Best Nikki Rae Alkema Podcasts (2024)

1
Trap Queens 25:40

2y ago25:40

25:40

The trapezius is one of the most talked about muscles and, yet, is so often misunderstood. Tune in to learn more about scapulohumeral rhythm, force couples, and the OIAs (origins/insertions/innervations/actions) of this muscle. Nik also gives her hot takes on training the upper traps, and on burritos and friends. --- Support this podcast: https://p…

1
Do You Know What Your Transversus Abdominis Is Up To? 37:30

2y ago37:30

37:30

In this episode, Nik discusses graduation and life after physical therapy school followed by a deep dive into the deep core. Learn about how the transverse abs go way beyond being one of the body’s primary stabilizers. The Soda Can Model and a touch of respiration mechanics 101 kick off the inaugural episode of Anatomy Bites’ fourth season. And of …

1
NPTE Study Strategies for You, My Dear Listeners 55:02

2y ago55:02

55:02

In this episode, Nik returns on graduation eve to deliver tried and true tips for how she passed the National Physical Therapy Exam on the first try. Don’t freak out, we’re here for you! You got this, bb. From exam prep materials to structuring time to controlling test day jitters, Nik’s here to help you put your best foot forward in the quest to b…

1
The Great Groin Caper or How I Learned About the Adductors 16:37

2+ y ago16:37

16:37

What’s in a name? Well, a lot apparently. Learn about the sisters of the adductor group, the Adductor Longus and Brevis, and their cousin Pectineus, and why communication about this area has to be crystal clear to avoid a whole lot of awkward conversation. Origins, insertions, innervations, and actions included — of course! --- Support this podcast…

1
New Year’s Madness and Adductor Magnus 22:44

2+ y ago22:44

22:44

Welcome back to the Bites! Nik takes us on our inaugural journey of 2022 with Big Baddie Addy. Find out why this muscle is the rockstar of the adductor group, why soccer players need strength here, and how AdMag doesn’t need help doing the heavy lifting of three muscles. Origins, insertions, innervations and actions are just the beginning. --- Supp…

1
Why I Don’t Take Notes Anymore 27:30

3y ago27:30

27:30

In this episode, Nik reveals a candid struggle with finding the right learning technique as a grad student. She discusses visual vs. kinesthetic. vs. auditory learners and how she finally found the optimal study tool for her during COVID. Zoom-School was finally good for something! Womp Womp. Listen and learn how she figured out how to learn… right…

1
Peroneals, Peronei, Lend Me Your Ear 37:21

3y ago37:21

37:21

The Bites are back, bishes, and we’re coming in strong with fibularis longus and brevis. Nik talks origins, insertions, innervations, and actions of these lateral leg muscles. She discusses why crural is a ridiculous word along with how the peroneus longus works with tibialis posterior in a very functional way! Gait and pronation go hand in hand (e…

1
Two Weeks, Two Lessons 23:59

3y ago23:59

23:59

Join Nik as she reports back from the trenches of her first two weeks in the clinic! As a 3rd year DPT student, she already has some clinical pearls or life lessons to impart from her first full-time clinical experience. Her top two pieces of advice are condensed in a bite-sized chunk, and one of them may surprise you! We’ll be back with more anato…

1
Physical Therapy is for Data Junkies? 27:57

3y ago27:57

27:57

Love crunching numbers? Maybe physical therapy should be on your list of career choices... Join Nik as she explains how physical therapy is as much a science as it is an art. Learn how PT is more than cool exercises... it’s fun for data nerds as well. The scientific method is alive and well when you consider how each patient is a living experiment.…

1
The Three Amigos: Tibialis Posterior, Flexor Digitorum Longus, and Flexor Hallicus Longus 37:44

3y ago37:44

37:44

On the inaugural episode of Nik’s 3rd year of PT school, she shares the OIAs of 3 muscles that (after all the cadaver labs in year 1) continue to elude her. The deep posterior leg muscles (Tom, Dick, and Harry, or is it Dick, Tom, Harry?!) seem to somehow end up in a game of Twister in her mind. If Post Tib, FHL, and FDL trip you up too, you’re not…

1
Rectus Femoris and the L-Spine Blues, (Plus the Anatomy Nerd’s Take on the Silhouette Challenge) 31:42

3y ago31:42

31:42

Baby pack much back? Or is it just that tiiiight anterior pelvic tilt? Find out why your big butt might just be a short 1/4 of the quadriceps. Hate to break it to you that your quads may be behind the sway in your lumbar lordosis. Get Nik’s take on the red screen Silhouette Challenge on TikTok and how we’re all going to end up with low back pain if…

1
Sternocleidomastoid and the Plight of Text Neck 26:13

3+ y ago26:13

26:13

Sternocleido-who? SCM is a pain in the neck. Problems with this muscle affects everyone from the teeniest of babies to your Grandma who plays too much Candy Crush on her iPhone. Join Nik as she discusses origins, insertions, innervations, and actions of the two-headed beast in the front of your neck that hangs out with forward head posture, tortico…

1
The Hamstrings, Eccentric Muscle Contractions, and Passive Insufficiency In Your Downward Facing Dog 45:25

3+ y ago45:25

45:25

Join Nik for a meaty episode about the hamstring muscle group (Biceps femoris, Semitendinosus, and Semimembranosus). Here she gives real world examples from her days of teaching yoga on how "tight" hamstrings are making it hard to touch your toes in Forward Fold and why you don't need straight knees in Down Dog. Lastly, Nik gives another biomechani…

1
Good Ol' Gastrocnemius, Soleus, and A Biomechanics Lesson on Calf Cramps 29:09

3+ y ago29:09

29:09

Today, Nik dives in DEEP... errr, and superficial on the posterior tibia to talk about all things gastrosoleus. She reviews dorsiflexion vs. plantarflexion, touches on the talocrural joint, and enters the wild world of passive insufficiency vs. active insufficiency with a live demo that you can follow along to feel it in your own body. Join the fun…

1
The Talocrural Joint or How Sports Made Me Fall in Love With Feet 27:25

3+ y ago27:25

27:25

In a totally appropriate, clinically-relevant way (obvi)! Join Nik as she talks ankles! The mortise joint ... also known as the joint that we all have upset at some time or another in our lives. Learn about the attachments and stabilizing structures of the TC joint as well as ways to make studying the ankle-foot complex less daunting. --- Support t…

1
Shoulder joint capsule and more COVID updates 21:54

4y ago21:54

21:54

Nik's baaaaack and talking about joint capsules, as promised! Specifically, the GH aka glenohumeral joint capsule is making its debut on the show. Learn how the capsule does and doesn't protect this joint and what happens when it fails. A little tissue mechanics, a little anatomy, and a whole lot of rotator cuff stuff included in today's episode. A…

1
Good enough 14:51

4y ago14:51

14:51

Nik shares thoughts on being ok with being "good enough," battling perfectionism, and being a PT student during COVID. She provides advice on checking in with your study habits and offers an interesting twist to being a better student in the virtual learning "Zoom school" era. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anatom…

1
Tensor Fascia Lata and Why Memorization Sucks for Learning Anatomy 10:23

4+ y ago10:23

10:23

TFL (aka tensor fasciae latae) isn’t your next order at Starbucks (although that's a pretty great meme if you've ever seen it). It’s an important muscle of the hip. But what does it do? To find out tune in…discover where it starts, where it goes, and what it does in today’s anatomy bite. Also, Nik shares an embarrassing story about TFL that you may…

1
Psoas major and Iliacus (aka Iliopsoas) + Psoas Minor 14:56

4+ y ago14:56

14:56

Today, we discuss the origins, insertions, innervations, and actions (OIAs) of the Psoas major and Iliacus (aka Iliopsoas), as well as their little buddy, Psoas minor. These muscles span a big range, from the lumbar spine to the pelvis and femur. Which ones act on the spine, which ones act on the hip? To find out tune in…discover where they start, …

1
Gemellus superior, Gemellus inferior, and Quadratus femoris 8:39

4+ y ago8:39

8:39

Today, we discuss the origins, insertions, innervations, and actions (OIAs) of the Gemelli TWINS and their cousin QF (Gemellus superior, Gemellus inferior, and Quadratus femoris). These muscle are primarily hip rotators. Find out what else they do in today’s anatomy bite.Contact me on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter: @nikkidashraeLinks to some of r…

1
Obturator internus 7:11

4+ y ago7:11

7:11

Today, we discuss the origins, insertions, innervations, and actions (OIAs) of obturator internus. This muscle is a rotator of the hip and makes up part of the pelvic floor. Find out what else it does in today’s anatomy bite.Contact me on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter: @nikkidashraeLinks to some of resources that may enhance the material in this …

1
Piriformis 10:37

4+ y ago10:37

10:37

Ahh, piriformis. You little stinker. Yoga teachers, fitness instructors, and trainers love to blame for this guy for so much… piriformis syndrome, for starters. Today, we discuss the origins, insertions, innervations, and actions (OIAs) of this pyramid-shaped muscle. Is pigeon pose going to cure all your piriformis ailments? Let’s take a looksy.Con…

1
Gluteus minimus 5:12

4+ y ago5:12

5:12

The littlest of the glutes still deserves its day to shine. Gluteus minimus gets the spotlight today. Learn about the deepest of the glute muscles, including origins, insertions, innervations, and actions (the OIAs). Play this recording to supplement your learning in your anatomy class or to simply nerd out on the wee glute.Contact me on Instagram/…

1
Distance Learning: Tips for Studying Anatomy Online During COVID 27:56

4+ y ago27:56

27:56

In the times of COVID-19 quarantine, studying anatomy has changed. Nik provides tips on her favorite study techniques make the best of online learning at home, including some ways to engage a variety of learning styles. Whether you’re an audio, visual, or kinesthetic learner, Nik offers suggestions to make anatomy come to life in a time when Corona…

1
Tips for Studying Cranial Nerves 16:52

4+ y ago16:52

16:52

Ohhh, the headache of Cranial Nerves (pun somewhat intended)... Today, Nik discusses helpful tips for studying the Cranial Nerves including how to organize and categorize the relevant info on these nerves. She begins with a brief discussion on what Cranial Nerves are and why we need to know them. Links to texts mentioned in this episode include:Net…

1
Education in the midst of COVID-19 12:55

4+ y ago12:55

12:55

Checking in on the status of PT school with online instruction during the Coronavirus quarantine. Nik shares some work-from-home tips from a past career and shares what life is like in Southern California during the recent pandemic. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anatomybitespod/support…

1
Gluteus medius 13:09

4+ y ago13:09

13:09

OIIA’s (origins/insertions/innervations/actions) for glute med as well as some tidbits of what makes this muscle and important part of our daily lives. Special thanks for cheesy 90’s workout videos for making us appreciate GMed in a new light.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anatomybitespod/support…

1
Anatomy Lab: Dissection Reflections 30:41

4+ y ago30:41

30:41

If you’re a student in healthcare, chances are that you’ll have to do something most people never have to do: dissect a human cadaver. Here are some of my own reflections on the PT school dissection experience. Warning: this episode contains details of anatomy dissection lab, and may not be appropriate for all listeners. --- Support this podcast: h…

1
3 Quick Tips for Organized Test Taking 10:58

4+ y ago10:58

10:58

Ever wonder how to be a better test taker? Here’s three simple things you can do today to change the way you look at your exams... from my experience taking the Law School Admissions Test... 800 years ago. And I still use these today.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anatomybitespod/support…

1
Gluteus Maximus 11:00

4+ y ago11:00

11:00

Go big or go home!! Perhaps the most adored muscle in this day and age... we start our anatomy journey with glute max and Nik offers some tips on how to study for anatomy in PT school. Follow Nik online @nikkidashrae on IG and on the Twitter.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anatomybitespod/support…

1
Anatomy Bites Podcast (Trailer) 0:58

4+ y ago0:58

0:58

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anatomybitespod/support

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Nikki Rae Alkema Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
Anatomy Bites Podcast

Nikki-Rae Alkema, DPT

1
Trap Queens 25:40

1
Do You Know What Your Transversus Abdominis Is Up To? 37:30

1
NPTE Study Strategies for You, My Dear Listeners 55:02

1
The Great Groin Caper or How I Learned About the Adductors 16:37

1
New Year’s Madness and Adductor Magnus 22:44

1
Why I Don’t Take Notes Anymore 27:30

1
Peroneals, Peronei, Lend Me Your Ear 37:21

1
Two Weeks, Two Lessons 23:59

1
Physical Therapy is for Data Junkies? 27:57

1
The Three Amigos: Tibialis Posterior, Flexor Digitorum Longus, and Flexor Hallicus Longus 37:44

1
Rectus Femoris and the L-Spine Blues, (Plus the Anatomy Nerd’s Take on the Silhouette Challenge) 31:42

1
Sternocleidomastoid and the Plight of Text Neck 26:13

1
The Hamstrings, Eccentric Muscle Contractions, and Passive Insufficiency In Your Downward Facing Dog 45:25

1
Good Ol' Gastrocnemius, Soleus, and A Biomechanics Lesson on Calf Cramps 29:09

1
The Talocrural Joint or How Sports Made Me Fall in Love With Feet 27:25

1
Shoulder joint capsule and more COVID updates 21:54

1
Good enough 14:51

1
Tensor Fascia Lata and Why Memorization Sucks for Learning Anatomy 10:23

1
Psoas major and Iliacus (aka Iliopsoas) + Psoas Minor 14:56

1
Gemellus superior, Gemellus inferior, and Quadratus femoris 8:39

1
Obturator internus 7:11

1
Piriformis 10:37

1
Gluteus minimus 5:12

1
Distance Learning: Tips for Studying Anatomy Online During COVID 27:56

1
Tips for Studying Cranial Nerves 16:52

1
Education in the midst of COVID-19 12:55

1
Gluteus medius 13:09

1
Anatomy Lab: Dissection Reflections 30:41

1
3 Quick Tips for Organized Test Taking 10:58

1
Gluteus Maximus 11:00

1
Anatomy Bites Podcast (Trailer) 0:58

Quick Reference Guide