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AAOMPT
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An AAOMPT Podcast

  1. 6D AGO

    Why Communication Is the Real Superpower in Manual Therapy

    John Seivert, PT, a clinician with more than 40 years of experience blending skilled orthopedic manual therapy with the art of Motivational Interviewing. Fresh off his conference breakout sessions — Touch, Talk, and Transform — John breaks down what holistic OMPT looks like today, why communication is the foundation of effective care, and how accurate empathy changes outcomes. We explore: The current state of OMPT and where the field is heading Why “How good are you at listening?” might be the most important question in therapy How MI empowers patients to make meaningful change What John has learned from four decades of treating, teaching, and bike racing His reflections on retirement, mentorship, and legacy If you’re a clinician, student, educator, or anyone who cares about whole-person care, this is a conversation that will sharpen your skills — and your humanity. 0:00 – Intro 0:27 – Who Is John Seivert? 1:35 – Touch, Talk & Transform: The Masterclass 4:22 – The Current State of OMPT 7:50 – Why It All Starts With Communication 11:10 – How to Actually Listen in a Clinical Encounter 14:40 – Motivational Interviewing in Orthopedic Practice 18:55 – Role Modeling Listening for Patients & Learners 22:30 – What 40 Years of OMPT Has Taught John 26:15 – Bike Racing at 65: Lessons for Clinicians 30:02 – Preparing for Retirement & Passing the Torch 33:10 – Final Thoughts & Advice for New Clinicians ???? Guest: John Seivert, PT Faculty at Kaiser Permanente Fellowship Program, EIM Weekend Intensive Faculty, MINT Trainer

    14 min

  2. FEB 17

    Why AAOMPT Membership Matters

    AAOMPT Fellow and educator Laura Wenger joins us to explore the future of membership, community, and belonging within orthopaedic manual physical therapy. Laura teaches foundational clinical reasoning at the University of Utah’s hybrid DPT pathway, treats patients weekly in a rural outpatient ortho practice, and serves as Co-Chair of AAOMPT’s Inclusive Membership & Engagement Committee (IMEC). Her work sits at the intersection of education, patient care, and organizational leadership. In this episode, Laura shares what IMEC is working on, how AAOMPT can better serve clinicians across training levels, and why belonging and representation matter for the future of the profession. In this episode, we cover: ???? Who AAOMPT members actually are — and who we want to reach ???? The biggest opportunities for member engagement year-round ???? How AAOMPT supports professional + personal growth ???? The value of SIGs, committees, and leadership pathways ???? Fellowship pathways & mentorship: where they shine ???? Why DEI work is essential for OMPT’s long-term health ???? How Laura teaches clinical reasoning to a new generation of DPT students ???? Practicing in rural settings + hybrid education insights This one is essential listening for current AAOMPT members — and anyone curious about joining.

    14 min

  3. FEB 12

    The Worst Pain Is Unexplained Pain — Rethinking Diagnosis in Physical Therapy

    The worst pain is unexplained pain. In this episode of the Hands-On, Hands-Off Podcast, physical therapists Amy McDevitt and Paul Mintkin explore why pain without a clear diagnosis is often the most distressing—and how physical therapists can communicate pain more effectively when imaging, MRI findings, and pathoanatomy don’t provide clear answers. This conversation dives deep into pain science, musculoskeletal pain, low back pain, and the limitations of medical imaging in explaining symptoms. We discuss how over-reliance on MRI results can increase fear, catastrophizing, and confusion for patients—and how language, context, and functional diagnosis can dramatically change outcomes. Learn how to reframe pain using the ICF model, why pain does not equal tissue damage, and how PTs can shift from chasing a pain generator to treating the whole person. The episode includes a real-time patient role-play, practical communication strategies, and insights on direct access physical therapy, lifestyle factors (sleep, stress, activity), and the future of PT education. This episode is essential listening for physical therapists, manual therapists, rehab professionals, and students looking to improve patient communication, reduce fear, and deliver truly person-centered care.

    34 min
  4. Manual Therapy Mechanisms & the Future of MT Education | Damian Keter

    FEB 10

    Manual Therapy Mechanisms & the Future of MT Education | Damian Keter

    Damian Keter joins the show to unpack manual therapy treatment mechanisms and how our profession needs to evolve its education around MT. Damian is a clinician specializing in complex pain at the VA and a clinical researcher whose work centers on MT mechanisms and manual therapy training paradigms. If you’ve ever wondered what actually happens when we deliver manual therapy — and how to teach it more effectively — this episode delivers clarity. Topics:• Manual therapy mechanism research • Contextual effects and clinical reasoning • How MT education needs to evolve • Helping clinicians move beyond outdated models • The future of manual therapy in PT

    16 min
  5. Lifestyle Medicine Meets OMPT: A Conversation with Mark Shepherd

    FEB 3

    Lifestyle Medicine Meets OMPT: A Conversation with Mark Shepherd

    Mark Shepherd joins the podcast to discuss person-centered clinical reasoning, lifestyle medicine, and how to improve the way PTs make sense of pain. Mark is Program Director of the Bellin College OMPT Fellowship, a DPT faculty member, and a clinician who blends manual therapy, patient values, and lifestyle-based interventions to build clearer clinical hypotheses. His recent publication introduces an updated reasoning model: the person-centered hypothesis, which emphasizes individualized sense-making over rigid diagnostic categories. In this episode: • What “person-centered hypothesis” means in practice • How lifestyle medicine empowers rather than dilutes OMPT care • Improving reasoning in complex pain cases • Why clinicians should anchor decisions in patient values • Mark’s journey through education, teaching, and fellowship leadership A must-listen for clinicians and educators who want a more modern, human approach to reasoning.

    16 min
  6. How IFOMPT Shapes Global Manual Therapy Education and Practice

    JAN 29

    How IFOMPT Shapes Global Manual Therapy Education and Practice

    What role does IFOMPT play in global manual and musculoskeletal physiotherapy? In this episode of the Hands-On, Hands-Off Podcast, leaders from AAOMPT sit down with IFOMPT President Dr. Paolo Sanzo to discuss international education standards, evidence-informed practice, and global collaboration. The conversation explores how IFOMPT supports clinicians, educators, and researchers worldwide—and why global consistency ultimately improves patient care. 00:00 – Introduction to the AAOMPT–IFOMPT collaborative series 01:29 – Introducing Dr. Paolo Sanzo and IFOMT leadership 03:19 – What IFOMPT is and its role within World Physiotherapy 04:12 – Paolo’s journey through IFOMPT leadership roles 05:21 – IFOMPT’s growth since 1974 07:11 – IFOMPT’s vision and mission explained 09:47 – Education standards and member organization requirements 12:10 – International monitoring and maintaining consistency 17:49 – Evidence-based practice and global context 20:16 – IFOMPT as a research and collaboration conduit 23:14 – Challenges and opportunities of global collaboration 26:18 – Working with international organizations and regions 30:35 – Strategic priorities and future direction 32:46 – Advice for clinicians pursuing excellence 34:02 – Final reflections and closing remarks

    37 min
  7. Neck Manipulation Myths, Risks & Evidence with Roger Kerry

    JAN 27

    Neck Manipulation Myths, Risks & Evidence with Roger Kerry

    Professor Roger Kerry joins the podcast to unpack one of the most debated topics in musculoskeletal care: the risks and benefits of manual therapy for people with head and neck pain. Roger is the lead for the physiotherapy program at the University of Nottingham, an interprofessional curriculum designer, researcher, PhD supervisor, and author of the new textbook The Head & Neck: Theory & Practice. His AAOMPT keynote focuses on cutting through decades of misinformation and helping clinicians understand what the evidence actually says. In this conversation:• Cervical manual therapy: what’s risky, what’s not, and what’s misunderstood • Why head & neck pain is still surrounded by outdated ideas • The problem with the way we teach manual therapy • How educators can break restrictive traditions • What emerging PhD work is revealing about the future of physical therapy • Roger’s personal journey from failed rehab patient → world-class academic This episode is essential listening for anyone who treats neck pain or teaches manual therapy.

    15 min
  8. Is Physical Therapy Worth the Cost for Plantar Heel Pain? A 3-Year Answer

    JAN 22

    Is Physical Therapy Worth the Cost for Plantar Heel Pain? A 3-Year Answer

    In this episode of the Hands-On, Hands-Off Podcast, Dr. Trenton Rehman sits down with Dr. Shane McClinton to discuss plantar heel pain and the role of physical therapy in both clinical outcomes and healthcare costs. Dr. McClinton walks through a series of studies stemming from his doctoral research, including a randomized clinical trial, a detailed case series, and a three-year cost-effectiveness analysis. Together, they explore how adding physical therapy to usual podiatry care impacts pain, function, quality of life, and long-term costs. Key themes include manual therapy, impairment-based exercise, proximal contributions to heel pain, interdisciplinary collaboration, and why plantar heel pain may deserve the same clinical mindset as low back pain. Key Takeaways (Listener-Facing) Plantar heel pain is a multidimensional condition with local and proximal contributors. Adding physical therapy to usual podiatry care improved outcomes and reduced costs over three years. Manual therapy and exercise were delivered pragmatically and tailored to impairments. Strengthening may be underutilized in plantar heel pain management. Collaboration between physical therapists and podiatrists benefits patients and reduces downstream burden. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPED CHAPTERS (YouTube + Podcast) 00:00 – Introduction to the episode and guest 00:01 – Dr. Shane McClinton’s background and research focus 00:03 – Why plantar heel pain referrals to PT are low 00:07 – Rationale for studying cost-effectiveness 00:10 – Study design overview (RCT + pragmatic approach) 00:15 – Description of podiatry-only vs podiatry + PT care 00:17 – Inclusion and exclusion criteria 00:22 – Case series: why eight different heel pain presentations 00:26 – Manual therapy strategies used in the study 00:30 – Clinical practice guidelines and decision-making 00:32 – Pain mechanisms, education, and chronicity 00:35 – Proximal vs local treatment decisions 00:38 – Three-year cost-effectiveness results explained 00:44 – Implications for referrals and collaboration 00:48 – Final take-home message from Dr. McClinton

    51 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

An AAOMPT Podcast

Information

  • Creator
    AAOMPT
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    218
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © AAOPMT
  • Show Website
    Hands On Hands Off

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