In this episode of the Healthy, Wealthy, and Smart podcast, Dr. Karen Litzy discusses hypermobility spectrum disorders and Ehlers-Danlos syndromes with guest Heather Purdin, a physical therapist specializing in these conditions. They delve into the definitions and management of these disorders, shedding light on the systemic manifestations and ways to address them. Heather, author of "Taming the Zebra," offers valuable insights for healthcare professionals and patients. Tune in to learn more about these important topics in healthcare.
Time Stamps:
[00:03:28] The immune system and mast cells.
[00:05:33] EDS and hypermobility spectrum disorders.
[00:08:44] Signs of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
[00:14:01] The weight of the shoulders.
[00:17:17] Patient sensitization in physical therapy.
[00:20:22] A marathon, not a sprint.
[00:21:55] Physical therapy misconceptions.
[00:26:29] Support groups for health conditions.
[00:30:11] Stabilizing joints during movement.
[00:33:04] Patient trust and communication.
[00:36:33] Advice to 20-year-old self.
More About Heather Purdin, MS, PT, CMPT:
Heather Purdin graduated magna cum laude from Duke University in 1995, with a BS in Psychology. At Duke she explored the biopsychosocial mechanisms of healthcare, an approach that would later become integral to her patient care. She received her master’s degree in physical therapy from Duke (1997), where she won a Special Initiatives Award, “for exceptional contributions to enhance the awareness of cultural diversity in our program and profession.” Heather’s experience and voracious appetite for continuing education helped her develop a holistic set of manual therapy skills to aid tracking, alignment and tissue tension balance as well as an arsenal of mind-body techniques for pain and exercises for stabilization and general strength. In 2016, she became a certified manual therapist (CMPT) through the North American Institute of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy. She has given numerous lectures locally and nationally on the subject of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorders. She has received Portland Monthly Magazine’s Top Doctors listing in 2015, 2018 and 2023. When she’s not working on presentations, writing, or at the office, she enjoys gardening, hiking, walking her dogs, water sports, acting, and playing games with her retired soccer teammates, friends, partner Ken and their children. Heather loves the great outdoors of the Pacific Northwest and resides in Portland, Oregon.
Resources from this Episode:
Good Health Physical Therapy Instagram
Good health Physical Therapy Facebook
Taming the Zebra Book on Amazon
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In this episode of the Healthy, Wealthy, and Smart podcast, host Dr. Stephanie Weyrauch engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Stacy Menz, the owner of Starfish Therapies. They delve into the challenges and triumphs of balancing motherhood and professional life, touching upon single parenthood, parenting, and achieving professional balance. Stacy's personal journey as a parent and business owner serves as an inspiration for others navigating the complexities of combining parenthood with career goals.
Time Stamps:
[00:02:36] Path to parenthood difficulties.
[00:04:49] Balancing motherhood and business.
[00:10:18] Transparency in leadership and support.
[00:13:05] Maternity leave challenges.
[00:18:42] Building support networks as parents.
[00:20:48] Balancing motherhood and career.
[00:24:43] Seeking mental health support.
[00:29:12] Finding the right therapist.
[00:31:23] Embracing discomfort in growth.
[00:01:28] Parenting challenges and empathy.
[00:06:34] Strategies for meal prepping.
[00:09:49] Balancing life as a practice owner.
[00:14:31] Empowering employees through delegation.
[00:15:37] Parents bringing kids to work.
[00:19:44] Parenting challenges and surprises.
[00:25:03] Balancing work and parenting.
[00:27:04] Parenting and empathy.
[00:31:14] Empathy in leadership.
More About Dr. Stacy Menz:
Stacy Menz, PT, DPT, PCS is a pediatric clinical specialist and the owner of Starfish Therapies. Stacy received her Master’s degree at Boston University in 2000 and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Boston University in 2005. She is the founder and owner of Starfish Therapies a pediatric physical therapy company in the San Francisco Bay Area. Their mission is to make a difference in the lives of each child and family that they interact with.
In addition, Stacy has experience as a teaching/lab assistant for Boston University, South College, Baylor University, Bowling Green State University, and Chapman University's Doctor of Physical Therapy programs, has presented at state and national conferences, and teaches continuing education courses for pediatric physical therapy.
She is currently a board member for WAWOS and a past board member of KEEN San Francisco. She is the treasurer of the pediatric special interest group for the California Physical Therapy Section and the past editor of Impact, the Private Practice Section's. Stacy consults with various companies on how their products can enhance development in children. She has been interviewed on various podcasts and radio shows to discuss Pediatric Physical Therapy and Private Practice.
Resources from this Episode:
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I am happy to have Dr. Lorimer Moseley AO back in this episode of the Healthy, Wealthy, and Smart podcast. In this episode, Lorimer shares insights into his recent research projects and developments in pain science. We discuss the Fit for Purpose model and the evolution of pain education, emphasizing the importance of educative interactions in clinical practice. Tune in to learn more about Lorimer's current projects and his upcoming classes in North America.
Time Stamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome
Lorimer is welcomed back to the podcast, and the host expresses excitement about discussing his recent projects and developments since 2021.
00:01:09 - Exciting Discoveries in Recent Research
Lorimer discusses the nature of discoveries in clinical science, mentioning upcoming publications and the streams of research that currently excite him, particularly in pain education.
00:02:04 - Insights from Clinical Practice and Pain Education
Lorimer shares insights from clinical practice data, highlighting significant findings about patient outcomes related to their understanding of pain as a protective feeling.
00:04:05 - Learning About Learning
The importance of learning in clinical interventions and its impact on treatment outcomes is discussed, emphasizing the need to shift focus from education to learning.
00:06:39 - Upcoming Clinical Trial Publication
Lorimer teases a forthcoming paper on a clinical trial for chronic back pain, detailing the innovative approach taken in the trial to improve treatment credibility and effectiveness.
00:10:56 - Research on Social Determinants of Health
Discussion shifts to the impact of social determinants on health outcomes, with specific focus on back pain and the broader implications for treatment accessibility and effectiveness.
00:16:31 - Pain Revolution Outreach and Challenges
Lorimer talks about the Pain Revolution program, its goals, and the challenges faced in reaching rural communities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
00:27:21 - Cognitive Flexibility in Pain Management
The concept of cognitive flexibility is explored, discussing its relevance to pain management and the challenges in accurately assessing it.
00:39:43 - Personal Experience with Pain and Cognitive Flexibility
The host shares a personal story about dealing with potential pain triggers at Disneyland, highlighting the role of cognitive flexibility and support in managing pain responses.
00:50:22 - Recap and Future Directions
The conversation wraps up with a recap of the discussed topics, emphasizing the complexity of pain management and the ongoing efforts in research and education to improve patient outcomes.
More About Dr. Lorimer Moseley AO:
DSc PhD FAAHMS FACP HonFFPMANZCA HonMAPA
Bradley Distinguished Professor
Professor of Clinical Neurosciences
Foundation Chair in Physiotherapy
University of South Australia
Founder and CEO, Pain Revolution
Chair, PainAdelaide
Lorimer’s main interests are persistent pain and other protective feelings. His research group investigates pain in humans, from cognitive and behavioural experiments to clinical trials and implementation studies. He has authored over 410 scientific articles and seven books. His contributions to the science of pain, to the treatment of persistent pain, to pain education, and to public outreach, have been recognised by honours in 13 countries. He has delivered keynote lectures at world congresses in six fields. In 2017, he founded the non-profit Pain Revolution and in 2020 he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia, that country’s second highest civilian honour, for ‘distinguished served to humanity at large in the fields of pain and its management, science communication, education and physiotherapy.’ His public facing pain education videos attract millions of views each year. He lives and works on Kaurna Land in Adelaide, South Australia.
Resources from this Episode:
Pain Science in Practice Courses in North America
Jane Sponsorship Information:
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In this episode of the Healthy, Wealthy, and Smart Podcast, we delve into making physical therapy clinics more inclusive for everyone, including the LGBT+ community. Our guest, Dr. Michelle Stauffer, a dedicated advocate for LGBT+ healthcare and a member of the APTA PT Proud Special Interest Group, shares her insights and experiences.
Dr. Stauffer discusses her journey into physical therapy, influenced by her athletic injuries and her identity as a member of the LGBT+ community. She highlights the importance of creating a safe and welcoming environment in healthcare settings, especially for those who often face discrimination and misunderstanding.
We explore practical steps to assess and enhance the inclusivity of a physical therapy clinic, starting from the exterior accessibility and moving inside to the waiting areas, treatment spaces, and restrooms. Dr. Stauffer emphasizes the significance of details such as inclusive signage, diverse representation in clinic decor, and thoughtful amenities that cater to a wide range of needs.
Additionally, we touch on the importance of inclusive paperwork and intake forms that respect all identities by allowing patients to specify their preferred names and pronouns. Dr. Stauffer also suggests resources for continuous learning and improvement in DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) practices, encouraging clinic owners and therapists to seek education and adapt to better serve their communities actively.
This episode is packed with actionable advice for healthcare professionals who want to foster an inclusive atmosphere in their practices and ensure that all patients feel respected, safe, and valued.
Time Stamps:
00:00:02 - Introduction and Guest Introduction
Host Dr. Karen Litzy introduces herself and welcomes Dr. Michelle Stauffer, discussing her background and expertise in providing care to the LGBT+ community.
00:01:15 - Dr. Stauffer's Journey to Physical Therapy
Dr. Stauffer shares her personal journey of becoming a physical therapist, including her athletic background and injuries.
00:05:05 - Creating an Inclusive Clinic
Discussion begins on how to assess and ensure a physical therapy clinic is inclusive, starting from the external appearance to internal operations.
00:10:03 - Accessibility and External Clinic Features
Dr. Stauffer discusses the importance of accessibility and external features of a clinic that can make it more inclusive.
00:16:37 - Involving Patients in Clinic Decor
Ideas on how involving patients in the clinic's decor can help in creating a more inclusive environment.
00:17:03 - Inclusive Paperwork and Forms
Tips on how to make intake forms and other paperwork more inclusive, including the use of open-ended questions and preferred name sections.
00:26:05 - Inside the Clinic: Waiting Area and Treatment Rooms
Suggestions for making the waiting area and treatment rooms welcoming and inclusive for all patients.
00:33:09 - Restroom and Changing Room Considerations
Discussion on how to make restrooms and changing rooms accessible and comfortable for everyone, including stocking necessary supplies.
00:39:02 - Staff Training on DEI
The importance of continuous staff training on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and resources for learning more about DEI practices.
00:45:24 - Final Thoughts and How to Connect
Dr. Stauffer shares final thoughts on making clinics inclusive and provides contact information for further resources and personal connection.
More About Dr. Michelle Stauffer:
Dr. Michelle Stauffer (she/her) is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Board Certified Health Wellness Coach who has spent her career focusing on under-resourced communities. Dr. Stauffer received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and upon completion, she began her journey of working with the LGBTQIA+ community. Dr. Stauffer founded Coast 2 Coast Wellness in 2021 with the mission of providing an inclusive & safe atmosphere while receiving affordable & quality care.
Dr. Stauffer specializes in orthopedic and sports injuries and is a Certified Sports Medical Emergency Responder and Level 2 Trigger Point Dry Needling Certified Clinician. Dr. Stauffer is the programming chair of the PT Proud Special Interest Group of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA); a group whose purpose is to improve healthcare access for LGBTQIA+ individuals. She also is a member of the Colorado APTA PT Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. When not working, you can find Dr. Stauffer outdoors hiking or camping with her dog, or tending to her flower and vegetable gardens in her yard.
Resources from this Episode:
Simple Steps to Create and Inclusive Workplace
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