Podcast
PT Pintcast - Physical Therapy
Hosted by Jimmy McKay, PT, DPT | Physical Therapy Podcast · EN
PT Pintcast is a physical therapy podcast featuring conversations with physical therapists, clinic owners, educators, and leaders shaping the future of physical therapy.
Hosted by Jimmy McKay, PT, DPT, PT Pintcast blends real talk, big ideas, and practical insight on clinical care, business, culture, and where physical therapy is headed next. If a TED Talk and a radio show had a baby and raised it in a physical therapy clinic, this would be it.
52episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Chronic Pain Isn’t What You Think It Is
4w ago00:39:27Tap to summarizeChronic pain patients are some of the toughest cases in physical therapy—not because they’re complicated, but because they’re often misunderstood.In this episode, we break down why treating chronic pain like an acute injury leads to poor outcomes—and what to do instead. The shift is simple but powerful: stop focusing only on tissue and start understanding the person.If you run a clinic or treat patients daily, this matters because better conversations lead to better outcomes, stronger patient relationships, and more consistent retention.What you’ll learn:• Why chronic pain is different from acute pain• How to identify non-tissue drivers of pain• The role of therapeutic alliance in outcomes• Why listening is a clinical skill—not a soft skill• How to improve patient retention starting day oneGuest Links:Website: megansteelept.comInstagram: @painscienceprofYouTube: Unpacking Pain PodcastSponsors:SaRA Health — Helping clinics generate revenue between visits with remote monitoringEMPOWER EMR — Built for PTs who want faster, cleaner documentationU.S. Physical Therapy — Supporting PT careers and clinic growth nationwide
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What a Rock Radio DJ Learned That Every PT Needs to Hear
4w ago00:30:13Tap to summarizeMost episodes, Jimmy McKay is the one asking the questions. Not this time.In this episode, Amit Gagliani flips the script and turns the mic on the host himself — using AI-generated questions to dig into the story Jimmy rarely tells. You'll hear how a morning announcement in sixth grade led to running a rock radio station, interning at K-Rock (yes, Howard Stern's station), and eventually walking away from the dream job he'd had since he was 11 years old.Then: why he almost went to law school, spent a year in business school, and finally found physical therapy through a triathlete friend on a bike ride.Plus — what radio actually taught Jimmy about healthcare communication, why the PT profession's biggest problem has completely shifted in the last decade, and the one thing he says every clinic owner needs to stop saying on their website.If you've ever wondered who Jimmy McKay is when he's not the one holding the mic — this is it. Topics covered:Rock radio to PT: the iPhone moment that changed everything (2008)Interning at WXRK / K-Rock in New YorkWhat PT school looked like at 28, surrounded by 21-year-olds"Accidentally" starting the PT PodcastThe $125K CSM fundraiser — and why no one stole the ideaWhy talent retention has replaced patient acquisition as PT's #1 challengeThe PASO framework and why "mentorship" on your website means nothing"I make suggestions. You make decisions." — and what that really means in the clinic
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Why PTs Are Underpaid (And What To Do About It)
4w ago00:47:14Tap to summarizeMost physical therapists don’t have a clinical problem — they have a business model problem.In this episode, Jimmy sits down with Courtney Morse to unpack what happens when you step away from traditional outpatient care and rethink how a PT clinic should operate. From burnout and stacked schedules to launching a cash-based practice out of a hair salon, this conversation shows what’s possible when PTs stop undervaluing their services.Courtney shares how mindset, pricing, and business structure play a bigger role in success than most clinicians realize. He also breaks down why so many PTs hesitate to start a practice — and what actually gets them moving.If you’re a clinic owner or thinking about becoming one, this episode gives you a clearer picture of what’s holding you back — and what to do next.GUEST LINKS• Courtney Morse• PT BizSPONSORSSaRA Health — Increase revenue between visits with automated patient engagement???? http://sarahealth.comEMPOWER EMR — Documentation built for PTs, not against them???? https://empoweremr.com/U.S. Physical Therapy — Growth, mentorship, and career pathways for PTs???? https://usph.com/
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PT Burnout Isn’t What You Think
4w ago00:35:48Tap to summarizeBurnout in physical therapy isn’t just about workload—it’s about how clinicians process stress over time.In this episode, Jimmy talks with Charles Inniss about why optimism is not a personality trait, but a trainable skill. They break down how burnout develops in PT careers, why cynicism follows exhaustion, and what clinicians and clinic owners can actually do about it.If you run a clinic, this matters because burnout directly impacts retention, patient outcomes, and culture. If you’re a clinician, this gives you a practical framework to regain control of your career experience.What you’ll learn:• Why PT burnout happens even in “good” jobs• The difference between exhaustion and cynicism• How optimism works like a muscle• Simple daily habits to improve mental resilience• How clinic culture contributes to burnout (or prevents it)Get His Book: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Optimism-Game-Depression-Happiness/dp/1967115281Sponsors:SaRA Health – helping clinics increase revenue without adding staffEMPOWER EMR – faster documentation and better workflowsU.S. Physical Therapy – clinician-led growth and career support
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Decision Fatigue Is Costing Your Clinic More Than You Think
May 401:00:38Tap to summarizeDecision fatigue isn’t just a mindset issue—it’s a business problem.In this episode, Jimmy, Tony, and Dave break down how hesitation around hiring, outsourcing, and systems decisions slows clinic growth. From front desk staffing to outsourcing intake, they show how trying to make the “perfect” decision often leads to doing nothing—and that’s where clinics lose momentum.One of the biggest insights: the right person in the right role matters more than the job title. A clinically minded operator at the front desk can outperform cheaper outsourced solutions because they think, solve problems, and prevent issues before they happen.Key Takeaways:• Decision fatigue delays growth in PT clinics• Making a “wrong” decision is often better than no decision• Front desk roles can drive revenue when staffed strategically• Outsourcing fails when expectations and execution don’t match• Clinic owners must prioritize speed and adaptabilitySponsors:SaRA Health — helping clinics increase revenue between visitsEMPOWER EMR — faster, cleaner documentation workflowsU.S. Physical Therapy — career growth and clinic partnershipsSubscribe & Follow:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pt-pintcast-physical-therapy/id1000443325Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3LmMUT64yrUc2iGo9EmafcYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PTPintcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmy-mckay-pt-dpt-a4207659/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptpintcastTwitter/X: https://x.com/PTPintcastWebsite: https://www.ptpintcast.com/
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Why Doing Less Makes Your PT Clinic More Profitable
Apr 1500:56:05Tap to summarizeThis episode challenges one of the biggest assumptions in physical therapy: that offering more services leads to better outcomes and business growth. Instead, the conversation explores how narrowing your focus can improve efficiency, hiring, patient experience, and long-term profitability.Key Insights:• Clinics trying to serve everyone end up differentiating to no one• Simplifying services improves operational efficiency and staff clarity• Hiring becomes easier when your model is clearly defined• EMR and technology can create defensible business advantages• Most PT clinics blend together—clear positioning is rare and valuable• The biggest missed opportunity in PT is saying “no” to the wrong patients• Business skills—not clinical skills—often determine clinic successWhy This Matters To PT Owners:If your clinic feels chaotic, hard to staff, or difficult to grow, the issue may not be effort—it may be lack of focus. A clear model reduces friction across hiring, operations, and marketing. Guest Links & Resources:Tony Maritato – Total Therapy Solutions (YouTube)
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Why Insurance PT Models Are Breaking Down
Apr 800:50:27Tap to summarizeThis episode dives into one of the biggest shifts happening in physical therapy right now: the gap between what patients need and what insurance allows.Jimmy, Tony, and Dave break down:• Why most AI solutions in healthcare never make it past pilot phase• How insurance limitations are shaping care delivery• The rise of hybrid and post-rehab fitness models• Why clinical skill is no longer the main differentiator• How communication, sales, and patient buy-in drive outcomesKey Insights:• 95% of AI pilots in healthcare never scale—adoption is the real problem• Insurance caps are forcing clinics to find new care models• Neuro and long-term patients are underserved by traditional PT• Cash-based PT is growing because patients value time and outcomes• Pre/post testing isn’t just clinical—it’s a sales and trust tool• PTs are trained to “not lose,” but progress requires riskWhy This Matters:If you’re a clinic owner, this is about adapting your model before it’s forced on you.If you’re a staff PT, this is about understanding what actually creates value in today’s market.
Transcribe →If You Can’t Prove It, Stop Doing It
Apr 700:44:41Tap to summarizeMost physical therapy clinics don’t have a marketing problem—they have a measurement problem.In this episode, Jimmy and Andrea break down why marketing often gets labeled as a cost instead of a growth driver, and what needs to change for clinics to actually see ROI.If you’re a clinic owner or leader trying to justify marketing spend, this episode gives you a clear framework to connect activity to revenue.Key Insights:If marketing doesn’t show up on the P&L, it won’t be taken seriouslyIntegrating EMR and CRM data is the foundation for tracking ROIPaid search works—but only at the bottom of the funnelMost clinics ignore demand generation and show up too lateAttribution is imperfect—don’t let that stop strategyYou don’t need more channels—you need better alignmentAI won’t fix bad systems—it amplifies themPersonas must be updated regularly based on real patient behaviorWhy This Matters to PT Owners:Helps you stop wasting money on unproven tacticsGives you a way to defend marketing spendImproves patient acquisition without increasing budgetAligns your team around growth, not guessworkResources & Links:Andrea (LinkedIn referenced in episode)Sponsors:SaRA Health — Automate patient follow-up and generate revenue between visits???? sarahealth.comEMPOWER EMR — Built for PT workflows, faster documentation???? empoweremr.comU.S. Physical Therapy — Career growth and clinic support???? usph.com Subscribe & Follow:Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pt-pintcast-physical-therapy/id1000443325Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3LmMUT64yrUc2iGo9EmafcYouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@PTPintcastLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmy-mckay-pt-dpt-a4207659/Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/ptpintcastX / Twitterhttps://x.com/PTPintcastWebsitehttps://www.ptpintcast.com/
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Communication Skills PTs Need But Don’t Learn
Apr 600:31:38Tap to summarizeThis episode dives into one of the biggest frustrations in physical therapy: feeling unheard at work. Rebecca Griffith breaks down how to communicate with leadership, advocate for patients, and avoid being labeled “difficult.”Key Insights:• Most leadership decisions are system-driven, not personal• Curiosity beats criticism in tough conversations• Timing, tone, and delivery matter as much as the message• Not all feedback moments are created equal• Small organizations allow more personalized communicationWhat This Means for PTs & Clinic Owners:• You can advocate without damaging relationships• Better communication leads to more influence—not less• Understanding the system helps you navigate it• Emotional reactions can sabotage valid concerns• Leadership communication is a learnable skillTactical Takeaways:• Ask: “Help me understand the goal of this decision”• Write questions first—don’t react in the moment• Clarify: is this decision final or open for input?• Choose the right time and setting for feedback• Focus on system impact—not just personal impactGuestRebecca Griffith, PT, DPTSponsorsSaRA Health – patient engagement solutionsEMPOWER EMR – faster, smarter documentationU.S. Physical Therapy – clinic growth and career pathways
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AI in PT Clinics: What Actually Works
Apr 300:15:19Tap to summarizeThis episode breaks down how AI is being used inside real physical therapy clinics—not as hype, but as a tool to improve operations.The biggest mistake clinics make is treating AI like a feature instead of building it into workflows. When Sal Aprea from Flagler Health shows you that done right, AI helps reduce no-shows, improves patient engagement, and creates new revenue opportunities without adding staff.Key Insights:AI fails when it feels like “extra work”Clinics must focus on workflow, not toolsTrust drives adoption: staff → patients → operationsRTM is underused because no one owns it operationallyDone right, AI improves the patient journey between visitsGuest shares how clinics can:Increase patient follow-throughImprove operational efficiencyAdd revenue streams through RTMBuild trust with both staff and patients
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