Hands On Hands Off: Manual Therapy & Orthopedic Physical Therapy (AAOMPT)

Rebekah Griffith joins the podcast to talk about what it means to be a newly minted AAOMPT Fellow working in one of the most unlikely settings — the Emergency Department. She shares why OMPT-level manual therapy skills are not only relevant in the ED, but essential for rapid assessment, safe decision-making, and efficient patient care. Rebekah explains how fellowship training sharpened her clinica...

Ken Olson joins the podcast to discuss his work on the IFOMPT/IOPTP taskforce on pediatric spinal manipulation and the ongoing clinical reasoning debate around specific vs. general manipulation.  Ken is a private practice clinician, educator, past-president of IFOMPT and AAOMPT, author of Manual Physical Therapy of the Spine, and recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Lecturer Award. His perspective...

Jason Silvernail joins the show to break down the essential communication and leadership skills clinicians need to thrive—and to protect themselves from burnout, conflict, and misalignment. We explore the principles behind assertive communication, how to establish a confident presence, and what it means to communicate clearly without crossing into arrogance or dominance. Jason offers practical, re...

Pediatric manual therapy has been built on adult techniques — and that’s a problem. Educator, clinician, and researcher Ginny Henderson joins us to expose the missing guidelines, the hidden dangers, and the new evidence-based techniques designed specifically for growing bodies. We cover: • Why kids’ bones are more vulnerable — and how to mobilize safely • The biggest misconceptions clinicians brin...

Dr. Gail Deyle joins the show to discuss clinical reasoning, diagnostic skill, and the evidence supporting OMPT. A true clinician-scientist, Dr. Deyle has spent decades conducting clinical trials, mentoring fellowship-trained clinicians, and advocating for direct access and advanced evaluation skills in physical therapy. In this episode we explore: • Why PTs are essential contributors to global he...

In this episode, Jimmy sits down with the legendary Dr. Gail Deyle — clinician-scientist, mentor, and one of the most cited researchers in orthopaedic manual physical therapy. Dr. Deyle breaks down: The defining trait of clinicians who excel after fellowship What separates great mentors from good ones Real-world stories of PTs catching critical medical conditions The biggest mistake clinicians mak...

Dr. Tim Flynn joins the show for a powerful conversation about what it really takes to transform a broken healthcare system. A clinician, educator, and innovator, Tim has spent decades teaching around the world, challenging outdated models, and reminding clinicians that change starts with one encounter at a time. In this episode, we explore: • Why the U.S. operates a “sick-care” system — and how t...

Today on Hands On, Hands Off, host Moyo Tillery sits down with Dr. Myra Meekins—PT, educator, and curriculum designer—to rethink how we teach and learn OMPT. From “practice makes perfect” to practice with purpose, Myra connects classic motor-learning models to the OPTIMAL theory (expectancies, autonomy, external focus), and shows why you must address the psychosocial to change the psychomotor. We...

What if context—patient beliefs, provider expectations, and the therapeutic relationship—drives a meaningful share of spinal manipulation outcomes? In this HANDS ON HANDS OFF episode, we break down a single-arm intervention study funded by the Paris Family Foundation via the Foundation for OMPT, why the current mechanisms model zeroes in on the “context zone,” and how to practically weave guidelin...

In this episode of HANDS ON HANDS OFF, host Dr. Moyo Tillery sits down with Dr. Sarah Shaver, a clinician, educator, and researcher focused on gender considerations in orthopaedic manual physical therapy. Together they explore why common assumptions about female athletes and chronic pain patients can perpetuate inequities—and what OMPT practitioners can do to change that. From ACL injury risk fact...

What does “usual care” really mean in physical therapy research — and why is it so inconsistently applied across studies? In this episode, Dr. Amy McDevitt joins us for a deep-dive conversation into the limitations of current PT research and how vague terms like "usual care" are impacting evidence-informed practice. Dr. McDevitt discusses: Why “nothing” should never be a control in clinical trials...

Seth interviews Carl DeRosa about the shift to competency-based education (CBE) and entrustment in physical therapy. Highlights: Designing backwards: from competencies to curriculum How integration dismantles siloed courses Faculty adoption & team-teaching complexities The profession's position versus medicine, pharmacy & vet University of Arizona’s agile 3‑year medical school model Entry‑...

Is it the technique—or the therapist—that really drives manual therapy outcomes? In this episode of the AAOMPT Podcast, research expert Dr. Jason Beneciuk dives into the latest findings around spinal manipulation, patient-provider dynamics, and the contextual factors that could redefine how physical therapists deliver care. Guest: Dr. Jason Beneciuk – Associate Professor at the University of Flori...

In this episode, AAOMPT interviewer Nick Rainey is joined by Dr. Natalie Turrentine, orthopedic physical therapist and educator at Rosalind Franklin University, to unpack her CSM 2024 research on obstetric education in DPT programs. They cover: Differences between pelvic health and obstetric terminology Why orthopedic PTs need training in pregnancy-related considerations Accessibility issues and r...

In this episode of Hands On, Hands Off, we dive deep into the largest systematic review on SMT to date with researcher and chiropractor Casper Glissmann Nim. What he and his team discovered may shake the very foundation of manual therapy education and clinical practice. We explore: Whether SMT is more effective than placebo or non-recommended therapies Why the way you perform SMT might not influen...

We break down a high-profile industry report making bold claims about the effectiveness of virtual musculoskeletal (MSK) care. Is the science solid—or is it strategic marketing masked as research? Joining host Derek Clewley are two powerhouse PTs and researchers who aren't afraid to challenge the narrative: Dr. Megan Donaldson and Dr. Jake Magel. Together, they peel back the layers of bias, examin...

In this episode, we explore the power of Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) with Tom from Sarah Health. Discover how RTM helps clinics stay connected with patients between visits, improves adherence to care plans, and provides a streamlined, reimbursable way to enhance patient outcomes. Tom breaks down how Sarah Health automates engagement through SMS, removes administrative burdens for clinician...

In this episode, we sit down with Drake from Weave to discuss how their all-in-one communication platform is transforming the way clinics manage patient interactions. From automated call pop-ups to seamless text messaging, Weave integrates with your EHR and practice management system to create a more efficient, patient-friendly experience. We explore: ✅ How Weave reduces front desk workload by au...

In this episode of Hands On, Hands Off, we welcome back Paul Mintken for a deep dive into mindfulness in manual therapy, patient expectations, and career longevity in physical therapy. Paul shares how mindfulness transformed his career and patient care, helping both clinicians and patients manage stress, pain, and expectations. He also discusses the power of patient beliefs in shaping outcomes, th...

Should spinal manipulation be used in pediatric care? In this episode, experts Dr. Anita Gross and Dr. Nikki Evans break down the findings of the Pediatric Manipulation Task Force, highlighting evidence-based recommendations, safety concerns, and the need for better adverse event reporting.

In this episode of Hands On, Hands Off, we sit down with Roger Chou, a leading researcher in low back pain, pain management, and clinical guidelines development. Roger shares insights from decades of research on why current healthcare approaches often fall short and how physical therapists play a critical role in transforming patient outcomes.

In this episode of Hands On, Hands Off, host Amy welcomes two international physiotherapists to discuss the growth of orthopedic manual physiotherapy (OMPT) in East Africa. They explore the challenges of clinical training, specialization, and accessibility, as well as how mentorship and international collaboration are shaping the future of physiotherapy in their countries. The conversation covers:...

In this episode, we sit down with Nathan Hutting, a leading physical therapist, researcher, and vice president of IFOMPT, to discuss safety in cervical spine treatment, person-centered care, and the future of manual therapy education and research. Fresh off his keynote presentation at IFOMPT 2024, Nathan shares insights on how clinicians can navigate safety concerns, integrate patient-centered car...

We sit down with Dr. Mary Beth Geiser, President of the Academic Clinical Faculty Special Interest Group (ACF SIG) within AOMPT. Dr. Geiser shares insights on how physical therapy educators can collaborate, share resources, and improve teaching methods, including the development of a national resource bank, best practices for Edutopia sessions, and how involvement in special interest groups (SIGs)...

In this episode, we chat with Chuck Hazle, a veteran educator and expert in manual therapy and clinical reasoning, about the challenges of preparing students for the real world. He discusses the evolution of teaching methods, the importance of rigorous practical exams, and how imaging and medical screening complement manual therapy.