PT Snacks Podcast: Physical Therapy with Dr. Kasey Hankins

Kasey Hankins, PT, DPT, OCS

You only have X amount of time in a given day. If you are a Physical Therapist or a Student Physical Therapist, you may also find that the time and energy you have left is precious, but the list of concepts you want to review or learn is endless. Build the habit of listening to small, bite-sized pieces of information to help you study, and save you time to live the rest of your life. Kasey Hankins, PT, DPT, OCS will be covering anatomy, arthokinematics, therapeutic exercise, patient education, and so much more. Tune in to learn on a time budget so you can continue to move your practice forward!

  1. 1h ago

    186. Cauda Equina - More Than Just the Syndrome

    Send us Fan Mail We learn about the development of the spinal cord, but sometimes forget how that applies to different nerve presentations, especially when it comes to the cauda equina. We discuss how this region can present (not just cauda equina syndrome) and how it can help us pinpoint where a source of a problem can be when patients seem to have nerve symptoms all over the place. 00:00 Welcome and Topic Setup 01:18 Where the Spinal Cord Ends 02:13 Conus Medullaris and Cauda Equina 04:04 Central vs Foraminal Compression 05:24 Symptom Spectrum and Red Flags 06:23 Case Example Weird Leg Symptoms 07:12 Subjective Exam Key Questions 08:16 Objective Exam and Neuro Screen 09:36 Wrap Up and Resources 10:06 Sponsor and Closing Thanks Need CEUs? Unlock unlimited online courses, live webinars, and certification-prep programs with MedBridge. You’ll get thousands of accredited, evidence-based courses. Use code PTSNACKSPODCAST at checkout to save over $100. Student? Use code PTSNACKSPODCASTSTUDENT Support the show Do You Have Student Loans? According to Student Loan Planner, 90% of the clients they work with are sitting on a five to six figure mistake in how they're handling their debt, whether that's the wrong repayment plan, a bad refinance decision, or a missed forgiveness path. If you want expert advice, PT Snacks listeners get $100 off a consult by booking HERE or mentioning "Kasey Hankins" on the booking form. Need CEUs? Get access to thousands of online courses, live webinars, certification-prep programs, and more with MedBridge. Use PTSNACKSPODCAST at checkout for $100+ off or PTSNACKSPODCASTSTUDENT for a student discount. Studying for the NPTE? Check out PT Final Exam with code PTSnacks at checkout....

  2. Sep 22

    185. Why You Need to Be Amazing at Reflex Testing

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we give a focused overview of deep tendon reflexes as a quick, high-value tool in the physical therapy objective exam, especially when patient reports are unclear. Reflex changes give us crucial insight on neurologic function and why identifying hyporeflexia/areflexia versus hyperreflexia matters. The episode breaks down the stretch reflex arc and how descending upper motor neuron inhibition differentiates lower motor neuron findings from upper motor neuron signs We also discuss practical tips on how to improve testing accuracy and common uses. 00:00 Welcome and Topic Setup 00:45 Why Reflexes Matter 01:42 DTRs as Neuro Clues 03:39 Reflex Arc Explained 05:36 UMN vs LMN Findings 08:07 How to Elicit Reflexes 10:22 Clinical Case and Teamwork 12:42 Wrap Up and Contact Need CEUs? Unlock unlimited online courses, live webinars, and certification-prep programs with MedBridge. You’ll get thousands of accredited, evidence-based courses. Use code PTSNACKSPODCAST at checkout to save over $100. Student? Use code PTSNACKSPODCASTSTUDENT Support the show Do You Have Student Loans? According to Student Loan Planner, 90% of the clients they work with are sitting on a five to six figure mistake in how they're handling their debt, whether that's the wrong repayment plan, a bad refinance decision, or a missed forgiveness path. If you want expert advice, PT Snacks listeners get $100 off a consult by booking HERE or mentioning "Kasey Hankins" on the booking form. Need CEUs? Get access to thousands of online courses, live webinars, certification-prep programs, and more with MedBridge. Use PTSNACKSPODCAST at checkout for $100+ off or PTSNACKSPODCASTSTUDENT for a student discount. Studying for the NPTE? Check out PT Final Exam with code PTSnacks at checkout....

  3. Sep 1

    184. Achilles Tendinopathy: Distinguishing Midportion and Insertional

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we discuss how to differentiate Achilles mid-portion tendinopathy from insertional tendinopathy and why the distinction changes rehab. Depending on the patient, some tendon-loading exercises can actually have a negative impact on insertional tendinopathy cases, so being able to differentiate these can help to improve your success with your patients. 00:00 Welcome to PT Snacks 00:19 Episode Focus and Disclaimer 01:08 Achilles Basics and Tendinopathy Terms 03:09 Blood Supply and Watershed Zone 05:30 Insertional vs Midportion Pathology 07:27 Why Each Type Happens 09:47 Treatment Principles and Load Management 11:02 Insertional Rehab and Evidence 14:22 Wrap Up and Resources Need CEUs? Unlock unlimited online courses, live webinars, and certification-prep programs with MedBridge. You’ll get thousands of accredited, evidence-based courses. Use code PTSNACKSPODCAST at checkout to save over $100. Student? Use code PTSNACKSPODCASTSTUDENT Support the show Do You Have Student Loans? According to Student Loan Planner, 90% of the clients they work with are sitting on a five to six figure mistake in how they're handling their debt, whether that's the wrong repayment plan, a bad refinance decision, or a missed forgiveness path. If you want expert advice, PT Snacks listeners get $100 off a consult by booking HERE or mentioning "Kasey Hankins" on the booking form. Need CEUs? Get access to thousands of online courses, live webinars, certification-prep programs, and more with MedBridge. Use PTSNACKSPODCAST at checkout for $100+ off or PTSNACKSPODCASTSTUDENT for a student discount. Studying for the NPTE? Check out PT Final Exam with code PTSnacks at checkout....

  4. Aug 18

    183. The “Vital Sign” You’re Probably Not Testing (But Should)

    Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, we discuss what VO2 max is, why it matters for physical therapists, and how it predicts cardiovascular risk and all-cause mortality. Join us as we discuss different protocols utilized in research, considerations for different  populations, and how we can help our clients successfully hit their target goals. 00:00 VO2 Max Explained 01:28 Why It Matters 02:50 Physiology Behind Gains 03:58 Training Intensity Basics 05:08 Protocols That Work 07:09 Choosing The Right Plan 07:31 Population Specific Tips 08:46 Key Variables And Caveats 10:40 Measuring Without A Lab 11:35 Main Takeaways 12:10 Wrap Up And Contact Need CEUs? Unlock unlimited online courses, live webinars, and certification-prep programs with MedBridge. You’ll get thousands of accredited, evidence-based courses. Use code PTSNACKSPODCAST at checkout to save over $100. Student? Use code PTSNACKSPODCASTSTUDENT Support the show Do You Have Student Loans? According to Student Loan Planner, 90% of the clients they work with are sitting on a five to six figure mistake in how they're handling their debt, whether that's the wrong repayment plan, a bad refinance decision, or a missed forgiveness path. If you want expert advice, PT Snacks listeners get $100 off a consult by booking HERE or mentioning "Kasey Hankins" on the booking form. Need CEUs? Get access to thousands of online courses, live webinars, certification-prep programs, and more with MedBridge. Use PTSNACKSPODCAST at checkout for $100+ off or PTSNACKSPODCASTSTUDENT for a student discount. Studying for the NPTE? Check out PT Final Exam with code PTSnacks at checkout....

  5. Aug 4

    182. Osteoarthritis Isn’t Just “Wear & Tear”… So What Is It, Really?

    Send us Fan Mail OA is described as the most prevalent chronic joint disease worldwide, involving progressive degeneration of articular cartilage and sometimes subchondral bone, leading to pain, stiffness, and functional limitations. Rather than simple “wear and tear,” OA is a multifactorial whole-joint condition influenced by inflammatory, mechanical, and metabolic factors, with risk increased by age, obesity, mechanical stress, and joint trauma. The episode reviews how this happens, what physical therapists can do to help patients with this, and how to individualize our plan of care to our patients' tolerance and goals. 00:00 Osteoarthritis Overview 00:56 Defining OA Basics 01:48 Beyond Wear and Tear 03:32 Inflammation and Pain 04:51 Exercise First Line 06:21 Load Management 08:40 Treatment Takeaways 09:39 Wrap Up and Resources Need CEUs? Unlock unlimited online courses, live webinars, and certification-prep programs with MedBridge. You’ll get thousands of accredited, evidence-based courses. Use code PTSNACKSPODCAST at checkout to save over $100. Student? Use code PTSNACKSPODCASTSTUDENT Support the show Do You Have Student Loans? According to Student Loan Planner, 90% of the clients they work with are sitting on a five to six figure mistake in how they're handling their debt, whether that's the wrong repayment plan, a bad refinance decision, or a missed forgiveness path. If you want expert advice, PT Snacks listeners get $100 off a consult by booking HERE or mentioning "Kasey Hankins" on the booking form. Need CEUs? Get access to thousands of online courses, live webinars, certification-prep programs, and more with MedBridge. Use PTSNACKSPODCAST at checkout for $100+ off or PTSNACKSPODCASTSTUDENT for a student discount. Studying for the NPTE? Check out PT Final Exam with code PTSnacks at checkout....

  6. Jul 14

    181. Paratenonitis vs Tenosynovitis: How to Tell the Difference and Treat Each

    Send us Fan Mail Today, we are answering a listener question about the difference between paratenonitis and tenosynovitis. We'll cover the roles of each of these in the body, how they get agggravated, and what we do to treat them. 00:00 Welcome to PT Snacks 00:42 Fan Mail Questions 02:03 Episode Roadmap 02:36 Paratenon Basics 03:32 Synovial Sheath Function 04:46 Evaluation Differences 05:19 Paratenon Causes 06:47 Paratenon Treatment 07:55 Tenosynovitis Causes 08:19 Tenosynovitis Treatment 09:04 Key Takeaways 10:00 Resources and Wrap Up Need CEUs? Unlock unlimited online courses, live webinars, and certification-prep programs with MedBridge. You’ll get thousands of accredited, evidence-based courses. Use code PTSNACKSPODCAST at checkout to save over $100. Student? Use code PTSNACKSPODCASTSTUDENT Support the show Do You Have Student Loans? According to Student Loan Planner, 90% of the clients they work with are sitting on a five to six figure mistake in how they're handling their debt, whether that's the wrong repayment plan, a bad refinance decision, or a missed forgiveness path. If you want expert advice, PT Snacks listeners get $100 off a consult by booking HERE or mentioning "Kasey Hankins" on the booking form. Need CEUs? Get access to thousands of online courses, live webinars, certification-prep programs, and more with MedBridge. Use PTSNACKSPODCAST at checkout for $100+ off or PTSNACKSPODCASTSTUDENT for a student discount. Studying for the NPTE? Check out PT Final Exam with code PTSnacks at checkout....

  7. Jun 30

    180. Why Some Tendons Get Injured More Than Others: Load Mismatch, Tissue Quality, and Tendon Type

    Send us Fan Mail 🎉 MedBridge Days Sale is Here! MedBridge's Bridge Days sale runs June 15–30! Use code PTSNACKS15 for: $126 off an Individual Subscription → Get your discount15% off Group Subscriptions → Group pricingMedBridge is also celebrating their 15-year anniversary, with tons of CEU courses for PTs, OTs, and SLPs — plus built-in exam prep for OCS, SCS, and other specialty certifications. Don't wait — this offer is only live for two weeks! In this episode, Kasey breaks down the high-level reasons why certain tendons are more predisposed to injury than others. Rather than memorizing isolated facts, this episode is designed to help you build a framework for understanding tendon behavior under load. 00:00 Welcome to PT Snacks 01:27 Why Tendons Get Injured 02:15 Load Mismatch Basics 03:27 Mechanical Risk Factors 04:45 Tissue Quality and Healing 05:26 Junctions and Tendon Size 07:21 Composition and Demographics 08:52 Intrasynovial vs Extrasynovial 10:07 Framework and Wrap Up 11:01 Resources and Farewell Need CEUs? Unlock unlimited online courses, live webinars, and certification-prep programs with MedBridge. You’ll get thousands of accredited, evidence-based courses. Use code PTSNACKSPODCAST at checkout to save over $100. Student? Use code PTSNACKSPODCASTSTUDENT Support the show Do You Have Student Loans? According to Student Loan Planner, 90% of the clients they work with are sitting on a five to six figure mistake in how they're handling their debt, whether that's the wrong repayment plan, a bad refinance decision, or a missed forgiveness path. If you want expert advice, PT Snacks listeners get $100 off a consult by booking HERE or mentioning "Kasey Hankins" on the booking form. Need CEUs? Get access to thousands of online courses, live webinars, certification-prep programs, and more with MedBridge. Use PTSNACKSPODCAST at checkout for $100+ off or PTSNACKSPODCASTSTUDENT for a student discount. Studying for the NPTE? Check out PT Final Exam with code PTSnacks at checkout....

  8. Jun 16

    179. Rotator Cuff Tears 101: Partial vs. Full Thickness & What It Means for Your Patients

    Send us Fan Mail Not all rotator cuff tears are the same, and understanding why can completely change how you set expectations and build a plan with your patients. In this episode, we break down tendon anatomy and physiology, the different ways rotator cuff tears develop (degenerative vs. traumatic), the difference between partial- and full-thickness tears, and the factors that influence healing and prognosis for both conservative and surgical patients. In this episode you'll learn: What a tendon actually is and why its structure (and blood supply) matters for healingThe difference between degenerative and traumatic rotator cuff tearsRisk factors that make someone more likely to develop a tearArticular-side vs. bursal-side partial thickness tears — and why bursal tears tend to hurt moreWhat "massive" and "irreparable" tears mean, and how outcomes differPredictors of good outcomes with conservative care (hint: baseline ROM and strength matter)A quick look at steroid injections vs. PRP for rotator cuff tearsTest yourself: What is a tendon's main job, and what structures help it do that job?What are the main categories of rotator cuff tears?What are the two types of partial thickness tears, and how do they differ?What factors affect healing after a rotator cuff tear — for both conservative and surgical patients?🎉 MedBridge Days Sale is Here! MedBridge's Bridge Days sale runs June 15–30! Use code PTSNACKS15 for: $126 off an Individual Subscription → Get your discount15% off Group Subscriptions → Group pricingMedBridge is also celebrating their 15-year anniversary, with tons of CEU courses for PTs, OTs, and SLPs — plus built-in exam prep for OCS, SCS, and other specialty certifications. Don't wait — this offer is only live for two weeks! Resources: 📋 Free rotator cuff study guide📱 Follow along on TikTok @ptsnackspodcast for visual study tools✉️ Questions or topic requests? Email ptsnackspodcast@gmail.com or join the email list for episode highlightsIf this episode helped you, please take a moment to leave a review — it helps the show grow more than you know! 🙏 Need CEUs? Unlock unlimited online courses, live webinars, and certification-prep programs with MedBridge. You’ll get thousands of accredited, evidence-based courses. Use code PTSNACKSPODCAST at checkout to save over $100. Student? Use code PTSNACKSPODCASTSTUDENT Support the show Do You Have Student Loans? According to Student Loan Planner, 90% of the clients they work with are sitting on a five to six figure mistake in how they're handling their debt, whether that's the wrong repayment plan, a bad refinance decision, or a missed forgiveness path. If you want expert advice, PT Snacks listeners get $100 off a consult by booking HERE or mentioning "Kasey Hankins" on the booking form. Need CEUs? Get access to thousands of online courses, live webinars, certification-prep programs, and more with MedBridge. Use PTSNACKSPODCAST at checkout for $100+ off or PTSNACKSPODCASTSTUDENT for a student discount. Studying for the NPTE? Check out PT Final Exam with code PTSnacks at checkout....

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You only have X amount of time in a given day. If you are a Physical Therapist or a Student Physical Therapist, you may also find that the time and energy you have left is precious, but the list of concepts you want to review or learn is endless. Build the habit of listening to small, bite-sized pieces of information to help you study, and save you time to live the rest of your life. Kasey Hankins, PT, DPT, OCS will be covering anatomy, arthokinematics, therapeutic exercise, patient education, and so much more. Tune in to learn on a time budget so you can continue to move your practice forward!

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