Let's Get Physical (Therapy)

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Bone stress injuries are often misunderstood—and frequently missed. In this episode, we sit down with primary care sports medicine physician Miranda Gordon-Zigel, MD to break down what physical therapists need to know about stress reactions and stress fractures, high-risk bone sites, low energy availability/RED-S, and smart return-to-running decisions. If you work with runners or field sport athletes, this episode will sharpen your clinical radar and your rehab approach. 

Please be sure to follow us on Instagram @medstarhealthpt and email: [email protected] with any questions or podcast ideas! Thank you for listening!

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In honor of Lymphedema Awareness Day on March 6th, this episode shines a light on a condition that is often misunderstood and underdiagnosed. I’m joined by Jean Caldwell, who shares her personal journey living with lymphedema, and Yvonne Francis, a lymphedema specialist physical therapist, who breaks down what lymphedema is, why early detection matters, and how physical therapy plays a critical role in treatment and long-term management. Together, this conversation blends patient experience and clinical expertise to educate, empower, and raise awareness. 

Please be sure to follow us on Instagram @medstarhealthpt and email: [email protected] with any questions or podcast ideas! Thank you for listening!

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Tendon pain can be frustrating, especially when you’re told to just rest and wait it out. But what if that advice is actually slowing your progress? 

Today I’m joined by Amora Valencia, a sports PT resident, to bust some of the most common tendon myths. We’re talking pain versus damage, why complete rest isn’t the answer, and how properly loading tendons is often the missing piece in recovery.

Please be sure to follow us on Instagram @medstarhealthpt and email: [email protected] with any questions or podcast ideas! Thank you for listening!

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In honor of Heart Health Month, I’m joined by Registered Dietitian Emily Fultz from Fit with Food to discuss how nutrition supports heart health, performance, and recovery. We break down heart-healthy fueling strategies, common nutrition fads, and why Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) matters for athletes and physical therapists. Emily also shares practical tips to help athletes in PT fuel recovery and long-term health. 

 How to find Emily and Fit with Food, LLC:

Website: https://fitwfood.com/ 

instagram and facebook: @fitwithfoodllc  

email: [email protected] 

Please be sure to follow us on Instagram @medstarhealthpt and email: [email protected] with any questions or podcast ideas! Thank you for listening!

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Today we’re talking about how PTs can better support patients after a cardiac event or cardiac surgery. We’re joined by an exercise physiologist, Eric Cecil, to discuss key physiological considerations, red flags, and how to safely progress exercise for this population. 

No matter your setting, if you work with patients who have a cardiac history, this episode will give you practical insights to guide them forward.

Please be sure to follow us on Instagram @medstarhealthpt and email: [email protected] with any questions or podcast ideas! Thank you for listening!

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This Heart Health Month episode brings together sports cardiologists Dr. Grant and Dr. Chukwurah for a deep dive into how cardiac health impacts athletic performance. We explore training adaptations, risk factors, return-to-play considerations after cardiac events, and what PTs should watch for during rehab. Whether you treat athletes or are one yourself, this episode delivers practical insights to keep the athletic heart safe and strong. 

Please be sure to follow us on Instagram @medstarhealthpt and email: [email protected] with any questions or podcast ideas! Thank you for listening!

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In Part 2, we shift from theory to application. Chris Palmer dives deeper into how physical therapists can truly help patients living with pain—breaking down practical metaphors to explain pain, strategies to validate a patient’s lived experience without reinforcing fear, and treatment ideas that align with modern pain science. This episode is all about turning understanding into action and giving clinicians tangible tools to build trust, confidence, and progress in the clinic. 

Please tune into last week’s episode to hear more about the foundation of this conversation!

Please be sure to follow us on Instagram @medstarhealthpt and email: [email protected] with any questions or podcast ideas! Thank you for listening!

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In Part 1 of this conversation, we sit down with physical therapist Chris Palmer to unpack how we arrived at the bio-psycho-social model of pain and why this shift matters so much in modern physical therapy. We explore the evolution of pain science—from tissue-focused explanations to a more comprehensive understanding of how biological, psychological, and social factors interact. Chris breaks down the different pain mechanisms or “buckets,” why identifying them is critical for clinical reasoning, and how therapists can begin translating complex pain science concepts into language patients actually understand. This episode lays the foundation for better assessment, communication, and care—setting the stage for a deeper clinical dive in Part 2. 

Please be sure to follow us on Instagram @medstarhealthpt and email: [email protected] with any questions or podcast ideas! Thank you for listening!

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Trail and ultra runners push the limits—but subtle red flags often get missed. In this episode, we discuss the unique risks in this population, what PTs and physicians should watch for, and why early recognition is key to keeping runners healthy and performing at their best. 

Please be sure to follow us on Instagram @medstarhealthpt and email: [email protected] with any questions or podcast ideas! Thank you for listening!

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Physical therapy is rewarding—but it’s also challenging. In this episode, Bryan Caplan dives into why so many PTs are rethinking their careers, from productivity pressures and insurance battles to career pivots and cash-based models. We explore practical solutions, ways to sustain a long career, and how PTs can thrive while providing great patient care. 

Check out our first podcast of Season Four where Kathryn Knill takes time to define what "Burnout" really means and it's often misunderstood and misused.

Please be sure to follow us on Instagram @medstarhealthpt and email: [email protected] with any questions or podcast ideas! Thank you for listening!