464 | Doc Jen Hurt Her Back Deadlifting! What She Did for Her Back Pain and Sciatic Pain

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doctor Dom shares her personal experience of sustaining a minor back injury and developing sciatic pain while deadlifting. She and Doc Jen discuss how even fitness professionals aren't immune to pain and injury, emphasizing that stress, poor sleep, and rushing through movements increase the risk of experiencing issues like sciatic pain. They debunk the myth that deadlifts are inherently dangerous and clarify that disc bulges are common even in pain-free individuals, and not always linked to sciatic pain. Doctor Dom outlines her recovery approach, including breathing, relaxation, and gentle progressive movement. The key message: pain, including sciatic pain, isn't always a sign of serious damage, and mindful movement is essential for recovery. Lifting for Longevity: Check out our NEW movement longevity course -> Lifting for Longevity! Build your Strength, Mobility, Power, Balance and more regardless of what stage or age you’re at! Podcast listeners get a bonus discount with code OPTIMAL20 We Think You'll Love: Lifting for Longevity Jen’s Instagram Dom’s Instagram YouTube Channel What You'll Learn: 2:02 Doc Jen's Deadlift Injury 4:04 The Importance of Mindset After Injury 7:17 Deadlifts Aren't Inherently Dangerous 10:19 Pain vs. Actual Tissue Damage 10:57 Disc Bulges in Asymptomatic People 14:27 The Benefits of Deadlifting 16:06 Immediate Steps for Acute Back Pain 18:29 Reintroducing Safe Movement Patterns 23:49 The Reality of Long-Term Maintenance 24:42 Common Mistakes After an Injury For full show notes and resources visit https://jen.health/podcast/464 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.