294: Myoelectric Functional Orthosis: Myomo And Upper Extremity Rehabilitation
Release Date: 12/01/2025
294: Myoelectric Functional Orthosis: Myomo And Upper Extremity Rehabilitation
I Love Neuro
In this episode of the I Love Neuro podcast host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS talks to Christian Leonakis, PT, DPT, Alanna Wathen, PT, DPT, and Danielle Parmenter, MOT, OTR/L, SCLV about Myomo and the MyoPro upper extremity myoelectric orthosis. The world of neurological rehabilitation, innovation continues to push the boundaries of what's possible for patients recovering from stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other neurological conditions. Enter Myomo, a groundbreaking myoelectric orthosis that's changing lives one arm movement at a time. This isn't just another medical device—it's a...
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293: Navigating Dystonia With Leann Vitale, MS, OTR/L
I Love Neuro
Is treating dystonia making you stuck? Dystonia remains one of the most challenging neurological conditions for clinicians to understand and treat. In this episode, hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS talk to occupational therapist Leanne Vitale, MS, OTR/L about her holistic approach that goes far beyond traditional treatment methods. Dystonia isn't just a movement disorder; it's a complex interplay of neurological, psychological, and sensory experiences. Leanne emphasizes that understanding dystonia requires looking beneath the surface—much like an iceberg,...
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292: Balance Reimagined Using The Gibbon SlackBoard With Derek Mikulski
I Love Neuro
Are you looking for tools to challenge dynamic balance? Duh! Check out what makes the Gibbon SlackBoard different and how it can transform balance outcomes. In the episode, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews Derek Mikulski, BS, CSCS, CPT, National Director of Commercial Sales for Gibbon about what makes the SlackBoard different from other balance tools clinicians use, like foam pads and BOSU balls. Derek described his entrepreneurial journey that led him to Gibbon. The SlackBoard was born from a passion for fitness and personal transformation, and brings slack lining technology into...
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291: Let’s Have A Chat About Your Biz Finances With Emily Duval Ledger
I Love Neuro
On today’s episode hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS talk with NeuroBiz coach Emily Duval Ledger about a topic many clinicians and business owners find intimidating: Money. This is exactly why we need to talk about it! Are you investing, saving, or putting systems into place in your business for money management and your future? If not, we understand. And we also want to help make this less overwhelming. Learn how to break down your financial goals and understand your true needs so you can create a business that supports both your professional passion...
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290: Brace Yourself: AFOs After Stroke With Dr. Jennifaye Brown, PT, MSPT, PhD, NCS, CAPS
I Love Neuro
Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) are essential in neuro rehab yet can be an area clinicians feel a lack of knowledge. This episode is for the clinician who is both - super knowledgeable about AFOs, AND the clinician who could use more education. Hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS interview Dr. Jennifaye Brown, PT, MSPT, PhD, NCS, CAPS about her work transforming the way we think about ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) for stroke survivors. Her approach goes far beyond traditional medical practice, focusing on personalization, functionality, and patient empowerment. Her level...
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289: How Not To Abandon The Hemiplegic Arm In Every Treatment Session With Dr. Melissa Kimmerling, EdD, MOT, OTR/L
I Love Neuro
How well are you incorporating the hemiparetic arm of your client into every treatment technique? Do you know when to use remediation vs compensation techniques? Let’s talk about it! On today’s episode host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Dr. Melissa Kimmerling, EdD, MOT, OTR/L dive into strategies for upper extremity recovery, focusing on patients with limited arm function after neurological injuries. Dr. Kimmerling, an occupational therapy expert, shares invaluable insights into helping patients maximize their arm's potential, even when movement is minimal. The discussion centers on the...
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288: Should You Add Exercise Coaching To Your Practice?
I Love Neuro
In this episode, hosts Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS and Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS discuss a new service Claire added for members of Rogue, her Parkinson’s wellness gym in southern California. She added weekly, open exercise coaching sessions for all members. She decided to add these sessions because after sharing research articles with members there were a lot of questions about how to actually implement the advice into their lives. Claire shares the research articles that prompted the idea of adding exercise coaching, an article from Frazzitta (see link below). The researchers performed a...
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287: How To Get More Engagement In Your Social Media With Katie Nathan, PT, DPT, NCS
I Love Neuro
If you’re a business owner you’re probably doing (or trying to do) social media in order to get more clients. How’s that going? Don’t worry - we know it can be a challenge! In this week’s episode hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS talked to Katie Nathan, PT, DPT, NCS owner of Move by Movement in Reno, Nevada, and NeuroBiz coach Emily Duval Ledger about Katie’s recent change in her social media approach. She shifted from teaching to something more vulnerable yet professional in order to connect better with her prospective ideal clients. She shared how...
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286: From Pain Points To Progress: Tools To Help Clinic Owners With Dharma Leggat
I Love Neuro
In this week’s episode hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS talk to Dharma Leggat from Superior Medical Equipment (SME) about some of the challenges and opportunities facing rehabilitation clinics. The discussion centered on how technology and strategic partnerships can help clinicians overcome industry hurdles. They discussed the potential of artificial intelligence to transform clinical practice. From streamlining documentation to providing remote patient monitoring, AI offers potential solutions to reduce administrative burden and improve patient care. Leggat...
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285: Amplifying Your Perturbation Balance Training With The Balance Tutor Treadmill
I Love Neuro
This week’s episode of the I Love Neuro podcast explored an innovative rehabilitation technology that's allowing rehab professionals to incorporate multidimensional balance training in the safest, most objective way possible right now. Host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS is joined by Todd Gilbertson from MediTouch USA and Chris McElderry, PT, DPT, NCS to discuss the BalancedTutor treadmill. Derived out of posturography technology this treadmill expands beyond assessment and actually allows clinicians to treat balance disorders to the whole spectrum of patients in a safe, effective and...
info_outlineIn this episode of the I Love Neuro podcast host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS talks to Christian Leonakis, PT, DPT, Alanna Wathen, PT, DPT, and Danielle Parmenter, MOT, OTR/L, SCLV about Myomo and the MyoPro upper extremity myoelectric orthosis.
The world of neurological rehabilitation, innovation continues to push the boundaries of what's possible for patients recovering from stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other neurological conditions. Enter Myomo, a groundbreaking myoelectric orthosis that's changing lives one arm movement at a time.
This isn't just another medical device—it's a personalized technology that acts like a "helping hand" for individuals struggling with upper extremity mobility. Weighing approximately three and a half pounds, the Myomo device uses advanced EMG sensors to amplify even the smallest voluntary muscle contractions, allowing patients to regain functional movement.
What sets Myomo apart is its commitment to patient-centered care. The device isn't a one-size-fits-all solution but a custom-fitted orthosis that patients take home after approximately 10 weeks of specialized training. Designed to look almost like something out of a sci-fi movie—think Iron Man's arm technology—the device comes in customizable colors and helps patients perform everyday tasks like opening doors, carrying groceries, or even walking their dog.
The team behind Myomo, including clinical experts like Christian Leonakis, Alanna Wathen, and Danielle Parmenter, are passionate rehabilitation professionals who understand that recovery is a complex journey. They emphasize that while the device can be transformative, patients need realistic expectations: some might see compensatory improvements, while rare cases might experience significant neurological recovery.
With Medicare coverage now available and ongoing technological developments promised for 2026, Myomo represents more than just a medical device—it's a beacon of hope for those seeking to reclaim independence and functionality after neurological challenges.
For clinicians and patients interested in learning more, Myomo's website offers comprehensive resources and screening processes to determine individual suitability for this innovative technology.