233: Optimizing Outcomes For Patients with Multiple Sclerosis With Researcher And Clinician, Herb Karpatkin, PT, DSc, NCS, MSCS
Release Date: 09/30/2024
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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_outlineHave you heard some things about working with people with MS that make you question how to approach their care? Are they old school thoughts or based on science? Who can tell?! You’ll know after listening to this episode! Hosts Erin Gallardo and Claire McLean had the privilege of speaking with Herb Karpatkin, PT, DSc, NCS, MSCS, a leading expert in physical therapy for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Herb shared invaluable insights from his decades of clinical experience and research, providing guidance for physical therapists on how to actually support patients with this complex neurological condition so they improve.
A key focus of Herb's research has been exploring ways to help MS patients overcome debilitating fatigue, which often limits their ability to participate in rehabilitation. He has found great success with intermittent training protocols, where patients alternate short bursts of activity with rest periods. Herb shares specific parameters from the research so you can use it now.
Next you must recognize that a significant portion of disability in MS patients may be due to deconditioning, rather than the neurological disease process itself. By implementing targeted reconditioning programs, physical therapists can make a substantial impact on improving functional mobility, even in those with advanced disease.
Herb's research has also demonstrated the benefits of high-intensity interval training for individuals with MS. Contrary to outdated beliefs, many MS patients are able to tolerate and thrive with aggressive exercise programs when implemented thoughtfully. Herb emphasizes the importance of gradually progressing patients to higher intensities, while closely monitoring for signs of fatigue.
To further support the MS community, Herb is actively involved with the Degenerative Disease Special Interest Group of the American Physical Therapy Association. This group has created a Clinician Locator Map to help patients find physical therapists with expertise in treating degenerative conditions like MS.
For your patients and clients with MS: MS Cooling Products Application
Sign up for the clinician locator map:
https://www.neuropt.org/special-interest-groups/degenerative-diseases/ddsig-clinician-locator-map
Register for the free webinar on MS interventions you can apply immediately here! https://www.neurocollaborative.com/ms-webinar