Let's Get Physical (Therapy)
The “Let’s Get Physical (Therapy) Podcast,” hosted by MedStar Health Physical Therapy, is a new educational podcast series designed for rehabilitation professionals, students, new graduates, and those in related fields. Join us as we discuss treatment options, innovations, techniques, and more with a wide variety of medical professionals.
Questions or podcast suggestions? Email us at PTpodcast@medstar.net.
Questions or podcast suggestions? Email us at PTpodcast@medstar.net.
Episodes
155 episodes
Healing to Helping: The Journey of Connor Culp going from Patient to PT
On today’s episode, we’re flipping the script. My guest started his journey on the other side of the table—as a physical therapy patient. What began as an experience in rehab turned into inspiration for a career, and now he’s thriving as a PT s...
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Season 3
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Episode 34
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25:57
Sydney & Jon Spill the Secrets of Surviving (and Thriving in) PT School
Welcome back to the podcast! In today’s episode, we’re sitting down with two third-year Doctor of Physical Therapy students from Marymount University—Sydney Wertz and Jon Dosso. They’re here to give us a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s real...
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Season 3
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Episode 33
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35:53
Cleared To Play: Dr. Kelly Ryan and Athletic Trainer Jenna Page on PPEs and Readiness for Sport
Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s essential for athletes of all ages but often misunderstood—the pre-participation physical exam, or PPE. Whether you’re gearing up for a new sports season or supporting athletes as a parent, coach, or prov...
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Season 3
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Episode 32
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40:41

Up ENDing Parkinson’s: Molly Cupka on Movement, Motivation, and the Power of Climbing
In today’s episode, I’m thrilled to be joined by Molly Cupka, the president of Up ENDing Parkinson’s—an inspiring program that’s redefining what’s possible for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease. Through the power of rock clim...
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Season 3
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Episode 32
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28:20
Hands On Help, How OT Transforms Parkinson’s Care with OT Charlene Foote
In this episode, we’re taking a closer look at how occupational therapy supports individuals living with Parkinson’s disease—not just in the clinic, but in their day-to-day lives. We’re joined by Charlene Foote, a skilled occupation...
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Season 3
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Episode 31
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37:43
Punching Through Parkinson’s: Lauren Ayers, PTA on Rock Steady Therapy
Today’s episode packs a punch—literally. We’re diving into a powerful and inspiring approach to treating Parkinson’s disease: Rock Steady Boxing. This isn’t your typical therapy session. It’s high-energy, movement-focused, and built around the ...
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Season 3
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Episode 30
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29:25
Turn Up the Volume: Finding Your Voice with Parkinson’s with Speech Therapist Eileen Carden
Today we’re continuing with our Parkinson's series and we’re focusing on the critical role of speech-language pathology in the management of Parkinson’s disease. Joining us is Eileen Carden, a licensed speech-language pathologist wi...
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Season 3
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Episode 29
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32:50
Navigating Parkinson’s Disease with Physical Therapist Jen McDivitt
I’m joined by Jen McDivitt, PT, an experienced physical therapist who works closely with individuals living with Parkinson’s. Jen brings both clinical expertise and deep compassion to her practice, and in this episode, she shares what it’s real...
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Season 3
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Episode 28
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27:17

Understanding Parkinson’s Disease, What Every PT Should Know with Dr. Volkell
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Volkell, Director of Movement Disorders in the Division of Neurology at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, to take a comprehensive look at Parkinson’s disease through the lens of medical management and...
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Season 3
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Episode 27
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53:40

Hot Topics: Preventing and Managing Heat Illness with Dr. Sedgley
In today’s episode, we’re tackling a critical topic that affects athletes, coaches, and anyone active outdoors—heat illness. Joining us is Dr. Sedgley, a seasoned sports medicine physician with extensive experience treating heat-related conditi...
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Season 3
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Episode 26
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45:31
Sole Searching, Finding the Right Shoe with Charm City Run Shoe Expert, Brian Nasuta
Whether you’re pounding the pavement, hitting the trails, or just trying to find the right pair of shoes for everyday movement—this episode is for you. Today, we’re joined by Brian Nasuta from Charm City Run, a true shoe expert with years of ex...
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Season 3
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Episode 25
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31:14

Beyond the Insole: Orthotics Explained with Dr. Senatore
👣 Are orthotics the secret to better movement—or just overhyped inserts? In our latest episode, podiatrist Dr. Senatore breaks down everything you need to know about orthotics: when to use them, who really needs them, a...
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Season 3
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Episode 24
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28:35

The Achilles Heel of Recovery, all things Achilles Tendinopathies with Physical Therapist Nicole Shenk
The Achilles tendon is powerful but prone to injury, from acute ruptures to chronic tendinopathy. In this episode, PT Nicole Shenk breaks down how she assesses and treats Achilles issues, the key differences between acute and chronic cases, spe...
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Season 3
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Episode 23
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41:39
Ankle Instability: From Diagnosis to Recovery with Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Casscells
When is an ankle sprain more than just a sprain? In this episode, we sit down with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Casscells to dive into the complexities of ankle instability, assessment, and treatment. He shares his approach to evaluating patients, wh...
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Season 3
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Episode 22
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43:35
Healing from the Ground Up: Foot & Ankle PT with Elise Egolf
In this episode, we dive into ankle instability and rehabilitation with physical therapist Elise Egolf. From acute ankle sprains to chronic instability, Elise breaks down what a thorough assessment looks like, key rehab principles, and strategi...
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Season 3
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Episode 21
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45:57
Breaking the Pain Cycle, Insights from Dr. Khoie on Interventional Pain Management
For those living with chronic pain, relief isn’t always as simple as taking medication. Interventional pain management offers advanced techniques that can target pain at its source and improve quality of life. In this episode, Dr. K...
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Season 3
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Episode 20
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54:44
Communication is Key: Spotlight on Speech Therapy Month with Speech Therapists Natalie Russell and Anna Dickstein
This May, we’re celebrating National Speech-Language-Hearing Month by spotlighting the incredible work of speech-language pathologists, or SLPs. Joining me today are two amazing speech therapists: Natalie Russell and Anna Dickstein,...
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Season 3
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Episode 19
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40:40
Caring for the Caregivers: Mental Health Strategies with Mental Health Coach Eli Mandel
Welcome back to our podcast, where we dive deep into the heart of healthcare — the people who live it, lead it, and love it. Today’s episode is all about taking care of ourselves as healthcare professionals in a time when stress, burnout, and e...
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Season 3
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Episode 18
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24:17
Behind the Finish Line: Stories from the 2025 Boston Marathon Medical Tent
The Boston Marathon is a legendary test of endurance — not just for runners, but for the medical teams who support them. In this episode, we’re recapping the 2025 race with the MedStar Health volunteers who worked in the medical tents.
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Season 3
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Episode 17
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41:50

Top 10 Tips to Be a Rockstar Clinical Instructor: Insights from PTs Aurora Clements & Jessica Jordan
In this episode, we’re talking all about what it takes to be a great Clinical Instructor. I’m joined by two experienced PTs, Aurora Clements and Jessica Jordan, who share their top 10 tips for creating an awesome learning experience for student...
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Season 3
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Episode 16
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44:50
Scholarships, Equity, and Impact: The Rizing Tide Story with Heidi Jennenga and Valerie Rucker-Busie
In this episode, we’ll dive into the inspiration behind Rizing Tide Foundation, the impact it’s already having, and why this movement is so crucial for the future of PT. We’ll also talk about what we as clinicians, educators, and mentors can do...
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Season 3
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Episode 15
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45:56
Celebrating OT Month, How Mentorship Shapes the Future of the Profession with OT Meaghan Grace
In this episode, we’re celebrating OT Month by diving into the world of occupational therapy with Meaghan Grace, OT. We’ll explore what makes the profession so unique, the vital role mentorship plays in shaping future OTs, and why taking studen...
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Season 3
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Episode 14
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42:00
Stick to the Science: Dry Needling for Pain & Recovery with PTs Meghan Dawson and Brittanie Mafra
In this episode, we dive deep into dry needling with a seasoned physical therapists, Meghan Dawson (PT, DPT, FDN, MTC, BRF, MFDc) and Brittanie Mafra (PT, DPT, CMTPT/DN), exploring how this powerful technique is used in rehab and recovery. We b...
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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39:27
Mind Over Muscle: A Conversation with Sports Psychologist Erica Force
In this episode, we sit down with a sports psychologist, Erica Force, to explore how physical therapists can better support their patients' mental well-being throughout the rehab process. We discuss strategies to help patients manage injuries, ...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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36:43
Healing the Ice Hockey Athlete: Insights from a Physical therapist, Strength Coach & Athletic Trainer
In this episode, we take a deep dive into ice hockey medicine, bringing together a physical therapist, athletic trainer, and strength coach to discuss how they work as a team to keep hockey players healthy and performing at their best. We explo...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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39:06