globally, and women are disproportionately affected. We’re often told it’s in our head, even by our doctors. But what if it’s in our nervous system?
In this powerful episode of the Uncover Your Eyes podcast, Dr. Meenal Agarwal explores the groundbreaking topic of Central Sensitization with guest Dr. Shabita Teja, a dual-trained Naturopathic Doctor and Pharmacist who shares her deeply personal and medical journey with chronic abdominal pain.
Dr. Teja was one of the first patients in British Columbia to receive a spinal cord stimulator for Central Sensitization—a nervous system condition that continues to fly under the radar of traditional healthcare.
Whether you're a healthcare professional, a patient living with chronic pain, or someone passionate about mental health, physical health, and healthcare innovations, this episode will expand your understanding of pain, the mind-body connection, and the power of self-advocacy in healing.
Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:
- The difference between acute & chronic pain
- What Central Sensitization is—and why it’s often misdiagnosed
- How the nervous system rewires itself in chronic pain states
- When pain needs treatment (and when it doesn’t)
- Neuroplasticity and pain
Learn more about Dr. Shabita Teja on Instagram @Dr.ShabitaTeja.ND and at TejaWellness.Ca
Subscribe to Uncover Your Eyes on your favorite podcast platform and YouTube, and learn more about Dr. Meenal on Instagram @Dr.MeenalAgarwal.
Check out the episode and show notes below for much more detail.
Show Notes
- Chronic Pain OR Central Sensitization? The Hidden Condition Affecting Millions With Dr. Shabita Teja
- [0:58] Welcome to Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal
- [2:25] Welcome to the show, Shabita Teja!
- [2:52] What is chronic pain and central sensitization?
- [4:37] Can any condition lead to central sensitization?
- [6:24] Understanding pain anatomically – how is pain processed in the body?
- [10:03] Is the issue in the brain?
- [13:44] What are the symptoms for patients to be aware of?
- [18:04] How long has Dr. Teja experienced central sensitization?
- [23:36] Dr. Teja’s pain journey
- [27:36] How to self advocate for these conditions?
- [34:14] If Dr. Teja could turn back time, how would she want to be treated?
- [37:22] How can supplements help with these conditions?
- [41:39] Connect with Dr. Teja on Instagram and her website!
- [42:40] Subscribe to Uncover Your Eyes on your favorite podcast platform and YouTube, and learn more about Dr. Meenal on Instagram @Dr.MeenalAgarwal
- Theme Song: “Upbeat Motivational Pop Rock” by Alexey Anisimov
What is Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal?
Thanks for listening to Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal. Being an eye doctor makes life easy, right? Not so fast. Join us as we uncover our lives as healthcare professionals. In each episode, you will face reality and vulnerability. You’ll hear how to manage your wellbeing, culture, and physical and mental health. You’ll also navigate self-improvement and professional development, all while uncovering innovation in patient care from experts in our healthcare system. Let’s do this while keeping it “real” and authentic. Hosted by Dr. Meenal Agarwal, Expert Optometrist, Entrepreneur, Speaker, and Mom of 3.
Who is Dr. Meenal Agarwal?
With three clinics in Toronto and sought-after experience, Dr. Meenal Agarwal is an expert in vision and eyecare innovation. She is a leading voice on patient care, technology, professional development, and wellness in the healthcare industry.