Unreal Results for Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers

In this episode of the Unreal Results podcast, I share how one hip mobilization technique led me down a rabbit hole of anatomy and ultimately changed the way I think about what we're actually affecting when we treat the hip.

What started as a way to address hip joint restrictions led me to explore the relationship between joint compression, hip centration, the pelvic floor, and the viscera. I explain how paying attention to treatment outcomes and consistently reassessing my athletes helped me recognize patterns that I might have otherwise missed.

I also catch you up on my recent experience with shingles and what it taught me about nerve pain, sensory symptoms, and the effects of stress on the body.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why I use medial and inferior hip glides for different hip mobility restrictions
• How joint compression may influence proprioception and movement
• The connections between the hip ligaments, obturator membrane, pelvic floor, and viscera
• Why recognizing patterns and reassessing treatment outcomes is essential for developing better clinical reasoning

This episode is a reminder that you don't need to have all the answers to be a great clinician, but you do need to stay curious and keep asking better questions.

Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episode:
Ep. 125: You're Already Treating The Viscera... You Just Don't Know It
Hip Mobility Video: Half-Kneeling Hip Medial Glide
Hip Mobility Video: Prone Supported Frog Hip Mobility
Hip Mobility Video: CKC Hip Rotation & Hip Abduction
Check out the Swelling Reduction Protocol Course Here!
Learn the LTAP® In-Person in one of my upcoming courses

Considering the viscera as a source of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction is a great way to ensure a more true whole body approach to care, however it can be a bit overwhelming on where to start, which is exactly why I created the Visceral Referral Cheat Sheet. This FREE download will help you to learn the most common visceral referral patterns affecting the musculoskeletal system. Download it at www.unrealresultspod.com

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When we think about lymphatic drainage, we tend to focus on moving fluid out of an area. But what about the fascial restrictions, pressure changes, and nervous system responses that influence how that fluid moves?

In this episode of the Unreal Results podcast, I'm joined by Leah Levitan of The Lymph Love Club to explore the relationship between fascia and the lymphatic system and why it matters for manual therapy.

Leah shares how she's moved beyond traditional lymphatic drainage protocols to integrate myofascial release, lymphatic techniques, and nervous system regulation into her treatments. We also discuss the importance of the head, neck, and thoracic inlet, the differences between superficial and deep lymphatics, and how self-treatment can make us better practitioners.

Plus, Leah walks me through her five-phase head and neck lymphatic drainage routine, demonstrating how these systems can be addressed together.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How fascia and lymphatics interact and why it matters for treatment
• Why improving fascial mobility may support lymphatic circulation
• How to move beyond rigid lymphatic drainage protocols
• How to integrate fascial work, lymphatic drainage, and self-treatment

One of my favorite things about this conversation is how it reinforces that we don't always need another technique or protocol. Sometimes, we just need a better understanding of how the systems we're already treating work together.

Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episode:
Learn more about the Lymph Love Club here!
Connect with Leah on Instagram
Learn the LTAP® In-Person in one of my upcoming courses

Considering the viscera as a source of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction is a great way to ensure a more true whole body approach to care, however it can be a bit overwhelming on where to start, which is exactly why I created the Visceral Referral Cheat Sheet. This FREE download will help you to learn the most common visceral referral patterns affecting the musculoskeletal system. Download it at www.unrealresultspod.com

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Sciatica comes from the sciatic nerve, right… Right?

This episode of the Unreal Results podcast was inspired by a recent conversation with a friend of mine who had self-diagnosed herself with sciatica. And while sciatica is often given as a diagnosis, it’s actually more of a description of symptoms than anything else. In this episode, you’ll hear how I actually think through sciatica and why those symptoms can have very different drivers beyond the sciatic nerve or lumbar spine.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How to differentiate between several potential drivers of sciatica-like symptoms
• Where visceral, peripheral neurovascular, and CNS influences fit into your assessment
• How I use the symptom presentation and the LTAP® to narrow down the potential driver

Odds are high that someone with sciatica symptoms is going to walk into your practice. This episode will give you a more connected framework for thinking through what to assess and ultimately, what to treat.

Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episode:
Get on the waitlist for the next cohort of the online LTAP® Level 1 course
Ep. 9: Left Side Sciatica or Right Side Shoulder Pain?
Ep. 27: Sciatica Secrets
Ep. 48: Small Intestine and Mesenteric Roots
Ep. 157: The Visceral Connection to Musculoskeletal Pain
Check out the Swelling Reduction Protocol Course Here!
Learn the LTAP® In-Person in one of my upcoming courses

Considering the viscera as a source of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction is a great way to ensure a more true whole body approach to care, however it can be a bit overwhelming on where to start, which is exactly why I created the Visceral Referral Cheat Sheet. This FREE download will help you to learn the most common visceral referral patterns affecting the musculoskeletal system. Download it at www.unrealresultspod.com

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Join the MovementREV email list to stay up to date on the Unreal Results Podcast and MovementREV education.

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Get on the waitlist for the next cohort of the online LTAP® Level 1 course

In this episode of the Unreal Results podcast, I share some thoughts sparked by the Tactical Strength Coach Annual Training around building trust, getting people out of pain, and improving movement. I unpack what actually builds trust with your clients and why getting results is such an important piece of that relationship. I also challenge the common approach of using movement to correct movement and explore why understanding why the body is moving that way can completely change where you start treatment.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• The three things I believe create trust between practitioners and clients
• How a better assessment can improve both your outcomes and your confidence as a practitioner
• Why where you start treatment may matter more than the treatment tool you choose

If you want your clients to trust you, you have to be able to help them get results. But getting better results might require changing the way you think about the problem in the first place.

Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episode:
Get on the waitlist for the next cohort of the online LTAP® Level 1 course
Get on the waitlist for the REVitalize Mentorship (2026-2027)
Ep. 125: You're Already Treating The Viscera... You Just Don't Know It
Check out the Swelling Reduction Protocol Course Here!
Learn the LTAP® In-Person in one of my upcoming courses

Considering the viscera as a source of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction is a great way to ensure a more true whole body approach to care, however it can be a bit overwhelming on where to start, which is exactly why I created the Visceral Referral Cheat Sheet. This FREE download will help you to learn the most common visceral referral patterns affecting the musculoskeletal system. Download it at www.unrealresultspod.com

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Watch the podcast on YouTube and subscribe!

Join the MovementREV email list to stay up to date on the Unreal Results Podcast and MovementREV education.

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In this episode of the Unreal Results podcast, I share a personal story about a massage experience that sparked a much bigger conversation about clinical decision-making, practitioner ego, and why the lower leg deserves far more attention than it typically gets. I unpack the anatomy of the calf, the role of fluid congestion, nerve entrapment, and compartmental relationships. I also walk through the exact sequence I use to assess and treat the lower leg in my clients.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why lower leg congestion can influence pain, mobility, and treatment outcomes
• The key anatomical regions I assess before doing deep tissue calf work
• How I sequence lower leg treatment to improve lymphatic, venous, and neural function
• A practical framework for combining patient priorities with assessment findings

This episode is a reminder that assessment should guide treatment, not habit, routine, or practitioner preference, and will challenge you to think differently about both the information your clients give you and the information their bodies are trying to communicate.

Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episode:
Ep. 3: Swelling Reduction Protocol That Works Like Magic
Ep. 8: Unlocking The Fibula
Ep. 14: The Stories We Tell: A Lesson From My Compartment Syndrome
Ep. 18: Lessons From My Back Surgery - Part 1
Ep. 19: Lessons From Back Surgery - Part 2
Ep. 20: Reflexive Core Stability: Lessons From My Back Surgery - Part 3
Ep. 25: The Peripheral Heart
Ep. 37: Swelling Protocol Update
Ep. 47: Always Check The Distal Pulses
Ep. 53: Shin Splints: Beyond Overtraining & Rest - Complete Guide
Ep. 138: The Link Between Potassium and Shin Splints
Ep. 149: Rethinking the Popliteus in Knee Rehab
Check out the Swelling Reduction Protocol Course Here!
Learn the LTAP® In-Person in one of my upcoming courses

Considering the viscera as a source of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction is a great way to ensure a more true whole body approach to care, however it can be a bit overwhelming on where to start, which is exactly why I created the Visceral Referral Cheat Sheet. This FREE download will help you to learn the most common visceral referral patterns affecting the musculoskeletal system. Download it at www.unrealresultspod.com

=================================================
Watch the podcast on YouTube and subscribe!

Join the MovementREV email list to stay up to date on the Unreal Results Podcast and MovementREV education.

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In this episode of the Unreal Results podcast, I had a chat with my good friend and colleague, Missy Bunch, on an Instagram live to unpack one of my favorite shoulder assessment clues: the armpit.  We explore how scapular upward rotation, serratus anterior function, and glenohumeral hypermobility all influence what you see and feel during shoulder assessment. You’ll hear why many people appear to have full shoulder range of motion while quietly borrowing mobility from the wrong place, how serratus anterior dysfunction can hide in plain sight, and what happens when those compensations are left unchecked for years.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why a missing armpit can be a sign of poor scapular upward rotation
• The relationship between the scapula, serratus anterior, and glenohumeral joint mechanics
• How to assess scapular upward rotation and identify common compensations
• A simple exercise I use to retrain scapular mechanics and improve upward rotation

The shoulder rarely works in isolation, and this episode will help you better assess shoulder function while understanding how small changes in scapular mechanics can create significant differences in long-term outcomes.

Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episode:
Ep. 16: Why The Shoulder Comes Last
Ep. 17: A New Picture Of Shoulder Mechanics
Ep. 69: Why Your Shoulder Treatments Might Not Be Enough
Ep. 140: Why Acute Shoulder Pain Isn’t Always a Shoulder Problem
Ep. 159: Long Thoracic Nerve Palsy: Anatomy, Assessment & Recovery
Save 50% on my course - Never Treat The Shoulder First (use code ARMPIT or ARMPITS)
Save 50% on my course w/ Missy - The Nerve Workshop (use code ARMPIT or ARMPITS)
Learn the LTAP® In-Person in one of my upcoming courses

Considering the viscera as a source of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction is a great way to ensure a more true whole body approach to care, however it can be a bit overwhelming on where to start, which is exactly why I created the Visceral Referral Cheat Sheet. This FREE download will help you to learn the most common visceral referral patterns affecting the musculoskeletal system. Download it at www.unrealresultspod.com

=================================================
Watch the podcast on YouTube and subscribe!

Join the MovementREV email list to stay up to date on the Unreal Results Podcast and MovementREV education.

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In this episode of the Unreal Results podcast, I share the case of a Navy SEAL candidate with severe scapular winging and progressive serratus anterior paralysis after months of failed treatment. I walk through the anatomy of the long thoracic nerve and serratus anterior in detail, including the entrapment sites, fascial relationships, and neural connections that can completely change how you assess and treat these cases. I also share how integrating neural manipulation, visceral treatment, mobility work, and targeted strengthening helped this athlete regain function far faster than expected.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• The most common entrapment locations for the long thoracic nerve and why they matter clinically
• How cervical compression, thoracic outlet mechanics, and breathing patterns may contribute to scapular winging
• Why upward rotation mobility is just as important as strengthening in serratus anterior rehab
• Practical strategies for restoring upward rotation strength, scapular control, and thoracic mobility

This case is a great example of why treating the body as a whole organism instead of isolating a single muscle or diagnosis can completely change clinical outcomes. 

Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episode:
Ep. 99: Navigating The Complex Case Of Diaphragm Paralysis
My Online Course I Mentioned - The Nerve Workshop with Missy Bunch and Anna Hartman
My Online Shoulder Course - Never Treat The Shoulder First
Learn the LTAP® In-Person in one of my upcoming courses

Considering the viscera as a source of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction is a great way to ensure a more true whole body approach to care, however it can be a bit overwhelming on where to start, which is exactly why I created the Visceral Referral Cheat Sheet. This FREE download will help you to learn the most common visceral referral patterns affecting the musculoskeletal system. Download it at www.unrealresultspod.com

=================================================
Watch the podcast on YouTube and subscribe!

Join the MovementREV email list to stay up to date on the Unreal Results Podcast and MovementREV education.

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In this episode of the Unreal Results podcast, I unpack the anatomical and pressure-based relationships between the liver, abdominal cavity, and pelvic floor through both a clinical case study and a deep dive into visceral anatomy. I share how restoring liver mobility changed a client’s stress incontinence, core function, breathing mechanics, and lower body mobility.  You’ll also hear why understanding pressure gradients and visceral relationships can completely shift the way you assess and treat the body.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

• How pelvic floor dysfunction is influenced by ribcage position, breathing mechanics, and abdominal pressure
• A detailed breakdown of the liver’s anatomical connections to the diaphragm, abdominal wall, bladder, and pelvic floor
• How visceral dysfunction can alter hip rotation, core control, and breathing mechanics
• Practical ways to assess objective orthopedic changes when treating visceral or pelvic complaints

If you’ve been treating pelvic floor dysfunction, core instability, or movement limitations without considering the visceral system, this episode may completely change the way you think about human movement and function.

Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episode:
Ep. 58: The Whole Organism Approach w/ Nicole Cozean
Ep. 150: A Clinical Case Study in Sacral Pain & Index of Suspicion
Fit + Fueled Life Podcast: Ep. 334 - What Your Injuries Are Trying to Tell You After 40 (& Why You’re Not Healing)
Pelvic PT Rising Podcast - Beyond The Obvious: An Interview with Anna Hartman
Learn the LTAP® In-Person in one of my upcoming courses

Considering the viscera as a source of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction is a great way to ensure a more true whole body approach to care, however it can be a bit overwhelming on where to start, which is exactly why I created the Visceral Referral Cheat Sheet. This FREE download will help you to learn the most common visceral referral patterns affecting the musculoskeletal system. Download it at www.unrealresultspod.com

=================================================
Watch the podcast on YouTube and subscribe!

Join the MovementREV email list to stay up to date on the Unreal Results Podcast and MovementREV education.

Be social and follow me:
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In this episode of the Unreal Results podcast, I unpack the relationship between the viscera, the nervous system, and the musculoskeletal system and why understanding this connection can completely change your clinical outcomes. I walk you through the physiology behind visceral referred pain, how the spine and organs influence each other, and how to start integrating this into your assessment and treatment approach without overcomplicating your process.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

• How visceral organs create referred pain through shared neural pathways
• The difference between visceral referral and viscerosomatic reflexes
• Why common pain presentations (low back, shoulder, pelvic) may not be musculoskeletal in origin
• How to use spinal levels and anatomy to guide more effective treatment

This episode is about expanding your lens so you’re not just treating symptoms, but understanding what’s driving them.

Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episode:
Get my Visceral Referrals Cheat Sheet HERE
Ep. 125: You're Already Treating The Viscera... You Just Don't Know It
Book I Mentioned - From Manual Evaluation to General Diagnosis: Assessing Patient Information before Hands-On Treatment by Alain Croibier*
Learn the LTAP® In-Person in one of my upcoming courses

*This link is an Amazon affiliate link, meaning I earn a commission from any qualifying purchases that you make

Considering the viscera as a source of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction is a great way to ensure a more true whole body approach to care, however it can be a bit overwhelming on where to start, which is exactly why I created the Visceral Referral Cheat Sheet. This FREE download will help you to learn the most common visceral referral patterns affecting the musculoskeletal system. Download it at www.unrealresultspod.com

=================================================
Watch the podcast on YouTube and subscribe!

Join the MovementREV email list to stay up to date on the Unreal Results Podcast and MovementREV education.

Be social and follow me:
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Have you ever finished an exam on a client and had no way to recreate their symptoms?

In this episode of the Unreal Results podcast, I walk you through a real clinical case that challenged the traditional biomechanical lens.  On paper, this athlete had a clear diagnosis and had already done all the “right” things (mobility work, strengthening, injections) yet the issue kept coming back. I walk you through my full assessment process, from orthopedic test, the LTAP®, and general listening, and why the body ultimately led me somewhere completely unexpected.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

• Why a “normal” biomechanical exam doesn’t always mean nothing is wrong
• How to think beyond local tissue when symptoms don’t match the presentation
• What central nervous system protection patterns can look like clinically
• How sequencing your treatment changes outcomes

If you had this client and didn’t have other assessments such as the LTAP®, I’d love for you to send me a message letting me know what you would have done!

Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episode:
Join the Online Spring LTAP® Level 1 2026 cohort
Ep. 149: Rethinking the Popliteus in Knee Rehab
Ep. 150: A Clinical Case Study in Sacral Pain & Index of Suspicion
Learn the LTAP® In-Person in one of my upcoming courses

Considering the viscera as a source of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction is a great way to ensure a more true whole body approach to care, however it can be a bit overwhelming on where to start, which is exactly why I created the Visceral Referral Cheat Sheet. This FREE download will help you to learn the most common visceral referral patterns affecting the musculoskeletal system. Download it at www.unrealresultspod.com

=================================================
Watch the podcast on YouTube and subscribe!

Join the MovementREV email list to stay up to date on the Unreal Results Podcast and MovementREV education.

Be social and follow me:
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube