Episodes

In this episode of the Hands-On, Hands-Off Podcast, Dr. Trenton Rehman sits down with Dr. Shane McClinton to discuss plantar heel pain and the role of physical therapy in both clinical outcomes and healthcare costs. Dr. McClinton walks through a series of studies stemming from his doctoral research, including a randomized clinical trial, a detailed case series, and a three-year cost-effectiveness analysis. Together, they explore how adding physical therapy to usual podiatry care impacts pain, f...

Andreas Remis joins the podcast to unpack low back pain in a way that finally makes sense — bridging APTA CPG classifications, real-world clinical diagnosis, and the confusing world of radiographic findings. As faculty across multiple fellowships and residencies within the Duke Health System — and an educator shaped by his own poor rehab experience as a patient — Andreas brings a thoughtful, grounded approach to one of PT’s most complex conditions. In this episode:• LBP classification: CPG vs ...

When the cost of delay is measured in millions of dollars and operational readiness, guesswork isn’t an option. In this episode, we sit down with Josh Kidd, physical therapist, researcher, residency director, and embedded clinician working with special operations personnel and fighter pilots. Josh shares how directional preference plays a central role in clinical decision-making when time, performance, and safety all matter. We explore what directional preference actually is (and what it isn’t...

Faith Stokes joins the podcast to talk about treating the patients many clinicians feel least prepared for — those navigating trauma, addiction, suicidality, chronic pain, pelvic health conditions, and complex biopsychosocial presentations. Faith practices in rural North Georgia, where she blends manual therapy, psychologically informed care, and lifestyle medicine. As a residency coordinator and adjunct faculty across multiple programs, she’s passionate about helping clinicians develop clarity...

Dr. Moyo Tillery sits down with Dr. Ron Shank to explore the evolving relationship between Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy (OMPT) and Mechanical Diagnosis & Therapy (MDT). Drawing from decades of clinical practice, mentorship, and research, Ron reframes the debate — arguing that integration, not ideology, leads to better patient outcomes. Together, they unpack directional preference, centralization, test–retest frameworks, patient empowerment, and the leadership principles that shape great ...

Most physical therapists will treat TMJ pain. Almost none will ever encounter a full bilateral TMJ replacement—paired with mandibular advancement and upper palate expansion. When that rare case appeared, there was no rehab playbook… so this clinician built one. What listeners will learn: How TMJ replacement compares (and doesn’t) to hip and knee replacements Why outcomes research exists—but rehab pathways don’t How to apply total joint principles to a jaw joint What to do when surgical rest...

Cody Mansfield joins the show to unpack the real value of residency and fellowship training — and to share insights from his new Cardon Research Award–funded study examining outcomes in non-operative knee pain. Cody serves as Director of the Ohio State OMPT Fellowship, research associate, physical therapist, associate editor for JOSPT Cases, and instructor in the OSU DPT program. His mixed-methods research evaluates whether post-professional training changes outcomes related to quality, service...

Hollis Bixby sits down with us to explore how gamification is reshaping PT education — from DPT programs to hybrid residencies to post-professional training. Hollis has spent seven years as a sports physical therapist, is wrapping up her manual therapy fellowship through Regis University, and is beginning a new chapter as Assistant Professor at Campbell University. Through her work with Duke’s Orthopedic Hybrid Residency, she’s helping design gamified learning experiences that boost engagement,...

Rebekah Griffith joins the podcast to talk about what it means to be a newly minted AAOMPT Fellow working in one of the most unlikely settings — the Emergency Department. She shares why OMPT-level manual therapy skills are not only relevant in the ED, but essential for rapid assessment, safe decision-making, and efficient patient care. Rebekah explains how fellowship training sharpened her clinical reasoning, helped her manage acute MSK presentations, and expanded her impact within emergency me...

Ken Olson joins the podcast to discuss his work on the IFOMPT/IOPTP taskforce on pediatric spinal manipulation and the ongoing clinical reasoning debate around specific vs. general manipulation.  Ken is a private practice clinician, educator, past-president of IFOMPT and AAOMPT, author of Manual Physical Therapy of the Spine, and recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Lecturer Award. His perspective blends evidence, global standards, and decades of practical experience. Topics include: • Why th...

Jason Silvernail joins the show to break down the essential communication and leadership skills clinicians need to thrive—and to protect themselves from burnout, conflict, and misalignment. We explore the principles behind assertive communication, how to establish a confident presence, and what it means to communicate clearly without crossing into arrogance or dominance. Jason offers practical, real-world strategies for handling interruptions, navigating tension, setting boundaries, and keepin...

Pediatric manual therapy has been built on adult techniques — and that’s a problem. Educator, clinician, and researcher Ginny Henderson joins us to expose the missing guidelines, the hidden dangers, and the new evidence-based techniques designed specifically for growing bodies. We cover: • Why kids’ bones are more vulnerable — and how to mobilize safely • The biggest misconceptions clinicians bring from adult PT • Combining joint mechanics with motor learning for better outcomes • How chro...

Dr. Gail Deyle joins the show to discuss clinical reasoning, diagnostic skill, and the evidence supporting OMPT. A true clinician-scientist, Dr. Deyle has spent decades conducting clinical trials, mentoring fellowship-trained clinicians, and advocating for direct access and advanced evaluation skills in physical therapy. In this episode we explore: • Why PTs are essential contributors to global health • Evidence showing OMPT’s high benefit and low risk • The real impact of fellowship trainin...

In this episode, Jimmy sits down with the legendary Dr. Gail Deyle — clinician-scientist, mentor, and one of the most cited researchers in orthopaedic manual physical therapy. Dr. Deyle breaks down: The defining trait of clinicians who excel after fellowship What separates great mentors from good ones Real-world stories of PTs catching critical medical conditions The biggest mistake clinicians make in their early reasoning Why MSK health is a global opportunity for PTs How clinicians can ...

Dr. Tim Flynn joins the show for a powerful conversation about what it really takes to transform a broken healthcare system. A clinician, educator, and innovator, Tim has spent decades teaching around the world, challenging outdated models, and reminding clinicians that change starts with one encounter at a time. In this episode, we explore: • Why the U.S. operates a “sick-care” system — and how to shift away from it • What “Live health to sell it” means for providers and patients • The rol...

Today on Hands On, Hands Off, host Moyo Tillery sits down with Dr. Myra Meekins—PT, educator, and curriculum designer—to rethink how we teach and learn OMPT. From “practice makes perfect” to practice with purpose, Myra connects classic motor-learning models to the OPTIMAL theory (expectancies, autonomy, external focus), and shows why you must address the psychosocial to change the psychomotor. We get concrete about designing sticky learning experiences for DPT students, residents, and fellows; ...

What if context—patient beliefs, provider expectations, and the therapeutic relationship—drives a meaningful share of spinal manipulation outcomes? In this HANDS ON HANDS OFF episode, we break down a single-arm intervention study funded by the Paris Family Foundation via the Foundation for OMPT, why the current mechanisms model zeroes in on the “context zone,” and how to practically weave guidelines + shared decision-making into outpatient practice. Top takeaways Outcomes vary—and context migh...

In this episode of HANDS ON HANDS OFF, host Dr. Moyo Tillery sits down with Dr. Sarah Shaver, a clinician, educator, and researcher focused on gender considerations in orthopaedic manual physical therapy. Together they explore why common assumptions about female athletes and chronic pain patients can perpetuate inequities—and what OMPT practitioners can do to change that. From ACL injury risk factors to concussion outcomes, manual therapy decision-making, and care for transgender and non-binary...

What does “usual care” really mean in physical therapy research — and why is it so inconsistently applied across studies? In this episode, Dr. Amy McDevitt joins us for a deep-dive conversation into the limitations of current PT research and how vague terms like "usual care" are impacting evidence-informed practice. Dr. McDevitt discusses: Why “nothing” should never be a control in clinical trials How heel pain and orthotic studies show cracks in research design The evolving role of manual ...

Seth interviews Carl DeRosa about the shift to competency-based education (CBE) and entrustment in physical therapy. Highlights: Designing backwards: from competencies to curriculum How integration dismantles siloed courses Faculty adoption & team-teaching complexities The profession's position versus medicine, pharmacy & vet University of Arizona’s agile 3‑year medical school model Entry‑level “workforce readiness,” especially in the AI era The pitfalls of overvaluing NPTE pass rates C...

Is it the technique—or the therapist—that really drives manual therapy outcomes? In this episode of the AAOMPT Podcast, research expert Dr. Jason Beneciuk dives into the latest findings around spinal manipulation, patient-provider dynamics, and the contextual factors that could redefine how physical therapists deliver care. Guest: Dr. Jason Beneciuk – Associate Professor at the University of Florida and Clinical Research Scientist at Brooks Rehabilitation. In this episode: Skip Gill intervie...

In this episode, AAOMPT interviewer Nick Rainey is joined by Dr. Natalie Turrentine, orthopedic physical therapist and educator at Rosalind Franklin University, to unpack her CSM 2024 research on obstetric education in DPT programs. They cover: Differences between pelvic health and obstetric terminology Why orthopedic PTs need training in pregnancy-related considerations Accessibility issues and referral trends CAPTE standards and what’s actually required in PT education How her program th...

In this episode of Hands On, Hands Off, we dive deep into the largest systematic review on SMT to date with researcher and chiropractor Casper Glissmann Nim. What he and his team discovered may shake the very foundation of manual therapy education and clinical practice. We explore: Whether SMT is more effective than placebo or non-recommended therapies Why the way you perform SMT might not influence patient outcomes How contextual factors and therapeutic alliance play a bigger role than we o...

We break down a high-profile industry report making bold claims about the effectiveness of virtual musculoskeletal (MSK) care. Is the science solid—or is it strategic marketing masked as research? Joining host Derek Clewley are two powerhouse PTs and researchers who aren't afraid to challenge the narrative: Dr. Megan Donaldson and Dr. Jake Magel. Together, they peel back the layers of bias, examine the limitations of observational studies, and explain why clinicians and patients should be cauti...