What if doing everything right still doesn’t make you feel whole again? In this episode, Dr. Fred Bagares, board-certified Sports & Spine physician and founder of MSK Direct, explores why so many patients “pass” their rehab programs yet still don’t feel like themselves. From a teenage athlete afraid to trust her ankle again to a commercial pilot living with chronic back pain, these stories reveal a deeper truth: healing isn’t about finishing a protocol — it’s about rebuilding trust in you...

Have you ever been told you’re “bone on bone” — and walked out of the appointment feeling terrified, confused, and unsure what to do next? In this episode of The Talking Rehab Podcast, Dr. Fred Bagares, DO, Sports & Spine physician and founder of MSK Direct VB, explains how medical language can influence your decisions more than you realize — and how to tell when your doctor is nudging you versus truly guiding you. Through the story of a patient named Tom, Dr. Bagares reveals how three wo...

Trust used to be automatic — a white coat, a degree, a firm handshake. Not anymore. In a world where average appointments last just seven minutes, how can any real connection be built? In this episode, Dr. Fred Bagares shares a real encounter that changed how he views the physician–patient relationship. Through one tense appointment and a moment of silence that said more than words, he explores why trust has become the rarest, yet most powerful, currency in modern medicine — and how rebuildin...

Most people think of their rearview mirror as just a driving tool — but what if it’s also your most honest posture coach? In this episode, Dr. Fred Bagares unpacks a small everyday habit — adjusting your mirror — and how it silently reveals the way your spine compresses, your posture changes, and your body adapts throughout the day. It’s a surprisingly powerful feedback loop about how awareness, not intensity, shapes recovery. By the end, you’ll see how one mindful pause — a five-second mirro...

Most patients assume the treatment options presented in the exam room are the full menu. But behind the scenes, many physicians are quietly editing out possibilities—because insurance won’t cover them. In this episode of The Talking Rehab Podcast, Dr. Fred Bagares shares what it feels like to practice medicine through the lens of a policy manual, why “covered” doesn’t always mean “available,” and how direct care restores the conversation between physician and patient. You’ll discover: Why cod...

What if you’re already training for the most important competition of your life—and it isn’t the Olympics? In this episode of The Talking Rehab Podcast, Dr. Fred Bagares reveals why your daily movements are the real foundation of pain-free living, functional training, and long-term independence. Drawing inspiration from Usain Bolt’s meticulous preparation for a 10-second sprint, Dr. Bagares reframes the question: What are you really training for? Whether it’s lifting your grandchildren, trave...

Are steroid injections the answer for knee pain—or a shortcut that costs you in the long run? In this episode of The Talking Rehab Podcast, Dr. Fred Bagares unpacks the real story behind corticosteroid injections. You’ll learn why the quick relief they provide can sometimes accelerate joint breakdown, what the research actually shows about long-term effects, and how to think beyond short-term fixes. Dr. Bagares also explores alternatives that support joint health—like PRP, vitamin D, and stre...

You’ve heard it before: “Your MRI looks fine.” But if the scan is normal, why are you still in pain? In this episode of Talking Rehab, Dr. Fred Bagares unpacks why imaging often fails to tell the whole story, the four critical gaps in musculoskeletal care, and how to find real answers when “normal” results don’t match your lived experience. Through the story of a nurse carrying two years of “normal” test results and daily pain, you’ll discover a better framework for navigating your recovery ...

Most people assume that when your MRI shows a meniscus tear, surgery is the only answer. But here’s the surprising truth: the most common surgery for meniscus tears can actually speed up arthritis. In this episode, Dr. Fred Bagares unpacks the real decision point: not whether the meniscus is torn, but whether surgery is the right choice for you. Through two real patient stories, the latest research, and practical frameworks, he breaks down the long-term trade-offs between surgery, repair, and...

What if your biggest breakthrough in recovery isn’t eliminating pain, but learning how to keep it from getting worse? In this episode of The Talking Rehab Podcast, Dr. Fred Bagares reframes one of the most overlooked wins in rehabilitation: baseline control. He shares why stability is not settling, but actually the foundation for lowering pain later—and how patients who master it often achieve better long-term outcomes than those chasing quick fixes. Through Maria’s story—a nurse whose daily ...

What happens when patients consult ChatGPT before they see a doctor—and the physician becomes the third opinion in the room? In this episode, Dr. Fred Bagares breaks down the new hierarchy of medical advice, why most doctors are reacting to it the wrong way, and how AI can actually become the physician’s greatest ally. Rather than fighting “Dr. Google 2.0,” the future belongs to clinicians who learn to interpret, contextualize, and personalize AI-driven information for their patients. You’ll ...

When you walk into an orthopedic clinic, are you getting a one-size-fits-all protocol or a treatment plan designed specifically for you? In this episode of The Talking Rehab Podcast, Dr. Fred Bagares shares the real story of a patient who chose an insurance-covered orthopedic visit over direct care—and what happened next. Using the analogy of an off-the-rack suit versus a tailored fit, Dr. Bagares breaks down the hidden differences between the insurance-based model and a personalized, direct ...

📍 Episode Description: In this episode of The Talking Rehab Podcast, Dr. Fred Bagares invites you to stop dismissing your excuses—and start listening to them. Drawing from the story of a patient named Sarah, he unpacks how our most convincing reasons for inaction often hide something deeper: fear, identity wounds, and unconscious memories. This isn’t about guilt-tripping. It’s about reclaiming ownership of your body and recovery. You’ll hear why people avoid doing the very things that would ...

“If I stop pedaling, I’ll crash.” A simple truth from a 7-year-old learning to ride a bike sparked this conversation about one of the biggest mistakes people make in recovery: stopping when the pain stops.In this episode of The Talking Rehab Podcast, Dr. Fred Bagares reframes what true recovery looks like. He shares a patient story, a powerful mindset shift, and a case for why momentum—not pain relief—is the real goal. Whether you're dealing with injury, trying to prevent one, or stuck in a...

Are You Destroying Your Knees? Why the fear of arthritis might be worse than running itself. Episode Summary: "Doc, I had to stop running. My knees are shot." If you've ever heard—or said—those words, this episode is for you. Today, Dr. Fred Bagares dismantles one of the most persistent myths in musculoskeletal medicine: that running ruins your knees. Spoiler: It doesn't. In fact, giving it up might be what’s really causing the damage. We’ll explore real patient stories, misinterpreted imag...

Here's the humanized version with timestamps: Ever heard this one? "Doc, can you fix my shoulder so I can get back to tearing it apart?" That's exactly what Bugs asked me last month. He wasn't joking. Bugs' a 43-year-old software guy who lives for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Second shoulder injury in 18 months. Same story: did his PT, felt better, went right back to training five days a week, and... here we are again. But here's the thing – Bugs didn't want rehab. He wanted permission to keep doing ...

🎙️ Episode 65 – What is 5% Better? Podcast: Talking Rehab with Dr. Fred Bagares Length: ~13 minutes Description: When a patient tells you they're “only 5% better,” what do you do with that? For some, it sounds like failure. But for rehab clinicians, that 5% could be the spark that changes everything. In this episode of Talking Rehab, Dr. Fred Bagares unpacks the deeper meaning behind small gains, the psychology of progress, and how pain may not be the best marker for recovery. From subtle s...

🎙️ Episode 64 – Nudging Our Patients “She’s one fall away from paralysis.” “If it were my mom, I’d do the surgery.” “This is your window.”These aren’t just medical phrases—they’re nudges: subtle but powerful cues that steer decision-making long before our patients say “yes” or “no.” In this short solo episode, Dr. Fred Bagares unpacks five common types of clinical nudges we hear (and use) every day in musculoskeletal care: Fear-based nudgesAuthority-based nudgesUrgency-based nudge...

From Skeptic to Startup: How a Telemedicine Idea Survived—and Thrived—in a Broken System In this reflective solo episode, Dr. Bagares shares the untold backstory behind his early adoption of telemedicine, the struggles of launching a cash-based virtual practice, and how he handled rejection from both peers and the healthcare system itself. A must-listen for anyone frustrated with traditional healthcare or curious about innovation in musculoskeletal care. 🎧 Topics include: The inefficiency of ...

Are Our Tools Any Good? Are our tools really the problem—or are we just not using them well? In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Fred Bagares, DO, takes a closer look at a recent study questioning the effectiveness of common spine injections like epidurals and facet blocks. While headlines suggest these tools are failing, Fred challenges the deeper issue: our mindset and misuse of short-term solutions in chronic care. Drawing from over a decade of experience in musculoskeletal medicine, he...