Rehab Science with Tom Walters

In this episode of the Rehab Science Podcast, Dr. Tom Walters interviews Dr. John Rusin, a physical therapist and injury prevention specialist. They discuss the concept of pain-free performance, which is a movement system designed to help individuals transition from pain to optimal performance. Dr. Rusin shares his background in professional athletics and how it shaped his approach to training and rehabilitation. The conversation delves into the importance of individualized training, movement quality, and the six foundational movement patterns. They also explore the significance of movement screens and assessments, the six-phase warm-up sequence, and the structure of Dr. Rusin's new book on pain-free performance. In this conversation, John Rusin and Tom Walters delve into the intricacies of movement patterns and performance training. They discuss the importance of creating a comprehensive movement program that caters to individual needs, assessing movement patterns for optimal performance, and the significance of a non-dogmatic approach to training. The conversation emphasizes understanding movement quality, spinal neutrality, and the necessity of individualized training to liberate movement and enhance overall performance. Visit the links below to learn more about John's certification program and his new book: Pain Free Performance Specialist Certification Pain Free Performance Book  

In this episode of Rehab Science, Dr. Tom Walters, DPT, breaks down cervical radiculopathy—a common condition involving compression or irritation of the nerve roots in the neck. He explores the relevant cervical spine anatomy, including how disc herniations or degenerative changes like bone spurs can narrow the neural foramina and impinge nerve roots, leading to symptoms that radiate from the neck into the arm and hand. Dr. Walters reviews hallmark symptoms such as radiating pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness, and discusses how these typically follow a dermatomal distribution depending on the affected cervical level. Dr. Walters also explains the clinical examination process for diagnosing cervical radiculopathy, including provocative orthopedic tests and the role of imaging like MRI when necessary. He outlines both medical and physical therapy approaches to treatment—ranging from anti-inflammatory medications and injections to targeted rehab strategies like cervical traction, neural mobilization, postural correction, and strengthening exercises. The episode wraps up with practical advice for managing this condition through movement-based rehabilitation. YouTube Video with Exercises Nerve Mobilization Exercises Amazon Book Link

In today's episode, I speak with Dr. Mark Kargela, a seasoned clinician and educator, about chronic pain—its complexity, its impact, and how practitioners can better support patients struggling with it. The discussion focuses on shifting clinical approaches from tissue-centric models to ones that integrate contemporary neuroscience and lived experience. Key topics include: Understanding Chronic Pain: The conversation defines chronic pain not simply by duration (e.g., beyond three months), but as a biopsychosocial phenomenon that fundamentally changes the nervous system. Dr. Kargela emphasizes that chronic pain is often not a direct marker of tissue damage, but a protective output of the nervous system influenced by biology, psychology, and social factors. Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE): Both clinicians stress the importance of PNE in helping patients reframe their pain experience. Teaching people how pain works can reduce fear and catastrophizing, improve self-efficacy, and set the foundation for graded movement and recovery. Central Sensitization and Nervous System Dysregulation: The discussion highlights how sensitized neural pathways can perpetuate pain even in the absence of tissue pathology. Techniques that modulate the nervous system—such as breathing, sleep optimization, gentle movement, and mindfulness—are presented as key therapeutic tools. Limitations of Traditional Biomedical Models: Dr. Kargela critiques overly mechanical approaches that chase tissue “damage” or perfect biomechanics, advocating instead for approaches that validate patient experiences and support behavior change. Clinician Takeaways: The episode encourages health and fitness professionals to: Ask better questions that uncover contributors to a person's pain narrative. Shift from “fixing” people to coaching them toward resilience. Recognize that empathy, listening, and patient-led goals are central to helping people move forward. To learn more about Mark's work, visit his social media accounts and website below. Instagram: Modern Pain Care YouTube: Modern Pain Care Pain Courses for Clinicians

The supraspinatus is one of the four muscles that make up the rotator cuff, originating from the supraspinous fossa of the scapula and inserting onto the greater tubercle of the humerus. Its primary function is to initiate shoulder abduction and contribute to dynamic stability of the glenohumeral joint, particularly by resisting excessive superior translation of the humeral head. Due to its position and role, the supraspinatus is highly susceptible to mechanical compression beneath the acromion, especially in individuals with poor scapular control or altered rotator cuff coordination.  Research suggests that supraspinatus tendinopathy and tears are among the most common sources of rotator cuff-related pain, particularly in overhead athletes and older adults. However, not all supraspinatus pathology is symptomatic, emphasizing the importance of assessing strength, movement patterns, and pain reproduction rather than relying solely on imaging findings when determining clinical relevance. Several studies have shown that rotator cuff tears can be observed on MRI when testing people who are asymptomatic (pain-free), which means they may simply be a normal age-related change. However, if you have pain and limited shoulder function and have evidence of a rotator cuff tear or tendinopathy on imaging, then your symptoms and the image may be correlated.  Here is one study you might like to read if you want to learn more about this research. When treating supraspinatus tendon tears and tendinopathy, physical therapists focus on pain management, restoring shoulder function, and strengthening the rotator cuff and scapular stabilizers. Early rehab emphasizes activity modification, isometric exercises, and gentle mobility work to reduce pain and maintain range of motion. Scapular control exercises help optimize shoulder mechanics, while posterior capsule stretching may be included if tightness contributes to impingement. As symptoms improve, progressive strengthening of the rotator cuff, particularly in external rotation and abduction, helps restore tendon resilience and function. In later rehab stages, eccentric loading, plyometric drills, and functional training are introduced to improve tendon capacity and dynamic stability, especially for individuals returning to overhead activities. Education on load management, proper movement mechanics, and long-term maintenance exercises is essential to prevent recurrence. While partial tears and tendinopathy often respond well to conservative care, full-thickness tears may require surgical consideration, followed by a structured rehabilitation program. Here is a video from my YouTube channel that covers a few exercises that often help people suffering from supraspinatus pain and dysfunction. I hope the tips in this podcast were helpful and you feel better equipped to treat supraspinatus issues! Besides the YouTube video I linked in this episode, my book contains comprehensive programs for the 50 most common orthopedic conditions, including rotator cuff injuries. The programs are broken into three phases and include exercises that can be used to help prevent injuries as well as help you recover from an injury. If you want to learn more about my book, visit my website or click the Amazon link.  Thanks for reading and I hope you have a great day! Dr. Tom

In today's podcast episode, we are going to look at a condition called gluteal tendinopathy, which is a common cause of lateral hip pain due to an irritation of two of the gluteal tendons (gluteus medius & gluteus minimus).  Previously, this type of pain was thought to be caused by trochanteric bursitis, but more recent research has shown that bursitis only accounts for approximately 20% of these cases (see references below). The majority of lateral hip pain cases are now thought to be due to gluteal tendinopathy or irritation of the gluteal tendons where they attach on the side of the hip (greater trochanter).  Risk factors for developing gluteal tendinopathy include: female gender (4:1 female to male ratio), increased body mass index (BMI), excessive hip adduction during walking/running, prolonged hip flexion (sitting) and weak hip abductors muscles (especially gluteus medius and minimus).  Treatment of this disorder is similar to other tendinopathies in that the focus is on gradually loading and strengthening the gluteal tendons via resistance training exercises that target the hip abductor muscles. These types of exercises not only improve the working capacity of the muscles and their tendons, but also help reduce tendon pain.  My YouTube video below includes a a few exercises that typically help people suffering from gluteal tendinopathy. YouTube Link Here are a couple of articles that you can read to learn more about this disorder. 1. Long SS, Surrey DE, Nazarian LN. Sonography of greater trochanteric pain syndrome and the rarity of primary bursitis. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2013;201(5):1083-1086.  2. Pianka MA, Serino J, DeFroda SF, Bodendorfer BM. Greater trochanteric pain syndrome: Evaluation and management of a wide spectrum of pathology. SAGE Open Med. 2021.  3. Ladurner A, Fitzpatrick J, O'Donnell JM. Treatment of Gluteal Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review and Stage-Adjusted Treatment Recommendation. Orthop J Sports Med. 2021;9(7):23259671211016850. I hope the information in this episode was helpful and you feel better equipped to treat gluteal tendinopathy related pain. Besides the YouTube video I linked, my book contains comprehensive programs for the 50 most common orthopedic conditions, including one for gluteal tendinopathy. The programs are broken into three phases and include exercises that can be used to help prevent injuries as well as help you recover from an injury. If you want to learn more about my book, visit my website or click HERE to view the book on Amazon. Thanks for reading and I hope you have a great day! Dr. Tom

Today's episode covers a case I saw in the clinic in which a patient presented with symptoms consistent with a calf muscle strain, but ended up having a blood clot or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT describes a situation in which a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one of our deep veins. In many instances, this occurs in the calf region and happens after a person has undergone a surgical procedure. Typical symptoms include pain, swelling and warmth in the region. Besides surgery, blood clots can occur when we have been sedentary for extended periods (plane flight, bed rest after an injury, etc). DVTs can become a life-threatening if they break loose and move through the blood stream to the lungs. This situation is referred to as a pulmonary embolism (PE) and blocks blood flow to a portion of the lungs. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider following my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify by clicking the 'follow' button. Also, if you would consider leaving a 5-star review for the podcast, it would mean a lot to me. Thank you!

In today's episode, I speak with orthopedic physical therapist, content creator and entrepreneur, Dr. Caleb Burgess. Caleb is a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy, a certified specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. In 2014, Caleb received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) from Azusa Pacific University. The next two years he completed a Residency in Orthopedic Physical Therapy and then a Fellowship in Sports and Orthopedic Physical Therapy through Kaiser Permanente Southern California. This advanced training allowed him to become an expert in musculoskeletal conditions both related to the general and athletic populations. Furthermore, as a strength and conditioning specialist, Caleb is qualified to help people develop and achieve higher level performance based goals that extend beyond traditional rehabilitation. To learn more about Caleb's work, visit his instagram account (@dr.caleb.burgess) or his website.

In today's episode, I interview physical therapist and ACL rehabilitation specialist, Dr. Wesley Wang, DPT. This episode covers much of the current research regarding ACL rehab and will be helpful to both individuals who have suffered an ACL injury or want to prevent one from happening and practitioners who treat patients who have undergone an ACL recontruction.  Wesley is a physical therapist at Healthy Baller, which is located in Rockville, MD. He specializes in treatment of sports injuries and ACL reconstructions. The majority of his patients are middle and high school athletes as well as athletes from various colleges across the country. Wesley's goal is to develop a trusting relationship with the patient while focusing on treating the source of the pain. Treatments prioritize regaining full mobility, strength and confidence to reduce the likelihood of suffering another injury. To learn more about Wesley's work, visit his Instagram account (@wesleywang.dpt) or his website.   

Today's episode covers sacroiliac or SI joint pain, which is a type of low back pain. The sacroiliac joints are two small synovial joints located on the right and left sides of the low back between the sacrum and the ilium bone of the pelvis. These joints are surrounded by numerous ligaments, which makes them very strong and capable of supporting body weight. Because of their joint shape and the surrounding ligaments, the sacroiliac joints move very little, but are thought to account for a small percentage of back pain cases. Pain associated with sacroiliac joint irritation is usually located on one side of the low back and may radiate into the buttock or back side of the thigh. If you believe you may experiencing pain originating from one or both of your sacroiliac joints, the exercises shown in the video may help.  https://youtu.be/s2bqEP1O6_s?si=MSDpabHhBI58Jae9 Reference: Laslett M. Evidence-Based Diagnosis and Treatment of the Painful Sacroiliac Joint. J Man Manip Ther. 2008. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2582421/ Here are a few exercise tools that can help you recover from this type of pain. SI Stabilization Belt: https://amzn.to/4gYmkpE Trigger Point Ball: https://amzn.to/3Ibw0LJ Loop Bands: https://amzn.to/3G3D6QS *My new book contains comprehensive rehab programs for the 50 most common injuries and pain issues, including one for sacroiliac joint pain. Click the link below to learn more and order a copy! https://a.co/d/1q3BjgP  

In Today's episode, I interview clinician, entrepreneur and inventor, Pete Holman. Pete is a physical therapist, Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), international presenter, author, fitness product inventor and former US National TaeKwonDo champion living in Colorado. He graduated from the University of Colorado with a Master's of Science degree in Physical Therapy in 1997 and went on to work at the renowned Aspen Sports Medicine clinic prior to opening up his own private practice in 2001. His client list has included Fortune 500 hundred business owners from Jones Apparel, Progressive Insurance & Fiji water, as well as, Hollywood stars including Ed Bradley and Kevin Costner. Pete's dedication to advancing the fitness industry and his entrepreneurial spirit has inspired him to create multiple products that impact fitness enthusiasts and athletes worldwide. His first product, The Functional Training Rack, was licensed to Perform Better in 2008 and inspired “hoop” platforms for current stability ball rack designs. His second product, the RIPCORE-FX, was acquired by TRX and is now referred to as the TRX Rip Trainer. The Rip Trainer has grossed over $30 million in worldwide sales and can be seen in commercial gyms and sports performance centers around the world. Next, seeing a need for Golf specific training modalities, Pete partnered with GolfForever and iterated the Rip Trainer into the GolfForever Swing Trainer (the world's first 2 in 1 Golf training aid.) With custom handles and coaching zones, a lightweight aluminum shaft and weighted ball heads for overspeed training, the Swing Trainer has quickly become the number one Golf training aid sold in Golf Galaxy, PGA Superstores and Dicks Sporting Goods. Endorsed by pro Golfers Scottie Scheffler, Ryan Palmer and Justin Leonard, the Swing Trainer is poised to revolutionize fitness training for Golfers! In 2018, Pete designed the first ever plate loaded Hip Thrust machine called the Glute Drive. He approached industry leading giants and the Nautilus Glute Drive was spawned. The Glute Drive is Nautilus's number one selling commercial strength product, selling over 3000 units a year. Pete's latest product is the world's first Loaded Carry/Sled Push combo machine. Growing up on a small farm in Littleton Colorado, Pete hauled road base, concrete, railroad ties and manure around the farm. He attributed his grip, hip and core strength, which later lead to him becoming a US National TaeKwon-Do champion, to his Farm Strong work. He brought the concept to Escape Fitness and the Escape Barrow was created. Pete works tirelessly on developing education, programming and products that will have a positive impact on health and fitness worldwide. To learn more about Pete's work, visit his website at the following link. 

In today's podcast episode, I speak with physical therapist, chiropractor, researcher and educator, Greg Lehman. Greg has been in the rehabilitation field for more than 20 years. Following his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology, he was awarded the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology Gold Medal for highest academic performance in Kinesiology. This degree allowed him to obtain certification as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Certified Fitness Appraiser and to work as a Strength and Conditioning coach for Sir Wilfrid University's Men's Basketball team and for Queen's University Women's Varsity Hockey Team. Greg's success in university resulted in being awarded a graduate scholarship (NSERC) to the University of Waterloo to be one of only two Masters students per year studying at the Occupational Biomechanics Laboratory, a world leader in Spine Biomechanics, exercise prescription and athletic performance. As a faculty member at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Greg developed a research program that produced more than 20 publications on exercise biomechanics, golf fitness and the science of manual therapy. He has taught more than 25 graduate students in Spine Biomechanics and Research Instrumentation and supervised more than 50 students and 20 undegraduate research theses. He was subsequently awarded a Researcher of the Year award by the Ontario Chiropractic Association. These days, most of Greg's time with patients is spent one-on-one using exercise, load/stress management, manual therapy techniques and education.  Both pain, injury and performance are influenced by a number of factors in an individual's life.  Greg's approach addresses the multitude of these contributors and he primarily works with my patients to come up with strategies where they are actively involved in their recovery. To learn more about Greg and his work, visit his website at the following link.

In today's episode, I talk with functional podiatrist, Dr. Emily Splichal, DPM. As a Podiatrist, Human Movement Specialist, and Global Leader in Barefoot Science and Rehabilitation, Dr. Splichal has developed a keen eye for movement dysfunction and neuromuscular control during gait. Originally trained as a surgeon through Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City and Mt Vernon Hospital in Mt Vernon, NY, in 2017 Dr. Splichal put down her scalpel and shifted her practice to one that is built around functional and regenerative medicine. Functional and regenerative medicine and the role of anti-aging science as it relates to movement longevity is where Dr. Splichal's passion is focused. Currently enrolled in a Fellowship for Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine from the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M), Dr. Splichal's recommendations typically include PRP or stem cell therapy, photomodulation or red light therapy, dry needling or acupuncture, vitamin supplementation, sensory stimulation of the nervous system, fascial work and integrated exercises. If you are seeking answers outside of the conventional recommendations of orthotics and surgery Dr. Splichal may be able to offer you an innovative, comprehensive treatment option that is built on the foundation of functional medicine and functional movement. Her Functional Foot Programming stands out from any other Podiatrist and built around evidence-based principles in fascial fitness, foot to core sequencing, and barefoot stimulation. To make an in-person or virtual appointment with Dr. Splichal please contact 917.825.4297, email (scheduling@dremilysplichal.com) or schedule directly online HERE

In today's episode, I talk with osteopath, Brendon Talbot, BHK, M.OMSc about his educational background, osteopathic training and how he treats individuals with musculoskeletal disorders.  Here is a bit more about Brendon from his website:  "Motivated by the body's innate ability to self heal and self regulate, Brendon prides himself on providing the highest quality of Osteopathic care. Brendon always works with his best efforts, to ensure the patient receives the best possible treatment each session, while working safely within the scope of Osteopathy. Understanding human anatomy and physiology in a collective manner helps Brendon provide a personalized treatment for every patient.  Prior to his osteopathic journey, Brendon's appreciation of collective mechanics stems from his many years as an elite athlete. He expresses undeniable passion and interest for his understanding of the human body. Treatment outcome aims to reduce symptom expression, improve overall quality of life, speed the restoration of normal function and reduce the impact of illness on home and work life. “I love to educate patients and encourage a healthy lifestyle to further optimize and improve the patients quality of life.” You can learn more about Brendon on his website or his Instagram account (@bt.osteopathy). 

Today's episode is the final installment in the Exploring Pain series. Please make sure to listen to the first two episodes as those episodes lay the foundation for today's episode. In this episode, we explore outdated pain models and false beliefs that are held by many people regarding what causes pain and how pain should be treated. I hope you find the episode to be helpful! As I mentioned in the episode, my book has rehab programs for the most common pain issues and injuries and each body region has its own chapter. The programs have pictures of me doing the exercises and are broken into three phases, so that you can do your own rehab at home. Here is an Amazon link, if you want to learn more about my book. 

Today's episode is a follow-up on last week's pain science episode, so make sure to check that one out at the following link before diving into this week's episode.  In today's episode, we look at the pain loop and how sensory messages (afferent messages) ascend up the spinal cord to the brain and then create efferent responses (movement, pain stress) that descend back down the spinal cord to relevant regions of the body and muscles that will help the person move away from dangerous stimuli. This episode also addresses the three major types of pain (nociceptive, neuropathic and chronic) and how we think about treating these types of pain. I hope you find this episode to be helpful! As always, my book has comprehensive programs for the 50 most common pain issues and injuries. Each body region has its own chapter and all of the programs have pictures of me doing the exercises. Click the following Amazon link to learn more about my book. 

In today's episode, I introduce the science of pain and what current research has taught us about the physiology of pain. Whether you are a practitioner or someone experiencing pain, this episode will help you better manage painful symptoms. When we understand pain at a deeper level, we are able to identify the factors in our own lives that may be contributing to the pain we experience. Factors such as, sleep (quantity and quality), nutrition, stress levels, exercise and our beliefs about pain can greatly impact how we feel and how much pain we experience. Thank you for listening to this episode! I hope you find it to be helpful. If you are suffering from a painful condition, my book could be a great resource for you. It has rehab programs for the 50 most common injuries and pain issues and each body region has its own chapter. Each program has pictures of me doing the exercises and guides you through three phases of rehab. If you want to learn more about my book, click this Amazon link.

Sciatica is a umbrella term that refers to pain and/or altered sensation (numbness, tingling, heaviness) that travels into the sciatic nerve distribution or that of one of the lumbosacral nerve roots that makes up the sciatic nerve (L4-S3). Sciatica is caused by an irritation or inflammation of the sciatic nerve or one of the nerve roots that forms the sciatic nerve. It is often seen with disc bulges and herniations and spinal stenosis. Sciatica can also be caused by spondylolisthesis and, in rare cases, spinal tumors.  Sciatica has a lifetime incidence of 10-40%, so many of us will experience this issue at some point in our lifetime.  Sciatica is diagnosed via clinical testing such as the straight leg raise and slump tests and a description of symptoms that fits with the sciatic nerve's motor and sensory distributions. Sciatica is typically aggravated with lumbar flexion (bending forward), rotation or twisting of the spine and coughing. Treatment typically involves initially reducing acute symptoms with ice and heat, NSAIDs, avoiding provocative positions and activities (usually lumbar flexion) and muscle relaxants, in some cases. Rehab revolves around behavior modification, short courses of spinal mobilization and/or manipulation, nerve mobilizations and therapeutic exercises that target the hip and trunk with a primary emphasis on reducing neural irritation (centralization). Usually, mobility exercises help most initially and then strengthening exercises are added later.  Most cases resolve in 4-6 weeks. If symptoms don't improve after 6-8 weeks or there is a progressive loss of motor function (muscular weakness), then imaging may be helpful to rule out more severe disc bulges or herniations and other potential tissue causes. Clinicians should lookout for red flags such as progressive LE weakness, loss of bowel or bladder function, saddle paresthesia as these can point to acute neurological deficits. Here are links to YouTube videos that can help if you are experiencing sciatica right now. Sciatic Nerve Mobilization Exercises Low Back Disc Herniation Exercises Amazon Link For My Book

In today's episode, I talk with my friend and colleague, Dr. John Rusin. Dr. Rusin is one of the fitness and sports performance industry's leading experts in the pain-free performance training model that blends the world of strength and conditioning with clinical movement based diagnostic medicine to provide the ultimate results based methods, programming and practice for an impressively diverse demographic of elite athletes and general fitness clients. His innovative vision for the future of elite level sports performance physical therapy and injury prevention based training protocols are highlighted by the synergy of high-performance strength and hypertrophy programming with a cutting-edge, pain-free training methodologies, are revolutionizing the way his athletes and clients look, feel, function and perform. With more than a decade of elite-level training experience and advanced degrees in both exercise science and physical therapy, Dr. Rusin has developed performance, regeneration, and aesthetics programs for some of the world's best strength, power, and endurance athletes. Dr. Rusin's present and past client list include MLB All-Stars, NFL All-Pros, Olympic Gold, Bronze and Silver Medalists, World-Record-Holding Powerlifters, Elite Bodybuilders and Figure Competitors, All-World IronMan Triathletes, and top professional athletes from eight of the major American professional sports leagues. Dr. Rusin is an internationally recognized strength coach, speaker, and writer, whose work has been popularized throughout the sports performance and fitness industries in some of the most prestigious media outlets in our industry such as Men's Fitness, Men's Health, Testosterone Nation, Bodybuilding.com, Stack Magazine, and Muscle & Strength, to name a few. His innovative pain-free performance training systems have been taught to thousands of personal trainers, strength coaches and rehabilitation professionals from across the world. I hope you enjoy the episode and find it be be helpful! You can learn more about John's work at the following link.

In today's episode, Kirsten and I discuss manual therapy and how it should fit into the practitioner's approach based on more recent research. Manual therapy describes 'hands-on' techniques (massage, joint mobilization, adjustments/manipulations) that are performed on a patient by a practitioner. While these techniques can provide short-term pain relief in some cases, they should be delivered with the appropriate educational message. Unfortunately, some practitioners convince their patients that manual therapy interventions are needed on a regular basis in order to maintain joint alignment and one's health. This idea is not supported in the research. Here is a link to the research article I mentioned in the episode. Most research related to the treatment of pain and injury supports a combination of short-term manual therapy and therapeutic exercise. My book has therapeutic exercise programs for the most common orthopedic injuries and pain issues. Each body region has its own chapter and there are pictures of me performing the exercises. The programs are like what you would get if you came to the clinic to see me for physical therapy. Here is an Amazon bookstore link where you can learn more about my book.

In today's episode, I talk with my friend and fellow physical therapist entrepreur, Dr. Spencer Lalk, DPT. Dr. Lalk is a physical therapist renowned for his innovative approach to patient care. He has collaborated with leading health systems across the United States to elevate education, incorporate leading technology, and improve patient outcomes. As the founder of MedStory Media, Dr. Lalk empowers qualified health professionals to share their expertise with a global audience. Discover more about his work and insights by following him on Instagram @Lalkhealth.  

In today's episode, we cover tennis and golfer's elbow. We talk through common signs and symptoms and how you would go about treating these conditions.  Golfers elbow creates pain on the inside of the elbow where the wrist and finger muscles attach on the medial epicondyle. The condition is usually diagnosed as medial epicondylitis or epicondylalgia. Pain in this region is typically associated with activities that require repetitive use of the fingers and wrist (climbing, gripping, golf, etc). Because golfers elbow is due to an irritation of tendons, it responds well to a resistance training program that progressively increases the strength of the tendons. Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis is a tendon issue (i.e. tendinopathy) that typically involves pain in the region of the lateral elbow, which is where the tendon for the wrist and finger extensor muscles attaches. Like other tendon issues, strength training appears to be helpful in many cases for both reducing pain and improving the work capacity of the tendon. My book contains comprehensive rehab programs for the 50 most common conditions, including programs for tennis and golfer's elbow. Click the Amazon link below to learn more about the book.

In today's episode of the podcast, we cover common questions that were submitted on my Instagram account. Topics covered include: -How to fix clicking and popping in the shoulder and improve shoulder joint stability  -How to reduce knee joint stiffness -Best treatments for a meniscus tear -How to get back into exercise after a long layoff -Best exercises to strengthen gluteus medius and minimus  My book includes comprehensive programs for the 50 most common conditions that we treat in physical therapy. Each body region has its own chapter and the programs guide you through three phases of rehab and have pictures of me demonstrating all of the exercises. Conditions such as rotator cuff tears, meniscus injuries, arthritis, plantar fasciitis and sciatica are just a few of the issues covered in the book. In total, there are 30 rehab programs. Click the Amazon link to learn more about my book.

In today' episode, I talk with my friend and former colleague, Dr. Tim Van Haitsma, PhD. Dr. Van Haitsma graduated from Calvin College, earned a master's degree in exercise physiology at Indiana University and a doctorate in exercise physiology at the University of Utah. His expertise includes human physiology, exercise physiology, human performance, and clinical exercise physiology. His research interests focus on exercise-induced fatigue, both immediate and long-term, chronic fatigue syndrome, and how the mind affects human performance. You can learn more about his work by clicking HERE. Here is Dr. Van Haitsma's Instagram account.

In today's episode I answer questions that were submitted on my Instagram account. We cover topics including hamstring tendinopathy, patellar tendon injuries, anterior knee pain and how to gain confidence as a new practitioner. Here is the proximal hamstring tendinopathy research article I mentioned in the episode. My book has rehab programs for the 50 most common orthopedic conditions, including patellar tendon, hamstring tendon and anterior knee pain. Click the Amazon link to learn more about my book and to order a copy.

In today's episode, I discuss pelvic health physical therapy with pelvic health physical therapist, Dr. Christine Pieton. This area of musculoskeletal health is not understood well by most medical and rehabilitation practitioners and there is a great deal of misinformation that exists amongst the general population. This episode helps clear up much of these questions and can help you decide as to whether or not seeing a pelvic health specialist physical therapist would help you with any low back, pelvic or hip pain symptoms that you may be experiencing.  To learn more about Dr. Pieton's work, checkout her accounts and website below. Dr. Pieton's Website: https://www.pelvicsavvy.com Dr. Pieton's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@movewithDrChris Dr. Pieton's Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/pietonpt  

In this episode, I explain the different types of injuries according to which tissue was damaged. These categories include muscle strains, tendon injuries, ligament sprains, cartilage injuries, nerve injuries and bone injuries. Understanding what type of injury you have is useful when determining the most appropriate treatment plan and will help expedite the recovery process. To learn more about these injury types, chapter 7 in my book (Rehab Science: How to Overcome Pain and Heal From Injury) covers these categories in more detail. Additionally, the 30 rehab programs in my book will teach you the best exercises for recovering from the most common pain issues and orthopedic injuries. Thank you for listening! I hope you found this episode to be helpful. If you enjoyed this episode, would you please consider leaving a 5-star review for the podcast?

Today's episode covers patellofemoral joint pain and strategies that can be implemented to help relieve pain and improve your functional ability. Patellofemoral joint pain syndrome (PFPS) describes a very common condition in which a person experiences pain just behind the kneecap. Pain associated with this condition is usually reproduced with activities that put more stress on the joint, such as running, climbing stairs, squatting or prolonged sitting. Successful treatment of this condition revolves around temporary behavior modification, such as reducing running mileage and avoiding periods of prolonged sitting. Incorporating exercises that strengthen the hip (glutes) and knee (quads) muscles is also important. If you are experiencing pain at the front of the knee with some of the activities mentioned above, I have created a FREE PDF that will teach you some of the best exercises to implement. Visit my podcast page and subcribe to access this free resource. My book has a more comprehensive patellofemoral pain syndrome rehab program that guides you through three phases of rehab and has picture of me doing all of the exercises. Click HERE to learn more about my book.

In this podcast episode, I speak with pilates expert, Robin Long. Robin is the founder and CEO of Lindywell, which is a global wellness platform that reaches millions of women in more than 100 countries around the world. Robin lives and works in sunny Santa Barbara, CA. She obtained her comprehensive Pilates certification through Body Arts and Science International and her barre certification through Balanced Body. She is passionate about creating programs that empower, strengthen, restore and rejuvenate her clients form the inside out. We see more and more evidence supporting the use of Pilates for rehabilitation purposes, so I really enjoyed talking with Robin about how Pilates developed, her business and where Pilates fits into rehab as a tool for treating pain and injury. Click HERE to learn more about Robin's company and work.

Plantar fasciitis or fasciopathy (PF) is the most common cause of heel pain and occurs in sedentary and active individuals. The pain most commonly occurs at the front of the heel where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel bone (calcaneus).  Symptoms are typically sharp in nature and present after initially standing in the morning, after prolonged standing or when returning to standing after being seated for some time. PF is more common in runners and overweight individuals and can be associated with other factors like arch type, lower quarter strength and overall ankle and foot mobility. For a FREE PDF with some of the best, evidence-based exercises used to treat plantar fasciitis, make sure to subscribe to my podcast webpage at the following link. My book has comprehensive programs for the 50 most common conditions including a program for plantar fasciitis. The programs guide you through three phases of rehab and have pictures of me doing all of the exercises. Click HERE to learn more about my book. References: 1. Monteagudo M, de Albornoz PM, Gutierrez B, Tabuenca J, Álvarez I. Plantar fasciopathy: A current concepts review. EFORT Open Rev. 2018;3(8):485-493. 2018. 2. Rathleff MS, et al. High-load strength training improves outcome in patients with plantar fasciitis: A randomized controlled trial with 12-month follow-up. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2015.

In today's episode, I discuss the three phases of tissue healing. Understanding the phases of healing can help you better understand how long an injury will take to heal and what you should focus on during each phase of healing. The phases of healing covered in this episode include: Phase 1 - Inflammatory Phase (2-3 days) Phase 2 - Fibroblastic Phase (3 weeks) Phase 3 - Remodeling Phase (4 weeks to 12 months) The length of time spend in each phase will depend on the type of tissue that was injured (muscle, tendon, ligament, etc) and the grade of injury that was sustained. Click Here to access the research article regarding the managment of soft tissue injuries. I cover these phases in much more detail in chapter 8 of my book. My book also includes comprehensive rehabilitation programs for the most common orthopedic injuries and pain issues. Click the following Amazon link to learn more about my book.

In today's episode, I talk with human performance expert Dr. Jeremy Bettle, PhD about strategies you can implement to help boost your own performance.  Jeremy Bettle is internationally recognized as a leading expert in the field of Human Performance. His role as an innovator and disruptor, over almost 20 years, at the cutting edge of high performance sport led to the development of world-leading systems of athlete care and optimization. Now, as the founder of Vitality Collective, Jeremy is applying these principles of athlete optimization to the broader field of longevity, with individuals who don't leave any stone unturned in their pursuit of optimal health and vitality. You can learn more about Jeremy and his work HERE. You can also follow him on Instagram at the following link.  My self-guided rehab book is now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble and inludes comprehensive rehabilitation programs for the 50 most common injuries and pain issues. Each body region has its own chapter and the programs guide you through three phases of healing and have pictures of me doing the exercises. Here is an Amazon link, if you want to learn more about the book.  Rehab Science Instagram click here. Rehab Science YouTube click here.

Shoulder impingement is an older diagnosis that was thought to be due to a pinching or impinging of the rotator cuff (supraspinatus) tendon, biceps tendon or subacromial bursa. Pain would typically occur when lifting the arm away from the body and overhead. Over time, the name of this diagnosis was changed to ‘subacromial pain syndrome' as it became evident that most people have some degree of impingement and many never develop symptoms. Like numerous other pain disorders, the pathophysiology of this disorder has been found to be more complex and should not be thought of as a simple, mechanical phenomenon. If you would like to learn more about this condition, click this research article link. If you would like to access the rehab exercise PDF I mentioned in the episode, click this link. My book contains a comprehensive, 3-phased subacromial pain program that will teach you exercises to treat this issue on your own. Click this Amazon link to learn more about my book and to order a copy. 

In today's episode, I cover the three primary types of musculoskeletal pain, which include mechanical (nociceptive) pain, neuropathic (nerve) pain and chronic or persistent pain. Understanding what type of pain you have helps determine the best path forward in terms of which treatment options to pursue. In future episodes, I will dive deeper into specific treatment interventions for each type of pain.  If you are suffering from pain or an injury, my book has comprehensive rehab programs for the 50 most common injuries and pain issues. Each program guides you through three phases of rehab and has pictures of me doing the exercises. The book is almost 500 pages in length and each body region has its own chapter. It is the type of reference that is intended to help you manage your own pains and injuries. Click the following Amazon LINK to learn more about my book. 

In this episode, I talk with orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist, Dr. Jervis Yau, MD. We discuss a wide range of topics including hip impingement, rotator cuff tears, PRP and stell cell injections and ACL recontructions. Dr. Yau has a particular interest in minimally invasive techniques of the shoulder, knee, hip, elbow and ankle, as well as joint preservation and cartilage restoration procedures. He has published articles in peer-reviewed publications, books and orthopedic presentations dedicated to sports medicine and orthopedic conditions and treatments. Dr. Yau graduated from the University of California, San Diego and completed his Doctor of Medicine at New York Medical College where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale University School of Medicine, followed by his sports medicine fellowship at Sports Orthopedic and Rehabilitation (SOAR). If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a 5-star review for my podcast. It really helps the podcast build momentum and reach more people.  Click HERE to learn more about Dr. Yau's clincial practice in Santa Barbara, CA. Click HERE to learn more about my book. 

In this episode, I explain the treatment model I use when treating patients. Understanding this model, will help you manage pain issues or injuries that you might be dealing with now or encounter in the future.    This three phased model is covered in detail in each of the 30 rehab program in my self-guided rehab book and involves the following phases: Reduce Pain & Sensitivity - interventions include soft tissue mobilizations (massage and myofascial release techniques, gentle mobility exercises, nerve glides and isometric contractions). Address Impairments - In this phase of rehab, we focus on correcting any impairments that migh be present. These might include reduced mobility/range of motion, diminished motor control and/or limited strength. Rebuild Capacity - This last phase revolves around making the musculoskeletal system more resilient via resistance or strength training. Resistance training improves the strength and durability of many tissues, including muscles, tendons and bones.   I hope this episode was helpful to you! Having a treatment plan like the one I outlined here can reduce anxiety and fear that are often associated with pain issues and injuries.  If you have found my podcast to be helpful, would you please consider leaving a 5-star review for the podcast? Thank you!   Dr. Tom  

Welcome to the first episode of the Rehab Science Podcast! In this episode, I interview my wife and fellow orthopedic physical therapist, Dr. Kirsten Walters, DPT, CSCS. We discuss her background, how we met and the strategies we both implement to stay healthy. We cover a number of topics including, exercise, nutrition, supplements, sleep, stress management and more. If you enjoyed the episode, would you please consider leaving a review for the podcast? It really helps the podcast grow, so that we can help more people who are suffering from pain or a movement-related condition.