Host Polly Swingle is joined by team members of the Concentrated Stroke Rehab Program (CSR) to talk about the evolution and effectiveness of the program over the last few years.

Elise Thompson, MSOT, OTRL, is an occupational therapist that graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Master's of Occupational Therapy. Soon after graduating, Elise started with TRP and has been here for a year and a half. She has taken part in both the PMP and CSR program in the Livonia clinic. She is passionate about helping individuals with neurological conditions return to what they love doing most.

Dr. Kayla Diebold, PT, DPT, CSRS is a Lead Physical Therapist and the Site Coordinator of Clinical Education at The Recovery Project. She has specialized in the treatment of neurological diseases and disorders since 2017 with special interest in Parkinson’s Disease, Stroke, and Vestibular disorders. She is a Certified Stroke Rehab Specialist and heads the medical programming group for stroke at The Recovery Project. Kayla also has certifications in PWR! and Rock Steady Boxing for the management of Parkinson’s Disease. She is a guest lecturer in the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Macomb Community College and frequently presents on topics involving physical therapy management of neurological diseases and disorders across the continuum of care.

Learn more about The Recovery Project!

• View our website at www.therecoveryproject.net
• Call us 855-877-1944 to become a patient
• Follow us on Instagram
• Like us on Facebook

Thanks for listening!

Host Polly Swingle is joined by members of The Chronic Pain Management Program of Michigan treatment team as they share about who is appropriate for this program, what the program entails, and the science behind this programs success. Click the link here to visit our website and learn more!

Mary Wingett, PT, DPT is a doctor of physical therapy at The Recovery Project- Livonia. She is passionate in treating patients with chronic pain and has been a leader in the development of the Chronic Pain Management Program of Michigan. She developed her skills with tying in physical function with neurological disorders at the Lansing Recovery Project where she was a treating therapist for FMD in the LIFE program, restoring individuals with functional movement disorders to healthy movement patterns. Outside of work, Mary is busy running marathons, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family.

Elise Thompson, MSOT, OTRL, is an occupational therapist that graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Master's of Occupational Therapy. Soon after graduating, Elise started with TRP and has been here for a year and a half. She has taken part in both the PMP and CSR program in the Livonia clinic. She is passionate about helping individuals with neurological conditions return to what they love doing most.

Dr. Jarhed Peña is a psychotherapist in private practice specializing in the treatment of autonomic nervous system–related conditions, including chronic pain and functional neurological disorder (FND). His work focuses on helping patients understand and regulate the physiological patterns underlying their symptoms, with the goal of reducing distress and improving daily functioning. Dr. Peña previously worked as a rehabilitation counselor for the State of Idaho, where he supported individuals with disabilities in achieving meaningful employment and community integration. This experience informs his holistic, function-oriented approach to care. In his current clinical practice in Michigan, Dr. Peña integrates Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and somatic-based approaches. He helps patients build interoceptive awareness, reduce reactivity to bodily sensations, and develop practical skills to influence nervous system regulation. His approach emphasizes both education and experiential learning to support sustainable symptom improvement. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Peña provides supervision to colleagues delivering psychotherapy for FND and collaborates with a local clinic to support coordinated, multidisciplinary care. Together, they work to improve access to effective, evidence-informed treatment for patients with complex neurological and pain-related conditions.

Learn more about The Recovery Project!

• View our website at www.therecoveryproject.net
• Call us 855-877-1944 to become a patient
• Follow us on Instagram
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Thanks for listening!

Episode 40 takes on a different format, as Polly Swingle is a guest on the EmpowerHer Wellness Podcast hosted by Morgan Ekovich!

Menopause doesn't mean your best years are behind you—but it does mean your body needs a different approach. In this powerful conversation, host Morgan Ekovich sits down with Polly Swingle, a licensed physical therapist with 39 years of experience, to break down the real changes happening in women's bodies during perimenopause and menopause—and what to do about them.

Polly, who is also a yoga instructor for 15 years and currently pursuing her Pilates certification at age 62, shares evidence-based strategies for combating muscle loss, bone density decline, joint pain, fat distribution changes, and mood disruptions. This isn't about accepting aging as decline—it's about understanding that your body is asking to be used differently.

If you've noticed your metabolism slowing down, strength decreasing, or body composition changing despite eating less and exercising more, this episode will transform how you think about fitness, nutrition, and aging. Polly explains why strength training is the "new medicine" for women, why cardio alone isn't enough, and how much protein you really need to support muscle growth.

Whether you're in your 30s and want to prevent future issues, navigating perimenopause symptoms, or already postmenopausal, this conversation offers practical, actionable advice from someone who has both personally experienced these changes and professionally guided thousands of women through them.

WHAT LISTENERS WILL LEARN:

✅ Why muscle loss begins in your 30s (not your 50s)
✅ Understanding osteopenia vs osteoporosis
✅ How to naturally reduce or eliminate hot flashes
✅ Protein requirements for muscle building: How much women actually need
✅ Fat distribution changes explained
✅ How decreasing estrogen and testosterone affect muscles, bones, joints, mood, and cognition
✅ Joint pain and inflammation management
✅Understanding the cognitive impacts of hormonal shifts and how exercise helps
✅ How Yoga and Pilates support pelvic floor health, flexibility, core stability, and nervous system regulation
✅ Recovery and sleep hygiene:
✅ Why following age-appropriate experts and finding supportive groups matters for long-term success
✅ How to reframe menopause

Join Morgans 90-Day Kickstart Program: Customized strength training + nutrition baseline + habit building + weekly accountability. Only 3 spots available this month! Email "KICKSTART" to: morgan@getfitwithme-morganekovich.com

Want to listen to more EmpowerHer Wellness Podcasts check it out here: https://empowerherwellness.buzzsprout.com

Learn more about The Recovery Project!

• View our website at www.therecoveryproject.net
• Call us 855-877-1944 to become a patient
• Follow us on Instagram
• Like us on Facebook

Thanks for listening!