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.