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.
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• Ramirez-Sanchez, I., et al. (2020). Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Nociceptive Effects of Cocoa: A Review. Pain and Therapy, 9, 415–430.
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• Starowicz, P., et al. (2021). Chocolate intake and muscle pain sensation: A randomized cross-over trial. PLOS ONE.
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• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (2023). Dark chocolate is best choice for health—but don’t turn it into medicine.
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• UCLA Health. (2018). Dear Doctors: How much do sugar and additives impair dark chocolate’s benefits?
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• Pain-Free Formula Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pain-free-formula/id1802518411
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• 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
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• 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
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• 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
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• 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.