Hands On Hands Off

Trauma-Informed & Psychologically Informed Care in PT with Faith Stokes

Faith Stokes joins the podcast to talk about treating the patients many clinicians feel least prepared for — those navigating trauma, addiction, suicidality, chronic pain, pelvic health conditions, and complex biopsychosocial presentations. Faith practices in rural North Georgia, where she blends manual therapy, psychologically informed care, and lifestyle medicine. As a residency coordinator and adjunct faculty across multiple programs, she’s passionate about helping clinicians develop clarity when treating patients whose stories involve trauma, fear, avoidance, social instability, or chronic stress. IN THIS EPISODE: • Simple vs. complex PTSD in clinical practice • Why trauma-informed care is essential in OMPT • Yellow flag screening and why it’s our responsibility • The PT’s role in addiction and suicidality • Integrating pelvic health with orthopedics and manual therapy • Using lifestyle medicine without shame or judgment • How experts reason through overwhelming complexity This is a deep, human, and incredibly practical conversation for every PT.

OMPT vs MDT Is the Wrong Debate!

Dr. Moyo Tillery sits down with Dr. Ron Shank to explore the evolving relationship between Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy (OMPT) and Mechanical Diagnosis & Therapy (MDT). Drawing from decades of clinical practice, mentorship, and research, Ron reframes the debate — arguing that integration, not ideology, leads to better patient outcomes. Together, they unpack directional preference, centralization, test–retest frameworks, patient empowerment, and the leadership principles that shape great clinicians. This is a must-listen for anyone navigating modern manual therapy practice. Key Topics Covered: * Directional preference vs centralization * End-range testing as common ground * Hands-on vs hands-off decision-making * Patient self-efficacy and dependency * Mentorship, leadership, and legacy in OMPT

Treating TMJ Like Any Other Joint: Rehab After Total TMJ Replacement

Most physical therapists will treat TMJ pain. Almost none will ever encounter a full bilateral TMJ replacement—paired with mandibular advancement and upper palate expansion. When that rare case appeared, there was no rehab playbook… so this clinician built one. What listeners will learn: * How TMJ replacement compares (and doesn’t) to hip and knee replacements * Why outcomes research exists—but rehab pathways don’t * How to apply total joint principles to a jaw joint * What to do when surgical restrictions limit “normal” movement * The role of nutrition, SLPs, and interdisciplinary care * How lived experience changes clinical decision-making Why it matters: This episode isn’t really about TMJ—it’s about how clinicians think when evidence is thin and responsibility is high. Guest: Katie Berry — sports & orthopedic clinician, adjunct professor, and OMPT fellow-in-training.

Does Residency & Fellowship Training Improve Outcomes? | Cody Mansfield

Cody Mansfield joins the show to unpack the real value of residency and fellowship training — and to share insights from his new Cardon Research Award–funded study examining outcomes in non-operative knee pain. Cody serves as Director of the Ohio State OMPT Fellowship, research associate, physical therapist, associate editor for JOSPT Cases, and instructor in the OSU DPT program. His mixed-methods research evaluates whether post-professional training changes outcomes related to quality, service, and cost — and what patients themselves value about receiving care from fellowship-trained clinicians. IN THIS CONVERSATION: • Why this research matters for the future of OMPT • Early insights from comparing trained vs. non-trained clinicians • Patient perspectives on fellowship-trained PTs • Residency vs. fellowship — how they actually differ • Cody’s educational sessions on LE referral patterns and spinal decision-making • His journey through a PhD while raising two young boys Whether you’re a student, clinician, educator, or program director, this episode gives you a grounded look at what advanced training really does for patient care.

Can Games Make You a Better Manual Therapist? | Hollis Bixby

Hollis Bixby sits down with us to explore how gamification is reshaping PT education — from DPT programs to hybrid residencies to post-professional training. Hollis has spent seven years as a sports physical therapist, is wrapping up her manual therapy fellowship through Regis University, and is beginning a new chapter as Assistant Professor at Campbell University. Through her work with Duke’s Orthopedic Hybrid Residency, she’s helping design gamified learning experiences that boost engagement, motivation, and clinical skill development. IN THIS EPISODE: • What gamification really is — and what it’s not • How game elements improve learning and retention • Strategies educators can implement tomorrow • How fellowship and residency training benefit from playful design • Why PT education needs to evolve for today’s learners • Hollis’s journey from sports PT → educator → innovator This episode is all about teaching smarter, not harder — and making learning fun again.