When 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 helped participants improve their fall risk factors, though self-efficacy was slower to change. She shares insights on why that could be and what can be done. Jamie shares key findings from her project and provides advice to those living in rural areas. This work highlights the critical need to address the disparities in Parkinson's care for those living in underserved communities. Jamie's dedication to finding solutions is inspiring, and her insights can help guide future efforts to improve access and outcomes.

To learn more about how the program got started and other details listen to this episode:

173: Improving access to care in rural areas and ramping up creative dual tasking 

https://www.parkinson.org/library/fact-sheets/exercise-recommendations

To get mentorship from Jamie inside NeuroSpark and Parkinson Focus Track visit www.joinneurospark.com today!

Vestibular 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 a number of reasons, which Patrick discusses as well as how inaccessible they have been until Vestibular First came to be.  In addition to having goggles, educational tools that help clinicians explain to patients why they are experiencing dizziness and what is actually going on in their inner ear were lacking. Vestibular First has a strong desire for accuracy and accessibility in their education tools and realistic models so you don’t need to use your imagination to understand what is actually going on.

Throughout the conversation, Patrick's passion for the vestibular community shines through. He speaks of the dedication and unique challenges faced by clinicians in this field, and the immense satisfaction of knowing their work is helping patients regain their quality of life. Vestibular First's story is a testament to the power of innovation driven by real-world needs. By prioritizing affordability, ease of use, and educational resources, the company is making a significant impact in the vestibular rehabilitation space, empowering clinicians and improving patient outcomes. You are sure to be inspired!

Learn more about Vestibular First and all of their resources at https://vestibularfirst.com

Follow them on IG @vestibularfirst

Get in touch with Patrick on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickesmonde/

174: Mastering the vestibular system with Helena Esmonde, PT, DPT, NCS

Join 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 mobile, cash-based practice then eventually serving in the online space for people with PD. Sarah openly shares the thought process that ultimately led her to shutting down Invigorate physical therapy and wellness.

Following her intuition Sarah landed in a position at Spero Rehab, a multi-location practice in TX that offers a mix of neuro and orthopedic services. She highlights Spero's key marketing strategies and provides insights to anyone looking to grow their practice with more reliable tactics than word of mouth. Sarah also discusses Spero's partnerships with nonprofits like the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation, which have provided equipment and resources to better serve their neuro patients. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration and connection in the neurotherapy community and what that looks like as well as the key ingredients responsible for the growth of Spero..

Learn more about Spero Rehab at www.sperorehab.com

Connect on IG: @sperorehab @sperorehabcentral @drsarahkingpt @gratefulpt 

Episode 226: How to start and scale an outpatient neuro practice with Katie Bouchillon, OTR, CBIST, MCMT

In 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 journey into VR began in the mid-to-late 90s, when his PhD mentors at Brandeis University introduced him to the technology. Despite the prohibitive cost of VR headsets at the time, Dr. Wright recognized its potential for clinical and research applications. Over the years, the affordability and capabilities of VR have significantly improved, with Oculus's affordable headset in 2010 further democratizing the technology.

In addition to his academic research, Dr. Wright has focused on studying conditions such as traumatic brain injury and Parkinson's disease. He explains the two-pronged aspect of his work - understanding the neuro control system and improving outcomes for patients. Upright VR initially focused on reducing fall risk in older adults, but has since expanded to address a wider range of balance disorders, including concussion treatment. The device is designed to be used by physical therapists for pre and post-treatment measurements, providing objective outcomes.

The Upright VR test involves visual vestibular mismatch and sensory reweighting conditions, aiming to identify specific sensory integration problems. Dr. Wright explains the importance of these conditions in assessing balance and the rationale behind the space capsule-like environment.

Beyond assessment, Upright VR offers targeted rehab modules in the form of games designed to address specific deficits, such as vestibular or ocular reflex problems. The device also provides recommendations based on test results to guide clinicians in their treatment plans.

Contact Dr. Wright at: [email protected]

UprightVR: www.uprightvr.com

VeDA

ISVR

Find UprightVR at RehabWeek2025

In 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 clinicians. There were some surprises and she shares what they were as well as future research questions. Does it have to only be done with walking? We discussed the core factors that make high intensity training desirable as well as what to do when you don’t have the equipment or an appropriate candidate for treadmill training. You’ll learn creative ways to implement high intensity training as well as the reason behind it. We also discuss what you’ll also need to add in addition to high intensity training because this impairment does not necessarily improve and needs to be addressed separately. Nervous about taking someone with an acute stroke who may have never worked out before into high levels of intensity? We talk about that too!

Feel free to contact Dr. Annie Tapp, PT, DPT, PhD at [email protected]

Articles mentioned in the episode:

Tapp, A., Griswold, D., Dray, D., Landgraff, N., & Learman, K. (2024). High-intensity locomotor training during inpatient rehabilitation improves the discharge ambulation function of patients with stroke. A systematic review with meta-analysis. Topics in stroke rehabilitation, 31(5), 431–445. https://doi.org/10.1080/10749357.2024.2304960

Tapp, A., Dray, D., Griswold, D., Haybarger, R., & Learman, K. (2024). A retrospective analysis of a clinician-initiated high-intensity locomotor training implementation project in an inpatient rehabilitation facility. Physiotherapy theory and practice, 1–10. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2024.2424354

Tapp, A. (2024). From Evidence to Practice: Efficacy and Implementation of High-intensity Locomotor Training for Stroke Rehabilitation [Doctoral dissertation, Youngstown State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1733749623360122

On 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 various solutions to creating a sustainable practice in neuro because it looks very different than an ortho practice.

Be sure to follow us on IG and send us a DM if you have questions about your neuro biz! @neurocollaborative 

Listen to our previous episode with Adriaan Louw, Episode 211

Request to join the NeuroBiz Besties free Slack channel

In 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 BlazePod goes beyond the fitness world and into function, how to do that and the open ended question of why it matters to increase reaction time in the neuro population. We also address the challenges physical therapists face in adopting new technologies like BlazePod, such as time constraints and lack of creativity in busy schedules.

Looking ahead, the BlazePod team is launching a new "Training Hub" feature to provide easier access to exercises and drills. Currently NeuroCollaborative has a webpage with free activities clinicians can upload to their app and run for free.  Find the link to that page below!

Follow Michael @michaelthetrainer // www.michaelthetrainer.com

Find great free exercises to use with your BlazePods here: www.neurocollaborative.com/blazepod

Don’t have BlazePod yet? Get a 20% discount with our affiliate code by going here: www.blazepod.com/neurocollaborative 

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