Neurodivergence, Chronic Pain (Fibromyalgia) and Lifestyle Medicine with Dr. Michael Lenz

EPISODE 97
Exploring the Relationships Among Neurodivergence,
Chronic Pain (Fibromyalgia),
and Lifestyle Medicine
with Dr. Michael Lenz

Play the Episode…

Show Notes

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in a range of medical conditions experienced by individuals diagnosed with autism and other neurodivergent conditions. Autistic and neurodivergent individuals, diagnosed and undiagnosed, may present with complex conditions that cause considerable discomfort and pain, and that have a significant detrimental impact on quality of life. In some cases, concerns about medical conditions may be the “gateway” issues that lead to a diagnosis of autism, in previously undiagnosed individuals. However, many physicians are not trained to explore the complex and at times, puzzling interactions between medical conditions and neurodivergence. Dr. Lenz, with a career of “in the trenches” expertise, discusses these issues with Barry and Dave with a focus on compassionate medical care and life-style changes that best support autistic and neurodivergent people.

 

Learn more about Conquering your Fibromyalgia

Featuring

Dr Michael Lenz Neurodivergence Fibromyalgia

DR. MICHAEL LENZ

Dr. Michael Lenz grew up in Wisconsin, participating in multiple sports and a couple of musicals in high school. He was in the Target MD premed program at the University of Milwaukee, going on to attend the Medical College of Wisconsin. He decided to become a doctor specializing in pediatrics and internal medicine due to the broad in-depth training the dual certification provided. He worked as a pediatrician and internal medicine doctor doing inpatient and outpatient care in Wisconsin, and then at age 33, he discovered that he was on a path to heart disease and diabetes, which led him to become certified in clinical lipidology, resulting in developing expertise in heart disease prevention and treatment. At age 40, Dr. Lenz discovered nutrition’s incredible benefits in health, leading him to lifestyle medicine. He developed a deep interest in chronic invisible illnesses like fibromyalgia, leading him to write a book, Conquering your Fibromyalgia and starting a podcast of the same name. Dr. Lenz has always been interested in people who have neurodivergent-style brains and nervous systems and, more recently, he has become aware of the strong overlap of these “invisible medical conditions”, with autism and neurodivergent conditions, resulting in his becoming a trusted and sought after practicing physician and authority on this topic.

…and Continue the Discussion

Do you have a book or podcast club? If so, you may use this discussion guide to facilitate a conversation about this episode.

1) Many patients presenting with chronic pain, also referred to as fibromyalgia, are reported to have features of neurodivergence. What is Dr. Lenz’ experience and perspective about this assertion? Have you experienced this directly for yourself, or for children and adults in your life?

2) In this discussion, Dr. Lenz’ states that in his practice, referrals for pain management seems to be a “gateway” for undiagnosed neurodivergent children and adults. What are some of the common medical issues that are associated with referrals? Why is a diagnosis for a neurodivergent condition often missed when individuals seek care for medical conditions?

3) Dr. Lenz is certified as a Lifestyle Medicine Physician. How is this defined and how does this approach to medical care differ from traditional approaches? What would be some examples of this philosophy and approach in practice? Have you or individuals in your life ever experienced benefits of a lifestyle medicine approach?

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Music

Matt Savage, courtesy of Savage Records

Matt Savage is an autistic jazz musician, composer, and bandleader. Matt has collaborated with jazz greats like Chick Corea, the Ellington All Stars, Chaka Khan, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson, Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, Jason Moran, Arturo O’Farrill, John Pizzarelli, Joshua Redman, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jon Faddis, Jerry Bergonzi. Donny McCaslin, and more. He has recorded more than a dozen records and graciously contributes the music for Uniquely Human.

Production and Sound Design

ELEVATEDSTUDIO

Uniquely Human: The Podcast is produced, engineered, and edited by Elevated Studio in Denver, Colorado. Owned and operated by co-host Dave Finch, Elevated Studio produces digital media assets and content strategies for the electronics, entertainment, and lifestyle industries.