The Evolution of Physical Therapy: A Conversation with Larry Benz | Rehab Remix S1 E3
Rehab Remix: Reimagining Boundaries
Release Date: 07/24/2025
Rehab Remix: Reimagining Boundaries
Rehab Remix - Taking the Lab to the Clinic: Perspectives from Chuck Thigpen Welcome to Rehab Remix Reimagining Boundaries, hosted by Rohit Nayak, co-founder of Band Connect. In this episode, Rohit speaks with Dr. Charles Thigpen, Chief Clinical and Strategy Officer at ATI Physical Therapy. They delve into Dr. Thigpen's extensive career in physical therapy, the role of clinical innovation, and the impact of connected health on orthopedic rehab. Dr. Thigpen shares his journey from academia to industry, his experiences in blending process engineering with clinical care, and the importance...
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Rehab Remix: Innovations in Sports Physical Therapy with Brent Pekarski Welcome to 'Rehab Remix Reimagining Boundaries,' a podcast that delves into the future of orthopedic rehabilitation through clinical innovation and digital health. Hosted by Rohit Nayak, co-founder of Band Connect, this episode features Brent Pekarski, a board-certified clinical specialist in sports physical therapy and Director of Physical Therapy at Druzinsky Sports Medicine Institute. Brent shares his journey in the rehab world, discusses his engagement with youth athletes, and elaborates on the integration of...
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Our next episode of Rehab Remix: Reimagining Boundaries features . Simon is the Director of Physical Therapy at , a Louisville based multi-disciplinary orthopedic care and rehab provider. I first connected with Simon through a spine surgeon working at Aptiva. Our interactions demonstrated Simon’s passion and purpose-driven approach for what he and Aptiva are doing for orthopedic care and rehab. Our podcast discussion does not disappoint. His first introduction to Physical Therapy started as an athlete, which soon became his professional focus through his training at Washington...
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In this episode of 'Rehab Remix, Reimagining Boundaries,' Band Connect introduces Larry Benz. It was too hard to find one label to describe Larry - so we went with the name of his substack blog - #AllThingsPhysicalTherapy. You can hear his extensive journey in PT in his own words, how he started, and continued to systematically build upon his achievements while shaping a foundation for the industry at large. And.. the story is still being written. Larry shares insights into the evolution of physical therapy, challenges with business models, and the integration of technology...
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Join us in conversation with Alex Bendersky, DPT, Founder of the Rehab Think Tank, and a seasoned physical therapist with over two decades of experience. By virtue of his innovative pursuits, Alex has a large following in the PT Rehab community and is one of the leading community members in orthopedic rehabilitation. For over 20 years, Alex has helped shape the field through clinical expertise and an unwavering commitment to innovation. A pioneer in integrating evidence-based technology into physical therapy, he’s also a regular presenter at national conferences such as @APTA. In...
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Join us in our discussion with Dr. Joe Kvedar, Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School and a pioneer in telemedicine, as he shares his groundbreaking journey over 30 years or more. In addition to being an early practitioner, he probably coined many of the terms we use these days. As significant as his contributions have been, he continues his paving activities forward in numerous ways, including with his role in launching the new RTM (Remote Therapeutic Monitoring) CPT codes, possibly a precursor to value-based care models in rehab therapy. He is also the Editor-in-Chief at...
info_outlineIn this episode of 'Rehab Remix, Reimagining Boundaries,' Band Connect introduces Larry Benz. It was too hard to find one label to describe Larry - so we went with the name of his substack blog - #AllThingsPhysicalTherapy. You can hear his extensive journey in PT in his own words, how he started, and continued to systematically build upon his achievements while shaping a foundation for the industry at large. And.. the story is still being written.
Larry shares insights into the evolution of physical therapy, challenges with business models, and the integration of technology like AI in clinical practice. He also emphasizes the importance of patient engagement, adherence to treatment plans, and the future potential for hybrid therapeutic models. Inevitably, the concerning trends of the current PT business model are also discussed, though you’ll also hear his energizing optimism for what's ahead. The episode delves into the intersection of technology, patient care, and business in revolutionizing the PT field, the role of technology like AI in physical therapy, and the importance of clinician-patient relationships in achieving successful outcomes. Hear it all for yourself.
00:00 Introduction to Rehab Remix
00:47 Meet Larry Benz: A PT Luminary
02:11 Larry's Journey in Physical Therapy
03:11 Entrepreneurial Ventures and Innovations
04:06 Military Experience and Early Innovations
05:54 Private Practice and Higher Education Disruption
08:03 Network Management and Industry Leadership
08:47 Adopting Technology and AI in PT
10:06 Blended Learning and Remote Therapy
22:12 Patient Engagement and Compliance
26:51 The Existential Crisis in Physical Therapy
27:57 The Unchanging Business Model of PT
29:07 Post-COVID Challenges and Shortages
31:27 Value-Based Care in PT: A Declining Trend
34:37 Alternative Payment Models: A Glimmer of Hope
35:59 The Hinge IPO and AI in Healthcare
37:10 The Future of Digital Health and PT
44:32 Private Equity in PT: A Cause for Concern
45:25 Advice for Aspiring PTs
47:38 Closing Thoughts and Optimism for the Future
Where to find Larry:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lbenz/
Where to find Rohit:
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/nayakr
- Band Connect LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/band-connect/
- Website: http://www.bandconnect.net
The Rehab Remix podcast is brought to you by Band Connect Inc. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify and watch on YouTube.