Let's Get Physical (Therapy)

Send us Fan Mail ACL rehab isn’t just about what happens in the clinic—it’s also about what happens in the kitchen.  In this episode, we’re joined by registered dietitian Grace Duffy from Fit with Food to break down the critical role nutrition plays in ACL recovery. From fueling before injury even happens to optimizing healing after surgery, Grace dives into what athletes and clinicians need to kn...

Send us Fan Mail ACL rehab is a grueling journey, but the hard truth is that standard physical therapy protocols often fall short. In this episode, we’re breaking down what physical therapists get wrong, from rushing the biological healing process and skipping critical milestones, to ignoring movement mechanics and completely forgetting to train the opposite leg.  Joining the show to separate fact...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with Dylan Carmody, PT, to discuss how force plate testing can be used throughout the rehabilitation process to provide objective data and guide clinical decision-making. We talk about what force plates actually measure, where testing fits into different stages of rehab, and Dylan’s go-to tests that provide the most useful information for clinicians wor...

Send us Fan Mail The surgery is only the beginning. For an athlete, the real battle happens in the months of grueling work that follow, bridging the gap between "medically cleared" and "game-ready."  In this episode, we sit down with a premier Strength and Conditioning Coach to deconstruct the high-stakes journey of ACL recovery. We’re diving deep into:  The Hand-off: When shou...

Send us Fan Mail An ACL tear doesn’t automatically mean surgery, and not every ACL-deficient athlete is the same. In this episode, I’m joined by Kellie Loehr, ATC, who shares her personal journey of tearing her ACL and choosing non-operative management, alongside physical therapist Samantha King, PT, to break down what it really means to be a “coper.”  We discuss how clinicians identify potential...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I’m joined by orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Dreese to explore the additional injuries that can accompany an ACL tear, including MCL, LCL and posterolateral corner injuries, PCL involvement, meniscus repair versus meniscectomy, and cartilage damage.  We discuss how these associated findings influence surgical decisions, rehab precautions, and long-term outcomes. If...

Send us Fan Mail ACL repair is showing up more in clinics, but a lot of PTs are still unsure how different it really is from reconstructions, and whether rehab should actually change.  Today we’re breaking down what ACL repair really is, who it’s for, and where clinicians can get into trouble by treating it like a ‘lighter’ ACL surgery.  I’m joined by Dr. Douoguih, an orthopedic sports surgeon, to...

Send us Fan Mail We talk about ACL injuries today with a lot of confidence, risk factors, injury rates, prevention strategies, but that understanding didn’t just appear overnight. It evolved through years of research, debate, and plenty of early assumptions that didn’t always hold up.  In this episode, we’re stepping back to look at how the epidemiology of ACL tears actually began and how our thin...

Send us Fan Mail May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect time to start important conversations about mental well-being. Nearly 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experiences a mental health condition each year, yet stigma and lack of resources can make it hard to seek support.  In this episode, I’m joined by Amanda Davis and Amanda Bush to discuss why mental health awareness matters, how...

Send us Fan Mail May is Better Speech and Hearing Month, and on this episode, we’re joined by our amazing SLPs, Leigh Root and Leah Inger. They break down what speech-language pathologists really do, who they work with, and why their role is so important across the lifespan.  From helping kids develop communication skills to supporting adults with speech, cognition, and swallowing, Leigh and Leah...

Send us Fan Mail Step inside the medical tent at the Boston Marathon with PT Diane Dallas, ATC Cece Sullivan, and ER physician Dr. Sasser. In this episode, they share what race day is really like—fast-paced, high-pressure, and built on true teamwork across disciplines. From treating dehydration and cramping to managing more serious medical situations, they offer a behind-the-scenes look at how cli...

Send us Fan Mail When an athlete gets injured, the focus is often on the physical, but the mental side of recovery can be just as challenging. In this episode, licensed professional counselor Kate Ringwood joins us to explore the psychology of injury, including fear of reinjury, identity loss, and the emotional hurdles athletes face during rehab. We also discuss how physical therapists can better...

Send us Fan Mail Miles Across MedStar Health Recap Episode!!! What happens when endurance, healthcare, and purpose collide? In this episode, we sit down with professional ultramarathoner Michael Wardian, PT Chris Heydrick, PA Chris Wilde, and Raj Ratwani to unpack their incredible 170 mile run across the MedStar Health system. From the inspiration behind the idea to the physical and mental challen...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a Physical Therapist gets a blank check and a dream location? In this special episode, we’re stepping away from the clinical protocols to rank the Top 10 things we’d pack to build the world’s most elite "Desert Island" PT clinic.  We’re diving into our ultimate gear list, including:  The High-Tech Splurges: From anti-gravity treadmills to advanced motio...

Send us Fan Mail In recognition of Occupational Therapy Month, this episode highlights the vital role occupational therapists play in helping patients regain independence and return to the activities that matter most in their daily lives. I’m joined by occupational therapists Mike Duffy and Carly Bland to discuss the scope of occupational therapy, the types of conditions OTs commonly treat, and ho...

Send us Fan Mail In honor of National Athletic Training Month, we’re highlighting the voices shaping the future of the profession. On this episode, I’m joined by Mary Nadelen, Clinical Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Clinical Education Coordinator for Athletic Training at Towson University in Maryland.  Mary gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to educate and mentor the next g...

Send us Fan Mail In this special Athletic Training Month episode, I’m joined by Emily Michaelis, ATC, and Allison Gardiner, ATC to spotlight the vital role athletic trainers play in injury prevention, on-field care, and return-to-play. We break down common misconceptions, discuss collaboration within the sports medicine team, and share what makes this profession so impactful. A must-listen convers...

Send us Fan Mail Think you know PT? Think again! In this episode, physical therapist Chris Parker takes on some of the biggest myths in physical therapy—from “bone-on-bone knees shouldn’t squat” to “pain always equals damage” to “I need an MRI before starting PT.” We dive into why these misconceptions persist, how they affect patient movement and confidence, and most importantly, how PTs can educa...

Send us Fan Mail Bone stress injuries are often misunderstood—and frequently missed. In this episode, we sit down with primary care sports medicine physician Miranda Gordon-Zigel, MD to break down what physical therapists need to know about stress reactions and stress fractures, high-risk bone sites, low energy availability/RED-S, and smart return-to-running decisions. If you work with runners or...

Send us Fan Mail In honor of Lymphedema Awareness Day on March 6th, this episode shines a light on a condition that is often misunderstood and underdiagnosed. I’m joined by Jean Caldwell, who shares her personal journey living with lymphedema, and Yvonne Francis, a lymphedema specialist physical therapist, who breaks down what lymphedema is, why early detection matters, and how physical therapy pl...

Send us Fan Mail Tendon pain can be frustrating, especially when you’re told to just rest and wait it out. But what if that advice is actually slowing your progress?  Today I’m joined by Amora Valencia, a sports PT resident, to bust some of the most common tendon myths. We’re talking pain versus damage, why complete rest isn’t the answer, and how properly loading tendons is often the missing piece...

Send us Fan Mail In honor of Heart Health Month, I’m joined by Registered Dietitian Emily Fultz from Fit with Food to discuss how nutrition supports heart health, performance, and recovery. We break down heart-healthy fueling strategies, common nutrition fads, and why Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) matters for athletes and physical therapists. Emily also shares practical tips to help a...

Send us Fan Mail Today we’re talking about how PTs can better support patients after a cardiac event or cardiac surgery. We’re joined by an exercise physiologist, Eric Cecil, to discuss key physiological considerations, red flags, and how to safely progress exercise for this population.  No matter your setting, if you work with patients who have a cardiac history, this episode will give you practi...

Send us Fan Mail This Heart Health Month episode brings together sports cardiologists Dr. Grant and Dr. Chukwurah for a deep dive into how cardiac health impacts athletic performance. We explore training adaptations, risk factors, return-to-play considerations after cardiac events, and what PTs should watch for during rehab. Whether you treat athletes or are one yourself, this episode delivers pra...

Send us Fan Mail In Part 2, we shift from theory to application. Chris Palmer dives deeper into how physical therapists can truly help patients living with pain—breaking down practical metaphors to explain pain, strategies to validate a patient’s lived experience without reinforcing fear, and treatment ideas that align with modern pain science. This episode is all about turning understanding into...