Hip and knee pain are some of the most common reasons people seek medical care, and many are told early on that they’ll eventually need a joint replacement. Imaging often shows arthritis or “bone-on-bone” changes, but those findings alone don’t determine when surgery is truly necessary.

In this episode, Pete Schultz Doctor of Physical Therapy breaks down what hip and knee osteoarthritis actually is, why pain doesn’t always match the amount of joint damage, and how to think through both non-surgical and surgical options. We’ll discuss functional limitations, quality of life, and why the decision to move forward with a hip or knee replacement should be based on how much your symptoms interfere with your daily life — not just what an X-ray or MRI shows.

We also review joint-preserving options, different types of hip and knee replacements, and common situations where surgery may be necessary sooner, such as advanced joint collapse, fractures, or structural complications.

This episode is designed to help you better understand the decision-making process and feel more confident having informed conversations with your healthcare team.

Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information discussed reflects general principles and may not apply to every individual. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific condition or treatment options.

Learn More

🌐 Dynamic Sports Physical Therapy
https://www.dynamicsportspt.com

🎧 What’s in Your Head: Tools for Pain & Dizziness
https://www.painanddizzy.com

Episode Title:
Migraine Beyond Medication: A Multi-Systems Approach

Episode Description:

Migraine is not just a headache — it’s a complex neurologic condition involving the nervous system, sensory processing, and multiple body systems.

In this episode of What’s in Your Head: Tools for Pain & Dizziness, Dr. Pete Schultz, physical therapist, goes beyond medication and explores where conservative, non-pharmacologic strategies fit into modern migraine care.

Medications can be helpful for many people, but a significant number of individuals continue to struggle with persistent symptoms, frequent attacks, and disability. This episode focuses on the additional contributors that influence migraine outcomes and why a multi-systems approach is often necessary.

This discussion is grounded in both clinical experience and current evidence, including a peer-reviewed article co-authored with colleague Scott Siverling that outlines a multimodal, conservative framework for treating migraine from a physical therapist’s perspective.

In this episode, Pete discusses:

• Migraine as a neurologic nervous system condition
• Why medication alone may not fully address migraine drivers
• The role of the autonomic nervous system and stress physiology
• How exercise, manual therapy, vestibular therapy, biofeedback, and mindfulness-based strategies fit into care
• Why this approach is complementary to — not against — medication

This episode is designed to help patients and clinicians better understand migraine and expand the toolbox for managing symptoms and improving quality of life.

For more information on migraine, pain, dizziness, and nervous system health, visit www.PainAndDizzy.com
.

To schedule a physical therapy evaluation for headache, migraine, concussion, dizziness, or persistent pain, visit www.DynamicSportsPT.com
.

Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.

Reference:
Siverling S, Schultz P. A Multimodal Conservative Approach to Treating Migraine: A Physical Therapist’s Perspective. Current Pain and Headache Reports. 2023;27:329–337. doi:10.1007/s11916-023-01140-3

Episode Summary

In this episode of What’s in Your Head: Tools for Pain and Dizziness, Dr. Pete Schultz breaks down what biofeedback actually is—and just as importantly, what it isn’t.

Biofeedback is not the treatment.
It’s a measurement tool that lets us see the autonomic nervous system in real time.

The real treatment is still things like breathing, muscle relaxation, visualization, meditation, and mindfulness. Biofeedback simply shows us how the nervous system is responding to those tools, moment by moment. And that matters—because when the nervous system can see what it’s doing, it learns faster.

In this episode, Pete explains:

• What biofeedback is and how it works
• How the autonomic nervous system shifts between fight-or-flight and rest-and-digest
• The main types of biofeedback, including:
  • Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
  • Thermal (skin temperature)
  • Skin conductance (GSR)
  • Muscle tension (EMG)
  • A brief overview of neurofeedback
• The difference between wearables (like WHOOP and Oura) and true biofeedback training
• Why biofeedback can be so helpful for persistent pain, dizziness, headaches, migraines, concussion symptoms, long COVID, and other conditions where the nervous system gets stuck in protection mode

Pete also walks through how biofeedback is used clinically and shares real-world examples from his practice.

At the end of the episode, Pete teaches a guided box breathing exercise—a simple, practical self-regulation tool you can use with or without biofeedback equipment—to help calm and regulate the nervous system.

Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Individualized care from a qualified healthcare professional is important for addressing pain, dizziness, headaches, or neurological symptoms.

If you’re looking for a physical therapy evaluation or treatment, visit https://www.DynamicSportsPT.com
.
For more education and tools related to pain and dizziness, visit https://www.PainAndDizzy.com
.