221: How To Start A Wellness Program For People With Neurologic Conditions: All Your Questions Answered!
Release Date: 07/08/2024
255: How We’re Going To Expand Access to Neuro Expertise
I Love Neuro
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...
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254: How And Why BlazePod + Neuro Rehab = A Power Combo With Michael Cummings
I Love Neuro
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...
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253: Mastering No-Cost Marketing Strategies With Emily Duval Ledger
I Love Neuro
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...
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252: Science Made Me Do It: Chosen VS Forced Behavior Change With Mike Studer, PT, DPT, MHS, NCS
I Love Neuro
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...
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251: How To Make Life Better For People With PD TODAY With Russell Meyerowitz
I Love Neuro
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...
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250: Uncovering The Role Of Speech Therapy In FND With Jenn Freeburn, MS, CCC-SLP
I Love Neuro
In this episode of the I Love Neuro podcast, host Erin Gallardo interviews speech-language pathologist Jenn Freeburn about her work treating patients with functional neurological disorders (FND). Freeburn, a specialist in acquired motor speech and cognitive communication disorders, provides a fascinating overview of the often overlooked role of speech therapy in this complex condition. Freeburn explains that 30-50% of patients with functional motor symptoms may also experience speech-related issues, ranging from stuttering and functional dysarthria to changes in prosody and vocal quality. SLPs...
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249: Navigating The PhD Journey And Advancing Vestibular Expertise With Christina Garrity, PT, DPT, NCS
I Love Neuro
In this episode of the I Love Neuro podcast, host Erin Gallardo sits down with Christina Garrity, PT, DPT, NCS who is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Cincinnati. Christina took an unconventional path into her PhD and has gotten a new appreciation for our profession in the process. She provides insights into the time commitment and coursework involved, highlighting the focus on research ethics, study design, and statistical analysis while also being a clinic owner. While Christina’s outpatient clinic focuses on vestibular patients, her PhD research focuses on stroke and why...
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248: Tackling the Challenges of Treating Ataxia With JJ Mowder-Tinney, PT, PhD, NCS
I Love Neuro
As rehab professionals, we often face unique challenges when working with patients who have ataxia. In today’s episode Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS, J.J. Mowder-Tinney, PT, PhD, NCS and Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS have a group discussion about working with people with it. One of the primary challenges is that often there can be slow progress. This can be exacerbated by the diverse underlying causes and presentations of ataxia, making it difficult to develop standardized treatment approaches. In today’s show we’ll discuss a couple of main points the research emphasizes to incorporate in...
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247: Follow These 5 Neuroplastic Principles To Improve Patient Outcomes (With Examples!) With Briana Elson, MS, OTR/L
I Love Neuro
In this episode occupational therapist Briana Elson, MS, OTR/L, BCPR, CBIS joined host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS to discuss 5 principles of neuroplasticity and how they can be applied in neurorehabilitation. Note: In a previous episode a different 5 were discussed (see the link to that episode below). No need to listen to the previous episode to get what you need out of this one though! In this episode, we discuss what the principles are and how to apply them to your neuro caseload: 1. Time Matters - Yes we know this, but what does that look like and what if time isn’t on your side? Learn...
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246: Tips For Running An Effective Strength Circuit Class For People With Parkinson’s
I Love Neuro
If you’re looking to develop a strength circuit class for people with neurologic diagnosis this episode is for you! Running a circuit class for people with physical and/or cognitive deficits can have challenges. You need to be mindful in order to ensure safety while also challenging your clients enough to promote change. This episode Erin Gallardo and Claire McLean will break down the method and approach that Claire uses at Rogue PT and Wellness running her 40 weekly exercise classes for people with PD. In the show we’ll break down the types of exercises to include in your circuit, short...
info_outlineIn this enlightening discussion, we have an open conversation with physical therapist Lauren Young, PT, DPT, CSRS, NCS, who reached out to Claire with a number of questions. She was willing to come on the podcast so everyone can benefit from the information. Lauren started a mobile neuro practice in February 2024 and is looking to develop group wellness classes to increase access to specialty services.
Claire answers the following questions:
1. How do you make exercise classes accessible for all levels of abilities in a group setting?
2. How did you start your wellness program, particularly regarding staffing and class structure?
3. How do you structure her membership model and pricing?
4. Looking back, is there anything Claire wishes she had done differently when first starting?
Key takeaways include:
1. Renting space from existing gyms or studios is a smart way to start without heavy upfront costs.
2. Structuring classes for different ability levels is crucial for safety and effectiveness.
3. A monthly membership model provides consistent revenue and commitment from clients.
4. Pricing should reflect the premium nature of specialized services, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.
5. Slow, steady growth allows for learning and adaptation as the business evolves.
This conversation offers a wealth of practical advice for PTs looking to expand into wellness programming for neurological patients, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, client-focused services, and sustainable business practices.
Find out more about Lauren Young here: NeuroElite Physical Therapy www.NeuroElitePT.com
@NeuroElitePT (Instagram)
Have a neuro biz and want a place to ask questions of other biz owners? Request to join the NeuroBiz Besties free Slack group here