ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Recurring injuries are often not just about bad luck, poor form, or one wrong movement. In this episode, Dr. Greg Jones sits down with Dr. Stefi Cohen, Doctor of Physical Therapy, strength coach, entrepreneur, and world-record powerlifter, to explain why injuries keep coming back and how training load, tissue capacity, recovery, and pain science all shape long-term healing.
They discuss why active people often experience recurring back pain, shoulder injuries, and training setbacks even when they are doing “the right exercises.” This conversation also covers the role of deadlifts, lifting technique, efficient movement, early injury management, shoulder pain red flags, regenerative medicine, PRP, prolotherapy, peptides, and practical ways to build a stronger, more resilient body.
If you are an athlete, coach, clinician, or active adult trying to recover from injury, train smarter, and prevent setbacks, this episode offers a clear framework for improving performance while respecting recovery.
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📌 About Dr. Stefi CohenDr. Stefi Cohen is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, strength coach, entrepreneur, and 25-time world-record-holding powerlifter. She made history as the first woman to deadlift 4.4 times her body weight in competition and has dedicated her career to helping athletes and active adults train smarter through evidence-based principles.
Her work focuses on pain science, injury recovery, strength training, performance, and bridging the gap between rehabilitation and high-level training. Through the Institute of Strength Training, Dr. Cohen educates coaches, clinicians, and athletes on practical strategies for improving movement, managing pain, and building long-term resilience.
📌 Learn More About Dr. Stefi Cohen Website: https://instituteofstrengthtraining.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrStefiCohen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steficohen/ Training Programs: https://www.hybridperformancemethod.com/
📌 Connect with Dr. Greg Jones Book Dr. Jones to speak at your next event: https://www.drjonesnmd.com/ Enovative Wellness Center: https://enovativewellness.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorjones_doctorjones/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GregJonesNMD YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrGregJonesNMD Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2QrMGwCIGo1kjdezfCyYDK
🔗 Authoritative Resources & Further Reading • MRI findings, disc degeneration, and low back pain https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26359154/ • Recent clinical practice guidelines for low back pain managementhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38693474/ • Training load capacity and injury riskhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34124660/
🔬 TimestampsIntroduction to Dr. Stefi Cohen (00:00 - 03:04)
Combining strength training and physical therapy (03:04 - 04:24)
Why injuries happen in active people (04:24 - 05:17)
The biggest mistake athletes make when training (05:17 - 08:37)
Why pain should not be ignored (08:37 - 10:03)
Understanding low back pain and recurring injuries (10:03 - 13:03)
When an MRI does not explain your pain (13:03 - 16:16)
Should you rely on imaging or function? (16:16 - 18:21)
Coaching athletes through pain and injury (18:21 - 19:25)
Why deadlifts do not cause injuries (19:25 - 21:15)
Is there really a “perfect” lifting technique? (21:15 - 25:44)
Efficient movement vs. perfect form (25:44 - 30:55)
What to do during the first 72 hours after a back injury (30:55 - 34:35)
Why shoulder injuries are so common (34:35 - 37:39)
When shoulder pain needs more than exercise (37:39 - 41:36)
Recognizing the warning signs of a serious shoulder injury (41:36 - 44:31)
Regenerative medicine, PRP, prolotherapy, and peptides (44:31 - 50:20)
Building resilience through smarter training (50:20 - 55:42)
Key takeaways for preventing recurring injuries (55:42 - 01:00:28)
