The Shoulder Physio Podcast

Patello-femoral pain is a common, and at times, debilitating condition of the knee that can impact people across the lifespan. Professor Bill Vicenzino is a world leading expert on this topic and to that end I've enticed him onto the show to give us the ins and outs of this tricky condition. This is truly a must listen episode with a real pioneer of physiotherapy abo

When a patient comes to see a physiotherapist, or any health care professional, how much better does that patient need to get to make a treatment worthwhile? This is an important question because we're constantly making treatment recommendations to patients, day in-day-out, but based on what? My guest for this podcast, Harrison Hansford, reckons a lot of our tre

We're constantly told, even lectured, about the importance of exercise for most non-traumatic musculoskeletal pain presentations, shoulder pain included. We assume it works for all people across time and space, but is this true? Are there factors that might influence whether exercise will help an individual with shoulder pain or not? What are these factors and can we influence them

Every iconic scientist has a quote emphasising the importance of uncertainty and doubt that underpins the scientific attitude. This holds true as much for fundamental physics and biological science as it does for health science, probably far more so in the case of health science. For we are complex, non-linear creatures, each with different stories, backgrounds, cont

Pilates exercise seems to help people with chronic low back pain...but how? What are the causal mechanisms underpinning the apparent effectiveness of Pilates? Does it activate the multifidus and transeversus abdominis muscles? Does it reduce fear and improve confidence? Both or neither? To shed some light on this question I have invited Lianne Wood on to the show, who, incidentally

What exactly is a placebo effect? When you try and pin it down, it's confusing. Technically, it's something inert that produces an effect...how can there be an effect without a mechanism? Prof. Steve Kamper is here to help bring clarity to the issue.  Key Papers: Kamper 2013: The placebo effect: powerful, powerless or redundant? Testa and Rossettini 2016: Enhance placebo,

Science is ubiquitous. But what is it? Everyone talks about science and the significance of being scientific but nailing down just what this means for clinical practice in physical therapy is somewhat elusive. To clear all this up, I’m joined by the Science Pt, Erik Meira. Erik is a sharp and eloquent communicator about science and its application to physical therapy. You don’t

Exercise for knee osteoarthritis is a non-negotiable and effective intervention, right? Well, maybe it’s not so clear. Evidence seems to be dropping every month challenging the privileged position that exercise occupies for managing knee osteoarthritis. Front and centre is the infamous DICSO trial, published in 2022, and this study will serve as the foundation for this debat

Tendinopathy: Is it a simple case of tendon overload that can be fixed with eccentric exercise or friction massage? What's the deal with inflammation? Is there a role for adjunct therapies such as biologics and medications? Can physios, surgeons and sports physicians ever get along when it comes to managing tendinopathy? My guest, Professor Neal Millar is here to let you know. 

Strengthening exercise is a popular and effective treatment for shoulder pain. But...is the benefit of strengthening exercise derived from getting stronger or are there other causal mechanisms underpinning the effect? Listen to find out! Key papers: Powell and Lewis 2021: Rotator Cuff–Related Shoulder Pain: Is It Time to Reframe the Advice, “You Need to Strengthen Your Sho