I Love Neuro: Recent Episodes
Erin Gallardo and Claire McLean
We are a couple of neurologic physical therapists on the quest to keep the passion, commitment, and possibilities alive for those who love neuro rehab and wellness like us, without burnout and overwhelm. This show is great for neuro therapists and trainers looking to stay up to date and make a greater impact. Join us in this important movement to elevate healthcare!
What do you do when the most evidence-based intervention you have is also the one your patient is "not allowed" to receive? Constraint-induced movement therapy has decades of research behind it, yet its exclusion criteria — especially around cognitive impairment — rule out a huge share of the stroke survivors clinicians actually see. In this episode, hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS, and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS, talk with neuro OT Briana Elson, MS, OTR/L, BCPR, CBIS, about her decision to try modified CIMT with an 86-year-old stroke patient who had significant cognitive impairment and underlying dementia — a textbook exclusion — and why his profile, a left-handed man whose affected side was his dominant hand, made forced use feel natural and salient rather than confusing. Briana walks through how she built the protocol around safety and supervision in inpatient rehab: getting a physician order for the constraint mitt, educating and enlisting his wife, keeping a consistent daily schedule, breaking the three-to-six hours into non-consecutive blocks, and removing the mitt before late-day sundowning. She shares the outcomes that surprised even her skeptics — meeting the minimal detectable change on the Box and Block Test and a standardized motor scale within roughly thirteen days, plus real gains in grooming and feeding independence — alongside the honest caveats, including that his cognition never improved and that real-world delivery never looks as clean as the published article. It's a practical, encouraging conversation about reading the research, respecting its limits, and giving more patients a shot at an intervention they're usually told they can't have.
What happens to your neuro patients after they leave your care, and who's in their corner when the discharge falls apart? In this episode, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS, sits down with Kimberlie Williams-Feth, BSW, founder of Healthcare Survival Kit and a former hospital social work discharge planner who became an independent patient advocate after living the system's failures firsthand. When her husband's routine spinal fusion led to unexpected paralysis, Kimberlie navigated unsafe discharges, a "ghost network" of providers who didn't actually offer neuro care, and the months it took to find neuro PT and OT all while working full time and holding her family together. She shares the green/yellow/red scripting framework she teaches families, why a rushed discharge can leave patients financially liable the moment they say "no," and the three deceptively simple questions every clinician should ask: what did life look like before, what can you do now, and what are your goals. For neuro PTs, OTs, assistants, and students, this is a candid look at the holes in the system clinicians can't fill alone and the advocates who exist to fill them. Find an advocate by state or diagnosis at GNAnow.org (Greater National Advocates).
www.healthcaresurvivalkit.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlie-williams-feth/
https://www.tiktok.com/@healthcaresurvival
https://www.facebook.com/healthcaresurvivalkit/
https://www.instagram.com/healthcaresurvivalkit/
Greater National Advocates: https://gnanow.org
What if a patient who is years — even decades — out from their stroke could still make meaningful gains in their affected arm? In this episode, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS, talks with Mason Hearn, PT, DPT, NCS, about Vivistim, the FDA-approved paired vagus nerve stimulation system for chronic ischemic stroke, and why the "paired" piece — stimulation delivered in the same moment as intensive, task-specific therapy — is what makes it work. Mason breaks down the triple-blinded RCT behind the device, why patients an average of three years post-stroke saw two to three times greater improvement on the Fugl-Meyer, and how the real-world results coming out of clinics are landing even higher. This episode gets into what the protocol actually asks of patients (90-minute sessions, three times a week, 300–500 reps), how at-home "swiping" turns everyday tasks like getting dressed or cutting into a baked potato into neuroplasticity-building practice, who is and isn't a candidate, and how therapists can think about screening and advocacy without feeling like they're "referring someone for surgery." It's a hopeful, practical conversation about giving chronic stroke survivors real agency over the next stage of recovery and the clinicians who can open that door for them.
Learn more at:
Vivistim.com
https://www.vivistimacademy.com/
Here is the safety profile: http://www.Vivistim.com/safety
What happens to a family when "wellness" stops meaning saunas and cold plunges and starts meaning keeping the lights on? In this episode, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS, talks with Russell Meyerowitz, founder of the Parkinson's Wellness Fund, about how the needs of families living with Parkinson's have shifted from health-and-wellness support toward urgent emergency relief — and what that means for the clinicians who serve them. Russell shares why his organization issues no-judgment relief grants for everything from walkers and ramps to groceries and utility bills, why they're now fielding two to three applications every 24 hours, and how those years on the front lines led to the launch of Raya Health, a subscription-based care-coordination platform that keeps a family's medications, appointments, documents, and clinical notes in one shared place. He and Erin dig into the continuity-of-care gaps neuro clinicians see every day, why care coordination is crucial, and the forthcoming "Ask Raya" feature for surfacing medication and exercise trends over time. It's a warm, candid conversation about being proactive instead of reactive — and about having a stranger in your corner when Parkinson's makes life feel like survival.
Links mentioned:
Parkinson's Wellness Fund — parkinsonswellnessfund.org
Raya Health — raya-health.com
Instagram: Parkinson's Wellness Fund and Raya Health HQ
Use this promo code for 100% free access to Raya Health! RAYALOVESNEURO
Are the heart rate formulas we've been using actually working for our patients with Parkinson's? In this episode, hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS, and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS, discuss with Cielita Lopez-Lennon, PT, PhD candidate in Rehabilitation Science at the University of Utah, her recently published research on refining maximal heart rate estimation for people with Parkinson's disease. The conversation digs into why standard formulas like 220 minus age systematically overestimate max heart rate for people with autonomic dysfunction, what chronotropic incompetence actually means in practice, and how Claire has been applying — and adapting — the research findings in real time at Rogue. If you're prescribing high intensity exercise to your neuro patients, this episode will change how you think about whether they're actually hitting the dose.
www.linkedin.com/in/cielita
Research article: Refining Maximal Heart Rate Estimation to Enhance Exercise Recommendations for Persons With Parkinson Disease — https://www.archives-pmr.org/article/S0003-9993(25)00626-4/fulltext
Listen to the previously recorded episode where Claire shares the rationale and the formula she created (which you get access to!) Episode 302: https://www.neurocollaborative.com/blog/applying-a-new-calculation-for-max-heart-rate-in-pd
What would it look like if your patients stopped fearing the floor? In this episode, hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS, and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS, discuss with Naomi Casiro, physiotherapist and founder of Neuro Fit Academy, what happened when her falls training sessions at World Parkinson Congress drew over 100 attendees in a room designed for 40. They dig into why patients with Parkinson's are starting to demand falls training themselves, and how that overwhelming response reflects a massive gap in what clinicians are currently being taught. Naomi recently launched her FMF — Functional Movement and Falls Training — Foundations online course through Neuro Fit Academy — a six-hour program built for PTs, OTs, and any neuro rehab clinician who wants practical, immediately applicable falls training skills without needing to wait for an in-person course to come to their city. The course includes PDF clinical guides, problem-solving resources, and twice-yearly office hours with Naomi directly. If you've ever felt unsure about how to actually teach a patient to fall safely, this course was built for you.
Learn more about the course here! www.neurofitacademy.org
In this episode, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews BioXtreme CEO Eyal Samuel Shachar and researcher Dr. James Patton, PhD about BioXtreme's robotics-based neurorehabilitation devices, with a focus on their Plaxtream hand system. Inspired by founder Nini Bluman's experience helping his father recover hand function after a stroke, Plaxtream combines robotic hardware, engaging game-based activities, and an AI-driven, adaptive error augmentation approach to improve grasp, release, pronation, and supination. Dr. Patton explains how error augmentation—strategically amplifying movement errors within an optimal "sweet spot"—can accelerate neuroplasticity and learning, and he shares clinical findings showing functional gains using standardized measures like Fugl-Meyer and Wolf Motor Function tests. The guests discuss how the device personalizes training based on each person's range of motion and strength, supports patients from early to chronic stages (with both active and assistive modes), and is designed for in-clinic use. They also highlight BioXtreme's rapid, feedback-driven development process, the importance of close collaboration between engineers and clinicians, and new opportunities for therapists to get involved in research, education, and U.S. market expansion efforts.
Learn more here!
https://www.bioxtremerobotics.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/3138999/admin/dashboard/
Find Dr. Patton here:
sites.google.com/uic.edu/pattonj
In this episode hosts, Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS share their excitement and plans for attending the 2026 World Parkinson Congress (WPC) in Phoenix, Arizona, a unique international conference that brings together people with Parkinson's, care partners, therapists, physicians, and researchers. Drawing on their past experiences at WPC in Montreal, Portland, and Kyoto, they describe how special it is to attend this event as a full team this year, staying together in an Airbnb and connecting with colleagues and members from around the world. They highlight what makes WPC stand out from typical scientific meetings: its interdisciplinary focus, community-centered vibe, extensive wellness and exercise programming, creative projects, and direct involvement of people with Parkinson's in scientific discussions. Claire and Erin also walk through the rich scientific and wellness schedule—from plenary lectures on cutting-edge research and prevention to workshops, round tables, debate-style "controversy" sessions, and a robust wellness program featuring exercise, meditation, and caregiver support. They close by emphasizing how WPC advances both research and advocacy, and by promising a follow-up conversation after the congress to share key takeaways and lessons learned.
We recorded this before heading to WPC — stay tuned for our follow-up episode with everything we learned!
Is work-life balance an elusive concept you have yet to master while running your life and neuro biz? In this episode, hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS discuss the topic with NeuroBiz Coach, Emily Duval Ledger. Many clinicians start businesses to escape traditional job burnout but then recreate the same patterns by overworking and glorifying busyness. In the show we talk about recognizing when "busy" becomes unproductive, using tools like time-blocking, planners, and realistic daily priorities to focus on high-impact tasks and reduce urgency overload, but, really, it is about much more than just "tools." The topic of metacognition—noticing and questioning automatic thoughts about productivity—comes up. We encourage business owners to listen to signals like dread and frustration, realign work with the clients and tasks that energize you and continually adjust your business models to support long-term well-being for yourself and your team.
Dive into AI tools in your personal life, work life and business by learning what to use, how to use it and how NOT to use it. In this episode, hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS talk with physical-therapist-turned-entrepreneur Dr. Shanté "Movement Maestro" Cofield, PT, DPT, OCS about what AI is and how it can practically support health and fitness professionals. Shanté explains AI in simple terms as powerful computer programs called large language models (LLMs) that use math and probability to predict the most likely next word, making it possible for us to just "talk" to a chatbot and get useful outputs, even though the AI itself doesn't truly understand what it's saying. The conversation covers how AI can help with everyday, non-hands-on tasks like writing recommendation letters, drafting emails, creating presentations, automating small workflows (like forwarding utility bills), and building custom dashboards, all of which save time and let clinicians focus more on people instead of paperwork. The episode also touches on valid concerns about privacy and environmental impact, with Shanté encouraging a nuanced, "both-and" mindset: be informed and cautious, but also recognize that many of our tools already use AI and that the biggest gains come from offloading repetitive, non-client-facing work while keeping human creativity and connection front and center. The episode closes with resources for learning more, including Shanté's AI-focused project "Prompting Curiosity" and her main platform, The Movement Maestro, and an invitation for clinicians to simply start experimenting so they can see for themselves where AI helps and where it falls short.
Prompting Curiosity website - www.promptingcuriosity.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themovementmaestro/
Has your clinic adopted AI for documentation yet? If not (or if so!) check out this episode to learn about how it can transform your time and allow you to do your job unfettered. Hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS interview Sparky instructor Jamie Haines, PT, DScPT, NCS about how AI-powered documentation is transforming her life in the clinic, and how without it she would not have returned to the clinic after being in academia. Neuro physical therapists have long struggled to balance hands-on care with time-consuming paperwork. In this conversation, Jamie, a PT of over 30 years, who would not call herself "techy" shares how using an AI scribe layered onto her EMR has been a true game changer after returning to full-time clinical work. By wearing a microphone and letting the system transcribe and organize her notes, Jamie can stay fully present with patients, capture richer and more accurate subjectives, and generate skilled, compliant documentation in just a few minutes. Over time, the AI learns her common tests, goals, and language, even translating lay terms into professional wording and clearly articulating clinical decision-making. While some clinicians are initially hesitant to learn a new system, Jamie's experience highlights how AI can reduce burnout, improve audit readiness, and finally let therapists do what they do best—focus on creative, high-quality care—without being buried by documentation. You'll get tips for teaching it how to write things the way you want and what to do if your administrators are reluctant to get it for your clinic.
Let us know which system you're using and whether or not you love it! Send us a DM @neurocollaborative on IG
In this episode, hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS and JJ Mowder-Tinney, PT, PhD, NCS discuss the critical but under-addressed role of transitional movements in neurologic rehab, especially for people with conditions like MS, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and spinal cord injury. In the show we'll highlight how traditional therapy often focuses on sitting, standing, and walking, while many real-life challenges involve moving through positions such as supine, prone, quadruped, kneeling, and floor-to-stand. Claire and JJ share clinical experiences showing that training mobility in these varied positions can transform posture, confidence, bed mobility, fall recovery, and functional independence, even when research and standardized assessments lag behind. We also emphasize the need for objective, time- or repetition-based measures of transitions, discuss safety and buy-in for both therapists and patients, and note how clinicians may be able to use more creative, high-skill interventions. We'll talk you through what a session could look like taking a patient through the transitional movements you want to train them in and why it matters.
For more education on this - and a visual - join us for a free webinar on June 2nd!
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86927822993
To get mentorship and continuing education on the latest evidence-based techniques you can apply immediately, join NeuroSpark! Learn more at www.joinneurospark.com
Want to learn more about Remote Therapeutic Monitoring in neuro? In this episode, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS speaks with physical therapist and former clinic owner turned digital health leader Sarah Anestam, PT, MSPT and practice owner Katie Wadland, PT, DPT, GCS about how the OneStep app and remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) are transforming outpatient and home-based rehab. Sarah explains how OneStep uses smartphone sensors to turn everyday walking into objective gait and fall risk data, giving clinicians "gait lab in a pocket" insight into how patients move in real-world environments without extra hardware. Katie shares how her practice, Healthy Aging Physical Therapy, an outpatient-at-home practice has integrated OneStep to better serve older adults and people with neurologic conditions like Parkinson's disease, using the platform to track progress between visits, support home programs, and even synthesize large datasets for documentation and clinical decision-making. In the episode we'll break down the challenges and opportunities with different RTM systems, discuss the evolving RTM billing rules, give practical workflow tips, and demonstrate how RTM has created a meaningful new revenue stream while enhancing patient engagement, long-term monitoring, and community-based wellness initiatives such as fall prevention events. If you've wondered if RTM would work for your neuro clients and be worth your while, this is the episode for you!
Healthy Aging is on FB, IG and Youtube @HealthyAgingPT
HealthyAgingPT.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-anestam/
OneStep www.onestep.co
If you've used music in therapy sessions and found it helpful you're going to love this one! In this episode, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews Brian Harris, MA, MT-BC, NMT/F, FACRM, a board-certified music therapist and founder of MedRhythms, about how music, neuroscience, and technology are being combined to transform neurorehabilitation. Brian shares the powerful clinical experiences that led him from traditional music therapy into developing neurologic music therapy programs at Spaulding Rehab Hospital, where rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) produced remarkable gains in gait and function for people with stroke and brain injury. To scale access beyond what one clinician can provide and take this evidence-based intervention into the home, he founded MedRhythms. They created prescription digital therapeutics that use wearable gait sensors, bone-conduction headphones, and "clinical thinking" algorithms to deliver personalized, music-based gait training at home for people with chronic stroke and Parkinson's disease. Now FDA-listed and supported by Medicare reimbursement, MedRhythms' products marry evidence-based neurorehab with user-friendly design, familiar music via a partnership with Universal Music Group, and ongoing clinical research to expand into additional neurologic conditions—bringing high-quality music-based rehab to more people who need it.
MedRhythms
www.medrhythms.com
www.intandemrx.com
www.movive.com
https://www.facebook.com/MedRhythms
https://www.linkedin.com/company/medrhythms
Fall risk for older adults is manageable, modifiable and, guess what? They are capable of owning more of the responsibility than we've been giving them credit for! In this episode, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews Dr. Tiffany Shubert, PT, PhD, a physical therapist, researcher, and healthcare innovator dedicated to turning strong evidence into practical tools for clinicians and older adults. Tiffany shares how her journey from clinician to PhD and then into digital health led her to champion the Otago Exercise Program and other proven fall prevention strategies. She discusses the realities of implementing programs in the U.S. healthcare system, the need for user-friendly technology, and the power of simple, consistent strength and balance training to meaningfully reduce fall risk at any age. Tiffany gives practical advice for what to implement in your practice today to start making a difference and encourages listeners to think bigger about the impact you can make.
NCOA Falls Free Checkup Checklist
Open source videos of Otago Exercise Program to share with everyone:
Video 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmZO_EPoB4k
Video 2 - https://youtu.be/gO74v4VnfX4?feature=shared
Video 3 - https://youtu.be/xxzDtLqZBro?feature=shared
Video 4 - https://youtu.be/ZdJAsPqPqzs?feature=shared
Are you using AI to improve your workflow as a clinician or a business owner? Are you really? Or are you still scared of it? This episode explores how Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS and the Rogue Physical Therapy & Wellness team are integrating AI into their practice to save time, improve documentation, and enhance client care so they can do more of what they love and bring enjoyment to the tasks they used to dread. Claire shares how tools like the Plaud NotePin and Claude have transformed consultations and one-on-one notes, streamlined standardized Parkinson's wellness assessments, and supported data management projects. She also explains how AI has helped her overhaul hiring and HR processes, from interview forms and training programs to a comprehensive benefits manual, as well as solve technical issues with their video library and build a more efficient, automated timesheet system. Beyond operations, Claire is using AI to design an onboarding "roadmap" for new online members and to quickly generate polished, research-informed handouts from her presentation slides. AI isn't replacing therapists, but instead offloading repetitive administrative tasks so clinicians can spend more time doing the work they love with people. Get on board and get inspired. New ideas will sprout while you listen to this episode!
For more learning check out Dr. Shanté Cofield aka The Maestro's podcast Prompting Curiosity
In this episode, hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS interview physical therapist and inventor Erica Demarch, PT, MSPT about her work at the intersection of neuro rehab, motor learning, and wearable technology. Erica shares how her background founding her company, Step and Connect where she developed the Balance Matters system led her to join Magnes, a Swiss company that created NUSHU, a smart shoe with embedded sensors and vibrotactile feedback designed to analyze and improve gait in real time. She explains how the shoes capture over 35 gait parameters, support both assessment and treatment, and can be used in the clinic or at home, particularly for people with Parkinson's disease and those experiencing freezing of gait. Erica discusses current and ongoing research, practical clinical use cases, challenges like individual variability in vibration perception, and the need to individualize cueing strategies. She also describes implementation models for clinics, emerging possibilities for remote monitoring, and her efforts to train and collaborate with clinicians through demos, courses, and networking events to further refine and expand the clinical applications of this technology.
ericad@magnes.ch
Learn more at: magnes.ch
Follow on IG: @magnes_nushu
Eager to learn more about vision rehab in neuro? In this episode, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS talks with optometrist Melissa Zarn, OD, FAAO, FNAP and occupational therapist David Katz, OTR/L, CBIS about current advances in neuro-visual rehabilitation and updates within the Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA). They describe how NORA's clinical skills fellowship program has evolved into a hybrid model with asynchronous online coursework plus in-person hands-on training across three levels, increasingly emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration among OTs, PTs, speech therapists, and neuro-optometrists. A major focus of the conversation is the role of the autonomic nervous system in post-brain injury visual symptoms such as light sensitivity, headaches, dizziness, and sensory overwhelm, and how tools like tinted lenses, environmental modifications, and team-based care can help calm the system and improve function. They also highlight new opportunities for PTs and OTs to deepen their vision rehab skills through NORA's annual conference, the growing community of practice within AOTA around neuro-visual remediation, and starter resources like NeuroCollaborative's vision rehab course for clinicians who want to go further in this specialty area.
Learn more about Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA) here: https://noravisionrehab.org/
Learn about NORA's annual conference:
https://noravisionrehab.org/about-nora/annual-conferences/2026-annual-conference
email: dvkatz14@gmail.com
Practical Vision Therapy for Neurologic Conditions Course
Vestibular rehabilitation is incredibly effective at treating dizziness, yet barriers exist. Just to name a few - access to expert care, scheduling, ability for patients to adhere to home programs and billing. What if there were a device that helped not only with all of those issues while also helping clinicians get vestibular patients better? The Vertigenius may just be the answer! In this episode, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews experienced physiotherapist and Vertigenius inventor and founder, Dr. Dara Meldrum, PhD as well as Sparky and neuro biz owner using Vertigenius in practice, Hilary Register, PT, DPT, NCS, AVPT, NCPT to explore how it works. Dara explains how the FDA‑listed medical device combines a small head sensor worn behind the ear, a patient app, and a clinician portal. Vertigenius offers clinicians the opportunity to prescribe precisely dosed gaze, balance, gait, and habituation exercises with real‑time color‑coded feedback, while capturing objective data on symptoms and adherence. She shares the origin story of the technology, its validation against gold‑standard measures, and its role in expanding access to care and supporting both novice and expert clinicians, especially in telehealth and remote therapeutic monitoring. As an experienced vestibular rehab clinician and researcher herself, she ensures the device is completely evidence-based and constantly evolving as the research grows. Hilary describes how she uses Vertigenius in private practice and concussion rehab to reduce in‑person visit burden, track meaningful functional gains patients often don't recognize, offer high touch points to progress plans of care and design cost‑effective care packages that still feel highly personalized. Together, they highlight how this digital platform can improve outcomes, clinician efficiency, and patient empowerment in managing dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance.
Learn more and set up a demo:
https://vertigenius.com
FaceBook: Vertigenius
IG: @vertigenius
Are you a business owner looking to increase revenue streams and add more cash-based services into the mix? In this episode host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and NeuroBiz coach Emily Duval Ledger explore how personal trainers can significantly strengthen neuro-focused businesses by offering wellness sessions that complement therapy. This is a 100% collaboration over competition focus and you'll learn exactly who to look for to hire in your neuro biz. The benefits to having personal trainers is that this service can clearly separate insurance-based medically necessary care from ongoing cash-based wellness, improve client outcomes, and dramatically increase client lifetime value. Emily shares her 20-year journey as a self-employed fitness professional working with people with Parkinson's and older adults, emphasizing that trainers bring a distinct strength and conditioning lens that complements PT expertise. Together, Erin and Emily dive into practical considerations like how to price and pay trainers sustainably, who the ideal hires are, and how to write job descriptions that attract people who genuinely love working with older adults and neuro populations. They also discuss membership and package models to create consistent revenue and foster client commitment, stressing the importance of honest, direct conversations about what it truly takes for clients to see meaningful change. They close by encouraging neuro business owners to embrace their uniqueness, think creatively about integrating trainers, and reach out with questions or ideas as they grow their own "unicorn" practices.
Working with people with dementia and their care partners can be complicated and confusing. What does the evidence say is the best approach? Is it rehabilitative or habilitative?? In this episode, hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS interview occupational therapist and Dementia Collaborative founder Rachel Wiley, MS, OTR/L about her approach to working with people with dementia and their care partners. Rachel shares how past experiences with conflicting recommendations between professionals—and the confusion and mistrust this caused for families—motivated her to create a more advanced, evidence-based program that gets teams using the same language and approaches, especially around topics like rehabilitation vs. habilitation, assistive devices, responsive behaviors, and fall risk. She explains her practical, detective-style framework for understanding and managing responsive behaviors (like waking at night or agitation) by identifying triggers and using strategies such as acknowledge–reassure–redirect and meaningful routines. The episode also touches on the complexities of billing, maintenance care, and determining medical necessity in a progressive condition, emphasizing person-centered, ethical care that balances evidence, function, safety, and the realities of caregiving. Rachel recently launched the beta cohort of her new Certified Dementia Clinician (CDCn) Course, a 20-module, interdisciplinary training designed for OTs, PTs, SLPs, social workers, and other clinicians working with people living with dementia.
www.dementiacollaborative.com
www.daybydaydementiaconsulting.com
www.rachelwileyot.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-wiley-ms-otrl-cdp-80521079/
This is the episode that will help you understand the opportunities and functionality of dry needling! Host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews Tyler Niemack, PT, DPT, OCS, Functional Dry Needling Certified Specialist about how dry needling can be used not just to relax tight muscles, but to "reset" the neuromuscular system and improve function. Tyler, who teaches Dry Needling Certification courses for Evidence In Motion explains how PTs approach dry needling differently from acupuncturists, using their orthopedic and neurological assessment skills to decide whether to target spinal segments, peripheral nerves, or specific muscles. Through examples ranging from rotator cuff issues to stroke, spasticity, and Parkinson's disease, he describes using dry needling as not just a treatment tool but also a diagnostic. He also shares his 3 R's approach to treatment: Reset, Reinforce and Reload. They discuss fascia, pain perception, emerging research on how needling changes the brain's pain maps, and ongoing legal barriers in states where PTs still cannot perform dry needling. Tyler encourages clinicians to think of themselves as neuro-orthopedic specialists and to use neuroanatomy and sound clinical reasoning to get the most from this very promising intervention.
**Apologies for some tech malfunctions that occurred in the recording. They don't take away from the learning, but wanted to mention there are a couple of glitchy spots. Thank you for understanding!
Get in touch with Tyler here:
https://www.toetouchpt.com/
IG @toetouchpt
Email: tyler@toetouchpt.com
Sign up for a dry needling course with EIM here
Interested in looking at how a nonprofit clinic operates for neuro rehab? In this episode hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS interview co-founder Meagan George, PT, DPT, NCS about how she and her partners built a nonprofit, cash-based neuro clinic in Encinitas, California. After feeling constrained by insurance limitations in hospital systems, the trio incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 2021 with a mission to deliver intensive, goal-oriented PT, OT, and wellness services regardless of a person's financial situation. NeuroLab 360 operates using a scholarship program—reviewed and approved by their board of directors—to make care accessible, with about 30–40% of patients receiving financial support and everyone paying something to maintain commitment and value. Meagan shares how they've grown from three founders to a team of nine therapists, outfitted their gym-like clinic with donated and grant-funded specialty equipment like an AlterG and driving simulator, and built strong community ties through support groups, free and low-cost classes, and collaborations with local hospitals, researchers, and nonprofits. She also opens up about the real challenges of running a nonprofit—especially grant writing, budgeting with variable donations, and preventing burnout—while still staying true to their core mission of providing high-quality, high-intensity neuro rehab that isn't dictated by insurance.
www.neurolab360.com
https://www.instagram.com/neurolab360/
In this episode host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews Multiple Sclerosis specialist and researcher Dr. Herb Karpatkin, PT, DSc, NCS, MSCS to discuss how therapy for people with multiple sclerosis must be fundamentally different from approaches used for stroke, spinal cord injury, or TBI. In his research Herb discovered an incidental finding that led to more questions that he and his team wanted to investigate: does treadmill walking carry over to overground walking in persons with MS? In the show he explains the nuances of treadmill walking for persons with MS vs healthy controls and when to use it or not. Herb shares his framework on intermittent, high-intensity interval walking and strength training, which allow people with MS to push hard, rest, and achieve meaningful aerobic gains and functional improvements without excessive fatigue. Instead of telling people with MS they can't work hard or lift heavy, his research finds that to be absolutely untrue. Herb and Erin also discuss a couple of past patients who wanted to complete the MS Society 5k walk and what the training looked like and what could have been done differently. The topic of cooling came up and how to effectively implement this technique to allow persons with MS to do more without overheating.
Check out episode 233 with Herb
MS: Update on evidence based interventions to improve gait and balance 1.5 hour Mini Course
In this episode, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews the Motus Nova clinical team—occupational therapists Jamie Kurtz, MS, OTR/L, Keisha Burrous, OTR/L, CBIS, Amie Canning, MS, OTR/L, and Mirasol Jacobs, PT, DPT — about the Motus Hand and Motus Foot robotic devices for neurorehabilitation. The team explains how these FDA Class I medical devices provide active-assistive, game-based training at home to help patients achieve the high repetition doses (500–600 reps per day) needed for neuroplastic change, without replacing traditional therapy. Built on pneumatic "artificial muscle" technology, the devices adapt in real time to the user's movement, address tone and spasticity, and can be customized for a wide range of neurologic conditions, from stroke and MS to Parkinson's disease and Guillain-Barré. The conversation covers who is appropriate for the devices, how they integrate with inpatient and outpatient care, real-world success stories—including improved gait, grip strength, and mental health—and the practical steps for clinicians to refer patients, arrange demos, and navigate the 13‑month rental-to-own DME model now supported by a dedicated Medicare code, which means patients can get the device through their insurance and it does not impact their ability to get other durable medical equipment (DME). Overall, the episode highlights Motus Nova as an accessible way to extend evidence-based neuro rehab beyond the clinic and into patients' homes. You will likely have a patient (or several) who come to mind while listening to this, so check it out and learn more today!
Keisha Burrous LinkedIN
Motus Nova https://motusnova.com
Therapists! Contact Motus Nova with questions, schedule an inservice, or refer a patient here: clinical@motusnova.com
Do you work with people who have falls? Maybe you've seen that just training fall prevention isn't quite doing enough. In this episode hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS talk with physiotherapist Naomi Casiro, founder of NeuroFit BC and creator of the Functional Movement and Falls training paradigm about why adding falls training to an overall balance plan is imperative. We explore why traditional fall prevention—focused mainly on prevention—has not been enough, and why a two-part approach that includes both prevention and explicit "how to fall" training is crucial, especially for people with Parkinson's disease and older adults who are still falling at high rates. Naomi explains how teaching patients to roll, dissipate force, and land safely allows therapists to challenge them more intensively and functionally in rehab, while also preserving autonomy and true informed choice around mobility and assistive devices. They discuss how falls training progresses from simple, low-level skills on the mat rather than immediately falling from standing, the importance of repetition (even for those with cognitive impairment), and the central role of addressing anxiety. We also discuss how often providers themselves are scared to perform this training and what to do about it. Naomi shares how her background in martial arts and clinical experience with frequent fallers led to her "aha" moment about falls training, and previews upcoming opportunities to learn her approach through the NeuroFit Academy, an online Functional Movement and Falls Training Foundations course with NeuroCollaborative, live Q&A follow-ups, and a practical hands-on session at the World Parkinson Congress.
You can reach out to Naomi and learn more about the fall training courses she teaches for healthcare professionals here:
www.neurofitbc.com
www.neurofitbc.com/courses
Free exercise videos: www.neurofitbc.com/move
naomi@neurofitbc.com
In this episode host, Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS speaks with Chris McElderry, PT, DPT, NCS about how dry needling can be used in neuro rehab, particularly for people post-stroke. Chris explains why he pursued dry needling, how using it in PT differs from acupuncture, and walks through what a typical session looks like, including safety, side effects, and billing considerations. He shares clinical examples of using dry needling to address spasticity, hypertonicity, pain, and range of motion limitations, and discusses current research on short-term effects for spasticity and pain reduction. Erin and Chris also clarify the differences between spasticity and hypertonicity, touch on contracture management, and highlight where dry needling can be a useful adjunct—not a standalone cure—in helping neuro clients move and feel better.
Follow Chris McElderry, PT, DPT, NCS @theneuroguy_dpt
Ebrahimzadeh M, Nakhostin Ansari N, Abdollahi I, Akhbari B, Dommerholt J. Changes in Corticospinal Tract Consistency after Dry Needling in a Stroke Patient. Case Rep Neurol Med. 2024 Sep 14;2024:5115313. doi: 10.1155/2024/5115313. PMID: 39309410; PMCID: PMC11416164.
Fakhari Z, Ansari NN, Naghdi S, Mansouri K, Radinmehr H. A single group, pretest-posttest clinical trial for the effects of dry needling on wrist flexors spasticity after stroke. NeuroRehabilitation. 2017;40(3):325-336. doi: 10.3233/NRE-161420. PMID: 28222554.
Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Pérez-Bellmunt A, Llurda-Almuzara L, Plaza-Manzano G, De-la-Llave-Rincón AI, Navarro-Santana MJ. Is Dry Needling Effective for the Management of Spasticity, Pain, and Motor Function in Post-Stroke Patients? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pain Med. 2021 Feb 4;22(1):131-141. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnaa392. PMID: 33338222.
Núñez-Cortés R, Cruz-Montecinos C, Vásquez-Rosales P, et al. Effectiveness of dry needling in the treatment of spasticity in stroke patients: A systematic review. J Body Mov Ther. 2020;24(3):113-122.
Suputtitada A, et al. Emerging theory of sensitization in post-stroke muscle spasticity: Implications for dry needling and other interventions. Front Rehabil Sci. 2023;4:1169087.
Valencia-Chulián R, Heredia-Rizo AM, Moral-Munoz JA, Lucena-Anton D, Luque-Moreno C. Dry needling for the management of spasticity, pain, and range of movement in adults after stroke: A systematic review. Complement Ther Med. 2020 Aug;52:102515. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102515. Epub 2020 Jul 16. PMID: 32951759.
In this episode, Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews physical therapist Mariah King, PT, DPT from RISE Healthcare Group and Hiroki (Hiro) Kimura from Cyberdyne about the HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) robotic exoskeleton and its role in neurologic rehabilitation. They discuss how the HAL system reads patients' intent to move via surface EMG signals and converts those signals into assisted movement to drive neuroplasticity and functional recovery for people with spinal cord injury, stroke, TBI, Parkinson's disease, and progressive neuromuscular disorders such as MS, SMA, and muscular dystrophy. Mariah explains RISE's one-on-one outpatient model, how patients are evaluated for HAL use, typical dosing (2–3x/week over about 2 months), and the outcome measures they track, including 10-Meter Walk, 2-Minute Walk, 30-Second Sit-to-Stand, and TUG. She shares powerful case examples, including a person with MS who relies on a wheelchair for mobility progressing to prolonged standing and assisted gait, and another individual with MS whose falls dropped from several per month to just one across four months. Hiro digs into what makes HAL unique compared to other exoskeletons: its emphasis on intention-based control, the ability for therapists to visualize and shape EMG patterns (for example, reducing co-contraction), and asymmetric or joint-specific assistance tailored to each limb. They also touch on the different HAL configurations (lower limb, single-joint, lumbar), its current status as a clinic-based rehab device (not take-home), billing considerations, the new pediatric version and forthcoming wrist device, as well as opportunities for students, clinicians, and clinic owners to get involved with RISE's HAL programs.
Website: www.risehealthcaregroup.com
Instagram: risehealthcaregroup
Facebook: risehealthcaregroup
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risehealthcaregroup7766
Cyberdyne USA Inc.
https://www.cyberdyne.jp/english/
mariah@socalelitephysicaltherapy.com
In this episode, hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS discuss a new research article, "Refining maximal heart rate estimation to enhance exercise recommendations for persons with Parkinson's disease." Parkinson's is a multi-system condition and changes to the function of the autonomic nervous system are common. At times this can present as a person with PD having trouble reaching aerobic heart rate zones calculated based on age while they're performing high intensity exercise. Claire explains the challenges they've faced using standard heart rate formulas and color-zoned monitoring apps when many clients appear stuck in a "gray zone," likely due to this autonomic dysfunction and chronotropic incompetence common in Parkinson's. After exploring but struggling to access cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET)—the gold standard for determining true maximal heart rate—Claire finds this new study, which uses CPET data from a cycling trial to derive a more accurate regression-based equation for people with Parkinson's: 166 − (1.15 × age) + (0.60 × resting heart rate). She describes how they are now applying this formula in practice by calculating individualized max heart rates, manually updating values in their OnBeat app, and offering a public calculator via their website so people with Parkinson's and clinicians can easily generate appropriate training zones. This shift should make target zones more realistic, motivating, and safer. Listen to the show to easily incorporate this research into your practice today!
Pull up the article here (free full text available): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40194736/
Use Claire's calculator that uses the research-based formula here: https://www.roguept.com/cardio
In this episode of the I Love Neuro podcast, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews physical therapist and neuro rehab residency coordinator Jennifer Lazaro, PT, DPT, NCS about evaluating and treating people with long COVID and dysautonomia. Jennifer notes the similarities in presentation for individuals who have post-COVID those with other conditions affecting the autonomic nervous system, like concussion with cognitive fog, severe fatigue, post‑exertional malaise, dizziness, and orthostatic intolerance. She walks through practical assessment strategies such as active stand testing, symptom‑mediated exercise testing, and multi‑system screening to differentiate vestibular, cardiac, pulmonary, and autonomic drivers. Jennifer outlines how she starts with education on the autonomic nervous system, diaphragmatic breathing, and strict pacing, then progresses patients from supine conditioning through graded dysautonomia protocols like the Adapt protocol, emphasizing heart rate parameters, symptom monitoring, and buy‑in to "doing less to do more." She highlights the importance of interdisciplinary care with OT, speech, cardiology, neurology, and mental health, shares a powerful success story of a college student who returned to school after structured rehab, and offers real‑world strategies for self‑management using wearables, pacing tools, and lifestyle changes in sleep, hydration, and daily routines.
In this 300th episode, hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS invited long-time collaborator JJ Mowder-Tinney, PT, PhD, NCS to join so we could recap the best takeaways from Dendrite Expansion Days (DED), NeuroSpark's three-day, fully experiential education event for OTs and PTs. We share how Naomi Castro's "falling well" course progressed clients from floor work to standing falls in one session, describe hands-on equipment stations featuring frictionless sheets, BlazePod, Rifton, Saebo, UprightVR, and more, and highlight real client stories—especially Connor, a young man with severe ataxia who gained new independence and freedom using a transfer pole and the Rifton Pacer overground gait trainer. The conversation emphasizes why equipment can be a powerful ally in neuro rehab, the importance of collaborating with vendors and fellow clinicians, and how community events like DED spark practical, immediately applicable ideas for improving outcomes and patient autonomy. You'll gain insights to use in your practice today!
Do you feel ready for that next big step? A transition in your career like leaving your job to start your own business, or transitioning your side gig to full time, or hiring your first employee. Neither did any of us! In this episode hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS have a discussion with NeuroBiz coach Emily Duval Ledger about what it really means to be "ready" for big transitions like starting a business, leaving a job, or hiring your first team member. We share our stories like Claire and Emily opening brick-and-mortar gyms, Erin and Claire starting and building NeuroCollaborative, Erin transitioning from working in the clinic to going full time in NeuroCollaborative, and all of us navigating business entities, taxes, and imperfect systems. This discussion will help you see the way we worked through fear, uncertainty, and messiness. Learn from the mistakes we share and how we fixed them like when Claire's corporation paperwork was filed wrong. The episode closes with encouragement for listeners who are "ready-adjacent" to take the next step and an invitation to connect, join our biz group, or come on the podcast to talk through your ideas with us.
Join the NeuroBiz Besties free slack group!
Set up a discovery call with Emily here!
DM us on IG if you want to discuss your business questions
In this episode of the I Love Neuro podcast, hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS discuss a major Lancet Public Health systematic review and meta-analysis on daily steps and health outcomes in adults, shared from a post by movement disorders neurologist Dr. Michael Okun. Claire explains that the study, which pooled data from multiple cohorts using device-measured steps, found the number of steps per day that is associated with substantial health benefits, including about a 47% lower risk of all-cause mortality compared to less steps. This amount also demonstrated reductions in cardiovascular disease, dementia, depressive symptoms, type 2 diabetes, and falls, with some benefits even for people already living with chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease or cancer. Although 10,000 steps can still be a good target, the number revealed is both evidence-based and more realistic for many people, especially those with Parkinson's or other comorbidities that limit high-intensity exercise. We offer practical coaching strategies such as using wearables or phones to track steps, first establishing a baseline, then increasing by roughly 500–1,000 steps per day over weeks rather than rushing, and using accountability systems, step challenges, and percentage-of-goal metrics to keep motivation high and inclusive. Walking is our top exercise recommendation—accessible, adaptable, socially engaging, and powerful for long-term health and functional mobility—and we encourage clinicians to share the article with patients and help them set individualized, achievable step goals.
Find the full text article here: https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S2468-2667%2825%2900164-1
In this week's episode, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS is joined by OT mentor Briana Elson, MS, OTR/L, BCPR, CBIS to dive into one of the most essential topics in spinal cord injury rehab: bowel and bladder care. We unpack why every rehab professional (not just nursing) plays a role, how unmanaged bowel and bladder can lead to serious health issues, and practical strategies to support independence, dignity, and community reintegration. Brianna shares equipment ideas, education tips, and real-world problem-solving for both bladder and bowel programs, plus how this all connects to intimacy, relationships, and quality of life after SCI.
Resources:
- Follow Mason Ellis on YouTube and share with your patients!
- Find a peer mentor through Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation
- facingdisability.com
- https://www.sexualitysci.org/
- https://otafterdark.com/
- https://msktc.org/sci/factsheets/sexuality-sexual-functioning-after-sci
- https://craighospital.org/resources/sexual-function-for-women-after-spinal-cord-injury
**As a note there are a couple of corrections in the episode we wanted to make clear:
Bri may have misspoke… suprapubic catheters are placed below the belly button, not above.
She may have said you can wear a bag with it, but you don't always have to. Disclaimer would be to defer to urology.
We're getting techy!! On this week's episode hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS share a new tool that's changing everything at Rogue, Claire's wellness gym for people with PD. Claire confesses to using paper documentation until recently and is now entering the 21st century. What's propelling her into the "now" is a new tool she's been trying for a couple of weeks called the Plaud NotePin. It's a small, wearable, and HIPAA-compliant AI device designed for healthcare professionals that helps with documentation either in-session or via dictation after. This episode is simply meant to share experience and is not a promotion for the device. With documenation being everyone's number one complaint solutions are needed! We were not affiliates for Plaud at the time of recording, but because it has made such a difference we signed up since promoting things we love and that will help others is important to us. Claire makes a great case for how her team is using it and why she's loving it for clinicians. Driven by the universal challenge of time-consuming paperwork, Claire became inspired by other practitioners employing AI for faster documentation. Her search for an efficient, phone-free solution led to the adoption of the Plaud NotePin. While the Plaud NotePin has proven to be a major time-saver and easy to integrate into their workflow, some learning curve remains, especially regarding templates and integration with existing forms. The team is transparent about privacy, requiring client consent via an AI waiver and ensuring compliance with HIPAA standards and data security regulations. Both Erin and Claire are excited about how solutions like this can reduce administrative burdens, improve care quality, and potentially transform the future of healthcare documentation for clinicians and clients alike. The team is committed to ongoing testing, sharing updates, and exploring collaborative opportunities as AI continues to expand its role in their practice. This is the only one we have experience with, but we'd love to hear which one you're using to learn about all of the options out there!
Send us a DM on IG if you're using this or another AI tool for your documentation! @neurocollaborative
Check out the Plaud NotePin here
This week's episode is a little different. We wanted to give you a full view inside a VestiBesties mentorship call where Christina Garrity, PT, DPT, NCS interviewed a neuro-otologist she works with in Ohio, Dr. Jimmy Prueter. Dr. Prueter was invited to the conversation to help clinicians better understand when, why and which tests people with vestibular conditions should be getting. The conversation-style interview is between Christina and Dr. Preuter, taken straight from a VestiBestie webinar so you can have exclusive access! In the discussion they outlined the challenges associated with diagnosing dizziness, noting that ENT residency programs don't always adequately prepare physicians for complex vestibular cases. Dr. Prueter stressed that while some tests—such as VNG with calorics or VEMP—can be helpful in specific scenarios, the decision to order them should be driven by whether the results would actually impact clinical management. Particularly for acute vestibular hypofunction, a strong clinical suspicion based on history and examination might mean that testing is less essential, and prompt referral to vestibular rehab can prevent unnecessary delays. They highlighted that clear documentation from therapists AND teaching physicians how to find what they need in it can provide valuable context for physicians. Plus, educating primary care doctors about early referral to vestibular therapy might streamline the diagnostic process.
Send us a DM on IG if you want to join VestiBesties! @neurocollaborative
Follow Christina @vestibular_neuro_pt
In this episode of the I Love Neuro podcast host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS talks to Christian Leonakis, PT, DPT, Alanna Wathen, PT, DPT, and Danielle Parmenter, MOT, OTR/L, SCLV about Myomo and the MyoPro upper extremity myoelectric orthosis.
The world of neurological rehabilitation, innovation continues to push the boundaries of what's possible for patients recovering from stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other neurological conditions. Enter Myomo, a groundbreaking myoelectric orthosis that's changing lives one arm movement at a time.
This isn't just another medical device—it's a personalized technology that acts like a "helping hand" for individuals struggling with upper extremity mobility. Weighing approximately three and a half pounds, the Myomo device uses advanced EMG sensors to amplify even the smallest voluntary muscle contractions, allowing patients to regain functional movement.
What sets Myomo apart is its commitment to patient-centered care. The device isn't a one-size-fits-all solution but a custom-fitted orthosis that patients take home after approximately 10 weeks of specialized training. Designed to look almost like something out of a sci-fi movie—think Iron Man's arm technology—the device comes in customizable colors and helps patients perform everyday tasks like opening doors, carrying groceries, or even walking their dog.
The team behind Myomo, including clinical experts like Christian Leonakis, Alanna Wathen, and Danielle Parmenter, are passionate rehabilitation professionals who understand that recovery is a complex journey. They emphasize that while the device can be transformative, patients need realistic expectations: some might see compensatory improvements, while rare cases might experience significant neurological recovery.
With Medicare coverage now available and ongoing technological developments promised for 2026, Myomo represents more than just a medical device—it's a beacon of hope for those seeking to reclaim independence and functionality after neurological challenges.
For clinicians and patients interested in learning more, Myomo's website offers comprehensive resources and screening processes to determine individual suitability for this innovative technology.
https://myomo.com/
LinkedIn.com/in/alanna-wathen
linkedin.com/in/danielle-parmenter
Is treating dystonia making you stuck? Dystonia remains one of the most challenging neurological conditions for clinicians to understand and treat. In this episode, hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS talk to occupational therapist Leanne Vitale, MS, OTR/L about her holistic approach that goes far beyond traditional treatment methods.
Dystonia isn't just a movement disorder; it's a complex interplay of neurological, psychological, and sensory experiences. Leanne emphasizes that understanding dystonia requires looking beneath the surface—much like an iceberg, where visible motor symptoms represent only a tiny portion of the underlying condition.
The path to managing dystonia is not about finding a quick cure, but about comprehensive, patient-centered care. It involves addressing not just physical symptoms, but also psychological factors like stress, anxiety, and personal history. Leanne's approach integrates sensory retraining, nervous system regulation, and personalized strategies that help patients gradually reclaim control.
Crucially, treatment success depends on collaboration—between healthcare providers, and between the clinician and patient. It's a journey of patience, understanding, and gentle, consistent intervention. By recognizing dystonia's complexity and treating the entire person, not just the symptoms, clinicians can offer hope and meaningful improvement to those struggling with this challenging condition.
Are you looking for tools to challenge dynamic balance? Duh! Check out what makes the Gibbon SlackBoard different and how it can transform balance outcomes. In the episode, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews Derek Mikulski, BS, CSCS, CPT, National Director of Commercial Sales for Gibbon about what makes the SlackBoard different from other balance tools clinicians use, like foam pads and BOSU balls. Derek described his entrepreneurial journey that led him to Gibbon. The SlackBoard was born from a passion for fitness and personal transformation, and brings slack lining technology into clinics, schools, and homes. The SlackBoard offers an engaging, fun approach to improving body awareness and stability. With adjustable lines and scientific research underway, the board supports everything from rehabilitation to performance training for everyone from stroke survivors to professional athletes.
Check them out at www.gibbon-USA.com and save 10% with our affiliate code "neurocollab"
GIBBON North America, Inc.
On today's episode hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS talk with NeuroBiz coach Emily Duval Ledger about a topic many clinicians and business owners find intimidating: Money. This is exactly why we need to talk about it! Are you investing, saving, or putting systems into place in your business for money management and your future? If not, we understand. And we also want to help make this less overwhelming. Learn how to break down your financial goals and understand your true needs so you can create a business that supports both your professional passion and personal aspirations.
In the episode we'll discuss some surprising and easy ways you can understand your business finances and explore retirement savings options, health insurance costs and other necessities. While not legal or financial advice, learn about retirement options like SEP IRAs and 401(k) plans, high-yield savings accounts, and index fund investments. We'll walk you through it and show you how to build a business that supports your life in all the ways!
Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) are essential in neuro rehab yet can be an area clinicians feel a lack of knowledge. This episode is for the clinician who is both - super knowledgeable about AFOs, AND the clinician who could use more education. Hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS interview Dr. Jennifaye Brown, PT, MSPT, PhD, NCS, CAPS about her work transforming the way we think about ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) for stroke survivors. Her approach goes far beyond traditional medical practice, focusing on personalization, functionality, and patient empowerment. Her level of understanding on the topic will leave even seasoned therapists with insightful takeaways.
Dr. Brown doesn't just see AFOs as medical devices, but as tools that can dramatically improve a stroke survivor's quality of life. Her book, "Brace Yourself: Everything You Need to Know About AFOs After Stroke," was written to empower stroke survivors and their caregivers with comprehensive, accessible information about AFO selection and use. Yet there are important sections for healthcare professionals as well. It is an essential tool for the clinic.
With a PhD in exercise science and decades of clinical experience, Dr. Brown continues to push the boundaries of stroke rehabilitation. Her work reminds us that true healing goes beyond medical interventions - it's about understanding, adapting, and empowering individuals to live their best lives.
jvb physical therapy services, llc
Order ebook (Flipbook or PDF): jvbneuropt.com/book
Order paperback with a discount: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=JdGlFFzdjH8Avw7MNv9FrNN2fROIFyNbI638gxGLoSB
Website: jvbneuropt.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifaye-brown-pt-mspt-phd-ncs-caps/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-0M-apffkZl4vqjAqomd8g
How well are you incorporating the hemiparetic arm of your client into every treatment technique? Do you know when to use remediation vs compensation techniques? Let's talk about it! On today's episode host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Dr. Melissa Kimmerling, EdD, MOT, OTR/L dive into strategies for upper extremity recovery, focusing on patients with limited arm function after neurological injuries. Dr. Kimmerling, an occupational therapy expert, shares invaluable insights into helping patients maximize their arm's potential, even when movement is minimal.
The discussion centers on the critical concept of not abandoning the affected arm, but instead finding creative ways to integrate it into daily activities. Dr. Kimmerling emphasizes that recovery isn't an all-or-nothing process. Even a dependent arm can play a meaningful role in functional tasks. Key strategies include proper positioning, weight-bearing techniques, and incorporating the arm into bilateral activities. Mental imagery and mirror therapy emerge as powerful tools for maintaining neural pathways and sensory awareness. The experts stress the importance of helping patients feel independent, even if their movement looks different from before.
The conversation highlights the delicate balance between remediation (working to restore function) and compensation (finding alternative ways to complete tasks). Dr. Kimmerling shares personal experiences and clinical insights, reminding listeners that participation is always the ultimate goal - even if it's messy or imperfect.
FUEL upper extremity levels
In this episode, hosts Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS and Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS discuss a new service Claire added for members of Rogue, her Parkinson's wellness gym in southern California. She added weekly, open exercise coaching sessions for all members. She decided to add these sessions because after sharing research articles with members there were a lot of questions about how to actually implement the advice into their lives.
Claire shares the research articles that prompted the idea of adding exercise coaching, an article from Frazzitta (see link below). The researchers performed a month-long intensive treatment involving three hours of daily therapy for people with dyskinesias. The study showed significant improvements in mobility, with some participants even reducing their medication dosages.
Claire's coaching calls offer an opportunity to teach people how to ramp up their intense exercise, which modes make sense to the individual, how to deal with pain, understanding medication adjustments, etc. Claire recommends a few resources, including Dr. Eric Ahlskog's book "The New Parkinson's Disease Treatment Book" as an essential resource for understanding medication optimization and challenging common misconceptions about Parkinson's treatment. Tune in to determine whether this intervention would work for your setting and how to incorporate it!
Read the article here: Intensive rehabilitation treatment in parkinsonian patients with dyskinesias: a preliminary study with 6-month followup
The New Parkinson's Disease Treatment Book by Dr. J. Eric Ahlskog, PhD, MD
If you're a business owner you're probably doing (or trying to do) social media in order to get more clients. How's that going? Don't worry - we know it can be a challenge! In this week's episode hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS talked to Katie Nathan, PT, DPT, NCS owner of Move by Movement in Reno, Nevada, and NeuroBiz coach Emily Duval Ledger about Katie's recent change in her social media approach. She shifted from teaching to something more vulnerable yet professional in order to connect better with her prospective ideal clients. She shared how this shift has dramatically improved her engagement with clients, particularly those managing Parkinson's disease.
The key to her success was recognizing that her personal challenges could be a powerful tool for connection. By sharing lessons learned from her own experiences, she created a more meaningful relationship with her audience. She shares how to balance this approach so it's not over-sharing and what she does to channel her best ideas. You'll learn what you can do to approach your social media with your own authentic voice and the systems you can put into place so you can show up consistently without the stress.
Check out the past episode we did with Katie: Episode 220: Building a biz model mix of online and in-person with Katie Nathan, PT, DPT, NC
Moved by Movement
IG: @drkatiept
In this week’s episode hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS talk to Dharma Leggat from Superior Medical Equipment (SME) about some of the challenges and opportunities facing rehabilitation clinics. The discussion centered on how technology and strategic partnerships can help clinicians overcome industry hurdles.
They discussed the potential of artificial intelligence to transform clinical practice. From streamlining documentation to providing remote patient monitoring, AI offers potential solutions to reduce administrative burden and improve patient care. Leggat emphasized the importance of working with technology partners who truly understand the nuanced needs of healthcare professionals.
Since they had him on the show, host Claire, a clinic owner specializing in Parkinson's wellness programs, took the opportunity to voice some of her biggest challenges. She described her ideal management system - one that could track comprehensive patient data, monitor class attendance, and generate meaningful insights about patient progression. Her vision goes beyond traditional medical record keeping, aiming to create a holistic view of patient health and treatment effectiveness. Tune in for the discussion that ensued!
SME, Inc. USA - Superior Medical Equipment
https://www.smeincusa.com/
https://www.smeincusa.com/solutions - Check out SME’s new solutions surveyed from our client-base to help mitigate most common clinical pain points
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dharmaleggat/ - Connect with Dharma so that I could learn more about your clinic/practice and see how we might be able to help
This week’s episode of the I Love Neuro podcast explored an innovative rehabilitation technology that's allowing rehab professionals to incorporate multidimensional balance training in the safest, most objective way possible right now. Host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS is joined by Todd Gilbertson from MediTouch USA and Chris McElderry, PT, DPT, NCS to discuss the BalancedTutor treadmill.
Derived out of posturography technology this treadmill expands beyond assessment and actually allows clinicians to treat balance disorders to the whole spectrum of patients in a safe, effective and objective way - no jerry rigging required. As a clinician it benefits you to learn about the latest technology and equipment available, so this episode is simply to provide you with an inside peak conversation about a piece of equipment that is reducing falls and maximizing function for people with vestibular and balance disorders.
You’ll learn about the functionality of the system as well as hear from Chris McElderry, a clinician who has been using it in the clinic for 5 years. He shares how the device is able to create precise, graded perturbations that help patients build confidence and improve their functional mobility.
Todd Gilbertson emphasized the technology's versatility, noting that it can simulate real-world balance challenges like walking on uneven sidewalks or navigating crowded spaces. The treadmill's advanced features include 30 intensity levels of movement and the ability to create anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral perturbations.
Learn more about the BalanceTutor by going to https://www.meditouchusa.com
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/todd-gilbertson-b609b830
Email: todd@meditouchusa.com
Follow Chris at @theneuroguy_dpt
Episode 280: Using Blood Flow Restriction Training In Neuro With Chris McElderry, PT, DPT, NCS
Are you a mentor or expected to be one in your clinic? If you’re like most neuro clinicians you’re taking students and your colleagues are always picking your brain about their neuro patients. This episode was inspired by a Sparky question from Jackie who asked what do I need to do in order to become a good mentor? Hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS brought on Dr. Elise Ruckert, PT, DPT, EdD, NCS to teach us how to be a great mentor. Elise, a self proclaimed “educational pedagogy nerd,” has trained mentors for many years to regional and national audiences. She illuminates the nuanced world of mentorship, emphasizing that it's far more than a one-way transfer of knowledge. Instead, mentorship is a dynamic, bi-directional relationship where both mentor and mentee contribute and learn from each other. She challenges the traditional view of mentoring as simply imparting information, instead framing it as a collaborative journey of professional growth.
The discussion explores critical frameworks for effective mentoring, including Bloom's Taxonomy and Donald Schön's reflection types. These approaches help mentors ask more meaningful questions, moving beyond surface-level content to deeper levels of critical thinking and professional development. The discussion also expanded into the topic of interdisciplinary mentorship, with insights into how mentors can effectively work across different healthcare disciplines. The podcast emphasizes that mentorship extends beyond clinical skills, encompassing communication, professional development, and broader contextual understanding. Get practical advice for getting your mentorship program started.
Bloom’s taxonomy
Donald Schon reflection in action vs on action
Mezirow’s Transformative Learning
LinkedIn Website: www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-ruckert-43b470198
IG: Trellis Ed
We know that you know your neuro clients have a pelvic floor… but are you doing anything to help it?? You may be surprised how many of your clients have weak, tight, spastic, or flaccid pelvic floors, and the issues arising from this may be preventing them from fully engaging in their lives. If you want to help but don’t know where to start, this episode is for you! We break it down for the non-pelvic floor PT and give you the skinny on how to screen and incorporate an easy, functional progression of activities into what you’re already doing with your neuro clients. Grace Weiland, PT, DPT, CAPP-PH, a physical therapist specializing in pelvic floor therapy, shares her expertise on an often overlooked but critical aspect of treating pelvic floor dysfunction in neurological rehabilitation. Working in a rural critical access hospital, Grace highlights the importance of pelvic floor health for all patients, not just those with specific pelvic issues. She explains that pelvic floor dysfunction can significantly impact quality of life, leading to social isolation and reduced participation in activities.
Grace discusses how pelvic floor problems are common but not normal, emphasizing the need for healthcare providers to approach the topic professionally and sensitively. She offers practical strategies for screening and addressing pelvic floor issues, including breathing techniques, functional exercises, and subtle strengthening methods that don't require invasive interventions.
The conversation reveals the interconnectedness of pelvic floor health with overall body mechanics, highlighting how exercises targeting stability, balance, and proper breathing can improve pelvic floor function. Grace will be presenting a detailed webinar on this topic during the upcoming NeuroSpark quadrimester, breaking down approaches for different neurological impairments and providing clinicians with valuable tools to support their patients' comprehensive rehabilitation.
**A correction note from the episode: The pelvic floor co-activates when any of the following 4 muscles are activated: glute max, hip adductors, Transverse abdominus, obturator internus.
Incontinence Severity Index (ISI)
To get access to Grace's webinar go to www.joinneurospark.com to learn how to become a Sparky the next time NeuroSpark opens!
In this week’s episode hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS discuss how Claire is introducing a new exercise class at Rogue called "Stretch and Flow." This class was designed to meet members' requests for a gentler, more restorative exercise experience. The class will combine guided meditation, slow power moves, and breath work, offering a unique approach for people with Parkinson's and varying mobility levels.
In the show Claire will explain the structure of the class as well as the rationale for offering it in this way. She emphasizes that while the class is less intense, it's not meant to replace high-intensity workouts but to complement them. With both in-person and online options, the class aims to provide accessible, mindful movement for Rogue members.
The inspiration came from member feedback and Claire's observations about the benefits of meditation and breath work for managing Parkinson's symptoms. By offering a class that focuses on slower, more intentional movement, Rogue hopes to support members' overall wellness and provide a recovery-focused option that can help reduce freezing and dyskinesia.
We’ll also discuss the process for adding a new class, how you know when it’s the right time or if a new class isn’t going to cut it as well as how to decide when to offer it during the schedule. Claire is optimistic about the class's potential and looks forward to seeing how members respond to this new approach to exercise and wellness.
In this week’s episode, NeuroBiz coach Emily Duval Ledger shares with hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS the lessons she’s learned so far from attempting a hard thing: Learning to roller skate at 48 years old. Emily decided to try something new. Something she wasn’t inherently good at and through her roller skating experience, she’s picked up lessons that overlap with the things business owners need to keep in mind.
She describes how her initial skating lessons put her face to face with the biggest thing she wanted to avoid - falling - and why it ended up being the best thing. Emily emphasizes that successful entrepreneurs often emerge from previous failed ventures, and approaching challenges with curiosity instead of anxiety can lead to greater success.
The episode highlights the importance of infusing fun and playfulness into learning, demonstrating how pairing skill practice with lighthearted conversation can reduce performance pressure and enhance creativity. Emily argues that leaving space for joy allows individuals to be more nimble and innovative in both personal pursuits and professional environments.
Her final lesson focuses on "softening" when encountering obstacles - maintaining flexibility and a relaxed mindset when navigating unexpected business challenges, much like adjusting one's stance while roller skating over uneven terrain. By sharing her vulnerable learning process on her "Silver Skate Girl" Instagram account, Emily hopes to inspire others to step out of their comfort zones and embrace new experiences.
The conversation ultimately celebrates continuous learning, community support, and the value of approaching life's challenges with openness, humor, and resilience.
You can follow Emily on her skating journey @silverskategirl
Neuro rehab / neuro wellness… if you’re listening to this podcast chances are anything you’re doing is skilled! On today’s show you’re going to be inspired by Chris McElderry, PT, DPT, NCS as he shares his journey with host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS. Chris went into PT with a sports focus but quickly realized neuro was where it’s at. After completing his neuro residency and working full time in outpatient he was compelled to expand. He wanted to provide inspiration and ideas to other clinicians on social media and also grow his own wellness side gig.
Chris, also known as @theneuroguy_dpt founded The Neuro Guy LLC, a wellness and coaching company, in 2022. In this episode he talks about how he overcame hesitation and fear of doing neuro wellness outside of the insurance model and prioritized giving people what they needed to thrive. One of the treatment interventions he’s using is blood flow restriction (BFR) training for neurological populations.
Chris explains the mechanism behind BFR training, a technique that uses specialized cuffs to partially restrict blood flow during low-intensity exercises. He describes the potential benefits for patients with conditions like stroke, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injuries, emphasizing its safety and effectiveness when properly implemented. He maintains that despite loads of research for BFR in the orthopedic population, it’s just emerging in neuro, and he’s ready for it to grow.
If you want to learn more about BFR in neuro, join us inside NeuroSpark when we open again Sept 16, 2025! Chris will be presenting an educational webinar on the topic inside! Learn how to join at www.joinneurospark.com
Follow Chris at @theneuroguy_dpt
Wonder if your documentation is up to snuff to pass an audit? Tune into this episode where hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS interviewed Phyllis Goldstein, a speech-language pathologist with extensive experience in Medicare audits and appeals! She shares her journey from clinical work to becoming an expert in navigating the complex world of therapy documentation and reimbursement. Phyllis emphasizes the critical importance of detailed, skilled documentation using precise language that explains exactly what makes their intervention unique and necessary.
The discussion explores the challenges therapists face, particularly in neurological specialties, when transitioning patients between skilled therapy and maintenance programs. Phyllis stresses the difficulty of determining when therapy becomes repetitive and no longer medically necessary, while acknowledging therapists' genuine desire to help patients maintain their functional abilities. She provides insights into the Medicare audit process, sharing her strategies for successfully appealing denied claims and her impressive 85-90% overturn rate. She also addresses the big question of are there a lot of cases of therapists going to court for charging cash for wellness services that should really be billed to Medicare as therapy?
Get in touch with Phyllis here:
410-382-900
Phyllis@pgconsultants.net
Have you ever been curious how a naturopath approaches medicine for a person with Parkinson’s? Turns out it’s super comprehensive. Spoiler alert - we couldn’t cover it all, but what you’ll learn from Dr. Tanya Denne, ND will blow your mind! Hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS learn about Dr. Denne’s journey into naturopathic medicine and her groundbreaking research on Mucuna pruriens, a botanical treatment for Parkinson's disease. Driven by a personal connection to neurological conditions through her grandmother's Alzheimer's, Dr. Denne discovered naturopathic medicine as a holistic approach to healthcare that goes beyond traditional Western medical treatments.
Her research focuses on Mucuna pruriens, a subtropical plant with remarkable potential for Parkinson's patients. Unlike traditional medications, Mucuna contains high levels of levodopa and offers multiple beneficial constituents, including amino acids, glutathione, and antioxidants. Dr. Denne emphasizes that the plant isn't a cure, but can potentially slow disease progression when used correctly.
The biggest challenge in using Mucuna is ensuring quality and proper dosage. Dr. Denne warns about widespread supplement adulteration, recommending patients work closely with qualified practitioners to source safe, effective products. She suggests using Mucuna as a complementary treatment to standard Parkinson's medications, particularly Sinemet, to optimize patient outcomes.
One of her most compelling case studies involves a patient whose Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) score dramatically improved from 27 to 8 through an integrative approach combining Mucuna, exercise, and foundational health optimization.
Patients interested in learning more can visit Dr. Denne's website at Dr Denne.com for consultations and further information about integrative approaches to neurological health.
www.doctordenne.com
DoctorDenne@gmail.com
IG @Dr.TanyaDenne
Ever dream of having a lively clinic space where all of your neuro dreams come true? In this episode Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS and Emily Duval Ledger, NeuroBiz coach dive deep into the challenging journey of finding and establishing a brick-and-mortar space for a neurological therapy and fitness business. They share candid insights about their personal experiences, emphasizing that the process is far more complex than traditional real estate hunting.
The conversation highlights the importance of starting small by renting space from others, which allows entrepreneurs to test their business model and understand their specific spatial needs without significant financial risk. Both Claire and Emily describe their initial steps of teaching classes in shared spaces like gyms, physical therapy clinics, and even parks before committing to a long-term lease.
Their discussion reveals the intricate negotiations involved in commercial leasing, including understanding different lease types, build-out costs, and landlord expectations. They stress the value of creativity in lease negotiations, such as reduced rent periods, longer lease terms with incremental increases, and finding landlords who genuinely want long-term tenants.
The podcast also delves into the practical challenges of renovations, with Claire sharing her experience of a $70,000 build-out that transformed a dated gym space into a perfect neurological wellness center. They candidly discuss unexpected costs, the importance of doing renovations comprehensively, and the need for spaces that can accommodate specialized equipment and exercise programs.
Tell your clients about Parkinson’s Wellness Fund grants!
If you’re anything like us you always want to do everything possible to help your neuro patients recover and improve as much as possible. On today’s show host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews Rose Tilton, OTR/L, OTD about an intervention that she took straight from the research to the clinic: spinal cord stimulation with transcutaneous stimulation. After learning about its applicability in the literature Rose was eager to use it with her patients but hit some road blocks. Finally she was in touch with the authors of a study who helped her and her colleagues become trained in using transcutaneous spinal stimulation on people with spinal cord injury. The clinicians found the intervention was not only simple to do but also very effective for maximizing outcomes in upper extremity rehab, lower extremity rehab, trunk control for balance, bowel and bladder and even sexual function. In today’s episode Rose breaks down exactly what you need to know in order to start using this intervention with your patients today using equipment you already have!
Gain clinical insights that will spark your curiosity to learn more in this episode. While you’ll learn exactly what to do, best practice dictates that you do additional research to ensure you have competency and clearance from your clinical state practice act to perform this intervention. Rose encourages therapists to stay curious, reach out to researchers, and be proactive in exploring new interventions that could transform patient outcomes.
Link to article discussed on the episode: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36188824/
In this episode of the I Love Neuro podcast, hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS sat down with Rachel Wiley, MS, OTR/L, CDP, an innovative occupational therapist who is transforming dementia care through her Dementia Collaborative. With over a decade of experience, Rachel has dedicated her career to supporting individuals living with dementia, their families, and healthcare professionals.
Rachel's journey began with a personal connection - her practice, originally named Day by Day Home Therapy, was inspired by her grandmother and aunts who lived with dementia. Recognizing the isolation in dementia care, she created the Dementia Collaborative, a membership-based community that brings together occupational therapists, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals to share knowledge and support.
After transitioning from direct clinical care to a consulting model, Rachel now focuses on family coaching, innovative research and education for healthcare professionals. She uses evidence-based approaches like the the Skills2Care framework, CARE checklist and framework, and the Green Activity Program study. The CARE checklist and framework is a tool she helped co-create that uses non-verbal cues to assess consent, protecting residents' dignity and right to human connection. She has a ton of resources for you to check out!
Skills2care framework - training for OTs
www.dementiacollaborative.com
www.daybydaydementiaconsulting.com
www.rachelwileyot.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-wiley-ms-otrl-cdp-80521079/
We know our listeners are lifelong learners and there are different ways to gain clinical excellence. On today’s show Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS talked to 4 occupational therapists who’ve completed an OT fellowship. Briana Elson, MS, OTR/L, BCPR, CBIS, Lindsey Talcott, MOT, OTR/L, Gianna Neutts, MS, OTR/L, and Jocelynn Aguilar, MSOT, OTR/L are here to discuss their experience and provide insights about OT fellowships and specifically the one they completed.
OT fellowships are intensive one-year programs that offer more than just additional training; they provide a comprehensive approach to mastering neurological rehabilitation. Fellows experience concentrated mentorship, rotate through diverse neurological settings, and develop a deep understanding of evidence-based practice that goes far beyond traditional clinical education.
The key motivation for pursuing a fellowship is clear: to become an exceptional clinician who can truly make a difference in patients' lives. The panel emphasized the importance of having at least a year of clinical experience before applying, demonstrating a strong work ethic, and showing a genuine passion for neurological occupational therapy. Also discussed are what the application process is like, the factors that would make you a competitive candidate and who is not a good fit for this type of program.
The programs are challenging, requiring fellows to balance full-time clinical work with additional educational commitments - do you want that? Graduates emerge with increased confidence, specialized skills, and a commitment to lifelong learning that sets them apart in their field.
Listen to the conversation and see which path you prefer to lead you to clinical excellence!
Wait, you mean you have to charge for your amazing services?! How scary!! The pricing conversation is a BIG one! If you’ve ever felt scared to ask for a dollar amount, to raise your prices or even did what most clinicians do and undercharged, this episode is for you! Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS, Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS, and Emily Duval Ledger, CPT dive deep into setting and raising prices for professional services. The key takeaway is clear: healthcare professionals often dramatically undervalue their expertise.
Many therapists and wellness professionals struggle with pricing, frequently charging far less than their services are truly worth. The hosts shared personal experiences of initially undercharging, revealing common mistakes that plague the industry. These include basing prices on limited insurance reimbursements, feeling guilty about charging fair rates, and failing to account for the true costs of delivering high-quality professional services.
Claire McLean introduced her "back and forth math" approach to pricing that considers multiple financial factors. This method involves calculating monthly income needs, factoring in taxes and business expenses, determining realistic client capacity, and carefully considering additional costs like staff, benefits, and overhead. The goal is to create a pricing structure that not only sustains the business but allows practitioners to deliver their best work.
The conversation highlighted several key pricing principles that can transform a struggling practice into a thriving business. Practitioners must recognize that their energy and expertise are their most valuable assets. Charging appropriately prevents burnout and allows professionals to maintain the passion that drew them to their field. By creating clear value and communicating pricing transparently, businesses can attract clients who are truly committed to their own transformation. Learn practical strategies and insights so you and your clients will both thrive!
Have you ever put weights on a walker? We’re guessing you have! Likely ankle weights…Did you find those ankle weights slide around and didn’t stay where you wanted? Well there is an actual product designed by a PT/OT duo that makes weighting ANY assistive device easier and more precise. Physical therapist Nicole Fellows, MS, PT, DPT and occupational therapist Sarah Ali, MS, OTR/L, CSRS, AIB-VRT/CON share their story of developing FALI Rehab, a company that offers adjustable weighted attachments that can be easily added to walkers, canes, and other assistive devices.
Sarah and Nicole share how the idea came to fruition, what the process has been like, who benefits from the weights, why you might want to try them and where to learn more info. The weights range from 1-3 pounds and can be customized to individual needs, designed to improve proprioception and stability for users with conditions like Parkinson's, stroke, and ataxia. The product helps users feel more confident and stable while walking and can be used in clinical settings and at home. Their product addresses multiple challenges by providing immediate feedback to the nervous system, allowing users to continue using their preferred assistive device, and offering an affordable alternative to purchasing multiple specialized walkers.
Currently, FALI Rehab is working on an improved design that will make attachment even easier, with plans to launch that version in late July/early August. Therapists and individuals interested in improving mobility can learn more at www.falirehab.com.
IG is @falirehab
Linked in: FALI Rehab Equipment, LLC
Dr. Katie Wadland, PT, DPT, GCS's entrepreneurial journey is a testament to adaptability and patient-centered care. What began as a pandemic-era pivot while homeschooling her children transformed into Healthy Aging Physical Therapy, a robust 20-person mobile practice specializing in geriatric and neurological rehabilitation.
Her practice emerged from a critical healthcare need, offering innovative at-home therapy services that prioritize patient accessibility. Unlike traditional clinical models, Wadland created a flexible business approach that allows therapists to manage their own schedules while maintaining high-quality care standards.
Financial sustainability came through a strategic blend of insurance-based and wellness services, with approximately 70% of revenue from Medicare and 30% from wellness programs. By maintaining transparent financial practices and implementing a profit-sharing model, Wadland cultivated a collaborative team culture that values both professional growth and work-life balance.
A key differentiator in her practice is the emphasis on continuous learning and interdisciplinary collaboration. Therapists are encouraged to co-treat, leveraging individual specialties to provide comprehensive patient care. This approach not only enhances clinical outcomes but also creates a supportive professional environment.
Wadland's success underscores an important healthcare entrepreneurship principle: innovative practices can thrive by remaining patient-focused, adaptable, and committed to both clinical excellence and team development. Her model offers a compelling blueprint for healthcare professionals seeking to reimagine traditional service delivery.
FB: @HealthyAging PT
IG: @HealthyAgingPT
Web: www.HealthyAgingPT.com
Ever consider specializing deeper into an aspect of neuro? Wonder what it’s like to dive deep into a subset of the neuro population and sharpen your practice? In today’s show, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews Andrew Doubek, PT, DPT, GCS, NMD about his recent experience going through an accredited movement disorders fellowship program at the Ohio State. In the show we talk about the details of what the fellowship was like from the schedule, mix of experiences, requirements and types of patients. Andrew shares his insights and words of wisdom to anyone considering a fellowship.
Plus, with documentation efficiency being top of mind for so many clinicians, Andrew generously shares his handout of smart phrases crafted from the Clinical Practice Guidelines that you can plug into your assessments and progress notes to ensure you’re targeting the key aspects needed in your notes in less time.
Download the smart phrase guides here!
- PD CPG smartphrase.docx
- FND smartphrase.docx
- Core outcomes smart phrases.docx
Balance is a common challenge among people with Parkinson’s disease and it can be made even more challenging when there is both a risk of falls AND a high fear of falling. What’s a clinician to do to improve overall balance when your patient is too fearful to try so many things? On today’s show Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS discusses exactly that predicament with physical therapists Sharanya Chavva, PT, DPT and Jennifer Lazaro, PT, DPT, NCS who share the findings of their poster from APTA CSM 2025. Their poster, which outlines a case study of a PwP, won the APTA Balance and Falls SIG first place award. Their research focuses on a unique approach to balance interventions that incorporates high intensity focused training on one aspect of balance - Anticipatory Postural Adjustments (APAs) - that demonstrates transference to other balance outcomes.
Key Highlights: - The study centered on a patient in the early stages of Parkinson's disease who had significant anxiety about falling - Traditional balance training methods weren't effectively improving her confidence - They introduced a novel approach using a specific anticipatory postural adjustment (APA) training protocol - A Zero G harness system was utilized to help the patient feel more secure during exercises
Remarkable Results: - Patient's balance confidence (ABC score) increased from 73% to 80% - BESTest score improved dramatically from 62% to 83% - Patient began engaging more in daily activities like grocery shopping - Achieved high-intensity training with up to 160 repetitions per exercise
This case study demonstrates that targeted, high-intensity balance training can significantly improve patient confidence and functional mobility. By focusing on anticipatory movements and creating a safe training environment, therapists can help PwP overcome their fear and improve their quality of life.
Check out the poster here
So many clinicians are passionate about ensuring their clients get everything they need to gain the level of independence and quality of life they deserve after diagnosis. The disappointing part is they don’t always have access to the expert care they need. That’s where Leann Vitale, MS, OTR/L found herself several years ago realizing she had a dream to start her own practice in order to fill the gap. Taking that leap is scary and risky. Fortunately she met the perfect contact and mentor to get her going! In this episode of the I Love Neuro podcast, Leann shares her transformative journey from hospital-based therapy to founding Orange County Occupational and Physical Therapy (OC OT and PT), a specialized neurological rehabilitation practice. Driven by a passion for helping patients with Parkinson's disease and stroke recovery, Leanne took a bold leap of faith, quitting her hospital job and collaborating with Claire at Rogue to create an innovative care model that bridges the gap between individual therapy and ongoing wellness.
Leann's approach is unique in its commitment to comprehensive, patient-centered care. She shares the challenges and thoughtful decisions she made about her 60-minute model of care, accepting insurance and other decisions that felt right to her. Her story is a testament to the power of passion, adaptability, and a genuine commitment to improving neurological rehabilitation, offering inspiration to healthcare professionals looking to make a meaningful difference in patients' lives.
www.TheOCOT.com
@the_ocot
Treating individuals with ataxia is challenging for many reasons. Having some key insights from the literature is just what you need! That’s why on this week’s episode Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviewed Dr. Jeannie Stephenson, PT, PhD, MS, MCS and Dr. Staci Shearin, PT, PhD, NCS, GCS to discuss their research and clinical experiences in treating ataxia. The speakers recently presented a webinar inside NeuroSpark for members and the takeaways were so good we had to bring them on the podcast to share more! In the episode you’ll learn their insights on various types of ataxia, effective therapeutic approaches, and the importance of intensive task-specific training. They’ll debunk common misconceptions such as the most effective approach to training and whether or not weighting is a good idea. The answers may surprise you. They also provide practical advice for clinicians on using assistive devices, outcome measures, and external cues to enhance patient treatment and support. This episode is an informative resource for anyone interested in improving mobility and the quality of life for individuals with ataxia.
Want to dive deeper into treating ataxia and get continuing education credits? Good news! We’ve recently updated the Ataxia Masterclass for PTs and OTs with 3 all NEW modules for a total of 6.25 contact hours, including the webinar mentioned in the episode by Dr. Stephenson and Dr. Shearin! Get it here today.
Are you a neuro clinician working mobile or thinking about starting your side gig? Perhaps you’ll want to expand into your own space. day. Perhaps you already are and want to see if you can learn anything new. This episode will break it all down! Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS has a conversation with Han Nguyen, PT, DPT, NCS about how she built Neubility Rehab from a mobile practice to a brick-and-mortar in St. Petersburg, FL. She shares her top tips for negotiating equipment and co-op space as well as strategies to increase revenue outside of patient care.
Key Insights: - Negotiated equipment and space costs strategically - Focused on creating an accessible, specialized neurological rehabilitation clinic - Expanded beyond traditional PT by hosting community education courses
Critical Business Strategies: - Always negotiate pricing and rates - Maintain an emergency fund for unexpected challenges - Collaborate with local nonprofits and healthcare professionals - Create multiple revenue streams through space rentals and continuing education
The clinic's growth demonstrates the importance of: - Understanding your numbers - Being flexible in business model - Serving a specific community need - Continuously learning and adapting
To see what Han’s creating go to www.neubilityrehab.com
Follow them on IG @neubilityrehab
A question many clinicians face is whether or not to go to a residency program. There are pros and cons either way and a LOT to consider. Additionally, with so many residencies available to clinicians there are things you want to look for that will be a good fit for you. Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS talk with Mari Biers, PT, DPT who is currently completing a neurologic residency at the University of Missouri. This conversation highlights multiple perspectives as Mari is currently in residency, Claire completed a neurologic residency and Erin did not do a residency. Mari highlights the immense value of residency programs for new physical therapists seeking accelerated professional growth and we also touch on the ways that you can grow without doing a residency since it is not the only path to clinical excellence.
Key Takeaways: - Residencies offer intensive mentorship, improving clinical reasoning and confidence - Programs provide comprehensive learning across different healthcare settings - Participants gain deep insights into specialized neurological treatment approaches - Continuous feedback and structured learning help rapidly develop clinical skills
Mari's experience demonstrates that residencies are more than just additional training - they're a pathway to becoming an exceptional clinician. While challenging, these programs provide unparalleled opportunities for professional development, research exposure, and specialized neurological rehabilitation expertise.
For ongoing mentorship and lifelong learning join NeuroSpark! Go to www.joinneurospark.com to learn more.
Instagram: @ptmarib
We’ve heard from our audience a lot that working with people with dementia can be very challenging for a number of reasons. In this episode Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviewed Dr. Natalie Douglas, a speech-language pathologist and dementia expert on her insights for rehabilitation professionals working with individuals living with dementia. Learn key tools that will help individuals follow through with tasks more independently while breaking down the barriers to application of the tools, practical strategies, do’s and don’ts of working with individuals with dementia and how to approach the topic of ongoing maintenance vs when it’s time to discharge to wellness.
Upcoming Resource: Dr. Douglas will be teaching a comprehensive dementia care masterclass in NeuroSpark this summer, offering practical case studies and intervention techniques for PTs, OTs and assistants. Go to www.joinneurospark.com to learn more about NeuroSpark.
Professionals can download her free communication training manual to enhance their dementia care approach. Communication strategies download: https://practicalimplementation.org/download-materials/
new bluesky: @natfdouglas.bsky.social
Today’s episode compares persistent dizziness with persistent pain. There are patterns and insights from the literature that can help clinicians improve their approach to treating people with dizziness. Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews Marc Broberg, PT, DPT, NCS on his theories after diving into the literature and treating people with dizziness for 15 plus years. Marc explains how approximately 25% of people with dizziness develop persistent symptoms. He shares the one key factor in determining how well they will recover. He believes successful treatment isn't about eliminating symptoms, but empowering patients to reconnect with their lives and rebuild their sense of self. Clinicians and patients alike can learn that recovery is a collaborative journey, not just a medical intervention.
We all know rehab is not accessible to everyone who needs it after a neurologic injury. There are a number of reasons why, and, fortunately, there are also people looking to solve that problem. On today’s show we interviewed Amy Rohe, MS, OTR/L, CSRS, ATP who works for Neurofenix, a company that is transforming neurological rehabilitation with its innovative virtual therapy platform. The primary tool used by the OTs of Neurofenix is the NeuroBall, an FDA-approved device, that offers patients engaging, data-driven occupational therapy from the comfort of their homes.
This model of delivery is really unique and interesting for clinicians and innovators in the healthcare space! The approach addresses critical gaps in traditional rehabilitation by providing accessible, consistent therapy for patients with neurological conditions, particularly stroke survivors. With over 90% patient adherence and plans for expansion, Neurofenix represents the future of technology-driven rehabilitation.
Learn more about Neurofenix at https://www.neurofenix.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/neurofenix
IG @neurofenix
Reach out at: therapists@neurofenix.com
Staying up on the latest evidence in neuro rehab? This interview is for you! Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviewed Dr. Timothy Faw, a neuroscientist and physical therapist about his research path - where he’s been and where it’s going. Tim discusses the work his labs have done in a few areas including the plasticity of gray matter and myelin and the implications on motor learning and movement in spinal cord injury. He also discusses tactics on eccentric gait training - that are basically the opposite of what we think of as high intensity - and how they are impacting outcomes. More recently his work has led him to study genetic factors in neurologic recovery including the markers for better or worse outcomes and drug trials. And to ensure listeners leave the conversation with action items, he’ll provide his takeaways and clinical pearls that you can start incorporating immediately.
Tim emphasizes that rehabilitation is about more than just intensity—it's about creating meaningful, challenging, and novel movement experiences that engage the brain's adaptive capabilities.
Clinicians and students interested in cutting-edge neuro rehab approaches can contact Dr. Faw at tfaw@som.umaryland.edu for more information.
X - @timothy_faw
Faculty Website - https://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/profiles/faw-timothy/
When people live in a rural area it can be very challenging for them to get access to specialty care. What are they missing? What could be different? How can we help? In this episode, Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS sits down with Jamie Haines, PT, DScPT, NCS to discuss her work on a Parkinson's disease monitoring program in rural Michigan. People with Parkinson's in rural areas face significant barriers to accessing specialized care, with only 9% seeing a movement disorder specialist. Jamie's program involved visiting participants 3 times over a year, providing individualized assessments, recommendations, and education. This hands-on approach helped participants improve their fall risk factors, though self-efficacy was slower to change. She shares insights on why that could be and what can be done. Jamie shares key findings from her project and provides advice to those living in rural areas. This work highlights the critical need to address the disparities in Parkinson's care for those living in underserved communities. Jamie's dedication to finding solutions is inspiring, and her insights can help guide future efforts to improve access and outcomes.
To learn more about how the program got started and other details listen to this episode:
173: Improving access to care in rural areas and ramping up creative dual tasking
https://www.parkinson.org/library/fact-sheets/exercise-recommendations
To get mentorship from Jamie inside NeuroSpark and Parkinson Focus Track visit www.joinneurospark.com today!
Vestibular nerds this one is for you! Even if you’re just a regular neuro nerd, you’ll love this episode. Erin Gallardo interviews Patrick Esmonde of Vestibular First. Patrick shares the inspiring story behind the creation of Vestibular First and the company's mission to develop affordable, accessible tools to support clinicians in providing better vestibular care.
Since necessity is the mother of invention, Patrick details the process of building the first prototype of Vestibular First goggles in a single night, leveraging his diverse technical skills and material purchased on Amazon. Goggles are essential in vestibular care for a number of reasons, which Patrick discusses as well as how inaccessible they have been until Vestibular First came to be. In addition to having goggles, educational tools that help clinicians explain to patients why they are experiencing dizziness and what is actually going on in their inner ear were lacking. Vestibular First has a strong desire for accuracy and accessibility in their education tools and realistic models so you don’t need to use your imagination to understand what is actually going on.
Throughout the conversation, Patrick's passion for the vestibular community shines through. He speaks of the dedication and unique challenges faced by clinicians in this field, and the immense satisfaction of knowing their work is helping patients regain their quality of life. Vestibular First's story is a testament to the power of innovation driven by real-world needs. By prioritizing affordability, ease of use, and educational resources, the company is making a significant impact in the vestibular rehabilitation space, empowering clinicians and improving patient outcomes. You are sure to be inspired!
Learn more about Vestibular First and all of their resources at https://vestibularfirst.com
Follow them on IG @vestibularfirst
Get in touch with Patrick on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickesmonde/
174: Mastering the vestibular system with Helena Esmonde, PT, DPT, NCS
Join this conversation where Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS dives into Sarah King, PT, DPT’s winding career as a mobile practice owner turned online entrepreneur turned Director of Marketing for 5 rehab clinics in TX. Sarah goes way back with NeuroCollaborative to the literal beginnings. We discussed how it came to be and why she decided to step aside when it became official.
Sarah then discusses her journey with Invigorate, her own physical therapy and wellness practice specializing in Parkinson's disease. She describes the challenges of providing care within insurance limitations and the decision to become a mobile, cash-based practice then eventually serving in the online space for people with PD. Sarah openly shares the thought process that ultimately led her to shutting down Invigorate physical therapy and wellness.
Following her intuition Sarah landed in a position at Spero Rehab, a multi-location practice in TX that offers a mix of neuro and orthopedic services. She highlights Spero's key marketing strategies and provides insights to anyone looking to grow their practice with more reliable tactics than word of mouth. Sarah also discusses Spero's partnerships with nonprofits like the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation, which have provided equipment and resources to better serve their neuro patients. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration and connection in the neurotherapy community and what that looks like as well as the key ingredients responsible for the growth of Spero..
Learn more about Spero Rehab at www.sperorehab.com
Connect on IG: @sperorehab @sperorehabcentral @drsarahkingpt @gratefulpt
Episode 226: How to start and scale an outpatient neuro practice with Katie Bouchillon, OTR, CBIST, MCMT
In this episode, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews Dr. W. Geoffrey Wright, a professor and director of the neuro motor sciences program at Temple University. Dr. Wright is also the co-founder and principal scientist at UprightVR, a company dedicated to developing virtual reality-based solutions for assessing and improving balance. While some clinicians may have been lucky enough to have the NeuroCom Balance Master, others have been using simple foam to conduct an “objective” measure of sensory organization. Thanks to VR and specifically UprightVR, sensory organization testing is portable, accurate, and full of data.
Dr. Wright's journey into VR began in the mid-to-late 90s, when his PhD mentors at Brandeis University introduced him to the technology. Despite the prohibitive cost of VR headsets at the time, Dr. Wright recognized its potential for clinical and research applications. Over the years, the affordability and capabilities of VR have significantly improved, with Oculus's affordable headset in 2010 further democratizing the technology.
In addition to his academic research, Dr. Wright has focused on studying conditions such as traumatic brain injury and Parkinson's disease. He explains the two-pronged aspect of his work - understanding the neuro control system and improving outcomes for patients. Upright VR initially focused on reducing fall risk in older adults, but has since expanded to address a wider range of balance disorders, including concussion treatment. The device is designed to be used by physical therapists for pre and post-treatment measurements, providing objective outcomes.
The Upright VR test involves visual vestibular mismatch and sensory reweighting conditions, aiming to identify specific sensory integration problems. Dr. Wright explains the importance of these conditions in assessing balance and the rationale behind the space capsule-like environment.
Beyond assessment, Upright VR offers targeted rehab modules in the form of games designed to address specific deficits, such as vestibular or ocular reflex problems. The device also provides recommendations based on test results to guide clinicians in their treatment plans.
Contact Dr. Wright at: Geoff.wright@uprightvr.com
UprightVR: www.uprightvr.com
VeDA
ISVR
Find UprightVR at RehabWeek2025
In today’s episode Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS talks with Annie Tapp, PT, DPT, PhD, NCS to discuss her research on the barriers and facilitators to implementing high-intensity gait training for stroke rehabilitation (and beyond). Months ago Annie was recruiting survey respondents for her PhD dissertation study on high intensity gait training in inpatient rehab. NeuroCollaborative allowed her to email and post her survey to our audience and today’s conversation is a follow up to see what she learned.
Annie’s research data revealed common facilitators and barriers to implementing high intensity gait training for clinicians. There were some surprises and she shares what they were as well as future research questions. Does it have to only be done with walking? We discussed the core factors that make high intensity training desirable as well as what to do when you don’t have the equipment or an appropriate candidate for treadmill training. You’ll learn creative ways to implement high intensity training as well as the reason behind it. We also discuss what you’ll also need to add in addition to high intensity training because this impairment does not necessarily improve and needs to be addressed separately. Nervous about taking someone with an acute stroke who may have never worked out before into high levels of intensity? We talk about that too!
Feel free to contact Dr. Annie Tapp, PT, DPT, PhD at aqtapp@ysu.edu
Articles mentioned in the episode:
Tapp, A., Griswold, D., Dray, D., Landgraff, N., & Learman, K. (2024). High-intensity locomotor training during inpatient rehabilitation improves the discharge ambulation function of patients with stroke. A systematic review with meta-analysis. Topics in stroke rehabilitation, 31(5), 431–445. https://doi.org/10.1080/10749357.2024.2304960
Tapp, A., Dray, D., Griswold, D., Haybarger, R., & Learman, K. (2024). A retrospective analysis of a clinician-initiated high-intensity locomotor training implementation project in an inpatient rehabilitation facility. Physiotherapy theory and practice, 1–10. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2024.2424354
Tapp, A. (2024). From Evidence to Practice: Efficacy and Implementation of High-intensity Locomotor Training for Stroke Rehabilitation [Doctoral dissertation, Youngstown State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1733749623360122
On today’s show Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS, recap their experience at the recent APTA’s CSM conference and what stood out.
Neuro Collaborative was founded with the mission of helping people start neuro-focused practices and programs in their communities, to increase access to specialized neurological care and services. We grew into providing mentorship and continuing education, and part of the mission continues to be helping people start and sustain practices. We’ll explore the challenges of running a neuro-only clinic, including the need for supplementary revenue streams. We’ll discuss various solutions to creating a sustainable practice in neuro because it looks very different than an ortho practice.
Be sure to follow us on IG and send us a DM if you have questions about your neuro biz! @neurocollaborative
Listen to our previous episode with Adriaan Louw, Episode 211
Request to join the NeuroBiz Besties free Slack channel
In this episode, hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS sit down with Michael Cummings, the Director of Education for BlazePod USA. Michael shares his personal connection to neurotherapy through his experiences with family members affected by Alzheimer's and epilepsy.
Michael explains how his background as a strength and conditioning coach led him to discover BlazePod and collaborate with the company. He highlights the seamless integration of BlazePod's "reactive intelligence" platform with his training methods focused on enhancing cognitive abilities with elite athletes.
The discussion delves into the different ways BlazePod goes beyond the fitness world and into function, how to do that and the open ended question of why it matters to increase reaction time in the neuro population. We also address the challenges physical therapists face in adopting new technologies like BlazePod, such as time constraints and lack of creativity in busy schedules.
Looking ahead, the BlazePod team is launching a new "Training Hub" feature to provide easier access to exercises and drills. Currently NeuroCollaborative has a webpage with free activities clinicians can upload to their app and run for free. Find the link to that page below!
Follow Michael @michaelthetrainer // www.michaelthetrainer.com
Find great free exercises to use with your BlazePods here: www.neurocollaborative.com/blazepod
Don’t have BlazePod yet? Get a 20% discount with our affiliate code by going here: www.blazepod.com/neurocollaborative
In this episode, neuro business coach Emily Duval Ledger joins Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS for a discussion about marketing and no-cost strategies. Recently Emily challenged her coaching clients to a "no money marketing quarter" - an exercise to hone their skills at effective, low-cost marketing tactics. The discussion highlighted several important strategies for neuro practices:
Setting Specific Goals: Rather than vague aims like "grow my business," Emily stressed the importance of defining measurable goals, like increasing your client base by a certain number each month. This allows you to track progress and determine marketing ROI.
Nurturing Referral Relationships: Building authentic connections with referral sources, like other healthcare providers, was emphasized as a powerful long-term strategy. Keeping these partners informed and making them feel like heroes for sending you clients is key.
Pricing for Value: Offering packages that deliver the best results for clients, rather than just having multiple price points, was recommended. This ensures you attract the right clients and get paid for the true value you provide.
The discussion provided practical, low-cost tips neuro businesses can implement to effectively market themselves and grow their practices. The key is focusing on strategies that align with your unique clientele and services.
If you have a neuro business and want to join our NeuroBiz Besties free Slack group, fill out this form so we can learn more about you and see if it’s a good fit!
Interested in the best habits for you and your clients to improve healthspan not just lifespan? Join as Erin and Claire talk with Dr. Mike Studer PT, DPT, MHS, NCS, CEEAA, CWT, CSST, FAPTA, a renowned physical therapist and author, to discuss his new book "The Brain That Chooses Itself." We asked Mike our burning questions from the concepts in the book to help demystify information around exercise vs physical activity, sleep, nutrition and more.
Some of the questions we addressed were how to provide choice to clients in a way that doesn’t overwhelm them, how to understand when the activities we’re doing or choices we’re making are releasing neurochemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, why Mike says “exercise is medicine” is dead and more!
Get your opportunity to learn more and ask Mike your questions live by registering for a free webinar! Register here: http://www.neurocollaborative.com/studer
Follow Mike on IG @mikestuderdpt
www.mikestuder.com
Get your copy of the Brain That Chooses Itself Here
In this episode, hosts Erin Gallardo and Claire McLean interviewed Russell Meyerowitz, the founder of the Parkinson Wellness Fund, a nonprofit with a mission to help PWP (people with Parkinson’s) by providing funds for services and equipment that will make life better right now.
The Parkinson Wellness Fund was born out of Russell's desire to provide immediate relief and support to families affected by Parkinson's, in contrast to the heavy focus on research and finding a "cure" in the other nonprofits in the Parkinson's community. Russell emphasized the need to address the realities of living with Parkinson's today, including the significant financial and emotional toll on people and their loved ones.
The Parkinson Wellness Fund provides grants averaging $350-$400 to cover a wide range of needs, from fitness classes and home modifications to assistive devices. The organization is committed to removing barriers and making their services accessible to all PWP, regardless of their financial situation or location.
Russell shared his perspective on the challenges of the current healthcare system and research landscape around Parkinson's. He questioned the focus on finding a "cure" when the costs of living with Parkinson's are already so high for many families. Instead, he advocated for a greater emphasis on improving quality of life through exercise, nutrition, and accessible support services. Russell shared stories of how the Parkinson Wellness Fund has helped families connect with resources and find hope in the midst of their struggles.
Learn more about the Parkinson’s Wellness Fund at www.parkinsonswellnessfund.org - Please support it and share it with anyone who could benefit from a grant!
Follow them in IG @parkinsonswellnessfund
In this episode of the I Love Neuro podcast, host Erin Gallardo interviews speech-language pathologist Jenn Freeburn about her work treating patients with functional neurological disorders (FND). Freeburn, a specialist in acquired motor speech and cognitive communication disorders, provides a fascinating overview of the often overlooked role of speech therapy in this complex condition.
Freeburn explains that 30-50% of patients with functional motor symptoms may also experience speech-related issues, ranging from stuttering and functional dysarthria to changes in prosody and vocal quality. SLPs can also work with patients with functional cognitive disorder, a lesser-known aspect of FND that can involve memory problems, word-finding difficulties, and other cognitive challenges. As well as functional swallowing disorders, which often overlap with vocal symptoms and can lead to significant weight loss and deconditioning.
In terms of treatment, Freeburn emphasizes the importance of a thorough assessment and a patient-centered, collaborative approach. She shares examples of creative techniques, such as using external cues, distractions, and even mimicry, to help patients regain natural speech patterns. Freeburn also highlights the potential for significant improvement, noting that some patients can achieve near-complete recovery of their symptoms.
Throughout the conversation, Freeburn advocates for increased awareness and understanding of the role of speech therapy in FND and a collaborative approach.
Check out the resources shared:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34210802/ and https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37775195/
FND Resources we’ve gathered
In this episode of the I Love Neuro podcast, host Erin Gallardo sits down with Christina Garrity, PT, DPT, NCS who is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Cincinnati.
Christina took an unconventional path into her PhD and has gotten a new appreciation for our profession in the process. She provides insights into the time commitment and coursework involved, highlighting the focus on research ethics, study design, and statistical analysis while also being a clinic owner. While Christina’s outpatient clinic focuses on vestibular patients, her PhD research focuses on stroke and why she likes this.
In the show we discuss how to be a responsible consumer of research literature because there are things you may not be seeing unless you think more critically. Christina also shares her perspectives on the practical application of clinical practice guidelines and the necessity of individualized care.
Christina is also the lead mentor in the collaborative group VestiBesties. In VestiBesties, she appreciates the ability to provide real-time feedback and guidance to participants, addressing advanced vestibular assessments, concussion interventions, and other complex topics.
Follow Christina in IG @vestibular_neuro_pt
Click here to learn more about VestiBesties
As rehab professionals, we often face unique challenges when working with patients who have ataxia. In today’s episode Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS, J.J. Mowder-Tinney, PT, PhD, NCS and Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS have a group discussion about working with people with it.
One of the primary challenges is that often there can be slow progress. This can be exacerbated by the diverse underlying causes and presentations of ataxia, making it difficult to develop standardized treatment approaches.
In today’s show we’ll discuss a couple of main points the research emphasizes to incorporate in your treatments for people with ataxia. We’ll discuss the question of how to divide up your time in the session, how to uncover what their true capabilities are, and how to balance care partner training into sessions.
Some treatment examples include incorporating sensory input, start-stop techniques, resistance training, whole task versus part task training, ocular motor training and visual tracking exercises to address the challenges patients face with balance and stability.
Join us for a free webinar on working with patients with Ataxia on Jan 28, 2025!
Register here: Navigating Ataxia Treatment: Practical Tools for PTs and OTs
In this episode occupational therapist Briana Elson, MS, OTR/L, BCPR, CBIS joined host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS to discuss 5 principles of neuroplasticity and how they can be applied in neurorehabilitation. Note: In a previous episode a different 5 were discussed (see the link to that episode below). No need to listen to the previous episode to get what you need out of this one though!
In this episode, we discuss what the principles are and how to apply them to your neuro caseload:
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Time Matters - Yes we know this, but what does that look like and what if time isn’t on your side? Learn what to do!
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Salience Matters - This one is so important, but what if your patient MUST learn a novel task?? (For example, someone with vision impairment who must learn to use equipment or new strategies to navigate the environment). Is there any hope? Turns out there is!
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Age Matters - Younger brains demonstrate more plasticity, but we work with so many people with aging brains. What should you know?
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Transference - Skills learned in one area can transfer to similar tasks, which is especially useful in cognitive rehabilitation when teaching strategies. How can you harness this?
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Interference - Do previous compensatory behaviors interfere with retraining proper movement patterns? What about the argument that kinematics don’t matter, just get someone moving? Why context matters and how and when to use error augmentation vs error-less learning.
Listen to episode 197 for our first conversation on the principles of neuroplasticity
Listen to our interview on using the Vivistim episode 196
www.joinneurospark.com to learn more about NeuroSpark and get access to Bri’s lecture on Central Vision mentioned in the episode!
If you’re looking to develop a strength circuit class for people with neurologic diagnosis this episode is for you! Running a circuit class for people with physical and/or cognitive deficits can have challenges. You need to be mindful in order to ensure safety while also challenging your clients enough to promote change. This episode Erin Gallardo and Claire McLean will break down the method and approach that Claire uses at Rogue PT and Wellness running her 40 weekly exercise classes for people with PD.
In the show we’ll break down the types of exercises to include in your circuit, short cuts to reduce confusion, the flow and structure of a comprehensive class, how to approach the conversation about which class is right for your client, and when to split into different levels of classes.
Check out a related past episode:
Episode 219: Hi-Fi exercise class episode
Curious about how using Virtual reality (VR) could help you with prevention, assessment and treatment of your neuro patients? VR and AR (augmented reality) is emerging as a powerful tool in the world of neurorehabilitation, and Ramiro Maldonado, PT, DPT, a physical therapist with UprightVR, shares the research on the transformative capabilities of this technology.
Ramiro highlights how the true power of a good VR system lies in its ability to drive neuroplasticity by creating immersive environments that challenge and retrain sensory systems. By manipulating visual inputs and leveraging principles of motor learning, VR tools can tap into the key principles of neuroplasticity, such as repetition, context specificity, and multimodal sensory integration. One particularly intriguing aspect is the concept of "avatar representation," where VR creates a digital clone of the patient, allowing them to witness and experience their own healthy movement patterns. This innovative approach can significantly enhance motor learning and functional recovery. Ramiro also discusses the potential of VR in balance assessment and training. By expanding on traditional sensory organization testing, VR-based assessments can provide highly accurate and standardized data, enabling clinicians to identify deficits earlier and tailor interventions accordingly. As the field of neurorehabilitation continues to evolve, the integration of virtual reality holds immense promise. By harnessing the power of this technology, clinicians can unlock new avenues for neuroplasticity-driven recovery, ultimately improving outcomes and quality of life for their patients.
UprightVR
UprightVR LinkedIn
Are you used to working with adults with neurologic conditions and get intimidated by young adults or those with “pediatric” diagnoses? Many neuro therapists feel like they’re not the best person to help an adult with cerebral palsy, autism, spina bifida or other typical diagnoses made in childhood… but they’re wrong! In this episode hosts Erin Gallardo and Claire McLean talk to Cameron Brown, PT, DPT, PCS about care across the lifespan and give you the confidence you need to help these clients.
In the show we discuss why neuro therapists are well-equipped to work with younger populations and how to adapt what you do for this population. Working with autistic adults is something many neuro therapists may not be accustomed to. Learn which strategies will work best to help these clients succeed. If you’ve ever felt like you weren’t “cool” enough to get along with younger adult patients we’ve also got tips for that! Regardless of how you’ve felt in the past, this episode will allow you to have the confidence you need to help the clients who really need you!
Resources shared:
https://www.autisticphysicaltherapist.com/about
Follow Cameron Brown on IG @dr_mama_brown
National Association of Black Physical Therapists
Follow NABPT @nabpt_
Working with clients with Functional neurologic disorders (FND) can be confusing and challenging. If you’re stuck and aren’t sure how to help your clients you’ve gotta check out this episode! Occupational therapists and industry leaders in the treatment of FND Julie MacLean and Jessica Ranford discuss their expertise in using a sensory-based approach to treatment. In their work they noticed certain patterns emerging for people experiencing FND.
By conducting detailed sensory profiles and histories, the OTs were able to identify patterns in how these patients processed sensory information. Many exhibited heightened sensory sensitivity, sensory avoidance, and low sensory registration - leading to cognitive, emotional, and motor control issues.
The OTs developed a multi-step treatment approach focused on: 1) Increasing patient self-awareness of their sensory processing and arousal levels 2) Exploring individualized sensory strategies to self-regulate 3) Creating personalized "sensory diets" of activities to maintain balance
This sensory-based framework, combined with motor retraining when needed, has been effective in helping FND patients improve their symptoms and expand their participation in daily life.
Overall, this discussion highlighted the valuable role occupational therapy can play in assessing and treating the complex sensory processing difficulties experienced by many individuals with functional neurological disorders.
FND specific resources:
www.neurosymptoms.org
www.FNDhope.org
Overcoming Functional Neurological Disorders Workbook, Reset and Rewire: The FND Workbook
OT and sensory processing specific resources:
Living Sensationally: Understanding Your Senses by Winnie Dunn
The Spiral Foundation
Sensory Modulation & Environment: Essential Elements of Occupation by Tina Champagne
The Sensory Connection Program and Workbooks by Karen Moore
Recent OT publications:
Sensory Processing Difficulties and Occupational Therapy Outcomes for Functional Neurological Disorder: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
McCombs KE, MacLean J, Finkelstein SA, Goedeken S, Perez DL, Ranford J.
Neurol Clin Pract. 2024 Jun;14(3):e200286.
Outpatient Approach to Occupational Therapy for Paroxysmal Functional Neurologic Symptoms: Sensory Modulation Training as an Emerging Treatment.
Ranford J, MacLean J. Neurol Clin. 2023 Nov;41(4):695-709. doi: 10.1016/j.ncl.2023.02.008. Epub 2023 Apr 20
Sensory Processing Difficulties in Functional Neurological Disorder: A Possible Predisposing Vulnerability? Ranford J, MacLean J, Alluri PR, Comeau O, Godena E, LaFrance WC Jr, Hunt A, Stephen CD, Perez DL.Psychosomatics. 2020 Jul-Aug;61(4):343-352.
Occupational therapy consensus recommendations for functional neurological disorder.
Nicholson C, Edwards MJ, Carson AJ, Gardiner P, Golder D, Hayward K, Humblestone S, Jinadu H, Lumsden C, MacLean J, Main L, Macgregor L, Nielsen G, Oakley L, Price J, Ranford J, Ranu J, Sum E, Stone J. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2020 Oct;91(10):1037-1045.
Do you work with any clients who have trouble clearing their foot in swing phase of gait? If you said yes, this episode is for you! Dr. Tyler Susko, the founder and CTO of Cadense, Inc. is here to share the fascinating origin story behind Cadense's flagship product - the world's first variable friction shoes.
The concept stemmed from Dr. Susko's PhD research at MIT, where he developed the "MIT Skywalker" - a robotic system that allowed patients to walk by dropping the floor during the swing phase. A comment from a research participant led Dr. Susko to create a passive, material-based shoe design that can dynamically adjust its coefficient of friction.
Through extensive prototyping and user testing, the Cadense shoes have shown promising results for patients with a variety of neurological conditions, including stroke, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis. The shoes help facilitate foot clearance and improve gait symmetry and rhythmicity.
If you want to see these for yourself and try them out Cadense offers a free pair to clinicians who sign up for the Cadense Coaches program. The program provides free shoes and support to clinicians interested in incorporating the technology into their practice. He also shares exciting plans for future research and development, including projects on AFO-compatible shoes and variable friction on different sides of the shoe.
Learn more about Cadense and the Cadense Coaching Program at https://cadense.com
Follow them on IG @cadenseadaptive
Ever wonder what to do with a patient with facial palsy? Can they recover? What should you NOT do that can actually make it much worse? Tune in and find out! In this episode, Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Sheri Donaldson, PT, DPT, NCS. Dr. Donaldson shared her extensive expertise in the niche field of facial rehabilitation and the specialized techniques she employs to help patients with facial paralysis recover.
Sheri emphasized the importance of the face in human expression and communication. She discussed the challenges faced by patients with facial paralysis, including the emotional impact and the difficulties with everyday tasks like eating and drinking.
A key focus of the discussion was the delicate nature of facial retraining and the need for a customized, precision-based approach. Sheri shared her insights on the do's and don'ts of facial rehabilitation, cautioning against a couple of things that are controversial like electrical stimulation, mirrors, acupuncture, and botox.
Sheri emphasized the importance of early intervention, the use of outcome measures like the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System, and the value of seeking mentorship and continuing education in this specialized field.
Email: face.first.phoenix@gmail.com
Website: https://facefirstphoenix.wixsite.com/face-first-physical
Sunnybrook Facial Grading System
Facial Palsy.UK
https://facialtherapyspecialists.com
Have you ever thought, “I’m really not good at managing people”? Or felt overwhelmed by the idea of being responsible for someone else? As business owners, the success of our ventures often hinges on the strength of our teams. In this episode of the I Love Neuro Podcast, Emily Duval Ledger, Erin Gallardo, and Claire McLean share their experiences and lessons learned about leading a team.
Emily reflects on her early struggles as a new business owner, admitting that she initially tried to overcompensate for her insecurities by being overly decisive and not listening to her team. Claire and Erin echo the challenges of transitioning from skilled practitioners to effective managers. The conversation delves into the nuances of hiring the right people, creating a positive team culture, and having difficult conversations when necessary. The panelists stress the importance of understanding your own leadership style, being transparent with potential hires, and evolving job roles to align with individual strengths.
This insightful discussion offers a roadmap for aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs alike, highlighting the challenges and rewards of building a thriving team. As you navigate the journey of business ownership, remember to embrace the opportunity for continuous improvement and the joy of watching your team members flourish.
On today’s episode Claire McLean and Erin Gallardo offer an update to a previous episode on setting up overhead harness systems for your neuro rehab gym the way Claire has it set up at Rogue. Rogue has a DIY, relatively inexpensive setup using things like anchors, rope ratchets, and construction-style harnesses.
The big update to share was finding some new products that have really improved the comfort and usability of their system. The addition of "quick links,” which are essentially two carabiners connected by a nylon spacer helps keep the bulky pulleys and hardware away from people's heads.
They also talked about using a spreader bar, which helps position the support points even further away when doing single-point balance training. Claire was really excited about these little upgrades, saying they were "game changers" that made a big difference in how comfortable and safe the system is for their clients.
Additionally they also discussed other helpful aspects of the treadmill set up like Swiss balls and chalk lines on the treadmills, to help people with conditions like Parkinson's take bigger steps. Lots of little tricks to make the training environment as supportive as possible.
The updates in this episode will help you create an even better set up and system! Please reach out with any questions or shares at info@neurocollaborative.com
Episode 139: How To Create Your Own Harness Set Up Like Rogue’s
Claire’s equipment mentioned (not affiliate links)
Anchor
Rope Ratchet
QuickLinks
Harness
Mass Rehab Inc
In this episode, hosts Erin Gallardo and Claire McLean interviewed Dr. Amy Ashmore, an expert in resistance training programming. Dr. Ashmore shared her extensive experience and passion for resistance training. Some of the key points she shares are that timing is critical. Dr. Ashmore emphasized the importance of precisely controlling the timing of concentric and eccentric contractions to target specific training adaptations, such as muscle power, strength, or hypertrophy.
She also notes the importance of adjusting volume for aging muscle citing that recent research suggests older adults may require higher training volumes, up to 36 repetitions per set, to stimulate muscle growth and maintain lean mass as they age. There is also a need to prioritize motor skill development for older or neurologically impaired clients new to resistance training and what the focus should be. Learn these insights and more by listening to the episode so you can get stronger clients starting today!
Learn more about Dr. Ashmore’s courses here:
https://physicaltherapy.education
https://amyashmore.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyashmorephd/
In this episode of the I Love Neuro podcast, hosts Erin Gallardo and Claire McLean discuss important updates and research related to Parkinson's disease. They used neurologist Dr. Michael Okun’s Instagram account as inspiration for the recent research to discuss.
The first article discussed is titled End-of-life Health Care Service Use and Cost Among Medicare Decendents With Neurodegerative Diseases. The discussion highlights the high healthcare costs and lack of planning for end-of-life care in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's. The article emphasizes the importance of involving neurologists and having a comprehensive care plan to improve outcomes, and we discuss what that might look like.
The second article discussed is titled Pain Fluctuation in Parkinson’s Disease and their Association with Motor and Non-Motor Fluctuations with an interesting finding about the type of pain people with PD typically experience, when they experience and our theories about why. Pain management is an expensive and often frustrating industry, so this is an important topic!
Find the article here: End-of-life Health Care Service Use and Cost Among Medicare Decendents With Neurodegerative Diseases
Find the article here: Pain Fluctuation in Parkinson’s Disease and their Association with Motor and Non-Motor Fluctuations
Follow Dr. Michael Okun here for PD research updates!
Does your energy get sucked when you do certain administrative tasks in your business? Do you love some tasks and dread others? What if it could be fun? Do you believe it could? Well, after listening to this episode you just might! And what would you gain? You’ll feel more energized, you’ll be more creative, and you’ll end up being more productive while also attracting more ideal people to your business. In this episode of the I Love Neuro podcast, hosts Erin Gallardo and Claire McLean chat with business coach Emily Duval Ledger about the transformative power of infusing fun into your business operations.
The discussion begins with Emily sharing how a simple suggestion from Erin - to make administrative tasks more fun - completely changed her perspective. Erin explains how she learned the importance of fun in business, even though it wasn't a priority growing up. The trio then dive into specific examples of how they've incorporated fun into their own businesses.
Emily shares how she revamped her book writing process by recording audio notes while exercising, rather than the tedious typing that drained her creativity. The group also explores the potential of AI to automate mundane tasks in an engaging way, like using chatbots customized to a company's unique voice.
Claire and Erin emphasize that they built NeuroCollaborative and Claire built Rogue around the principle of fun from the start, whether that's through themed events, spontaneous dance parties, or flexible scheduling. They explain how aligning your business model with your personal interests and passions is key to maintaining that sense of enjoyment.
The conversation touches on the physiological benefits of incorporating play and fun and ideas for how clinicians can encourage patients to make mobility transitions more fun. By making work more enjoyable, you can reduce stress, boost productivity, and find greater fulfillment in your entrepreneurial journey, so why not try it yourself?.
In today’s episode Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS had the pleasure of interviewing APTA President Roger Herr and asking all of the burning questions about what it’s like to run a neuro practice with Medicare as it is and where we’re going. Roger shared his journey into physical therapy and his extensive experience in key roles that gave him a wide angle perspective of the profession he advocates for now.
Alternative Payment Models for PT Practices - Herr emphasized the importance of finding local, regional payment models that best fit each practice's needs, whether that's working with employers, payers, or patient groups. - He discussed strategies like opting out of Medicare, negotiating contracts, and exploring cash-based services to create sustainable business models.
Challenges for Micro Practices - Smaller PT practices often struggle with billing, communicating with payers, and navigating the complexities of Medicare coverage. - Could clearer guidelines around medical necessity and skilled care be a helpful short-term goal?
Advocacy Efforts for the PT Profession - Herr highlighted the need to shift from volume-based to value-based care, and to advocate for recognizing the downstream costs and impact on patients. - He discussed opportunities in Medicaid, annual wellness visits, and partnering with patient advocacy groups to drive change.
Modernizing Medicare Access - Herr explained efforts to update Medicare legislation and allow beneficiaries to directly contract with physical therapists. - This could provide more flexibility and options for patients, though the details around rules and limitations are still being worked out.
Leveraging Technology and AI - Herr shared insights on how technology and AI can support population health management, documentation, and reducing administrative burdens for PT practices.
APTA Infographic of Prior Authorization
ChoosePT How Medicare Determines Payment HH and SNF
Download the APTA Advocacy App
ChoosePT Directory - Sign up by logging into APTA account, then go to Online Profile, then Find a PT
Instagram rogeraherr
X @RAHPT
Facebook Roger Herr
Feel confused about how to assess and treat someone with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)? We got your back! In this episode host Erin Gallardo interviews FND experts Heather Salon, PT, DPT, NCS and Julie Maggio, PT, DPT, NCS on this range of neurological symptoms that includes functional movement disorders, seizures, and speech/communication issues. FND is characterized by abnormal brain connectivity and network dysfunction, often presenting with mixed symptoms. A key shift in recent years has been the recognition of FND as a "rule-in" diagnosis, rather than a diagnosis of exclusion. Learn what to expect during the subjective evaluation and how to approach it with best practice.
Heather and Julie highlight the importance of identifying specific "rule-in" signs, such as Hoover sign, give-way weakness, and symptom variability, to confidently diagnose FND. They also emphasize the need for a comprehensive assessment, including evaluations of the motor, sensory, and autonomic systems. Also discussed are differential diagnoses like dystonia.
The conversation underscored the multidisciplinary nature of FND care, with physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and neurologists working collaboratively to provide optimal treatment. Sensory-based interventions, such as the use of Kinesio tape, abdominal binders, and visual feedback, were discussed as valuable tools in the PT's toolbox.
Importantly, Heather and Julie stress the need to manage patient expectations and set realistic goals, focusing on improving function and reducing symptoms rather than aiming for complete symptom resolution. They also highlighted the importance of ongoing education and resources for clinicians interested in advancing their knowledge and skills in the FND field.
Check out these resources mentioned in the episode:
https://www.fndsociety.org/fnd-education FND society education resources
26.08.2023-Information-guideance-sheet-for-medical-professionals.pdf (fndaction.org.uk) Inform the doctor fact sheet
Diagnosis and Management of FND
A framework for understanding the pathophysiology of functional neurological disorders
A practical review of FN for the general physician
Have you heard some things about working with people with MS that make you question how to approach their care? Are they old school thoughts or based on science? Who can tell?! You’ll know after listening to this episode! Hosts Erin Gallardo and Claire McLean had the privilege of speaking with Herb Karpatkin, PT, DSc, NCS, MSCS, a leading expert in physical therapy for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Herb shared invaluable insights from his decades of clinical experience and research, providing guidance for physical therapists on how to actually support patients with this complex neurological condition so they improve.
A key focus of Herb's research has been exploring ways to help MS patients overcome debilitating fatigue, which often limits their ability to participate in rehabilitation. He has found great success with intermittent training protocols, where patients alternate short bursts of activity with rest periods. Herb shares specific parameters from the research so you can use it now.
Next you must recognize that a significant portion of disability in MS patients may be due to deconditioning, rather than the neurological disease process itself. By implementing targeted reconditioning programs, physical therapists can make a substantial impact on improving functional mobility, even in those with advanced disease.
Herb's research has also demonstrated the benefits of high-intensity interval training for individuals with MS. Contrary to outdated beliefs, many MS patients are able to tolerate and thrive with aggressive exercise programs when implemented thoughtfully. Herb emphasizes the importance of gradually progressing patients to higher intensities, while closely monitoring for signs of fatigue.
To further support the MS community, Herb is actively involved with the Degenerative Disease Special Interest Group of the American Physical Therapy Association. This group has created a Clinician Locator Map to help patients find physical therapists with expertise in treating degenerative conditions like MS.
For your patients and clients with MS: MS Cooling Products Application
Sign up for the clinician locator map:
https://www.neuropt.org/special-interest-groups/degenerative-diseases/ddsig-clinician-locator-map
Register for the free webinar on MS interventions you can apply immediately here! https://www.neurocollaborative.com/ms-webinar
In the ever-evolving world of neurorehabilitation, Dr. Ryan Lovell, PT, DPT, NCS, ATP has carved out a unique path that blends his clinical expertise with a passion for research and storytelling simply through curiosity and exploration. As a physical therapist, doctoral student, and podcast host, Ryan's multifaceted career serves as an inspiring example of the diverse opportunities available within the neuro field.
Ryan's journey began with a strong foundation in the medical field, influenced by his mother's work as a registered nurse. Drawn to the intersection of sports medicine and neurology, Ryan found his calling in physical therapy, particularly after a fortuitous opportunity to intern at Casa Colina Hospital. This experience ignited his interest in neurorehabilitation and set him on a course to pursue a neuro residency, specialized certifications, and eventually, PhD candidacy in Rehabilitation and Movement Science.
As a researcher, Ryan has tackled intriguing questions, from exploring the use of transcranial stimulation devices for stroke and spinal cord injury rehabilitation to investigating clinical biomarkers in post-concussion syndrome. His work has highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between clinicians and product companies, ensuring that new technologies are not only safe but also truly beneficial for patients.
Ryan's passion for storytelling has also found expression through his podcast, The Parallax Effect. Recognizing the power of narrative in making complex scientific concepts accessible, Ryan has used this platform to share diverse perspectives and foster meaningful dialogue within the neuro community. His ability to seamlessly blend his scientific expertise with creative flair serves as a testament to the value of interdisciplinary thinking.
As Ryan continues to navigate the realms of research, teaching, and podcasting, his story serves as a reminder of the boundless opportunities that await those willing to embrace the intersection of science, technology, and storytelling. By bridging the gap between clinicians, researchers, and the broader community, Ryan Lovell's work exemplifies the transformative power of a multidimensional approach to neurorehabilitation.
Episode 189 of the I Love Neuro Podcast with Lynne Becker
YouTube: The Parallax Effect Podcast
Instagram: @parallaxeffectmedia
X: @parallaxeffects
TikTok: RyloKen27
Facebook: The Parallax Effect Podcast
Did you know there are some unique differences when working with aging adults who experience concussions? In fact, patients may come to your clinic after a fall and not have the diagnosis of concussion but they may actually have one. How would you know? What would you do to screen for it? What would you treat first? Tune in to answer all of these questions and more!
- Concussions in the elderly population often result from falls at standing height, rather than high-velocity impacts. - Symptoms like imbalance and dizziness may be overlooked or attributed to other conditions, making diagnosis difficult.
Comprehensive Assessment and Treatment - Evaluating neck pain, vestibular function, balance, and autonomic dysfunction is crucial for managing geriatric concussion. - Strengthening neck muscles, improving cervical proprioception, and incorporating vestibular rehabilitation exercises can aid recovery. - Screening for BPPV and addressing visual motion sensitivity are also important treatment considerations.
Monitoring Exertion and Symptom Management - Graded exercise testing, such as the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test, can help determine safe activity levels. - Educating patients on pacing activities and using the "gas tank" method can prevent overexertion and prolonged symptoms. - Incorporating breathing exercises can help regulate the autonomic system and promote calming.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Ongoing Support - Referring patients to the appropriate specialists, such as neurologists or physiatrists, is key for comprehensive care. - Participating in mentorship opportunities, like the NeuroSpark office hours, can provide valuable guidance for clinicians. - Continuous monitoring and adjustments to the treatment plan are essential for successful geriatric concussion management.
Check out this episode for more information!
182: Assessing and treating dysautonomia in neuro clients with Jennifer Lazaro, PT, DPT, NCS
Learn more about NeuroSpark here!
In this episode, hosts Erin Gallardo and Claire McLean are joined by guest Dr. JJ Mowder-Tinney, PT, PhD, NCS, a highly experienced physical therapist specializing in neurological conditions. Are you afraid to get your patients on the floor? Are you nervous it will be too painful for them (or you)? Join us for this engaging discussion on the importance of getting patients down on the floor and practicing floor transfers, as well as strategies to overcome the common fear and hesitation clinicians may have around this.
Some of the key takeaways include:
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The significance of building patients' self-efficacy and confidence in getting up from the floor, as fear of falling is closely linked to increased fall risk.
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The value of strong movement analysis skills that allow therapists to tailor floor activities to each patient's unique presentation and abilities.
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Practical tips for breaking down the task into smaller, more manageable parts and adjusting the environment (e.g. using padded mats) to facilitate success.
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The collaborative approach of problem-solving with patients to find the best methods for them, rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all technique.
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The importance of regularly assessing floor skills and incorporating floor exercises into treatment, even for higher-functioning patients.
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Encouragement for clinicians to reflect on their own comfort level with floor transfers, seek support from colleagues, and continuously expand their skills in this area.
We are also excited to announce a free webinar on September 24th titled "Gettin’ Down and Dirty: Mastering Floor Transfers and Exercises in Neuro Without the Fear," which will give you the opportunity to brainstorm live with hundreds of neuro colleagues from around the world, see some helpful videos, and give you specific takeaways you can use the next day.
Here is the floor mat Claire uses at her clinic (not an affiliate link)
https://www.neurocollaborative.com/floor-transfers
Follow @jjmowderpt
In this episode Erin, Claire and Emily Duval Ledger interview Vanessa Kaczmarek, PT, DPT, NCS about her experience starting a private practice focused on neurologic physical therapy. Some of the key takeaways include:
Starting a Niche Private Practice - Vanessa saw gaps in care for patients transitioning from inpatient rehab to outpatient, so she launched Neuroactive Therapy to provide high-intensity, research-based therapy. - Her practice is primarily cash-pay, allowing her to offer more frequent, customized treatment sessions.
Growing a New Business - Vanessa initially struggled to build her caseload, but has since gained momentum through networking with other therapists and reaching out to referral sources. - Marketing and business tasks don't come naturally, but she's embraced them as necessary to sustain her passion for patient care.
Balancing Work and Life - As a mobile PT, Vanessa has had to get creative with scheduling to maintain a healthy work-life balance, especially as a mom of young kids. - She's learned to prioritize patient treatment time while streamlining administrative tasks like documentation.
Leveraging Technology - The group discussed using AI and dictation tools to improve the efficiency of documentation, though Vanessa prefers a more hands-on approach for now. - They agreed that finding ways to reduce the administrative burden could be game-changing for private practice PTs.
Throughout the conversation, Vanessa's authenticity and dedication to her patients shone through. Her story provides inspiration and practical insights for other therapists considering the leap into private practice.
Learn more about Vanessa and her practice here!
https://neuroactivetherapywellness.com/
Instagram @neuroactivetherapy
As rehab professionals, we're often hyper-focused on helping our clients improve their physical function and manage pain. But what about the equally important aspects of emotional and sexual wellbeing? In this episode Erin had the chance to sit down with Dr. Rose Schlaff, a pelvic PT and sex counselor, to discuss how neuroscience-based techniques can unlock greater intimacy, desire, and pleasure.
Dr. Rose shared her "Reclaim the Flame" method, which combines neuroscience, somatics, and sex counseling to help clients overcome societal pressures and unrealistic standards around sex and relationships. One key component is working with the cranial nerves through simple 30-second exercises. She explained that by grounding into the nervous system and using cranial nerve exercises and an understanding of polyvagal theory, we can help clients shift out of stuck states like anxiety, lack of focus, or low libido. These quick movements that stimulate the eyes, face, and other cranial nerves can create rapid shifts in our physiology and emotional state.
You will learn how eye movements actually release dopamine and how to use these to reset your nervous system or your clients. You will also have the opportunity to follow along with an exercise to make a shift yourself during the episode. Additionally, if you’re nervous or don’t know where to start having these conversations with clients we’ll give you the steps you need to help them without the embarrassment.
As we discussed, our relationships, stress levels, and feelings of desire (or lack thereof) can have a profound impact on our nervous system and overall wellbeing. Dr. Rose emphasized the importance of clinicians feeling safe and comfortable to talk about any topic with clients, and using self-regulation techniques, in order to facilitate better co-regulation.
She encouraged clinicians to normalize conversations around sex and intimacy, even if it feels outside of our typical scope. By tapping into the power of the nervous system through techniques like eye exercises and visualization, we can help our clients (and ourselves) experience greater ease, excitement, and connection in all areas of life - not just the bedroom.
It's an empowering reminder that holistic health encompasses so much more than just the physical body. To learn more from Dr. Rose and explore her free resources use the links below.. And keep an eye out for her upcoming trainings on trauma-informed pelvic and sexual health coaching.
www.bewellwithrose.com
https://www.instagram.com/bewellwithrose/
Free 15 min call: https://www.bewellwithrose.com/schedule-now
Free guide: www.bewellwithrose.com/sds
FREE GUIDE: Playing with Power Dynamics: Scripts to Get You Confident and Comfortable Asking For What You Want in Any Setting!
This guide will take you through examples of my 3-step strategy to feel more comfortable, confident, and cozy communicating in any setting so you can:
✅ Decrease pain or discomfort during intimacy so you can have more fun and feel more care-free, confident, and connected in and out of the bedroom
✅ Feel calm and confident communicating your wants and needs
✅ Take the pressure off so you can feel energized and excited by intimacy
BONUS: navigate medical appointments with more comfort and confidence
Have you ever wondered how to effectively use telehealth to provide care? Maybe you’re already using it and want to know how to improve. In this episode of the I Love Neuro Podcast, host Erin Gallardo sat down with two leading experts in the field - Dr. Jennifer O'Neil and Dr. Alan Lee - to learn the latest research about telehealth.
Dr. O'Neil, a physiotherapist and professor at the University of Ottawa, shared her passion for using telehealth to improve access to rehabilitation services. She became interested in this area after seeing how much time she spent traveling to see her patients in Canada's vast countryside. Her doctoral research focused on implementing intensive home-based telerehabilitation programs for people living with traumatic brain injuries. She also discussed her work on a telehealth falls prevention program tailored for Francophone communities, highlighting the importance of addressing health equity.
Dr. Lee, a physical therapist and professor at Mount Saint Mary's University, provided historical context on the development of telehealth in physical therapy. He talked about the contributions of the international physical therapy community, including the recent publication of a clinical practice guideline (CPG) on telehealth from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). This guideline covers everything from video conferencing to remote monitoring and asynchronous visits.
The experts shared their insights on key considerations for implementing telehealth, such as safety, patient satisfaction, and the importance of shared decision-making with patients. They emphasized the need for standardized terminology and the inclusion of qualitative research to better understand the nuances of telehealth delivery.
Erin asked about the barriers and best practices for clinicians using telehealth, how to use telehealth with people with cognitive difficulties, tips for using telehealth with groups vs individuals and how to overcome some of the common barriers that clinicians face when using telerehab. The speakers highlighted the importance of preparation, digital literacy, and adapting clinical skills for the virtual environment. They also discussed the latest changes in billing and reimbursement, as well as their opinions on whether telehealth visits should cost the same as in-person visits.
Download the CPG here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38513257/
https://x.com/oneil_jenn
https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-health-sciences/rehabilitation/our-professors/jennifer-o-neil
joneil@uottawa.ca
@oneil_jenn
@alanleedpt (X)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-lee-21211314/ (Linkedin)
allee@msmu.edu (email)
In this episode of the I Love Neuro podcast, hosts Erin Gallardo and Claire McLean sat down with Katie Bouchillon, OTR, CBIST, MCMT, owner and CEO of Spero Rehab, a multidisciplinary outpatient clinic with 6 locations across Houston and Austin, Texas. Katie shared her journey into neuro rehabilitation and entrepreneurship, offering valuable insights for other clinicians looking to start or grow their own practices including what NOT to do based on the big mistakes she made along the way.
- Katie was motivated to start her own clinic after becoming frustrated with the decreasing length of stays for neuro rehab patients at her previous employer. She saw a need in the community for more effective and sustainable rehabilitation options. - Starting a brick-and-mortar clinic from scratch came with its challenges, including taking out a large loan and making mistakes in the early years. Katies emphasizes the importance of establishing core values and a clear vision before opening a practice. She explains what this looks like in practice. - Building a strong network and community involvement are crucial to Katie’s success. She leveraged relationships with former colleagues, participated in local events, and used social media to attract patients and employees. - Running a neuro-focused practice comes with unique financial and operational challenges. Katie discusses strategies like outsourcing services, partnering with nonprofits, and diversifying service offerings to maintain financial stability. - Hiring the right team and delegating responsibilities were key to Katie’s ability to scale her business. She prioritizes finding passionate, adaptable employees who share her core values. She explains where to find “A players” and how long it could take to find the right people.
Overall, Katie’s story highlights the rewards and difficulties of entrepreneurship in the neurorehabilitation field. Her insights offer valuable lessons for clinicians looking to take the leap into private practice.
https://sperorehab.com
@sperorehab
@sperorehabcentral
@speromeanshope
In this episode of the I Love Neuro Podcast, hosts Erin Gallardo and Claire McLean sat down with Dr. Beth Templin, PT, DPT, GCS, the founder of House Fit Physical Therapy, to discuss her innovative approach to serving the aging population and those living with Parkinson's disease.
Beth shared her journey into geriatric physical therapy, starting a mobile practice and then expanding to a 5,000 square foot facility that offers a range of services beyond one-on-one therapy. Some key highlights from the conversation include:
- Navigating Medicare billing as a non-participating provider initially, then transitioning to a participating provider to remove barriers for clients - Offering a diverse range of fitness classes tailored to different ability levels, with physical therapists leading the classes. Classes are with mixed populations of people, which is unique. - Incorporating non-invasive regenerative therapies like electromagnetic transduction therapy and shockwave to provide pain relief - Launching a comprehensive nutrition education and coaching program, including monthly plant-based potlucks - Emphasizing the importance of integrating nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle changes to achieve the best outcomes for their aging adult and Parkinson's clients
The discussion provides valuable insights for physical therapists and other healthcare providers looking to expand their services and take a more holistic approach to patient care. By blending traditional therapy, innovative treatments, and lifestyle interventions, House Fit Physical Therapy is setting a new standard for supporting the aging population and those living with neurological conditions.
https://www.housefitstl.com/
https://www.facebook.com/housefitstl
https://www.instagram.com/housefitstl
https://www.youtube.com/@housefitstl
In today’s episode we hosted three experts in vision rehabilitation, optometrist Dr. Melissa Zarn Urankar, occupational therapist Katy Coleman, and physical therapist Xenia Andrzejewski to discuss the importance of optimizing care for people with neurologic conditions who have vision dysfunction.
The episode will address who sees patients for vision impairment - an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or neuro-ophthalmologist? Plus what are the differences in their roles for clinicians and optometrists. What are some of the things clinicians should look for that would prompt them to assess a patient's vision more closely? What are some key assessments or techniques they can use? What resources and training are available for physical therapists and occupational therapists who want to improve their skills in visual rehabilitation? Are there any certification programs?
The guests will share their key insights into having a collaborative relationship with other disciplines and where you can find your team.
Key takeaways:
- Building relationships with "weirdos" or like-minded clinicians who are open to sharing perspectives is crucial for problem-solving complex patient cases. - Optometrists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists each bring unique expertise, but must be willing to listen and learn from each other to provide the best care. - Clear communication and avoiding jargon is key when working across disciplines. Clinicians should focus on describing functional observations rather than making assumptions. - Attending continuing education courses like the NORA annual conference can help build interdisciplinary knowledge and networks. - Reaching out to local vision therapy specialists and being open to learning from their perspective can greatly benefit OTs and PTs working with neuro patients.
By embracing an interdisciplinary approach and putting the patient's needs first, clinicians can provide more comprehensive and effective neuro vision rehabilitation. Collaboration is key to unlocking the best outcomes for those recovering from neurological injuries or conditions.
Helpful links:
https://noravisionrehab.org/about-nora/annual-conferences/2024-annual-conference
https://www.facebook.com/www.noravisionrehab.org/
https://www.youtube.com/c/NeuroOptometricRehabilitationAssociation
Chat GPT version
🎧 New episode is live! 🚀 Today, we chatted with three awesome experts in vision rehab: Dr. Melissa Zarn Urankar (optometrist), Katy Coleman (occupational therapist), and Xenia Andrzejewski (physical therapist). We got deep into how to give top-notch care to folks with neuro conditions and vision issues. 🧠👀
We covered who you should see for vision problems (optometrist, ophthalmologist, or neuro-ophthalmologist?) and the different roles they play. Plus, what should clinicians look for to catch vision problems early? We’ve got tips on key assessments, techniques, and even training resources for PTs and OTs who want to up their visual rehab game. 💪📚
Here are some golden nuggets from our convo:
- Team up with other “weirdos” (aka awesome clinicians) to solve tricky cases together.
- Everyone—optometrists, OTs, PTs—brings something unique to the table. Listening and learning from each other is a game-changer.
- Ditch the jargon! Clear, functional communication is a must.
- Hit up continuing education courses like the NORA conference to grow your skills and network.
- Connect with local vision therapy pros to learn new perspectives and improve your practice.
Collaboration is where it’s at! Let’s give our patients the best care possible by working together. 💥🤝
Helpful links:
https://noravisionrehab.org/about-nora/annual-conferences/2024-annual-conference
https://www.facebook.com/www.noravisionrehab.org/
https://www.youtube.com/c/NeuroOptometricRehabilitationAssociation
On this week’s episode we hosted a specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dr. List and occupational therapist Briana Elson, MS, OTR/L, BCPR, CBIS to share insights on spasticity management, focusing on the use of neurotoxin injections and collaboration between physicians and therapists.
Key discussion points included:
When do you recommend medication versus injection for spasticity management?
What do you consider when deciding on a treatment plan for someone with spasticity?
What does botulinum toxin do versus what does it not do?
When is it too early or too late for neurotoxin injections? Is there research showing that earlier treatment with neurotoxins can prevent symptoms from worsening?
Are neurotoxins typically covered by insurance for people?
How do you differentiate between spasticity and hypertonicity?
What's the best way to get a good outcome when injecting for contractures?
Do people need neurotoxin injections continuously to manage spasticity, or do some only need it temporarily?
When do you decide that intrathecal baclofen might be necessary instead of injections?
How do you respond to concerns about weakness from neurotoxin injections?
Does neurotoxin treatment help with pain associated with spasticity?
What's the best way for therapists to communicate with physicians about patient needs for spasticity management?
Who can perform neurotoxin injections, and how can patients find a provider?
This session highlighted the complexity of spasticity management and the need for a multidisciplinary approach. By combining medical interventions with therapy and ongoing assessment, we can help our patients achieve their functional goals and improve their quality of life.
In this episode Emily Duval Ledger, Erin Gallardo, and Claire McLean explore how maintaining an optimistic mindset can drive success in both clinical practice and business operations. Often it’s not as easy to do this in business, but we’ve got some strategies to share with you today.
Key points included: - The power of positive language and beliefs in shaping business outcomes - Viewing challenges as opportunities for growth and innovation - Applying clinical confidence and problem-solving skills to business situations - The importance of perseverance and maintaining perspective during difficult times - Building a supportive community of like-minded professionals
The hosts emphasized that while running a business can be challenging, especially in healthcare, maintaining a tenaciously optimistic outlook can lead to creative solutions and ultimate success. They encouraged listeners to reframe obstacles, stay committed to their goals, and remember that "success is inevitable" with persistence.
In this enlightening discussion, we have an open conversation with physical therapist Lauren Young, PT, DPT, CSRS, NCS, who reached out to Claire with a number of questions. She was willing to come on the podcast so everyone can benefit from the information. Lauren started a mobile neuro practice in February 2024 and is looking to develop group wellness classes to increase access to specialty services.
Claire answers the following questions:
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How do you make exercise classes accessible for all levels of abilities in a group setting?
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How did you start your wellness program, particularly regarding staffing and class structure?
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How do you structure her membership model and pricing?
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Looking back, is there anything Claire wishes she had done differently when first starting?
Key takeaways include:
- Renting space from existing gyms or studios is a smart way to start without heavy upfront costs. 2. Structuring classes for different ability levels is crucial for safety and effectiveness. 3. A monthly membership model provides consistent revenue and commitment from clients. 4. Pricing should reflect the premium nature of specialized services, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. 5. Slow, steady growth allows for learning and adaptation as the business evolves.
This conversation offers a wealth of practical advice for PTs looking to expand into wellness programming for neurological patients, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, client-focused services, and sustainable business practices.
Find out more about Lauren Young here: NeuroElite Physical Therapy www.NeuroElitePT.com
@NeuroElitePT (Instagram)
Have a neuro biz and want a place to ask questions of other biz owners? Request to join the NeuroBiz Besties free Slack group here
On today’s show, Dr. Katie Nathan, PT, DPT, NCS joined Erin and Claire to share her journey building a successful physical therapy business to maximize impact and reach as many people as possible with focused Parkinson's disease.
Katie received her doctorate from USC in 2016 and is passionate about using exercise and movement to empower those with neurological disorders. This led her to start her own business, Moved by Movement, which offers one-on-one sessions, group classes, and a new online membership program.
Discover why Katie decided to start her own business and how she went from in person to now starting an online membership. She shares the details of her transition to working for herself full time, how she manages to keep her energy high, what it’s like owning a business solo especially if she wants to travel and what she’s learned with starting and online membership.
Katie relocated to Reno, Nevada and had to start from scratch. She shared some of the networking strategies that helped grow her new practice, like volunteering time, speaking at support groups, and consistently being helpful to build trust in the community.
Katie has since transitioned her business from one-on-one sessions to a group model through outdoor bootcamp classes. She also launched an online membership called Movement Matters Membership to serve clients worldwide through weekly live classes, an on-demand video library, and educational meetings.
The hosts and Katie discussed tips for work-life balance as business owners, marketing strategies, investing in professional video equipment, and more. Katie's passion for empowering those with neurological conditions through exercise was inspiring. Her story shows how physical therapists can thrive outside the traditional healthcare system.
Follow Katie on Instagram: @drkatiept
Website: www.movedbymovementpt.com
We’re back for another episode this week! This one is bringing you practical clinical tools you can start incorporating right now. It’s based on new evidence with intense exercise and its effect on increasing dopamine transporter and neuromelanin concentrations in the substantia nigra in Parkinson’s disease. While Rogue has always been known to implement the research into practice, a transition at the clinic and inspiration from a recent article (small “n” yet still inspiring) results in a new class format that just started at Rogue PT and Wellness, Claire’s gym for people with PD. Claire introduces the new high-intensity class at Rogue called "Hi Fi" for “high intensity” and “functional.” It incorporates cardio, strength and functional exercises into intervals with modifications. The format follows recent research on intense exercise improving neuromelanin in Parkinson's. Find the link below to the full text free article.
Hi Fi includes a warm-up before intervals alternating between two high-intensity exercises and five skilled exercises. Exercises target mobility, balance and strength. Visual cues and straps help improve participants' form.
Claire discusses adapting the class based on themes like last week's focus on mobility. Exercises included burpees, lunges and power moves using straps and chairs.
Check it out and let us know what you learned and what you’re going to try!
Intense exercise increases dopamine transporter and neuromelanin concentrations in the substantia nigra in Parkinson’s disease. Npj Parkinson’s disease. Published 09 February 2024
Our recent guest on the I Love Neuro podcast, Chanda Hinton, is doing impactful work to improve healthcare access and quality of care for individuals with disabilities. As the Executive Director of the Chanda Center for Health & Wellness in Denver, Colorado, Chanda leads efforts in both direct service provision and systemic advocacy.
Chanda shared her personal story of living with a spinal cord injury since 1991. She discussed the secondary conditions that often arise and how the medical model can fall short in long-term support. Chanda's experience with chronic pain and reliance on opioids inspired her vision for the Chanda Center - providing holistic, collaborative care through integrative therapies like physical therapy, acupuncture and massage.
For 19 years, the Chanda Center has evolved its approach. It now offers on-site services under one roof, including physical therapy, chiropractic, behavioral health and more. Chanda advocates for Medicaid coverage of these therapies based on her success with them. She works to reduce red tape around physical therapy access through Medicaid as well.
Chanda highlighted the need for improved disability competence among healthcare providers. Biases that disability equals sickness must be challenged. Providers need education and autonomy to respectfully serve individuals. Chanda also emphasized the importance of visibility - on social media and in mainstream representation. This helps normalize the reality that one in four people will experience disability.
Through direct service, advocacy and legislative change, Chanda empowers people with disabilities. She trains providers and works to redefine narratives around both disability and aging. Chanda's courageous and collaborative approach is uniquely improving lives and transforming healthcare systems.
To learn more about supporting the Chanda Center's mission, visit their website at https://chandacenter.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chandacenter/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chandacenterforhealth/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chandacenterforhealth/
On this episode of the I Love Neuro podcast, host Erin Gallardo sits down with guest Joy Cochran to discuss her business Joy Explorations and an upcoming Parkinson's disease retreat.
Joy started Joy Explorations in 2018 with a goal of empowering older adults and those with neurological conditions through adaptive outdoor activities and movement. She found many of her physical therapy clients were not continuing the activities they enjoyed after discharge. Joy wanted to help people live life to the fullest outside of the clinic setting.
Joy Explorations now offers group classes, one-on-one sessions, and "exploration days" where clients can try kayaking, biking on adaptive trikes, and more. Joy assesses each client's needs and works with them to problem solve challenges in a personalized way.
In September, Joy will host a four-day Parkinson's disease retreat focused on exercise, education, and immersion in healthy lifestyle strategies. The retreat will incorporate kayaking, biking, hiking, and other outdoor activities alongside workshops on managing non-motor symptoms. Joy's goal is to help participants realize they can do more than they think and leave with new skills and friendships.
The podcast provides valuable insights into Joy's process of planning the retreat budget, contracts, and activities. Overall, the episode offers inspiration and practical tips for anyone interested in hosting health and wellness retreats.
Learn more about Joy and the retreat here:
www.joyexplorations.com
https://joyexplorations.mykajabi.com/pd-retreat
@joyexplorations on Instagram and FB
Ever feel stuck between what you want to do and what you feel like you should do? Uh, yes, all the time! How does it feel when you have these ingrained expectations making decisions for you? Usually not so great. And it happens to everyone. So in this episode we talk about why that happens, how to recognize when you're operating in external “shoulds” instead of internal “shoulds”, what to do about it. Plus we’ll give you permission to be happier AND reach your goals in the way that works best for you. Get resources, examples and experience to draw from and help propel you forward to a life and business led in the exact best way for you.
The Crossroads Between Should and Must by Elle Luna
Full Focus Planner
Okay, so let’s address this head on: No one wants to fall. But falls do happen. Especially for people who have trouble with their balance. So wouldn’t it be great if when someone did fall, they knew how to roll or land in a way that minimized injury? That’s what we’re talking about today with physiotherapist Naomi Casiro of NeuroFit BC. She runs one on one and group therapy sessions for people with PD teaching them the fundamentals of controlling their movement and momentum in order to minimize risk.
In the show we’ll address:
- The actual format and progression of classes/sessions focused on fall training
- The method Naomi uses to hone in on what type of falling to treat
- What the MOST important factor is when teaching someone how to fall well
- What the contraindications are for this type of training
- What equipment is needed and how to get started
- How to get your clients on board to try this training with you
You can reach out to Naomi and learn more about the fall training courses she teaches for healthcare professionals here:
www.neurofitbc.com
www.neurofitbc.com/courses
Free exercise videos: www.neurofitbc.com/move
naomi@neurofitbc.com
There are a lot of reasons you can go into private practice. Most of which have to do with the desire to provide care in a different way than you’ve seen in your community. But the way you set up your practice can be as unique as you are. One challenging question most neuro clinicians face when setting up their private practice is what to do about Medicare? As policies with Medicare continue to change, many opt to enroll in Medicare as a non-participating provider. This means you work with Medicare beneficiaries to deliver covered services but you bill differently. As a non-participating provider with Medicare you’re able to collect up front from patients, submit your claim to Medicare, and Medicare reimburses the patient for the visit (rather than you since you collected your money up front). There are pros and cons about going this route. In this episode we talk to physical therapist Tyler Horton of Synapse Neuro Rehab about his business model and why he decided to become a non-participating provider with Medicare. Tyler has been running his business this way for a few years and helps other neuro business owners who want to become non-participating with Medicare navigate this path.
Website: https://synapseneurorehab.com/
Instagram: @synapseneurorehab
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SynapseNeuroRehab/
dr.tyler@synapseneurorehab.com
Join the free slack group, NeuroBiz Besties: https://forms.gle/32hJLWmsEmEW5Vs47
Ever feel discouraged about the care you think you can provide without fancy equipment? Not after you listen to this episode! In today’s show you’ll learn easy ideas to make maximum impact no matter what setting you’re in and what you have available to you. We’ll share actual patient stories to give you real examples of strategies to apply in the clinic tomorrow. Making meaningful change doesn’t require a big budget. Sometimes the best ideas come from using what you have around you and from working on the priorities of your patient. Which ideas are your favorites?
To attend the live webinar on High-Impact Low-Cost Ideas for the Posterior Chain, register here: https://www.neurocollaborative.com/posterior
Missed the live webinar but want the replay? Email info@neurocollaborative.com
Have you heard exercise is good for people with Parkinson’s? Duh! As a listener of this podcast you most certainly have! Do you know how much someone should get their heart rate up to make a difference? What about how to test them to ensure you understand their peak HR? The research on exercise and Parkinson’s is booming and we want to give you the best information straight from the source. That’s exactly why we invited prominent researcher Dr. Daniel M Corcos, PhD to the show! He’s been involved in pivotal research that actually shows exercise can modify the disease progression. No drug test has ever been able to show this, but his research team is getting closer and closer to understanding exactly what type of exercise people with Parkinson’s should do and in what dosage to truly modify their signs and symptoms and get back to the activities they love.
In the episode we discussed a current study, SPARX3, which is recruiting and aiming to determine whether high intensity or moderate exercise change PD progression. We discuss the specifics of this study and why the exercise prescription was selected the way that it was, what a cardiopulmonary exercise test is and why it’s helpful, how to really measure HR peak, how to get someone up to their HR peak SAFELY and what NOT to do, and resources you must share with physicians in your area!
Reach out to us at info@neurocollaborative.com if you have anyone you’d like to refer to SPARX3 so we can pass your information along to Dr. Corcos. They are recruiting through August 2025.
Journal of PD 2023 “Advice to people with Parkinson’s in my clinic: Exercise” - give this article to physicians
Parkinson’s: How to Reduce Symptoms Through Exercise by Kristine Meldrum
ACSM guidelines Chapter 11 Edition 11 for PD
https://sites.northwestern.edu/danielcorcos/daniel-m-corcos-phd-biography/
Do you work with people who have pain AND neurologic conditions? In our world it would be rare to find someone who doesn’t have at least a few patients or clients who experience pain either as a result of their diagnosis or even pain that is completely unrelated but persists. In this episode we had the privilege of picking the brain of one of the best pain neuroscience educators around, Dr. Adriaan Louw, PT, PhD, senior faculty, pain science director and vice-president of faculty experience for Evidence in Motion. As a leader in the field of pain neuroscience, Adriaan has authored and co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles related to spinal disorders and pain science. If you’ve ever seen him teach at a conference his courses are the ones with the overflowing rooms for a reason: He knows his stuff! And clinicians are hungry for the knowledge and skills that will help people with pain feel better and return to function again. We asked Adriaan the best ways to incorporate pain neuroscience education (PNE) into practice when working with people with complex histories. He discussed the importance of both education and an approach to function as well as how to identify who is ready for change regarding their pain. You’ll learn key outcome assessments you should be using for your patients who have pain and how to create a balance of addressing the pain and progressing function in therapy sessions. Assessments like the Central Sensitization Inventory Scale, Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire and Pain Catastrophization Survey can help you identify who will benefit the most from PNE. You’ll also learn how language matters and which words to use and which words to avoid when describing pain and other medical conditions as they can impact the pain someone is experiencing. We discuss how to approach a person who feels like their pain is completely physical as well as how much time or effort to dedicate to incorporating PNE in sessions vs other activities and with which patients. You’ll learn this and so much more in the episode!
Resources mentioned in the episode (Note, some require permission from authors. Links will give you the information needed to request)
Central Sensitization Inventory
Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire
Pain Catastrophization Survey
Sticks and Stones: The Impact of Language on Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
Medbridge courses with Adriaan Louw
whyyouhurt.com free videos for clinicians and patients
EIM courses
OPTP books and resources by Addriaan Louw
Join the NeuroSpark waitlist to be the first to hear when we open again! Dr. Louw will be a presenter inside NeuroSpark in the upcoming quadrimester Summer 2024!
Do you see a gap in the care of individuals that you work with? Sometimes the work isn’t done after discharge, am I right? The desire to fill a gap for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) is what led 2 PTs and an OT to establish Empower SCI in 2012. Empower SCI is a non-profit dedicated to providing intensive rehabilitation experiences for people with SCI by creating immersive, residential experiences with clinical experts, peer mentors, recreational opportunities, and around the clock support. Empower SCI has a unique and innovative model that is volunteer driven and loved by all who encounter it.
In this episode we interviewed the co-founders, Carrie Callahan, PT, DPT, ATP, Jessica Goodine, PT, DPT, NCS, and Elizabeth Lima Remillard, MS, OTR/L about everything from how it all started to where it’s all going. They shared the motivation for starting Empower, what “residential program” means, where and how they operate without a brick and mortar, who qualifies and who doesn’t qualify for an intensive, their biggest challenges to running intensives, why they decided to create a nonprofit, their tips for a successful partnership of 3, their new teen program and how you can get involved. Join us for an amazing dive into a life changing program that will inspire you!
Please share this episode and information with anyone you know who might be interested in either volunteering or attending!
To sign up to be a volunteer or participant use this link: empowersci.org/applications
Participants for the upcoming teen program have until June 15, 2024 to apply!
IG @empowerspinalcordinjury
FB Empower SCI
Have you ever felt like there was a disconnect between what the researchers are thinking and what you, as a clinician, are thinking? You’re not the only one! The desire to bridge the gap between research and what really goes on in the clinic has been a topic of discussion for decades. We interviewed Dr. Carolee Winstein, PhD, PT, FAPTA about this very topic and what the possible solutions may be. Dr. Winstein, a pivotal figure in redirecting professional focus towards motor control, motor learning and neuroplasticity, shares her transformational journey. When working with individuals with neurologic conditions in the 1990s (“before neuro rehab was a thing,” as she laughs) she wondered, why do some people get better and some don’t? Her intellectual curiosity propelled her into the sphere of motor learning and control under the tutelage of the esteemed Richard (Dick) Schmidt, PhD, an intellectual leader in motor learning and control and founder and founding editor of the Journal of Motor Behavior.
Accumulating over 34,000 citations, Dr. Winstein stands as a luminary in the realm of neuro rehabilitation, boasting an unparalleled expertise in motivation, motor control, and neuroplasticity. She shares why the practice of neuro rehabilitation must be accompanied by an understanding of the behavioral literature. She provides advice and guidance for the clinician struggling to incorporate the research into practice, a warning about Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs), and what types of studies you should actually pay attention to in order to implement emerging evidence. Have you ever felt like your patient population doesn’t really match those studied in the research? She addresses that too and provides advice and encouragement about how to shift this disconnect.
Articles mentioned in the interview can be found and downloaded here:
Boyne, et al Optimal Intensity and Duration of Walking Rehabilitation in Patients with Chronic Stroke
Dawson, et al Vagus nerve stimulation paired with rehabilitation for upper limb motor function after ischemic stroke (VNS-REHAB)
Hornby, et al Clinical Practice Guideline to Improve Locomotor Function Following Chronic Stroke, Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury, and Brain Injury
Tsay, et al Five Features to Look for in Early-Phase Clinical Intervention Studies
How much are you challenging the older adults you work with What biases do you have about someone when you see their age or comorbidities? Are they limiting how much you push them? Have you ever thought about the consequences of not pushing someone enough?? On today’s show we interviewed Dr. Dustin Jones, PT, DPT, GCS about his approach to working with aging adults and how it challenges the norm. He was working in skilled nursing facilities and seeing nearly everyone with the same exercises and plans of care despite varying abilities. This led to a desire to change the approach to care to be about determining what is really possible for aging adults and questioning why we only reserve more challenging work for those who are younger.
In the episode Dustin explores how many therapists make assumptions (often ageist) about what someone is able or not able to do that isn’t backed up by research. He discusses the fear that something could go wrong when you challenge an older adult and challenges you to consider what could go right. If you approach it the right way, honoring their system and giving time to adapt, older adults have so much to gain by doing heavy lifting and strength training. The bigger risk for this population is actually to underdose them. People who are stronger and more fit have an ability to overcome more illnesses and stay independent longer. We discuss how to have conversations and set expectations for hard work outs that could lead to soreness or even orthopedic flare ups and how this is actually less risky as a consequence of pushing someone than the alternative outcomes that can happen is they aren’t as strong as possible, such as illnesses and chronic conditions from being sedentary.
Keys to success with a fitness forward approach include ensuring the exercises are aligned with the patient’s primary goal. If they have pain, address that first but still have the conversation about where you’re going. Keep tying the exercise approach back to their independence and functional goals, and help them see the connection. Make sure they know the worst thing they can do is stop. Assure them to keep coming back so you can help them through it.
Dustin runs StrongerLife, a gym for people over 55 and teaches Modern Management of the Older Adult as part of the Institute of Clinical Excellence, or PT on ICE.
Learn more about Dustin and StrongerLIfe at www.StrongerLifeHQ.com
Modern Management of the Older Adult - PTonICE.com
@mmoa.icephysio
@strongerlifehq
Everyone is on their own timeline. For some the notion to start a business doesn’t happen until well into their career. For others it happens almost immediately. For some, the slow growth method is right. For others it’s full speed ahead. Dr. Han Nguyen, PT, DPT, NCS is a PT who’s constantly seeking growth and opportunity. She asks, “what’s next?” and continues to strive for more and better. In today’s show we had the opportunity to learn about how she set up a multidisciplinary neuro rehab clinic in Saint Petersburg, FL focused on high intensity sessions, creative treatment strategies and team work. Han mentions some very key ways she was able to grow so quickly including being involved in her community. She also discusses the transitions she did from starting out mobile to renting shared space to recently signing a lease of her own. She’s learned lessons with hiring, negotiating, and growing her team. She also discusses her model of care and why she decided to be participating with Medicare. She also highlights the importance of understanding who you’re here to serve (hint: it’s not a diagnosis), getting clear on your messaging and one invaluable investment that has made all the difference. If you’re looking for inspiration to start your own thing or you’re already doing it, you’re sure to take away helpful insights in today’s show!
@neubilityrehab
If you’re interested in coaching for your neuro biz, schedule a discovery call with Emily Duval Ledger today! https://www.neurocollaborative.com/request-a-discovery-call-neurobiz-1
For an invitation to our NeuroBiz Besties free slack group fill out THIS FORM
Busy-ness and fluctuations are pretty normal when running a business but do you have trouble turning your business brain off? Can you go on vacation without working? Do you know the signs in your body when you’ve hit your edge? In the world of hustle culture how do you show up differently so you can love what you do and make it sustainable without wanting to burn it all to the ground? If you’re finding it difficult to step away from your business, this episode is for you. If you’re feeling frustrated because you think you’re doing everything right and it’s just not working, this episode is for you. If you’re snapping at people and cranky and you think it’s everyone else’s fault, this episode is for you. We’ve been there too and will provide you with strategies that work for us when we need grounding and a break. Emily Duval Ledger, NeuroBiz coach is here to coach Erin and Claire and anyone listening. You’re sure to come away with permission, insight and tactics.
Who wants to talk about a fun topic?! What if learning about Medicare Maintenance Therapy actually was fun and didn’t make you fall asleep? Well, that’s what you’re going to get on today’s episode! We sat down with our favorite Medicare Utilization Reviewer, Dr. Robbie Leonard, PT, DPT, CHC to discuss the hot and sticky points about Medicare skilled therapy. We know a LOT of US-based therapists have questions and we’re here to help! In today’s show we discuss some common misconceptions about using Medicare for therapy so we can help you pass an audit and stay out of trouble!
Some of the topics covered today include:
- Medicare’s definition of medical necessity and when it does and does not cover services
- The only 2 standards under which you can treat - restorative and maintenance and what they each mean
- When do to restorative and when to do maintenance and why you should NOT mix the two
- The questions you should ask yourself every time you see a patient: Could what I’m doing be provided by a caregiver or technical person that I train? If yes, it should not be billed at all. Unfortunately it doesn’t matter whether there is a qualified caregiver available or not.
- How you get audited: You can be flagged to be audited because your data profile looks different. If you always use or never use KX you can be audited for being an outlier. You should never stop seeing people just because they’ve reached the threshold. This can be a red flag!
- What you should NEVER say to a patient about their Medicare dollar usage
- When it is and is not appropriate to stop providing skilled therapy (hint: it doesn’t have to do with where the patient is in their threshold spend!)
- How to know if you can provide more therapy to a person who’s reached their threshold for the year: evaluations will always be covered!
- Why you should not be concerned (or turn away) a patient who has used up to their Medicare threshold or beyond Initial threshold
- What about Medicare and cash? If you’re providing a covered service you cannot opt out of Medicare as a therapist. You are legally obligated to file a claim.
- What does wellness look like then?
- What does a reasonable time frame actually look like?
Jimmo settlement CMS
Medicare regulations all US therapists should read: Medicare Benefit Policy Manual Chapter 15, Section 220.2 D
NeuroSpark members find the Parkinson Focus Track call recording with Robbie HERE with additional information covered
Find Robbie at: robbie@8150advisors.com
**Please note, the contents in this episode are for educational purposes and should not be considered legal advice
Do you feel like you’re as great a clinician as you could be? Do you know how to apply the evidence in an individualized way? Are you missing anything in your therapy toolbox, if so, do you know what it is? In today’s show we were so excited to interview Dr. Oscar Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS after he won the PT Clinical Excellence in Neurology Award from the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy component of the American Physical Therapy Association. Oscar is dedicated to the advancement of physical therapy through many advocacy efforts. He spends countless hours treating patients, mentoring students, residents and other clinicians, and focuses on community wellness. He has transformed many lives in his 20+ years in the field and is definitely someone who will take the profession (and healthcare) further as he continues to devote time, effort and energy to these passions. Any clinician or student will benefit from this in depth discussion of what makes a person a really great clinician so they can overcome barriers, empower patients to overcome their real and perceived barriers, and ultimately find perhaps a lost sense of agency. The insights shared will enlighten clinicians at any stage in their career. Some of the discussion points touched upon in this interview include how to determine what to use in your practice from the evidence when you’re stuck between following best practice guidelines and the restrictions faced like resources, patient functional level, other patient/family priorities, and clinical appropriateness for the interventions being suggested. Additionally, we discuss an essential communication tool that can shift power dynamics ultimately leading to better outcomes, understanding of expectations, and satisfaction for patient and clinician alike. Helpful adages like “our discharge plan starts at the evaluation” and “think out loud” will strengthen patient/clinician relationships. Becoming an expert in neurologic therapy goes beyond your clinical skills and the bullet points in the research. Listen to hear how you can elevate your practice right now.
If you’re inspired by anything you heard, you can reach out to Oscar in the following ways:
ogallardo76@gmail.com
@dr_o.g._theneuropt
In today’s show we interviewed Dr. Christina Garrity, PT, DPT, NCS about her vestibular therapy world! She left her clinic job to start a private practice because she found that people were not getting quick or easy enough access to this time-sensitive care. She made it happen while also juggling a busy family life plus teaching in PT programs. Soon she was given an opportunity to become a PhD candidate that she could not turn down. In the conversation we discuss the details of how she started small scale with her clinic, her decision to be a non-participating provider with Medicare and why it was necessary, her vision and mission, and more. Vestibular therapy is a special and important area as the chances of dysfunction increase as the population ages and Christina wants to make sure therapists have the tools to help every single person whether they seem like they have a vestibular problem or not (because some are not so obvious!). We make a special announcement about our future collaboration and how you can grow your confidence when working with anyone with a vestibular condition - especially the cases that confound you! This conversation will be inspiring to any therapist who loves neuro, has a practice, has ever thought about having a practice, loves vestibular, or imagines themselves doing something a little less traditional in their career path.
Learn more about Christina:
Labyrinth Physical Therapy & Wellness www.LabyrinthPT.com
Instagram: @vestibular_neuro_pt
Website: www.LabyrinthPT.com and courses: https://labyrinthpt.com/courses
Sign up for our email list to learn when we’re releasing Christina's vestibular course for the aging adult and for our beta launch of the BalanceBesties Vestibular Mentorship Group coming soon! https://www.neurocollaborative.com
In this week’s episode we address a listener’s question about retropulsion in people with Parkinson’s. In the show we define retropulsion then provide a plethora of ideas for you to try with your clients to help them restore their ability to move backwards without falling!
- Sit to Stand (STS) and Standing Postural Issues:
- Biggest issue: inadequate weight shift forward
- Factors contributing: “off” medications, low medication with increased bradykinesia, dyskinesia “on” medication
- Postural changes are a cornerstone of Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
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Perceptual and visual changes, smaller base of support can impact retropulsion
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Medication Discussion:
- Importance of discussing medications with neurologists
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Hard to out-exercise being undermedicated
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Treatment Ideas:
- Weighted Vest:
- Balance Based Torso Weighting
-
Exaggerate feeling by adding more weight behind or in front
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Aerobic Exercise:
- Intense, engaged, elevated heart rate
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Preferable on treadmill, multi-directional movement
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STS Treatment:
- Provide a target in front
- Encourage body awareness
- Challenge on different surfaces to augment error
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Use Blazepod for external cues and motivation
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Resistance Band Exercises:
- At the hips, pulling backward
- Secure attachment, various directions
- Include targets and external cues
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Repetition, variety, dual tasks, eyes closed
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Reactive Balance Training:
- Backward steps in various positions
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Posterior activation in quadruped, walking, tall kneeling, prone
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Clock Yourself App:
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Use front or back half of the clock for different movements
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Compensatory Strategies:
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Staggered stance, wider stance
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Conclusion:
- Encourage problem-solving and empowerment
- Highlight the importance of repetition, variety, and external cues
Let us know if you have more questions by sending us a DM @neurocollaborative or posting inside the NeuroCollaborative Professionals Facebook group!
In this episode we have an authentic conversation with our NeuroBiz coach Emily Duval Ledger about goal setting, set backs, expectations and more. In the show we share our big and small goals and words of the year as well as what they mean to us. With goals can come expectations and even an attachment to achieving it. What does it mean if you don’t achieve it? Was it worth pursuing or do you feel bad? Join us in exploring the thoughts about setting, pursuing, and achieving goals in the context of running neuro business and in working with neuro clients.
Welcome to the 200th episode!! It’s just Erin and Claire on this one. We reflect on how far we’ve come since we first started the show and what we’ve learned. We discussed our memory of first (virtually) meeting JJ and our other instructors and where that led us, our favorite memories from the podcast, the amazing people and connections we’ve made because of having this company, where we’re going in 2024 and beyond, and the 10 top most downloaded episodes!
If you want to check out our most popular episodes here they are. Listen to today’s show for our memory of why the episode stood out to us!
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Big shout out to Blazepod, who we are now affiliates for, and can offer you a 20% discount with our link!! If you’re in the market for amazing equipment that helps you challenge your clients cognitively and physically you’ve got to try them out.
Use this link to save 20%: https://www.blazepod.com/neurocollaborative
You do not want to miss this episode!! On today’s show we address one of the most popular topics of discussion among therapists - DOCUMENTATION! The aspect of the job we love to hate. It can be so confusing to know what to include, how to justify, how to demonstrate medical necessity, and on and on. Lucky for you we have a PT Sparky who works as a utilization reviewer. Rachel Walker, DPT, GCS, CBIS, CLWT, CCI is here today and can explain it all!
We asked our audience and social media what their biggest struggles were when it comes to documentation and got through as much as we could in the time. Not only do we answer your challenging questions, Rachel also put together a free guide for documenting medical necessity, documenting skilled interventions and providing smart phrase goals you can start using right now to put your mind at ease!
A few topics discussed include:
- The must-haves for compliance with documentation
- What the specific terms and phrases are that reviewers are looking for
- Why being specific about the prior level of function and establishing medical necessity is critical
- Which outcome measures are most helpful and which to avoid
- How to write assessments that will pass a review including phrases to use and ones to avoid
- Spontaneous recovery vs skilled therapy
- What constitutes the need for skilled therapy and what doesn’t
- How to document for skilled maintenance
- What maintenance therapy means and who qualifies
- What the key points are for documenting when the patient’s status is either maintaining or declining
- Why not having a caregiver is not a reason for maintenance therapy
- What “medical complexity” really looks like (hint: it’s not just a diagnosis)
Download your free documentation guide below:
Documentation Guide PDF
Documentation Guide Word doc
Functional Outcome Measure Chart
Do you like new, creative ideas? In this episode we’re talking about why we’re on a kick with resistance bands. Like a lot of equipment we use in neuro rehab it was first intended to be used in the fitness and general rehab population, and because neuro clinicians are crafty we found the uses far surpass strengthening isolated muscles. There are a lot of different types of resistance bands so we’ll talk about some of our favorites. We’ll also discuss different ways these can be used and how they improve movement and function. Resistance bands can be used for error augmentation which engages the cerebellum and leads to learning. They also offer a sensory component that improves movement and function by giving the person using it feedback. Bands can provide assistance for movement an individual may not be strong enough to do on their own allowing their brain to feel what that movement is like. Pick up some new ideas and incentives for using resistance bands in your sessions now!
Join us for a free webinar!
https://www.neurocollaborative.com/precision-therapy
Making every session as effective as possible is the goal of a good therapist. It’s critical for helping patients recover function. Want to talk about the principles of neuroplasticity as they apply to occupational therapy? On today’s show we’ll discuss the first 5 principles from the Evidence-Based Review of Stroke Rehabilitation (EBRSR) 2018 update and provide examples of how to apply them in OT practice. Briana Elson, MS, OTR/L, BCPR, CBIS is an OT clinician and mentor at a top rehabilitation hospital with a goal of helping all OTs provide consistent high-level care no matter where they work or who they work with.
Principles discussed today:
- Use it or lose it with prism glasses
- Use it and improve it with bilateral arm training, CIMT, mirror therapy and mental practice
- Specificity with task specific training using FES, PSFS and COPM
- Repetition matters with EMG triggered NMES, amount of reps needed/time needed, and robotics
- Intensity matters with VR training, HRR (75-85%), aerobic exercise, strength training, and dual task training
On today’s show we interviewed Amanda Saylor and Becca Carr, aka @neuro_OTs on Instagram, about an exciting, relatively new piece of technology advancing outcomes for stroke survivors called Vivistim. This device is the first FDA approved implantable device for rehab for upper extremity recovery. It was approved in August 2021 and is being used in many cities across the US for people with chronic, ischemic stroke in addition to intensive therapy. In the show you’ll learn:
- The results of the randomize, placebo controlled triple blind study that paved the way for the FDA approval
- How the device works
- Who it’s indicated for and who it is not approved for
- How it’s intended to be used (Hint: THERAPY must be involved) and what that looks like
- Case study data
- How people can get one
- Is it approved by insurances and Medicare? (Spoiler: You’ll be happy to hear it is!)
The improvements clients are making with the device are incredible! Clients who were slowing or halted in the progress of their upper limb function are making massive improvements in their functional movement with the implantable device paired with intensive occupational therapy. Learn more and spread the word so more people can benefit from the advancements in rehab.
Learn more: https://www.vivistim.com
ACRM_VivistimPoster
Lancet MicroTransponder
Follow @neuro_OTs and @yourotmentor on Instagram for more helpful tips!
On today’s show we interviewed Dr. Nidhi Seth, PT, DPT, CCVT, CSRS. She is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with specialization in concussion, neurological and vestibular disorders. After earning her undergraduate degree in Physiotherapy from India, she then went on to pursue her Post-Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy (PP-DPT) at Loma Linda University in Southern California. Dr. Seth further completed extensive training and clinical certifications in neurologic and vestibular disorders as well as management of concussion. Her clinical experience spans 15+ years from academic centers to community hospitals, across both Asia and the United States. She’s a licensed Physical Therapist in the states of California, Colorado and North Carolina. She's the CEO & Founder of NeuroBloom Physical Therapy & Wellness; started in the Bay Area, California and has now expanded to Raleigh, North Carolina. She has sought to teach DPT students across the country about the importance of Neuro-Vestibular Rehabilitation as an APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor and adjunct faculty member with several prominent universities. She is also a faculty innovator & program coordinator at 360 NeuroGO where she teaches on multiple vestibular competencies.
In the show today we’ll discuss why Nidhi decided to start her own business, why she chose to create a concierge model, how she expanded into 2 states, and what her schedule looks like as a business owner with 2 clinics plus teaching. Additionally we’ll discuss the ways you can screen for post-stroke dizziness to determine whether the dizziness is central or peripheral. Nidhi will share the tests she performs, the questions you can ask your patients, and what to look out for depending on the location of the stroke.
You can learn more about Nidhi and find her course here: www.neurobloompt.com
Contact details:
nidhi.seth@neurobloompt.com
+1 315-447-4590
9360 Falls of Neuse Rd., Ste. 105, Raleigh, NC 27615
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NeuroBloom-Physical-Therapy-Wellness-109063401512825
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neurobloompt/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/75628658/admin/
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NeurobloomPT
If you’re tired of the top-down approach or hierarchical model of delivering care and want to embrace more of a biopsychosocial model into your practice, this is a great episode for you! Erin interviews Kathleen Olsen, PT, MS, PCES, a physical therapist with over 17 years of experience treating pelvic health, neurologic and orthopedic conditions. In 2018, she became certified as a women’s health coach from the Integrative Women’s Health Institute. She’s also a certified pregnancy and postpartum exercise specialist. In this episode we discuss what it looks like to approach your treatment and plan of care collaboratively with your patients and clients by incorporating principles learned in health coaching.
This can look like asking questions regarding the pillars of health in the initial assessment (and what those are). Asking readiness for change questions like, “Do you want to take action on any of these areas now? Do you need resources or support to do that?” And “What would wellness look like for you? What would living well look like for you?” in order to develop a better understanding of the goals. Inviting your patients to reflect on what they really want and all the aspects of their life can help them transform in ways you’d never be able to just tell them to do.
Another helpful way to motivate and educate patients is with the use of technology like self tracking devices. For example, the Oura ring, Whoop band, Garmin, Apple watch, Fitbit, etc. Among simple tracking like steps and HR, a person can do cycle tracking, sleep tracking, or HR variability tracking to see if they are recovering well.
Website:
https://northcountyinhomept.com/
IG:
@kathleenolsenpt
https://ouraring.com/product/rings/horizon
https://www.whoop.com/us/en/
As we approach the end of year / new year it’s a great time to think about where you’re going and where you’ve been. Follow along as we discuss what seeds we’ve sown over the past months, what we are celebrating, and what we are removing from our hypothetical gardens with Emily Duval Ledger, Neuro Biz coach. Erin is working to implement the Profit First formula into business and found a company that works as a fractional CFO (aka part time for different companies) for cash based medical companies owned by PTs, OTs, MDs, NDs, etc. Claire is working to implement support groups at Rogue and shares the disappointment of not being selected for a Parkinson Foundation grant. Emily is pausing on her goal of writing the business book she always wanted to have and shares her process for that.
Celebrating the fruits of your labor is always a MUST, so we also share our wins. How are you celebrating your harvest? Erin is celebrating the work put into building collaborative partnerships and how it is a win-win for all of us. Claire is celebrating a new funding collaboration, which may end up being even more abundant. She has partnered with a local non-profit so she can offer scholarships to Rogue members. Emily is celebrating the accomplishments of her coaching clients. Many initially came with specific issues and problems and now have crossed those bridges and are finding more stability and happiness in their businesses.
What are you removing from your life in the next year? Erin is a constant gardener who is always in weeding mode. Claire is building better boundaries around her time and energy. Emily is challenging and removing the limiting beliefs that keep her from growing the way she knows she’s capable.
We’d love to hear your own reflections! We want to celebrate with you as well and hope you take the time to think about the past year and year ahead.
If you have a neuro business and want to join our NeuroBiz Besties free Slack group, fill out this form so we can learn more about you and see if it’s a good fit!
Links mentioned in today’s episode:
Every Single Bean
Episode 181: Profit First Discussion
Thank you for joining us today in a discussion about incorporating yoga into therapy! Erin interviewed Chandler Tyrrell, OTR/L, CSRS who practices in northern Virginia in both inpatient rehab and outpatient settings. She fell in love with yoga after her first class and knew she wanted to become certified. She also found a calling in occupational therapy and saw the benefit of having both specialties in her background to be extremely helpful for people with neurologic conditions. Chandler became certified with LoveYourBrain as well, a non-profit that works to improve the lives of people with brain injuries.
In today’s show we discuss:
- How Chandler uses both yoga and traditional OT treatments in her practice
- Who benefits the most from having yoga as a part of their program and how to tell if they will
- What LoveYourBrain is and what their yoga training was like
- What challenges she faced when organizing group yoga classes at work in the neuro population (ie spinal precautions, flexibility limitations, mobility levels, impulse control, etc)
- How she incorporates both yoga and intensity into her sessions to maximize outcomes and benefit
- What some of the research is saying about using yoga with PT/OT and in which populations
- How to get started with breathwork and yoga even if you aren’t yoga certified with some simple things to try now
Follow Chandler on Instagram: @chanroegge
Feel free to DM her with any questions!
https://www.loveyourbrain.com/yoga
https://www.loveyourbrain.com/research
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22836351/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24985393/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0965229914001502?via%3Dihub
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16731221/
Insight timer: https://insighttimer.com
We have a special treat for you today! Erin interviewed Renee Hetzler, PT, DPT, NCS and Bernadette Cummings, OTR/L, ATP who both specialize in working with people with ALS to have a conversation about caring for individuals with ALS. There are do’s and don’ts when working with this population and we wanted to bring it to you! If you’re someone who doesn’t see this population very often and you want to know what to focus on, the timeline of events you should be tuned into and how to prioritize your plan of care, this is the episode for you!
Some of the topics discussed include:
- The types of ALS, initial symptoms, warnings signs and timeline
- Outcome measures and assessments to consider
- How to be prepared based on the timeline
- How to have conversations with the patients and their families
- Favorite equipment recommendations from PT and OT
- Exercise recommendations
- Resources for individuals with ALS and their families
- ALS Association: https://www.als.org/
- Team Gleason: https://teamgleason.org/
- Muscular Dystrophy Association: https://www.mda.org/
- I AM ALS: https://iamals.org/
- Compassionate Care ALS: https://ccals.org/
- https://shower-buddy.com/
- https://razdesigninc.com/
- https://www.fawssit.com/
- https://www.etac.com/en-us/us/products/patient-handling/slings/molift-rgosling-toilet-highback/
- https://www.performancehealth.com/air-soft-resting-hand-splint
- https://www.performancehealth.com/rolyan-adjustable-wire-frame-cervical-collar#sin=35206
- https://www.amazon.com/DRIVE-Rollator-Walker-Removable-Storage/dp/B07TCTBLD9/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
- https://kineticresearch.com/product/the-noodle-classic-afo/
- https://www.amazon.com/Medline-Lightweight-Transport-Wheelchair-Handbrakes/dp/B007WA1ZG4
And no need to take notes, we’ve got an info sheet with everything that was covered for you to download HERE
Vestibular screening and treatment doesn’t have to be only for vestibular specialists! On today’s show we interviewed Dr. Christina Garrity, PT, DPT, NCS about the gaps that exist in vestibular care. All humans have vestibular systems and they can be negatively impacted by neurologic diagnoses, but how do you know if they aren’t reporting dizziness? How do you build treatments into your plan of care when you have so many other things to focus on for “non-vestibular patients” or when you don’t have goggles? We tackle these issues and more to help the neurologic therapist understand why and how to implement easy ways to reduce client falls.
The other issue in working with people with vestibular conditions is that they are all so different and after you take the course you may not know how to problem solve through the case. Where can you get mentorship and what could it look like?
Christina believes therapists should integrate these pillars into any neuro client treatment plan of care: 1) Visual stabilization, 2) sensory integration, 3) habituation. Additionally, research shows that 25% of people could have BPPV even without the classic symptoms, so you should be screening for BPPV in anyone at a fall risk! Screening doesn’t have to be complicated because you can do the modified side lying test vs the Dix-Hallpike.
Her go to screening tests for all balance clients are: HIT, modified side lying test, dynamic visual acuity, modified CTSIB, FGA.
Learn more about Christina:
Labyrinth Physical Therapy & Wellness www.LabyrinthPT.com
Instagram: @vestibular_neuro_pt
Website: www.LabyrinthPT.com and courses: https://labyrinthpt.com/courses
On today’s show Erin interviews Lynne Becker, MSPH, a biostatistician & epidemiologist with more than 25 years of experience in clinical trials about her platform, Power of Patients, which focuses on empowering patients and caregivers with a free personalized app to track their symptoms and triggers. Power of Patients uses a virtual dog, Sallie (modeled after a real therapy dog!) to help people with brain injuries easily track their symptoms and triggers, alert their medical team of changes, and provide them with suggested clinical trials that may be applicable. This program was born out of a desire to increase the amount of data providers have access to, to understand TBI better, and to establish more clinical research after both of her daughters experienced TBIs. Lynne began looking for clinical trials so her daughters could access evidence-based treatment approaches and found the options were lacking. One of the goals of Power of Patients is to expand upon research so that more trends can be understood and more people can be helped in real-time in a simple, fun way.
Anyone listening can see what Power of Patients has the potential to do for individuals and the healthcare system. Having this data warehouse and tracking system is transformational not only for those with TBI but also other conditions like long-haul Covid, MS, PD, stroke, etc. Check out this episode so you can share this amazing tool with your patients and colleagues!
lynne@powerofpatients.com
IG @ powerofpatients
Overview of Sallie: https://youtu.be/J8ZTtsMRCvg
Website: https://www.powerofpatients.com/
Please email us at info@neurocollaborative if you’re interested in learning how to write up a case report!
Multidisciplinary neuro clinics in private practice are a rarity! It's much more common to see ortho clinics and hospital based neuro clinics, so when we learn about inspiring and awesome places like The Recovery Project in Michigan we want to know more! On today’s show we spoke with Meghan Malley, PT, DPT, the Program Director at The Recovery Project. Their clinic is dedicated to knowledge translation, incorporating the latest research into practice, innovation, and providing the highest quality of care. Hence many of the clinicians are or have been part of NeuroSpark! We had the opportunity to talk to Meghan about the structure of The Recovery Project and how it’s been able to expand to 3 clinics and be so successful as a neuro private practice for 20 years. They offer skilled therapies and wellness and also speciality programs like group classes and intensives for individuals post-stroke and with functional neurologic disorders. We talk to Meghan about her career as a neurologic physical therapist, what her role entails, and what she thinks have been the key attributes that have made The Recovery Project successful for 20 years. Enjoy!
The Recovery Project
The IG handle is @recoveryproject
FB: The Recovery Project, LLC
Evidence to Excellence Podcast - Hosted by Polly Swingle, co-owner of The Recovery Project
Mary and Charles A Parkhill Foundation: https://parkhillfoundation.com
Don’t shy away from promising something to your neuro clients just because you are in healthcare or healthcare adjacent! You may feel funny about it because you feel the need to be straightforward. You may think you can't guarantee an outcome, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have a promise with what you offer people. On today’s show we discuss the power of the promise, what it is, and how to formulate yours. You’ll hear examples of promises, how to do them and how not to do them, as well as how they will help guide your practice. If you nail this concept we promise you will have more clarity and direction in where you go with your business and attract more clients who are your ideal people!
Email info@neurocollaborative.com if you’d like an invitation to join the Slack group NeuroBiz Besties! Please tell us a bit about yourself and your business so we have some context and make sure it’s a good fit
On today’s show Erin interviews a third year Doctor of Physical Therapy Student, Alexandra Kozich about the launch of her new business, Exercise, Rehab, and Wellness for Individuals with Degenerative Diseases (ERWIDD). Alex aims to improve access to health and wellness information to all individuals with degenerative conditions through her new online platform and exercise programs. She’s balancing her duties as a third year DPT student while building this business and has learned a lot in the process. Alex shares what prompted her to create this business and her ‘why.’ She also shares some of the really helpful, low cost or free resources that have helped her with her legal and logistical needs. This episode is helpful and inspiring for anyone starting out in business, student or professional!
Find Alex and learn more about her and her offers here:
Website: erwidd.com
Linktree: linktr.ee/erwidd
Instagram: @erwiddinsta
Email info@neurocollaborative.com if you’d like an invitation to join the Slack group NeuroBiz Besties! Please tell us a bit about yourself and your business so we have some context and make sure it’s a good fit
Erin and Claire have had their board certification in neurologic physical therapy since 2010 and 2009, respectively, and have had some questions (and stress) about the recertification process all along the way. It turns out our friends have too! We’ve received a number of questions from all of you looking for answers and help. On today’s show you will get the help you’re looking for regarding your NCS recertification! Dr. Arielle Resnick, PT, DPT, NCS (yes, we know we’re not supposed to write the initials) is here to answer all of your questions in an easy conservational format. You no longer need to stress because we’ll be addressing all of these questions and more:
- Why aren’t we allowed to put NCS after our name anymore and who decided that? What should we write instead?
- What will the format be for retaking the test at the 10 year mark?
- Why does it take so long to hear back about the recertification status?
- What are the categories you must meet in MOSC recertification and what qualifies under the different categories? (hint: Lots of things count that you might not think)
- Does a written case study really capture an individual as a clinical specialist and why was that the decision to include?
- The Professional Presentation criteria (Category 3 - Professional Presentations, Professional Writing or Research Activities) is difficult for many busy therapists to complete. Are there any other options or suggestions you have for completing it?
- Do you have to do the MOSC every 3 years? Does your NCS expire if you don’t?
- What is the timeline from portfolio (year 9 requirement) submission to the exam?
- What should you do if you’re unsure you’re hitting the criteria in the 3-year cycle?
Helpful Links:
MOSC Requirements
MOSC Exam Content Outline and Reference List
Information on the MOSC Recertification Exam
Follow Arielle on IG @neuro_rehab_knowledge
Functional Movement Disorders can be challenging to treat and recover from despite how common they are. The research is growing yet still doesn’t always give enough answers given how variable and complex the presentations can be. On today’s show Board Certified Neurologic Specialist and Schmidt Movement Disorders Fellowship graduate Dr. Ali Elder, PT, DPT, NCS gives you the breakdown on FMD - at least as much as we can cover in under an hour!
She’s going to help you understand:
- What they are and what they aren’t
- How they occur and the diagnostic criteria
- What the person’s nervous system is trying to say
- How the approach is similar to treating chronic pain
- How both the sensory and motor systems are involved
- How to prioritize your treatment approach
- How to be creative in your approach
- What NOT to do or say when working with someone with FMD
Be sure to share this one with your colleagues!
Find reputable resources for you and your patients here: https://neurosymptoms.org/en/
NOI Group’s Recognise App: https://www.noigroup.com/product/recogniseapp/
Where to find Ali:
@physicalinsights
www.physicalinsights.com
Our biz coach Emily Duval Ledger joins the show today to talk about business loans. When is it the right time to take out a loan for your business? What are the right reasons to take one out and what are the wrong ones? Should you ever take one out? Let’s help you work through the thought process in case this is something you’re considering! Today we talk through Claire’s experience of using loans for Rogue through the pandemic and how the money was used, why it made sense, and her plan for it. We’ll also discuss the things to look out for and reasons NOT to take out a loan. If you do take what out, make sure you have a good business plan for paying it back. What does that look like? We’ll go into that as well!
If you do have a business or are thinking about one, please reach out to us! We have an amazing free community on Slack with other neuro business owners from around the country ready to help answer your questions and brainstorm with you on all neuro biz topics. We’d love to have you in the group because that is how we all learn how to create sustainable businesses and cheer each other on! Email us at info@neurocollaborative.com to get an invitation link to join our Biz Besties group.
Dr. Jennifer Lazaro, PT, DPT, NCS is back on the show today! She is an instructor inside NeuroSpark and the mentor who leads Office Hours for our members. She has a special interest in treating people with autonomic, postural, breathing dysfunction, which are really challenging aspects of care to address. We invited her to come on the show to explain what to look for and what to do!
In the show we discuss this and more:
- What are the basics of the parasympathetic nervous system and what does it look like to be dysregulated
- What is dysautonomia
- Common conditions that include autonomic dysfunction: POTS, Covid, post-concussion and brain injury, PD, MS are a few
- What are the ways to assess the autonomic nervous system and build it into your functional goals and outcome measures
- What are treatment ideas for someone with dysautonomia
- Should Erin do cold therapy?
Helpful resource:
Exercise and Non-Pharmalogical Treatment of POTS by Qi Fu and Benjamin D Levine Auton Neurosci 2018
On today’s show we had a discussion on a common business book that Claire, Erin and Emily have recently read called Profit First by Mike Michalowicz. If you’re like most of us, you didn’t get into business to make loads of money. You have a service-driven business and care first and foremost about helping people recover and live better lives with neurologic conditions. You may even have a bad taste in your mouth about the idea of “profit” or “making money.” (If so you probably are also having a few issues with holding onto your money because our beliefs drive our behaviors.) We want to help open up the discussion about money and what it means to have a sustainable business. What does it mean to be a “bad business owner” and how do you run things in a way that is according to your values and also healthy, sustainable and fun? Listen into our discussion whether you’ve read the book or not! We’ll dive into our opinions on the general concepts laid out as well as common feelings we neuro business owners experience. Join us in our first #neurobizbookclub discussion on the I Love Neuro podcast!
You can learn more about Profit First here: https://mikemichalowicz.com/profit-first/
On today’s show we continued our conversation with neuro OT, Briana Elson. She is an AOTA fellowship trained neurologic occupational therapist from Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville, FL who is also Board Certified in Physical Rehabilitation (BCPR) through AOTA and a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) through Brain Injury Association of America.
In today’s show you’ll learn how intensive therapy is applied from an occupational therapist’s perspective. We discuss constraint induced movement therapy, measuring heart rate, circuit training, and making iADL training intensive. You’ll hear the ways to measure intensity and scales we love to use as well as hear lots of examples of treatment ideas. We also discuss what co-treats look like with PT and OT for intense therapy and so much more!
Find the Rating of Perceived Stability here! RPS bonus
Find Briana @yourOTmentor on Instagram
https://yourotmentor.com for further information
LinkedIn Briana Elson
On today’s show we had a great conversation with neuro OT, Briana Elson. She is an AOTA fellowship trained neurologic occupational therapist from Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville, FL who is also Board Certified in Physical Rehabilitation (BCPR) through AOTA and a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) through Brain Injury Association of America. She is here to provide her insights on neuro rehabilitation from an occupational therapist’s perspective. We hear her career path, options and insights on occupational therapy education and mentorship, and treatment topics like functional cognition and intensity treatment in occupational therapy. Collaboration in neuro is critical to patient success and Briana brings a lot of great knowledge and tips for working better with your counterparts.
Find Briana @yourOTmentor on Instagram
https://yourotmentor.com for further information
LinkedIn Briana Elson
We know there are so many things we can and should be doing for our patients to help them achieve better outcomes and reach their goals. What do you know about priming? Are you doing anything that primes their system for learning? If so, how are you measuring it? How do you know it’s working? Join us for a discussion on the latest research, inspired by a podcast by the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy of the APTA released on June 29, 2023 where the authors of a 2023 article discuss their interpretation of the findings: “A Systematic Review on the Effects of Acute Aerobic Exercise on Neurophysiological, Molecular, and Behavioral Measures in Chronic Stroke.” Staying up to date with the latest research can be challenging. Finding time to discuss that research with others is also a challenge - so join us today and listen in on our discussion!
We will discuss the key takeaways from the research including the recommendation to perform 20-30 min of aerobic exercise. This bout gets them in the intensive zone, creates aerobic priming that helps them get the heart rate up, so their brain is primed for learning during cognitive, functional or gait activities in the session.
Want to see videos and brainstorm ways to implement the research into practice??
Join us for a free webinar entitled “Priming Activities to Enhance Intensive Practice in Neuro”
Register here: https://www.neurocollaborative.com/priming
References:
ANPT podcast June 29th
Sivaramakrishnan A, Subramanian SK. A systematic review on the effects of acute aerobic exercise on neurophysiological, molecular, and behavioral measures in chronic stroke. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair. 2023 Feb;37(2-3):151-64.
ANPT Podcast June 4th
Boyne P, Billinger SA, Reisman DS, Awosika OO, Buckley S, Burson J, Carl D, DeLange M, Doren S, Earnest M, Gerson M. Optimal intensity and duration of walking rehabilitation in patients with chronic stroke: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA neurology. 2023 Apr 1;80(4):342-51.
If you have someone with PPPD or suspect it, this is the episode for you! Dr. Haylie Leighton, PT, DPT, NCS is clinical director at Advanced Neurologic Rehabilitation in Arizona and she is here to explain what Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness (or PPPD) is, how to evaluate it, and how to treat it.
In the show you’ll learn all about this chronic functional disorder, which falls under the umbrella of Functional Neurologic Disorders (or FND). Haylie will break down the 5 diagnostic criteria to rule it in: 1) Unsteadiness lasting most days for at least 3 months, 2) Persistent dizziness without provocation that can be made by worse by standing upright, active/passive movement, or a complex visual environment, 3) The person may have have past vestibular insult, 4) It is connected to high functional distress (ex - high scores on the Dizziness Handicap Index) 5) Other central signs or causes of dizziness have been ruled out.
In PPPD maladaptive strategies are developed, where the nervous system uses different strategies for balance. It can provoke anxiety, so we discuss how it differs from anxiety-related dizziness.
Learn what key tests and measures to perform in your evaluation, which screens to perform, and the best treatment approach for optimal outcomes. There is a 3-pronged approach to treatment, which includes vestibular rehabilitation, medication, and psychology or cognitive-behavioral therapy. For therapists, best practice treatment may include: the OPTIMAL theory approach, habituation training, autonomic regulation, VOR, sensory reweighting, vision rehab, AHA walking program. Tune in to hear all the details and this complicated condition explained so you can help people recover from it once and for all!
Clinic social media @azneurorehab
Personal social media @theoptimal_DPT
Dr. Beth Fisher, PhD, PT, FAPTA joins us on the show again to talk about something that has been the impetus of her career: movement analysis. As rehab professionals sometimes we can overcomplicate movement impairments thinking it is always due to pathology and overlook the simpler underlying cause, namely implicit choice. Do people with neurologic conditions move a certain way because they must or because they (unknowingly) choose to? How do you decide? What if you could correct dysfunctional movement patterns you thought were due to the injury with a shift in perspective? If the ultimate goal for all of us is to help our patients and clients achieve greater success, it will pay off to listen to what Dr. Fisher has to share!
Listen to our the past episode with Dr. Fisher, #158
Be sure to watch Beth’s lecture here:
24th John H.P. Maley Lecture: Beyond Limits – Unmasking Potential Through Movement Discovery
On today’s show speech therapist, Sharan Sangha shares what her experience has been like navigating the early years of her career path. Just 2 years out of school, she started working in the hospital setting and quickly found it wasn’t for her. She wasn’t sure whether she was just feeling nervous and needed more experience or whether she really just needed to change to another setting. It can be difficult to listen to the signs that we’re not in the right place. As healthcare workers we understand that our jobs can be stressful and challenging, so what are the signs that you’re actually in the wrong place? I know I’ve had experiences of going to work feeling tired or dread going in, and it took too long to actually listen to the fact that it was time for a change. Maybe you’ve felt (or are feeling) the same way. If so, you’re not alone and we know you’ll find some good company in this episode!
https://parkinsonvoiceproject.org/
https://www.dvtherapy.com/
On today’s show we were excited to have a discussion with Dr. Helena Esmonde, PT, DPT, NCS. She is a vestibular expert and shares her journey as a vestibular therapist in multiple settings, including the ED, as well as the very interesting course her career has taken. Helena has over 18 years of clinical experience as a neurologic clinical specialist, was vestibular trained at Emory's vestibular competency course, and co-founded Vestibular First, a company which makes affordable infrared video goggles and educational tools. Helena has taught vestibular topics at universities, national conferences, and continuing education courses as well as hosting an online Journal Club with renowned vestibular experts serving as her special guests each month, because she loves discussing all things vestibular!
In this episode you’re going to learn:
- A little known fact about people with Parkinson’s and hypofunction and what to do about it
- How common vestibular disorders are
- The best screening assessments to perform
- The importance of the cervical spine and rotational movement in vestibular function
- Why infrared video goggles are crucial to vestibular assessment
- Where to get a 3D printed vestibular system for educational purposes
- Where to get resources you need in order to help your patients with vestibular dysfunction
Learn more about Helena and all of the resources she has here:
@VestibularFirst (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn)
http://vestibularfirst.com
On today’s show we interview one of our amazing NeuroSpark instructors, Dr. Jamie Haines, PT, DScPT, NCS. Jamie is an Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy Department at Central Michigan University where she teaches neurologic physical therapy content. She is passionate about teaching students and clinicians and working with people with Parkinson’s. One of Jamie’s missions is to improve access to care in rural communities and she is working on this in Michigan through a program funded by a recent Parkinson’s Foundation grant. She discusses the basis of the program, what they are seeing so far and where they hope to see it go.
Another of her passions is overground and dual task training for people with Parkinson’s. Jamie has taught and spoken on these topics many times, including inside the NeuroSpark program. Coming up in August 2023 she’ll be teaching clinicians how to approach dual task training, stratify it, assess it, understand the cost of dual task activities, and she will provide loads of tangible examples with videos. On the show, she dives into what that will look like and gives you a taste of something you can use in the clinic immediately!
Sign up for the Parkinson’s Conference on Aug 25th here! www.neurocollaborative.com/parkinsons
An on-demand option is also available!
Get in touch with Jamie via email: haine1jj@cmich.edu
On today’s show Dr. Melissa Kimmerling, an occupational therapist in Nebraska, outlines the visual changes that can occur in a person with Parkinson’s, why these changes are happening, what red flags to look for if you need to refer to OT or another professional, and how you can cue or address the issue. As the Director of Occupational Therapy programs at Nebraska Methodist College and Vice President of Policy and Advocacy for the Nebraska Occupational Therapy Association (NBCOT) Melissa shares her views on the opportunities and challenges facing future occupational therapists, her views on student-led rehabilitation clinics, and critical practice areas for occupational therapists.
It is an enlightening and beneficial conversation for people in all disciplines to hear!
She’ll be leading a presentation on visual dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease in an upcoming Parkinson’s Conference and will highlight the topics learners will benefit from when attending the conference.
Sign up for the Parkinson’s Conference on Aug 25th here! www.neurocollaborative.com/parkinsons
An on-demand option is also available!
Get in touch with Melissa Kimmerling on LinkedIn here: linkedin.com/in/melissa-kimmerling-edd-mot-otr-l-1179389b
On today’s show we interviewed our first speech therapist! Stephanie Callander, MS, CCC-SLP has worked with people with Parkinson's since 2016 to help them improve and maintain their speech, voice, and swallow function. She is certified in SPEAK OUT! from Parkinson Voice Project.
In this episode you’ll learn:
- What SPEAK OUT! is and how it differs from LSVT LOUD
- What to look for when someone needs to be referred to speech therapy (hint: there are key indicators you may not realize!)
- How to properly cue your clients to improve their speaking
- What hypomimia is and how it is correlated to the severity of PD symptoms
- The importance of speech therapy for people with Parkinson’s because of the high rate of speech and swallowing dysfunction, including the sobering fact that most causes of mortality in Parkinson’s are related to choking
- How you can learn more from Stephanie, including facial exercises that drastically improve the quality of life of your clients!
Sign up for the Parkinson’s Conference on Aug 25th here! www.neurocollaborative.com/parkinsons
An on-demand option is also available!
Get in touch with Stephanie here: stephanie@resolutespeech.com
Exercise equipment, gyms and programs have not always been available to people of all ability levels. It’s something that is extremely important for quality of life, independence, and function, so when we learn about something that can help we want to know more! We get genuinely curious about the innovative products out there, particularly ones with a big mission and trying to get the word out. We wanted to know more about the EvolutionVN Home Gym selfishly to help our clients and figured you might also want to learn about it in case it would be a good fit for your clinic!
In today’s show Erin had a great conversation with Amy Bois, the Chief Partnership Officer and Disability Specialist for EvolutionVN and founder of Fit With Amy B providing inclusive, adaptive fitness for everyone. Tune in to learn more about the options and opportunities for anyone you know and work with who could benefit from adaptive fitness.
The EvolutionVN is a home gym platform that offers a variety of applications for independent therapy and exercise. It includes a parallel bar set up on a platform and resistance bands that can be set up in multiple ways to provide resistance training as well as support and stability. It works for people in wheelchairs, with limb loss, instability, and more.
Learn more about the EvolutionVN at www.evolutionvn.com
Email Amy at: amy@evolutionVN.com
Follow Amy on IG @Fitwithamyb
Learn about the programs Amy offers at www.fitwithamyb.com
Find her on LinkedIn at Amy Bois
On today’s show Erin interviews Dr. Jefferson Holm PT, DPT, NCS, the owner and founder of Advanced Neurologic Rehabilitation in Arizona. Jefferson took a different approach to start and build his neuro rehab clinic than many people we’ve talked to. He dove right into getting the space, the equipment, and the big bank loan rather than starting small and safe. Not seeing what his community needed for the people living with neurologic conditions after they were discharged from the hospitals, he wanted to build it. He knew what he wanted his practice to look like and it started with having it all, so that’s what he did. Jefferson shares his insights into how he got started, what gave him the confidence to pursue his dream, who helped him to make sure it would work, and where he is now. This is a great listen if you’re someone contemplating your own practice and you’re not sure if you want to start mobile or with rented space. Maybe you want to build your dream rehab facility right now. Jefferson will share his insights and help you understand what it takes and assure you that you can do it!
Follow Advanced Neurologic Rehab on IG at @azneurorehab for great videos and information about their vestibular rehab course
Website: https://azneurorehab.com
Imposter Syndrome! Have you had it? Do you currently have it? Or are you like Claire and Erin who feel like they don’t really until they hear the definition of Imposter Syndrome and realize it happens all the time?! Everyone you know and admire has had it or experienced it at one time or another. In today’s show we’ll discuss some tangible ways this might be showing up for you (even if you’re not consciously labeling it Imposter Syndrome) and what to do about it! Let’s normalize this happening, normalize celebrating wins, and put into place tactics to combat it so you keep showing up to do the work you’re meant to do!
Follow Emily Duval Ledger @biz.coach.emily and NeuroCollaborative @neurocollaborative
We’re doing something a little different on today’s show! Are you using poles with your neuro clients? Using poles can be a great way for your clients to get a full body workout, increase intensity during therapeutic activities, navigate difficult terrain, improve arm swing, assist with balance, and improve gait. But not all poles are created equal, so we needed to learn more!
We invited 2 of our Sparkies (aka NeuroSpark members) to the show to have a genuine conversation about Urban Poling so we could all learn more! Han Ngyuen, PT, DPT, NCS, owner of Neubility Rehab in Florida asks reached out to us wanting to learn more about Urban Poling. We decided the best thing to do was to invite her and Joy Cochran, PT, DPT, CEEAA owner of JOY Explorations in Wisconsin and master trainer for Urban Poling to the I Love Neuro podcast so we could record the conversation and questions so everyone could learn more!
In the show you’ll learn the difference between Activator Poles and other poles, the benefits of using poles, how to use them (for fitness, as an assistive device, etc), who should use poles, ideas for balance, freezing of gait, and fitness and more!
Urban Poling Website: www.urbanpoling.com find techniques and education
Find the podcast on the website
@urbanpoling in IG, LinkedIn, FB
Find Joy @joyexplorations on IG and FG
https://joyexplorations.com
Joyexporations@gmail.com
IG and FB @neubilityrehab
https://neubilityrehab.com
han@neubilityrehab.com
On today’s show we interview Benga Adeeko, the CEO of MQT Innovations, maker of the NewGait device, an innovative gait rehab device. An engineer by background, Benga accidentally stumbled into the rehab world with his product that was originally designed to help athletes sprint faster when a physical therapist tried the device on her patient with an incomplete spinal cord injury. Pre-NewGait the patient’s walking was extremely limited, but after training with the NewGait she was able to complete a 5K and has since recovered function fully. We asked Benga all about how the device works, who it works best for, can patients don/doff it, how does it fit into the plan of care, and more! It is so helpful to learn all about the things that are out there to assist our patients with their recovery. Sometimes as a clinician the right tool can help accelerate a patient's progress, and this may be one of them for you like it's shaping up to be for Erin’s client!
Learn more about NewGait and Benga at:
www.thenewgait.com
https://www.facebook.com/TheNewGait/
https://www.instagram.com/the_newgait/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/thenewgait/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/benga-adeeko
info@thenewgait.com
Watch videos and testimonials here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAOL4NzPl3FmZzvadDRWkmg
Do you feel strung along by other people’s expectations, needs, and desires of you? Maybe you’re answering emails at all hours of the day and night. Maybe you feel compelled to provide comprehensive solutions to people during times that aren’t their scheduled appointment time. Maybe you feel bad saying you don’t want to work on the weekend even though you technically could. In today’s episode we talk about boundaries. A concept that’s become common language, yet not talked about the way we’re going to discuss it: as a neuro professional.
Join us today as we share actual examples and experiences from our work lives and coaching clients’. You’re sure to reflect on your own practice and how you can improve your communication, be more clear, take the lead, and let your clients relax because they know you’ve got it handled. Setting boundaries for your clients does not make them angry. On the contrary, it eases their anxiety because they know you’re in charge.
For anyone looking for a helpful resource, check out this great book! Boundary Boss by Terri Cole
One of the pioneers in dystonia research and treatment joined us today on the show! We were thrilled to sit down with Dr. Nancy Byl to hear about her fascinating career and take a tiny peek into her knowledge-filled brain. She is a leading expert on treating dystonia and has a comprehensive approach to working with individuals with dystonia that includes improving their stress, lifestyle and sleep in addition to training motor control. However, sensory processing is an often overlooked and misunderstood aspect critical to recovery. Dr. Byl believes variety and fun are key components in rehabilitation and describes interesting ways she incorporates it into all of her treatment sessions, no matter whom she’s working with. She’s a huge supporter for the physical therapy profession and continues to advocate for advancements in care, research, and access. She is an incredible role model and human being. We can’t wait for you to learn more about Dr. Byl in this episode!!
Did you know there’s work out there that uses your clinical skills in a non-clinical way? Sure, most clinicians LOVE to treat patients and clients, but things can change. Maybe you get burned out. Maybe you need to move. Maybe you want more variety. Maybe you just want less clinical work as the years go by. Did you know you had options? In this week’s episode we interviewed Danielle Blankenship, a biomedical engineer turned neuro PT who also happens to work in a non-clinical neuro role at NeuroCollaborative helping us pursue our mission of transforming healthcare and maximizing knowledge translation!
In the show Danielle will share how she came to realize she wanted non-clinical work and what the process of looking for that was like. She gives her top tips for anyone looking for a new role (what to stay and not to say to potential employers), and what the most important pieces are when trying to decide if another path is a good fit for you.
This episode shows that opportunities are out there if you open yourself up to them, ask the right questions, and follow your strengths.
Reach out to Danielle (and us) at info@neurocollaborative.com any time to learn more!
As busy as we all are we still want to learn new things and improve as healthcare professionals. So how do you go about doing that? Learn from us and our colleagues about the best way to keep growing well into your career! We share top takeaways from our recent lessons inside NeuroSpark and what’s coming up this summer! So much great stuff!
NeuroSpark is open for a limited time at the time of this episode being published! Learn more at www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
So you’re a therapist and treating patients is your thing. Yes! That’s amazing. Did you know you can do pretty much anything with the skills you’ve gained as a therapist to meet your own life goals and desires?! The beauty of our profession is there are so many ways you can make the impact you desire. On today’s show Erin talks to an ortho PT turned running coach who helps Real Life Runners create more health, balance, and happiness while achieving their running goals. She’s seen too many people get caught in the cycle of chasing performance and getting injured and has a different approach that allows you to not only achieve your goals but actually enjoy the process too. Don’t worry if you’re not a runner. As Angie points out, the running is only a vehicle or metaphor for finding satisfaction in all the areas of your life. Runners and non-runners alike will gain so much value and insight from this episode!
Website: https://www.realliferunners.com/
Apple Podcasts/iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-life-runners-with-angie-and-kevin-brown/id1289108492
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4eGgcWP4ZQzvcHHzt6ryUH
Email: support@realliferunners.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realliferunners
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realliferunners
On today’s show Erin interviews a brilliant, multi-passionate neuro physical therapist who followed her strengths and curiosities throughout her career. Heather Bhide has been a neuro PT for over 15 years and talks about the twists and turns of her career showing you that there are so many amazing opportunities in our field. One of her specialty treatment areas is facial rehab and we spent some time learning the do’s and don’ts of rehabilitation from facial paralysis. She is also someone who excels in strategic planning and shares her perspectives on how that has been used in her career. More recently Heather became interested in financial planning. She notes the parallels between financial planning and physical therapy and believes the approach should always be goal-centered. There are so many takeaways from todays’ conversation whether you’re new in your career or have been at it a while like us you will leave feeling inspired and informed!
Feel free to get in touch with Heather by emailing her at: heather@benchmarkincome.com
You can also schedule a free 30-minute information session to talk about your financial picture with Heather at: https://calendly.com/achieveyourfinancialdreams
What’s the most difficult challenge you’ve faced in your business? And how did you overcome it? That’s the question Emily posed to us today. Business is a beautiful, fun and exciting journey. It’s not for the faint of heart. It’s a crash course in growth and self discovery, so with that comes both the highs and the lows. On today’s show we share some of our most difficult moments in business and how we made it through to the other side. Our sweaty shares had to do with very difficult money conversations, hiring and separation from employees that didn’t go as planned, and partnership woes. Those of you with businesses out there will appreciate our candidness and key takeaways because you’ll see that you are not alone if you’re facing challenges too!
Today we are thrilled to have with us Dr. Beth Fisher, PhD, PT, FAPTA, a prominent researcher in the field of physical therapy. In this episode, we explore Dr. Fisher's illustrious career and delve into her focus on research. She also shares the questions that are currently driving her research and the exciting new developments in the field.
We discuss the importance of incorporating research findings into clinical practice and what clinicians need to know to make this happen. However, we only scratched the surface of Dr. Fisher's expertise, so we plan to invite her back for future episodes to dive deeper into her research areas.
If you have any questions for Dr. Fisher or about her research, please send us an email at info@neurocollaborative.com. Don't forget to tune in for part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Fisher!
In today’s show Claire shares the latest updates from inspirational speakers at the Michael J Fox Foundation’s weekend celebration. She shares new information about upcoming products and diagnostics that could change the landscape for people with Parkinson’s and those who may become diagnosed. Her enthusiasm sharing stories of the speakers will inspire you to get into action and we’ll tell you how!
Michael J Fox Foundation: https://www.michaeljfox.org
Find clinical studies through Fox Trial Finder: https://www.michaeljfox.org/trial-finder
In this episode, Claire and I discuss reversible dementia after receiving an email from the APTA Geriatric section, which provided a helpful fact sheet. According to their research, about 12% of people with dementia symptoms have treatable and reversible causes. We go through the sheet, which has a helpful mnemonic of DEMENTIA, and provide more information about each type. According to their research about 12% of people with dementia symptoms have treatable and reversible causes. Naturally, we wanted to learn more so we could help our clients, patients, family and friends be on the lookout for reversible causes!
DEMENTIA is a helpful mnemonic that stands for:
- Drugs
- Emotion
- Metabolic
- Eyes, Ears and Sleep
- Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
- Tumor
- Infection
- Atrial Fibrillation / Alcohol
We would love to hear from you or other professionals you may know to expand on this or any other cognitive or mental health topic! We greatly appreciate resources like this one and know we are barely scratching the surface. Don’t hesitate to reach out to info@neurocollaborative.com if you have a connection that will help us deepen the conversation.
You can download the fact sheet here:
https://aptageriatrics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Reversible-Dementia-Fact-Sheet-5.pdf
Association of Proton Pump Inhibitors with Risk of Dementia article from JAMA 2016:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2487379
In this episode, we sit down with a special guest who is not only a neuro physical therapist but also an entrepreneur running two businesses. She shares with us how she stumbled upon the idea of creating a program for women with MS navigating motherhood and the challenges she faced starting and managing two businesses while being a mom herself.
- Our guest shares how she became a neuro PT and what motivated her to start her own cash-based therapy and wellness business.
- She talks about the challenges of running a business and how she had to adapt and be flexible to make it work.
- Our guest then dives into how she came up with the idea of creating a program for women with MS navigating motherhood and how she has been developing it.
- She talks about the unique challenges women with MS face when becoming mothers and how her program aims to provide support and resources to help them through it.
- Our guest shares how she balances her time between running two businesses and being a mom herself. She emphasizes the importance of giving oneself grace and finding a support system to help manage everything.
- She also discusses the benefits of cash-based therapy and wellness, including more personalized care and a focus on overall wellness rather than just treating symptoms.
In this episode, we learned about the inspiring journey of a neuro PT and entrepreneur who is creating a program to support women with MS navigating motherhood. We also gained insights into the challenges and rewards of running a cash-based therapy and wellness business. Thank you for listening, and we hope you join us for the next episode!
Find Irina at:
IG: @neuromamatribe
website: https://www.neuromamatribe.com and https://www.mnwpt.com
In today’s show we talk about our experiences of hiring. The lessons, the mistakes, and the things we know now. We’ll discuss each of our approaches to hiring and what we think matters most. Learn what to consider and what to avoid when looking for new talent as a neuro business owner. You may think you’re not ready, but you might just be! You may think you can’t compete with those larger companies, but we beg to differ!
On today’s show we interview Samantha Laswell, a PTA and longtime Sparky, about the Geriatric Section of the APTA’s Cognitive and Mental Health Special Interest Group Toolkit that she helped put together. Sammy is a life-long learner with curiosity and a heart of gold that has propelled her to learn more about how to best help anyone with a disability. She’s going to share her experience putting together the toolkit, how she accidentally got involved in creating it, and her experience speaking at the national PT conference, CSM, for the first time. At the end of the show Sammy shares her top tips for working with individuals with psychiatric disorders as well as the common mistakes most clinicians make. This toolkit is a helpful gem with tables, assessments, screens and references that is sure to be handy for everyone on your interdisciplinary team!
Download the free toolkit here: https://aptageriatrics.org/sig/cognitive-and-mental-health-toolkit/
We had a very special guest on the show today who brought the knowledge bombs!! Mike Studer is a well known speaker and educator in neuro physical therapy and boy did he come to teach today! Always thinking of the next helpful thing for clinicians and patients, Dr. Studer shared his framework for improving how we deliver and measure cognitive training during dual tasks in order to offer a comprehensive approach.
He believes cognitive training should be subdivided into holding information, processing information, generating, and recalling. He describes what each of these looks like and provides examples of how to implement them into your practice during dual task assessment and training. Dr. Studer reports testing should have a specific method, but treatment can be free and fun.
He also shares how often you should do assessments vs free flowing treatment by following behavioral economics, or the study of human decision making and choice. Additionally, we get into the ways to help patients beat fear through the 4 P’s: play, productivity, progress, and personalize.
Get out your notebook for this one! Save it to relisten (on slow speed, lol) because you’re going to get so many great takeaways that you can apply to your practice immediately.
You can learn more about Mike and follow him here:
website: www.mikestuder.com
Instagram: @mikestuderdpt
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikestuderbrainbodyrehab/
Today we interviewed Dawn Gaimaro, a PT of 30 years who has worked in a variety of settings, but has her heart in acute care where she believes the trajectory of recovery is set. She discusses her philosophy on intensity and early mobility as well as how acute care has evolved. If you’ve ever felt intimidated by working in acute care, Dawn will give you guidance and strategies to lose your fear. Students, new grads, and seasoned professionals alike, let’s get out there and help patients have the best start possible and get away from sitting them up in a chair as their acute/ICU therapy program.
On today’s show we interview Dr. Angela Rusher, PT, DPT, NCS. She is a certified specialist in neurologic physical therapy and PWR! certified therapist who has worked in a number of different practice settings including acute rehab and outpatient neuro. Currently she is full time faculty at Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, CA and is also a doctoral candidate at Pacific University. She is getting her PhD in Educational Leadership with a Health Care Professions Education Track. She is currently working on her research proposal titled:
Bridging the Gap by Smudging the Lines: Physical Therapy Leadership Practices and Transformational Exercise Innovation for People with Neurologic Disability
The primary purpose of this study is to define the emerging landscape of neurologic Health Promotion and Wellness practices created by physical therapists in the United States embedded within the medical model, or functioning outside of it, by identifying the types of programs, who are creating them, and understanding what leadership practices contributed to their development.
In the show we discuss what a transformational leader is and how do you know whether you are one. We discuss the gaps in care that impact society and people living with neurologic conditions and discuss how Angela’s research is a step in the right direction to finding solutions.
If you identify as a neuro physical therapist please fill out her survey by mid March 2023! It only takes a few minutes of your time.
LINK TO SURVEY: https://samuelmerritt.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_djtgBvo56bSr0Bo
This week we discuss with our favorite NeuroBiz coach, Emily Duval Ledger, how to break out of old habits and not create a workplace that reflects all of the things you hated about your old job. It can be difficult to break old patterns of how much you’re supposed to work, what hours, what you’re supposed to do in the day, etc when you become a business owner. You may have just created the job from hell when all you really wanted to do was create more freedom and flexibility for yourself. Or you may be inadvertently replicating the things you didn’t like about your old job or how your old boss did things because you’re not sure what you do want or how to create it.
Listen for Emily’s words of wisdom and Claire and Erin sharing their strategies for ensuring we all create the businesses and workplaces of our dreams!
On today’s show we’re excited to talk with longtime NeuroSpark member, Anne Gould-Ruete. Anne is a Health Coach and Board Certified Neurologic Physical Therapist specializing in working with people with Parkinson's and other chronic conditions. She has a passion for supporting people in understanding the foundational aspects of health and wellness and making healthy lifestyle changes that will help them live their best lives.
Although she continues to do a mix of therapy, teaching and health coaching she recently found a desire to go beyond what she was able to do in traditional therapy sessions and build a new business and model that provided her clients with the tools to understand their barriers to a better life and create lasting behavior change.
This is a great episode for anyone who wants to work with people beyond a traditional model of care and who is interested in expanding what the healthcare system could look like.
Where you can find Anne:
Website: www.envisionptw.com
Facebook/instagram @envisionneurowell
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/envision-physical-therapy-and-wellness-llc/
We are excited to interview a brilliant educator and kindred spirit, Dr. Alison McKenzie, today on the show! Dr. McKenzie is a professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Chapman University She enjoys combining her extensive clinical, research, and teaching experience in her role as a faculty member and is committed to giving back to the community and profession through service. Over the years, Dr. McKenzie has served as a teacher/mentor to thousands of students, clinicians, and faculty members. She has received several awards over the years, including the California Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association's Royce D. Noland Award of Merit, the American Physical Therapy Association's Societal Impact Award,and she is Chapman's only 4-time winner of its top faculty award, the Valerie Scudder Award for Outstanding teaching, scholarship, and service.
We first met her nearly a decade ago at a continuing education course that we still remember and use notes from! Dr. McKenzie developed a bootcamp for people post-stroke in 2010 that is interdisciplinary and has evolved and expanded in amazing ways since then. She shares information about the program and we discuss what it might look like to create this type of program for those listening and more.
You can reach Alison here: amkenzie@chapman.edu
Neuro clinicians: Join us for continuing education and mentorship this year! NeuroSpark is open for a limited time. Doors close February 7, 2023.
Join here, and if you missed it, learn more and sign up for the waitlist here: www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
This week we sat down with our favorite NeuroBiz coach, Emily Duval Ledger, to discuss the main things we wish we’d known when we started as business owners. It’s not your typical advice and we share our thoughts organically. You’re sure to get some permission slips in this episode so you can take a deep breath and build something special that only you have the ability to build.
Neuro clinicians: Join us for continuing education and mentorship this year! NeuroSpark is open for a limited time only from January 31st to February 7th. Learn more here: www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
On today’s episode we welcome one of our most favorite people, Dr. JJ Mowder-Tinney. She is the lead instructor in our NeuroSpark program and is such an engaging educator! She joined the show today to discuss something she’s been pondering and reading more of the research about lately and that is autonomy. She’s going to share specific examples of how this can be used even in very subtle ways you may not have thought about during client interactions but that will enhance outcomes and improve your patient alliance. You’re definitely going to leave with some new ideas to try after listening!
Check out these great articles to get you going!
Wulf G, Lewthwaite R, Cardozo P, Chiviacowsky S. Triple play: Additive contributions of enhanced expectancies, autonomy support, and external attentional focus to motor learning. The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. 2017 Jan 25:1-9.
Ghorbani S, Ghanati P, Dana A, Salehian MH. The effects of autonomy support on observational motor learning. Iranian Journal of Learning & Memory. 2020 Oct 1;3(11):77-87.
Join us on January 31st to learn more about using External Focus in your sessions and empower your clients even more! Register here: https://www.neurocollaborative.com/external
In today’s episode we’re going to review equipment we love again: Blazepods! This is an item that Claire gets asked about all the time when she posts videos using them in exercise classes at Rogue Physical Therapy and Wellness. You can use them to increase challenge, for cognitive dual tasking, as external cues, for gamification, and more! We take the time today to let you know the commonly asked questions so you can optimize use of them and optimize the outcomes of your patients and clients.
Learn more about getting Blazepod here: https://www.blazepod.com/collections/shop-page
Join us for a free webinar on using external cues to maximize outcomes on January 31, 2023 at 5:30 pm PST / 8:30 pm EST. Register here: https://www.neurocollaborative.com/external
Today Claire and Erin discuss the work and teachings of Ray Dorsey, M.D. a professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Dr. Dorsey came to speak at Rogue recently to share his research. Parkinson’s is now the fastest growing neurologic disease in the world. There are 3 main reasons a person may be more predisposed to getting PD that are modifiable. He wrote a book titled “Ending Parkinson’s” and shares the evidence for what causes PD and his views for how to end it.
Incidence of Parkinson disease in North America (open access article): https://www.nature.com/articles/s41531-022-00410-y
Preventing Parkinson’s with Ray Dorsey webcast: https://youtu.be/mqYpE5wEPJE
Ending Parkinson’s the book by Ray Dorsey: https://endingpd.org
It’s that time of year again! If you’re looking to expand your PD programs and serve more people, you should consider applying for a PF Community Grant. It’s a wonderful way to serve underserved communities and get something off the ground. A few things change every year and we’re going to let you know what the latest updates are as well as some tips for applying and making sure you have the best chance of getting funded.
Learn more about Parkinson Foundation Community Grants here: https://www.parkinson.org/resources-support/community-grants
Email your specific questions to PF here: programs@Parkinson.org
If you’re listening in time, please join our group discussion on January 3, 2023 for free. Register here: https://www.neurocollaborative.com/pl/2147644610
This meeting will NOT be recorded!
Let’s chat about the big goals and how far we’ve come! Claire shares the changes from Rogue over the past year and what she’s planning for 2023. We’ll share a few personal goals and updates as well as the program we use for goal planning.
Download the YearCompass booklet for free here! https://yearcompass.com/en/#download
Another edition on a very important topic! Check out episodes 136 and 123 for more discussion on this topic. You are going to learn so much from this presentation that Claire put together for a support group and also her members at Rogue. Learn the symptoms of hypotension (some you may not realize), why it matters, and most importantly, what to do about it! Learn what to educate your clients on so they can prevent and treat this as much as possible.
Diagnosis and treatment of orthostatic hypotension by Wouter Weiling, MD, Horacio Kaufmann, MD, et al.
An Elderly Parkinsonian Patient with Extreme Blood Pressure Fluctuations by Da-Wei Chen, et al.
Reach out if you have any more information on topics like this or questions! info@neurocollaborative.com
Claire gets asked a lot about how she set up her harnesses and has tried to send messages one by one with the links and instructions. She thought it would be a great idea to have an episode on the podcast with all of the info and links to share each time. Let us know if you have questions!
https://www.massrehabinc.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMOiXyoojHb0w92A_hb5VLQ
Kemuse Wall/Ceiling Mount Bracket: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y4N5RMN/ref=cm_sw_r_api_i_43QECH8KB5E18XP56VSF_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Rope Ratchet: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006P39LCE/ref=cm_sw_r_api_i_MTF0RNXP6P1AMNCKAHQC_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Favofit Auto Locking Carabiner Clips: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QCV858T/ref=cm_sw_r_api_i_4H0TD578S0WY7WHG0J9X_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=
Palmer Safety Harness: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08G5DNWPH/ref=cm_sw_r_api_i_S5DRES2JQ4D95PVFE9F2_0
On today’s show Claire was interviewed by four MSOT students from West Coast University in Los Angeles, CA: Rocio Vallejos Hoyt, Daniela Calderon, Rosyna Kol, Maritza Rodriguez. They were assigned a project for school where they needed to learn more about using the modality of PWR! with people with Parkinson’s. They consented to being recorded so the information could be shared with all of you! There’s a ton of great detail and information about how Claire uses PWR! Every day to help her clients. We guarantee you will learn something you didn’t know already by listening to this in depth interview!
Enjoy and let us know if you have any questions after listening!
Email us at info@neurocollaborative.com
Leann’s practice
https://www.theocot.com
https://www.roguept.com
Free Videos in the Rogue In Motion online membership in case you want to try one of our PWR! Moves classes: https://www.rogueinmotion.com/free-exercise-class-videos
We know intense exercise is important, but how do you know if you’re actually providing it unless you’re monitoring heart rates?? In this episode we share why you should monitor your clients’ heart rate during exercise, what the research says, and how to do it in a practical way. If you’re part of an outpatient team or have your own practice or community classes, we’ll discuss how you can go about requesting this for your next budget cycle too!
Scosche Heart Rate Monitors that Claire uses
Onbeat.fit for group monitoring on a big screen
Reach out with any questions or shares to info@neurocollaborative.com
We know intense exercise is important, but how do you know if you’re actually providing it unless you’re monitoring heart rates?? In this episode we share why you should monitor your clients’ heart rate during exercise, what the research says, and how to do it in a practical way. If you’re part of an outpatient team or have your own practice or community classes, we’ll discuss how you can go about requesting this for your next budget cycle too!
Scosche Heart Rate Monitors that Claire uses
Onbeat.fit for group monitoring on a big screen
Reach out with any questions or shares to info@neurocollaborative.com
Allan Buccola, a PT in Burlington, North Carolina, reached out to us after the podcast aired on orthostatic hypotension (episode 123) to let us know he’s gone deep down the rabbit hole of orthostatic hypotension assessment and management. He’s scoured the research and helped teach his coworkers more about the topic, which is more complicated than it may seem! Allan discusses the interconnectedness of the autonomic nervous system components, what to notice beyond just dizziness if you’re concerned about hypotension, how to tell whether it’s neurogenic or not, and more. Allan works both in acute care and outpatient while Claire leads community classes for people with Parkinson’s making this conversation span the entire continuum of care.
Please reach out with any questions you may have on the topic or to let us know about a topic you’d like us to discuss more on the show! Email us at info@neurocollaborative.com
Cheryl D. Pierson and Arlene McCarthy are both neuro physical therapists who’ve decided to dedicate themselves to helping healthcare professionals and caregivers of all types to learn more about self compassion and mindfulness. They’ve both completed the Center for Compassion, Altruism Research & Education (CCARE), and Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) programs and became certified to teach Compassion Cultivation through the Compassion Institute and the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University. Burnout has been a growing concern in our field and these two are here to help you if this is something you’re facing. You will learn at least one helpful and simple strategy you can use today.
Learn more at: www.heartsGROWTH.com
Email Arlene McCarthy at lene5@comcast.net
Email Cheryl Pierson at lyrehcdp@gmail.com
Cheryl D. Pierson and Arlene McCarthy are both neuro physical therapists who’ve decided to dedicate themselves to helping healthcare professionals and caregivers of all types to learn more about self compassion and mindfulness. They’ve both completed the Center for Compassion, Altruism Research & Education (CCARE), and Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) programs and became certified to teach Compassion Cultivation through the Compassion Institute and the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University. Burnout has been a growing concern in our field and these two are here to help you if this is something you’re facing. You will learn at least one helpful and simple strategy you can use today.
Learn more at: www.heartsGROWTH.com
Email Arlene McCarthy at lene5@comcast.net
Email Cheryl Pierson at lyrehcdp@gmail.com
Dr. Becky Farley co-created the LSVT® BIG therapy program in the early 2000’s, then went on to establish PWR! A non-profit that started with the PWR!Gym in Tucson, AZ in 2010. The PWR!Gym is a model community facility for implementing cutting-edge rehabilitation, group exercise and wellness programming for life. She is the originator of performing intense exercise for people with Parkinson’s, something that today is a well-established practice. Dr. Farley discusses the evolution of exercise for people with Parkinson’s and how she got started on the path as well as what she sees as the most important components. She discusses why she left LSVT BIG to create something new and how to ensure your clients with Parkinson’s live their fullest lives. Are you getting your clients with Parkinson’s on the floor?
Becky is doing a Straight talk Webinar as a panelist on the topic of DISEASE MODIFYING DRUGS.. HOPE OR HYPE? She will be defending the role of exercise on Nov 17, 2022. See the link below.
https://www.terapiaparkinson.it/en/webinars/
Learn more about PWR at:
www.pwr4life.org
www.exerciseforbrainchange.org
https://www.facebook.com/PWR4Life
Dr. Becky Farley co-created the LSVT® BIG therapy program in the early 2000’s, then went on to establish PWR! A non-profit that started with the PWR!Gym in Tucson, AZ in 2010. The PWR!Gym is a model community facility for implementing cutting-edge rehabilitation, group exercise and wellness programming for life. She is the originator of performing intense exercise for people with Parkinson’s, something that today is a well-established practice. Dr. Farley discusses the evolution of exercise for people with Parkinson’s and how she got started on the path as well as what she sees as the most important components. She discusses why she left LSVT BIG to create something new and how to ensure your clients with Parkinson’s live their fullest lives. Are you getting your clients with Parkinson’s on the floor?
Becky is doing a Straight talk Webinar as a panelist on the topic of DISEASE MODIFYING DRUGS.. HOPE OR HYPE? She will be defending the role of exercise on Nov 17, 2022. See the link below.
https://www.terapiaparkinson.it/en/webinars/
Learn more about PWR at:
www.pwr4life.org
www.exerciseforbrainchange.org
https://www.facebook.com/PWR4Life
On today’s show we discuss the complicated and sometimes frustrating act of managing auto-advice giving that happens when you own a business. Well meaning people will tell you what they think you should do, and while at times what they have to share is helpful, other times it is not. So what should you do? In this episode you’ll learn how to make sure you’re always tuned into your own intuition and running the business in a way that works best for YOU.
The Crossroads of Should and Must: Find and Follow Your Passion by Elle Luna
https://www.amazon.com/Crossroads-Should-Must-Follow-Passion/dp/0761184880
Request a discover call with Emily Duval Ledger to see if biz coaching is right for you: https://www.neurocollaborative.com/request-a-discovery-call-neurobiz
Foot drop can be a challenging impairment for our patients and clients making them at risk for falls and injury. It may feel like a tough thing for you as a clinician to treat as well! In today’s show Erin reviews the top research-based recommendations shared in our recent NeuroSpark webinar presented by JJ Mowder-Tinney, PT, PhD, NCS. This episode will discuss a couple main approaches - using sensory assist with kinesio tape or theraband wrapping and the best ways to strengthen to promote activation and recovery in order to reduce foot drop.
Lots of brainstorming happens inside the NeuroCollaborative Professionals Facebook Group. Join here if you’re not inside already!
You can email us any questions or suggestions at info@neurocollaborative.com
In case you’d love to get continuing education and nerd out with a bunch of friends join the NeuroSpark waitlist here: www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
Claire loves research as you may know. She recently learned about a technique that was new to her but has a lot of research about it, and that is the Square-Stepping Exercise. It’s not the same as the Four Square Step Test as she originally thought. In researching what it is and how it helps people with Parkinson’s she was flabbergasted! Have a listen and see what you learn and how you can help your clients with PD improve their balance and cognition.
Are you doing the Square-Stepping Exercise? Let us know! Email us at info@neurocollaborative.com
Learn more and watch videos at http://www.square-step.org
Are you using timing apps to do circuits and workouts with your clients and patients? You can use these timing apps in any setting and with all kinds of creative ideas! Some of the apps people in our neuro community have shared are smartwod and interval timer. These are not just for “athletes'' but anyone can benefit!
EMOM - every minute on the minute a certain number of reps, then rest is built in
Tabata - HIIT, higher intensity with shorter and rigidly defined workouts. 20 sec on, 10 sec rest.
AMRAP - as many reps/rounds as possible in a set amount of time
How can you set up workouts based on the OPTIMAL theory? What can you do for each setting? Listen up and see what ideas you generate!
On today’s show we interview Dr. Stephen Kanter, PT, DPT, ATC, the Director of Rehabilitation Services, International Multiple Sclerosis Management Practice in New York City. Dr. Kanter shares the top aspects of working with people with MS that clinicians get wrong and what they should focus on instead. He sheds light on misconceptions and steers listeners into the direction that will best help their clients. We loved this conversation and learned a lot from Dr. Kanter who not only specializes in working with people with MS but also in biomedical ethics. Please reach out if you have any thoughts or questions from the episode because we’d be happy to bring him back for a follow up!
Email us at info@neurocollaborative.com
Today’s show is a part 2 continuation from last week’s. Please listen to episode 127 for context before diving into this one. On today’s show Claire shares the details of her recent number crunching session that gave her the insights of what it costs to keep Rogue running and sustainable. We believe in transparency with our teams and also believe business owners should know their numbers in order to make the most informed decisions. Claire shares key financials from Rogue, giving our listeners a taste of the discussion the team is getting. We aim to normalize discussion about money in the therapy community so we can all feel more empowered and less awkward about it.
Want access to an ongoing learning community with like-minded neuro lovers? Join us inside NeuroSpark! Hop on the waitlist here: www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
Today’s show is a part 2 continuation from last week’s. Please listen to episode 127 for context before diving into this one. On today’s show Claire shares the details of her recent number crunching session that gave her the insights of what it costs to keep Rogue running and sustainable. We believe in transparency with our teams and also believe business owners should know their numbers in order to make the most informed decisions. Claire shares key financials from Rogue, giving our listeners a taste of the discussion the team is getting. We aim to normalize discussion about money in the therapy community so we can all feel more empowered and less awkward about it.
Want access to an ongoing learning community with like-minded neuro lovers? Join us inside NeuroSpark! Hop on the waitlist here: www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
On today’s show we’re going to talk about the importance of transparency with your team and why it matters. Have you ever worked somewhere and felt like a cog in a wheel where you didn’t fully understand how everything added up? Where you heard things like “therapy doesn’t bring in any money” or “we’re struggling” but you don’t know what’s being done about it or what it actually looks like? Do you understand how much it costs the company to deliver an hour of therapy?
There’s a constructive way to keep your team informed and a destructive way. Tune in to hear how to make sure your conversations keep everyone motivated toward the shared vision of the company and don’t make your team members feel scared or over burdened.
Want access to an ongoing learning community with like-minded neuro lovers? Join us inside NeuroSpark! Hop on the waitlist here: www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
On today’s show we’re going to talk about the importance of transparency with your team and why it matters. Have you ever worked somewhere and felt like a cog in a wheel where you didn’t fully understand how everything added up? Where you heard things like “therapy doesn’t bring in any money” or “we’re struggling” but you don’t know what’s being done about it or what it actually looks like? Do you understand how much it costs the company to deliver an hour of therapy?
There’s a constructive way to keep your team informed and a destructive way. Tune in to hear how to make sure your conversations keep everyone motivated toward the shared vision of the company and don’t make your team members feel scared or over burdened.
Want access to an ongoing learning community with like-minded neuro lovers? Join us inside NeuroSpark! Hop on the waitlist here: www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
Community presentations are a great opportunity to showcase what you know and what your expertise can do for people, but do you feel like no one is really engaged? Are folks attending and taking in the information but not actually making the changes you suggested in their lives? Do you feel like there is so much potential if only people knew just a little bit more about what to do?
If you’re only delivering information you’re missing the point. People need MORE than information in order to improve their lives. Today we share how to really tap into a person’s motivation and deliver an effective message so your audience is inspired into action.
8 Key Elements for Creating Presentations That Do More Than Educate
Want more collaboration, new ideas and continuing education? Join us inside NeuroSpark! Doors open Sept 29 - Oct 6th. Hop on the waitlist here! www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
Community presentations are a great opportunity to showcase what you know and what your expertise can do for people, but do you feel like no one is really engaged? Are folks attending and taking in the information but not actually making the changes you suggested in their lives? Do you feel like there is so much potential if only people knew just a little bit more about what to do?
If you’re only delivering information you’re missing the point. People need MORE than information in order to improve their lives. Today we share how to really tap into a person’s motivation and deliver an effective message so your audience is inspired into action.
8 Key Elements for Creating Presentations That Do More Than Educate
Want more collaboration, new ideas and continuing education? Join us inside NeuroSpark! Doors open Sept 29 - Oct 6th. Hop on the waitlist here! www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
Falls are a frequent complication for people with neurological disorders and some may want to modify their home to allow it to work best for them as they age. Today we’re going to discuss things to consider when balance and falls are a concern. We’ll be sharing a resource for making home modifications that will work for the long term.
Home modifications Aging-In-Place Remodeling Checklist
Sign up for our free webinar on balance here: https://www.neurocollaborative.com/balance-webinar
Falls are a frequent complication for people with neurological disorders and some may want to modify their home to allow it to work best for them as they age. Today we’re going to discuss things to consider when balance and falls are a concern. We’ll be sharing a resource for making home modifications that will work for the long term.
Home modifications Aging-In-Place Remodeling Checklist
Sign up for our free webinar on balance here: https://www.neurocollaborative.com/balance-webinar
There is a lack of diversity in research, lack of programs to reach diverse populations, and lack of representation of staff to help clients who look like that. We’ve wanted to work on this for a while and now that Claire has a Latino staff member at Rogue who speaks Spanish, she’s beginning more outreach to PWP who speak Spanish too! In this episode we talk about what she’s putting in place for that to be successful.
We’d love to hear the programs you’re offering to underserved populations and how you’re doing it. Send us an email at info@neurocollaborative.com
Looking for more mentorship opportunities? Look no further than NeuroSpark! Doors open soon. Jump on the waitlist at www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
Ever worked with a client with PD who had low blood pressure? Maybe they showed up with BP that surprised you. Maybe they felt symptoms and maybe they didn’t. Often their medical team has trouble managing their blood pressure because it can be affected by so many things and is a moving target. In today’s show we share a case example as well as tangible steps and strategies for managing low BP in your clients with PD so they stop getting passed off from provider to provider to solve it.
Top strategies from a talk by Horacio Kaufmann, MD from World Parkinson Congress 2016:
- Have your client drink 500 ml / 16.9 oz of water in the moment (add electrolytes if applicable)
- Put an abdominal binder low and tight on their abdomen
- Exercise: try boxing, upper extremity exercise with light weights or resistance bands, arm bike, recumbent bike
- Once stabilized be sure to work with the client in multiple positions to help their body accommodate (use clinical judgment based on your client when or if this is appropriate)
PD meds articles from PFT meeting notes:
https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/action/showPdf?pii=S0025-6196%2820%2930152-X
https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/action/showPdf?pii=S0025-6196%2811%2965259-2
“Diagnosis and treatment of orthostatic hypotension” recent publication with Dr. Kaufmann https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35841911/
Abdominal binder option: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005DLL0CS/ref=cm_sw_r_api_i_FWAV1V9Z6EE8SV2CPK5A_0
Have your Neurologic specialty certification or NCS already? Maybe you’re up for renewal or you’re just thinking about getting it in the first place. Claire recently renewed and Erin is due next year, so in today’s show we discuss the renewal process, how to prepare for it, how to make sure you get what you need covered and what doing the MOSQ the process was like for Claire.
Learn more about NCS recertification here: https://specialization.apta.org/maintain-certification/recertification
What would make the process better for you? Let us know! info@neurocollaborative.com
Have you ever wanted to present a poster at a conference? Have you worked with a client in a unique situation or created a unique way to work with a client and think other clinicians could benefit from hearing about it? Why aren’t there more clinicians submitting posters at conferences when they have so much to contribute to advancing clinical practice?
There are a number of perceived barriers to submitting abstracts that could be presented as posters, but we’re here to tell you that you have important things to share and you should be presenting them! Creating an abstract does not have to be a barrier to you building your resume, renewing your NCS, promoting your facility, becoming a mentor and more. Learn more in our conversation now!
Join us for a free webinar on creating abstracts: https://www.neurocollaborative.com/abstract
The Parkinson’s Foundation (PF) has created a Hospital Care Initiative to ensure that people with PD have improved stays at the hospital when they need to go and the best practices occur. We share the stats, resources, checklists, and information that the PF has gathered to help people with Parkinsons, their family members, and their healthcare providers. Check out the resources in the link below:
https://www.parkinson.org/expert-care/professional-education/hospital-care-initiative
Clinical Recommendations for Hospital Care of People with Parkinson’s (includes a medication chart and other resourceful info): https://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/DocServer/Clincial_Recommendations.pdf?_ga=2.172708643.1291904141.1658971735-274626827.1637725396
Clinical Checklists (ED, Admission, Perioperative, Discharge: https://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/DocServer/Clinical_Checklists.pdf?_ga=2.182672294.1291904141.1658971735-274626827.1637725396
Get the mentorship you’re craving inside NeuroSpark! Join the waitlist to be the first to know when we open again: www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
Email us at info@neurocollaborative.com to let us know if you also received a grant and how you’ll be using it!
We’re on the Top 20 Neurology Podcasts on Feedspot
https://blog.feedspot.com/neurology_podcasts/
In the show today we talk all about overground training and obstacle course training! This episode was inspired by a recent NeuroSpark call taught by Jamie Haines, PT, DScPT who presented a lecture on this topic. She presented compelling research around why as well as concrete ideas for how to incorporate more of this training in your practice. We discuss real examples and situations that will spark ideas for you!
Get the mentorship you’re craving inside NeuroSpark! Join the waitlist to be the first to know when we open again: www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
Email us at info@neurocollaborative.com to let us know if you also received a grant and how you’ll be using it!
We’re on the Top 20 Neurology Podcasts on Feedspot
https://blog.feedspot.com/neurology_podcasts/
In today’s show Claire shares the program she is building at Rogue to help women diagnosed with Parkinson’s with her recent Parkinson Foundation Community Grant. Women are considered an underserved population of folks with Parkinson’s. Fewer women are diagnosed with PD than men and historically research has focused on men with PD (specifically white men). Statistics also show in hetero couples that the divorce rate is higher when a woman has PD vs a man, there is less caregiving support, women tend to be more sensitive to medication and receive less guidance. Claire shares a lot of interesting facts about women with PD in the show as well as the plan for how to better serve them.
Unmet Needs of Women Living with Parkinson’s Disease: Gaps and Controversies by Subramanian, et al
https://www.pdself.org
Self-Efficacy: Improving the Quality of Life of Parkinson’s Patients an overview and resources
Get the mentorship you’re craving inside NeuroSpark! Join the waitlist to be the first to know when we open again: www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
Email us at info@neurocollaborative.com to let us know if you also received a grant and how you’ll be using it!
We’re on the Top 20 Neurology Podcasts on Feedspot
https://blog.feedspot.com/neurology_podcasts/
In today’s show we talk about how Claire plans to use the Parkinson Foundation community grant they were recently awarded at Rogue. She applied for 2 programs this round that got funded. Learn who she plans to help in the PD community, how she’s planning to do it, and how she plans to market her grant scholarships. Maybe you can get some insights for applying yourself next time or some ideas to try with your clients right now.
Get the mentorship you’re craving inside NeuroSpark! Join the waitlist to be the first to know when we open again: www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
Email us at info@neurocollaborative.com to let us know if you also received a grant and how you’ll be using it!
We’re on the Top 20 Neurology Podcasts on Feedspot
https://blog.feedspot.com/neurology_podcasts/
Today’s focus is on glute max activation! When do you need to activate the glutes? What position should people be in to get their glutes to turn on so they’re ready for gait? Why is specificity important in neuro? JJ Mowder-Tinney, PT, PhD will give you an easy way to prime your patients for gait with glute max activation. Try it out and let us know what you see!
Get the mentorship you’re craving inside NeuroSpark! Join the waitlist to be the first to know when we open again: www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
Email us at info@neurocollaborative.com to let us know what equipment you like best!
We’re on the Top 20 Neurology Podcasts on Feedspot
https://blog.feedspot.com/neurology_podcasts/
Our strength equipment series continues! We’ve been on a roll discussing types of strength equipment you can use with your neuro clients, older adults, and yourself! Today’s share is on the axle barbell. We’ll discuss the details of the axle, how to use it, who it would be good for and more tips that Claire will share from using it in the clinic! You’ll take away from great tips from this episode whether you have an axle or not and whether you feel confident in weight training or not.
Find your Axle Barbell here: https://theaxleworkout.com/collections/the-axle-workout
Modern Management of the Older Adult course: https://ptonice.com/modern-management-of-the-older-adult-live
Get the mentorship you’re craving inside NeuroSpark! Join the waitlist to be the first to know when we open again: www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
Email us at info@neurocollaborative.com to let us know what equipment you like best!
We’re on the Top 20 Neurology Podcasts on Feedspot
https://blog.feedspot.com/neurology_podcasts/
On today’s show we’ll share why strength in older adults is SO important based on research. Some may warn older adults that lifting weights is dangerous, but what is actually dangerous is being weak. We’ll share some of the best ways Claire uses the Tidal Tank specifically in her clinic to give you some ideas for strengthening your clients based on her client educational series. We’re talking about this equipment today because Claire really loves it for multiple reasons as shared in the episode.
Resistance Training and Mortality Risk by Shailendra et al Article
Cross section of triathlete of 40 y/o vs 70 y/o Image
Tidal Tank Website use the code Rogue for 10% off
Get the mentorship you’re craving inside NeuroSpark! Join the waitlist to be the first to know when we open again: www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
Email us at info@neurocollaborative.com to let us know what equipment you like best!
We’re on the Top 20 Neurology Podcasts on Feedspot
https://blog.feedspot.com/neurology_podcasts/
What’s your goal when hosting a table at a community event? Do you have a plan for making it fun or does it feel like a drag? We’ve done a boatload of community events and time is helping us learn what works well to create a fun experience for all. Claire shares the most recent activities she did and is sharing the resources she brought to the events with age norm values on them. Download the handouts here!
Get the mentorship you’re craving inside NeuroSpark! Join the waitlist to be the first to know when we open again: www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
Email us at info@neurocollaborative.com to let us know what you like to do at community events!
We’re on the Top 20 Neurology Podcasts on Feedspot
https://blog.feedspot.com/neurology_podcasts/
Jargon alert: This episode is intended for physical therapists and healthcare professionals who treat people after concussion. After reviewing the Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) for concussion put out by the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy. Jenn found that adding resistance with a theraband behind the head during VOR training for patients with concussion was really helping their training. She explains how to perform this technique and adds progression and variation ideas as well.
Jennifer is a mentor inside NeuroSpark teaching webinars and leading office hours. You can learn more from her and all of us by joining! Hop on the waitlist to be the first to know when we open again: www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
Email us at info@neurocollaborative.com for more information or to share how this trick worked for you!
We’re on the Top 20 Neurology Podcasts on Feedspot
https://blog.feedspot.com/neurology_podcasts/
Have a patient or client with Freezing of Gait (FOG)? Try this treatment strategy Claire is excited to share! She explains how she uses the Clock Yourself App to challenge a client appropriately because he is relatively athletic and high functioning, yet he experiences FOG. She’ll help you see so many ways you can challenge and improve your clients’ movement abilities.
We don’t have an affiliation with the Clock Yourself App, just users and lovers of it! Clock Yourself app can be found for iOS and Android
Learn more here: https://www.clockyourself.com.au
We’re on the Top 20 Neurology Podcasts on Feedspot
https://blog.feedspot.com/neurology_podcasts/
Join our collaborative community! Get mentorship, continuing education, laughter, joy, fun, and support. Get out of burnout, overwhelm, and the overwork culture that’s not serving you. Join the NeuroSpark waitlist here: www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
Melissa is a business consultant who helps OT + PT business owners get the right systems, structure and support in place within their business so they can spend more time in their zone of genius, doing work that lights them up.
We've been working with her since November of last year, she's been helping us to build a stronger infrastructure with our business so that we can be more efficient with our time and be more effective in serving our people/NeuroSpark members.
Listen in on our conversation today to hear how we got started, what we are most passionate about, where we’re going with NC and some rapid fire fun questions!
We’re on the Top 20 Neurology Podcasts on Feedspot
https://blog.feedspot.com/neurology_podcasts/
Join our collaborative community! Get mentorship, continuing education, laughter, joy, fun, and support. Get out of burnout, overwhelm, and the overwork culture that’s not serving you. NeuroSpark is opening May 19-26th: www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
On today's show we spoke with Dr. Simon Maltais a cardiac surgeon and the author of the new book HEALTHCARE ANONYMOUS: Put Yourself First to Avoid Anxiety, Addiction and Burnout. Burnout is a really important topic to us. We are passionate about helping therapists avoid it or overcome it, so we were really excited to have Dr. Maltais on the show to discuss his experience with healthcare burnout, what he’s done to go “into remission” and what you can do to recognize it for yourself and treat it. Although there are definite differences in the medical profession vs therapy profession, many of the underlying principles span across the disciplines. We hope you find some helpful takeaways, in case you or someone you know needs them!
Learn more about the book and order your copy, go here: http://healthcareanonymous.com/
We’re on the Top 20 Neurology Podcasts on Feedspot
https://blog.feedspot.com/neurology_podcasts/
Join our collaborative community! Get mentorship, continuing education, laughter, joy, fun, and support. Get out of burnout, overwhelm, and the overwork culture that’s not serving you. NeuroSpark is opening May 19-26th: www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
Who hasn’t heard the “you’ve got to put your oxygen mask on first” analogy referring to self care? Is it just me or is that saying super annoying? I’m not a proponent of it, and in today’s show I’ll tell you why. I’ll share what you should do instead if you’re feeling like you’re not doing as well as you’d like to be in life. Whether you’re feeling tired, burnt out, emotionally drained, broke, stressed, overwhelmed, overworked, scared, or numb, listen up for a helpful strategy you can put to use right away. When you use this strategy you’ll start to feel happy, joyful, generous and present for yourself and the people you care about most. Promise!
We’re on the Top 20 Neurology Podcasts on Feedspot
https://blog.feedspot.com/neurology_podcasts/Join our collaborative community! Get mentorship, continuing education, laughter, joy, fun, and support. Get out of burnout, overwhelm, and the overwork culture that’s not serving you. NeuroSpark is opening May 19-26th: www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
Neuro therapists are creative, problem solvers, and love challenges which makes us great candidates for doing things in a unique way. Erica DeMarch, founder of Step and Connect talks about her career journey starting as a neuro therapist, getting involved in research, and on to developing her own clinical tool to solve the problems she was seeing in the clinic. She had a strong desire to help clients improve their ability to practice balance and have specific feedback when working on their exercises at home. Learn about the path she took, the lessons she learned along the way, and get inspired to create your own unique path using your creativity.
You can find Erica here:
Social Media accounts:
https://www.facebook.com/stepandconnect/
https://www.instagram.com/stepandconnect/
Website: https://stepandconnect.com
Article: Use of real-time multimodal sensory feedback home program improved backward stride and retention for people with Parkinson Disease: A pilot study https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590112522000032
What if your work week were 32 hours? If you’re starting out in your career or have your own business, have you thought about the structure you’d like to create in your business and for your employees? Claire shares her thoughts about creating a 4-day work week at Rogue as her team grows. She’s seen a lot of benefits with a less than full time schedule that she shares and gives some things for you to consider if you have an opportunity to adjust your schedule at some point.
Join us inside NeuroSpark when we open May 19, 2022! www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
Being a neuro clinician has a lot of challenges. In today’s show I talk about the top challenges you face on a day to day basis, like lack of time, lack of mentorship, lack of resources, and documentation, and I tell you exactly what to do to help. I’ll share stories and techniques that helped me go from “rage documenting” feverishly after hours to leaving work on time with all my notes done. I’ll also share exactly what to do if you’re drained because you feel overly responsible for “fixing” your patients. I hope you get some tangible strategies to try today!
If you want more support and content catered to you, we’d love to see you inside NeuroSpark! It’s our monthly program that provides ongoing continuing education, support, community and fun. Join the waitlist now so you can be the first to join when doors open on May 19, 2022.
www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
Claire went to PD Spring Break led by Dr. Laurie Mischley, NP, PhD, a naturopathic physician based in Seattle, Washington. She treats people with Parkinson’s by combining neuroscience and nutrition, including foods and supplements.
Top Takeaways:
- Find a good neurologist that you can collaborate with
- Get different opinions on medication (it takes at least 75 mg carbidopa cumulative in your day for it to be effective to block the side effects of the levodopa. 10/100 medication is not effective or helpful. 1/3 of medications have series side effects right when it comes out because the studies have limitations that don’t always show the serious side effects until more people have taken it)
- Difference between naturopathic vs allopathic (ie. traditional MD/DO)
- Social connection is one of the most important components of of health along with diet, supplementation and exercise
To learn more about Dr. Mischley visit her website here: https://educationismedicine.com
Find Dr. Mischley’s Online PD School here: https://www.parkinson-school.com
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3707928/pdf/nihms462530.pdf
"The minimum daily dose of carbidopa is thought to be 75 mg per day.4"
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7356419/
"Twenty-one patients with Parkinson's disease were studied because their low maintenance dosages of carbidopa-levodopa in the customary ratio of 1:10 provided less than the daily 75 mg of carbidopa believed necessary to achieve full inhibition of extracerebral dopa decarboxylation. "
https://www.rxlist.com/lodosyn-drug.htm
Join us inside NeuroSpark for more takeaways as the evidence comes out! We keep you up to date giving pearls you can apply to the clinic the next day. Join the waitlist here today: https://www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
Many new therapy and wellness business owners aren’t paying themselves a salary. Why is this happening? Let’s talk about finances and how you can prevent yourself from burning out and becoming resentful of your clients by actually giving yourself a paycheck!
Save the date! NeuroSpark opens in May! Be sure to jump on the waitlist so you can be the first to know when the doors open and join us! https://www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
On today’s show we share our top takeaways from a recent webinar inside NeuroSpark Membership taught by Jennifer Lazaro, PT, DPT, NCS. It’s a broad topic and all neuro therapists should have a basic idea of where to start and what to focus on with your clients who’ve had a concussion.
In the show we share the keys to recovering from a concussion (hint: it is not sitting in a dark room or waking up every hour) and the key domains for treatment when someone has symptoms that linger. Symptoms lasting longer than a month are known as Post Concussion Syndrome, so this is where your skills are needed!
Want to connect with more neuro therapists, ask your specific patient questions, and nerd out on all things neuro therapy? Join us inside our free Facebook group NeuroCollaborative Professionals today!
Today we talk to one of our mentors, Valerie Carter, about her experience as a neuro PT who had the unique opportunity to study the effects of exercise on people with Parkinson’s by helping her mom live very well for 30 years with PD. Valerie became really interested in utilizing the most sensitive outcome measures which led her down the road of studying backwards walking. Valerie shares why you should use the 3 Meter Backward Walking Test (3MBWT), exactly how to implement it, what the cutoff scores for falls are for the elderly and for people with PD, and more!
Article in 2020 w/ Becky Farley: Diagnostic Accuracy of the 3-Meter Backward Walk Test in Persons with Parkinson Disease https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343173711_Diagnostic_Accuracy_of_the_3-Meter_Backward_Walk_Test_in_Persons_With_Parkinson_Disease
Woo hoo we made it to 100 episodes! Patting ourselves on the back for releasing an episode every week no matter what. In today’s show we share with you the highlights of the I Love Neuro podcast: Our top 10 most downloaded episodes. If you haven’t listened to these, I highly recommend you check them out! We’ll discuss a little blurb on each episode so you know what you’re in store for. We were surprised and excited to see what rose to the top of our downloads!
Ever feel intimidated by adding dual task activities to your therapy sessions? Are there times you’re not sure where to start with your clients? Maybe you don’t want to make it too easy or too difficult, and sometimes you’re not really sure if what you’re doing actually qualifies for dual tasking. Well, this episode is for you! We interview Tara McIsaac, a clinician and researcher who breaks down the dual task puzzle into an amazingly simple taxonomy. Her research findings help you apply a simple formula into your practice to ensure you’re dual tasking in the most helpful way possible.
In the show you will learn the correct way to measure both of the tasks so you can compare the performance of single and dual task performance. We also discuss what qualifies for a dual task and what doesn’t, provide some real world examples, discuss how people can get better at dual tasking and give examples of how to progress it with clients.
Building a framework for a dual task taxonomy. McIsaac T, Lamberg E, Muratori L. Biomed Res Int. 2015. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25961027/
Cognitive-Motor Interference in Neurodegenerative Disease: A Narrative Review and Implications for Clinical Management. McIsaac T, Fritz N, Quinn L, Muraton L. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6218850/
Creighton University Phoenix https://www.creighton.edu/academics/programs/physical-therapy-phoenix
https://www.creighton.edu/campus-directory/mcisaac-tara-l
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/
https://www.facebook.com/home.php
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tara-Mcisaac
A topic too big for 1 podcast episode! On today’s show we interviewed Kaylie Zapanta, MS CSCS. Kaylie is a PhD candidate at USC who started out as a trainer and realized she was bit by the research bug. Initially she was passionate about studying muscles in athletes until she expanded her curiosity to the impact of exercise and gut health on people with conditions like cancer and Parkinson’s disease. She explains what her research aims to identify for people with PD regarding their gut health and fitness level.
Follow Kaylie on Twitter and Instagram @KaylieZapanta
www.healthyfitsaved.com
Today we have a conversation with fellow Sparky, Lauren Sheehan, an OT who worked for 10+ years in neuro rehab and 5 years ago made the switch to the medical device industry. Lauren became intrigued with rehab tech while working with a patient who was using it and hasn’t turned back since! Her passion is now helping bridge the gap for clinicians who want to use tech in their practice to improve outcomes and to help the tech companies get in touch with the clinical feedback needed to optimize their products. She bridges this gap by hosting a Rehab Tech Summit with speakers across expertise areas providing continuing education, access, real world solutions for clinicians (such as information on billing and coding), and more!
Check out our conversation with Lauren to learn how tech can actually be accessible to you regardless of your budget, how you can help your patients and the companies more, and how you can get continuing education credit while you learn more about it!
Sign up for the Rehab Tech Summit here https://rehabtechsummit.com and use the code NEUROCOLLAB for 10% off!
Find Lauren at:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensheehanot
https://rehabtechsummit.com
We as healthcare workers undervalue ourselves, our work, and we struggle to ask for enough money. We want everyone to have everything for free but we don’t want to make sure we get paid to cover what we are doing. This episode was inspired by conversations with Sparkies needing a little coaching on what it means to create something sustainable. What good will you be if you have to end your program or close your doors? Listen up if you struggle to ask to be paid for your time and skills!
Wins!! How often do you focus on the wins you get with your patients and clients? It is so natural for us to focus on the negative and the drudgery, but what if you spent a little time each day to focus on the wins you had or heard about that day? Get a dose of the feelgoods as we share why this is so important to do and share some of our recent wins and what you risk if you neglect giving focus time to the good stuff.
Ever have a tough patient case? Ever have someone come to you asking for help on a tough patient case? How do you handle it? What are your thoughts? A lot of us may not feel like we are “expert enough” and it is tough. On today’s episode, we provide our solution to working on those tough patient cases.
In today’s show we talk about something we are seeing more and more these days… healthcare worker burnout. This goes beyond feeling tired and irritated because we all feel that from time to time. In the show today we talk about what burnout looks like and feels like and what you can do about it. If you’re in it, we don’t want you to stay in it too long, so listen up for some helpful ideas!
If you’re looking for a community of like-minded people who want to feel excited, keep growing, and support each other, join us inside NeuroSpark! We only open a few times a year, so don’t miss your chance to join now. Doors are open Jan 20-27, 2022. Learn more at www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
We welcome Emily Borchers, PT lead for Rogue In Motion to the show to talk about back pain and posture in PD today. This topic was January’s education topic in the Parkinson’s Focus Track inside NeuroSpark. It was a great discussion inside the program and brought up a lot of questions for the therapists and trainers in the group, so we wanted to discuss it on the show to share with you!
King’s Parkinson’s disease pain scale:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26096067/
Camptocormia Backpack study:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5608676/
NeuroSpark opens again January 20-27th! When you join you’ll have access to the Parkinson Focus Track as well as our mixed neuro clinical content designed to give you ideas to take to the clinic the next day.
Join the waitlist here!
Do you know how to specifically describe different effort zones to your clients? Do you know the “zones” that indicate when a person is getting the most brain benefit? In today’s show we discuss Rogue’s custom Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Chart! Claire will share why she made it, how it’s different, why she loves it.
Download your free Rogue RPE chart below:
www.neurocollaborative.com/RPE
Join the NeuroSpark waitlist! We open January 20-27, 2022
www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
In this episode we share our wins and challenges from both NeuroCollaborative and Rogue from 2021. What we achieved and what we are looking forward to in 2022. Each year brings new lessons and opportunities. We also share a really helpful resource for reflecting on the year and setting goals that you can actually achieve!
Year Compass
https://yearcompass.com
In today’s show Emily Duval Ledger helps biz owners to understand why defining your WHO allows you to save time, energy, lessons learned, and money. We tend to focus so much on the WHY (for good reason) but we may get distracted with so many ideas, different people, opportunities, and needs that we lose track of exactly WHO this business is for. You will come away from the episode with tangible tips to implement immediately!
Claire’s awesome speech therapist Stephanie Callander recently did a presentation in a course we held on facial training and hypomimia. It was such a good talk with very interesting takeaways for all disciplines. In today’s show I share the top takeaways and exercises you can practice with clients. I also share why this topic is so important for people with Parkinson’s and what hypomimia can actually mean in the global picture for a person with PD.
Are you looking at backward walking with your clients? I’ll admit, I haven’t really been, but in a recent NeuroSpark clinical call JJ shared some compelling research and data for people with multiple diagnoses for why we should be testing and practicing this skill! I’ll share why you should do backward walking, some recent research, and ideas to try yourself. We hope it inspires you to try something new in the clinic tomorrow!
Edwards EM, Daugherty AM, et al Backward walking sensitively detects fallers in persons with multiple sclerosis. MS and related disorders. Oct 2020.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S221103482030465X
What if you could have customized content for your workplace education? We’ve expanded our ability to serve your education needs even more by making flexible, custom courses just for you. We are so excited to do this, which was initiated by one of our NeuroSpark members who asked if we could do it. One of the things we LOVE is being in a position to offer helpful things to people because of the platform we’ve built. We can provide coaching and education on demand and make it flexible and custom to what people want. In the show we share the details of the current custom course we are working on and what is possible for the future!
Please note, there are a few places where our internet connection wasn’t the strongest while recording, but the information is still understandable!
Anti-racist action: The Myths of Thanksgiving Story and the Lasting Damage They Imbue by Claire Bugos Smithsonian Magazine
On today’s show we are talking about money and how it can help you! First, Claire is participating in a MOVEmber4PD fundraising challenge led by Jimmy Choi where they are walking, biking, or moving for 1 mile a day and raising funds for the Michael J Fox Foundation. Claire’s team is currently in lead and may win an opportunity to work out with Jimmy Choi!
And second, we talk about Parkinson Foundation Grants because our NeuroSpark members are thinking about this and we are ready to support you! We share our experience and tips for you if you’re thinking of applying. We talk about what NOT to apply for and give our tips for a successful application. Now, go get that money and help your community!
Why might you do an intensive with a client? Have you ever done one or would you like to? Check out how Claire implemented an intensive bout of exercise with a client she’s been working with for 4 years and what prompted doing it.
Claire shares specific details from the outcome measures she used to determine why to do the intensive with her client, what additional factors she considers when scheduling assessments and intensives, and what her recommendations were. Claire will reveal the outcomes of a specific client case.
Anti-racist action: Advancing Health Equity: A Guide to Language, Narrative and Concepts
https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/ama-aamc-equity-guide.pdf
After receiving so many questions from Claire’s free webinar titled Community Exercise Classes for People with Parkinson's: Beyond Insurance-Based Therapy we wanted to talk more about the topic of doing wellness assessments as a therapist.
Why do wellness assessments? What can you do in a PT wellness assessment and how is it different from a PT assessment? How do you (can you?) use this information to determine if they can participate in wellness classes?
Claire will discuss the assessments she picks for wellness assessments and why. She’ll discuss when and how these will be different from the assessments used in traditional therapy.
Anti-racist Action: Our words matter and why we should be shifting them as healthcare workers
https://www.ama-assn.org/about/leadership/our-words-matter-it-s-time-get-them-right
Watch the recording of Claire’s webinar here: Community Exercise Classes for People with Parkinson's: Beyond Insurance-Based Therapy
After being business owners, we can’t imagine not working for ourselves again, but it’s not all rainbows and sunshine. So what’s it really like to own a business? What do you need to adjust in your thinking so it doesn’t end up owning you? Join us for real talk today on the podcast.
Got a biz question you want us to answer on the show? Email us at info@neurocollaborative.com
In this Episode Claire talks with the first DPT student Rogue has ever had!
Rogue is so happy to have their student, Alberto Velasco. He has jumped right in with all the different classes, programs and services and is already an asset to the team! Rogue is not your normal clinic and comes with unique challenges. How is he navigating those?
Claire and Al discuss how the clinical is going so far, how the setting is different than most, what Al’s responsibilities have been and what their goals are for the next 2 months.
Running a biz can feel overwhelming and hard when you’re trying to figure it out all on your own. When you can peek inside another successful business it reveals so much and gives you some guide posts to follow. Who do you collaborate with? Who are you getting advice from? How do you learn what you don’t know? There are many things about business we don’t learn in school, so where are you going to learn it?? We talk about it here and guide you!
Let’s talk about how Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS) helps improve movement in our neurologic population! Does music affect gait and movement? What should you know about using RAS in your sessions? In the show we’ll share with you some tips from research on RAS, where to start and how to progress. We discuss the difference between using music and metronomes.
Anti-racist action: Quick video link that helps to explain why it is important to use pronouns
Catch a sneak peek into our PD Focus track call for the month of October. This call is for our NeuroSpark members only, but per request from members to listen to the audio, we decided to share it with everyone! In today’s show we’ll be discussing the best ways to set up, monitor and progress a cardio class for your neuro clients. This is a class using bikes, treadmills and other equipment.
In the talk you will hear us discuss the key elements and key progressions of hosting a cardio class for individuals with Parkinson’s. The focus is first on safety, quality of movement, endurance, speed, resistance and incline, and beyond. Get a notepad ready because you will need it!
In the show you will hear answers to questions like “How should you get someone started when the research says people should work at 90 rpms on the bike if they aren’t exercising at all yet?” and more.
Rogue’s cardio resources: https://www.roguept.com/cardio-class
Get a sneak peak at the amazing bonus our NeuroSpark members get from Rogue In Motion, Claire’s online Parkinson’s exercise program. She and her instructors have created several video clips for their online members with PD. She is sharing these videos with anyone who has joined NeuroSpark so that they can use them in their clinical practice and share them with their clients. These videos have already been helping her clients with knowledge translation using PWR! Moves and other strategies from class into their daily lives.
NeuroSpark is open this week! Gain clinical excellence, become business savvy, and step into your personal power so we can transform healthcare together and make this world better for those living with neurological conditions (and of course make it better for those doing this work too!)
NeuroSpark is a monthly program for busy professionals where you can work at your own pace, watch what you want, get clinical mentorship, biz mentorship, PD-specific mentorship, collaborate with a like-minded community, and more!
We constantly evolve our programs based on people’s feedback and want to tell you about what to expect this round inside.
NeuroSpark [Click here] is OPEN from Sept 23-Oct 1st! This program supports neuro professionals with clinical education, business mentorship, an amazing community to collaborate and grow with.
Today we discuss how to approach starting new group exercise classes. We discuss the key questions to consider when planning, what things are really helpful to get going easily, and how to progress from there. Learn tips for what’s important and what do avoid.
Join our upcoming webinars on Trunk Activation Sept 23rd and 29th! Register here and be sure to join us inside NeuroSpark [Join here] where we support healthcare professionals like you in all things clinical excellence, business development, and personal power.
Where is the breakdown for us healthcare professionals when it comes to self care? What is behind so many of us burning out, putting everyone else first, and feeling like there is never enough time? Emily Borchers from Rogue joins us today and shares her top 10 list for implementing better self care practice for healthcare providers. This conversation is real, raw, and not like your typical #selfcare talk. What can you implement that will help you show up as your best self?
Resources mentioned:
Boundary Boss by Terri Cole
Full Focus Planner by Michael Hyatt
Join our upcoming webinars on Trunk Activation Sept 23rd and 29th! Register here and be sure to join us inside NeuroSpark where we support healthcare professionals like you in all things clinical excellence, business development, and personal power. [Join here]
Okay so we didn’t actually count how many we give, but there are at least 3 and they are definitely easy!
Why should we care about the research? Because we care about evidence-based care! So how to stay up to date on the latest research?? Today we talk about how to stay current and apply it in your practice. Claire and Erin share their favorite EASY methods for staying up to date on current evidence.
Want to access free full text articles that aren’t available to you? Try this site: https://sci-hub.se
Join us for our next webinar series to get the latest research and evidence-based ideas! A 2-part series entitled Building the Functional Foundation Across the Rehab Spectrum: Trunk Activation and Control
Part 1 will be Supine and Sitting for Clinicians Working in Acute, Inpatient Rehab, and Skilled Nursing Facilities and Part 2 will be Standing and Walking for Clinicians Working in Home Care and Outpatient
https://www.neurocollaborative.com/trunk
Anti-racist action: Reviewing articles inside JAMA August 17, 2021, Vol 326, No. 7, Pages 587-680 | Racial and Ethnic Disparities and Inequities in Medicine and Health Care
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/issue/326/7
Coaching is not very common in our field, yet, much like athletes, we have big goals and are here to do big things! So what does coaching look like for neuro professionals and who needs it? In this episode we talk about the kind of coaching we offer our colleagues and how it differs from others. This is not about coaching our clients and patients today, but about coaching YOU, the neuro professional, and how we can help you achieve your goals faster and easier. Listen to the show to learn more!
If you love neuro, want to elevate your practice, help more people, and feel more satisfied in your career you gotta join NeuroSpark! It’s our mentorship community where like-minded neuro professionals learn new skills, submit patient questions, talk through challenges and wins at office hours, and earn CEUs!
Anti-racist action: JAMA Aug 2021 Everyone Must Address Anti-Black Racism in Health Care Steps for Non-Black Health Care Professionals to Take.
Ever feel like you started on a path and you need to stay the course because you’ve already invested time and money? Or you stay because you think you should? Truth is there is no one right path and you’re allowed to change your mind. On today’s show we talk about transitions. Emily Duval Ledger is a fitness trainer who founded Recreation Fitness in 2012 and recently found herself at a crossroads. Emily shares how and why she started her company, how it grew, and why she’s deciding to pivot. You will gain so much inspiration and insight from Emily’s wisdom and perspective!
You can follow Emily @emilytrains on Instagram or come collaborate with her inside NeuroSpark.
Today we talk to Sarah Palmer, the founder of Forever Fitness in Cincinnati, Ohio. She serves mainly clients with Parkinson’s and older adults offering classes and 1:1 fitness sessions.
Sarah talks about how she got started into fitness and on the neuro path. She also shares the insights that helped her achieve 10 years in business and how the move to memberships vs packages made a huge difference. Learn what she has to say has helped her continue to attract new clients and more in this episode!
You can find Sarah at https://foreverfitnesscincinnati.com
sarah@foreverfitnesscincinnati.com
Follow/like Rock Steady Boxing Cincinnati and Forever Fitness on Facebook
What’s the best way to organize your classes so everyone gets the right level of challenge? We know that intensity matters but so does safety and a feeling of success. For individuals with Parkinson’s over time their presentations can vary which can make it more challenging to design group classes for all levels of abilities.
Must create a system or rules for who is appropriate for which type of class - cognitive vs physical challenges, safety. We share our top tips for successful classes working with individuals with more physical and cognitive challenges, what to consider, and what to avoid.
Consider having:
- Smaller groups (4-8 people)
- Don’t create stations that require a lot of transitioning in between - keep things in one main area
- Have help if able - caregivers, volunteers, students, etc
- Allow clients to collaborate together to create fun and community in class
- Use props to make activities bigger, allow more external focus, and make it more obvious for what is needed from participants
Email Claire if you are interested in learning and talking more about slip and trip training at claire@neurocollaborative.com
Anti-racist action: Working with our coach helps us to talk through and process things. We see how much we have to live in the gray areas because not everything is good or bad. Sometimes we can still support our morals and ethics without boycotting everything or going to the extremes.
On today’s show I’m going to share takeaways from a recent NeuroSpark webinar on the use of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) with the neuro population presented by Jennifer Lazaro. This was a fantastic webinar for our members and I want to share the highlights with you.
I’ll discuss the mechanisms, indications, contraindications, research in neuro, results, techniques and dosage recommendations as well as my own personal experience using this modality.
Here are the research articles mentioned:
- Lee, JJ, et al “Inhibitory effects of instrumented assisted neuromobilization on hyperactive gastrocnemius in a hemiparetic stroke patient” Biomed Mater Eng. 2014;24(6):2389-94.
- Deshpande, S and Chitra J “Effectiveness of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization using m2t blade on upper limb spasticity and function in post stroke patients: a pre-post experimental study.” IJMSIR 2018.
- Miller MM, Ray JM, Van Zant RS “The effects of Astym Therapy on a child with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy” Clinical Medicine Insights: Case Reports 2017.
Here is my favorite low cost tool, a jade gua sha from Amazon
On today’s show Claire and JJ talk about JJ’s experience with slip and trip training. Rogue recently received a community grant from the Parkinson’s Foundation. One of the programs they will be starting is slip/trip training. Claire learned about the training and research JJ has done during a NeuroSpark call last year and had a lot of questions for JJ and how to get started. JJ gave Claire SO many great ideas for how to get started, and how to tweak the plan to make this training optimal for Rogue’s members, and you're going to love listening in too!
Here are some Reactive Balance References with key authors and a variety of diagnoses:
■Pai Y-C, Bhatt T, Wang E, Espy D, Pavol MJ. Inoculation against falls: rapid adaptation by young and older adults to slips during daily activities. Archives Of Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation. 2010;91(3):452-459.
■Curuk E, Lee Y, Aruin AS. Individuals with stroke improve anticipatory postural adjustments after a single session of targeted exercises. Human Movement Science. 2020 Feb 1;69:102559.
■de Kam D, Roelofs JM, Bruijnes AK, Geurts AC, Weerdesteyn V. The next step in understanding impaired reactive balance control in people with stroke: the role of defective early automatic postural responses. Neurorehabilitation and neural repair. 2017 Aug;31(8):708-16.
■Gerards MH, McCrum C, Mansfield A, Meijer K. Perturbation‐based balance training for falls reduction among older adults: Current evidence and implications for clinical practice. Geriatrics & gerontology international. 2017 Dec;17(12):2294-303.
■Mansfield A, Wong JS, Bryce J, Knorr S, Patterson KK. Does perturbation-based balance training prevent falls? Systematic review and meta-analysis of preliminary randomized controlled trials. Physical Therapy. 2015;95(5):700-709.
■McCrum C, Gerards MH, Karamanidis K, Zijlstra W, Meijer K. A systematic review of gait perturbation paradigms for improving reactive stepping responses and falls risk among healthy older adults. European review of aging and physical activity. 2017 Dec;14(1):3.
■Okubo Y, Brodie MA, Sturnieks DL, et al. Exposure to trips and slips with increasing unpredictability while walking can improve balance recovery responses with minimum predictive gait alterations. Plos One. 2018;13(9):e0202913.
Join us today with our special guest Sparkie, Tony Noto. He founded Noto Physical Therapy in Oct 2014 which is a 100% mobile therapy practice in upstate New York. Tony tells us all about why he unexpectedly decided to start a business, why he built a mobile practice, went cash based, built his networks, and how he filled his caseload.
You are going to be so inspired by this episode!
You can learn more about Noto Physical Therapy at www.notopt.com or contact Tony at notopt@gmail.com
How to make activities more complex by adding physical to cognitive training. We break down the different ways that dual tasking works and how to push physical tasks to become more automatic. We discuss why this is important to train and address with our clients.
Neuro Nugget of the week: Use this article by Tara McIsaac entitled Building a Framework for a Dual Task Taxonomy, published 2015, for brilliant ways to start and progress your cognitive and physical training. Assess your client for where to start with success and how to progress.
Anti-racist action: How to be an active bystander vs passive
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/29/smarter-living/how-to-be-an-active-bystander-when-you-see-casual-racism.html
From Claire’s floor talk: Learn to love the floor for fun, fitness and (less injurious) falls. What should we really be focusing on with regard to falls? Stat on how many people can get up from the floor if they fall
Try an experiment with your clients to improve their sit to stand! Check out this free full text article on performing intensive sit to stand practice: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1836955319300542?via%3Dihub
Have trouble helping people with Camptocormia? Check out this free full text article on backpacks and back strengthening:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5608676/pdf/arm-41-677.pdf
We are starting a new thing on the show - the NeuroSpark Nugget of the week. Listen to get a knowledge translation takeaway to use tomorrow!
Anti-racist action: learning about how diet culture has ties to racism https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/racism-diet-culture
Do you focus enough on the basics of movement? Or are you chasing the shiniest, most creative exercise interventions every time? What are the best ways to improve someone’s sit to stand or their bed mobility? We also discuss ways to use the floor besides just with fall recovery or prevention. People can recover from pain and movement issues that have plagued them for years by getting on the floor. We discuss this and more!
Anti-racist Action: I attended a DEI webinar by the CPTA called Continuing the Conversation: A Diverse, Equitable, & Inclusive Path to Transform Society and Improve the Human Experience by Chukwuemeka Nwigwe. There are great talks like this still happening - check them out!
In today’s show I talk about the key elements to a presentation that will actually change people. You don’t want your clients to decline or stay stagnant, right? So why aren’t you motivating them into action? Not sure how? Have a listen! With these key elements you will be so fired up and your clients will too because they will be committing to themselves and actually getting better.
Anti-racist action: One of the pieces of homework from our DEI consultant is to watch shows that have BIPOC actors and are about black culture or other cultures other than white. Make observations with curiosity.
We’re exploring the ups and downs of running a Parkinson’s business and how we are so excited to help those in our community who work with individuals with Parkinson’s. We’ve developed a track that has a cross over of business and clinical practice issues. Claire talks about the challenges running Rogue in the current environment. We also dive into the topics and expectations for this member-driven track and can’t wait for it to grow and unfold such as cognitive training, fall risk reduction, functional training, and more.
Anti-racist action: We are in a business membership led by a woman named Rachel Rodgers whose business is called Hello Seven. We share specific information from an email we received from Hello Seven to help with understanding LGBTQIA+ inclusivity as well as really important language to avoid using. This information is so helpful for everyone!
The tables are turned and Claire answers questions! Today we are talking to Olivia Schipani, who will graduate from her neuro-residency program in August. She has found a passion for working in the outpatient setting with people with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders. In today’s episode Oliva asks Claire all of her burning questions about what to do after residency. In the show you’ll hear Claire’s response to questions such as her best advice for new clinicians entering the workforce, how to study for the NCS, how to get your name out there, advice for applying for jobs, how to avoid burnout, how to pay off student loans, how did you get into wellness vs continuing with therapy, and more!
Have a listen to this enlightening conversation! Do you have loads of questions you’d like to ask one of us? Let us know! Email at info@neurocollaborative.com and we’ll answer your questions - either with or without you - on the podcast!
Today we’re talking to one of our NeuroSpark members, Joy Cochran. Joy founded JOY Explorations in 2021 to help bridge the gap between discharge from the mainstream healthcare system and integration back into the community. Her vision is to empower clients, specifically adults with neurologic conditions and 55+, to play, grow, and have FUN in nature to promote long, healthy, happy and fulfilling lives.
In the show we talk about what caused to her get into physical therapy as her second career and which aspects of working at a PT caused her to launch her own business this year. We talk with Joy about ideas for attracting more clients and the vision she has for her business. Lots of helpful information for anyone interested in starting their own business or class!
Reach out to Joy at joyexplorations.com
Claire shares insights from an educational session held at Rogue on trekking poles. She shares why clients may want to use trekking poles, who they are good for, how they can be used to optimize fitness and wellness, how they help improve coordination and posture, and more.
Check out this video from Rogue’s YouTube channel to learn more: https://youtu.be/6-IYCZTGEkU
Anti-racist Action: Understanding the characteristics of White Supremacy culture to ponder and be aware of. There are antidotes to these too. Read more at:
https://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/white-supremacy-culture-characteristics.html
Join us for a free 2-part webinar on gait starting May 20th and 26th! Register here: https://www.neurocollaborative.com/stance
We’re growing the support inside NeuroSpark! We are niching down our support for members who work with people with Parkinson’s. This summer we will start providing a Parkinson’s specific group for professionals to attend for ideas, biz tips, support and more! Listen while we talk about our brainstorming about what this track will look like. It will be available only for NeuroSpark members.
Anti-racist Action: Understanding the characteristics of White Supremacy culture to ponder and be aware of. There are antidotes to these too. Read more at:
https://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/white-supremacy-culture-characteristics.html
- Perfectionism
- Sense of urgency
- Fear of open conflict
- Right to comfort
- Objectivity
- Individualism
- Paternalism
Join us for a free 2-part webinar on gait starting May 20th and 26th! Register here: https://www.neurocollaborative.com/stance
In today’s show we talk about our favorite way to learn and the exciting topics to come up over the next quadrimester in NeuroSpark Membership. We’ll be exploring deeper into the ever-challenging topic of spasticity, movement analysis, circuit and HIIT exercises for clients, patient cases, vestibular assessment, and IASTM. We’ll also allude to the topics we are thinking coming up down the pipeline!
Anti-racist Action: Highly recommend the book Caste by Isabel Wilkerson. Isabel Wilkerson, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Humanities Medal, is the author the critically acclaimed New York Times bestsellers The Warmth of Other Suns, and Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.Her second book, CASTE: The Origins of Our Discontents, explores the unrecognized hierarchy in America, its history and its consequences. Caste became a No. 1 New York Times bestseller, was the 2020 summer/fall selection for Oprah’s Book Club and was long listed for the National Book Award. It was named to more best of the year lists than any other work of nonfiction and was named the No. 1 book of 2020 across all genres by the industry arbiter, Publishers Marketplace.
Join us for a free 2-part webinar on gait starting May 20th and 26th! Register here: https://www.neurocollaborative.com/stance
On today’s show we interview Carol-Ann Nelson, founder of Destination Rehab (501c3) in 2016 to address the isolation and lack of outdoor recreation for adults with neurologic conditions. Carol-Ann talks about the gap that she saw for patients after they finished rehab and found themselves rarely leaving their houses. She was passionate about helping people experience the things they used to love in their lives that they’ve lost. She discusses the reasons she decided to create a nonprofit business, the programs, referrals, and funding. She also explains how, even though they work outdoors, they haven’t had any trouble getting Medicare to cover therapy. She is clear and transparent about both the positives and challenges of doing outdoor therapy.
You can learn more about Carol-Ann and Destination Rehab at destinationrehab.org
Group classes are different since COVID. We’re excited people are able to start returning to in person groups but creative ideas are needed to do circuit classes to keep everyone safe. We’re also noticing the levels people are at after a year of exercising virtually on Zoom, which is interesting. Claire shares practical and creative ideas for you to implement in your next group class for people with Parkinson’s! She shares how she helps keep participant heart rates up during classes by reducing the cognitive demand. Follow Rogue PT Wellness on instagram and Rogue Physical Therapy and Wellness on Facebook to watch some cool Reels of her clients at work!
Anti-racist action: New term alert! Many of us are familiar with the term “microaggression,” however, this term has been updated to now be called “subtle act of exclusion” or SAE. One of the books on our Building Allyship reading list is called Subtle Acts of Exclusion by Tiffany Jana and Michael Baran. I’ll explain why the switch and my own lessons learned.
Why are we doing this? What’s it all for? Do we look like we are doing EVERYTHING? Why does NeuroCollaborative exist and how do we know when we are successful?
In today’s episode we talk about our mission and vision, what we are against in healthcare culture, and what we value. We also discuss the purpose of what we’ve created in NeuroCollaborative, like our free Facebook group and what it is for as well as what it is NOT for. We open up about all of it!
Anti-racist action: we hired a DEI business consultant that we will be working with very soon! Plus we continue to read the books and meet in a small group with others on this path that we can talk openly to. Creating a trusted group is highly recommended!
Sarrisa Curry is founder, president and head coach of the Parkinson’s Exercise and Wellness Center, a 501c3 organization dedicated to the Parkinson’s community of the Kansas City area. Learn the story of how being involved in the fitness world led Sarrisa to follow an intuitive nudge of working with individuals with Parkinson’s. Sarrisa discusses how her programs began, the evolution of services offered, the cost to clients, the fundraising aspect, and her best advice to others interested in building a nonprofit wellness center.
You can learn more about the PEWC at: www.thepewc.org or call them at 913-276-4665
You can also follow their organization on FB and instagram as the Parkinson’s Exercise and Wellness Center
Today we continue our nonprofit highlights with Rebecca Bliss and Susan Saenger. We will learn more about their unique nonprofit business model and set up. They offer free PD exercise classes in Durham, NC through the Parkinson’s Movement Initiative, which operates under the American Dance Festival. With this setup they are able to provide free classes to their community, which has been really effective for their mission of improving access to care. It is a collaborative model where the parent organization greatly helps with outreach and other administrative challenges that smaller groups face. Our guests discuss their time commitment as they both work full time outside of the program. They operate under grant funding and talk about the outcomes used for funding, as well as how a therapist interested in working in the community like this could get started.
Learn more about their clases at https://www.americandancefestival.org/community/parkinsons-movement-initiative/
Follow: NC Dance for Parkinson’s Facebook
Reach out at: ncdanceforparkinsons@gmail.com
Today we talk to Tiffany Piquillioud, PT, DPT, NCS who runs the Challenge Center, a non-profit that helps seniors and individuals with disabilities get skilled therapy and adaptive fitness services in the San Diego, CA area.
She joined the Challenge Center 18 years ago. It started as a fitness center and now provides therapy and wellness to anyone with a goal to maximize everyone’s function. They can see people for the length of time it takes to get them there. They serve all people with disabilities and provide a sliding scale for services. She discusses how the business runs, what fundraising for the non-profit looks like, and more!
Learn more about Challenge Center by going here: http://www.challengecenter.org You can check out their YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiKoy1uJ424Vc93NibNBA5Q/feed
Reach out to Tiffany at: tiffany@challengecenter.org
To watch more about non-profits check out the free webinar we hosted with Tiffany and others running non-profit organizations at www.neurocollaborative.com/webinars
In today’s show we talk about what you need to know about documenting wellness as well as what to say in that difficult conversation with your clients so they can understand the difference between wellness and therapy. We’ll also let you know what you need to know in order to start a wellness program of your own.
Anti-racist action: Today we’re going through some of the advocacy bullets in the Black Rehabilitation Manifesto. We’ll let you know what they are to give an idea of how we can become advocates. http://www.ujimainstitute.com/black-rehabilitation-manifesto.html
In today’s show we discuss why neuro wellness is a critical component of your client’s health journey and how to really differentiate it from therapy. We discuss the most confusing components of wellness vs therapy to help bring you some clarity on the topic so you can move forward with providing wellness with confidence.
Anti-racist Action: The Black Rehabilitation Manifesto is a document we became aware of recently. We invite you to read it and see if it is something you can stand behind with us. http://www.ujimainstitute.com/black-rehabilitation-manifesto.html
In today’s episode we talk to 4 women who own and/or lead neuro-based nonprofit businesses around the country. Each is unique, inspiring and amazing! If you’ve ever thought about starting a nonprofit and wanted to get some inspo, this is the episode for you!
Click here to download the flyer.
Today we go into more detail about Freezing of Gait (FOG) in Parkinson’s. We discuss what a therapist should know about medication dosage with clients, the key components of exercises specific for FOG, why it matters if your client has typical PD or atypical PD, and more. Claire shares supplemental materials for helping you characterize FOG as well as other key tips for therapists and providers to know!
The article discussed today (which has supplemental material cited): Evidence for subtypes of freezing of gait by Kaylena A. Ehgoetz Martens, PhD, et al. Movement Disorders Aug 2018
https://movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/mds.27417
Go down to “Supporting Information” and download the one with “doc.x” ending for the questionnaire.
Anti-racist action: We hired a DEI coach to help us! We’ve taken the next big step and hired an expert to coach us. It will be both personal and professional training. We have to work on our own biases and unlearning racist ideas that we didn’t even know about so we can build businesses that are anti-racist.
In NeuroSpark, stay tuned to FOG part 2 webinar on treatment and come to office hours with your questions! For others in the community, stay tuned for a free open webinar on March 30th. Link to register will be coming soon.
What if you had a place to ask your toughest questions to mentors from around the globe? What if you had access to experts at your fingertips when you felt stuck with a patient case?
Knowledge translation requires a person to reflect, talk through their thought process, be asked questions, review resources and ideas from others. Today we discuss a great way this occurs when we come together and put our ideas into action.
Anti-racist action: Learn about how to let go of being a good person so you can improve and grow. What if your attachment to being a "good" person is holding you back from actually becoming a better person?
https://www.ted.com/talks/dolly_chugh_how_to_let_go_of_being_a_good_person_and_become_a_better_person?language=en
Bonus webinar on neuro nonprofits coming up on March 2nd at 5:30 pm PST / 8:30 pm EST register here: https://www.neurocollaborative.com/nonprofit
In today’s episode we discuss a topic from our NeuroSpark Membership that is highly misunderstood - Spasticity! We delve into resources that JJ shared including an article by Dr. Beth Fisher and colleagues (it shares the title of this episode) and we discuss the key points as well as our interpretations of the highlights. What are your perceptions of how spasticity and hypertonicity affect your patients’ and clients’ movement? Does spasticity cause your patient’s movement dysfunction? Are you using the terms properly?? Listen to the episode to find clarity. Learn what you need to know and what you need to stop doing.
Anti-racist action/update: we’ve recorded several podcasts now and it is Black History Month so it would be awesome if you would check them out. Episodes 42 and 43. Also, we are looking forward to reading a new book entitled “Subtle Acts of Exclusion” by Tiffany Jana and Michael Baran. This will be a great education resource in understanding microaggressions. Check it out if you want!
Trigger warning for this episode: this conversation is open, honest and frank about race and racism as we navigate an anti-racism journey. We are chatting today with Liz Weamer, another neuro PT who we met in our anti-racism membership, Building Allyship. In the show we talk about how you can't change your business until you work on yourself personally and your underlying beliefs. Liz shares her story of where she started (aka having "Good White Person Syndrome" / I don't really think I'm racist) vs where she is after 7 months of doing anti-racist work (Wow, I see it now. I am literally dripping with racism). She defines Good White Person Syndrome, how you know if you have it and what to do about it.
We discuss the books that have made the most impact on this work for us personally and some key takeaways as well as the parallels to neuro PT and racism work.
Anti-racist action: If we said anything that requires calling out please let us know! We are learning, we suck at this. Call us out. Perfectionism is the enemy. Mistakes will happen.
Today we are talking to someone we admire and have personally been influenced by in a very positive way, Dr. Jennifer Hutton aka Dr. JPop. She is a pediatric PT whom we met because we joined her membership called Building Allyship (BA). In the show we’ll share our experience with BA and why we joined. We also learn more about her background as a business owner of her own pediatric practice as well as BA, which she started in 2020. Dr. JPop shares her vision for BA and what a person can expect to gain from becoming an ally, which is so powerful.
You can follow Dr. JPop on instagram @dr.jpop or on twitter @drjpop
Learn more about Building Allyship and join at https://drjpop.com/buildingallyship
Our antiracist action for today is: Join Building Allyship! The doors close Feb 7, 2021, so do it now! And go for the annual plan because you’re in it for the long haul :) We’ll see you inside!
Re-spark your passion for learning and growth! You have the potential to become a great therapist. We’ll tell you how we used the research to develop a learning model that actually promotes knowledge translation. Listen for how much you can gain by investing in mentorship!
Anti-racist action: We’ve begun meeting with consultants who will help us look at the business and create anti-racist policies, attract more diversity, and support people with equity and inclusion.
Join us for another free webinar - Ataxia Part 2 on Wednesday Jan 27, 2021 at 5:30PM Pacific Time / 8:30PM Eastern Time [Register Here!]
Join us inside NeuroSpark - doors close January 29, 2021! www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark-network
Claire’s got the Parkinson’s Foundation community grant on her mind with the latest application cycle coming up. In the episode we discuss how grants can be helpful and why you may want to consider them. We discuss our experience with applying for grants and how we’ve used them even in for-profit businesses.
We also discuss nonprofit businesses and if it would be something for you. We’ll talk about this and have an opportunity for you to learn more this year! We were able to donate to several nonprofits this year that are run by our members and are grateful to be able to do that.
Anti-racist action: In our efforts to create a DEI plan we reached out inside our Building Allyship membership group and found someone who is on the DEI committee at her work looking to incorporate more of this at her location. We’d love to have a brainstorm group from others of you out there who want to improve your DEI efforts at work too! Let us know if that’s something you’d be interested in.
Join us in our first free webinar of the year! It is on ataxia and will be awesome! https://neurocollaborative.com/ataxia
We love to learn! We know you do too. We’re running through the exciting topics you can expect to learn this year in NeuroSpark as well as what’s needed to ensure you translate what you learn into practice.
In the show we’ll discuss the topics we’re most excited about, how we’re incorporating the principles of knowledge translation into our program, and what that looks like. Is your continuing education meeting the principles of knowledge translation? We’ll also talk about what’s to come in the business mentorship program that is merging into NeuroSpark.
Is your continuing education meeting the principles of knowledge translation? Bite sized amounts of information, reflection, opportunity to implement, feedback
Anti-racist: Welcome to 2021! As a company we felt it was really important to design an anti-racist plan into our business for this year. We’ve been learning and growing ourselves and using the podcast as a method for accountability, but we wanted to also create an actual plan for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion this year. So that’s what we’re committing to here!
Join us for our first free webinar of 2021 on January 21st on Ataxia:
https://neurocollaborative.com/ataxia
We've got some HUGE things planned for you in 2021! SO MUCH LEARNING we can't wait to share with you all. Have a listen and get excited about what we'll be bringing.
PLUS we share a huge announcement and decision we made and why we decided to do this.
Let the learning begin! Join us for our first free webinar of 2021 on January 21st on Ataxia: https://neurocollaborative.mykajabi.com/ataxia
Our anti-racist action plan for 2021 - Finding a consultant looking for groups who specialize in this to learn how to be inclusive and working with others to listen and learn.
2020 was a huge year of growth for us!Listen as we share some amazing milestones and achievements inside the business and community.
We also share our personal goals and lessons learned from 2020 plus what we’ll be taking with us into 2021.
Anti-Racist action - this year really opened our eyes to the injustices we weren’t cognizant enough of before the events of 2020. We’ve taken steps toward educating ourselves by joining an Allyship program, talking about the topics we’re learning on the podcast, and implementing a plan for the coming year.
We had a talk about treating clients with ataxia in the NeuroSpark Network. Learn about some of our main takeaways from this session for different patients with ataxia. It was really helpful for us and for other participants even in working with patients who don’t have ataxia. We share our own knowledge translation takeaways from the lesson.
Anti-racist action: Keep the allyship work on the forefront. We can walk and chew gum at the same time. This work continues to be very important and should not take a back seat to what else is happening in the world, which can feel like it needs to take precedence. Keep reading, journaling, attending webinars, reaching out to others, and supporting black people and people of color.
Want to learn more about treating patients with ataxia and see what it’s like inside the NeuroSpark Network? Sign up for our free 2-part webinar series happening in January 2021! https://neurocollaborative.mykajabi.com/ataxia
We have a special guest today! Emily Borchers is a neuro PT who specializes in working with people with Parkinson’s at the Parkinson Wellness Recovery (aka PWR!) Gym in Tucson, AZ. The PWR! Gym is a non-profit organization that offers both therapy and group exercise to people with Parkinson’s disease. They also provide education to clinicians and trainers across the country and engage in research.
Emily and the PWR! team recently published a decision making tool to look at what factors go into determining what level of exercise class a participant should be assigned to. She shares the most important outcome measures you should implement in order to make your decision when assigning participants to group classes.
The article is called “A physical therapy decision-making tool for stratifying persons with Parkinson disease into community exercise classes” Published on Nov 5, 2019 in the Journal of Neurodegenerative Disease Management.
If you’d like to reach out to Emily to talk more you can email her at Emily@pwr4life.org
Join us live in the NeuroCollaborative Professionals Facebook group on Dec 15, 2020 at 5:30 pm PST for a full webinar on the decision making tool with videos, examples, and Q&A or catch the replay at https://www.neurocollaborative.com/webinars
Anti Racist action: Understanding “headwinds” and “tailwinds” from the book “The Person You Mean to Be” by Dolly Chugh. Check out the book to learn more salient stories on this concept or look more up on this concept yourself.
Our clients are people, not diagnoses. We have the opportunity to develop long term and meaningful relationships with our clients that are fulfilling both to us and to them. Clients come to you needing guidance, support and YOUR expertise.
Being careful not to treat therapy as “I’m telling you what to do and you have to do it.” Therapy can and should ALSO include a collaborative approach with both sides providing input in order to reach the best outcomes as demonstrated in the OPTIMAL theory of motor learning research by Lewthwaite and Wulf in 2016. Learn how Claire performs wellness assessments and how they differ from physical therapy assessments.
It is extremely important for patient and client autonomy that the individual is included in the process and motivated to achieve the outcomes or else what’s the point?!
If you think you don’t have time or it won’t work to include your patients in the plan of care, try it and you will see your pts will achieve goals in less visits and with less effort from you!
Anti-racist action: Look up “digital black face,” a concept we recently learned about and have accidentally infringed upon by using gifs of black people unknowingly. If you’d like to learn more about it, may we suggest the article here https://news.lib.berkeley.edu/digital-blackface and you can also google this concept to learn more.
Today we interview Jennifer Lazaro, a neuro PT from New Jersey. She shares her experience going from a physical therapist assistant to getting her doctor of physical therapy 15 years later to getting her board certification in neurologic physical therapy and beyond. Jennifer loves research, teaching, treating the neuro population in all settings, being a supervisor to PTs and PTAs, and more. She shares her treatment philosophy which is a blend of movement analysis and movement efficiency through breath awareness. She goes into why patients hold their breath and how it impacts their function. We had a great conversation with her around her areas of expertise, how she gets patient buy-in on breath work, and the future direction of her teaching.
Anti-racist action: Find an anti-racist buddy you feel safe talking to about your thoughts, issues, and questions with and set up regular times to chat. There are topics, statements, and posts all over the place and you may feel like you don’t really have a safe place to express your thoughts. Having a safe ally to share with is a really helpful way for you to learn and grow in this area when you’re nervous you’re going to say something wrong or when you feel like you’re unsure how to navigate this area.
We share lessons to help you become agile and successful in 2021 - learnings from the NeuroBiz Network virtual workshop 2020. .
Think about your ideal work week, goals, dreams. What are you going to do in 2021 to meet what works best for you and your clients? Not sure? Overwhelmed thinking about it? Join us for reflection and discussion and achieve your biggest goals no matter what the year throws at you!
Anti-racist action: Take a moment this week to support a business in your community or volunteer to help underserved people in the area. Donate to the food bank in your area. Google in your area Thanksgiving food bank donations or to volunteer. Could be very critical to help this year for so many reasons.
How you can attract more of your ideal clients to your programs - learnings from the NeuroBiz Network virtual workshop in 2020.
Are you nervous to talk about what you do to people? Do you feel scared to promote yourself? Listen to this episode for practical tips, reflection questions, and opportunities to gain clarity about exactly who you serve, what results they can get by working with you, and how to hone your energy toward helping them vs dwelling in your fears so you actually create the success your heart knows you're capable of creating!
Anti racist action: Next book on the reading list: The Person You Mean To Be by Dolly Chugh, how good people fight bias. The author is a social psychologist at NYU. This book is intended to help the reader stand up for our values and fight for what you believe in.
https://www.amazon.com/Person-You-Mean-Be-People/dp/0062692143
We hosted a virtual workshop for NeuroBiz Network members this month where we worked through a few important areas of wellness business. Today we discuss one of those topics with you that our members found super valuable. Listen to hear our main takeaways and ways you can improve your patient/client outcomes by providing services that address diversity, equity, and inclusion.
In the episode we talk about addressing health inequities in your business/practice by understanding the social determinants of health: the “conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live and age and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life” WHO. These are what are responsible for health disparities. We can address so many of these in our programs. Learn how to think creatively and collaborate to expand your reach, serve more people, and help all of those in your community little by little.
We highly recommend you listen to episode 28 before listening to this one as it is a follow up to what we discussed in episode 28! Some things will not make sense in this episode if you don’t listen to episode 28 first.
Claire shares an update on how her client with freezing of gait (FOG) has improved already just halfway through her intensive program. She shares updates in his outcome measures and what she determined were the most important aspects of his treatment that are making the difference.
We also discuss a listener question from S about FOG that she is experiencing herself. Her situation is very different than the case Claire has been sharing. She explains the situations in which the freezing occurs. We talk through the important aspects surrounding the FOG that were pointed out in her email question such as where and when it occurs: in stores, with distractions, later in the day. We identify the main points to pay attention to in her freezing situation and what are the main things to work on first to address it.
Anti Racist action: Article from the Journal of Infectious Diseases 2019 Impact of Unconscious Bias in Healthcare How to Recognize and Mitigate It. Has a glossary of terms to help put language around some of the labels. Talks not only about race but also gender identity bias and disparities. Includes strategies to mitigate bias as an individual, organization and both. Must make a commitment to a culture of inclusion vs just diversity training or cultural competence.
https://academic.oup.com/jid/article/220/Supplement_2/S62/5552356
Freezing of Gait (FOG) is one of the most challenging symptoms of Parkinson’s disease for many therapists to treat. Why is it so challenging? Because it is so multifaceted! There is a TON of evidence on it, yet it is still so challenging to treat. Some of the contributions to FOG determined by the literature are both cognitive, emotional, and physical. There are even different types of “freezers” where a person’s cause of freezing can be for different reasons. Ehgoetz Martens, et al in 2018 identified these subtypes of freezers.
They called them: Asymmetric motor, Anxious, and Sensory-Attention based on the factors they found by how people responded to questionnaires or performed on physical tests with walking/movement.
We’re going to break down the most important things to focus on with your assessment when working with someone who freezes so you can target their treatment in the most effective way from the start! We’ll also introduce the most important factors in beginning treatment for FOG.
Article references:
“Evidence for Subtypes of Freezing of Gait in Parkinson’s Disease” Ehgoetz Martens, KA, et al. Movement Disorders. Vol 33, No. 7. 2018.
Freezing of gait Assessment article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20310009/
Email us at info@neurocollaborative w/ any questions or comments
Anti-racist action - Overcoming Bias book by Tiffany Jana and Matthew Freeman. 3 hr 22 min on audible. Talks about how we all have biases that get in the way of our good intentions. There are “call outs” throughout that help you identify and work through a possible issue. They discuss bias, privilege, and strategies to help overcome bias in order to build stronger relationships. Tiffany Jana also has a popular TED talk called “The Power of Privilege” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0acvkHIiZs
For part 3 of our wellness business webinar series with Claire, she discusses the growth of Rogue to offering more 1:1 services (a tricky topic in neuro wellness!), additional programs, building a team, grant-funded programing, and what's to come! The practical information about where she's come from to where she's going is so refreshing and helpful no matter where you are in your journey!
Want to create a sustainable wellness business? Diversify your revenue streams and leverage what you are already doing to serve more people. In this session you’ll see how you can go from in-person only to online classes, individual wellness sessions, and programs beyond exercise for clients with PD.
Join us for Part 2 of our mini-series "Build Your Dream Wellness Practice" with Claire McLean. These are the recordings from our popular live webinars providing you with practical advice and the transparency you need to get your questions answered!
In this episode you'll learn: Can you do assessments in wellness?? Absolutely! And you should! Learn how to incorporate comprehensive wellness assessments in the neuro population without it feeling like a PT evaluation, how to charge, and how to deal with assessment data when many of your clients have degenerative conditions.
For the next 3 weeks we are sharing the audio from our much loved 3-part webinar series "Build Your Dream Wellness Practice" in which Claire shares how she started and grew her business Rogue. The unique thing about this series is the uber helpful transparency Claire has about her prices, the struggles, what works, what she's still challenged with, the logistics, allll the things.
You will NOT be sorry you stuck it out and listened to the full audios of this series!
In part one you’ll hear how Claire left a great job at the hospital to start a neuro side gig for people with Parkinson’s. Learn how she grew from just 1 outdoor class in a park to 25 classes per week and turned this side gig into a full time gig!
The model for continuing education is outdated… shove as much info into your brain in a weekend as possible without the ability to process, try things, and follow up with your instructor or other classmates
Why we’re changing all of that and how much BETTER it’s working for our members. We excitedly discuss how we think continuing education could really be put together and how we’ve done it. We also talk about why it’s helping more therapists become better therapists, helping people who have limited time like young mom’s stay excited and current, and how it’s the perfect option for employers paying for con ed.
NeuroSpark Network opens Sept 28 - Oct 2. Learn more so you can join us in the learning and fun by going to https://www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
Anti-racist action: We joined a membership led by a black PT, Dr. JPop! It’s called Building Allyship. We’ll be hosting her on the podcast in the future! We asked her if we could share some of the things we’ll be learning in the group with our audience, and she said yes! The book Overcoming Bias by Tiffany Jana and Matthew Freeman was recommended. It is a great place to turn to work on the implicit biases we all have and aren’t quite sure how to unlearn.
We hosted our first all day continuing education course and though it was virtual due to the pandemic, it was NOT like a typical course. Learn what we did and how we have so many ideas about holding continuing education courses in the future. Why we want to shake up the system.
Our NeuroSpark Network (NSN) led by JJ Mowder-Tinney provides continuing education and mentorship to neuro therapists. When we met JJ, we were all wishing for continuing education to be different. There has to be a better way to learn, translate knowledge, and have ongoing mentorship in an easy, low stress way with access to people all across the country.
As part of NSN we provided the free one-day course to all members. The idea beyond this course was that it would be in person so we could have some contact together with the online sessions, but then the pandemic happened. We moved our one-day course online and here are the things we learned about doing a virtual all day course. We’ll explain what we did in our day, people’s feedback, and how we’re going to improve it for next time! We can’t wait for you to experience our unique continuing education programs!
NeuroSpark Network opens Sept 28 - Oct 2. Learn more so you can join us in the learning and fun by going to https://www.neurocollaborative.com/neurospark
Anti racist action: Take a Harvard implicit bias test: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html. After reading the opening page, at the bottom click “I wish to proceed” and it will take you to a bunch of different implicit bias tests. They are not diagnostics; just a way to learn more about yourself.
Claire discusses her new PD Foundation grant funded program on brain health. She’ll go into building programs like this during our free 3-part wellness webinar series.
Also mentioned in this episode are: Episode 7 and 17
September in the NeuroBiz Net is all about marketing for neuro therapists - an area we get a lot of questions! How do you get started w/ getting clients? How do you build your practice? What are the best options?
We brainstorm the questions and challenges here and plan to offer more insights after working with our members this month so we can share the best insights with you! Wellness marketing is different. It’s cash pay. Not going to work to take MDs lunch for this one. We discuss several options today. More to come on this topic!
The NeuroBiz Network is open until Sept 18th!! If you want to create a wellness side gig or biz that changes your life, helps your community, and is unstoppable, you need to check it out! www.neurocollaborative.com/neurobiz-network
Anti-racist action: TED talk on The Urgency of Intersectionality. Description from the video: “Now more than ever, it's important to look boldly at the reality of race and gender bias -- and understand how the two can combine to create even more harm. Kimberlé Crenshaw uses the term "intersectionality" to describe this phenomenon; as she says, if you're standing in the path of multiple forms of exclusion, you're likely to get hit by both. In this moving talk, she calls on us to bear witness to this reality and speak up for victims of prejudice.”
What is your Zone of Genius? In today’s episode we talk all about what the Zone of Genius is, an awesome concept coined by Gay Hendricks in the book The Big Leap, and how to identify it. Maybe more importantly is to identify what the other zones are and how much of your time is spent in those. Getting out of your Zone of Excellence is the hardest one but the one you are probably spending the most time in, costing you money, time and energy. Find out why by listening here!
Check out this great picture to explain the zones:
https://medium.com/@Anaiked/zone-of-genius-and-co-conspirators-6a6c6b77c6ef
Understanding our Zone of Genius has helped in SO many ways as we’ve shaped our roles in business around that, adding the most joy and balance to our lives. Claire shaped her business to be in her ZOG as much as possible. Listen up to hear what that means in real life!
The NeuroBiz Network is open until Sept 18th!! If you want to create a wellness side gig or biz that changes your life, helps your community, and is unstoppable, you need to check it out! www.neurocollaborative.com/neurobiz-network
Anti-racist action: Dr. JPop, a black PT, started an allyship membership to help healthcare professionals. There are opportunities out there to learn more specifically about these topics so we all keep learning and improving inclusivity and antiracism.
www.Drjpop.com
Learn Claire’s “why” and what drives her to help others. She shares her story of going from her stable job to starting her own business.
Additionally we dive into strengths. What are the things you do really well? Often healthcare systems have you do a job in a certain way with no leeway. You may have certain strengths that you cannot express because the job won’t let you, i.e. you need to do what is required!
Why force yourself to do things you don’t like or you’re not good at? These things made her decide to leave the hospital. It felt taboo to leave her “good” job because she wanted more, but in the end it was the best decision she ever made.
To share her story and a lot of lessons along the way, we’re hosting a 3-part series the first 3 Tuesdays in September.
The 3 part series will include:
- How Claire created her own wellness business using her strengths, starting with group classes
- How to do neuro wellness assessments for your clients that DON’T feel like physical therapy evaluations
- How to expand in your income streams by taking programs online, doing 1:1 wellness sessions, and expanding your programs beyond exercise
After joining this series you will:
- Think about your career differently - what is possible in the world, not just what should you do?
- Understand that it is possible to build a business you love that helps you pay off your loans sooner than you thought
- Understand the math to make the switch from full time employment to your own gig
- And more!
Join us for the webinar series starting Sept 1st for the next 3 Tuesdays at 5:30 pm PST / 8:30 pm EST
https://www.neurocollaborative.com/wellness-webinar
Anti-racist action: practice saying something when you see or hear something wrong. Not just referring to issues of race but other stuff too. Practice speaking up even though it makes you uncomfortable. Stand by what you know is right so others are free to do the same. Calling out vs calling in.
In this episode Claire dives deeper into the findings and assessment of her Clifton Strengths Assessment results. She discusses her top 5 strengths and the blind spots she needs to look out for. She shares a critical piece of her results that has been a double edged sword for her. She only became aware of this critical interaction of her traits from doing the assessment, but knowing this has created a lot of clarity.
Claire’s top 5 strengths: Relator, Strategic, Ideation, Responsibility, Futuristic
We will also discuss action steps for you to put your strengths to work. We know you’ll see some of yourself in this episode and can’t wait to hear your takeaways from listening!
Personal Assessments Links:
Myers-Briggs: https://www.16personalities.com
Strengths Finders: https://store.gallup.com/p/en-us/10003/cliftonstrengths-34
DISC: https://discpersonalitytesting.com/free-disc-test/
Come learn about Poi! A fun, dynamic way to dual task with your clients. Free webinar Tues Aug 25th at 5:30 pm PST / 8:30 pm EST go to https://www.neurocollaborative.com/poi
We’ve both used the Myers-Briggs to learn about our personalities and it has hugely impacted our work and personal lives once we really embraced it. We’ve used assessments to hire the perfect virtual assistant and craft our ideal roles. In this episode we talk (excitedly) about how useful personal assessments are and wonder why they are not used more in healthcare workplaces.
We discuss the Myers-Briggs, DISC, and Clifton Strengths Assessment revealing findings about each of us. These assessments have been so useful in helping us see what we should be doing more of and what should be delegated. Why do healthcare workers feel like they need to be good at everything and do it all?? Is that just the culture? Why are we not delegating out more of the things we don’t like in therapy like documentation?
Personal Assessments Links:
Myers-Briggs: https://www.16personalities.com
Strengths Finders: https://store.gallup.com/p/en-us/10003/cliftonstrengths-34
DISC: https://discpersonalitytesting.com/free-disc-test/
With our traits we all have strengths and blind spots we need to be aware of so we can keep doing our best and growing.
Anti-racists actions: Watch something that helps move your education further. John Oliver, Netflix catalog of Black Lives Matter programs
Come learn about Poi! A fun, dynamic way to dual task with your clients. Free webinar Tues Aug 25th at 5:30 pm PST / 8:30 pm EST go to https://www.neurocollaborative.com/poi
How can we just expect people to be motivated to exercise on their own and not get accountability, guidance, and feedback?
We can’t really think of any situations where it is appropriate and beneficial to give people a stack of papers and telling them to go do it on their own...
What are examples of ways you can address more aspects of health for your patients and clients so they thrive? Listen to some of the programming that Claire is doing with her clients at Rogue to go beyond even physical activity such as a comprehensive cognitive program that addresses prevention and improvement in a multifaceted way.
The research on improving cognition:
- Aerobic exercise - get to 60-80% HR max (need to measure this!) at least 3 hrs/week min
- Skill based exercise - functional mobility, sports-training, problem solving, complex physical tasks. Ex - dancing, boxing. At least 3 times per week.
- Dual task training - both cognitive and physical. 2 distinct things that could be done completely separately. Ex - texting or dialing a phone number while walking. At least 3 times per week.
Setting this up as an intensive program with pre- and post- testing. 12 sessions with coaching for how the exercises will be performed.
Normalizing cognition - assessments, prevention
Medications, exercise, brain training, mindfulness meditation, diet, lifestyle, connection
Brain HQ: https://www.brainhq.com/
Brain workbook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1412714508?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
What can you do moving forward to improve this for your clients/patients?
- Try some assessments and start education your patients and clients
- Dual task testing is a must. Try to find tests with age norms.
- Aerobic exercise measuring their HR.
- Try Brain HQ yourself.
- Monitor and have a checklist. Claire’s checklist: https://www.roguept.com/brain-health-weekly-challenge
Anti-racist actions: Set up a simple recurring donation to make a habit of helping, being generous, and demonstrating a belief in abundance. The ACLU targets MANY areas of human rights.
https://www.aclu.org
Learn how to use movement, dual task or skill-based training with sensory input in a creative and challenging way with your patients to get them results with Poi! Register for the free Poi webinar Tues Aug 25th at 5:30 pm PST / 8:30 pm EST by going to https://www.neurocollaborative.com/poi
There are a few options you can do when setting up your wellness business or side gig but even more things that stop therapists like you from moving forward to make it happen. We discuss the common barriers, fears, and hesitations and help you overcome these in order to create the life you want to help the people who need you.
We also discuss what to consider when looking for an attorney and how you might go about finding one plus some things we’re working on to make this a super simple process for you in the future!
If you're ready to take action on a wellness business
Check out the wellness business free video and resource guide that we made at https://www.neurocollaborative.com/wellness
Support anti-racism by buying from black owned businesses. We discovered you can find this information on WeBuyBlack, The Black Wallet, and Official Black Wall Street. Yelp now has a feature to search for Black-owned businesses, and Etsy features Black-owned businesses here.
https://webuyblack.com
http://theblackwallet.com
https://officialblackwallstreet.com/directory/
https://nymag.com/strategist/article/black-owned-businesses-support-shop.html?fbclid=IwAR2lkf5cmXFmOXDQDEAZpQUtVqnTRW7-xqxkxHMaIKbODoBdBv-LNupc0Z8
You can also do a google search for black-owned restaurants in your area to order dinner from!
Neuro therapists and trainers struggle alllll the time trying to figure out what to charge for their cash-based wellness services like 1:1s and group classes. There’s a LOT that goes into this… maybe more than you realize but you can overcome the struggle and set yourself up for success! In this episode we walk through the critical components to setting your price and what you should ALWAYS make sure to do.
Check out the FREE wellness business video and resource guide that we made at https://www.neurocollaborative.com/wellness
Anti-racist actions: the status quo is not okay and we need to continue working toward change. We need more equity in businesses. More diversity and diverse view-points represented in our own lives, in healthcare, and in our practices.
Something that has helped us to continue making that change personally has been diversifying who we follow on social media and the authors we’re reading.
Claire joined a high-level coaching program led by a black woman that is ahh-mazing
Awesome black woman PT to follow: https://drjpop.com content and social media
In the last episode we talked about what to do to get your wellness practice started. We had a physical therapist from our audience ask a question. Emily asked “if I’m doing this as a side gig, what’s the first step? Talking to a lawyer?” We answer her question and talk more about what those first steps are and dive into how to determine what type of service to offer that will really thrive in your area.
We also discuss the key ingredient to getting your wellness side gig or business going that was essential for both of us when we got started with our own businesses.
Learn the routes we took to get started and what that looked like as far as additional work for income as well as renting, scoping out places to get started, and what your rental arrangement should look like if you do decide to rent from someone.
Anti-racist update: 3 min video of Neil deGrasse Tyson answering on why there are not more women in science (great listen)
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7ihNLEDiuM
Great article on tangible things white people can do to be anti-racist:
https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234
Today we share an update on Claire’s plan/status of reopening Rogue during COVID and where she is (or isn’t) with that challenging issue. Gyms in our area have been allowed to re-open for about a month now. Learn what Claire is considering.
For our main topic today we discuss what is needed to create an awesome wellness business. A lot of therapists are nervous about starting a business and there are those little things that stop you from moving forward and limit progress in your career and career satisfaction because you don’t know what to do or how to do it. So we listed out the crucial elements to starting your own wellness business and we’re going to show you step by step what to do. Today we begin the discussion and talk about the most important things to consider.
If you're ready to take action we are putting something together with extremely tangible steps for you to take. The things that normally make therapists hesitate and stop them from ever getting started, we are going to walk you through all of that in August
Check out the wellness business free video and resource guide that we made at https://www.neurocollaborative.com/wellness
Check out the Me and White Supremacy 28 day instagram challenge. Here is a link to the journal prompts to actually do the work. It is so important to continue working on this even if it doesn’t feel as loud in the media. Now is still the time to learn to be anti-racist. https://blm.btown-in.org/uploads/1/1/8/6/118615243/me_and_white_supremacy_workbook__final_book_.pdf
Anti-racist action step: How can you start helping in underserved areas? Volunteer at schools or career day (virtually!)
Erin was invited to do a couple of presentations to PTs about starting a wellness practice and LOTS of questions came up. Therapists are confused about it and don't know what to tell clients.
Most therapists don't know what they need to get started and feel overwhelmed with the idea of trying to navigate that road.
We're here to help make that much more simple and give you some tools to start your own wellness practice. Whether you're doing it already or barely thinking about it, there will be valuable tips in this episode for you like:
- The best questions you can ask yourself to guide your decisions
- How to explain that you're doing wellness even though you're a therapist
- What the recommended paperwork is to have for doing wellness
- Documentation recommendations for wellness
- Examples of wellness vs cash PT
Learn More With This Wellness Free Resource Video and Guide: https://www.neurocollaborative.com/wellness
Please listen to episode 10 to learn about racism in our profession as experienced by neuro PT Oscar Gallardo and what we can do to improve. Check out these resources:
https://www.apta.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion
https://centennial.apta.org/support-aptas-campaign-for-future-generations/
Many therapists don't know how to approach wellness in neuro. They are nervous about doing something wrong and limit the progress their clients can make. Many don't have credible programs to send their patients to after discharge - to that we say: START SOMETHING AND HERE IS WHY!!
How does your background impact the trajectory of your life? Your career? What are obstacles you’ve overcome to get to where you are? What if life stacked things against you making it so difficult to get to where you want to go?
We invited Oscar Gallardo, fellow neuro therapist and passionate advocate for the profession to discuss what it is like being latino in the profession. Plus we’ll discuss where we need to go to improve diversity, inclusion, and access both in the profession and in the patients we serve and why it starts VERY early on.
Insert emoji with hands on face but don’t touch your face!
What should you consider with reopening your space after COVID? What precautions will you take? How will it all work? What are you NOT considering? Listen for our top tips on what we think will need to be done to reopen.
For additional resources mentioned in the episode, go to https://www.neurocollaborative.com/blog/9-re-opening-after-covid-how-is-that-going-to-look
This past week has been really challenging. We are sharing our experience and part of an email we wrote to our community. We will discuss why right now is the time to speak up, how to get educated, and how Claire is trying to make some changes inside of Rogue to help increase access and inclusivity.
Intensity can be a tricky thing in neuro. Research says we need it for neuroplasticity but how do you keep your clients and patients safe while pushing the intensity?!
Want to grow your wellness classes? Make sure you listen to these key tips to make it happen!
A career path that started from birth. Finding your true calling and navigating the path to get there. How do you know what opportunities will be the right ones for you? How do you determine your purpose and make your mark on neuro therapy?
Going virtual with neuro clients hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows... but did we really expect it to be?! Many of our neuro clients resist technology perhaps, but with the pandemic, we were all forced to use it in order to stay active! Nonetheless there have been pleasant surprises along the way and even creative ideas to keep this portion of care alive in the future. How will we do that? Listen and find out!
Learn how Erin navigated her path with a desire to do things different both in career and in practice.
In today's episode Claire McLean shares her story of how she came to be such an expert in working with individuals with Parkinson's disease. She navigated her career by never working one full time job but a mixture of experiences that led to Rogue.
Find her at www.roguept.com
https://www.neurocollaborative.com/blog/2-how-a-multi-passionate-neuro-therapist-built-her-dream-career
We are two passionate neuro physical therapists ready to change neuro rehab and wellness to elevate healthcare and show providers and individuals with neurologic conditions what is possible