The Shoulder Physio Podcast

In this episode of The Shoulder Physio Podcast, we discuss why musculoskeletal clinicians are, at their core, knowledge workers. Not in the corporate buzzword sense, but in the truest sense: professionals whose value comes from the quality of their thinking, not the techniques in their toolkit. We explore why knowledge compounds but repetition doesn't, why information alone fails to change behaviour, and why trust is far more than a soft skill. If you've ever wondered what actually separates a good clinician from a great one, this episode is for you.  Register for the complete shoulder online course Connect with Jared and guests: Jared on Instagram: @‌shoulder_physio Jared on X: @‌jaredpowell12 See our Disclaimer here: The Shoulder Physio - Disclaimer

Laura Anderson, physiotherapist and PhD researcher studying medial tibial stress, argues for renaming ‘medial tibial stress syndrome’ to Load-Induced Medial Leg Pain (LIMP). She explains why the old name drives fear and poor care. Topics include what tissues might be involved, inconsistent imaging, clinical clues to distinguish bone injury from LIMP, load-management strategies, allowable pain rules, strengthening, gait retraining risks, and prevention research.

In this episode, I discuss our recently published BJSM editorial “It’s Not All About Strength” ; what the paper argues, why we wrote it, and what the evidence says about mechanisms of exercise-related pain relief in musculoskeletal conditions. I then turn to the reaction. Not to name names or settle scores, but to examine what the response reveals about how we handle criticism, uncertainty, and challenges to familiar explanations in rehabilitation science. This episode is about evidence, mechanisms, cognitive comfort, and why letting our theories (ideas) be criticised is essential for progress. Register for The Complete Clinician here Key paper: It is not all about strength: rethinking mechanistic assumptions in exercise-based rehabilitation for musculoskeletal pain relief Connect with Jared and guests: Jared on Instagram: @‌shoulder_physio Jared on X: @‌jaredpowell12 See our Disclaimer here: The Shoulder Physio - Disclaimer

Dr. Jackson Fyfe, an exercise scientist and senior lecturer at Deakin University, dives into the importance of resistance training across all ages. He busts myths about weightlifting for kids, emphasizing it can safely enhance growth. The conversation highlights the broader health benefits of muscle beyond strength, including improved cognition and metabolic health. Jackson discusses optimal training volume, the synergy of strength and cardio, and even shares insights on the minimal effective dose required for lasting results.

In this episode, Jared announces the launch of The Complete Clinician, a new mentorship and education community for MSK professionals who want more than recycled CPD. He explains why this platform exists, what’s inside, and who it’s designed for. From monthly PhD-level lectures to the Brew & Review journal club, structured learning modules, and The Clinician’s Compass, this is a second education for those who refuse to be average. Jared also shares a quick update on the upcoming 2nd Edition of The Complete Shoulder, set to release in mid-November, with refined content, updated evidence, and new modules. Launch Date: October 15Check it out! Connect with Jared: Jared on Instagram: @‌shoulder_physio Jared on X: @‌jaredpowell12 See our Disclaimer here: The Shoulder Physio - Disclaimer

In this candid and wide-ranging conversation, Dr Jared Powell is joined once again by Professor Peter O’Sullivan, one of the most influential voices in musculoskeletal care.  Pete unpacks the rationale and findings of the landmark RESTORE trial published in The Lancet, which provides some of the most compelling evidence to date for cognitive functional therapy (CFT) in people with chronic low back pain. He discusses how CFT works, its philosophical divergence from traditional “find-it, fix-it” approaches, and how it centres the patient’s experience, goals, and context. You’ll also hear: A simple explanation of the 3 pillars of CFT The real-world training model used in the RESTORE trial The importance of behaviour change, flare-up planning, and self-efficacy What to do when CFT “doesn’t work” Pete’s reflections on burnout, clinician support, and the importance of community A behind-the-scenes look at the Evolve Pain Care Academy: a new initiative to democratize pain education globally This episode is packed with practical insights, personal reflections, and a compelling vision for the future of musculoskeletal care. Register for The Complete Clinician waitlist here  Key papers: Listen to me, learn from me. Slater et al 2022.  The RESTORE trial 3 year follow-up Connect with Jared and guests: Jared on Instagram: @‌shoulder_physio Jared on X: @‌jaredpowell12 Evoolve Pain Care Pete X: @peteosullivanpt See our Disclaimer here: The Shoulder Physio - Disclaimer  

In this solo episode of The Shoulder Physio Podcast, Dr Jared Powell explores a deceptively simple question: How much benefit does rotator cuff surgery need to provide to be considered worthwhile?  Jared explores a new 2025 study by Harrison Hansford and colleagues, which uses a clever benefit–harm trade-off approach to quantify what patients actually want from surgery. This episode challenges the way we interpret research, the limits of "statistical significance," and the need for truly patient-centred decision-making. If you're still recommending surgery after failed physio without asking what makes it worthwhile to the person in front of you, this one’s for you. Key topics include: The concept of the smallest worthwhile effect Is “does it work?” the wrong question? Shared decision-making and expectation alignment How the evidence stacks up (or doesn’t) Why patient-defined outcomes matter more than p-values Check out the Shoulder Physio Online Course here Connect with Jared: Jared on Instagram: @‌shoulder_physio Jared on X: @‌jaredpowell12 See our Disclaimer here: The Shoulder Physio - Disclaimer

Dr. Mervyn Travers, a physiotherapist and strength coach, dives into active inference, a cutting-edge concept in pain science. He explains how our brains predict bodily responses, reshaping our understanding of persistent pain. Mervyn emphasizes the importance of movement experimentation in recovery and the need to rethink how exercise is prescribed in pain management. He also highlights the influence of culture and prior beliefs on pain perception, advocating for compassion and nuanced approaches in patient care.

 In this episode, Jared Powell sits down with Professor Gordon Guyatt, the physician and researcher who coined the term evidence-based medicine (EBM). They unpack the origins of EBM, why it’s often misunderstood, and how it continues to shape modern healthcare. Rather than being rigid or formulaic, EBM is about integrating the best evidence with clinical expertise and—crucially—patient values and preferences. 🎙 Key talking points: The surprising history behind the creation of EBM Why randomised trials matter—and when they’re not enough How to practice medicine in the face of low-certainty evidence The role of shared decision-making in everyday care Why acknowledging uncertainty is a sign of strength, not weakness How EBM is sometimes misunderstood or misused What the future holds for EBM—including education in schools 🎧 A must-listen for anyone navigating the grey zones of clinical care. Key Papers: Professor Guyatt has too many high impact papers to mention and he has one of the highest H-Index scores in the world (number 13 worldwide and number 1 in Canada). Here is his Google Scholar profile.  Check out the Shoulder Physio Online Course here Connect with Jared and guests: Jared on Instagram: @‌shoulder_physio Jared on X: @‌jaredpowell12 Gordon on X:@GuyattGH See our Disclaimer here: The Shoulder Physio - Disclaimer

In this episode of The Shoulder Physio Podcast, Dr. Jared Powell sits down with Dr. Charlotte Ganderton, a physiotherapist, researcher, and senior lecturer at RMIT University. Charlotte shares insights from her latest research on gluteal tendinopathy, breaking down common misconceptions about imaging, corticosteroid injections, and the infamous clam exercise. From understanding the role of compression in tendinopathy to discussing effective treatment strategies, this episode is packed with clinically relevant takeaways for musculoskeletal healthcare professionals. Tune in to hear Charlotte’s perspective on how education, exercise, and progressive loading can make all the difference in patient outcomes. 🔹 What is gluteal tendinopathy and how does it differ from other tendon issues? 🔹 Should we rethink the role of imaging and injections? 🔹 Is it finally time to ban the clam? 🔹 Practical treatment strategies for improving patient care. If you're looking to refine your approach to gluteal tendinopathy, this is an episode you don’t want to miss! Key Papers:   Grimaldi A, Ganderton C, Nasser A. Gluteal tendinopathy masterclass: Refuting the myths and engaging with the evidence. Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2025 Apr;76:103253. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103253. Epub 2025 Jan 3. PMID: 39854929. Check out the Shoulder Physio Online Course here Connect with Jared and guests: Jared on Instagram: @‌shoulder_physio Jared on X: @‌jaredpowell12 Charlotte on X:@C_Ganderton Cliniko free trial, click here! See our Disclaimer here: The Shoulder Physio - Disclaimer