In this episode, we answer the most common questions we get from listeners. We dive into course recommendations, highlighting resources for continuing education, mentoring and evidence-based practices.

A key focus is on clinical reasoning strategies—how to approach complex cases and integrate patient-specific factors into your decision-making. We also discuss the value of spending the majority of your first session taking the patient’s story.

Your patients will make you a better physical therapist, if you listen to them. Be curious and let it lead you towards mastery.

A glance at this episode:

• [2:27] Courses and Continuous Learning

• [12:11] Starting the Podcast and Building a Community

• [13:17] Mentorship and Clinical Reasoning

• [19:10] Treatment Sessions and Client Engagement

• [22:56] The Role of Patients in Clinical Learning

• [26:41] Reflecting on the Year and Planning for the Future

Related links:

• Tough To Treat Website

• Erica’s Course: Decoding the Complex Patient

• Susan’s Pelvic Health Education Subscription

• Access the Transcript

Clients self-refer for many reasons and we find ourselves on the front line of health care screening. Join Susan and Erica as they uncover key elements in a client's history and narrative around long-standing shoulder pain. Simplistic presentations usually mask true underlying considerations including the client's beliefs and red flags.

A glance at this episode:

• [1:41] Client's Initial Presentation and History

• [4:07] Exploring Past Injuries and Chronic Bike Riding

• [6:56] Impact of Corporate Life and Breast Cancer on Health

• [13:08] Concerns About Bone Health and DEXA Scan

• [15:21] Addressing Left Shoulder Pain and Movement Dysfunction

• [17:51] Implementing Modified Exercises and Pilates

• [39:28] Discussing the Power of the Narrative and Patient Advocacy

• [40:13] Connecting Patient Goals to Treatment Outcomes

• [45:17] Final Thoughts and Episode Closing

Related links:

• Tough To Treat Website

• Erica’s Course: Decoding the Complex Patient

• Susan’s Pelvic Health Education Subscription

• Access the Transcript

In this episode, we explore the surprising journey of a boxer battling chronic shoulder pain that left him struggling to do even the most basic workout. Despite focusing on his shoulder, it turns out the root of his problem lay elsewhere—his elbow. Is that surprising? It was in his injury history. Do not discount the power of an old injury that could come back and haunt you. And think about the load on the elbow when you're doing a push or pull-up. Join us as we clinically reason through this interesting case from start to finish.

A glance at this episode:

• [0:01] Introduction and Patient Background

• [7:03] Initial Assessment and Observations

• [11:56] Exploring the Root Causes

• [14:12] Addressing the Pull-Up Challenge

• [32:06] Implementing Exercise Program

• [36:32] Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

Related links:

• Tough To Treat Website

• Erica’s Course: Decoding the Complex Patient

• Susan’s Pelvic Health Education Subscription

• Access the Transcript