Let's Get Physical (Therapy)

Send us Fan MailFootball players are among the fittest athletes in the world, but peak physical performance doesn’t make an athlete immune to cardiovascular problems. In this episode, we sit down with sports cardiologist Dr. Maurius Chukwurah to take a closer look at heart health in football athletes. We discuss how intense training affects the heart, common cardiovascular conditions found in athletes, sudden cardiac events, warning signs players and coaches shouldn’t ignore, and the role of cardiac screening in identifying potential problems early. We also explore the unique cardiovascular demands of football — from repeated high-intensity sprints to heat, dehydration, recovery, and other factors that can affect an athlete’s heart. Whether you’re a professional athlete, youth player, coach, parent, or simply interested in sports and health, this conversation offers an important look at what’s happening beneath the surface of athletic performance. Please be sure to follow us on Instagram @medstarhealthpt and email: [email protected] with any questions or podcast ideas! Thank you for listening!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, orthopedic sports medicine surgeon Dr. Richard Levine joins us to discuss shoulder instability in football players. We cover injury mechanisms, surgical decision-making, rehabilitation strategies, return-to-play criteria, and the role of physical therapy in reducing recurrent instability. Whether you're a physical therapist, athletic trainer, or sports medicine clinician, this episode offers practical, evidence-based insights to help you manage these challenging injuries with confidence.  Please be sure to follow us on Instagram @medstarhealthpt and email: [email protected] with any questions or podcast ideas! Thank you for listening!

Send us Fan MailWhere is physical therapy headed—and what do clinicians need to know to prepare for the future? In this episode, we’re joined by Jill Anderson, Vice President of Physical Therapy at MedStar Health, to explore the biggest trends shaping the profession and what they mean for physical therapists today and tomorrow. We discuss the challenges facing PT, including access to care, reimbursement, staffing, and the changing healthcare landscape, along with the opportunities to expand the profession’s role in prevention, wellness, performance, and chronic disease management. Jill also shares her perspective on how AI, digital health, and emerging technologies may transform physical therapy practice—and why the human connection between therapist and patient will remain essential. We also look at the next generation of physical therapists, the skills clinicians should invest in over the next three to five years, and what the profession could look like by 2030. Whether you're a practicing PT, a student, a clinical leader, or simply passionate about the future of rehabilitation, this conversation offers a valuable perspective on where the profession is going—and how we can help shape what comes next. In this episode, we cover: The biggest changes shaping physical therapy today The profession’s most pressing challenges and emerging opportunities AI, digital health, and the future of clinical practice Expanding PT’s role beyond traditional rehabilitation What the next generation of physical therapists wants from the profession The skills clinicians should develop to future-proof their careers What physical therapy could look like in 2030 Tune in for an insightful conversation about the future of physical therapy and the opportunities ahead for the profession. Please be sure to follow us on Instagram @medstarhealthpt and email: [email protected] with any questions or podcast ideas! Thank you for listening!

Send us Fan MailJoining me today is Tom Sutton, an experienced physical therapist who works closely with football athletes throughout the rehabilitation process. We'll discuss how to evaluate these athletes, build an effective rehab program, progress them safely back to contact, and minimize the risk of recurrent instability. We'll also cover common pitfalls in rehabilitation, objective testing, and practical clinical pearls that you can apply in your own practice. Whether you're treating high school, collegiate, or professional athletes, this episode is packed with insights to help you optimize outcomes. Please be sure to follow us on Instagram @medstarhealthpt and email: [email protected] with any questions or podcast ideas! Thank you for listening!

Send us Fan MailWhat is it really like to complete a neurologic PT residency? In this episode, we sit down with Rachel Wilcox, PT, DPT, NCS, Director of the MedStar NRH/GW Neurologic PT Residency Program. Rachel gives us an inside look at the residency experience, including clinical training, mentorship, teaching, research, the application process, and career opportunities after graduation. Whether you’re a PT student, new graduate, or practicing clinician considering a residency, this episode will help you decide if neurologic PT residency training is right for you. Check out our residency: https://www.medstarhealth.org/education/other-educational-programs/neurologic-physical-therapy-residency-programPlease be sure to follow us on Instagram @medstarhealthpt and email: [email protected] with any questions or podcast ideas! Thank you for listening!

Send us Fan MailFootball athletes are at high risk for cervical and lumbar spine injuries, making early recognition and appropriate management essential for safe return to play. In this episode, orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. Naseer joins us to discuss the most common football-related spine injuries, when surgery is indicated, key red flags every physical therapist should recognize, and the role of rehabilitation before and after surgery. Whether you work with youth, collegiate, or professional athletes, you'll gain practical clinical insights to improve your evaluation, treatment, and collaboration with spine specialists. Topics include: Common football spine injuries Red flags for PTs Conservative care vs. surgery Post-operative rehabilitation Return-to-play decision making Surgeon–PT collaboration  Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your colleagues in sports medicine and physical therapy. Please be sure to follow us on Instagram @medstarhealthpt and email: [email protected] with any questions or podcast ideas! Thank you for listening!

Send us Fan MailFootball players rely on their hands and upper extremities for every play, making hand and wrist injuries a common challenge in sports medicine. In this episode, we sit down with two certified hand therapists, Linda Hogg and Brittany Douglas, to discuss the evaluation and rehabilitation of football-related hand injuries, including fractures, tendon injuries, ligament injuries, and common finger conditions. We explore treatment strategies, return-to-play considerations, splinting, and how hand therapists collaborate with surgeons, athletic trainers, and physical therapists to help athletes recover and perform at their best. Whether you work with youth, collegiate, or professional athletes, this episode provides practical clinical insights for managing hand and wrist injuries in football players. Please be sure to follow us on Instagram @medstarhealthpt and email: [email protected] with any questions or podcast ideas! Thank you for listening!

Send us Fan MailWhat is a sports PT residency really like... and is it worth it? In this episode, we’re joined by sports PT and residency graduate Miriam Bovich, Director of our Sports Residency Program, along with current residency candidates Amora Valencia and Eric Salomons. We discuss why they chose residency, what goes into the experience, the challenges and sacrifices, clinical growth, mentorship, and who should—and shouldn’t—consider pursuing a sports PT residency. If you’re considering residency or a career in sports PT, this episode gives you an inside look at what it’s really like. Reach out to Miriam with questions: [email protected] PT Sports Residency: https://www.medstarhealth.org/education/other-educational-programs/medstar-health-physical-therapy-sports-residency-programPlease be sure to follow us on Instagram @medstarhealthpt and email: [email protected] with any questions or podcast ideas! Thank you for listening!

Send us Fan MailBehind the Whistle: The Role of PT in Football Concussion Recovery A concussion is more than just a hit to the head—it can impact balance, vision, movement, cognition, and an athlete’s ability to safely return to competition. In this episode, we break down modern concussion management with a physical therapist specializing in sports rehabilitation. We discuss evaluation, treatment strategies, common mistakes, and how PTs play a key role in helping football players recover and return to the field.  Please be sure to follow us on Instagram @medstarhealthpt and email: [email protected] with any questions or podcast ideas! Thank you for listening!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we sit down with Dr. Tucker,, a physician who works with NFL athletes, to discuss the evaluation, management, and rehabilitation of concussions in football players. We explore how concussion care has evolved, the role of physical therapists in recovery, and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to safely returning athletes to sport. Topics include vestibular and cervical rehabilitation, exertional progression, return-to-play decision-making, common misconceptions about concussions, and practical clinical insights for healthcare professionals working with football athletes at all levels.Please be sure to follow us on Instagram @medstarhealthpt and email: [email protected] with any questions or podcast ideas! Thank you for listening!