Powering Health and Wellness with RPM Rehab

With over 37 years of experience in Neurorehabilitation, Irwin Altman Ph.D. believes in a holistic approach to therapy that acknowledges the connection between brain and behavior. Dr. Altman discusses the impact of injuries that are “below the level of the obvious” to the casual observer, and speaks to rehabilitation therapists and people in general of the importance of treating each patient with an understanding that they are more than just their injury.

For years, Bob Metry worked behind the scenes in the physical therapy business. It wasn't until he underwent a cardiac rehabilitation program himself after undergoing open-heart surgery that he really understood the transformative impact of the practice. In this episode, Metry takes us through his personal recovery journey and also shares how aquatic therapy eased the pain of his late wife in her final years.

As a former football player, Marine and current Iron Mantriathlete, Jim Jamieson is no stranger to training hard and pushing his body to the limit. But it wasn't until he stepped into a Physical Therapy session after a bicycle accident that he realized how much his fundamental physical functions, such as posture, balance, and stamina could be improved through rehab. In this episode, Jamieson shares the success he found with physical therapy and his journey to becoming a successful Nashville health care entrepreneur.

Rosio Vargas-Negri PT; DPT didn't know what physical therapy was or that it would be her path until her final years of college. But since she discovered its ability to transform lives, she's devoted herself to helping patients with neurological conditions recover through neuro rehab. In this episode, Rosio shares the impact that this practice can have on patients and talks about the importance of expanding access to physical therapy in Hispanic communities.

Growing up in Appalachia defined the person Bryan Maynard would be. A cultural imperative of violence together with an abusive father led Maynard to develop intense anxiety and eventually depression. When he embraced sensorimotor psychotherapy, he learned how trauma lived inside his body. In this episode, Maynard shares his personal journey to a career as a psychotherapist and how our emotional pain and physical well-being interplay.

Even as a neurosurgeon, Dr. Dave Atteberry will never be the first person to suggest a patient undergo surgery. That's because he approaches each patient the same way he approaches his operations: with compassionate care. In this episode, Dr. Atteberry discusses the importance of collaborating with patients, how surgery can best be paired with rehabilitation, and he'll even delve into some of the mysteries of neuroscience that led him to where he is today. 

The first question that physiatrist and rehabilitation medicine specialist Lisa Bliss MD asks a patient is ‘What do you want to achieve?' Whether their answer is to run a marathon or to be able to lift their grandchild, Bliss focuses her treatment on giving patients the tools to succeed on their own terms. In this episode, Bliss talks with John Hawes and Clark Buckner about her patient-centered care, her own experience with endurance and the importance of adaptability. 

The mind is one of our most important health assets. According to Speech Pathologist and student of the ancient Tibetan practice of mind science, Cindy Shaw CCC; SLP, we can take care of our mind through lots of dedicated and disciplined time, determination and reflection. On this episode, Shaw explains to co-hosts John Hawes and Clark Buckner how we can exercise control over our own happiness through dedicated work.

Physical therapy can't always stick to the same script. When Michele Jacobs DPT, physical therapist at Cascade Summit, works on patients with complex pain conditions, she customizes their care — and effectively transforms their lives. Jacobs shares with John Hawes and Clark Buckner how she uses her hands to heal patients with amazing results. She dives into gender considerations for delivering effective care, the importance of listening and how to advocate for your patients.

Keith Embray's journey to professional football wasn't an easy one. But, even after multiple rejections, setbacks and injuries, Embray found himself playing on the NFL stage. In this episode, Embray tells co-hosts John Hawes and Clark Buckner how physical therapists made an impact on his professional football career, the importance of mentorship and how he guides student athletes for life after graduation.

Whether you're an Olympic track champion or a recreational golfer, Randy Bauer knows that athletes of all kinds want to make the most of their movement for as long as they can. That's where he steps in. In this episode, RPM physical therapist Bauer discusses with John Hawes and Clark Buckner his work with elite athletes from all over the country, the physical demands of therapy and the way to build relationships through your practice.

Aquatic rehabilitation not only improves movement for Physical Therapy patients, but has beneficial effects for mental well-being as well. That's why Bruce Becker MD, longtime physician and director of aquatic rehabilitation, uses water to facilitate physical and mental transformations. In this episode, Becker joins John Hawes and Clark Buckner to share the physiology and neuropsychology behind warm water immersion, the benefits of the practice and how he believes it can shape the future.

After extensive aquatic rehabilitation training in Europe, Julianne Alford is making a splash now as RPM's Clinical Director in Spokane, WA. In this episode, Alford enlightens co-hosts Clark Buckner and John Hawes on the many ways aquatic therapy facilitates healing, builds strength and increases stamina on land, and why it's beneficial for all ages and fitness levels.

Before some patients step into the physical therapist's office, they might find themselves undergoing surgery. On this episode, orthopedic surgeon Alan Greenwald sits down with Clark Buckner and John Hawes to explain the transformative technology of the industry, the training it takes and the importance of the therapy that comes after.

If you haven't been off the couch recently, you've missed quite a lot of changes in the world of health and wellness, especially with physical rehabilitation services. Physical therapist Chuck Martin DPT explains why access to life-altering care is now easier and more important to get than ever. We'll take a look at the evolution of physical therapy, from WWI on, and a glimpse into where the future of the industry is heading.

Some may think of physical therapy only as a means to help repair damage resulting from injury or disease. But what if it could help prevent impaired movement from happening in the first place? On our first episode of Powering Health and Wellness with RPM Rehab, co-hosts Clark Buckner and John Hawes discuss the wide range of solutions physical therapy offers for when life gets in the way of our ability to move. Hawes also shares ideas about strategies for and benefits of taking care of and preserving our health, offers insight into how movement shapes our lives and provides a glimpse into the future of the industry.

Discover the essential building blocks to our overall health and sense of wellbeing through in-depth conversations with healthcare professionals about the scope and benefits of physical therapy. Host John Hawes, CEO of Rehab Practice Management, guides us through the wide range of problems physical therapy can address, how to use it to invest in our strength, performance and vitality, and why it's time for the medical industry to transform the model from treating injury and illness to one that optimizes our personal health assets.