The Dr. JJ Thomas Podcast

How can squats improve muscle activation and performance? In this episode, I break down the muscle activation patterns you need to know when it comes to different squat variations. I’ll discuss the key differences in quad and glute activation between split stance and single-leg squats, and why these insights are crucial for both clinicians and athletes. We also explore the clinical implications of...

Wondering how we've trained our clinicians at Primal Physical Therapy to be the best Dry Needling clinicians in the country? This episode is for you.   We share all the details of our Dry Needling Masterclasses, to show you first hand what it takes to truly become an expert.  We teach skills like technique and application of course, but we even teach the tiny details that make the biggest impact o...

What’s the key to building resilient athletes who thrive on and off the field? In this episode, I’m joined by Jack Ferrick, Ray Ricker, and Travis Turgeon to share insights from our first Philadelphia Baseball Clinic. Together, we discuss coaching philosophies, the importance of passion and leadership, and how to foster independent problem-solving in young athletes. We also dive into injury preven...

What if the way you teach strength exercises could transform your patients’ progress? In this episode, I share insights from my teaching experience, including a pulling strength exercise I learned from GMB Fitness that has been a game changer for my patients. I discuss how to cue clinicians, integrate exercises into practice, and offer regressions for patients who need them. You’ll also hear my ca...

Is your treatment cart setting you up for success with every patient? In this episode, I walk you through the essentials every needler needs to have in their cart and why they matter. From my trusty $30 IKEA cart to the tools and products I rely on every day, I’ll explain how staying organized and prepared can make a huge difference in patient care. You’ll hear about the needles, lotions, and smal...

Are your wrestling warm-ups setting you up for success—or injury? In this episode, I introduce an 11-exercise program designed to boost performance, prevent injuries, and keep your body balanced during and after the season. These drills focus on improving flexibility, core strength, and overall body efficiency. We’ll tackle common challenges wrestlers face, like tight hip flexors and weak glutes,...

How can better exercise prescription transform your patient outcomes? In this episode, I share live footage from our Primal Integration course, focusing on exercise integration and practical strategies for prescribing movement to patients. I demonstrate techniques like developmental movement patterns, functional exercise progressions, and ways to address patient-specific deficits. You’ll learn how...

Ever wondered how new tech can transform recovery and physical therapy? In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Sheehan, our Winback representative here at Primal Physical Therapy, to explore this groundbreaking technology that's helping people win back their lives. We dive into the story behind Winback, the impact of TECAR Therapy, and how it's changing sports medicine and physical therapy across...

Back pain can be tricky to treat, but what if you could identify the root cause by simply assessing how you move? In this episode, I’m joined by Kevin Sheehan from Winback, who’s dealing with a back injury after a workout. I guide Kevin through a full evaluation—just like we do here at Primal Physical Therapy—starting with his history, followed by a detailed movement assessment. Together, we uncov...

How can movement tell the story behind patient symptoms and speed up recovery? In this episode, I share highlights from our first-ever live Primal Integration Course, where therapists learned hands-on techniques for integrating movement analysis into clinical practice. I discuss the importance of movement in revealing the underlying causes of pain and how a comprehensive observation can transform...

What does it take to thrive in high-pressure situations? In this episode, I sit down with UFC middleweight Andre Petroski and performance coach Sean O'Malley. They discuss the importance of balance in their lives, dive into Andre's unique pre-fight rituals, and discuss how mindset shifts have transformed his approach to competition. We also dive into Andre's relationship with God and how faith sha...

In this episode, I sit down with Alex Poor, a renowned core muscle surgeon with a passion for helping patients achieve their best health. We discuss his journey to becoming a surgeon, the challenges patients face when addressing core-related pain, and the advancements in core muscle surgery over the past decade. Alex also discusses the interconnected anatomy of the core and the importance of post-...

It takes someone with firsthand experience to provide the guidance needed for training the next generation of athletes. In this episode, I sit down with Robby Andrews, 2016 US Olympian and NCAA champion, to explore his journey from a competitive runner to a sought-after coach. We talk about Robby's upbringing surrounded by runners, his transition to coaching, and how his personal experiences with...

Find out how The Primal Method helped Tim Guers get his body back to tip top shape and performance during his off season. Any high level athlete knows that to build and maintain excellence in a sport, you must practice thousands and thousands of reps. And with high repitition, breakdown is inevitable unless you know how to prevent it.   In this episode, I sit down with Tim Guers, a professional ba...

What does it take to keep wrestlers at their best and injury-free? In this episode, I’m continuing our discussion from Part One, where we helped the Lehigh wrestlers reach peak performance through targeted exercises and assessments. I’ll share 11 exercises that form a comprehensive warm-up routine specifically designed for injury prevention. We’ll focus on building resilience in critical areas—the...

What’s the secret to keeping wrestlers performing at their peak while staying injury-free? In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of my work with Lehigh University’s wrestling team. I show how I use my Primal Foundations Method to help athletes move better, prevent injuries, and boost performance. You’ll see live footage of a warmup session with 12 exercises designed to treat the body as a...

In this episode of the Dr. JJ Thomas Podcast, I dive into the Kettlebell Swing—one of the best exercises for glute activation and core stability. I’ll break down why this move is a game-changer for sports performance, explain common mistakes to avoid, and provide essential form cues to help you get the most out of each rep. We’ll also explore key variations and regressions to ensure that any skill...

Are you struggling with the idea of starting your own cash-based practice? In this episode of the Dr. JJ Thomas Podcast, I’m breaking down the three main reasons why therapists often hold back from starting their own cash-based practice. We’ll dive into the impact of impostor syndrome, the importance of sustainability, and the legal questions that therapists commonly ask. This episode is all about...

In this episode of the Dr. JJ Thomas Podcast, I sit down with our very own Joe Dawson, a specialist in TMJ (Temporomandibular Joints) treatment. Joe talks about his inspiring journey into the world of TMJ Therapy, sharing how he found his niche and what sets TMJ treatment apart from other joint care, the unique aspects it presents, and the significance of understanding anatomy in shaping specializ...

In this episode of the Dr. JJ Thomas Podcast, I am joined by Mike Stella, a certified athletic trainer and performance enhancement coach. We dive into Mike’s journey from personal struggles to becoming a leader in sports medicine and the brain behind The Movement Underground. He shares his unique and mission-driven approach in the industry, as well as his insights on social media, evidence-based p...

In this episode of the Dr. JJ Thomas Podcast, I am joined again by Dr. Eric Abramowitz, our certified running gait analyst, for a special Clinical Corner. This session was prompted by our previous episode on gait analysis, where Dr. Eric introduced the “DNS Star Plank” to our Bucknell athlete, Chris Sims, aiming to improve his hip activation and overall running efficiency. Watch as I demonstrate t...

In this episode of the Dr. JJ Thomas Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Eric Abramowitz, a certified running gait analyst, and Chris Sims, a two-sport athlete at Bucknell University, for part two of Chris' RunDNA gait analysis. We dive into the key insights and findings from the gait analysis Dr. Eric conducted on Chris in the last episode. Chris discusses how his running form has improved since Dr. Eri...

In this episode of the Dr. JJ Thomas Podcast, we have two special guests: Dr. Eric Abramowitz, a key member of Primal Physical Therapy as well as a certified running gait analyst, and Chris Sims, a two-sport athlete at Bucknell University. We go behind the scenes of how Dr. Eric does a running gait analysis using the advanced RunDNA system, with 18 sensors analyzing Chris’s movements to optimize h...

In this episode of the Dr. JJ Thomas Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Chelsea Turgeon, our dedicated concussion specialist in Primal Foundations, to break down the different types of concussions, how to identify them, and the unique challenges of treating each type. Dr. Chelsea shares her insights on the evolution of concussion evaluation and management over the past decade and the critical importance...

In this episode of the Dr. JJ Thomas Podcast, I share useful exercises for clinicians with patients who experience chronic neural tension. I'll guide you through a variety of exercises made to mobilize the sciatic nerve and lower extremity nerves, perfect for those patients who aren't highly irritable but suffer from persistent symptoms. From basic static exercises for everyday patients to more ad...