Scoliosis, Braces & Breathing: What PTs Miss | Mike Cantrell | Ep. 32

What if your shoulder pain, bunions, or scoliosis weren’t really about your shoulder, foot, or spine? What if the answers were hidden in how you breathe, how your tongue rests, or even in your braces?

In this episode of The Unplugged Healthcast, Dr. Kevin Wall is joined by physical therapist and educator Mike Cantrell, co-founder of the Applied Integration Academy. With over 35 years in practice, Mike has worked with professional athletes, the U.S. Navy SEALS, and thousands of patients around the world, and he’s on a mission to change how physical therapy is understood and delivered.

Together, they uncover:

• Why physical therapy needs freedom from insurance and governing bodies
• How braces, dental health, and breathing mechanics connect to scoliosis
• What “respiratory neurodontics” is and why it’s groundbreaking
• Real stories of patients who found healing when traditional care failed
• How patients can push providers to ask better questions and explore new answers

If you’ve been stuck in a cycle of patchwork care and prescriptions without true healing, this conversation will open your eyes to a completely different way forward.

Guest Bio:

Mike is a physical therapist and is the cofounder of The Applied Integration Academy® along with his partners James Anderson MPT, AIA Founder and Dr. Alice Lam DDS also a founder. Mike pioneered the grassroots, onsite interdisciplinary application model that is at the heart of the Applied Integration Academy®. He has over 35 years of medical practice experience developing course content for physical therapists, dentists, myofunctional therapists and optometrists as well as for the strength and fitness community. His efforts in these realms have led to consultations with countless clients across the US, Europe, Asia and Australia. He has quietly been consulting with professional athletes in the NBA, MLB, MLS, the NFL, FIFA, UEFA and Australian Football. He also is a performance consultant for the US Navy seals. He has authored or co-authored countless scientific papers over the past 25 years clarifying issues regarding biomechanics, dentistry, and human movement. Mike and his wife Tammi live on 600 acres in central Georgia, have five grown children and enjoy the outdoors and country living.

Resources:

• Applied Integration Academy (AIA) – https://www.appliedintegrationacademy.com/
• Dental Sleep Practice magazine (Fall Edition) – article by Mike on dentistry and scoliosis
• The Master and His Emissary by Iain McGilchrist
• Instagram:@applied_integration_academy & @mikecantrell_aia
• Email: [e-mail]

David Phillips: https://s-sml.mtrbio.com/public/smartlink/phillips

Connect with Dr. Wall:

Website: https://www.drkevinwall.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unpluggedhealthcast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.kevinwall/

Twitter: ​​https://x.com/drkevinwall

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.KevinWall

 

Disclaimer: The content provided in this health podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is solely at your own risk. The creators and hosts of this podcast are not responsible for any actions or decisions you may take based on the information presented.