In this episode of the Rehab Science Podcast, Dr. Tom Walters interviews Dr. John Rusin, a physical therapist and injury prevention specialist. They discuss the concept of pain-free performance, which is a movement system designed to help individuals transition from pain to optimal performance.

Dr. Rusin shares his background in professional athletics and how it shaped his approach to training and rehabilitation. The conversation delves into the importance of individualized training, movement quality, and the six foundational movement patterns. They also explore the significance of movement screens and assessments, the six-phase warm-up sequence, and the structure of Dr. Rusin's new book on pain-free performance.

In this conversation, John Rusin and Tom Walters delve into the intricacies of movement patterns and performance training. They discuss the importance of creating a comprehensive movement program that caters to individual needs, assessing movement patterns for optimal performance, and the significance of a non-dogmatic approach to training. The conversation emphasizes understanding movement quality, spinal neutrality, and the necessity of individualized training to liberate movement and enhance overall performance.

Visit the links below to learn more about John's certification program and his new book:

Pain Free Performance Specialist Certification

Pain Free Performance Book

In this episode of Rehab Science, Dr. Tom Walters, DPT, breaks down cervical radiculopathy—a common condition involving compression or irritation of the nerve roots in the neck. He explores the relevant cervical spine anatomy, including how disc herniations or degenerative changes like bone spurs can narrow the neural foramina and impinge nerve roots, leading to symptoms that radiate from the neck into the arm and hand. Dr. Walters reviews hallmark symptoms such as radiating pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness, and discusses how these typically follow a dermatomal distribution depending on the affected cervical level.

Dr. Walters also explains the clinical examination process for diagnosing cervical radiculopathy, including provocative orthopedic tests and the role of imaging like MRI when necessary. He outlines both medical and physical therapy approaches to treatment—ranging from anti-inflammatory medications and injections to targeted rehab strategies like cervical traction, neural mobilization, postural correction, and strengthening exercises. The episode wraps up with practical advice for managing this condition through movement-based rehabilitation.

YouTube Video with Exercises

Nerve Mobilization Exercises

Amazon Book Link

In today's episode, I speak with Dr. Mark Kargela, a seasoned clinician and educator, about chronic pain—its complexity, its impact, and how practitioners can better support patients struggling with it. The discussion focuses on shifting clinical approaches from tissue-centric models to ones that integrate contemporary neuroscience and lived experience.

Key topics include:

• Understanding Chronic Pain: The conversation defines chronic pain not simply by duration (e.g., beyond three months), but as a biopsychosocial phenomenon that fundamentally changes the nervous system. Dr. Kargela emphasizes that chronic pain is often not a direct marker of tissue damage, but a protective output of the nervous system influenced by biology, psychology, and social factors.

• Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE): Both clinicians stress the importance of PNE in helping patients reframe their pain experience. Teaching people how pain works can reduce fear and catastrophizing, improve self-efficacy, and set the foundation for graded movement and recovery.

• Central Sensitization and Nervous System Dysregulation: The discussion highlights how sensitized neural pathways can perpetuate pain even in the absence of tissue pathology. Techniques that modulate the nervous system—such as breathing, sleep optimization, gentle movement, and mindfulness—are presented as key therapeutic tools.

• Limitations of Traditional Biomedical Models: Dr. Kargela critiques overly mechanical approaches that chase tissue “damage” or perfect biomechanics, advocating instead for approaches that validate patient experiences and support behavior change.

• Clinician Takeaways: The episode encourages health and fitness professionals to:

  • Ask better questions that uncover contributors to a person’s pain narrative.

  • Shift from “fixing” people to coaching them toward resilience.

  • Recognize that empathy, listening, and patient-led goals are central to helping people move forward.

To learn more about Mark's work, visit his social media accounts and website below.

Instagram: Modern Pain Care

YouTube: Modern Pain Care

Pain Courses for Clinicians