Mind Your Rehab

In this episode, Dr. Allison & Dr. Vinny break down everything you need to know about footwear and foot health. Dr. Allison explains why so many people end up with weak feet after a lifetime of restrictive shoes and socks, and walks through the hierarchy she uses with patients when picking better footwear.In this episode:Why weak feet develop and how shoe and sock design plays a roleThe 4 part hierarchy for choosing better shoes: wide toe box, heel to toe drop, stack height (cushion), and toe springWhy going barefoot while lifting matters, and what the "tripod" of the foot isWhy flip flops and slides can contribute to hammer toes over time, and what to look for in a sandal insteadFavorite shoe brands for running, walking, lifting, and everyday wear, including Altra, Topo Athletic, Lems, Tolos, and Xero ShoesLinks:Altra https://www.altrarunning.com/en-usTopo Athletic https://www.topoathletic.com/Lems https://lemsshoes.com/Tolos (affiliate code: BFS10) https://weartolos.com/collections/allXero Shoes https://xeroshoes.com/Anya Reviews Barefoot Shoes https://anyasreviews.com/

Have you ever been told you need an X-ray or MRI before starting treatment — or gotten imaging results that left you more confused and scared than before?In this episode of Mind Your Rehab, Dr. Allison and Dr. Vinny break down everything you need to know about medical imaging: what it's actually useful for, when it's unnecessary, and why your MRI or X-ray results are not the final word on your pain.What you'll learn in this episode:The one question you should always ask before agreeing to any imagingWhy imaging results don't tell you where your pain is actually coming fromThe difference between a disc herniation on an image and a disc herniation that's causing your painWhy most people walking around right now have disc bulges, tears, or herniations and don't even know itWhen imaging genuinely changes the course of treatment and when it doesn'tWhy getting imaging too early can actually work against your recoveryWhat red flags actually warrant a referral for imagingThe bottom line: An MRI or X-ray is a snapshot in time. It is not a diagnosis, it is not the root cause of your problem, and it does not have to dictate your treatment or your recovery.If you've ever paused starting care because you were waiting on imaging results, or if a provider ordered imaging on your very first visit without explanation, this episode is for you.Follow Mind Your Rehab for weekly episodes on movement, rehab, and recovery.

Are you doing all the right exercises but still not getting better?In this episode of Mind Your Rehab, Dr. Allison breaks down why so many people stay stuck in pain despite months of physical therapy and consistent effort and it comes down to one key principle: joints act, muscles react.Dr. Allison shares two real patient stories from her clinic this week:A personal trainer with six months of hip pain who had been doing all the right hip exercises — but nobody had ever looked at his pelvis or his footA patient who had spent thousands of dollars across multiple providers and felt relief for the first time after just one session targeting areas no one had ever addressedWhat you'll learn in this episode:Why the source of your pain is rarely where the actual problem isWhat "relative motion" and joint articulation mean for your recoveryWhy stretching and foam rolling alone will never fix a joint that isn't moving properlyHow to know when it's time to seek a different approach or a second opinionWhy meeting your body where it's at is progress, not regressionIf you've been told your pain is just something you have to live with, or you've been doing the same exercises for months without improvement then this episode is for you.Follow Mind Your Rehab for weekly episodes on movement, rehab, and recovery.

You've done PT. You liked your therapist. But you're still not back to lifting, golfing, or moving the way you want to. Sound familiar? In this episode, Dr. Allison and Dr. Vinny break down why cookie-cutter rehab falls short and what a more holistic, goal-driven approach actually looks like. They dig into the underrated role your feet play in everything from hip pain to Olympic lifting, the difference between open and closed chain exercises, and why pain during rehab isn't always a red flag- it's information. Plus, a real case study on how elevating one toe changed everything for a patient in chronic pain.

The conversation begins with personal updates and transitions into a discussion about passive care vs. active care. The hosts explore the role of passive care in pain management and the importance of active care in rehab and recovery. They provide insights into the impact of passive care on joint training and muscle training, emphasizing the need for a balance between passive and active care for optimal results.TakeawaysPassive care vs. active careThe role of passive care in pain management

After a spinal fusion eight weeks ago, one of Dr. Allison's newest clients came in having been told she didn't need PT. When she sought it out anyway, her physical therapist gave her a TENS unit and told her not to exercise at home. In this episode, Dr. Allison and Dr. Vinny dig into why unrealistic post-surgical expectations can set you back just as much as the injury itself, how a fearful provider can rob a patient of their own confidence, and why nerve recovery timelines are far more complex than what any Google search will tell you.They also talk about the power of asking questions, even when providers don't like it, and why being honest with your clients about the unpredictability of recovery isn't discouraging. It's the most empowering thing you can do. Whether you're recovering from surgery, managing a chronic condition, or navigating the rehab system, this one's for you.

Most of us feel "stuck" at some point, but what if it's not a wall, just a sign to take a different action? Dr. Allison and Vinny reveal how your mindset, words, and the right questions can unlock progress you didn't realize was within reach whether it's in rehab, fitness, or life. In this conversation, they share real stories: a woman over 60 challenging her own beliefs about aging and strength, how misunderstood injury care can hold you back, and the surprising power of honesty and asking the right questions. You'll discover how words shape your reality, why you’re never really stuck, and practical steps to move forward especially when you feel like everything's on pause. Dr. Allison Vinny guide you through breaking free from self-imposed limits. They explore mindset shifts, the danger of external authoritys' rules, and how taking multiple perspectives can supercharge your progress.This episode is perfect for anyone tired of hitting a mental or physical wall, craving genuine change, or wanting to challenge assumptions that keep you from your best self. It's about empowerment, honesty, and making bold choices because growth starts with a simple question: what action can I take today?Tune in to learn how to turn feeling "stuck" into your greatest breakthrough with insights that apply to rehab, fitness, relationships, and life. Get ready to rethink your limits and embrace discomfort as your gateway to transformation.Follow Dr. Allison on instagram https://www.instagram.com/dr.allisonheffron/and Vinny https://www.instagram.com/notyourtherapistvinny/And don't forget to like and subscribe!

Dr. Allison and Dr. Vinny review the reality of what it's like to start to challenging yourself when you're going through injury/surgical recovery.

In this episode Dr. Allison and Dr. Vinny introduce themselves and the goal of their new podcast, Mind Your Rehab.Remember to Like and Subscribe so that you can be notified every week when a new episode drops!