Advertise on podcast: Unreal Results for Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers

Sciatica comes from the sciatic nerve, right… Right? This episode of the Unreal Results podcast was inspired by a recent conversation with a friend of mine who had self-diagnosed herself with sciatica. And while sciatica is often given as a diagnosis, it’s actually more of a description of symptoms than anything else. In this episode, you’ll hear how I actually think through sciatica and why those symptoms can have very different drivers beyond the sciatic nerve or lumbar spine. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: How to differentiate between several potential drivers of sciatica-like symptomsWhere visceral, peripheral neurovascular, and CNS influences fit into your assessmentHow I use the symptom presentation and the LTAP® to narrow down the potential driverOdds are high that someone with sciatica symptoms is going to walk into your practice. This episode will give you a more connected framework for thinking through what to assess and ultimately, what to treat. Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episode: Get on the waitlist for the next cohort of the online LTAP® Level 1 course Ep. 9: Left Side Sciatica or Right Side Shoulder Pain? Ep. 27: Sciatica Secrets Ep. 48: Small Intestine and Mesenteric Roots Ep. 157: The Visceral Connection to Musculoskeletal Pain Check out the Swelling Reduction Protocol Course Here! Learn the LTAP® In-Person in one of my upcoming courses The Missing Link in Orthopedic Rehab: 2-part virtual training Learn how ONE change to your assessment can get your clients better results, faster. 📅 Sept 22nd + Sept 24th, 2026 ⏰ 12 pm – 1:30 pm PT ONLY $97 FOR A LIMITED TIME (REG. $197)- ENROLL NOW ================================================= Watch the podcast on YouTube and subscribe! Join the MovementREV email list to stay up to date on the Unreal Results Podcast and MovementREV education. Be social and follow me: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Get on the waitlist for the next cohort of the online LTAP® Level 1 course In this episode of the Unreal Results podcast, I share some thoughts sparked by the Tactical Strength Coach Annual Training around building trust, getting people out of pain, and improving movement. I unpack what actually builds trust with your clients and why getting results is such an important piece of that relationship. I also challenge the common approach of using movement to correct movement and explore why understanding why the body is moving that way can completely change where you start treatment. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The three things I believe create trust between practitioners and clientsHow a better assessment can improve both your outcomes and your confidence as a practitionerWhy where you start treatment may matter more than the treatment tool you chooseIf you want your clients to trust you, you have to be able to help them get results. But getting better results might require changing the way you think about the problem in the first place. Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episode: Get on the waitlist for the next cohort of the online LTAP® Level 1 course Get on the waitlist for the REVitalize Mentorship (2026-2027) Ep. 125: You're Already Treating The Viscera... You Just Don't Know It Check out the Swelling Reduction Protocol Course Here! Learn the LTAP® In-Person in one of my upcoming courses The Missing Link in Orthopedic Rehab: 2-part virtual training Learn how ONE change to your assessment can get your clients better results, faster. 📅 Sept 22nd + Sept 24th, 2026 ⏰ 12 pm – 1:30 pm PT ONLY $97 FOR A LIMITED TIME (REG. $197)- ENROLL NOW ================================================= Watch the podcast on YouTube and subscribe! Join the MovementREV email list to stay up to date on the Unreal Results Podcast and MovementREV education. Be social and follow me: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

In this episode of the Unreal Results podcast, I share a personal story about a massage experience that sparked a much bigger conversation about clinical decision-making, practitioner ego, and why the lower leg deserves far more attention than it typically gets. I unpack the anatomy of the calf, the role of fluid congestion, nerve entrapment, and compartmental relationships. I also walk through the exact sequence I use to assess and treat the lower leg in my clients. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why lower leg congestion can influence pain, mobility, and treatment outcomesThe key anatomical regions I assess before doing deep tissue calf workHow I sequence lower leg treatment to improve lymphatic, venous, and neural functionA practical framework for combining patient priorities with assessment findingsThis episode is a reminder that assessment should guide treatment, not habit, routine, or practitioner preference, and will challenge you to think differently about both the information your clients give you and the information their bodies are trying to communicate. Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episode: Ep. 3: Swelling Reduction Protocol That Works Like Magic Ep. 8: Unlocking The Fibula Ep. 14: The Stories We Tell: A Lesson From My Compartment Syndrome Ep. 18: Lessons From My Back Surgery - Part 1 Ep. 19: Lessons From Back Surgery - Part 2 Ep. 20: Reflexive Core Stability: Lessons From My Back Surgery - Part 3 Ep. 25: The Peripheral Heart Ep. 37: Swelling Protocol Update Ep. 47: Always Check The Distal Pulses Ep. 53: Shin Splints: Beyond Overtraining & Rest - Complete Guide Ep. 138: The Link Between Potassium and Shin Splints Ep. 149: Rethinking the Popliteus in Knee Rehab Check out the Swelling Reduction Protocol Course Here! Learn the LTAP® In-Person in one of my upcoming courses The Missing Link in Orthopedic Rehab: 2-part virtual training Learn how ONE change to your assessment can get your clients better results, faster. 📅 Sept 22nd + Sept 24th, 2026 ⏰ 12 pm – 1:30 pm PT ONLY $97 FOR A LIMITED TIME (REG. $197)- ENROLL NOW ================================================= Watch the podcast on YouTube and subscribe! Join the MovementREV email list to stay up to date on the Unreal Results Podcast and MovementREV education. Be social and follow me: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

In this episode of the Unreal Results podcast, I had a chat with my good friend and colleague, Missy Bunch, on an Instagram live to unpack one of my favorite shoulder assessment clues: the armpit.  We explore how scapular upward rotation, serratus anterior function, and glenohumeral hypermobility all influence what you see and feel during shoulder assessment. You’ll hear why many people appear to have full shoulder range of motion while quietly borrowing mobility from the wrong place, how serratus anterior dysfunction can hide in plain sight, and what happens when those compensations are left unchecked for years. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why a missing armpit can be a sign of poor scapular upward rotationThe relationship between the scapula, serratus anterior, and glenohumeral joint mechanicsHow to assess scapular upward rotation and identify common compensationsA simple exercise I use to retrain scapular mechanics and improve upward rotationThe shoulder rarely works in isolation, and this episode will help you better assess shoulder function while understanding how small changes in scapular mechanics can create significant differences in long-term outcomes. Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episode: Ep. 16: Why The Shoulder Comes Last Ep. 17: A New Picture Of Shoulder Mechanics Ep. 69: Why Your Shoulder Treatments Might Not Be Enough Ep. 140: Why Acute Shoulder Pain Isn’t Always a Shoulder Problem Ep. 159: Long Thoracic Nerve Palsy: Anatomy, Assessment & Recovery Save 50% on my course - Never Treat The Shoulder First (use code ARMPIT or ARMPITS) Save 50% on my course w/ Missy - The Nerve Workshop (use code ARMPIT or ARMPITS) Learn the LTAP® In-Person in one of my upcoming courses The Missing Link in Orthopedic Rehab: 2-part virtual training Learn how ONE change to your assessment can get your clients better results, faster. 📅 Sept 22nd + Sept 24th, 2026 ⏰ 12 pm – 1:30 pm PT ONLY $97 FOR A LIMITED TIME (REG. $197)- ENROLL NOW ================================================= Watch the podcast on YouTube and subscribe! Join the MovementREV email list to stay up to date on the Unreal Results Podcast and MovementREV education. Be social and follow me: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

In this episode of the Unreal Results podcast, I share the case of a Navy SEAL candidate with severe scapular winging and progressive serratus anterior paralysis after months of failed treatment. I walk through the anatomy of the long thoracic nerve and serratus anterior in detail, including the entrapment sites, fascial relationships, and neural connections that can completely change how you assess and treat these cases. I also share how integrating neural manipulation, visceral treatment, mobility work, and targeted strengthening helped this athlete regain function far faster than expected. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The most common entrapment locations for the long thoracic nerve and why they matter clinicallyHow cervical compression, thoracic outlet mechanics, and breathing patterns may contribute to scapular wingingWhy upward rotation mobility is just as important as strengthening in serratus anterior rehabPractical strategies for restoring upward rotation strength, scapular control, and thoracic mobilityThis case is a great example of why treating the body as a whole organism instead of isolating a single muscle or diagnosis can completely change clinical outcomes.  Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episode: Ep. 99: Navigating The Complex Case Of Diaphragm Paralysis My Online Course I Mentioned - The Nerve Workshop with Missy Bunch and Anna Hartman My Online Shoulder Course - Never Treat The Shoulder First Learn the LTAP® In-Person in one of my upcoming courses The Missing Link in Orthopedic Rehab: 2-part virtual training Learn how ONE change to your assessment can get your clients better results, faster. 📅 Sept 22nd + Sept 24th, 2026 ⏰ 12 pm – 1:30 pm PT ONLY $97 FOR A LIMITED TIME (REG. $197)- ENROLL NOW ================================================= Watch the podcast on YouTube and subscribe! Join the MovementREV email list to stay up to date on the Unreal Results Podcast and MovementREV education. Be social and follow me: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

In this episode of the Unreal Results podcast, I unpack the anatomical and pressure-based relationships between the liver, abdominal cavity, and pelvic floor through both a clinical case study and a deep dive into visceral anatomy. I share how restoring liver mobility changed a client’s stress incontinence, core function, breathing mechanics, and lower body mobility.  You’ll also hear why understanding pressure gradients and visceral relationships can completely shift the way you assess and treat the body. In This Episode, You’ll Hear: How pelvic floor dysfunction is influenced by ribcage position, breathing mechanics, and abdominal pressureA detailed breakdown of the liver’s anatomical connections to the diaphragm, abdominal wall, bladder, and pelvic floorHow visceral dysfunction can alter hip rotation, core control, and breathing mechanicsPractical ways to assess objective orthopedic changes when treating visceral or pelvic complaintsIf you’ve been treating pelvic floor dysfunction, core instability, or movement limitations without considering the visceral system, this episode may completely change the way you think about human movement and function. Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episode: Ep. 58: The Whole Organism Approach w/ Nicole Cozean Ep. 150: A Clinical Case Study in Sacral Pain & Index of Suspicion Fit + Fueled Life Podcast: Ep. 334 - What Your Injuries Are Trying to Tell You After 40 (& Why You’re Not Healing) Pelvic PT Rising Podcast - Beyond The Obvious: An Interview with Anna Hartman Learn the LTAP® In-Person in one of my upcoming courses The Missing Link in Orthopedic Rehab: 2-part virtual training Learn how ONE change to your assessment can get your clients better results, faster. 📅 Sept 22nd + Sept 24th, 2026 ⏰ 12 pm – 1:30 pm PT ONLY $97 FOR A LIMITED TIME (REG. $197)- ENROLL NOW ================================================= Watch the podcast on YouTube and subscribe! Join the MovementREV email list to stay up to date on the Unreal Results Podcast and MovementREV education. Be social and follow me: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

In this episode of the Unreal Results podcast, I unpack the relationship between the viscera, the nervous system, and the musculoskeletal system and why understanding this connection can completely change your clinical outcomes. I walk you through the physiology behind visceral referred pain, how the spine and organs influence each other, and how to start integrating this into your assessment and treatment approach without overcomplicating your process. In This Episode, You’ll Hear: How visceral organs create referred pain through shared neural pathwaysThe difference between visceral referral and viscerosomatic reflexesWhy common pain presentations (low back, shoulder, pelvic) may not be musculoskeletal in originHow to use spinal levels and anatomy to guide more effective treatmentThis episode is about expanding your lens so you’re not just treating symptoms, but understanding what’s driving them. Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episode: Get my Visceral Referrals Cheat Sheet HERE Ep. 125: You're Already Treating The Viscera... You Just Don't Know It Book I Mentioned - From Manual Evaluation to General Diagnosis: Assessing Patient Information before Hands-On Treatment by Alain Croibier* Learn the LTAP® In-Person in one of my upcoming courses *This link is an Amazon affiliate link, meaning I earn a commission from any qualifying purchases that you make The Missing Link in Orthopedic Rehab: 2-part virtual training Learn how ONE change to your assessment can get your clients better results, faster. 📅 Sept 22nd + Sept 24th, 2026 ⏰ 12 pm – 1:30 pm PT ONLY $97 FOR A LIMITED TIME (REG. $197)- ENROLL NOW ================================================= Watch the podcast on YouTube and subscribe! Join the MovementREV email list to stay up to date on the Unreal Results Podcast and MovementREV education. Be social and follow me: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Have you ever finished an exam on a client and had no way to recreate their symptoms? In this episode of the Unreal Results podcast, I walk you through a real clinical case that challenged the traditional biomechanical lens.  On paper, this athlete had a clear diagnosis and had already done all the “right” things (mobility work, strengthening, injections) yet the issue kept coming back. I walk you through my full assessment process, from orthopedic test, the LTAP®, and general listening, and why the body ultimately led me somewhere completely unexpected. In This Episode, You’ll Hear: Why a “normal” biomechanical exam doesn’t always mean nothing is wrongHow to think beyond local tissue when symptoms don’t match the presentationWhat central nervous system protection patterns can look like clinicallyHow sequencing your treatment changes outcomesIf you had this client and didn’t have other assessments such as the LTAP®, I’d love for you to send me a message letting me know what you would have done! Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episode: Join the Online Spring LTAP® Level 1 2026 cohort Ep. 149: Rethinking the Popliteus in Knee Rehab Ep. 150: A Clinical Case Study in Sacral Pain & Index of Suspicion Learn the LTAP® In-Person in one of my upcoming courses The Missing Link in Orthopedic Rehab: 2-part virtual training Learn how ONE change to your assessment can get your clients better results, faster. 📅 Sept 22nd + Sept 24th, 2026 ⏰ 12 pm – 1:30 pm PT ONLY $97 FOR A LIMITED TIME (REG. $197)- ENROLL NOW ================================================= Watch the podcast on YouTube and subscribe! Join the MovementREV email list to stay up to date on the Unreal Results Podcast and MovementREV education. Be social and follow me: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

In this episode of the Unreal Results podcast, I zoom out and explore how movement, manual therapy, physiology, nutrition, and daily inputs all influence visceral health and nervous system function. I break down the concept of container vs. contents, why movement is never “just mechanical,” and how frequency of inputs often matters more than intensity. In This Episode, You’ll Hear: The “container vs. contents” framework for understanding treatmentWhy movement is one of the most powerful (and overlooked) visceral toolsHow small, frequent inputs reshape nervous system resilienceHow assessment guides precision without overcomplicating careThis is a simple, practical way to start integrating a more whole organism approach into your daily work and treatments. Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episode: Ep. 12: Rest Posture vs. Stretching vs. Mobility Ep. 40: Healing and Wellness: Remade Ep. 91: Diaphragm Details That Unlock Thoracic Mobility Ep. 122: Spinal Mobility Is The Most Underrated Tool In Your Practice Ep. 125: You're Already Treating The Viscera... You Just Don't Know It Blog Post: Rest Postures Exercise Video: Scalp Massage Learn the LTAP® In-Person in one of my upcoming courses The Missing Link in Orthopedic Rehab: 2-part virtual training Learn how ONE change to your assessment can get your clients better results, faster. 📅 Sept 22nd + Sept 24th, 2026 ⏰ 12 pm – 1:30 pm PT ONLY $97 FOR A LIMITED TIME (REG. $197)- ENROLL NOW ================================================= Watch the podcast on YouTube and subscribe! Join the MovementREV email list to stay up to date on the Unreal Results Podcast and MovementREV education. Be social and follow me: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

In this bonus episode of the Unreal Results Podcast, Anna sits down with LTAP® Level 1 alum Nicole Bulow, a physical therapist specializing in sports medicine and pelvic health. Nicole shares her journey integrating LTAP® into her clinical practice and how it became the catalyst not only for improving patient outcomes but also for successfully rebuilding her business from scratch after relocating to a new town simply by delivering results that stand out in an industry often accustomed to slow or inconsistent progress. With 15+ years of experience and a strong background in manual therapy and pelvic health, Nicole was already a skilled clinician. But like many, she found herself hitting plateaus, repeating the same treatments, chasing symptoms, and knowing there was something deeper she was missing. This conversation explores what happens when you finally have a system that shows you where to start. They dive into:  Why repeated treatments (like ankle mobility or soft tissue work) often signal you’re missing the root cause  How LTAP® improves efficiency and helps clinicians get results faster  The connection between protective patterns, the nervous system, and chronic dysfunction  Integrating pelvic health, sports medicine, and whole-organism assessment  Why patients are willing to travel and pay when results actually stick  Using LTAP® to identify when something deeper or medical is going on  How better outcomes directly translate to business growth and sustainability Resources & Links Learn more about LTAP® Level 1 (Spring Cohort) Connect with Nicole Bulow The Missing Link in Orthopedic Rehab: 2-part virtual training Learn how ONE change to your assessment can get your clients better results, faster. 📅 Sept 22nd + Sept 24th, 2026 ⏰ 12 pm – 1:30 pm PT ONLY $97 FOR A LIMITED TIME (REG. $197)- ENROLL NOW ================================================= Watch the podcast on YouTube and subscribe! Join the MovementREV email list to stay up to date on the Unreal Results Podcast and MovementREV education. Be social and follow me: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

You don’t need more tools. You need a way to know when and where to use them. And when you finally stop trying to figure it all out… That’s when everything starts to click. In this bonus episode of the Unreal Results Podcast, Anna sits down with LTAP® Level 1 alum Jillian Egan, a massage therapist, Pilates instructor, and movement practitioner based in Los Angeles. Jillian shares her evolution from traditional massage therapy into a more integrated, whole-organism approach, and how discovering LTAP® completely shifted how she assesses, treats, and understands the human body. With a background in dance, movement, and manual therapy, she had already built a strong foundation but was still missing a clear system to guide where to start treatment and why. This conversation explores what happens when you stop chasing symptoms and start listening to the body. They dive into: - Why having more techniques isn’t the problem and what actually is - How LTAP® gave Jillian a clear, repeatable assessment to guide treatment - Integrating the nervous system and viscera into manual therapy and movement work - The shift from “figuring it out” to letting the body lead -Why results should change quickly—and what it means when they don’t - Using clinical patterns to identify when something deeper (or medical) is going on - How this work improves both patient outcomes and practitioner sustainability Jillian also shares powerful clinical examples—from resolving shoulder pain through visceral work to identifying cases that required medical referral—highlighting how this approach leads to both better results and better decision-making. Beyond technique, this episode speaks to something deeper: the personal shift that happens when you let go of needing to be the expert and instead become someone who truly listens. Resources & Links Learn more about LTAP® Level 1 (Spring Cohort) Connect with Jillian Egan  The Missing Link in Orthopedic Rehab: 2-part virtual training Learn how ONE change to your assessment can get your clients better results, faster. 📅 Sept 22nd + Sept 24th, 2026 ⏰ 12 pm – 1:30 pm PT ONLY $97 FOR A LIMITED TIME (REG. $197)- ENROLL NOW ================================================= Watch the podcast on YouTube and subscribe! Join the MovementREV email list to stay up to date on the Unreal Results Podcast and MovementREV education. Be social and follow me: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

In this bonus episode of the Unreal Results Podcast, Anna sits down with LTAP® Level 1 alum Storm Baynes-Ryan, a physiotherapist based in rural New Zealand. This conversation offers a real-world look at what it means to practice from a whole-organism lens, especially in complex, resource-limited environments. Storm shares how she integrates the LTAP® (Locator Test Assessment Protocol®) across multiple settings, from community care and medical centers to her own in-person and online practice. Despite a full life running a farm, raising four children, and managing multiple jobs, she breaks down how she implemented the LTAP® in a way that was both realistic and transformative. They dive into:  How LTAP® changed Storm’s ability to quickly identify where to start treatment  Applying a whole-organism approach across diverse patient populations  Using LTAP® effectively in both in-person and virtual care  Why results should change quickly and what it means when they don’t  How integrating the nervous system and viscera creates more consistent, lasting outcomes  The role of pattern recognition, clinical reasoning, and trusting the body’s signals This episode is especially valuable for clinicians who feel like something is missing in their current model, those getting decent results, but not consistent ones. It’s a grounded, honest conversation about clinical growth, navigating uncertainty, and what becomes possible when you truly learn how to listen to the body. Resources & Links  Learn more about LTAP® Level 1 (Spring Cohort)  Connect with Storm Baynes-Ryan  Previous episode featuring Storm The Missing Link in Orthopedic Rehab: 2-part virtual training Learn how ONE change to your assessment can get your clients better results, faster. 📅 Sept 22nd + Sept 24th, 2026 ⏰ 12 pm – 1:30 pm PT ONLY $97 FOR A LIMITED TIME (REG. $197)- ENROLL NOW ================================================= Watch the podcast on YouTube and subscribe! Join the MovementREV email list to stay up to date on the Unreal Results Podcast and MovementREV education. Be social and follow me: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

In this episode of the Unreal Results podcast, I reflect on a theme that keeps showing up across my teaching, my Revitalized mentorship, and my own clinical work: repetition and review. I share how teaching the same concepts over and over has sharpened my clarity, why seasoned clinicians often don’t need more techniques, and how refining your assessment lens changes everything about your results. In This Episode, You’ll Hear: Why assessment clarity matters more than adding new treatment toolsHow repetition and review accelerate clinical reasoning and confidenceThe key question to ask when your assessment feels unclearHow to build confidence by refining what you already doIf you’re ready to improve your outcomes by refining, not expanding, your approach, I’d love to have you inside the LTAP® Level 1 course. Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episode: Join the Online Spring LTAP® Level 1 2026 cohort Ep. 2: MovementREV Philosophy and Methodology Ep. 60: LTAP® Core Beliefs Join The MovementRev Newsletter Learn the LTAP® In-Person in one of my upcoming courses The Missing Link in Orthopedic Rehab: 2-part virtual training Learn how ONE change to your assessment can get your clients better results, faster. 📅 Sept 22nd + Sept 24th, 2026 ⏰ 12 pm – 1:30 pm PT ONLY $97 FOR A LIMITED TIME (REG. $197)- ENROLL NOW ================================================= Watch the podcast on YouTube and subscribe! Join the MovementREV email list to stay up to date on the Unreal Results Podcast and MovementREV education. Be social and follow me: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

In this episode of the Unreal Results podcast, I walk through a recent clinical case of mine involving a Navy SEAL BUD/S candidate who came in with persistent “back pain.” Once he pointed more specifically to the sacrum, the case immediately changed direction and led us down a very different path involving visceral drivers, kidney irritation, and neurovascular patterns. I share how location-specific questioning, structured assessment, and developing a strong index of suspicion can uncover connections between the viscera, nervous system, and musculoskeletal system that are easy to miss. In this episode, you’ll hear: • Why sacral pain should immediately shift your clinical questioning • How kidney and urogenital organ irritation can refer pain to the sacrum and knee • How tools like the LTAP® fit into broader clinical reasoning and assessment • Why asking the right questions can completely change the direction of treatment If you’re a health or movement professional interested in improving your diagnostic thinking and getting better outcomes with complex cases, this episode will help you refine how you assess presentations that don’t follow the usual patterns. Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episode: Ep. 45: The Kidneys - Visceral Connections To Movement Ep. 49: Pain On The Sacrum Ep. 147: Why Expectations Shape Clinical Outcomes Kidney Regen Session Learn the LTAP® In-Person in one of my upcoming courses The Missing Link in Orthopedic Rehab: 2-part virtual training Learn how ONE change to your assessment can get your clients better results, faster. 📅 Sept 22nd + Sept 24th, 2026 ⏰ 12 pm – 1:30 pm PT ONLY $97 FOR A LIMITED TIME (REG. $197)- ENROLL NOW ================================================= Watch the podcast on YouTube and subscribe! Join the MovementREV email list to stay up to date on the Unreal Results Podcast and MovementREV education. Be social and follow me: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

In this episode of the Unreal Results podcast, I explore the anatomy and clinical significance of the popliteus — the small, often overlooked muscle that unlocks the knee and why it may be a missing link in lateral knee pain, shin splints, post-surgical inhibition, and chronic joint irritation. I share reflections from my own ACL-deficient knee during an 8 week plyometric intensive and how restoring dynamic confidence changed not just my performance, but my joint symptoms. We’ll also explore how the popliteus interfaces with the fibula, meniscus, joint capsule, and even the SI joint and why treating it in isolation rarely creates lasting change. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why the popliteus is central to unlocking knee flexion in closed-chain movementWhy this muscle becomes hypertonic after injury and why releasing it isn’t enoughHow posterior capsule, fibular motion, and meniscal connections influence knee painPractical ways to combine manual therapy and yielding plyometrics for better outcomesIf you’ve ever wondered why the popliteus keeps “tightening back up,” this episode will help you understand what it’s protecting and how to work with it instead of against it. Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episode: Ep. 8: Unlocking The Fibula Ep. 21: Easily Restore Knee Extension After Injury or Surgery Ep. 25: The Peripheral Heart Ep. 78: Easily Restore Knee Flexion After Injury or Surgery Ep. 79: The Deeper Impact of Plyometrics w/ Matt McInnes Watson Ep. 138: The Link Between Potassium and Shin Splints Squat Warmup Video Tutorial to Improve Knee Flexion Video Book I Mentioned: New Manual Articular Approach: Lower Extremity by Jean-Pierre Barral & Alain Croibier Sign Up For A Barral Institute Course (Tell them Anna Hartman sent you!) Learn the LTAP® In-Person in one of my upcoming courses The Missing Link in Orthopedic Rehab: 2-part virtual training Learn how ONE change to your assessment can get your clients better results, faster. 📅 Sept 22nd + Sept 24th, 2026 ⏰ 12 pm – 1:30 pm PT ONLY $97 FOR A LIMITED TIME (REG. $197)- ENROLL NOW ================================================= Watch the podcast on YouTube and subscribe! Join the MovementREV email list to stay up to date on the Unreal Results Podcast and MovementREV education. Be social and follow me: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube