The Optimal Body

Pain in the buttock? Feeling shooting/tingling sensations in your low back or glutes? Perhaps a deep buttock pain? DocJen and Dr. Dom dive into the how deep gluteal syndrome and piriformis syndrome are related, discussing possible physiological causes for symptoms. Soon after, they discuss what you can do to alleviate your symptoms, targeting nerve glides, postural considerations, inner core coord...

Can you lose weight with a sustainable diet? We are reconceptualising and re-framing weight loss with Lisa Moskovitz. Lisa provides perspective on what it means to combat popularized diet culture and who intuitive eating is for. With disordered thoughts around food for some individuals, Lisa emphasizes the importance of structure and how intuitive eating can be applied to different circumstances s...

Got plantar fasciitis? Heel pain? DocJen & Dr. Dom describe what is happening physiologically during plantar fasciitis, especially when the symptoms are present. Then, they present new research that provides insight into the current perspectives on the cause of plantar fasciitis. They discuss how the conventional show may be correlated with the increased prevalence of plantar fasciitis, as well as...

Does manual therapy fix you or put structures back into place? We have Dr. Erson to discuss the truths about manual therapy and how we can optimally use manual therapy to create long term change. Firstly, Dr. Erson discusses the difference between softer approaches and bruising to determine a successful treatment. Using the analogy of hip displacement before pelvic trauma in car crashes, Dr. Erson...

Back pain when you lay down? DocJen & Dr. Dom have got you covered! Firstly, they dive into how pelvic positioning affects different biases within the body. Through pelvic tilt talk, they explore why you may not be fully relaxing and how pain is an output of protection. They provide insight into how you can lay down and promote safety within the body, while exploring different positions that re-ga...

Has your chronic pain stopped your from exercising? Dr. Shannon Ritchey’s expertise lies making exercise accessible to those in pain. She briefly shares where her passion for physical therapy stemmed from and how muscles can be worked while requiring less demands from joints. Furthermore, she distinguishes the difference between soreness and pain, providing a breathing and grip tool to indicate si...

Diagnosed with a calf strain? DocJen & Dr. Dom dive into the anatomy of the calf and how it relates to knee and ankle function. Furthermore, they discuss the causes of different calf strains and the protective mechanisms of the muscle spindles. Furthermore, they explain who is at most risk, stages of calf strains, risk factors for calf strains, and how passive range of motion within tolerance is a...

Do you wear orthotics? Andy Bryant, a podiatrist, shares his expertise on foot health and what it means to get the foot to move more naturally. As he shifted from principles of traditional podiatry to functional podiatry, he provides insight into the changes the has made to his advice and how chronic dependence on orthotics is leading to less function in the foot. Furthermore, he briefly describes...

Diagnosed with Spondylosis? DocJen & Dr. Dom provide the truth on the spondylosis diagnosis. Hint: it actually describes the natural aging process of the spine. Interestingly, they share a substantial amount of research suggesting the presence of spondylosis-like MRI presentations in individuals with no symptoms. Then, they dive into the importance of loading and what it means to load the spine wi...

How do you define "surrender." Surrender is a word with a negative connotation typically. However, Kute Blackson redefines surrender as a means to let go of control and open/ liberate yourself to a true representation of your identity. Through the concept of surrender, Kute speaks about setting up your mindset to allow stepping into discomfort, the role the ego plays in the fear associated with th...

Are your hamstrings always tight? DocJen & Dr. Dom explain the difference between physiological tightness and the sensation of tightness, highlighting the neural modulation of sensation. They speak to how psychology perpetuates vicious cycles of tightness and how sensations of tightness are a protective response. They describe 4 causes of that "tightness" sensation, describing the relationship bet...

Is fear holding you back? Ben Harris, a fear coach, describes fear as a protective mechanism, alluding it to concepts of love and disguise. Then, he dives into how you can identify the root cause of your fears and the true feeling of liberation when you tap into the depths of your fears. He provides insight into the fear alchemy and explains the 10 foundational fears in a general context. By honin...

Low back pain while walking? DocJen & Dr. Dom explain why your low back may be flaring up during long-distance walks and what could be contributing to your low back pain. They explain how fear and stiffness an intertwined, honing into how fear could be perpetuating stiffness and vice versa in a vicious cycle. They dive into the importance of finding the root cause of your back pain and the role mo...

We discuss it all here. Dr. Sara Reardon dives into her experience with pelvic floor education and shares the driver for her passion for pelvic floor health. She explains the anatomy and physiology of the pelvic floor, explaining the missing links in pelvic floor education during puberty. Then, she speaks to pain with penetration and why it might be happening, the repercussions of straining while...

Why do my hips keep going out of place? DocJen & Dr. Dom discuss what it means for your hips to go out of place, explaining the tests therapists use to diagnose "hip misalignment." They describe muscle energy techniques, explaining the physiology of the effect of isometric contractions. Furthermore, they dive into adjustments and the physiological responses to the pops that follow a manipulation....

Dr. Kevin Marryshow, a co-founder of Myodetox, starts off by comparing and contrasting a chiropractor with a physical therapist, emphasizing the need for cross-collaboration between rehabilitative therapy and the flaw of both fields - dependency on solely passive modalities as treatment. Then, he explains the science behind manipulations, highlighting the true physiological response to what tissue...

Preserve your health as you age! We're providing paradigm shifts in the way we approach degeneration and movement. By age 85, approximately two-thirds of all reported injury-related deaths are due to falls, and foot health plays a large role in maintaining awareness of where the body is in space. Allowing the toes to spread, the arches to move, and the heels to shock absorb builds resiliency withi...

Is Salt bad? Do you need to supplement electrolytes? We have Robb Wolf on, co-founder of LMNT electrolytes, to provide expertise on the topic of electrolytes. Robb provides deep insight into the truths of salt intake and how it relates to hypertension, suggesting insulin resistance as the primary driver of hypertension. Furthermore, Robb suggests what contributes to high salt intake, and how low s...

How is your recovery? Perhaps, your stress? DocJen & Dr. Dom dive into three techniques you haven't considered when it comes to your ability to relieve pain and tension, relax, recovery, and reset. They dive into how ribcage and thoracic mobility improve the health benefits of diaphragmatic breathing, how hip mobility is vital to enhancing movement as the main axis of the body, the role the pelvic...

The American Institute of Stress reported that 33% of individuals experience extreme stress, of which 73% struggle with stress-related mental health issues. We have Dr. David Rabin to discuss the prevalence of chronic stress in today's world and how breathwork, heart rate variability, and touch play a role in significantly modulating stress experience. Speaking into the evolution of the 'hardwired...

Aches and pains around the pelvis? Pubic symphysis dysfunction has been reported in 31.7% of pregnant women. DocJen & Dr. Dom dive into what pubic symphysis is, providing a brief summary of the anatomy involved, potential causes, and risk factors for pubic symphysis. Then, they provide insight into how pubic symphysis is tested for, as well as how treatment can be optimized and safeguarded for pre...

Do you need to supplement for longevity? Mascha Davis, registered dietician, offers the best of her insights on how eating a balanced, no -eliminating and whole foods diet can leverage an optimal path to longevity. Dabbling into the carnivore diet, Mascha discusses how fruits and vegetables are vital for our well-being and how they upregulate natural detoxification systems in the body. Then, she t...

Struggling with back spasms? DocJen & Dr. Dom discuss the nature of back spasms and what could be contributing to its occurrence and frequency. They expand beyond issues within the structures of the back and discuss the current research surrounding the influence of the brain on back spasms. Finally, they provide practical solutions to help relieve back spasms and prevent them from happening throug...

You ask, we deliver! We have sports psychologist, Dr Haley Perlus, on to discuss the role psychology plays in building long-term habits and navigating injury and pain. She emphasizes how sports psychology applies to the general public, specifically focusing on the motivation triad that includes confidence and focus. She speaks to navigating motivation when external barriers, such as temperature or...

Do you need to fix your imbalances? DocJen & Dr. Dom discuss muscular imbalances, normalizing asymmetries that are present within our bodies from birth. Discussing gluteal amnesia, leg length discrepancy, cerebral palsy, and breathing conditions, they describe how mind-body connection relates to perpetuating pain and how pain is multifactorial. Then, they describe how you can begin to assess muscl...