Podcast Summary

Podcast: Digital Social Hour
Episode: The Science Behind Wasabi Method: Heal Smarter, Not Harder
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Dr. Adam Gavine
Episode #: DSH #1321
Date: April 13, 2025

Overview

In this insightful episode, Sean Kelly sits down with Dr. Adam Gavine, Australian chiropractor, educator, and co-creator of the Wasabi Method. The conversation demystifies shockwave and radial pressure wave therapies, revealing the science, business challenges, and transformative physiological effects behind Wasabi Method. From debunking common misconceptions about aging and healing to leveraging real-world stories and clear explanations, Dr. Adam advocates for a smarter, research-backed approach to pain, recovery, and preventive health.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Physiology and Healing at Any Age

• Dr. Adam emphasizes that the human body is always responsive to the right stimulus, regardless of age:
  • "Your physiology will respond as long as your heart's still beating. You got pulse? The physiology still responds. Maybe not as quickly as when you were 20, but it's still there." (00:47)
  • Dr. Adam urges individuals not to "give up on themselves" due to age, injury, or accumulated health challenges.

2. Posture, Micro-Breaks, and Desk Work (01:19–02:20)

• Everyday habits like slouching while working at a desk can create muscular imbalances.
• Dr. Adam recommends "micro breaks"—short, frequent pauses to reset posture and avoid chronic pain.

• "You can do a lot of exercises and stuff to help with that... just doing little things to help reset the musculoskeletal system so that you don't end up like this at the end of the day." (01:22)

3. What Is Shockwave Therapy? (02:22–05:10)

• The origins: Initially used in medicine for breaking up kidney stones (lithotripsy) with high-energy acoustic waves.
• Wasabi Method uses radial pressure waves, a lower-energy form, to stimulate physiological healing in tissues.
  • Dr. Adam explains:

    "My device doesn't get to [shock wave] level, but it still gets in this therapeutic window that causes the physiological changes in the body." (02:36)

• Immediate post-treatment relief is common; sensation is “spicy but good,” often with instant perceived difference.
  • Host Sean Kelly confirms:

    "I will say it hurts, but afterwards I feel amazing." (03:49)

4. Building the Wasabi Method Business (05:10–10:52)

• Founding story: Partnership with Dave Asprey, challenges with established industry distributors unwilling to work with a "volatile influencer."
  • Notable quote:

    "We don't want to be associated with a volatile influencer. So [Dave Asprey] was too much of a rebel for them." (08:27)

• Eventually partnered with a company that offered creative and branding autonomy, leading to the catchy "Wasabi" name, conceived by Dave Asprey.

   > "At first, I was like, I don't like that. But... I'm so glad that we did, because everybody likes it. We say, it's spicy, but it's good—like Wasabi." *(10:37)*
  

5. The Science: Physiological Effects Explained (11:44–18:42)

• Over 19 peer-reviewed, research-backed physiological effects:
  1. Angiogenesis: Stimulates the formation of new blood vessels via VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor).
     • "That's a permanent change... once your body grows these new capillaries, that's there forever." (14:05)
  2. Fibroblast Proliferation: Increases reparative cells that clean up and remodel tissue ("repairmen" of the body).
     • "It's more that I'm stimulating the body to create more of these repairmen, the fibroblasts... The fibroblasts clean up the mess." (16:21)
  3. Long-lasting Effects: Benefits accumulate, with measurable improvements up to three months after a single treatment.
     • "They did one treatment and they had physiological changes measurable up to three months later." (17:13)
• Good for preventive care—don’t wait for pain or injury.
  • “You do maintenance on your car so it doesn’t break; why wouldn't you do that with your body?” (18:14)

6. Contraindications, Safety, and Efficacy (21:06–23:32)

• Contraindications: Not advised for people who are pregnant, under 18, on blood thinners, have hemophilia, recent cortisone injection, or near active tumors.
  • “If I went on your tumor, I don't want to make it grow more.” (22:08)

• Safety: Exceptionally low risk; a review of nearly 2,000 patients found “zero side effects” with knee osteoarthritis treatments.

    > “Have you ever seen a medical study with almost 2,000 patients where there was zero side effects? It's unheard of." *(22:54)*
  

• Temporary redness, soreness, or mild inflammation possible, typically resolves in 24–48 hours.

7. Education & Unique Selling Proposition (24:09–25:22)

• Wasabi Method includes detailed education modules for customers and practitioners—rare among competitors.

    > "I've developed education modules that we sell with our device that pretty much none of the other competitors do." *(25:22)*
  

8. Applications and Advanced Techniques (25:44–27:31)

• Use Cases:
  • Musculoskeletal issues: Most effective on tendons, shoulder and elbow injuries (80–85% success rate).
  • Sexual health for men and women.
  • Skin health: Wounds, burns, cellulite, facial collagen stimulation.
  • Lymphedema: Promotes new lymphatic and vein growth—addresses underlying cause, not just symptoms.
    • “I’m making your physiology, I’m changing your physiology in a permanent way to make it work better.” (27:10)
• Dr. Adam: “It’s additive, not a one-and-done fix—results compound with subsequent sessions.” (17:29)

9. Anti-Inflammatory and Combined Modalities (28:40–31:04)

• Wasabi Method decreases inflammation via downregulation of neurogenic inflammation, and can be combined with modalities like laser therapy for enhanced effects.

    > "We don’t sit there and go, 'If you buy my device, it’s the only thing you need.' ...In my clinic, I use a bunch of modalities... The more signals I’m putting into the body, the more the body responds." *(30:02–30:41)*
  

10. Individualization & Holistic Health (30:57–31:18)

• Responses vary; healthier individuals tend to see more dramatic improvement.
• Importance of guidance and gradual progression in rehabilitation or exercise to avoid injury.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Your physiology will respond as long as your heart's still beating... Maybe not as quickly as when you were 20, but it's still there.”
  – Dr. Adam (00:47, repeated at 19:00)

• "We don't want to be associated with a volatile influencer... [Dave Asprey] was too much of a rebel."
  – Dr. Adam (08:27)

• "That's a permanent change... once your body grows these new capillaries, that's there forever, right?"
  – Dr. Adam (14:05)

• “You do maintenance on your car so it doesn’t break; why wouldn't you do that with your body?”
  – Dr. Adam (18:14)

• "Have you ever seen a medical study with almost 2,000 patients where there was zero side effects? It's unheard of."
  – Dr. Adam (22:54)

• "It's spicy, but it's good. Like Wasabi."
  – Dr. Adam (10:37, 10:48)

• "I’m making your physiology... changing your physiology in a permanent way to make it work better."
  – Dr. Adam (27:10)

Important Timestamps

• 00:47 / 19:00 – Aging, physiology, and potential for improvement at any age
• 02:22 – Radial pressure wave therapy explained
• 05:10 – Wasabi Method's founding and business journey with Dave Asprey
• 11:44–18:42 – Physiological effects: angiogenesis, fibroblasts, longevity of benefits
• 21:06–23:32 – Safety, contraindications, and side effect profile
• 25:44–27:31 – Advanced applications (wounds, burns, cellulite, lymphedema)
• 28:40–31:04 – Anti-inflammatory effects and synergistic treatment strategies

Learn More & Contact

• Website: wasabimethod.com
• Instagram: @Wasabi_Method
• Email: info@wasabimethod.com

Tone and Takeaways

Dr. Adam brings a blend of scientific rigor, practical wisdom, and humility to the discussion, repeatedly urging listeners to pursue evidence-based modalities and never accept limitations imposed by age or chronic issues. The Wasabi Method exemplifies an evolving, patient-empowering approach—integrating innovative therapies with comprehensive education, making healing accessible, effective, and sustainable for all.

Highly recommended for anyone curious about modern, non-pharmacological healing, and especially for those looking to maintain or regain peak physical function at any stage of life.