When patients start shockwave, they often expect to be pain-free in six weeks — but that’s not reality. In this episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery, Dr. Don Pelto shares how he sets patient expectations, handles difficult cases, and uses treatment sheets to keep patients engaged and compliant. You’ll also hear: • How to manage insertional tendinopathies with shockwave • Why clear treatment sheets simplify wart and nail care decisions • The hidden revenue in devices like cam boots (and why they’...
Aug 25, 2025•16 min
How can podiatrists make urgent care work in their practice — and is a virtual scribe really worth it? In this episode, Dr. Don Pelto shares practical strategies for filling schedules, streamlining documentation, and growing toward the million-dollar mark in personal production. ⸻ 📝 Show Notes with Timestamps • [00:00] Intro – Why podiatry urgent care and virtual scribes are on podiatrists’ minds • [02:20] Insurance coverage in urgent care – how we screen plans, cash pay amounts, and lessons le...
Aug 22, 2025•18 min
Ever wonder if a podiatry-specific urgent care can really work? In this episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery, Dr. Don Pelto breaks down how he set up an urgent care system inside his practice — and the marketing strategies that are helping fill schedules, especially for newer doctors. You’ll hear: • Why podiatry urgent care works differently than general urgent care clinics • How to structure online booking so urgent patients don’t disrupt office flow • The #1 marketing advantage of urgent care:...
Aug 21, 2025•23 min
The funny thing about practice is how our kids often see it differently than we do. My son recently told my wife he thinks I’m a YouTuber—because all he hears about are the videos and shorts I create. Truth is, I still love the clinic, but the videos bring variety and joy. Beyond family humor, today’s episode dives into a practical question from a colleague: Which shockwave machine should you buy? I break down radial, focused, and SoftWave devices—not just their costs, but their strengths, limit...
Aug 20, 2025•26 min
In this episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery, I share how I balance old-school scribes with new-school AI tools like ChatGPT. You’ll hear how I: Use ChatGPT to optimize Google Business profiles and ads Leverage urgent care as a unique selling proposition Build systems around speed — because patients value quick access as much as quality care If you’ve ever wondered how to practically use AI in your podiatry practice — without losing the human touch — this episode will give you actionable i...
Aug 18, 2025•16 min
This episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery explores the role of a medical scribe in my clinic, the fears AI is creating in the workplace, and why I see scribes as one of the best investments in efficiency and patient care. You’ll learn: • Why a scribe is more than just a note-taker. • How buying back your time can transform your practice and life. • The hidden risks of replacing people with AI too quickly. • A behind-the-scenes look at what a 50-patient Friday actually looks like in practice. 👉 ...
Aug 18, 2025•19 min
Post 1 – Expanding Shockwave Beyond Heel Pain When I first started with shockwave therapy, I only used it for plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and a few forefoot conditions. Over time, I expanded: • Fractures – especially stubborn metatarsal stress fractures • Nerve pain – like neuromas and dorsal cutaneous nerve entrapments Key adjustments for nerve applications: • Low energy settings (around 0.05 mJ/mm²) • Focused head for targeted treatment • Usually 3 sessions to start This evolution ...
Aug 15, 2025•16 min
In this episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery, I share my most recent Pocket Coach session — a behind-the-scenes look at how I’m structuring my time using Free Days, Focus Days, and Buffer Days based on my time in Strategic Coach. You’ll hear: • Why Free Days (bike rides, family weekends, screen-free time) are critical for renewal • How Focus Days help me maximize revenue with high-value treatments • The role of Buffer Days in cleaning up the past and building new capabilities • My current quarte...
Aug 14, 2025•12 min
In this episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery, Dr. Don Pelto shares a behind-the-scenes look at his clinic day. From trying out Alleviate, a self-Graston-style tool for plantar fasciitis, to discussing shockwave therapy, OnyFix, and Charcot foot management, you’ll hear practical strategies, workflow pearls, and candid reflections on patient care. Topics covered include: Using Alleviate as a home-care option for plantar fasciitis patients When shockwave delivers more value than softwave Thou...
Aug 14, 2025•15 min
In this episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery, I break down my workflow for in-office skin and nail biopsies. Most doctors avoid them because they seem time-consuming, but with the right system they can be quick, efficient, and stress-free. You’ll learn: • How I stock every room for instant readiness • The simple staff cue that makes the process seamless • Why I numb first, then get consent • How most biopsies take under 2 minutes start to finish • When I schedule nail matrix biopsies separately ...
Aug 12, 2025•17 min
Today’s clinic day had a theme: lessons learned from cantharidin, shockwave, and the unexpected. After switching to a fresh batch of cantharidin, I was reminded that even small changes in potency can turn into weekend phone calls and hospital admits. It pushed me to rethink aftercare instructions. On the other end, shockwave patients reminded me how important it is to pair short-term pain relief with long-term biomechanical correction through orthotics. And of course, there were a few unique cas...
Aug 12, 2025•12 min
In this episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery, I share how adding a nail technician to my clinic has transformed patient care, boosted efficiency, and even improved patient satisfaction, all while giving me more time to focus on higher-value treatments. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by routine care appointments or struggled to balance patient volume with quality care, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you optimize your podiatry practice. What You’ll Learn in This Episode H...
Aug 11, 2025•11 min
In this episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery, I answer a common question I get from other doctors: “How do you hit the million-dollar mark in your practice?” I break down the systems, strategies, and optimizations that have helped me consistently grow beyond $1M in collections, without working more hours or burning out. From demand management to profit optimization, I share the exact steps I’ve used to structure my schedule, increase revenue per visit, and make the most out of every patient inte...
Aug 11, 2025•24 min
In this episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery, I share insights from a recent coaching call with a doctor who already has a profitable seven-figure clinic but wants to fill open appointment slots and attract more new patients. I break down the three strategies I recommended to help him optimize his marketing, maximize patient flow, and strengthen his online presence, and actionable tips you can apply to your own practice today. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How I use A/B split testing to impr...
Aug 08, 2025•14 min
Ever had a patient ask for a refund after a treatment didn’t work? It finally happened to me, my first-ever shockwave refund in years of practice. In this episode, I unpack the full story, from the patient’s experience to the decision-making process, and share how I handled it without damaging trust or goodwill. Along the way, I dive into real patient cases, from plantar fasciitis and neuromas to Achilles injuries, and the clinical lessons I’ve learned about balancing patient satisfaction with p...
Aug 07, 2025•23 min
Ever wondered how patients actually find you online? In this episode, I share how YouTube videos, Google reviews, and a simple content system bring patients into my clinic every single week, without me spending hours on marketing. I break down the exact strategies I use, from automating online reviews to creating YouTube shorts and reusing those same videos for ads that convert. Plus, I talk about what’s working right now, what isn’t, and a few behind-the-scenes challenges I’ve been tackling in ...
Aug 06, 2025•16 min
Do you struggle to completely switch off from work when you’re on vacation? In this episode, I share how I’ve learned to fully disconnect from my podiatry practice, why rest and rejuvenation are critical for long-term growth, and how I keep my content and marketing running even while I’m away. I also talk about the simple systems I use to automate my workflow, how I repurpose content so it continues posting across platforms, and why stepping away has actually made me more focused and productive ...
Aug 05, 2025•8 min
Did you know that a simple hands-on demonstration can instantly increase patient trust and improve treatment compliance? In this episode, I share how I use dynamic demonstrations in my clinic to educate patients, build credibility, and boost buy-in, especially when treating conditions like plantar fasciitis. I break down my process step by step, from showing patients real-time results with foam rolling to using subtle techniques that make treatment benefits obvious and memorable. Plus, I reveal ...
Aug 05, 2025•12 min
In this episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery, I share one of my most valuable patient cases, a 70-year-old female with bilateral plantar fasciitis and Achilles pain. I walk through how I used night splints, foam rolling, and six sessions of bilateral shockwave therapy to create an effective, step-by-step treatment plan. I also dive into real patient scenarios throughout the day, highlighting practical insights on managing plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, midfoot arthritis, and other compl...
Jul 24, 2025•7 min
In this episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery, I share one of my most valuable patient cases, a 70-year-old female with bilateral plantar fasciitis and Achilles pain. I walk through how I used night splints, foam rolling, and six sessions of bilateral shockwave therapy to create an effective, step-by-step treatment plan. I also dive into real patient scenarios throughout the day, highlighting practical insights on managing plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, midfoot arthritis, and other compl...
Jul 23, 2025•13 min
Did you know nail growth can be influenced by factors like hydration and aging? In this episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery, I start with one of my favorite patient questions: “Doctor, why do my nails grow so fast?” I also dive into real patient cases, urgent care trends, treatment strategies, and insights on managing common podiatric conditions more effectively in daily practice. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why nails seem to grow faster as we age. How I manage diverse patient cases eff...
Jul 18, 2025•6 min
Did you know it’s possible to fit 10–15 pairs of orthotics in a single session? In this episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery, I share a unique strategy my colleague Ben used to work with Division I college athletes and athletic trainers. You’ll discover how group screenings can open the door to recurring orthotic revenue year after year, while also boosting efficiency and practice growth. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How to scale orthotic fittings with athletes The role of athletic trainers...
Jul 18, 2025•13 min
In this episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery, I share my experience creating my very first Facebook ad. From struggling through video editing to setting up targeting and budgets, I walk you through the process, what I learned, and why I decided to tackle this challenge myself. Plus, I’ll cover patient cases from the day and discuss how small systems can improve treatment value and practice growth. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How I created my first Facebook ad Why starting small can improve...
Jul 17, 2025•10 min
In this episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery, I share an embarrassing moment that turned into a valuable lesson, plus a creative solution for managing high-demand shockwave therapy slots. I’ll walk you through how we’re optimizing patient flow, boosting per-visit value, and even using pricing strategies to improve efficiency. Along the way, I discuss real patient cases, treatment decisions, and ideas to grow your podiatry practice to the $1,000,000 mark and beyond. What You’ll Learn in This Epis...
Jul 16, 2025•14 min
In this episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery, I share why I rely on a daily tracking sheet to improve efficiency, boost production, and keep key metrics top of mind. From tracking orthotics and shockwave treatments to optimizing high-value visits, this simple tool has transformed how I manage my practice. I’ll also walk you through several real patient cases and show how tracking habits can directly impact practice growth. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How a daily tracking sheet helps optimi...
Jul 15, 2025•16 min
In this episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery, I discuss how shockwave therapy can accelerate recovery for fractures and stress injuries when applied strategically. I share insights from a patient with a second metatarsal fracture treated every 72 hours, highlighting why some patients are willing to pay more for faster results. I also cover patient scheduling challenges, urgent care growth strategies, and how we're leveraging marketing to fill up a new doctor's schedule. What You’ll Learn in This...
Jul 14, 2025•10 min
In this episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery, I share why focusing on speed and quality rather than price has become a key driver of growth in my practice. From optimizing treatment plans to introducing faster recovery options like shockwave therapy, I walk you through patient cases where prioritizing efficiency and results creates better outcomes for both patients and the practice. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why speed and quality matter more than price How shockwave therapy accelerates p...
Jul 11, 2025•11 min
Have you ever wondered how shockwave therapy can transform chronic Achilles and plantar fascial pain cases? In this episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery, I share two real patient stories where six sessions of shockwave became the treatment of choice. I also discuss practical insights on using treatment sheets, combining therapies, repurposing patient cases into YouTube Shorts, and leveraging video content to grow your practice. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How shockwave therapy resolves com...
Jul 08, 2025•10 min
In this episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery, I walk you through a busy pre-holiday clinic day filled with diverse cases, from Achilles pain and plantar fasciitis to shockwave therapy and nail care. You'll also learn how I manage valuable patients, streamline treatment decisions, and use structured protocols to deliver efficient, effective care. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How I use the Pelto special to manage Achilles pain When to recommend shockwave vs. alternative therapies Managing chr...
Jul 07, 2025•8 min
In this episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery, I share how I used shockwave therapy to help a hiker speed up recovery from a second metatarsal fracture and get back on the trails. You’ll also learn how I integrate fracture care, advanced imaging, and patient-focused treatment planning into my practice. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How shockwave therapy accelerates fracture healing When to combine radial and focused shockwave treatments Managing chronic tinea and nail fungus with streamlined ...
Jul 03, 2025•9 min
