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_outlineOn today’s episode Claire McLean and Erin Gallardo offer an update to a previous episode on setting up overhead harness systems for your neuro rehab gym the way Claire has it set up at Rogue. Rogue has a DIY, relatively inexpensive setup using things like anchors, rope ratchets, and construction-style harnesses.
The big update to share was finding some new products that have really improved the comfort and usability of their system. The addition of "quick links,” which are essentially two carabiners connected by a nylon spacer helps keep the bulky pulleys and hardware away from people's heads.
They also talked about using a spreader bar, which helps position the support points even further away when doing single-point balance training. Claire was really excited about these little upgrades, saying they were "game changers" that made a big difference in how comfortable and safe the system is for their clients.
Additionally they also discussed other helpful aspects of the treadmill set up like Swiss balls and chalk lines on the treadmills, to help people with conditions like Parkinson's take bigger steps. Lots of little tricks to make the training environment as supportive as possible.
The updates in this episode will help you create an even better set up and system! Please reach out with any questions or shares at [email protected]
Episode 139: How To Create Your Own Harness Set Up Like Rogue’s
Claire’s equipment mentioned (not affiliate links)