In 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 progress and determine marketing ROI.

Nurturing Referral Relationships: Building authentic connections with referral sources, like other healthcare providers, was emphasized as a powerful long-term strategy. Keeping these partners informed and making them feel like heroes for sending you clients is key.

Pricing for Value: Offering packages that deliver the best results for clients, rather than just having multiple price points, was recommended. This ensures you attract the right clients and get paid for the true value you provide.

The discussion provided practical, low-cost tips neuro businesses can implement to effectively market themselves and grow their practices. The key is focusing on strategies that align with your unique clientele and services.

If you have a neuro business and want to join our NeuroBiz Besties free Slack group, fill out this form so we can learn more about you and see if it’s a good fit!

Interested 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 understand when the activities we’re doing or choices we’re making are releasing neurochemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, why Mike says “exercise is medicine” is dead and more!

Get your opportunity to learn more and ask Mike your questions live by registering for a free webinar! Register here: http://www.neurocollaborative.com/studer

Follow Mike on IG @mikestuderdpt

www.mikestuder.com

Get your copy of the Brain That Chooses Itself Here

In 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 Parkinson's today, including the significant financial and emotional toll on people and their loved ones.

The Parkinson Wellness Fund provides grants averaging $350-$400 to cover a wide range of needs, from fitness classes and home modifications to assistive devices. The organization is committed to removing barriers and making their services accessible to all PWP, regardless of their financial situation or location.

Russell shared his perspective on the challenges of the current healthcare system and research landscape around Parkinson's. He questioned the focus on finding a "cure" when the costs of living with Parkinson's are already so high for many families. Instead, he advocated for a greater emphasis on improving quality of life through exercise, nutrition, and accessible support services. Russell shared stories of how the Parkinson Wellness Fund has helped families connect with resources and find hope in the midst of their struggles.

Learn more about the Parkinson’s Wellness Fund at www.parkinsonswellnessfund.org - Please support it and share it with anyone who could benefit from a grant!

Follow them in IG @parkinsonswellnessfund

In 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 that can involve memory problems, word-finding difficulties, and other cognitive challenges. As well as functional swallowing disorders, which often overlap with vocal symptoms and can lead to significant weight loss and deconditioning.

In terms of treatment, Freeburn emphasizes the importance of a thorough assessment and a patient-centered, collaborative approach. She shares examples of creative techniques, such as using external cues, distractions, and even mimicry, to help patients regain natural speech patterns. Freeburn also highlights the potential for significant improvement, noting that some patients can achieve near-complete recovery of their symptoms.

Throughout the conversation, Freeburn advocates for increased awareness and understanding of the role of speech therapy in FND and a collaborative approach.

Check out the resources shared:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34210802/ and https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37775195/

FND Resources we’ve gathered

In 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 this.

In the show we discuss how to be a responsible consumer of research literature because there are things you may not be seeing unless you think more critically. Christina also shares her perspectives on the practical application of clinical practice guidelines and the necessity of individualized care.

Christina is also the lead mentor in the collaborative group VestiBesties. In VestiBesties, she appreciates the ability to provide real-time feedback and guidance to participants, addressing advanced vestibular assessments, concussion interventions, and other complex topics.

Follow Christina in IG @vestibular_neuro_pt

Click here to learn more about VestiBesties

As 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 incorporate in your treatments for people with ataxia. We’ll discuss the question of how to divide up your time in the session, how to uncover what their true capabilities are, and how to balance care partner training into sessions. 

Some treatment examples include incorporating sensory input, start-stop techniques, resistance training, whole task versus part task training, ocular motor training and visual tracking exercises to address the challenges patients face with balance and stability.

Join us for a free webinar on working with patients with Ataxia on Jan 28, 2025!

Register here: Navigating Ataxia Treatment: Practical Tools for PTs and OTs

In 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 look like and what if time isn’t on your side? Learn what to do!

2. Salience Matters - This one is so important, but what if your patient MUST learn a novel task?? (For example, someone with vision impairment who must learn to use equipment or new strategies to navigate the environment). Is there any hope? Turns out there is! 

3. Age Matters - Younger brains demonstrate more plasticity, but we work with so many people with aging brains. What should you know?

4. Transference - Skills learned in one area can transfer to similar tasks, which is especially useful in cognitive rehabilitation when teaching strategies. How can you harness this?

5. Interference - Do previous compensatory behaviors interfere with retraining proper movement patterns? What about the argument that kinematics don’t matter, just get someone moving? Why context matters and how and when to use error augmentation vs error-less learning.

Listen to episode 197 for our first conversation on the principles of neuroplasticity

Listen to our interview on using the Vivistim episode 196

www.joinneurospark.com to learn more about NeuroSpark and get access to Bri’s lecture on Central Vision mentioned in the episode!

If 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 include in your circuit, short cuts to reduce confusion, the flow and structure of a comprehensive class, how to approach the conversation about which class is right for your client, and when to split into different levels of classes.

Check out a related past episode: 

Episode 219: Hi-Fi exercise class episode

Curious 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 into the key principles of neuroplasticity, such as repetition, context specificity, and multimodal sensory integration. One particularly intriguing aspect is the concept of "avatar representation," where VR creates a digital clone of the patient, allowing them to witness and experience their own healthy movement patterns. This innovative approach can significantly enhance motor learning and functional recovery. Ramiro also discusses the potential of VR in balance assessment and training. By expanding on traditional sensory organization testing, VR-based assessments can provide highly accurate and standardized data, enabling clinicians to identify deficits earlier and tailor interventions accordingly. As the field of neurorehabilitation continues to evolve, the integration of virtual reality holds immense promise. By harnessing the power of this technology, clinicians can unlock new avenues for neuroplasticity-driven recovery, ultimately improving outcomes and quality of life for their patients.

UprightVR

UprightVR LinkedIn

Are 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 younger populations and how to adapt what you do for this population. Working with autistic adults is something many neuro therapists may not be accustomed to. Learn which strategies will work best to help these clients succeed. If you’ve ever felt like you weren’t “cool” enough to get along with younger adult patients we’ve also got tips for that! Regardless of how you’ve felt in the past, this episode will allow you to have the confidence you need to help the clients who really need you!

Resources shared:

https://www.autisticphysicaltherapist.com/about

Follow Cameron Brown on IG @dr_mama_brown

National Association of Black Physical Therapists

Follow NABPT @nabpt_