Untold Physio Stories

Dr. Erson Religioso III, DPT, FAAOMPT

Candid stories on interesting cases, failures, and successes from the Physical Therapy/Physiotherapy and Rehab World. With hosts Dr. Erson Religioso III, DPT, FAAOMPT and Dr. Andrew Rothschild, DPT, FAAOMPT. Part of the PT Podcast Network

  1. 6D AGO

    Elbow Tendinopathy - Length, Load, and Lightning-Fast Resolution!

    Dr. E here with another asynchronous episode of Untold Physio Stories, featuring the great Dr. Wells! We're diving deep into the trenches of chronic elbow tendinopathies, specifically lateral epicondylalgia, and the surprising speed of response in a couple of recent patient cases. What We Cover in This Episode: The Power of Length and Load: We revisit the concept of using isometric contractions in a lengthened position (70-80% MVC) for superior tendon loading, inspired by Dr Michaud's excellent tendinopathy article. Dr. E shares a recent article on LinkedIn by Dr. Malliaras showing that this position creates significantly higher tensile force in the tendon compared to concentric/eccentric exercises, making it ideal for remodeling and managing inflammation. Case 1: The WFH Warrior (Lateral Epicondylalgia): A work-from-home patient with bilateral elbow pain from excessive arm raises found complete symptom resolution in just two weeks using the lengthened isometric contraction technique (wrist flexion, pronation, resisting extension). We discuss why this response was so much faster than typically expected for tendinopathy. Was it pain modulation, a true strength issue, or something else? Case 2: The Chronic Tennis Coach: A long-term case of lateral epicondylalgia that didn't respond to the initial lengthened isometric program or even repeated cervical retractions. We explore the eventual success with a Mulligan Mobilization with Movement (MWM) technique (lateral ulnar glide with gripping/wrist extension), highlighting the sometimes-necessary shift from exercise to pain-modulating manual therapy before resuming loading. The Big Question: Dr. Wells and Dr. E debate the varying patient responses, the balance between mid-range vs. lengthened loading, and why these tendinopathy cases can be so unpredictable. Dr. Wells also shares a cautionary tale about an athlete who didn't respond to conservative care, ultimately revealing a significant tear. 🔑 Key Takeaways for Rehab Pros: Don't underestimate the loading capacity of isometrics in a lengthened position for tendinopathy—it's backed by science to create high tensile force! Always rule out or treat the cervical and thoracic spine, but recognize when a tendon needs direct, aggressive loading or a different form of pain modulation (like the Mulligan MWM). Be ready for the "Mulligan Miracle" and keep those MWMs in your toolbox for instant pain relief that allows for better, deeper loading later. The path to resolution is rarely linear—different athletes and presentations require different starting points. Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform and let us know your experiences with lengthened isometrics and Mulligan MWMs for those tricky elbow cases! Untold Physio Stories is sponsored by ⁠Comprehend PT⁠- Leave Comprehend PT running in the background or record audio when you have time. The AI based SOAP note generator does the rest! No need for accuracy or exact wording! It's a game changer and will give you more time with your patients! Use code MMT50 to save 50% off your first month. Free trial available at sign up!⁠⁠ The Eclectic Approach Network⁠⁠ - Check out Dr. E's all new private, non tracking and ad free network for rehab pros! It's free to join, has chat, feed, and all the features of other social networks without the creeping tracking. Check out ⁠⁠EDGE Mobility System⁠⁠'s Best Sellers - Something for every PT, OT, DC, MT, ATC or Fitness Minded Individual https://edgemobilitysystem.com

    17 min
  2. NOV 1

    The Unicorn of Low Back Pain

    You know I preach the Eclectic Approach and empowering patients with Self-Treatment Strategies... but this one was straight out of the McKenzie Method textbook, almost too good to be true. I recently saw a PT with a five-year history of chronic LBP. He initially felt better with extension (press-ups), but that eventually faded and his flexion became painful and limited. Then, he started noticing something crazy that you parents will understand: every time he'd bend over to put his 5-month-old in or out of the crib (a repeated flexion activity!), his back pain got better. Even more so when he had to lower the crib level! 🤯 Could this be the Unicorn of LBP cases: a Flexion Rapid Responder? Or what McKenzie would call an Anterior Derangement? They're rare, but they exist! (I've only seen three in my career!) My co-host, Dr. Wells, and I dive deep into: 🔄 Testing the Hypothesis: How repeated movements back and forth confirmed the directional preference and how extension blocked flexion in this case. 🤸 Hypermobility & Over-Pressure: How the patient's extremely flexible hips required creative manual therapy to truly hit end-range lumbar flexion for effective treatment. 📚 Dosage is Key: The critical difference between sporadic relief and a proper dose of 10x/hour to achieve lasting change. 🚫 The Flexion-Extension Pitfall: Why so many patients (and even clinicians!) negate the positive effects of a directional preference by constantly trying to "even out" or "loosen up" their back with the opposite movement. Tune in for the full case breakdown! And hit the comments—what are your thoughts on this Flexion Rapid Responder? Have you seen a case like this? Untold Physio Stories is sponsored by ⁠Comprehend PT⁠- Leave Comprehend PT running in the background or record audio when you have time. The AI based SOAP note generator does the rest! No need for accuracy or exact wording! It's a game changer and will give you more time with your patients! Use code MMT50 to save 50% off your first month. Free trial available at sign up!⁠⁠ The Eclectic Approach Network⁠⁠ - Check out Dr. E's all new private, non tracking and ad free network for rehab pros! It's free to join, has chat, feed, and all the features of other social networks without the creeping tracking. Check out ⁠⁠EDGE Mobility System⁠⁠'s Best Sellers - Something for every PT, OT, DC, MT, ATC or Fitness Minded Individual https://edgemobilitysystem.com

    14 min
  3. OCT 10

    The 5 Whys - Getting to the Root of Motivations

    Why do some patients struggle with their home exercise programs, no matter how simple? It's a question every physical therapist faces. In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Sean Wells to unravel the complex issue of patient non-compliance. We explore the "5 Whys," a powerful yet simple technique borrowed from industrial problem-solving, and adapt it for the clinic. Learn how to peel back the layers of a patient's excuses to uncover the true, deep-seated barriers to their recovery. This isn't just about adherence; it's about fostering genuine, lasting motivation. In this episode, you'll learn: What the 5 Whys framework is and how it helps you look beyond surface-level answers.Practical tips and phrasing for asking "why" without making patients feel defensive.How to use the root cause you uncover to create a truly collaborative and effective plan of care.Real-world case study of how this technique transformed patient outcomes. Stop the cycle of frustration and start building stronger therapeutic alliances. Tune in to discover the questions that could change your practice. The article referenced by Dr. Wells is here. Untold Physio Stories is sponsored by ⁠Comprehend PT⁠- Leave Comprehend PT running in the background or record audio when you have time. The AI based SOAP note generator does the rest! No need for accuracy or exact wording! It's a game changer and will give you more time with your patients! Use code MMT50 to save 50% off your first month. Free trial available at sign up!⁠⁠ The Eclectic Approach Network⁠⁠ - Check out Dr. E's all new private, non tracking and ad free network for rehab pros! It's free to join, has chat, feed, and all the features of other social networks without the creeping tracking. Check out ⁠⁠EDGE Mobility System⁠⁠'s Best Sellers - Something for every PT, OT, DC, MT, ATC or Fitness Minded Individual https://edgemobilitysystem.com

    9 min
5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Candid stories on interesting cases, failures, and successes from the Physical Therapy/Physiotherapy and Rehab World. With hosts Dr. Erson Religioso III, DPT, FAAOMPT and Dr. Andrew Rothschild, DPT, FAAOMPT. Part of the PT Podcast Network

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