Neuro Navigators: A Medbridge Podcast

Join host and neurorehab physical therapist J.J. Mowder-Tinney as she sits down with Dr. Hadas Ofek, PT, MSc, PhD, a neurophysiotherapist with over 30 years of expertise in somatosensory and pain management. Together, they explore why treating sensation is as critical as vestibular or visual rehab, offering a “missing link” for patients with somatosensory impairment across all rehab stages, especially relevant for those whose motor progress has plateaued. You’ll discover the practical differences between implicit and explicit sensory retraining and how to apply low-cost, high-impact “sensory games” to improve balance, mobility, function, and neuropathic pain. This episode provides actionable strategies to help your patients regain their “representation of self” and achieve meaningful participation goals.

Learning Outcomes
Analyze the evidence around somatosensory impairment across neurological diagnoses and the efficacy of sensory retraining for addressing sensorimotor deficits and pain syndromes
Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to actionably select between implicit and explicit sensory retraining based on the patient’s neurological profile and functional goals
Solve patient case scenarios involving somatosensory impairment and neuropathic pain that limit motor control, balance, and overall participation in daily life
Timestamps
(00:00:00) Welcome
(00:00:00) Introduction to sensation in neurology
(00:01:12) Hadas Ofek's journey in sensory retraining
(00:06:20) The importance of sensation in patient recovery
(00:12:20) Assessment tools for sensory testing
(00:18:29) Practical applications of sensory training
(00:22:40) Explicit vs. implicit sensory training
(00:30:16) Understanding sensory training in rehabilitation
(00:33:02) The importance of patient-centric approaches
(00:34:32) Explicit vs. implicit sensory retraining
(00:35:20) Gaining patient buy-in for sensory training
(00:38:35) Case studies: overcoming sensory loss
(00:47:13) Three key takeaways for sensory rehabilitation

Neuro Navigators is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

To hear more episodes of Neuro Naviagators, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/neuro-navigators⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/medbridgeteam/⁠

Join host J.J. Mowder-Tinney for a compelling conversation with Dr. Stacie Barber, a physical therapist and strength specialist who brings a bold, performance-based lens to neurological recovery. Drawing from her background in elite athletics and the personal journey of navigating her husband‘s massive stroke, Stacie challenges us to rethink the “traditional“ boundaries of neurorehabilitation. We explore how to safely integrate high-intensity strength training, multi-modal approaches, and objective force measurement to drive meaningful physiological adaptations. You‘ll walk away with actionable strategies to move beyond movement quality alone and empower your patients to reclaim their baseline strength and self-efficacy.

Learning Outcomes
Analyze the evidence around strength training principles in stroke rehabilitation, including the role of progressive loading, cross-education, and physiological adaptations that influence recovery
Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to actionably address the implementation of high-intensity resistance training principles to improve physiological adaptations and self-efficacy in stroke survivors
Solve patient case scenarios involving the use of multi-modal approaches to address spasticity, resting tone, and functional mobility in post-stroke recovery
Timestamps
(00:00:00) Welcome
(00:00:05) Introduction
(00:02:30) Stacie's journey from athlete to physical therapist
(00:05:15) Personal experience with a stroke
(00:08:09) Advocating for early mobilization
(00:12:47) The role of strength training in neurorehabilitation
(00:15:03) Incorporating blood flow restriction
(00:19:58) Holistic rehabilitation
(00:23:58) Motivating patients by challenging them
(00:26:51) Strength, spasticity, and rehabilitation
(00:31:40) Measuring strength for rehabilitation
(00:32:05) Integrating strength training in the clinic
(00:41:02) Patient engagement and buy-in strategies
(00:44:52) Objective testing in strength training
(00:53:50) Embracing trial and error in therapy

Neuro Navigators is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

To hear more episodes of Neuro Naviagators, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/neuro-navigators⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/medbridgeteam/⁠

This course is a recording of a previously hosted live webinar event. Polling and question submission features are not available for this recording. Format and structure may differ from those of standard podcasts.

Join host J.J. Mowder-Tinney, PT, PhD, NCS, for an insightful conversation with Julie Hershberg, PT, DPT, NCS, a renowned expert with over two decades of experience navigating the complexities of functional neurological disorder (FND). Together, they unpack the critical—and often fragile—role of the therapeutic alliance, exploring how past medical stigma and past clinical “gaslighting” can derail patient progress before treatment even begins. You will discover how to identify subtle “trust-breakers” in your own practice and replace them with actionable, evidence-based strategies that center the patient’s wisdom. Tune in to learn how to move beyond simple patient education and build a collaborative partnership that fosters genuine healing.

Learning Outcomes
Analyze the evidence related to medical stigma and the impact of mistrust on clinical outcomes in functional neurological disorder (FND)
Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to build trust and foster patient-led collaboration in FND
Integrate case-based approaches to restore therapeutic alliance and strengthen rapport with individuals with FND
Timestamps
(00:00:00) Welcome
(00:00:00) Introduction to trust in FND
(00:02:11) Building trust with patients
(00:10:23) Understanding stigma in healthcare
(00:15:36) Impact of stigma on trust
(00:18:45) Explaining FND to patients
(00:24:00) Interdisciplinary team approach
(00:31:50) Discharge recommendations for FND patients
(00:34:25) Starting therapy with FND patients
(00:36:35) The importance of listening and believing patients
(00:40:28) Building trust through empathy and understanding
(00:47:40) Creative approaches in therapy sessions
(00:59:20) Navigating insurance and patient care
(01:10:00) Family dynamics and patient belief
(01:11:00) Unusual adaptations in therapy for trust building
Neuro Navigators is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

To hear more episodes of Neuro Naviagators, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/neuro-navigators⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/medbridgeteam/⁠

Join Dr. Annie Tapp, PT, DPT, PhD, NCS, an expert in implementation science and neurologic rehabilitation, as she breaks down the active ingredients of effective gait interventions. Alongside host J.J. Mowder-Tinney, you’ll discover how to move beyond “just walking” by using a clinical reasoning framework to prioritize gait subcomponents like stance stability and limb advancement. Together, they explore practical strategies for maintaining high intensity without sacrificing biomechanical specificity. You will learn how to calibrate sessions in real time and embrace patient errors as essential drivers for neuroplasticity.

Learning Outcomes
Analyze the evidence around high-intensity gait training and the motor learning principles that support its use
Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to actionably address the biomechanical subcomponents of gait in individualized training sessions
Solve patient case scenarios involving the design and progression of high-intensity subcomponent-targeted interventions for patients with stroke
Timestamps
(00:00:00) Welcome
(00:00:05) Introduction to high-intensity gait training
(00:02:54) Challenges in understanding abnormal gait
(00:04:48) Functional subcomponents of gait
(00:07:41) Barriers to implementing high-intensity gait training
(00:11:01) Alternative approaches to high-intensity training
(00:14:36) Motor learning and individualized interventions
(00:16:50) Addressing cognitive impairments in therapy
(00:18:52) High-intensity training for nonambulatory patients
(00:21:48) Creating engaging therapy sessions
(00:24:05) Examining gait components in therapy
(00:30:00) Motivating patients through progression
(00:32:49) Documentation strategies for clinicians
(00:35:00) Heart rate and RPE in therapy
(00:39:18) Building patient buy-in
(00:41:58) Key takeaways for clinicians
(00:42:58) Case study: outpatient stroke rehabilitation
(00:48:38) Case study: inpatient stroke rehabilitation
Neuro Navigators is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.
To hear more episodes of Neuro Naviagators, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/neuro-navigators⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/medbridgeteam/⁠

Join host ⁠J.J. Mowder-Tinney, PT, PhD⁠, as she sits down with ⁠Matthew Caraher, PT, DPT, NCS⁠, a board-certified specialist with extensive experience in multidisciplinary ALS and Huntington’s disease care. Together, they explore how to move past a “fear-based” clinical mindset and toward intentional, staged rehabilitation when working with neurodegenerative conditions. You’ll discover practical, evidence-based strategies for dosing moderate-intensity exercise, using objective assessment tools and subjective reports to guide treatment, and recognizing when “skilled maintenance” is the ultimate clinical win. Learn how to shift your focus from impairment correction to maximizing participation and quality of life for patients and their caregivers.
Learning Outcomes
Analyze the evidence regarding exercise and rehabilitation dosing across disease stages in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Huntington’s disease (HD), including strength, aerobic, and respiratory training
Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to select outcomes and dose interventions across the disease continuum while balancing fatigue, fall risk, and respiratory decline
Solve patient case scenarios involving clinical decision-making for ALS and HD related to staging, dosing, equipment, and interdisciplinary coordination
Timestamps
(00:00:00) Welcome
(00:00:05) Introduction to neurodegenerative conditions
(00:01:14) Matt's journey into neurodegenerative medicine
(00:05:25) Addressing clinician fears in treatment
(00:07:29) Redefining success in patient care
(00:10:22) The importance of multidisciplinary care
(00:13:45) Assessment tools for ALS patients
(00:22:43) Challenges in assessing Huntington's disease
(00:26:00) Principles for effective patient management
(00:29:30) Understanding patient emotional states
(00:31:00) The importance of therapeutic presence
(00:36:20) Exercise guidelines for neurologic patients
(00:49:40) Effective communication with patients and caregivers
(00:56:17) Key takeaways for clinicians
Neuro Navigators is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.
To hear more episodes of Neuro Naviagators, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/neuro-navigators⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/medbridgeteam/⁠