Valley Performance Physical Therapy

Valley Performance Physical Therapy VPPT is an outpatient Physical Therapy clinic providing one on one care using an evidence based approach designed to help you move better and feel better.

01/05/2026

In this episode, we break down what actually mattered in physical therapy in 2025 — the wins, the challenges, and the trends that didn’t get enough attention. We also look ahead to 2026, including what to expect with reimbursement, the growing role of technology and hybrid care, and how the gap is widening between outcome-driven practices and volume-based models.

If you’re a physical therapist trying to navigate where the profession is headed — clinically, financially, and professionally — this episode sets the stage for what’s coming next.

01/01/2026

Across the industry, we saw research become more accessible, patients more engaged, and clinicians more willing to rethink old models. At Valley Performance Physical Therapy, we leaned into that momentum.

We focused on what builds confidence, not fear.
What creates capacity, not dependence.
What prepares people for life, not just symptom relief.

Through our clinic, our podcast, and our content, we spent the year educating, simplifying, and helping people understand their bodies better—so they can move more, worry less, and stay active longer.

The future of physical therapy is strong, adaptable, and empowering—and it’s already happening.

Looking ahead to 2026, we’re excited to keep raising the standard:
• Smarter rehab
• Clearer education
• Stronger outcomes

Thank you for being part of the journey. The best work is still ahead.

12/31/2025

Your diagnosis doesn’t predict your pain—or your recovery.

This is what actually matters….

• How you move, not just what you’re diagnosed with
• Your tolerance to load and activity
• Symptoms over time, not a single image or label
• Strength, mobility, and capacity
• Your beliefs and fear around pain and injury
• What you can do consistently, not perfectly
• Progress measured by function, not reports

🎧 Full episode in bio

12/29/2025

Imaging Addiction: When More Scans Mean More Problems

We live in an era where MRIs, X-rays, and scans are only a click away—but are we actually helping patients, or just complicating care?

In this episode, we dig into the overuse of medical imaging in musculoskeletal care and why “just getting an MRI” often creates more confusion, fear, and barriers to recovery. As physical therapists, we see the downstream effects every day: patients identifying with findings that don’t match their pain, delayed treatment while waiting on imaging, and increased anxiety over normal age-related changes.

We discuss:
• Why imaging is often ordered too early and too often
• How incidental findings can hijack the rehab process
• The difference between tissue pathology and pain
• When imaging actually is useful—and when it’s not
• Why over-reliance on scans makes our job as physical therapists harder, not easier

This episode isn’t anti-imaging—it’s pro-clinical reasoning, patient education, and smarter decision-making. If you’ve ever struggled to help a patient “unsee” their MRI report, this conversation is for you.

12/22/2025

Take a listen to the rest of the episode where we talk about direct access…… Direct access to physical therapy is often framed as a win for patients—faster care, lower costs, and fewer unnecessary steps. And in many ways, it is. But only when it’s used the right way.

In this episode, we break down what direct access in physical therapy actually means, when it works extremely well, and where it can go wrong. We’ll discuss why physical therapists are trained to screen for red flags, refer out when needed, and practice within clear clinical boundaries—contrary to the idea that direct access means “no rules.”

More importantly, we tackle the bigger issue: why patients still don’t understand or use direct access, even in states where it’s been legal for years. Is it lack of education? Insurance confusion? Physician-first conditioning? Or has healthcare done a poor job explaining what physical therapists really do?

This episode is for patients who want quicker, smarter care—and for clinicians frustrated that one of the profession’s biggest advantages is still flying under the radar.

12/15/2025

Physical therapists are trained to fix problems, restore movement, and change lives—but there’s a fear most will never say out loud.

What if the exercises aren’t working?
What if the patient isn’t really getting better?
What if, at the end of the day, we’re not actually making an impact?

In this episode, we unpack the quiet anxiety many PTs carry: the fear of becoming a protocol-following technician instead of a true clinician. We talk about chronic pain cases that don’t improve, productivity-driven clinics that drain purpose, and the emotional weight of showing up confident when you’re questioning whether what you’re doing matters.

This isn’t about bashing the profession—it’s about telling the truth. About the moments PTs doubt themselves, the system that often limits care, and the reminder that impact doesn’t always look dramatic or measurable.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re really helping your patients—or felt burned out trying—this episode is for you.

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12/10/2025

What to Expect at Your First Physical Therapy Evaluation

From the moment you walk in, we’ve got you. 🙌
In under a minute, here’s what your first PT visit really looks like:

🔹 Conversation first – We talk about your pain, goals, lifestyle, and what you want to get back to.
🔹 Movement assessment – Simple tests to see how you move, what hurts, and what needs work.
🔹 Strength & mobility check – Nothing scary, just figuring out what’s tight, weak, or compensating.
🔹 A clear plan – By the end, you’ll know what’s going on, why it’s happening, and exactly how we’re going to fix it.
🔹 Your first exercises – Yes, you’ll start day 1. No wasted time.

Your recovery starts the moment you step through the door. 💪

12/08/2025

In this episode, I breaks down why so many patients today feel disconnected from the traditional medical model. For decades, healthcare has relied on an outdated, provider-centric approach built around quick visits, prescription pads, and surgery as the default answer. But patients are demanding more.

We’ll explore how this old, archaic system is failing modern patients, why trust in physicians is declining, and what people are really looking for instead. From movement-based solutions to collaborative care, we dive into the shift toward proactive, holistic, and patient-driven treatment methods that don’t start and end with medication or the operating room.

If you’re frustrated with the current healthcare experience or curious about where patient care is heading, this episode will give you a clear look at the problem — and the path forward.

12/03/2025

What to expect after an ACL reconstruction from a PT’s perspective — the REAL timeline, the milestones that matter, and why patience is your best friend during this process.
Stay consistent. Trust the plan. Your knee will come back stronger. 💪🦵

12/01/2025

In this episode, we break down why stepping into the gym isn’t optional for today’s physical therapists—it’s essential. We’ll talk about how training improves clinical skills, enhances your ability to demonstrate proper movement, and builds trust with patients who expect their PT to practice what they preach.

You’ll hear how strength training sharpens your eye for biomechanics, reduces burnout, and helps you stay physically capable in a profession that demands lifting, manual therapy, and long hours on your feet. We also explore how the culture of physical therapy is shifting toward a performance-based model—and why being fit, confident, and strong positions you as a leader in that movement.

Whether you’re a student PT, a new grad, or a seasoned clinician, this episode will challenge you to rethink the role of fitness in both your professional identity and your longevity in the field.

11/26/2025

60 Seconds of PT
Today’s episode: What to Expect After a Rotator Cuff Surgery

If you’ve got shoulder surgery coming up—or you’re treating patients who do—this quick breakdown is for you. In under a minute, I walk you through the first things you can expect when you arrive at physical therapy:
✔️ Sling use and protecting the repair
✔️ Early mobility timelines
✔️ When pain is normal (and when it’s not)
✔️ How long recovery actually takes
✔️ What your PT will focus on in each phase

Short. Clear. No fluff. Just what you need to know to start rehab the right way.

👀 Watch the full 60-second clip and save this for anyone heading into shoulder surgery.

11/24/2025

Are Physical Therapists Really Professionals? The Hidden Impact of Degree Classification on Student Loans

In this episode, we dive into one of the most confusing—and critical—topics in the physical therapy world: why PT is labeled as a professional doctorate rather than a traditional graduate degree, and how that classification quietly shapes the entire student loan experience.

We break down:
• The history behind the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) title
• Why some agencies classify PT as a “professional degree” instead of a “graduate degree”
• How this labeling affects loan eligibility, repayment options, and access to certain forgiveness programs
• Why failing to meet APTA’s Vision 2020 goals may actually open the door for PTs to qualify for loan reductions under new federal rules
• The broader implications for respect, pay, and how PTs are viewed in the healthcare hierarchy

If you’re a PT, student, or anyone trying to make sense of the financial side of this profession, this episode is a must-listen. We pull back the curtain on a topic almost no one talks about—but every therapist feels in their wallet.

Address

1180 W. Olive Avenue Suite I
Merced, CA
95348

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 7pm
Wednesday 8am - 7pm
Thursday 8am - 7pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+12096265350

Website

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