Hands On Hands Off

Today on Hands On, Hands Off, host Moyo Tillery sits down with Dr. Myra Meekins—PT, educator, and curriculum designer—to rethink how we teach and learn OMPT. From “practice makes perfect” to practice with purpose, Myra connects classic motor-learning models to the OPTIMAL theory (expectancies, autonomy, external focus), and shows why you must address the psychosocial to change the psychomotor.We get concrete about designing sticky learning experiences for DPT students, residents, and fellows; building safe, high-expectation lab cultures; and using feedback, simulations, and competency-based education to translate knowledge to performance. Myra also shares her path from MTI fellowship and WashU’s Movement System Impairments work to leading curriculum development for a new DPT program and co-investigating a $1.6M grant bringing PT simulation into high schools.You’ll learnWhy clear expectations + psychological safety accelerates skill acquisitionHow to scaffold from competence → refinement → mastery across DPT, residency, and fellowshipPractical ways to make learning “stick” for a class of 100 (and a class of 10)Using low-stakes, frequent formative assessment to steer teaching in real timeDesigning integrated, case-based curricula (and avoiding silo traps)What competency-based education and entrustable professional activities (EPAs) look like in PTMovement as the organizing principle: applying Movement System Impairments to guide exam & interventionWhy educators must adapt to the learner in front of them, not the one they used to be

What if context—patient beliefs, provider expectations, and the therapeutic relationship—drives a meaningful share of spinal manipulation outcomes? In this HANDS ON HANDS OFF episode, we break down a single-arm intervention study funded by the Paris Family Foundation via the Foundation for OMPT, why the current mechanisms model zeroes in on the “context zone,” and how to practically weave guidelines + shared decision-making into outpatient practice.Top takeawaysOutcomes vary—and context might be part of the mechanismStudy design links individual providers ↔ individual patients for cleaner signalsImplementation: use shared decision-making to operationalize guidelinesCareer notes: pick mentors early, build long-term collaborators, include patient partners

In this episode of HANDS ON HANDS OFF, host Dr. Moyo Tillery sits down with Dr. Sarah Shaver, a clinician, educator, and researcher focused on gender considerations in orthopaedic manual physical therapy. Together they explore why common assumptions about female athletes and chronic pain patients can perpetuate inequities—and what OMPT practitioners can do to change that.From ACL injury risk factors to concussion outcomes, manual therapy decision-making, and care for transgender and non-binary athletes, Dr. Shaver challenges listeners to reflect on their own biases, apply equity-based care, and use available research to transform outcomes.What you’ll learn in this episode:Why gendered assumptions about ACL injuries and concussions can lead to inequitable careHow “hands-off” approaches to chronic pain disproportionately affect female patientsThe difference between equality and equity in clinical practicePractical strategies and resources to recognize and reduce bias in your own treatmentHow to create more inclusive environments for transgender and non-binary athletes in OMPT settings

What does “usual care” really mean in physical therapy research — and why is it so inconsistently applied across studies? In this episode, Dr. Amy McDevitt joins us for a deep-dive conversation into the limitations of current PT research and how vague terms like "usual care" are impacting evidence-informed practice.Dr. McDevitt discusses:Why “nothing” should never be a control in clinical trialsHow heel pain and orthotic studies show cracks in research designThe evolving role of manual therapy and therapeutic allianceHer collaborative work with Dr. Moyo Tillery on minority faculty representationAdvice for early-career academics and clinical researchersThe connection between burnout, purpose, and academic productivityThis episode is a must-listen for PTs, educators, researchers, and anyone passionate about improving the quality of care through better scholarship.

Seth interviews Carl DeRosa about the shift to competency-based education (CBE) and entrustment in physical therapy.Highlights:Designing backwards: from competencies to curriculumHow integration dismantles siloed coursesFaculty adoption & team-teaching complexitiesThe profession's position versus medicine, pharmacy & vetUniversity of Arizona’s agile 3‑year medical school modelEntry‑level “workforce readiness,” especially in the AI eraThe pitfalls of overvaluing NPTE pass ratesCapstones focused on professional identity, not low-value researchBuilding master adaptive learners using EPAsAdvice for faculty and programs beginning their CBE journey

Is it the technique—or the therapist—that really drives manual therapy outcomes?In this episode of the AAOMPT Podcast, research expert Dr. Jason Beneciuk dives into the latest findings around spinal manipulation, patient-provider dynamics, and the contextual factors that could redefine how physical therapists deliver care.Guest: Dr. Jason Beneciuk – Associate Professor at the University of Florida and Clinical Research Scientist at Brooks Rehabilitation.In this episode: Skip Gill interviews Dr. Jason Beneciuk about his evolving research on manual therapy and the crucial role of contextual factors. They explore the development of the Biolosky model, the impact of both patient and therapist beliefs, and Jason’s latest funded study through the Paris Family Foundation. A must-listen for OMPT clinicians, researchers, and anyone aiming to provide better care by understanding not just what we do—but why it works.Resources Mentioned:The Biolosky Model of Manual Therapy Mechanisms (2009, updated 2018)Paris Family Foundation & OMPT Research GrantBrooks Rehabilitation: WebsiteUniversity of Florida DPT Program

In this episode, AAOMPT interviewer Nick Rainey is joined by Dr. Natalie Turrentine, orthopedic physical therapist and educator at Rosalind Franklin University, to unpack her CSM 2024 research on obstetric education in DPT programs.They cover:Differences between pelvic health and obstetric terminologyWhy orthopedic PTs need training in pregnancy-related considerationsAccessibility issues and referral trendsCAPTE standards and what’s actually required in PT educationHow her program threads obstetric content across curriculumOpportunities to better prepare students without extending program length

Casper Nim, a chiropractor and senior researcher at the Spine Center of Southern Denmark, shares groundbreaking insights from the largest systematic review on spinal manipulative therapy (SMT). He discusses why SMT's effectiveness may not surpass placebo or non-recommended therapies and reveals that the way SMT is performed might not heavily influence patient outcomes. Nim emphasizes the importance of contextual factors and therapeutic alliance, stressing a need for evolving manual therapy education and self-management strategies for chronic back pain.

We break down a high-profile industry report making bold claims about the effectiveness of virtual musculoskeletal (MSK) care. Is the science solid—or is it strategic marketing masked as research?Joining host Derek Clewley are two powerhouse PTs and researchers who aren't afraid to challenge the narrative: Dr. Megan Donaldson and Dr. Jake Magel. Together, they peel back the layers of bias, examine the limitations of observational studies, and explain why clinicians and patients should be cautious about AI- and app-based MSK care models.

In this episode, we explore the power of Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) with Tom from Sarah Health. Discover how RTM helps clinics stay connected with patients between visits, improves adherence to care plans, and provides a streamlined, reimbursable way to enhance patient outcomes. Tom breaks down how Sarah Health automates engagement through SMS, removes administrative burdens for clinicians, and ultimately increases clinic revenue while improving patient retention.Key Takeaways:✅ How RTM keeps patients accountable between visits✅ The reimbursement model: How clinics get paid for RTM✅ The impact of daily SMS check-ins on adherence & engagement✅ How Sarah Health simplifies RTM for clinicians✅ Increasing patient retention & referrals through better communication