I Love Neuro
We are a couple of neurologic physical therapists on the quest to keep the passion, commitment, and possibilities alive for those who love neuro rehab and wellness like us, without burnout and overwhelm. This show is great for neuro therapists and trainers looking to stay up to date and make a greater impact. Join us in this important movement to elevate healthcare!
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323: Before We Left for Phoenix: Our World Parkinson Congress 2026 Preview
06/22/2026
323: Before We Left for Phoenix: Our World Parkinson Congress 2026 Preview
In this episode hosts, Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS share their excitement and plans for attending the 2026 World Parkinson Congress (WPC) in Phoenix, Arizona, a unique international conference that brings together people with Parkinson’s, care partners, therapists, physicians, and researchers. Drawing on their past experiences at WPC in Montreal, Portland, and Kyoto, they describe how special it is to attend this event as a full team this year, staying together in an Airbnb and connecting with colleagues and members from around the world. They highlight what makes WPC stand out from typical scientific meetings: its interdisciplinary focus, community-centered vibe, extensive wellness and exercise programming, creative projects, and direct involvement of people with Parkinson’s in scientific discussions. Claire and Erin also walk through the rich scientific and wellness schedule—from plenary lectures on cutting-edge research and prevention to workshops, round tables, debate-style “controversy” sessions, and a robust wellness program featuring exercise, meditation, and caregiver support. They close by emphasizing how WPC advances both research and advocacy, and by promising a follow-up conversation after the congress to share key takeaways and lessons learned. We recorded this before heading to WPC — stay tuned for our follow-up episode with everything we learned!
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322: Find Work-Life Balance With Alignment, Not Productivity Tools
06/15/2026
322: Find Work-Life Balance With Alignment, Not Productivity Tools
Is work-life balance an elusive concept you have yet to master while running your life and neuro biz? In this episode, hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS discuss the topic with NeuroBiz Coach, Emily Duval Ledger. Many clinicians start businesses to escape traditional job burnout but then recreate the same patterns by overworking and glorifying busyness. In the show we talk about recognizing when “busy” becomes unproductive, using tools like time-blocking, planners, and realistic daily priorities to focus on high-impact tasks and reduce urgency overload, but, really, it is about much more than just “tools.” The topic of metacognition—noticing and questioning automatic thoughts about productivity—comes up. We encourage business owners to listen to signals like dread and frustration, realign work with the clients and tasks that energize you and continually adjust your business models to support long-term well-being for yourself and your team.
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321: How To Use AI Tools To Get Time Back Even When You’re Not Techy With Shanté “Movement Maestro” Cofield, PT, DPT, OCS
06/08/2026
321: How To Use AI Tools To Get Time Back Even When You’re Not Techy With Shanté “Movement Maestro” Cofield, PT, DPT, OCS
Dive into AI tools in your personal life, work life and business by learning what to use, how to use it and how NOT to use it. In this episode, hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS talk with physical-therapist-turned-entrepreneur Dr. Shanté “Movement Maestro” Cofield, PT, DPT, OCS about what AI is and how it can practically support health and fitness professionals. Shanté explains AI in simple terms as powerful computer programs called large language models (LLMs) that use math and probability to predict the most likely next word, making it possible for us to just “talk” to a chatbot and get useful outputs, even though the AI itself doesn’t truly understand what it’s saying. The conversation covers how AI can help with everyday, non-hands-on tasks like writing recommendation letters, drafting emails, creating presentations, automating small workflows (like forwarding utility bills), and building custom dashboards, all of which save time and let clinicians focus more on people instead of paperwork. The episode also touches on valid concerns about privacy and environmental impact, with Shanté encouraging a nuanced, “both-and” mindset: be informed and cautious, but also recognize that many of our tools already use AI and that the biggest gains come from offloading repetitive, non-client-facing work while keeping human creativity and connection front and center. The episode closes with resources for learning more, including Shanté’s AI-focused project “Prompting Curiosity” and her main platform, The Movement Maestro, and an invitation for clinicians to simply start experimenting so they can see for themselves where AI helps and where it falls short. Prompting Curiosity website - Instagram:
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320: AI Documentation As A Game-Changer For Neuro Rehab: How-To
06/01/2026
320: AI Documentation As A Game-Changer For Neuro Rehab: How-To
Has your clinic adopted AI for documentation yet? If not (or if so!) check out this episode to learn about how it can transform your time and allow you to do your job unfettered. Hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS interview Sparky instructor Jamie Haines, PT, DScPT, NCS about how AI-powered documentation is transforming her life in the clinic, and how without it she would not have returned to the clinic after being in academia. Neuro physical therapists have long struggled to balance hands-on care with time-consuming paperwork. In this conversation, Jamie, a PT of over 30 years, who would not call herself “techy” shares how using an AI scribe layered onto her EMR has been a true game changer after returning to full-time clinical work. By wearing a microphone and letting the system transcribe and organize her notes, Jamie can stay fully present with patients, capture richer and more accurate subjectives, and generate skilled, compliant documentation in just a few minutes. Over time, the AI learns her common tests, goals, and language, even translating lay terms into professional wording and clearly articulating clinical decision-making. While some clinicians are initially hesitant to learn a new system, Jamie’s experience highlights how AI can reduce burnout, improve audit readiness, and finally let therapists do what they do best—focus on creative, high-quality care—without being buried by documentation. You’ll get tips for teaching it how to write things the way you want and what to do if your administrators are reluctant to get it for your clinic. Let us know which system you’re using and whether or not you love it! Send us a DM on IG
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319: How And Why You Should Train Neuro Clients In More Positions With Dr. JJ Mowder-Tinney, PT, PhD, NCS
05/25/2026
319: How And Why You Should Train Neuro Clients In More Positions With Dr. JJ Mowder-Tinney, PT, PhD, NCS
In this episode, hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS and JJ Mowder-Tinney, PT, PhD, NCS discuss the critical but under-addressed role of transitional movements in neurologic rehab, especially for people with conditions like MS, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and spinal cord injury. In the show we’ll highlight how traditional therapy often focuses on sitting, standing, and walking, while many real-life challenges involve moving through positions such as supine, prone, quadruped, kneeling, and floor-to-stand. Claire and JJ share clinical experiences showing that training mobility in these varied positions can transform posture, confidence, bed mobility, fall recovery, and functional independence, even when research and standardized assessments lag behind. We also emphasize the need for objective, time- or repetition-based measures of transitions, discuss safety and buy-in for both therapists and patients, and note how clinicians may be able to use more creative, high-skill interventions. We’ll talk you through what a session could look like taking a patient through the transitional movements you want to train them in and why it matters. For more education on this - and a visual - join us for a free webinar on June 2nd! Register here: To get mentorship and continuing education on the latest evidence-based techniques you can apply immediately, join NeuroSpark! Learn more at
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318: Using RTM With Neuro Clients For Increased Revenue, Motivation, And Data Metrics To Justify Therapy
05/18/2026
318: Using RTM With Neuro Clients For Increased Revenue, Motivation, And Data Metrics To Justify Therapy
Want to learn more about Remote Therapeutic Monitoring in neuro? In this episode, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS speaks with physical therapist and former clinic owner turned digital health leader Sarah Anestam, PT, MSPT and practice owner Katie Wadland, PT, DPT, GCS about how the OneStep app and remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) are transforming outpatient and home-based rehab. Sarah explains how OneStep uses smartphone sensors to turn everyday walking into objective gait and fall risk data, giving clinicians “gait lab in a pocket” insight into how patients move in real-world environments without extra hardware. Katie shares how her practice, Healthy Aging Physical Therapy, an outpatient-at-home practice has integrated OneStep to better serve older adults and people with neurologic conditions like Parkinson’s disease, using the platform to track progress between visits, support home programs, and even synthesize large datasets for documentation and clinical decision-making. In the episode we’ll break down the challenges and opportunities with different RTM systems, discuss the evolving RTM billing rules, give practical workflow tips, and demonstrate how RTM has created a meaningful new revenue stream while enhancing patient engagement, long-term monitoring, and community-based wellness initiatives such as fall prevention events. If you’ve wondered if RTM would work for your neuro clients and be worth your while, this is the episode for you! Healthy Aging is on FB, IG and Youtube OneStep
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317: Maximize Progress In Neuro Rehab Using Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation With MedRhythms
05/11/2026
317: Maximize Progress In Neuro Rehab Using Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation With MedRhythms
If you’ve used music in therapy sessions and found it helpful you’re going to love this one! In this episode, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews Brian Harris, MA, MT-BC, NMT/F, FACRM, a board-certified music therapist and founder of MedRhythms, about how music, neuroscience, and technology are being combined to transform neurorehabilitation. Brian shares the powerful clinical experiences that led him from traditional music therapy into developing neurologic music therapy programs at Spaulding Rehab Hospital, where rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) produced remarkable gains in gait and function for people with stroke and brain injury. To scale access beyond what one clinician can provide and take this evidence-based intervention into the home, he founded MedRhythms. They created prescription digital therapeutics that use wearable gait sensors, bone-conduction headphones, and “clinical thinking” algorithms to deliver personalized, music-based gait training at home for people with chronic stroke and Parkinson’s disease. Now FDA-listed and supported by Medicare reimbursement, MedRhythms’ products marry evidence-based neurorehab with user-friendly design, familiar music via a partnership with Universal Music Group, and ongoing clinical research to expand into additional neurologic conditions—bringing high-quality music-based rehab to more people who need it. MedRhythms
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316: Proven Fall Prevention Strategies To Implement Today With Dr. Tiffany Shubert, PT, PhD
05/04/2026
316: Proven Fall Prevention Strategies To Implement Today With Dr. Tiffany Shubert, PT, PhD
Fall risk for older adults is manageable, modifiable and, guess what? They are capable of owning more of the responsibility than we’ve been giving them credit for! In this episode, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews Dr. Tiffany Shubert, PT, PhD, a physical therapist, researcher, and healthcare innovator dedicated to turning strong evidence into practical tools for clinicians and older adults. Tiffany shares how her journey from clinician to PhD and then into digital health led her to champion the Otago Exercise Program and other proven fall prevention strategies. She discusses the realities of implementing programs in the U.S. healthcare system, the need for user-friendly technology, and the power of simple, consistent strength and balance training to meaningfully reduce fall risk at any age. Tiffany gives practical advice for what to implement in your practice today to start making a difference and encourages listeners to think bigger about the impact you can make. Open source videos of Otago Exercise Program to share with everyone: Video 1 - Video 2 - Video 3 - Video 4 -
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315: A Beginner’s Path To Using AI To Improve Your Workflow
04/27/2026
315: A Beginner’s Path To Using AI To Improve Your Workflow
Are you using AI to improve your workflow as a clinician or a business owner? Are you really? Or are you still scared of it? This episode explores how Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS and the Rogue Physical Therapy & Wellness team are integrating AI into their practice to save time, improve documentation, and enhance client care so they can do more of what they love and bring enjoyment to the tasks they used to dread. Claire shares how tools like the Plaud NotePin and Claude have transformed consultations and one-on-one notes, streamlined standardized Parkinson’s wellness assessments, and supported data management projects. She also explains how AI has helped her overhaul hiring and HR processes, from interview forms and training programs to a comprehensive benefits manual, as well as solve technical issues with their video library and build a more efficient, automated timesheet system. Beyond operations, Claire is using AI to design an onboarding “roadmap” for new online members and to quickly generate polished, research-informed handouts from her presentation slides. AI isn’t replacing therapists, but instead offloading repetitive administrative tasks so clinicians can spend more time doing the work they love with people. Get on board and get inspired. New ideas will sprout while you listen to this episode! For more learning check out Dr. Shanté Cofield aka The Maestro’s podcast
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314: Get Advanced Real-Time Gait Analytics With NUSHU With Erica Demarch, PT
04/20/2026
314: Get Advanced Real-Time Gait Analytics With NUSHU With Erica Demarch, PT
In this episode, hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS interview physical therapist and inventor Erica Demarch, PT, MSPT about her work at the intersection of neuro rehab, motor learning, and wearable technology. Erica shares how her background founding her company, Step and Connect where she developed the Balance Matters system led her to join Magnes, a Swiss company that created NUSHU, a smart shoe with embedded sensors and vibrotactile feedback designed to analyze and improve gait in real time. She explains how the shoes capture over 35 gait parameters, support both assessment and treatment, and can be used in the clinic or at home, particularly for people with Parkinson’s disease and those experiencing freezing of gait. Erica discusses current and ongoing research, practical clinical use cases, challenges like individual variability in vibration perception, and the need to individualize cueing strategies. She also describes implementation models for clinics, emerging possibilities for remote monitoring, and her efforts to train and collaborate with clinicians through demos, courses, and networking events to further refine and expand the clinical applications of this technology. Learn more at: Follow on IG:
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313: Vision, Autonomics & Neuro Rehab: What PTs and OTs Should Know Now
04/13/2026
313: Vision, Autonomics & Neuro Rehab: What PTs and OTs Should Know Now
Eager to learn more about vision rehab in neuro? In this episode, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS talks with optometrist Melissa Zarn, OD, FAAO, FNAP and occupational therapist David Katz, OTR/L, CBIS about current advances in neuro-visual rehabilitation and updates within the Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA). They describe how NORA’s clinical skills fellowship program has evolved into a hybrid model with asynchronous online coursework plus in-person hands-on training across three levels, increasingly emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration among OTs, PTs, speech therapists, and neuro-optometrists. A major focus of the conversation is the role of the autonomic nervous system in post-brain injury visual symptoms such as light sensitivity, headaches, dizziness, and sensory overwhelm, and how tools like tinted lenses, environmental modifications, and team-based care can help calm the system and improve function. They also highlight new opportunities for PTs and OTs to deepen their vision rehab skills through NORA’s annual conference, the growing community of practice within AOTA around neuro-visual remediation, and starter resources like NeuroCollaborative’s vision rehab course for clinicians who want to go further in this specialty area. Learn more about Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA) here: Learn about NORA’s annual conference: email:
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312: Upleveling Vestibular Rehabilitation With The Vertigenius
04/06/2026
312: Upleveling Vestibular Rehabilitation With The Vertigenius
Vestibular rehabilitation is incredibly effective at treating dizziness, yet barriers exist. Just to name a few - access to expert care, scheduling, ability for patients to adhere to home programs and billing. What if there were a device that helped not only with all of those issues while also helping clinicians get vestibular patients better? The Vertigenius may just be the answer! In this episode, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews experienced physiotherapist and Vertigenius inventor and founder, Dr. Dara Meldrum, PhD as well as Sparky and neuro biz owner using Vertigenius in practice, Hilary Register, PT, DPT, NCS, AVPT, NCPT to explore how it works. Dara explains how the FDA‑listed medical device combines a small head sensor worn behind the ear, a patient app, and a clinician portal. Vertigenius offers clinicians the opportunity to prescribe precisely dosed gaze, balance, gait, and habituation exercises with real‑time color‑coded feedback, while capturing objective data on symptoms and adherence. She shares the origin story of the technology, its validation against gold‑standard measures, and its role in expanding access to care and supporting both novice and expert clinicians, especially in telehealth and remote therapeutic monitoring. As an experienced vestibular rehab clinician and researcher herself, she ensures the device is completely evidence-based and constantly evolving as the research grows. Hilary describes how she uses Vertigenius in private practice and concussion rehab to reduce in‑person visit burden, track meaningful functional gains patients often don’t recognize, offer high touch points to progress plans of care and design cost‑effective care packages that still feel highly personalized. Together, they highlight how this digital platform can improve outcomes, clinician efficiency, and patient empowerment in managing dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance. Learn more and set up a demo: FaceBook: IG:
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311: How To Add Personal Training To Expand Your Neuro Biz And Improve Client Outcomes
03/30/2026
311: How To Add Personal Training To Expand Your Neuro Biz And Improve Client Outcomes
Are you a business owner looking to increase revenue streams and add more cash-based services into the mix? In this episode host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and NeuroBiz coach Emily Duval Ledger explore how personal trainers can significantly strengthen neuro-focused businesses by offering wellness sessions that complement therapy. This is a 100% collaboration over competition focus and you’ll learn exactly who to look for to hire in your neuro biz. The benefits to having personal trainers is that this service can clearly separate insurance-based medically necessary care from ongoing cash-based wellness, improve client outcomes, and dramatically increase client lifetime value. Emily shares her 20-year journey as a self-employed fitness professional working with people with Parkinson’s and older adults, emphasizing that trainers bring a distinct strength and conditioning lens that complements PT expertise. Together, Erin and Emily dive into practical considerations like how to price and pay trainers sustainably, who the ideal hires are, and how to write job descriptions that attract people who genuinely love working with older adults and neuro populations. They also discuss membership and package models to create consistent revenue and foster client commitment, stressing the importance of honest, direct conversations about what it truly takes for clients to see meaningful change. They close by encouraging neuro business owners to embrace their uniqueness, think creatively about integrating trainers, and reach out with questions or ideas as they grow their own “unicorn” practices.
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310: The Evidence-Based Approach To Dementia Care With Rachel Wiley, MS, OTR/L
03/23/2026
310: The Evidence-Based Approach To Dementia Care With Rachel Wiley, MS, OTR/L
Working with people with dementia and their care partners can be complicated and confusing. What does the evidence say is the best approach? Is it rehabilitative or habilitative?? In this episode, hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS interview occupational therapist and Dementia Collaborative founder Rachel Wiley, MS, OTR/L about her approach to working with people with dementia and their care partners. Rachel shares how past experiences with conflicting recommendations between professionals—and the confusion and mistrust this caused for families—motivated her to create a more advanced, evidence-based program that gets teams using the same language and approaches, especially around topics like rehabilitation vs. habilitation, assistive devices, responsive behaviors, and fall risk. She explains her practical, detective-style framework for understanding and managing responsive behaviors (like waking at night or agitation) by identifying triggers and using strategies such as acknowledge–reassure–redirect and meaningful routines. The episode also touches on the complexities of billing, maintenance care, and determining medical necessity in a progressive condition, emphasizing person-centered, ethical care that balances evidence, function, safety, and the realities of caregiving. Rachel recently launched the beta cohort of her new Certified Dementia Clinician (CDCn) Course, a 20-module, interdisciplinary training designed for OTs, PTs, SLPs, social workers, and other clinicians working with people living with dementia.
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309: Using Dry Needling To Reset The Nervous System With Tyler Niemack, PT, DPT, OCS
03/16/2026
309: Using Dry Needling To Reset The Nervous System With Tyler Niemack, PT, DPT, OCS
This is the episode that will help you understand the opportunities and functionality of dry needling! Host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews Tyler Niemack, PT, DPT, OCS, Functional Dry Needling Certified Specialist about how dry needling can be used not just to relax tight muscles, but to “reset” the neuromuscular system and improve function. Tyler, who teaches Dry Needling Certification courses for Evidence In Motion explains how PTs approach dry needling differently from acupuncturists, using their orthopedic and neurological assessment skills to decide whether to target spinal segments, peripheral nerves, or specific muscles. Through examples ranging from rotator cuff issues to stroke, spasticity, and Parkinson’s disease, he describes using dry needling as not just a treatment tool but also a diagnostic. He also shares his 3 R’s approach to treatment: Reset, Reinforce and Reload. They discuss fascia, pain perception, emerging research on how needling changes the brain’s pain maps, and ongoing legal barriers in states where PTs still cannot perform dry needling. Tyler encourages clinicians to think of themselves as neuro-orthopedic specialists and to use neuroanatomy and sound clinical reasoning to get the most from this very promising intervention. **Apologies for some tech malfunctions that occurred in the recording. They don’t take away from the learning, but wanted to mention there are a couple of glitchy spots. Thank you for understanding! Get in touch with Tyler here: IG Email: tyler@toetouchpt.com
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308: How NeuroLab 360 Uses A Nonprofit Model To Deliver High Intensity Neuro Rehab
03/09/2026
308: How NeuroLab 360 Uses A Nonprofit Model To Deliver High Intensity Neuro Rehab
Interested in looking at how a nonprofit clinic operates for neuro rehab? In this episode hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS interview co-founder Meagan George, PT, DPT, NCS about how she and her partners built a nonprofit, cash-based neuro clinic in Encinitas, California. After feeling constrained by insurance limitations in hospital systems, the trio incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 2021 with a mission to deliver intensive, goal-oriented PT, OT, and wellness services regardless of a person’s financial situation. NeuroLab 360 operates using a scholarship program—reviewed and approved by their board of directors—to make care accessible, with about 30–40% of patients receiving financial support and everyone paying something to maintain commitment and value. Meagan shares how they’ve grown from three founders to a team of nine therapists, outfitted their gym-like clinic with donated and grant-funded specialty equipment like an AlterG and driving simulator, and built strong community ties through support groups, free and low-cost classes, and collaborations with local hospitals, researchers, and nonprofits. She also opens up about the real challenges of running a nonprofit—especially grant writing, budgeting with variable donations, and preventing burnout—while still staying true to their core mission of providing high-quality, high-intensity neuro rehab that isn’t dictated by insurance.
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307: Research Update: Treadmill VS Overground Walking In Persons With MS With Herb Karpatkin, PT, DSc, NCS, MSCS
03/02/2026
307: Research Update: Treadmill VS Overground Walking In Persons With MS With Herb Karpatkin, PT, DSc, NCS, MSCS
In this episode host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews Multiple Sclerosis specialist and researcher Dr. Herb Karpatkin, PT, DSc, NCS, MSCS to discuss how therapy for people with multiple sclerosis must be fundamentally different from approaches used for stroke, spinal cord injury, or TBI. In his research Herb discovered an incidental finding that led to more questions that he and his team wanted to investigate: does treadmill walking carry over to overground walking in persons with MS? In the show he explains the nuances of treadmill walking for persons with MS vs healthy controls and when to use it or not. Herb shares his framework on intermittent, high-intensity interval walking and strength training, which allow people with MS to push hard, rest, and achieve meaningful aerobic gains and functional improvements without excessive fatigue. Instead of telling people with MS they can’t work hard or lift heavy, his research finds that to be absolutely untrue. Herb and Erin also discuss a couple of past patients who wanted to complete the MS Society 5k walk and what the training looked like and what could have been done differently. The topic of cooling came up and how to effectively implement this technique to allow persons with MS to do more without overheating. 1.5 hour Mini Course
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306: Clients Can Maximize Hand Function And Foot Drop At Home With Motus Nova
02/23/2026
306: Clients Can Maximize Hand Function And Foot Drop At Home With Motus Nova
In this episode, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews the Motus Nova clinical team—occupational therapists Jamie Kurtz, MS, OTR/L, Keisha Burrous, OTR/L, CBIS, Amie Canning, MS, OTR/L, and Mirasol Jacobs, PT, DPT — about the Motus Hand and Motus Foot robotic devices for neurorehabilitation. The team explains how these FDA Class I medical devices provide active-assistive, game-based training at home to help patients achieve the high repetition doses (500–600 reps per day) needed for neuroplastic change, without replacing traditional therapy. Built on pneumatic “artificial muscle” technology, the devices adapt in real time to the user’s movement, address tone and spasticity, and can be customized for a wide range of neurologic conditions, from stroke and MS to Parkinson’s disease and Guillain-Barré. The conversation covers who is appropriate for the devices, how they integrate with inpatient and outpatient care, real-world success stories—including improved gait, grip strength, and mental health—and the practical steps for clinicians to refer patients, arrange demos, and navigate the 13‑month rental-to-own DME model now supported by a dedicated Medicare code, which means patients can get the device through their insurance and it does not impact their ability to get other durable medical equipment (DME). Overall, the episode highlights Motus Nova as an accessible way to extend evidence-based neuro rehab beyond the clinic and into patients’ homes. You will likely have a patient (or several) who come to mind while listening to this, so check it out and learn more today! Motus Nova Therapists! Contact Motus Nova with questions, schedule an inservice, or refer a patient here:
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305: How To Overcome The Fear Of Falls Training With Naomi Casiro
02/16/2026
305: How To Overcome The Fear Of Falls Training With Naomi Casiro
Do you work with people who have falls? Maybe you’ve seen that just training fall prevention isn’t quite doing enough. In this episode hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS talk with physiotherapist Naomi Casiro, founder of NeuroFit BC and creator of the Functional Movement and Falls training paradigm about why adding falls training to an overall balance plan is imperative. We explore why traditional fall prevention—focused mainly on prevention—has not been enough, and why a two-part approach that includes both prevention and explicit “how to fall” training is crucial, especially for people with Parkinson’s disease and older adults who are still falling at high rates. Naomi explains how teaching patients to roll, dissipate force, and land safely allows therapists to challenge them more intensively and functionally in rehab, while also preserving autonomy and true informed choice around mobility and assistive devices. They discuss how falls training progresses from simple, low-level skills on the mat rather than immediately falling from standing, the importance of repetition (even for those with cognitive impairment), and the central role of addressing anxiety. We also discuss how often providers themselves are scared to perform this training and what to do about it. Naomi shares how her background in martial arts and clinical experience with frequent fallers led to her “aha” moment about falls training, and previews upcoming opportunities to learn her approach through the NeuroFit Academy, an online Functional Movement and Falls Training Foundations course with NeuroCollaborative, live Q&A follow-ups, and a practical hands-on session at the World Parkinson Congress. You can reach out to Naomi and learn more about the fall training courses she teaches for healthcare professionals here: Free exercise videos:
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304: Dry Needing For Spasticity With Chris McElderry, PT, DPT, NCS
02/09/2026
304: Dry Needing For Spasticity With Chris McElderry, PT, DPT, NCS
In this episode host, Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS speaks with Chris McElderry, PT, DPT, NCS about how dry needling can be used in neuro rehab, particularly for people post-stroke. Chris explains why he pursued dry needling, how using it in PT differs from acupuncture, and walks through what a typical session looks like, including safety, side effects, and billing considerations. He shares clinical examples of using dry needling to address spasticity, hypertonicity, pain, and range of motion limitations, and discusses current research on short-term effects for spasticity and pain reduction. Erin and Chris also clarify the differences between spasticity and hypertonicity, touch on contracture management, and highlight where dry needling can be a useful adjunct—not a standalone cure—in helping neuro clients move and feel better. Follow Chris McElderry, PT, DPT, NCS Ebrahimzadeh M, Nakhostin Ansari N, Abdollahi I, Akhbari B, Dommerholt J. Changes in Corticospinal Tract Consistency after Dry Needling in a Stroke Patient. Case Rep Neurol Med. 2024 Sep 14;2024:5115313. doi: 10.1155/2024/5115313. PMID: 39309410; PMCID: PMC11416164. Fakhari Z, Ansari NN, Naghdi S, Mansouri K, Radinmehr H. A single group, pretest-posttest clinical trial for the effects of dry needling on wrist flexors spasticity after stroke. NeuroRehabilitation. 2017;40(3):325-336. doi: 10.3233/NRE-161420. PMID: 28222554. Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Pérez-Bellmunt A, Llurda-Almuzara L, Plaza-Manzano G, De-la-Llave-Rincón AI, Navarro-Santana MJ. Is Dry Needling Effective for the Management of Spasticity, Pain, and Motor Function in Post-Stroke Patients? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pain Med. 2021 Feb 4;22(1):131-141. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnaa392. PMID: 33338222. Núñez-Cortés R, Cruz-Montecinos C, Vásquez-Rosales P, et al. Effectiveness of dry needling in the treatment of spasticity in stroke patients: A systematic review. J Body Mov Ther. 2020;24(3):113-122. Suputtitada A, et al. Emerging theory of sensitization in post-stroke muscle spasticity: Implications for dry needling and other interventions. Front Rehabil Sci. 2023;4:1169087. Valencia-Chulián R, Heredia-Rizo AM, Moral-Munoz JA, Lucena-Anton D, Luque-Moreno C. Dry needling for the management of spasticity, pain, and range of movement in adults after stroke: A systematic review. Complement Ther Med. 2020 Aug;52:102515. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102515. Epub 2020 Jul 16. PMID: 32951759.
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303: Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) + Neuroplasticity = Improved Outcomes For Individuals With Neurologic Conditions
02/02/2026
303: Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) + Neuroplasticity = Improved Outcomes For Individuals With Neurologic Conditions
In this episode, Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews physical therapist Mariah King, PT, DPT from RISE Healthcare Group and Hiroki (Hiro) Kimura from Cyberdyne about the HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) robotic exoskeleton and its role in neurologic rehabilitation. They discuss how the HAL system reads patients’ intent to move via surface EMG signals and converts those signals into assisted movement to drive neuroplasticity and functional recovery for people with spinal cord injury, stroke, TBI, Parkinson’s disease, and progressive neuromuscular disorders such as MS, SMA, and muscular dystrophy. Mariah explains RISE’s one-on-one outpatient model, how patients are evaluated for HAL use, typical dosing (2–3x/week over about 2 months), and the outcome measures they track, including 10-Meter Walk, 2-Minute Walk, 30-Second Sit-to-Stand, and TUG. She shares powerful case examples, including a person with MS who relies on a wheelchair for mobility progressing to prolonged standing and assisted gait, and another individual with MS whose falls dropped from several per month to just one across four months. Hiro digs into what makes HAL unique compared to other exoskeletons: its emphasis on intention-based control, the ability for therapists to visualize and shape EMG patterns (for example, reducing co-contraction), and asymmetric or joint-specific assistance tailored to each limb. They also touch on the different HAL configurations (lower limb, single-joint, lumbar), its current status as a clinic-based rehab device (not take-home), billing considerations, the new pediatric version and forthcoming wrist device, as well as opportunities for students, clinicians, and clinic owners to get involved with RISE’s HAL programs. Website: Instagram: risehealthcaregroup Facebook: risehealthcaregroup YouTube: Cyberdyne USA Inc.
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302: Applying A New Calculation For Max Heart Rate In PD
01/26/2026
302: Applying A New Calculation For Max Heart Rate In PD
In this episode, hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS discuss a new research article, “Refining maximal heart rate estimation to enhance exercise recommendations for persons with Parkinson’s disease.” Parkinson’s is a multi-system condition and changes to the function of the autonomic nervous system are common. At times this can present as a person with PD having trouble reaching aerobic heart rate zones calculated based on age while they’re performing high intensity exercise. Claire explains the challenges they’ve faced using standard heart rate formulas and color-zoned monitoring apps when many clients appear stuck in a “gray zone,” likely due to this autonomic dysfunction and chronotropic incompetence common in Parkinson’s. After exploring but struggling to access cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET)—the gold standard for determining true maximal heart rate—Claire finds this new study, which uses CPET data from a cycling trial to derive a more accurate regression-based equation for people with Parkinson’s: 166 − (1.15 × age) + (0.60 × resting heart rate). She describes how they are now applying this formula in practice by calculating individualized max heart rates, manually updating values in their OnBeat app, and offering a public calculator via their website so people with Parkinson’s and clinicians can easily generate appropriate training zones. This shift should make target zones more realistic, motivating, and safer. Listen to the show to easily incorporate this research into your practice today! Pull up the article here (free full text available): Use Claire’s calculator that uses the research-based formula here:
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301: Multi-System Approach To Treating Individuals With Long COVID Currently With Jennifer Lazaro, PT, DPT, NCS
01/19/2026
301: Multi-System Approach To Treating Individuals With Long COVID Currently With Jennifer Lazaro, PT, DPT, NCS
In this episode of the I Love Neuro podcast, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews physical therapist and neuro rehab residency coordinator Jennifer Lazaro, PT, DPT, NCS about evaluating and treating people with long COVID and dysautonomia. Jennifer notes the similarities in presentation for individuals who have post-COVID those with other conditions affecting the autonomic nervous system, like concussion with cognitive fog, severe fatigue, post‑exertional malaise, dizziness, and orthostatic intolerance. She walks through practical assessment strategies such as active stand testing, symptom‑mediated exercise testing, and multi‑system screening to differentiate vestibular, cardiac, pulmonary, and autonomic drivers. Jennifer outlines how she starts with education on the autonomic nervous system, diaphragmatic breathing, and strict pacing, then progresses patients from supine conditioning through graded dysautonomia protocols like the Adapt protocol, emphasizing heart rate parameters, symptom monitoring, and buy‑in to “doing less to do more.” She highlights the importance of interdisciplinary care with OT, speech, cardiology, neurology, and mental health, shares a powerful success story of a college student who returned to school after structured rehab, and offers real‑world strategies for self‑management using wearables, pacing tools, and lifestyle changes in sleep, hydration, and daily routines.
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300: Clinical Takeaways From Dendrite Expansion Days You Can Apply Today
01/12/2026
300: Clinical Takeaways From Dendrite Expansion Days You Can Apply Today
In this 300th episode, hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS invited long-time collaborator JJ Mowder-Tinney, PT, PhD, NCS to join so we could recap the best takeaways from Dendrite Expansion Days (DED), NeuroSpark’s three-day, fully experiential education event for OTs and PTs. We share how Naomi Castro’s “falling well” course progressed clients from floor work to standing falls in one session, describe hands-on equipment stations featuring frictionless sheets, BlazePod, Rifton, Saebo, UprightVR, and more, and highlight real client stories—especially Connor, a young man with severe ataxia who gained new independence and freedom using a transfer pole and the Rifton Pacer overground gait trainer. The conversation emphasizes why equipment can be a powerful ally in neuro rehab, the importance of collaborating with vendors and fellow clinicians, and how community events like DED spark practical, immediately applicable ideas for improving outcomes and patient autonomy. You’ll gain insights to use in your practice today!
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299: What To Do When You Don’t Feel Ready
01/05/2026
299: What To Do When You Don’t Feel Ready
Do you feel ready for that next big step? A transition in your career like leaving your job to start your own business, or transitioning your side gig to full time, or hiring your first employee. Neither did any of us! In this episode hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS have a discussion with NeuroBiz coach Emily Duval Ledger about what it really means to be “ready” for big transitions like starting a business, leaving a job, or hiring your first team member. We share our stories like Claire and Emily opening brick-and-mortar gyms, Erin and Claire starting and building NeuroCollaborative, Erin transitioning from working in the clinic to going full time in NeuroCollaborative, and all of us navigating business entities, taxes, and imperfect systems. This discussion will help you see the way we worked through fear, uncertainty, and messiness. Learn from the mistakes we share and how we fixed them like when Claire’s corporation paperwork was filed wrong. The episode closes with encouragement for listeners who are “ready-adjacent” to take the next step and an invitation to connect, join our biz group, or come on the podcast to talk through your ideas with us. ! Set up a discovery call with Emily ! if you want to discuss your business questions
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298: What Is The Right Number Of Steps To Improve Health Outcomes? It’s Not 10,000
12/29/2025
298: What Is The Right Number Of Steps To Improve Health Outcomes? It’s Not 10,000
In this episode of the I Love Neuro podcast, hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS discuss a major Lancet Public Health systematic review and meta-analysis on daily steps and health outcomes in adults, shared from a post by movement disorders neurologist Dr. Michael Okun. Claire explains that the study, which pooled data from multiple cohorts using device-measured steps, found the number of steps per day that is associated with substantial health benefits, including about a 47% lower risk of all-cause mortality compared to less steps. This amount also demonstrated reductions in cardiovascular disease, dementia, depressive symptoms, type 2 diabetes, and falls, with some benefits even for people already living with chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease or cancer. Although 10,000 steps can still be a good target, the number revealed is both evidence-based and more realistic for many people, especially those with Parkinson’s or other comorbidities that limit high-intensity exercise. We offer practical coaching strategies such as using wearables or phones to track steps, first establishing a baseline, then increasing by roughly 500–1,000 steps per day over weeks rather than rushing, and using accountability systems, step challenges, and percentage-of-goal metrics to keep motivation high and inclusive. Walking is our top exercise recommendation—accessible, adaptable, socially engaging, and powerful for long-term health and functional mobility—and we encourage clinicians to share the article with patients and help them set individualized, achievable step goals. Find the full text article here:
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297: Best Practice For Managing Post-SCI Bowel And Bladder With Briana Elson, MS, OTR/L
12/22/2025
297: Best Practice For Managing Post-SCI Bowel And Bladder With Briana Elson, MS, OTR/L
In this week’s episode, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS is joined by OT mentor Briana Elson, MS, OTR/L, BCPR, CBIS to dive into one of the most essential topics in spinal cord injury rehab: bowel and bladder care. We unpack why every rehab professional (not just nursing) plays a role, how unmanaged bowel and bladder can lead to serious health issues, and practical strategies to support independence, dignity, and community reintegration. Brianna shares equipment ideas, education tips, and real-world problem-solving for both bladder and bowel programs, plus how this all connects to intimacy, relationships, and quality of life after SCI. Resources: Follow and share with your patients! Find a **As a note there are a couple of corrections in the episode we wanted to make clear: Bri may have misspoke… suprapubic catheters are placed below the belly button, not above. She may have said you can wear a bag with it, but you don't always have to. Disclaimer would be to defer to urology.
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296: How AI Documentation Will Change Your Life
12/15/2025
296: How AI Documentation Will Change Your Life
We’re getting techy!! On this week’s episode hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS share a new tool that’s changing everything at Rogue, Claire’s wellness gym for people with PD. Claire confesses to using paper documentation until recently and is now entering the 21st century. What’s propelling her into the “now” is a new tool she’s been trying for a couple of weeks called the Plaud NotePin. It’s a small, wearable, and HIPAA-compliant AI device designed for healthcare professionals that helps with documentation either in-session or via dictation after. This episode is simply meant to share experience and is not a promotion for the device. With documenation being everyone's number one complaint solutions are needed! *We were not affiliates for Plaud at the time of recording, but because it has made such a difference we signed up since promoting things we love and that will help others is important to us.* Claire makes a great case for how her team is using it and why she’s loving it for clinicians. Driven by the universal challenge of time-consuming paperwork, Claire became inspired by other practitioners employing AI for faster documentation. Her search for an efficient, phone-free solution led to the adoption of the Plaud NotePin. While the Plaud NotePin has proven to be a major time-saver and easy to integrate into their workflow, some learning curve remains, especially regarding templates and integration with existing forms. The team is transparent about privacy, requiring client consent via an AI waiver and ensuring compliance with HIPAA standards and data security regulations. Both Erin and Claire are excited about how solutions like this can reduce administrative burdens, improve care quality, and potentially transform the future of healthcare documentation for clinicians and clients alike. The team is committed to ongoing testing, sharing updates, and exploring collaborative opportunities as AI continues to expand its role in their practice. This is the only one we have experience with, but we'd love to hear which one you're using to learn about all of the options out there! Send us a DM on IG if you’re using this or another AI tool for your documentation! Check out the here
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295: What Clinicians Should Know About ENT Vestibular Testing With A Neuro-Otologist
12/08/2025
295: What Clinicians Should Know About ENT Vestibular Testing With A Neuro-Otologist
This week’s episode is a little different. We wanted to give you a full view inside a VestiBesties mentorship call where Christina Garrity, PT, DPT, NCS interviewed a neuro-otologist she works with in Ohio, Dr. Jimmy Prueter. Dr. Prueter was invited to the conversation to help clinicians better understand when, why and which tests people with vestibular conditions should be getting. The conversation-style interview is between Christina and Dr. Preuter, taken straight from a VestiBestie webinar so you can have exclusive access! In the discussion they outlined the challenges associated with diagnosing dizziness, noting that ENT residency programs don’t always adequately prepare physicians for complex vestibular cases. Dr. Prueter stressed that while some tests—such as VNG with calorics or VEMP—can be helpful in specific scenarios, the decision to order them should be driven by whether the results would actually impact clinical management. Particularly for acute vestibular hypofunction, a strong clinical suspicion based on history and examination might mean that testing is less essential, and prompt referral to vestibular rehab can prevent unnecessary delays. They highlighted that clear documentation from therapists AND teaching physicians how to find what they need in it can provide valuable context for physicians. Plus, educating primary care doctors about early referral to vestibular therapy might streamline the diagnostic process. Send us a DM on IG if you want to join VestiBesties! Follow Christina
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294: Myoelectric Functional Orthosis: Myomo And Upper Extremity Rehabilitation
12/01/2025
294: Myoelectric Functional Orthosis: Myomo And Upper Extremity Rehabilitation
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 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.
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