The Optimal Body

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Dr. Jen and Dr. Dom, doctors of physical therapy, dive deep into the connection between menopause and women’s health, focusing on how estrogen affects muscle health, strength, and recovery. They break down the ways menopause and the surrounding hormonal shifts—peri-menopause, post-menopause, and postpartum—can impact muscle repair, strength loss, and in...

In this episode of The Optimal Body Podcast, hosts Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, Doctors of Physical Therapy, interview Julie Sawayah, co-founder of Needed. They discuss the critical gaps in prenatal nutrition, highlighting common deficiencies in standard prenatal vitamins and the importance of optimal dosing and quality ingredients in prenatals. Julie explains Needed’s approach to comprehensive, resear...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen PT, DPT and Dr Dom PT, DPT, physical therapy experts, compare high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and sprint interval training (SIT), answering questions from their Jen Health community. They discuss the benefits and challenges of each method, especially for women in perimenopause and post-menopause, and emphasize the importance of individua...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Dr. Jen and Dr. Dom welcome Gina Conley, founder of MamasteFit, to discuss prenatal exercise and postpartum fitness. Gina shares her personal journey, debunks common myths about exercising during pregnancy, and highlights the importance of tailored movement for pelvic health and pain relief. The conversation emphasizes listening to one’s body, gradual p...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, explore the benefits and considerations of using weighted vests during walking, especially for individuals in menopause. They discuss how weighted vest walking can help improve bone density, especially for women post menopause, and offer practical tips for safe use. The hosts emphasize that while...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Dr. Jen and Dr. Dom interview Dr. Emily Splichal, a functional podiatrist, foot health expert, and author of "Sensory Sapiens." They discuss the vital role of sensory awareness—especially through the feet—in movement, emotional well-being, and fall prevention. Dr. Splichal shares practical tips for enhancing sensory connections, highlights the impact of...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, doctors of physical therapy, discuss how medical diagnoses like "degenerative disc disease" and "chondromalacia patella" can be misleading, unnecessarily alarming, and detrimental to our optimal health journey. They explain that imaging often shows abnormalities in people without pain, emphasizing the importance of focusing on pa...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, hosts Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, delve into the critical first thousand days of a child's life, from conception to two years old. They highlight the importance of prenatal and postpartum nutrition for women's health. Guest speaker Dr. Federica Amati, head nutritionist at Zoe, emphasizes the lasting impact of early nutritio...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, co-hosts Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, explore essential foot health topics, focusing on bunions and plantar fasciitis. They discuss the benefits of toe spacers, the importance of foot strength and stability, and how exercise can potentially reverse bunions. They emphasize understanding foot health's role in overall body func...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, hosts Dr. Jen and Dr. Dom, doctors of physical therapy, welcome Dr. Jessica Knurick, a registered dietitian with a PhD in physical activity, nutrition, and wellness. The discussion focuses on pregnancy and postpartum nutrition, debunking common myths and providing evidence-based guidelines on nutrition for women throughout different phases. Dr. Knurick...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Dr. Jen and Dr. Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, delve into neck adjustments, commonly known as "neck cracking." They debunk myths about spinal alignment, what neck adjustments actually do, and explain that the cracking sound is due to gas bubbles releasing in the joints, not bones realigning. They highlight the temporary pain relief and endorphin...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, hosts Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, delve into hormone health with guest expert Dr. Greg Brannon, an MD specializing in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). Dr. Brannon discusses the critical roles of testosterone and estrogen in overall well-being, addressing the alarming decline in testosterone levels due to env...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, co-hosts Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, answer listener questions on physical therapy, body mechanics, and pain management. They debunk myths about bunions, joint alignment, and tight hip flexors, emphasizing the importance of strength, mobility, and proper footwear. Doc Jen highlights the benefits of barefoot shoes for foot h...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, hosts Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, doctors of physical therapy, explore the crucial role of doulas in the birthing process with Kelsey and Aurora from Soul Shine Birth. They discuss how doulas provide emotional, physical, and educational support during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. The conversation highlights the benefits of having a doula, such as impro...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen, doctor of physical therapy, shares her postpartum journey following her second childbirth, a vaginal birth, contrasting it with her first cesarean experience. Joined by Doctor Dom, they discuss the physical and emotional challenges of postpartum recovery, emphasizing the importance of support, pelvic floor health, early rehabilitation exercise,...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, hosts Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, engage in an enlightening conversation with Nikolina Lauc, CEO and co-founder of Glycanage on biological age. They explore the groundbreaking methods Glycanage uses to measure biological age through advanced blood biomarkers, focusing on glycans' role in inflammation and aging. Nikolina dis...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Dr. Jen, doctor of physical therapy, shares her inspiring journey of having a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) for her second child, Luca. She discusses the emotional and physical challenges she faced, the importance of mindset and preparation, and the invaluable support from her midwives and partner, Dr. Dom. Dr. Jen emphasizes the significance of h...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, hosts Dr. Jen and Dr. Dom welcome Dr. Paige, doctor of physical therapy, an expert in vestibular therapy. They explore the vestibular system's role in balance and motion detection, and discuss common dysfunctions like vertigo. Dr. Paige shares her journey into vestibular therapy, emphasizing the quick fixes achievable for conditions like BPPV. She highl...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, focus on the use of an inversion table for back pain relief. They explore the associated risks and short-term benefits of inversion therapy using an inversion table, emphasizing the importance of addressing the root causes of pain through active rehabilitation, exercise, and lifestyle changes. Th...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom , doctors of physical therapy, chat with Lauren Papanos, a registered dietitian nutritionist, about nutrition and hormone health. Lauren shares her journey into the field, driven by personal experiences with hormone issues. They discuss the impact of chronic inflammation on conditions like PCOS and Hashimoto's disease, and the imp...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, co-hosts Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, doctors of physical therapy, explore osteoporosis, emphasizing its impact on women's health as they age. They advocate for a comprehensive approach to bone health that goes beyond calcium supplements to include exercise, nutrition, and professional guidance. Doctor Dom explains the importance of loading bones through hig...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, hosts Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, delve into the importance of foot health with guest Gourgen, co-founder of My Foot Function. They discuss the benefits of barefoot shoes, emphasizing how traditional footwear can negatively impact foot function and overall movement. The guest highlights recent research done on prevalence of...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, co-hosts Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, discuss the best exercises for longevity. They emphasize the importance of maintaining strength and muscle mass as we age, debunking myths about exercise restrictions for older adults. The episode highlights the benefits of strength training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, hosts Doc Jen and Doctor Dom delve into the critical role of nutrition in women's health with guest Doctor Frederica Amati, a leading nutritionist at Zoe. The discussion highlights how dietary choices impact fertility, pregnancy nutrition, and menopause. Doctor Amati emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet rich in whole grains, fermented dairy, oil...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Dr. Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, dive into vibration plate benefits and their role in optimal health. They explore whether these devices can support functional independence, address pain, and contribute to women's health—particularly around muscle loss and bone strength. The conversation also touches on the mind-body connection, ho...