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  • Ep 216 - 3 Cases Where the Diagnosis Was Wrong - How MDT Helped with Audrey Long

    Ep 216 - 3 Cases Where the Diagnosis Was Wrong - How MDT Helped with Audrey Long
    2026/10/27

    💡 In this episode of PT Pro Talk, host Mariana Parks speaks with Audrey Long, a seasoned clinician and 30-year McKenzie Institute instructor. This interview breaks down the clinical application of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) through three real-world cases where initial diagnoses and imaging completely missed the mark - ranging from misattributed lumbar stenosis to a refractory tennis elbow hiding a joint restriction.

    From overcoming confirmation bias and spotting history clues that "don't fit" to applying end-range passive overpressure and testing joints above and below the site of pain, Audrey shares actionable insights on how to systematically screen mechanical derangements, avoid jumping too quickly into tendon load management, and refine patient communication in everyday practice.

    Download our Free Tendinopathy Clinical Cheat Sheet! 1-page quick-reference guide summarizing diagnostic tests, differential diagnosis, and exercise suggestions for your daily practice. Get your copy here.


    💭 "Even if you think you have a firm diagnosis, your history and physical exam should always be looking at what doesn't fit." - Audrey Long


    👉🏻 Audrey Long has 40 years of clinical experience ranging from work in hospitals, chronic workers' comp multidisciplinary programs, and private practice. For the last 2 decades, she has enjoyed working in a private practice owned by MDT-credentialled therapists. She completed her MDT Diploma Program in New Zealand in 1993 and was promoted to Teaching Faculty in 1997. She went on to publish 4 peer-reviewed papers, qualified to order diagnostic imaging, and completed the Canadian Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (MSK) program.

    Audrey is now enjoying semi-retirement mode: no current research, 3 short clinic days per week, teaching half the number of courses, serving on a few Committees, and keeping up with her 2 Labrador Retrievers. She enjoys her work most when she encounters patients who are not simple extension responders.



    📚In this episode, you'll learn:

    • How to spot symptoms and information that doesn’t match a patient’s referral diagnosis, and what to do next.

    • The specific subjective and objective findings Audrey used to arrive at the real diagnosis in each of the three cases.

    • A model for clinical reasoning that prioritizes assessment findings over the diagnosis already written on the chart.

    • How 30+ years of MDT training and practice shape the way an experienced clinician approaches an ambiguous or misleading case.


    📲 Audrey's contact information:

    • Linkedin

    • Audrey's Website


    🚨Try Hanna Health free for 30 days - a customizable HEP platform where you can use your own videos, edit quickly, and track patient access. Start your trial here: https://bit.ly/4pSkYjP

    🎥Link to interview on Youtube

    👉 ⁠Share Your Feedback

    🎙Join our ⁠email list⁠ to receive podcast updates

    📸⁠Instagram⁠

    📱⁠Facebook⁠

    💻⁠LinkedIn⁠

    🐦⁠Twitter⁠

    📩Email: ⁠mariana@ptprotalk.com⁠

    PT Pro Talk Podcast is only possible with the support of forward-looking and innovative companies like Hanna Health⁠.
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    1 時間 10 分
  • Ep 214 - Meniscus Tears: Conservative Care vs. Surgery with Jill Monson

    Ep 214 - Meniscus Tears: Conservative Care vs. Surgery with Jill Monson
    2026/09/29

    💭 "I think the biggest mistake is ignoring an irritable knee." - Jill Monson


    💡 In this episode of PT Pro Talk, host Mariana Parks speaks with Jill Monson, a physical therapist with over 20 years of experience specializing in complex knee injuries at Twin Cities Orthopedics. This interview breaks down the clinical decision-making behind meniscus tear management, from navigating degenerative changes to handling complex root and radial tears.

    From avoiding the "downhill cellular spiral" of an irritable joint to setting strict objective criteria for returning to sport, Jill shares actionable insights on how to properly interpret mechanical symptoms, respect surgical timelines, and optimize both non-operative and post-op meniscus rehab.


    👉🏻 Jill Monson, PT, OCS is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist highly focused on treating lower extremity injuries and complex knee conditions. She currently serves as the lead physical therapist for the Complex Knee Injury Clinic at Twin Cities Orthopedics, where she directs clinical care and research initiatives in collaboration with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Robert LaPrade.

    Beyond her clinical practice, Jill is a prominent figure in international medical education. She is a frequent conference speaker, a prolific author of scientific articles, and an active committee member for the AASPT. Her ultimate professional goal is to help patients overcome challenging orthopedic problems and return to their peak performance in both life and sport.


    📚In this episode, you'll learn:

    • What actually makes someone a good candidate for conservative management, versus needing a surgical referral

    • How long conservative treatment should really be given before reconsidering the surgical option

    • How to structure post-op rehab from the first few weeks after repair through return-to-sport criteria

    • The biggest mistakes PTs make when rehabbing a meniscus repair


    🔎Jill's Resource of Information:

    • Monson JK, Tollefson LV, et.al. Current Rehabilitation Principles Following Meniscus Repairs. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2025 Sep. PMID: 40343689

    • Prill R, Ma CB, et. al. The formal EU-US Meniscus Rehabilitation 2024 Consensus: An ESSKA-AOSSM-AASPT initiative. PMID: 40501314

    • Pujol N, Giordano AO, et. al. The formal EU-US Meniscus Rehabilitation 2024 Consensus: An ESSKA-AOSSM-AASPT initiative. PMID: 40353298

    • Dr. LaPrade Website

    • Dr. Chala Website


    📲 Jill's contact information:

    • IG: https://www.instagram.com/jillmonsonpt/

    • Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillmonsonptocs/


    🚨Try Hanna Health free for 30 days - a customizable HEP platform where you can use your own videos, edit quickly, and track patient access. Start your trial here: https://bit.ly/4pSkYjP

    🎥Link to interview on Youtube


    👉 ⁠Share Your Feedback


    🎙Join our ⁠email list⁠ to receive podcast updates

    📸⁠Instagram⁠

    📱⁠Facebook⁠

    💻⁠LinkedIn⁠

    🐦⁠Twitter⁠

    📩Email: ⁠mariana@ptprotalk.com⁠

    PT Pro Talk Podcast is only possible with the support of forward-looking and innovative companies like Hanna Health⁠.
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    1 時間 5 分
  • Ep 213 - From Leprosy Wards to North Korea: What It Takes to Practice Anywhere with Dr. Philomena Commons

    Ep 213 - From Leprosy Wards to North Korea: What It Takes to Practice Anywhere with Dr. Philomena Commons
    2026/09/15

    💡 In this episode of PT Pro Talk, host Mariana Parks sits down with Dr. Philomena Commons (Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, McKenzie Tutor, and PhD) to explore what it really takes to practice physical therapy in some of the most restricted, dangerous, and under-resourced environments in the world.

    From treating endemic leprosy in Bangladesh to teaching the McKenzie Method (MDT) under government surveillance in North Korea and evaluating back pain in Afghan prisons, Dr. Commons shares extraordinary insights on clinical intuition, cross-cultural adaptation, and patient empowerment. Learn how shifting from a purely mechanistic approach to addressing the social determinants of health (like poverty, education, and social stigma) can completely transform patient care and long-term outcomes.

    💭 "I didn't really appreciate what the value of freedom until I left North Korea." - Dr. Philomena Commons

    👉🏻 Dr. Philomena Commons PhD MSc Dip MDT Grad Dip Phys MCSP is a highly experienced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and McKenzie Tutor specializing in evidence-based treatments for complex, recurrent pain. She has held senior clinical roles in the UK's NHS and served as a Senior Lecturer at Leeds Beckett University.

    Beyond her clinical and academic work, she integrates her CrossFit and Life Coaching backgrounds to run functional exercise classes for Parkinson's patients. Deeply committed to global and social impact, Dr. Commons has advanced physiotherapy education in developing countries and currently volunteers to provide care for homeless individuals in the UK.


    📚In this episode, you'll learn:

    • Adapting hands-on treatment when cultural norms limit what you can see, touch, or demonstrate.

    • Why treating the individual patient isn't always enough - and how one encounter with a paralyzed young man changed her thinking on disability.

    • What it's like to teach under constant government surveillance in North Korea.

    • Trusting clinical intuition and staying safe in unpredictable settings abroad.

    🔎Philomena's Resource of Information:

    • McKenzie UK Website

    📲 Philomena's contact information:

    • Philomena's LinkedIn

    • E-mail: philomenacommons@yahoo.com

    • McKenzie's Facebook

    • McKenzie's IG

    🚨Try Hanna Health free for 30 days - a customizable HEP platform where you can use your own videos, edit quickly, and track patient access. Start your trial here: https://bit.ly/4pSkYjP

    🎥Link to interview on Youtube

    👉 ⁠Share Your Feedback

    🎙Join our ⁠email list⁠ to receive podcast updates

    📸⁠Instagram⁠

    📱⁠Facebook⁠

    💻⁠LinkedIn⁠

    🐦⁠Twitter⁠

    📩Email: ⁠mariana@ptprotalk.com⁠

    PT Pro Talk Podcast is only possible with the support of forward-looking and innovative companies like Hanna Health⁠ and ⁠SaraHealth⁠.
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    1 時間 8 分
  • Ep 212 - Functional Manual Therapy: Fascia, PNF, and Motor Control with Gregg Johnson

    Ep 212 - Functional Manual Therapy: Fascia, PNF, and Motor Control with Gregg Johnson
    2026/09/01
    💡 In this episode of PT Pro Talk, host Mariana Parks speaks with Gregg Johnson, a physical therapist with over 50 years of clinical experience and co-developer of the Functional Manual Therapy (FMT) system. This interview breaks down how shifting your focus from treating local symptoms to evaluating the entire human system can completely transform your daily practice. From curing the "migrating miseries" in chronic pain patients to understanding the feed-forward mechanism of the core, Gregg shares actionable insights to help you look beyond the joint, integrate PNF, and properly assess mechanical capacity and motor control to unlock life-changing patient outcomes. 💭 "Shift your focus away from symptoms to function. To me, every time I chase symptoms, I chase the migrating miseries in my chronic pain patients..." - Gregg Johnson👉🏻 Gregory S. Johnson is a world-renowned physical therapist who co-founded the Institute of Physical Art (IPA) and the Functional Manual Therapy® System. A 1971 USC graduate, he revolutionized the field by integrating the fascial system into manual therapy and developing the first Soft Tissue Mobilization course for PTs in 1980. He has trained over 50,000 therapists globally. Today, he continues to treat patients, conduct research, and lead Fellowship programs as the President of IPA and founding partner of Johnson and Johnson Physical Therapy.📚In this episode, you'll learn:What Functional Manual Therapy is and how the MNM model (mechanical capacity, neuromuscular function, and motor control) guides clinical reasoningWhy fascial dysfunction is often overlooked and how to identify and treat it as part of a whole-system approachHow to use PNF to assess and facilitate core muscles that have become inhibited by pain, including the multifidusWhy passive stretching often fails and how active, resistance-based approaches produce more lasting results🔎Gregg's Resource of Information:WebsiteCollins CK, Gilden B. A NON-OPERATIVE APPROACH TO THE MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC EXERTIONAL COMPARTMENT SYNDROME IN A TRIATHLETE: A CASE REPORT📲 Gregg's contact information:InstagramFacebookLinkedInYouTube 🎥Link to interview on Youtube 🚨Try Hanna Health free for 30 days - a customizable HEP platform where you can use your own videos, edit quickly, and track patient access.⁠⁠ Start your trial here.⁠ 👉 ⁠Share Your Feedback🎙Join our ⁠email list⁠ to receive podcast updates📸⁠Instagram⁠ 📱⁠Facebook⁠💻⁠LinkedIn⁠🐦⁠Twitter⁠📩Email: ⁠mariana@ptprotalk.com⁠PT Pro Talk Podcast is only possible with the support of forward-looking and innovative companies like Hanna Health⁠ and ⁠SaraHealth⁠.
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    1 時間 4 分
  • Ep 211 - Extremity Pain: Spine or Periphery? Real MDT Cases with Colin Davies

    Ep 211 - Extremity Pain: Spine or Periphery? Real MDT Cases with Colin Davies
    2026/08/18
    💡 In this episode of PT ProTalk, host Mariana Parks speaks with Colin Davies, a physiotherapist with over 50 years of clinical experience who worked directly alongside Robin McKenzie. This interview breaks down how recognizing the spine's hidden role in extremity pain can completely transform your daily clinical practice.From uncovering the true source of recurrent patellar dislocations to solving a professional dancer's 13-year history of hip pain, Colin shares actionable insights to help you look beyond the joint, avoid confirmation bias, and properly assess the spine to unlock life-changing patient outcomes.💭 “We have to do a better job of examining the spine before we start treating an apparent extremity problem.” - Colin Davies👉🏻 Colin Davies trained at the New Zealand School of Physiotherapy and graduated in 1971. He worked as assistant to Robin McKenzie in 1974 before immigrating to Canada, where he has been in private practice since 1979. He became a member of the teaching faculty of the McKenzie Institute International in 1984 and has presented over 300 courses on Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy in 18 countries around the world. He is an examiner for the McKenzie Institute Diploma programme. He served for 15 years as a member of the Advisory Council to the Board of Trustees until October 2009, when he was appointed to the Board of Trustees for the McKenzie Institute International. 📚In this episode, you'll learn:How to assess extremity pain using MDT when the source may not be where the symptoms areWhy spinal screening should be part of every lower extremity assessmentHow MDT assessment can reveal findings that challenge even the most experienced cliniciansWhat three real clinical cases from an MDT course in Argentina teach us about referred pain patterns🔎Colin's Resource of Information:Rosedale R, et.al. A study exploring the prevalence of Extremity Pain of Spinal Source (EXPOSS). J Man Manip Ther. 2020 Sep. doi: 10.1080/10669817.2019.1661706.📲 Colin's contact information:Mckenzie InstituteLinkedIn 🎥Link to interview on Youtube 🚨Try Hanna Health free for 30 days - a customizable HEP platform where you can use your own videos, edit quickly, and track patient access.⁠⁠ Start your trial here.⁠ 👉 ⁠Share Your Feedback🎙Join our ⁠email list⁠ to receive podcast updates📸⁠Instagram⁠ 📱⁠Facebook⁠💻⁠LinkedIn⁠🐦⁠Twitter⁠📩Email: ⁠mariana@ptprotalk.com⁠PT Pro Talk Podcast is only possible with the support of forward-looking and innovative companies like Hanna Health⁠ and ⁠SaraHealth⁠.
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    1 時間 16 分
  • Ep 210 - Shockwave, MDT & Acupuncture: Two Complex Cases with Lukasz Oleksiewicz

    Ep 210 - Shockwave, MDT & Acupuncture: Two Complex Cases with Lukasz Oleksiewicz
    2026/08/04
    💡 In this episode of PT Pro Talk, we speak with Lukasz Oleksiewicz, a highly experienced physiotherapist and MDT Diplomat who integrates Eastern and Western clinical approaches. This interview breaks down how combining mechanical therapy with tools like shockwave and acupuncture can transform your daily clinical practice. From using shockwave therapy to desensitize highly reactive tissues for heavy loading to understanding the role of acupuncture in calming a stressed central nervous system before mechanical assessment, Lukasz shares actionable insights to help you look beyond a "one-size-fits-all" method and treat the individual patient. 💭 ‘’I see each patient as a blank canvas that I need to explore and learn about because every single human being is so unique that a one-size-fits-all approach seldom works." - Lukasz Oleksiewicz👉🏻 Lukasz Oleksiewicz Dip.MDT, Lic Ac is a highly experienced physiotherapist specializing in musculoskeletal conditions, sports injuries, and neurological rehabilitation. With an international background spanning Poland, Ireland, China, and the US, he offers a comprehensive, hands-on approach to patient care that combines mobilization, manipulation, soft tissue techniques, acupuncture, and tailored exercises. In 2008, he founded the AcuPhysio Clinic in Ireland to treat both local residents and athletes. Dedicated to continuous learning, Lukasz holds an International Diploma in the McKenzie Method (MDT) and is fully qualified in Saebo and Bobath Therapy. Additionally, he provides specialized neurological rehabilitation for patients affected by stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease, a focus he developed through his extensive work with local charities.📚In this episode, you'll learn:How to approach chronic plantar fasciitis when tissue loading, sensitisation, and lifestyle factors are all in playHow to use metaphors and patient education to shift pain beliefs and break long-standing habitsHow to assess and sequence treatment when acute low back pain overlaps with Functional Neurological DisorderHow to integrate MDT, acupuncture, and loading strategies without becoming technique-driven📲 Lukasz's contact information:Website LinkedIn InstagramAcuPhysio Facebook 🎥Link to interview on Youtube 🚨Try Hanna Health free for 30 days - a customizable HEP platform where you can use your own videos, edit quickly, and track patient access.⁠ Start your trial here.⁠ 👉 ⁠Share Your Feedback⁠Help Us Build Better Solutions for Your Practice! 🚀 Take 60 seconds to answer 3 quick questions and help us build new paths to make your practice run smoother.🎙Join our ⁠email list⁠ to receive podcast updates📸⁠Instagram⁠ 📱⁠Facebook⁠💻⁠LinkedIn⁠🐦⁠Twitter⁠📩Email: ⁠mariana@ptprotalk.com⁠PT Pro Talk Podcast is only possible with the support of forward-looking and innovative companies like Hanna Health⁠ and ⁠SaraHealth⁠.
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    53 分
  • Ep 209 - The Hypermobile Patient - Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome & HSD with Dr. Jan Dommerholt

    Ep 209 - The Hypermobile Patient - Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome & HSD with Dr. Jan Dommerholt
    2026/07/21
    💡Why are patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and hypermobility often dismissed, misdiagnosed, or told their severe pain is "just growing pains"?In this episode of PT ProTalk, host Mariana Parks sits down with Dr. Jan Dommerholt, a globally recognized expert in myofascial, chronic, and orofacial pain, and a leading authority on hypermobility disorders. Dr. Dommerholt breaks down the systemic reality of EDS and explains exactly why physical therapy is the number one profession to help these patients regain control of their lives.💭 "They used to call it benign hypermobility. Well, there's nothing benign about hypermobility, believe me." - Dr. Jan Dommerholt👉🏻 Dr. Jan Dommerholt PT, DPT, MPS is a Dutch-trained physical therapist, widely recognized as a leading expert in myofascial, chronic, and orofacial pain. A pioneer in his field, he introduced dry needling to the United States in 1997 and remains a global authority and consultant on the practice. Leveraging his background as a former musician, he also specializes in performing arts physical therapy, focusing on treating musculoskeletal issues in instrumentalists. Furthermore, Dr. Dommerholt is a prolific author and educator who has published numerous books, over 130 articles, and nearly 80 textbook chapters, while also lecturing globally and teaching at the University of Maryland. In addition to his extensive academic contributions, he is the president of Bethesda Physiocare®, serves on several editorial boards, and has received multiple prestigious awards for his clinical practice and educational excellence.📚In this episode, you'll learn:How to identify HSD/hEDS patients you're likely already seeing but missingWhy your standard MSK approach often fails this population - and what to do insteadHow to build a practical treatment plan that accounts for pain flares and nonlinear progressHow education and validation can be your most powerful clinical tools with these patients🔎Dr. Jan's Resource of Information:Mintken, P. E., Dommerholt, J., & Francomano, C. A. (2026). Managing Patients With Hypermobility Disorders: They've Seen You, but Have You Seen Them? Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2026.13979 The Ehlers Danlos Society WebsiteEDS ECHO Programs & Courses for Healthcare Professionals 📲 Dr. Jan's contact information:jan@bpcemail.com jan@myopainseminars.com LinkedIn Bethesda Physiocare Website Bethesda Physiocare Facebook Myopain Seminars Website Myonpain Seminars Facebook 🎥Link to interview on Youtube 🚨Try Hanna Health free for 30 days - a customizable HEP platform where you can use your own videos, edit quickly, and track patient access.⁠ Start your trial here.⁠ 👉 ⁠Share Your Feedback⁠Help Us Build Better Solutions for Your Practice! 🚀 Take 60 seconds to answer 3 quick questions and help us build new paths to make your practice run smoother.🎙Join our ⁠email list⁠ to receive podcast updates📸⁠Instagram⁠ 📱⁠Facebook⁠💻⁠LinkedIn⁠🐦⁠Twitter⁠📩Email: ⁠mariana@ptprotalk.com⁠PT Pro Talk Podcast is only possible with the support of forward-looking and innovative companies like Hanna Health⁠ and ⁠SaraHealth⁠.
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    1 時間 25 分