Hands On Hands Off

Pediatric manual therapy has been built on adult techniques — and that’s a problem.Educator, clinician, and researcher Ginny Henderson joins us to expose the missing guidelines, the hidden dangers, and the new evidence-based techniques designed specifically for growing bodies.We cover: • Why kids’ bones are more vulnerable — and how to mobilize safely • The biggest misconceptions clinicians bring from adult PT • Combining joint mechanics with motor learning for better outcomes • How chronic pain presents differently in children • The powerful (and often overlooked) influence of parent beliefs • When pain is nociceptive… and when it’s actually nociplastic • How PTs can start making better decisions tomorrow with pediatric patientsThis is one of those “I didn’t even know I needed this” conversations — and it might change how you treat kids forever.

Dr. Gail Deyle joins the show to discuss clinical reasoning, diagnostic skill, and the evidence supporting OMPT. A true clinician-scientist, Dr. Deyle has spent decades conducting clinical trials, mentoring fellowship-trained clinicians, and advocating for direct access and advanced evaluation skills in physical therapy.In this episode we explore:• Why PTs are essential contributors to global health• Evidence showing OMPT’s high benefit and low risk• The real impact of fellowship training on clinical outcomes• Advanced interviewing and reasoning as core PT competencies• The importance of diagnostic screening by PTs• Direct access and why restrictions harm patientsGuest: Dr. Gail DeyleOrganization: Army Baylor Doctoral Fellowship

In this episode, Jimmy sits down with the legendary Dr. Gail Deyle — clinician-scientist, mentor, and one of the most cited researchers in orthopaedic manual physical therapy.Dr. Deyle breaks down:The defining trait of clinicians who excel after fellowshipWhat separates great mentors from good onesReal-world stories of PTs catching critical medical conditionsThe biggest mistake clinicians make in their early reasoningWhy MSK health is a global opportunity for PTsHow clinicians can start contributing to researchThe power of collaboration between clinicians and research facultyA concise but insight-rich conversation with one of the most respected voices in the profession.00:00 – Intro: Why Dr. Gail Deyle is a PT legend  00:36 – Welcoming Gail + Reno conference gambling banter  01:15 – What trait predicts fellowship success?  02:36 – Seeing former mentees grow into experts  03:24 – What makes a great mentor?  04:43 – PTs as frontline diagnosticians  06:48 – Real examples: PTs catching serious conditions  08:22 – The biggest unlock in advanced clinical reasoning  10:04 – Making implicit reasoning explicit  11:35 – Communication, feedback & the mentor/mentee relationship  12:00 – PTs as an untapped force in global MSK health  13:10 – Red light / green light: habits to stop and start  14:55 – Dr. Deyle named in the top 2% of cited researchers  15:28 – Why clinicians should participate in research  15:48 – Closing

Dr. Tim Flynn joins the show for a powerful conversation about what it really takes to transform a broken healthcare system.A clinician, educator, and innovator, Tim has spent decades teaching around the world, challenging outdated models, and reminding clinicians that change starts with one encounter at a time.In this episode, we explore: • Why the U.S. operates a “sick-care” system — and how to shift away from it • What “Live health to sell it” means for providers and patients • The role of purpose-driven teaching in PT education • Disrupting entrenched systems without losing sight of patient connection • Lessons Tim learned early in his career teaching in the U.S. Army Baylor PT Program • How clinicians can create meaningful change at the individual and systemic levelsWhether you’re a student, seasoned PT, or someone passionate about healthcare reform, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about your work, your patients, and your purpose.About Tim Flynn:Tim is a clinician, teacher, and international speaker who works with private clients, leads national and international workshops, and contributes to the Substack OwnMyHealth. His career reflects a lifelong commitment to service, critical thinking, and the healing power of human connection.

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

In this episode of Hands On, Hands Off, we dive deep into the largest systematic review on SMT to date with researcher and chiropractor Casper Glissmann Nim. What he and his team discovered may shake the very foundation of manual therapy education and clinical practice.We explore:Whether SMT is more effective than placebo or non-recommended therapiesWhy the way you perform SMT might not influence patient outcomesHow contextual factors and therapeutic alliance play a bigger role than we once thoughtThe implications for fellowship training and manual therapy educationWhat the future holds for low back pain research and self-management strategiesThis is a must-listen for any PT, chiro, educator, or student wrestling with the role of manual therapy in modern practice.

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

In this episode, we sit down with Drake from Weave to discuss how their all-in-one communication platform is transforming the way clinics manage patient interactions. From automated call pop-ups to seamless text messaging, Weave integrates with your EHR and practice management system to create a more efficient, patient-friendly experience.We explore:✅ How Weave reduces front desk workload by automating patient communication✅ The power of texting from your office number for patient engagement✅ How Weave’s missed call text automation improves patient retention✅ Enhancing practice efficiency with real-time patient data integration✅ How mobile access allows clinicians to stay connected from anywhere

In this episode of Hands On, Hands Off, we welcome back Paul Mintken for a deep dive into mindfulness in manual therapy, patient expectations, and career longevity in physical therapy.Paul shares how mindfulness transformed his career and patient care, helping both clinicians and patients manage stress, pain, and expectations. He also discusses the power of patient beliefs in shaping outcomes, the importance of shared decision-making, and burnout in academia.

Should spinal manipulation be used in pediatric care? In this episode, experts Dr. Anita Gross and Dr. Nikki Evans break down the findings of the Pediatric Manipulation Task Force, highlighting evidence-based recommendations, safety concerns, and the need for better adverse event reporting.

In this episode of Hands On, Hands Off, we sit down with Roger Chou, a leading researcher in low back pain, pain management, and clinical guidelines development. Roger shares insights from decades of research on why current healthcare approaches often fall short and how physical therapists play a critical role in transforming patient outcomes.

In this episode of Hands On, Hands Off, host Amy welcomes two international physiotherapists to discuss the growth of orthopedic manual physiotherapy (OMPT) in East Africa. They explore the challenges of clinical training, specialization, and accessibility, as well as how mentorship and international collaboration are shaping the future of physiotherapy in their countries.The conversation covers:The evolution of OMPT education in East Africa and its integration into physiotherapy trainingChallenges in advancing specialization, including access to structured programs and recognition within the healthcare systemThe role of mentorship and international partnerships in expanding knowledge and practiceClinical reasoning vs. protocol-driven treatment approaches and how shifting perspectives improve patient careAdvocacy efforts to increase awareness, acceptance, and resources for physiotherapistsThis episode is a must-listen for physiotherapists, educators, and advocates looking to understand the unique barriers and opportunities in growing manual therapy education and practice in low-resource settings.

In this episode, we sit down with Nathan Hutting, a leading physical therapist, researcher, and vice president of IFOMPT, to discuss safety in cervical spine treatment, person-centered care, and the future of manual therapy education and research. Fresh off his keynote presentation at IFOMPT 2024, Nathan shares insights on how clinicians can navigate safety concerns, integrate patient-centered care, and adapt to evolving best practices in manual therapy.