The E3 Rehab Podcast

223. Brilliant At The Basics w/ Tim Shay

18 snips
Oct 21, 2025
Tim Shay, an experienced orthopedic physical therapist and clinical instructor, dives deep into the essentials of being 'brilliant at the basics.' He shares his journey in spine and hip care, emphasizing thorough patient evaluations and building trust through careful communication. Expect insights on managing chronic pain, the evolution of clinical instruction, and the importance of flexibility in treatment approaches. Tim also highlights his passion for mentorship and lifelong learning, encouraging new grads to embrace curiosity and collaborative care.
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ADVICE

Begin With A Thorough, Unbiased Eval

  • Start each patient visit with a full, unbiased evaluation and rule out red flags before leaning on scans or referrals.
  • Use the exam to build trust by listening, documenting history, and showing the patient you truly looked at them.
ADVICE

Build Movement Confidence Gradually

  • Progress patients slowly to rebuild confidence in movement and avoid reinforcing fear by overloading too soon.
  • Give few focused 'rate-limiter' home exercises and explain why each one matters to accelerate progress.
ADVICE

Coach Exercises With Intention

  • Avoid 'checkoff' exercise programs and coach form and intent during each repetition.
  • Tell patients the purpose of every exercise and correct substitutions to make training efficient and intentional.
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