Dr. Mike Studer: The Brain That Chooses Itself

Healthy Wealthy & Smart

In this episode of the Healthy, Wealthy, and Smart Podcast, host Dr. Karen Litzy welcomes Dr. Mike Studer, the author of "The Brain That Chooses Itself." Dr. Studer shares his extensive background as a physical therapist with 33 years of experience, focusing primarily on neurologic therapy while also engaging in pediatrics and geriatrics. They discuss behavioral economics and how it is a powerful tool that can be effectively utilized in physical therapy to create personalized care plans that motivate patients. By understanding how individuals make decisions, physical therapists can implement strategies such as nudges, gamification, and temptation bundling to enhance patient engagement and adherence to treatment plans.

Time Stamps:

[00:03:05] Unique consulting opportunities for PTs.

[00:05:22] Behavioral economics in decision-making.

[00:10:50] Temptation bundling in therapy.

[00:14:55] Health span versus lifespan.

[00:18:32] Lactate's effect on brain health.

[00:21:52] The importance of choice in health.

[00:27:35] Find your passion.

More About Dr. Studer:

Mike Studer,PT, DPT, MHS, NCS, CEEAA, CWT, CSST, CBFP, CSRP, FAPTA, has been a PT since 1991, a board-certified in neurologic PT in 1995, and a private practice owner since 2005.

Dr. Studer has been an invited speaker covering 50 states, ten countries, and four continents, speaking on topics ranging from cognition and psychology in rehabilitation, aging, stroke, motor learning, motivation in rehabilitation, balance, dizziness, neuropathy, and Parkinson’s Disease.

Dr. Studer co-founded and is co-owner of Spark Rehabilitation and Wellness in Bend, OR. He is an adjunct professor at adjunct professor at Touro University in Las Vegas as well as a part-time instructor at UNLV. Mike has led classes in the DPT program at Oregon State University (motor control) and frequently serves in a guest-lecture capacity at several other DPT and residency programs. In 2011, Mike was recognized as Clinician of the Year in the Neurologic and (in 2014) the Geriatric Academies of the APTA.

He received the highest honor available in PT in 2020, being distinguished as a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA in 2020, joining a group of under 300 persons at the time for the profession's history.

Mike’s professional honors additionally reflect his service at the state and national level, including the Vice President of the Academy of Neurologic PT and the Mercedes Weiss award for service to the Oregon chapter of APTA.

He holds a trademark in dual-task rehabilitation and has a patent pending on the same. Over his career, Mike has presented courses in all 50 states, four continents, and 10 countries. He has authored over 35 articles and 6 book chapters and routinely has clinical research projects in affiliation with one of many universities. He is a consultant to Major League Baseball on the motor control of pitching and hitting. As a very fun and lighthearted note, Mike is the four-time and current WR holder for the fastest underwater treadmill marathon, a mark set most recently in January 2022.

Resources from this Episode:

Mike’s Website

Mike on Instagram

The Brain That Chooses Itself

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