The Optimal Body

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom talk with Forrest Smith, CEO of Kineon, about red light therapy for chronic pain, optimal health, and functional independence. Forrest shares his journey with red light therapy after an MCL tear, focusing on its science, benefits, and real-world use. They cover dosing, device differences, and how red light therapy supports women’s...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, hosts Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, dive into the science and myths behind joint adjustment—those familiar “snap, crackle, pop” sounds. They clarify that a joint adjustment doesn’t realign bones but results from pressure changes and gas release in the joints. The discussion connects joint adjustment to pain relief, orthopedic...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, pelvic health takes center stage as hosts Doc Jen and Doctor Dom—both doctors of physical therapy and passionate about health optimization—are joined by Heather Florio, a women’s health advocate. They discuss their trip to Peru in August 2024, aimed at educating women about pelvic and sexual health, with a strong focus on pelvic health and functional in...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, pain and injury prevention are the main focus as hosts Doc Jen and Doctor Dom—both doctors of physical therapy and advocates of strength training—share their top pain and injury prevention tips for the new year. They discuss health optimization through nervous system downregulation, mobility training, and barefoot living, all essential for pain and inju...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, hosts Doc Jen and Doctor Dom chat with Vince Pitstick, a leader in functional nutrition, health optimization, and metabolism. Vince shares how overcoming early health challenges shaped his holistic approach to metabolism, focusing on root causes and metabolic health. The discussion explores the mind-body connection, why metabolism is key for optimal hea...

In this episode of The Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, dive deep into running injury, pain, and running training strategies for runners. They highlight the importance of foot strength—especially with tools like Vivo Barefoot shoes—and share top running tips that can help reduce your risk of running injury and pain. The episode reviews a key study sho...

In this episode of The Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both experts in physical therapy, welcome pelvic health specialist Dr. Jocelyn Wallace to discuss pelvic floor health, pain, and recovery after abdominal surgery. The conversation covers pelvic floor rehabilitation and pelvic floor therapy for pain and healing following abdominal surgery, such as myomectomy and hysterectomy. Dr....

In this episode of The Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, discuss the pros and cons of using psoas release tools for tight hip flexors. They cover the pain and risks of hard psoas tools on hip flexors and nearby organs. Instead, they recommend a holistic approach to hip flexor health, focusing on movement, breathwork, and gentler tools like the Coregeou...

In this episode of The Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, talk with Dr. Roshini Raj about the gut microbiome and its impact on optimal health, longevity, and health optimization. Dr. Raj explains the importance of a balanced gut microbiome, shares nutrition tips, and discusses the gut-brain connection and rising colon cancer rates in younger people. Get...

Curious about QL pain and its link to low back discomfort? In this Optimal Body Podcast episode, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom break down the role of the quadratus lumborum, why QL pain is often blamed for low back issues, and how it relates to hip flexors and fascia. With insights from physical therapy and women’s health, they explain how QL pain can stem from muscle imbalances and poor movement pattern...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, hosts Doc Jen and Doctor Dom explore the transformative power of martial arts and meditating practices with guest Jeff Patterson, a martial arts expert with over 36 years of experience. Doc Jen highlights the importance of foot health and barefoot shoes, connecting these concepts to optimal health and the mind-body connection. Jeff shares his journey in...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, dive into the topic of kinesiophobia—an often-overlooked fear of movement that many experience after injury. They explain how kinesiophobia can create psychological barriers to recovery and why addressing kinesiophobia is crucial for regaining confidence in physical activity. The episode explores...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, hosts Dr. Jen and Dr. Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, welcome Dr. John Kim, a functional medicine pharmacist. Dr. Kim shares his transformative journey from traditional pharmacology to integrative medicine following a significant health crisis. He discusses the importance of understanding root causes of chronic illnesses and the role of lifestyle...

In this episode, Doc Jen and Dr. Dom dive into chronic mid back pain, explaining how mid back pain can be persistent or come and go. Unlike neck or low back pain, mid back pain lacks clear guidelines, but research shows manual therapy and exercise—two pillars of physical therapy—can help. They highlight mid back mobility exercises, discuss long-term relief, and share holistic tips for overcoming m...

In this episode, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, dive deep into the topic of back pain during pregnancy—often referred to as pregnancy pain. Doc Jen opens up about her own pregnancy journey, sharing insights on how nutrition and supplements from Needed have supported her along the way. They discuss how pregnancy pain is incredibly common, with many women experiencing disc...

Ancestral living is the spotlight of this Optimal Body Podcast episode as Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, explore the benefits of ancestral living for optimal health with guest Craig McCloskey, a certified health coach and holistic nutrition expert. They discuss how ancestral living, including nutrient-rich organ meats and supplements, supports nutrition, optimal health,...

Mental health is front and center in this Optimal Body Podcast episode as Doc Jen and Doctor Dom talk with Karena Dawn, co-founder of Tone It Up. Karena opens up about her mental health journey, showing how exercise, the mind-body connection, and community support drive women’s health. She shares health tips from her foundation, The Big Silence, to break mental health stigma and help others achiev...

In this episode, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, explore back pain during pregnancy. Doc Jen shares her personal pregnancy journey, emphasizing the importance of nutrition and supplements from Needed. They discuss the prevalence of back pain among pregnant women, highlighting the physiological changes and biomechanical shifts that contribute to discomfort. The hosts stres...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, hosts Doc Jen and Doctor Dom are joined by Nadine Artemis, an author, beauty philosopher, aroma ecologist, and creator of Living Libations. The discussion delves into skin health, the benefits of essential oils, and the importance of sun exposure. Nadine shares her expertise on using natural oils like coconut, olive, and jojoba as "sun harmonizers" and...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, co-hosts Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, explore the common issue of shin splints, or medial tibial stress syndrome, prevalent among runners and those engaged in high-impact activities. They emphasize the importance of foot health, the benefits of barefoot shoes like Vivo Barefoot, and the necessity of maintaining strong muscle...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, hosts Doc Jen and Doctor Dom welcome back Doctor Josh Axe, a functional medicine expert and bestselling author, to discuss his new book, "Think This, Not That." Doctor Axe shares his personal journey of overcoming a severe back injury through various treatments, including stem cell therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. He emphasizes the importance of m...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, hosts Doc Jen and Doctor Dom explore the intricacies of the rotator cuff, focusing on its anatomy, function, and common injuries. They emphasize the importance of shoulder stability and discuss effective rehabilitation strategies. The episode highlights the significance of thoracic mobility, muscle balance, and core coordination in preventing and treati...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, hosts Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, are joined by Shana Spence, a registered dietitian nutritionist. Shana discusses the pervasive influence of diet culture and the importance of a balanced approach to nutrition. She emphasizes the need to move away from restrictive diets and instead focus on nourishing the body with a variet...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom explore cervical genic headaches, which originate from neck issues. They discuss the prevalence of headaches and emphasize the importance of identifying underlying causes. The hosts highlight the role of physical therapy, neck stability, and mobility in treatment. They also discuss the benefits of aerobic exercise, hydration, and...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom welcome Rachel Shear, a certified functional medicine practitioner and founder of Rachel Scheer Nutrition. Rachel shares her compelling journey of overcoming severe gut health issues that nearly led to the removal of her entire large intestine. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of bodily systems...