I Love Neuro

Wait, you mean you have to charge for your amazing services?! How scary!! The pricing conversation is a BIG one! If you’ve ever felt scared to ask for a dollar amount, to raise your prices or even did what most clinicians do and undercharged, this episode is for you!  Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS, Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS, and Emily Duval Ledger, CPT dive deep into setting and raising prices for professional services. The key takeaway is clear: healthcare professionals often dramatically undervalue their expertise. Many therapists and wellness professionals struggle with pricing, frequently charging far less than their services are truly worth. The hosts shared personal experiences of initially undercharging, revealing common mistakes that plague the industry. These include basing prices on limited insurance reimbursements, feeling guilty about charging fair rates, and failing to account for the true costs of delivering high-quality professional services. Claire McLean introduced her "back and forth math" approach to pricing that considers multiple financial factors. This method involves calculating monthly income needs, factoring in taxes and business expenses, determining realistic client capacity, and carefully considering additional costs like staff, benefits, and overhead. The goal is to create a pricing structure that not only sustains the business but allows practitioners to deliver their best work. The conversation highlighted several key pricing principles that can transform a struggling practice into a thriving business. Practitioners must recognize that their energy and expertise are their most valuable assets. Charging appropriately prevents burnout and allows professionals to maintain the passion that drew them to their field. By creating clear value and communicating pricing transparently, businesses can attract clients who are truly committed to their own transformation. Learn practical strategies and insights so you and your clients will both thrive! 

Have you ever put weights on a walker? We’re guessing you have! Likely ankle weights…Did you find those ankle weights slide around and didn’t stay where you wanted? Well there is an actual product designed by a PT/OT duo that makes weighting ANY assistive device easier and more precise. Physical therapist Nicole Fellows, MS, PT, DPT and occupational therapist Sarah Ali, MS, OTR/L, CSRS, AIB-VRT/CON share their story of developing FALI Rehab, a company that offers adjustable weighted attachments that can be easily added to walkers, canes, and other assistive devices. Sarah and Nicole share how the idea came to fruition, what the process has been like, who benefits from the weights, why you might want to try them and where to learn more info. The weights range from 1-3 pounds and can be customized to individual needs, designed to improve proprioception and stability for users with conditions like Parkinson's, stroke, and ataxia. The product helps users feel more confident and stable while walking and can be used in clinical settings and at home. Their product addresses multiple challenges by providing immediate feedback to the nervous system, allowing users to continue using their preferred assistive device, and offering an affordable alternative to purchasing multiple specialized walkers. Currently, FALI Rehab is working on an improved design that will make attachment even easier, with plans to launch that version in late July/early August. Therapists and individuals interested in improving mobility can learn more at www.falirehab.com. IG is @falirehab  Linked in: FALI Rehab Equipment, LLC

Dr. Katie Wadland, PT, DPT, GCS's entrepreneurial journey is a testament to adaptability and patient-centered care. What began as a pandemic-era pivot while homeschooling her children transformed into Healthy Aging Physical Therapy, a robust 20-person mobile practice specializing in geriatric and neurological rehabilitation. Her practice emerged from a critical healthcare need, offering innovative at-home therapy services that prioritize patient accessibility. Unlike traditional clinical models, Wadland created a flexible business approach that allows therapists to manage their own schedules while maintaining high-quality care standards. Financial sustainability came through a strategic blend of insurance-based and wellness services, with approximately 70% of revenue from Medicare and 30% from wellness programs. By maintaining transparent financial practices and implementing a profit-sharing model, Wadland cultivated a collaborative team culture that values both professional growth and work-life balance. A key differentiator in her practice is the emphasis on continuous learning and interdisciplinary collaboration. Therapists are encouraged to co-treat, leveraging individual specialties to provide comprehensive patient care. This approach not only enhances clinical outcomes but also creates a supportive professional environment. Wadland's success underscores an important healthcare entrepreneurship principle: innovative practices can thrive by remaining patient-focused, adaptable, and committed to both clinical excellence and team development. Her model offers a compelling blueprint for healthcare professionals seeking to reimagine traditional service delivery. FB: @HealthyAging PT  IG: @HealthyAgingPT  Web: www.HealthyAgingPT.com

Ever consider specializing deeper into an aspect of neuro? Wonder what it’s like to dive deep into a subset of the neuro population and sharpen your practice? In today’s show, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews Andrew Doubek, PT, DPT, GCS, NMD about his recent experience going through an accredited movement disorders fellowship program at the Ohio State. In the show we talk about the details of what the fellowship was like from the schedule, mix of experiences, requirements and types of patients. Andrew shares his insights and words of wisdom to anyone considering a fellowship.   Plus, with documentation efficiency being top of mind for so many clinicians, Andrew generously shares his handout of smart phrases crafted from the Clinical Practice Guidelines that you can plug into your assessments and progress notes to ensure you’re targeting the key aspects needed in your notes in less time. Download the smart phrase guides here! PD CPG smartphrase.docx FND smartphrase.docx Core outcomes smart phrases.docx

Balance is a common challenge among people with Parkinson’s disease and it can be made even more challenging when there is both a risk of falls AND a high fear of falling. What’s a clinician to do to improve overall balance when your patient is too fearful to try so many things? On today’s show Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS discusses exactly that predicament with physical therapists Sharanya Chavva, PT, DPT and Jennifer Lazaro, PT, DPT, NCS who share the findings of their poster from APTA CSM 2025. Their poster, which outlines a case study of a PwP, won the APTA Balance and Falls SIG first place award. Their research focuses on a unique approach to balance interventions that incorporates high intensity focused training on one aspect of balance - Anticipatory Postural Adjustments (APAs) - that demonstrates transference to other balance outcomes. Key Highlights: - The study centered on a patient in the early stages of Parkinson's disease who had significant anxiety about falling - Traditional balance training methods weren't effectively improving her confidence - They introduced a novel approach using a specific anticipatory postural adjustment (APA) training protocol - A Zero G harness system was utilized to help the patient feel more secure during exercises Remarkable Results: - Patient's balance confidence (ABC score) increased from 73% to 80% - BESTest score improved dramatically from 62% to 83% - Patient began engaging more in daily activities like grocery shopping - Achieved high-intensity training with up to 160 repetitions per exercise This case study demonstrates that targeted, high-intensity balance training can significantly improve patient confidence and functional mobility. By focusing on anticipatory movements and creating a safe training environment, therapists can help PwP overcome their fear and improve their quality of life. Check out the poster here

So many clinicians are passionate about ensuring their clients get everything they need to gain the level of independence and quality of life they deserve after diagnosis. The disappointing part is they don’t always have access to the expert care they need. That’s where Leann Vitale, MS, OTR/L found herself several years ago realizing she had a dream to start her own practice in order to fill the gap. Taking that leap is scary and risky. Fortunately she met the perfect contact and mentor to get her going! In this episode of the I Love Neuro podcast, Leann shares her transformative journey from hospital-based therapy to founding Orange County Occupational and Physical Therapy (OC OT and PT), a specialized neurological rehabilitation practice. Driven by a passion for helping patients with Parkinson's disease and stroke recovery, Leanne took a bold leap of faith, quitting her hospital job and collaborating with Claire at Rogue to create an innovative care model that bridges the gap between individual therapy and ongoing wellness. Leann's approach is unique in its commitment to comprehensive, patient-centered care. She shares the challenges and thoughtful decisions she made about her 60-minute model of care, accepting insurance and other decisions that felt right to her. Her story is a testament to the power of passion, adaptability, and a genuine commitment to improving neurological rehabilitation, offering inspiration to healthcare professionals looking to make a meaningful difference in patients' lives. www.TheOCOT.com @the_ocot

Treating individuals with ataxia is challenging for many reasons. Having some key insights from the literature is just what you need! That’s why on this week’s episode Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviewed Dr. Jeannie Stephenson, PT, PhD, MS, MCS and Dr. Staci Shearin, PT, PhD, NCS, GCS to discuss their research and clinical experiences in treating ataxia. The speakers recently presented a webinar inside NeuroSpark for members and the takeaways were so good we had to bring them on the podcast to share more! In the episode you’ll learn their insights on various types of ataxia, effective therapeutic approaches, and the importance of intensive task-specific training. They’ll debunk common misconceptions such as the most effective approach to training and whether or not weighting is a good idea. The answers may surprise you. They also provide practical advice for clinicians on using assistive devices, outcome measures, and external cues to enhance patient treatment and support. This episode is an informative resource for anyone interested in improving mobility and the quality of life for individuals with ataxia. Want to dive deeper into treating ataxia and get continuing education credits? Good news! We’ve recently updated the Ataxia Masterclass for PTs and OTs with 3 all NEW modules for a total of 6.25 contact hours, including the webinar mentioned in the episode by Dr. Stephenson and Dr. Shearin! Get it here today.

Are you a neuro clinician working mobile or thinking about starting your side gig? Perhaps you’ll want to expand into your own space. day. Perhaps you already are and want to see if you can learn anything new. This episode will break it all down! Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS has a conversation with Han Nguyen, PT, DPT, NCS about how she built Neubility Rehab from a mobile practice to a brick-and-mortar in St. Petersburg, FL. She shares her top tips for negotiating equipment and co-op space as well as strategies to increase revenue outside of patient care.  Key Insights: - Negotiated equipment and space costs strategically - Focused on creating an accessible, specialized neurological rehabilitation clinic - Expanded beyond traditional PT by hosting community education courses Critical Business Strategies: - Always negotiate pricing and rates - Maintain an emergency fund for unexpected challenges - Collaborate with local nonprofits and healthcare professionals - Create multiple revenue streams through space rentals and continuing education The clinic's growth demonstrates the importance of: - Understanding your numbers - Being flexible in business model - Serving a specific community need - Continuously learning and adapting To see what Han’s creating go to www.neubilityrehab.com Follow them on IG @neubilityrehab  

A question many clinicians face is whether or not to go to a residency program. There are pros and cons either way and a LOT to consider. Additionally, with so many residencies available to clinicians there are things you want to look for that will be a good fit for you. Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS talk with Mari Biers, PT, DPT who is currently completing a neurologic residency at the University of Missouri. This conversation highlights multiple perspectives as Mari is currently in residency, Claire completed a neurologic residency and Erin did not do a residency. Mari highlights the immense value of residency programs for new physical therapists seeking accelerated professional growth and we also touch on the ways that you can grow without doing a residency since it is not the only path to clinical excellence. Key Takeaways: - Residencies offer intensive mentorship, improving clinical reasoning and confidence - Programs provide comprehensive learning across different healthcare settings - Participants gain deep insights into specialized neurological treatment approaches - Continuous feedback and structured learning help rapidly develop clinical skills Mari's experience demonstrates that residencies are more than just additional training - they're a pathway to becoming an exceptional clinician. While challenging, these programs provide unparalleled opportunities for professional development, research exposure, and specialized neurological rehabilitation expertise. For ongoing mentorship and lifelong learning join NeuroSpark! Go to www.joinneurospark.com to learn more. Instagram: @ptmarib

We’ve heard from our audience a lot that working with people with dementia can be very challenging for a number of reasons. In this episode Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviewed Dr. Natalie Douglas, a speech-language pathologist and dementia expert on her insights for rehabilitation professionals working with individuals living with dementia. Learn key tools that will help individuals follow through with tasks more independently while breaking down the barriers to application of the tools, practical strategies, do’s and don’ts of working with individuals with dementia and how to approach the topic of ongoing maintenance vs when it’s time to discharge to wellness. Upcoming Resource: Dr. Douglas will be teaching a comprehensive dementia care masterclass in NeuroSpark this summer, offering practical case studies and intervention techniques for PTs, OTs and assistants. Go to www.joinneurospark.com to learn more about NeuroSpark. Professionals can download her free communication training manual to enhance their dementia care approach. Communication strategies download: https://practicalimplementation.org/download-materials/ new bluesky: @natfdouglas.bsky.social