Concussion Rehabilitation Myths: Is Your Practice Up to Date?

Presented by Phil Plisky and Mary Ann Roelke

Concussion Rehabilitation Myths: Is Your Practice Up to Date?
Rehab and Performance Lab: Concussion Rehabilitation Myths: Is Your Practice Up to Date? (Episode 29)

Audio Runtime: ___ Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: ___Minutes

Are there critical concussion symptom profiles that you are missing in your clinical practice? In this episode, host Dr. Phil Plisky, PT, DSc, ATC, CSCS, sits down with Dr. Mary Ann Roelke, OTD, OTR, a distinguished expert with over 35 years of experience in neurologic rehabilitation, to challenge the way we approach post-concussion care. Together, they unpack why concussions must be treated as complex neurological injuries rather than standard musculoskeletal setbacks, detailing how global life impairments often slip through the cracks. You will discover how simple clinical shifts—such as testing positional blood pressure and using specific symptom screening clusters—can dramatically reshape your treatment trajectories, while learning to effectively leverage multidisciplinary “super-powers” and actionable pacing rules to confidently guide your patients back to the activities that bring them joy.

Learning Outcomes
  • Analyze the evidence around concussion rehabilitation identification, education, and multidisciplinary referral
  • Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to actionably address progressive return to meaningful activities and symptom management after a concussion
  • Solve patient case scenarios involving complex concussion clinical profiles and coordinated multidisciplinary care

This is an audio-only course. Additional materials are available for download within the course. To receive continuing education credit, complete the course and the accompanying quiz.

Meet your instructors

A person in a dark polo shirt smiles against a wavy white background.

Phil Plisky

Dr. Phil Plisky is a professor in the University of Evansville’s Doctor of Physical Therapy and PhD in Health Professions Education programs. He is the host of the Medbridge Rehab and Performance Lab podcast and founder of the Coaches Club at

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A smiling woman with shoulder-length brown hair and glasses wears a red blazer before a white background, associated with medbridge.

Mary Ann Roelke

Dr. Mary Ann Roelke is a distinguished expert in adult neurologic rehabilitation at UnityPoint Health–Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. After earning her postprofessional doctoral degree from Creighton University, she made significant contributions to the field by publishing qualitative research on concussion…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Concussion Rehabilitation Myths: Is Your Practice Up to Date?

1. Concussion Rehabilitation Myths: Is Your Practice Up to Date?

Host Phil Plisky sits down with neurologic rehabilitation expert and occupational therapist Mary Ann Roelke to reveal how clinicians can transform post-concussion care by moving past musculoskeletal mindsets, identifying hidden symptom profiles, and leveraging a multidisciplinary network to guide patients back to the life activities they love safely.

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