Shows
I Love Neuro270: Experiences From A PT Movement Disorders Fellowship With Andrew Doubek, PT, DPT, GCS, NMDEver 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. 2025-06-1634 min
I Love Neuro269: Focused, Intense Anticipatory Postural Training Improves Multiple Balance Measures In PD With Sharanya Chavva, PT, DPTBalance 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, w...2025-06-0942 min
I Love Neuro268: When You’re Compelled To Serve With Leann Vitale, MS, OTR/LSo 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 podc...2025-06-0248 min
I Love Neuro267: Advanced Strategies And Insights For Treating Individuals With Ataxia With Dr. Jeannie Stephenson, PT, PhD, MS, NCS And Dr. Staci Shearin, PT, PhD, NCS, GCSTreating 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...2025-05-2647 min
I Love Neuro266: How To Go From Mobile To Brick-And-Mortar In Neuro Rehab With Han Nguyen, PT, DPT, NCSAre 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. 2025-05-1943 min
I Love Neuro265: To Residency Or Not To Residency With Mari Biers, PT, DPTA 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...2025-05-1241 min
I Love Neuro264: Dementia Care - Evidence-Based Strategies For Rehabilitation Professionals With Dr. Natalie Douglas, PhD, CCC-SLPWe’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 i...2025-05-0546 min
I Love Neuro263: Every Vestibular System Has A Person With Marc Broberg, PT, DPT, NCSToday’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 se...2025-04-2845 min
I Love Neuro262: Delivering Intensive Virtual Rehabilitation Through Neurofenix With Amy Rohe, MS, OTR/L, CSRS, ATPWe 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 re...2025-04-2135 min
I Love Neuro261: Emerging Research In Neuro Rehab With Dr. Tim Faw, PT, DPT, PhDStaying 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...2025-04-1441 min
I Love Neuro260: Improving Parkinson's Care In Rural Areas: Insights From A Physical Therapy Monitoring Program With Jamie Haines, PT, DScPT, NCSWhen 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...2025-04-0752 min
I Love Neuro259: Why Goggles Are Essential And How They Became Accessible In Vestibular Care With Patrick EsmondeVestibular 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...2025-03-3157 min
I Love Neuro258: The Best Marketing Strategies For Your Neuro Clinic With Sarah King, PT, DPTJoin 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 mo...2025-03-2453 min
I Love Neuro257: How VR Replaced Sensory Organization Testing With Dr. Geoff Wright, PhDIn 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 journ...2025-03-1749 min
I Love Neuro256: Overcoming Barriers To Implementing High Intensity Locomotor Training With Dr. Annie Tapp, PT, DPT, PhD, NCSIn 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 clinic...2025-03-1041 min
I Love Neuro255: How We’re Going To Expand Access to Neuro ExpertiseOn 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...2025-03-0337 min
I Love Neuro254: How And Why BlazePod + Neuro Rehab = A Power Combo With Michael CummingsIn 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...2025-02-2448 min
I Love Neuro253: Mastering No-Cost Marketing Strategies With Emily Duval LedgerIn 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...2025-02-1755 min
I Love Neuro252: Science Made Me Do It: Chosen VS Forced Behavior Change With Mike Studer, PT, DPT, MHS, NCSInterested 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 u...2025-02-101h 00
I Love Neuro251: How To Make Life Better For People With PD TODAY With Russell MeyerowitzIn 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 Pa...2025-02-0355 min
I Love Neuro250: Uncovering The Role Of Speech Therapy In FND With Jenn Freeburn, MS, CCC-SLPIn 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...2025-01-2750 min
I Love Neuro249: Navigating The PhD Journey And Advancing Vestibular Expertise With Christina Garrity, PT, DPT, NCSIn 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 th...2025-01-2051 min
I Love Neuro248: Tackling the Challenges of Treating Ataxia With JJ Mowder-Tinney, PT, PhD, NCSAs 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 inc...2025-01-1339 min
I Love Neuro247: Follow These 5 Neuroplastic Principles To Improve Patient Outcomes (With Examples!) With Briana Elson, MS, OTR/LIn 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: 1. Time Matters - Yes we know this, but what does that...2025-01-0646 min
I Love Neuro246: Tips For Running An Effective Strength Circuit Class For People With Parkinson’sIf 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 incl...2024-12-3045 min
I Love Neuro245: Unlocking The Potential Of Virtual Reality In Neurorehabilitation With Ramiro Maldonado, PT, DPTCurious 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...2024-12-2348 min
I Love Neuro244: When Pediatric Clients Grow Up With Cameron Brown, PT, DPT, PCSAre 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 younge...2024-12-1646 min
I Love Neuro243: Using A Sensory-Based Approach For Treating Functional Neurological DisordersWorking 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 avoida...2024-12-0952 min
I Love Neuro242: Revolutionizing Gait With Variable Friction Shoes With Dr. Tyler Susko Of CadenseDo 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...2024-12-0253 min
I Love Neuro241:Unlocking The Secrets Of Facial Rehabilitation With Sheri Donaldson, PT, DPT, NCSEver 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...2024-11-251h 00
I Love Neuro240: Who Made Me The Leader? How To Lead (Not Manage) A TeamHave 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...2024-11-1842 min
I Love Neuro239: UPDATE: Create Your Own Harness Set Up Like Rogue’sOn 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 peop...2024-11-1128 min
I Love Neuro238: Optimizing Resistance Training for Older Adults and Neurological Conditions With Dr. Amy Ashmore, PhDIn 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...2024-11-0449 min
I Love Neuro237: Let’s Discuss! PD Research ReviewIn 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...2024-10-2836 min
I Love Neuro236: Can Business Be Fun? What If It Could?!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...2024-10-2132 min
I Love Neuro235: Your Neuro Practice Questions Answered By APTA President Roger Herr, PT, MPAIn 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 b...2024-10-1458 min
I Love Neuro234: Advancing the Understanding and Treatment of Functional Neurological Disorders With Heather Salon, PT, DPT, NCS and Julie Maggio, PT, DPT, NCSFeel 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...2024-10-0754 min
I Love Neuro233: Optimizing Outcomes For Patients with Multiple Sclerosis With Researcher And Clinician, Herb Karpatkin, PT, DSc, NCS, MSCSHave 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 the...2024-09-3052 min
I Love Neuro232: Bridging The Gap: Becoming A Clinician, A Researcher, And A Storyteller With Ryan Lovell, PT, DPT, NCS, ATPIn 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...2024-09-2355 min
I Love Neuro231: Navigating Concussion In Aging Adults With Jennifer Lazaro, PT, DPT, NCSDid 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...2024-09-1640 min
I Love Neuro230: Mastering Floor Transfers and Exercises in Neuro Without the Fear With Dr. JJ Mowder-Tinney, PT, PhD, NCSIn 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: - The significance...2024-09-0941 min
I Love Neuro229: Creating A Neuro Practice That Works For You AND Your Patients With Vanessa Kaczmarek, PT, DPT, NCSIn 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...2024-09-0249 min
I Love Neuro228: How To Use Neuroscience To Help Your Clients (Or Yourself) Improve Intimacy and Pleasure With Dr. Rose Schlaff, PT, DPTAs 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...2024-08-2654 min
I Love Neuro227: What You Should Know About Telerehab To Improve Access And Equity With Dr. Jennifer O’Neil, PT, PhD and Dr. Alan Lee, PT, DPT, PhDHave 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 sp...2024-08-1958 min
I Love Neuro226: How To Start And Scale An Outpatient Neuro Practice With Katie Bouchillon, OTR, CBIST, MCMTIn 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...2024-08-1252 min
I Love Neuro225: How To Integrate Nutrition, Regenerative Therapy, and Fitness into a Specialized Geriatric and Parkinson's Physical Therapy Practice With Beth Templin, PT, DPT, GCSIn 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...2024-08-051h 00
I Love Neuro224: The Best Approach To Vision Therapy With Dr. Melissa Zarn Urankar, OD, Katy Coleman, OTR/L, and Xenia Andrzejewski, PTIn 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 the...2024-07-2953 min
I Love Neuro223: Spasticity Management From A Physician With Dr. Cassandra List, MDOn 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...2024-07-2246 min
I Love Neuro222: How You Can Be Tenaciously Optimistic In Business To Be SuccessfulIn 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 time...2024-07-1536 min
I Love Neuro221: How To Start A Wellness Program For People With Neurologic Conditions: All Your Questions Answered!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: 1. How do you make exercise classes accessible for all levels of abilities in a group setting? 2. How did you start your wellness program, p...2024-07-081h 02
I Love Neuro220: Building A Biz Model Mix Of Online And In-Person With Katie Nathan, PT, DPT, NCSOn 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 fr...2024-07-0155 min
I Love Neuro219: New Evidence On Brain Changes In PD Inspires Hi-Fi Exercise Class At RogueWe’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 t...2024-06-2426 min
I Love Neuro218: Advocating for Accessible Healthcare for People with Disabilities With Chanda HintonOur 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...2024-06-1753 min
I Love Neuro217: How To Plan A Transformative PD Retreat With Joy Cochran, PT, DPTOn 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...2024-06-1049 min
I Love Neuro216: How To Shed Your Shoulds So You Can Live And Work Happier With Emily Duval LedgerEver 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 fr...2024-06-0336 min
I Love Neuro215: Learn How To Help Clients Fall WELL With Naomi CasiroOkay, 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:2024-05-2744 min
I Love Neuro214: What To Know About Being Non-Participating With Medicare With Tyler Horton, PT, DPT, NCSThere 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 bi...2024-05-2045 min
I Love Neuro213: Quick High-Impact, Low-Cost Ideas With Dr. JJ Mowder-Tinney, PT, PhD, NCSEver 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 f...2024-05-1339 min
I Love Neuro212: How To Safely Get To Heart Rate Peak In Order To Modify Parkinson’s With Dr. Daniel Corcos, PhDHave 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...2024-05-0652 min
I Love Neuro211: How To Approach Pain Neuroscience Education In Neuro With Dr. Adriaan Louw, PT, PhDDo 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, Ad...2024-04-291h 01
I Love Neuro210: Running Intensives For Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury With Empower SCIDo 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 en...2024-04-221h 03
I Love Neuro209: How To Close the Gap Between Research And Practice With Dr. Carolee Winstein, PhD, PT, FAPTAHave 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...2024-04-1558 min
I Love Neuro208: “Old Not Weak” How You Should Actually Train Aging Adults With Dustin Jones, PT, DPT, GCSHow 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 cha...2024-04-0857 min
I Love Neuro207: Intensity Isn’t Just For Therapy Sessions With Han Nguyen, PT, DPT, NCSEveryone 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 sess...2024-04-0154 min
I Love Neuro206: What To Do When You’re Overwhelmed In Your BusinessBusy-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...2024-03-2546 min
I Love Neuro205: What You Must Know About Medicare Maintenance Therapy And What Can Happen If You Don’t With Robbie Leonard, PT, DPT, CHCWho 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...2024-03-1853 min
I Love Neuro204: The Most Effective Way To Incorporate The Evidence With EVERY Patient With Oscar Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCSDo 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 treat...2024-03-111h 07
I Love Neuro203: Vestibular Private Practice, Mentorship And The Real Balancing Act With Christina Garrity, PT, DPT, NCSIn 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 pr...2024-03-0452 min
I Love Neuro202: How To Prevent Falls From Retropulsion in PDIn 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) Perceptual and visual changes, smaller base of support...2024-02-2627 min
I Love Neuro201: Opportunities and Challenges Are Really A Matter Of PerspectiveIn 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 wi...2024-02-1941 min
I Love Neuro200: What We’ve Learned In 200 Episodes And Our Top Episodes Revealed!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...2024-02-1258 min
I Love Neuro199: The Must-Know Documentation Guidelines From A Utilization ReviewerYou 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 we...2024-02-0553 min
I Love Neuro198: Creative Strategies For Using Resistance Bands To Improve Function With Dr. JJ Mowder-Tinney, PT, PhDDo 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 u...2024-01-2945 min
I Love Neuro197: How To Apply The Principles of Neuroplasticity To OT With Briana Elson, MS, OTR/LMaking 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 o...2024-01-2244 min
I Love Neuro196: Rapidly Improving Outcomes For Chronic Stroke Survivors With VivistimOn 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 H...2024-01-1551 min
I Love Neuro195: What To Know About Post-Stroke Dizziness With Nidhi Seth, PT, DPTOn 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 Phys...2024-01-0845 min
I Love Neuro194: Health Coaching And PT: A Match Made In Heaven With Kathleen Olsen, PT, MS, PCESIf 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 collabor...2024-01-0149 min
I Love Neuro193: Sowing The Love: Harvesting Wins, Weeding Woes, And Business Shenanigans With NeuroBiz BestiesAs 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 i...2023-12-2551 min
I Love Neuro192: Yoga Improves Outcomes In PT/OT With Chandler Tyrrell, OTR/L, CSRS, RYT 200Thank 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. 2023-12-1852 min
I Love Neuro191: Top Tips For Working With Someone With ALS: PT And OT Perspectives!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 e...2023-12-111h 07
I Love Neuro190: Why All Of Your Neuro Clients Need Vestibular Therapy And How To Address It With Christina Garrity, PT, DPT, NCSVestibular 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 w...2023-12-0453 min
I Love Neuro189: How A Dog Improves Symptom Tracking And Transforms Care For People With Brain Injuries With Lynne Becker, MSPHOn 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 am...2023-11-271h 00
I Love Neuro188: 20 Years Of Neuro Recovery With Meghan Malley, PT, DPTMultidisciplinary 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...2023-11-2055 min
I Love Neuro187: What Do You Promise Your Clients? Can You Promise Something??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...2023-11-1333 min
I Love Neuro186: DPT Student Entrepreneur: When Your Passion Can’t Wait Until Graduation!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...2023-11-0642 min
I Love Neuro185: Everything You Need To Know About NCS Recertification With Arielle Resnick, PT, DPT, NCSErin 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...2023-10-3054 min
I Love Neuro184: Functional Movement Disorders: Where Do You Even Start? With Ali Elder, PT, DPT, NCSFunctional 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...2023-10-2353 min
I Love Neuro183: When You Should NOT Take Out A Business LoanOur 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 dis...2023-10-1642 min
I Love Neuro182: Assessing And Treating Dysautonomia In Neuro Clients With Jennifer Lazaro, PT, DPT, NCSDr. 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 2023-10-0952 min
I Love Neuro181: Is Profit In Our Industry A Dirty Word? A Book Discussion With Emily Duval Ledger!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 be...2023-10-0246 min
I Love Neuro180: What Does Intensity Training Look Like In Occupational Therapy? - Part 2On 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...2023-09-2547 min
I Love Neuro179: What Does Intensity Training Look Like In Occupational Therapy? - Part 1On 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 crit...2023-09-1848 min
I Love Neuro178: Why You Should Do Priming Activities To Enhance Intensive Practice In Neuro With Dr. JJ Mowder-Tinney, PT, PhD, NCSWe 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 Effec...2023-09-1146 min
I Love Neuro177: What To Know And To Do About PPPD With Haylie Leighton, PT, DPT, NCSIf 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 wit...2023-09-0450 min
I Love Neuro176: Unmasking Movement Potential Through Movement Discovery With Dr. Beth Fisher, PhD, PT, FAPTADr. 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...2023-08-2846 min
I Love Neuro175: Finding The Setting That’s Right For YOU With Sharan Sangha, MA, CCC-SLPOn 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...2023-08-2143 min
I Love Neuro174: Mastering The Vestibular System With Helena Esmonde, PT, DPT, NCSOn 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 ho...2023-08-1453 min
I Love Neuro173: Improving Access To Care In Rural Areas And Ramping Up Creative Dual Tasking With Jamie Haines, PT, DScPT, NCSOn 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...2023-08-0750 min
I Love Neuro172: Red Flags And Screening For Visual Deficits With Melissa Kimmerling, EdD, MOT, OTR/LOn 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...2023-07-3157 min
I Love Neuro171: When To Refer To Speech Therapy: Key Indicators You May Not Know About With Stephanie Callander, MS, CCC-SLPOn 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 speaki...2023-07-2453 min