The New Grad Physio Podcast

For most therapists, muscle injuries weren’t something that were covered in great detail at University...If at all!So, it's not surprising that as a New Grad you might feel under equipped to manage a hamstring injury, or other soft tissue injures to the calf, groin or quad.This week's podcast episode covers 3 key hamstring hacks....Giving you a better understanding about...- How to differentiate between a real hamstring injury and a sciatic nerve problem- Why stretching can be a waste of time and in some cases detrimental to your patient or athletes injury- Why you need to start the rehab process as soon as possible post injury and how to do this safelyEnjoy the show!Andy BarkerThe New Grad Physio MentorPS. Want to take things a bit further and get into the real nitty gritty of hamstring injury assessments, treatments and rehab?I have specific hamstring injury content inside the members area of my new grad physio programme!⁠Find out more here!

Before you give any rehab to your next ankle pain patient...Listen to this episode!So many therapists mistakingly give their patients the WRONG rehab...Which are a complete waste of time and effort...For both you and your patient!Discover the key tests (and questions) you need to do (and ask) to find the right patient problem...So you can give your patient the right ankle rehab (or treatment) that will actually help them get better!Enjoy the show.Andy BarkerThe New Grad Physio MentorPS. Want to learn specific hands-on treatments and rehab exercises to help with patients presenting with ankle problems…And discover how to take an ankle pain patient, with any ankle problem, through a full step-by-step rehab plan?Then check out my new grad physio programme, where I have an entire module that just focuses on the ankle!!!Find out more here!

I hated treating the neck as a new grad.Mainly because I was S*$T scared of missing something serious.But I soon worked out I was worrying for no reason.By asking a series of simple questions you can rule out all but the very obscure sinister neck pain pathologies.Listen to this week's podcast episode to learn how to do this....And discover the specific questions you need to ask EVERY patient (or athlete) you see with neck pain!Plus, hear a great rugby neck injury story (you have to hear this one to believe it!).Enjoy the show!Andy BarkerThe New Grad Physio MentorPS. Want to learn a simple strategy to better assess, treat and rehab patients with neck pain?Then head here and apply for my new grad physio programme and I'll direct you straight away to my neck module!

I've made some big statements on my socials over the last week or so...About the realities of the therapy job market! As I knew it would...It has caused quite a stir...And my inboxes have exploded!If you have missed what I have been talking about then I summarise it all in this week's podcast episode.And even if you do follow my socials, I talk about a few other things...Including some of the biggest mistakes new grads make when applying for jobs...The biggest lie employers tell you (and what they really should of said)...Plus much more!Enjoy the show!!!Andy BarkerThe New Grad Physio MentorPS. If you don't follow me on social media, why not? :)You can find me here on...Instagram FacebookLinkedIn PPS. Got a question or something you want some help with?Feel free to drop me a DM on any of the above accounts...Or hit me up directly at andy@newgradphysio.com if you are not into the whole social media thing!However you get in touch, I'll reply to you as soon as I see your message!

Whatever career goals you have...Be that a top job in sport...Running your own private practice...A specialist role in the NHS...Or something else...We all start at the same position...As a new grad physio...With a piece of paper (your degree) and a dream to one day do [X] job.But in reality, only a small number of therapists actually achieve their goals...Which is sad, really sad, when you think about it.But that does not have to be you!Listen to this week's podcast episode to learn more...And gain the belief that you (not someone else) can get to where you want to be...And achieve your own version of success...Whatever that might look like to you!Enjoy the show!Andy BarkerThe New Grad Physio Mentor

A special episode this week that I have pulled from my 'Elite Pathway Programme'.Every week I record and publish a special podcast (and hold a weekly live community call) to a small group of therapists, where we focus in on a particular challenge, topic or question.I have pulled this episode from the archive, and in it we discuss how to overcome the fear of making mistakes as a new grad physio.I hope you enjoy it!Andy BarkerThe New Grad Physio MentorPS. Interested to learn more about my 'Elite Pathway Programme?'Access to the programme is by invitation only.If you want to learn how you might be able to get access please email me directly (andy@newgradphysio.com) with the subject 'ELITE' and I'll send you the details!

Whist the back, shoulder and knee are very different joints…And whilst patients with these problems will present with all manner of different symptoms…There are some similarities in how you assess, treat and rehab the back, shoulder and knee.Truth be told, I manage almost all injuries I see in a very similar way.Why?Because I have found this way works.It’s not the only way, and probably not even the best way, but over 15+ years of trial and error, patient flare ups and mistakes, I have found certain ways of working that do the business, time after time…Regardless of the patient's injury.Want to know more?I detail some of my biggest assessment, treatment and rehab processes in this week’s podcast episode.Hope you enjoy it!Andy BarkerThe New Grad Physio MentorPS. Want to see some of these assessment, treatment and rehab techniques in action?Then you can, at my upcoming in-person masterclass course series…Making Sense of Lower Back Pain (Tuesday 8th April 2025)Making Sense of Shoulder Pain (Tuesday 15th April 2025)Making Sense of Knee Pain (Tuesday 22nd April 2025)Just hit the links above to learn more about these events…And secure your place!Want to come to all 3 events at a massive discount, just head here!

When you really think about what you do as a physio, sports therapist or sports rehabber...You assess.You treat.You rehab.That's it.3 things, yet nearly all therapists, even the experienced ones, make this process unnecessarily complicated.Listen to this week's episode to learn how to make sense of your patients injury...So you can help them get from A to B, from injury and back to full fitness, as smoothly, and quickly, as possible.Enjoy the show!Andy BarkerThe New Grad Physio MentorPS. In the show I mentioned my upcoming masterclass series.I'm holding the following events...Making Sense of Lower Back PainMaking Sense of Shoulder PainMaking Sense of Knee PainClick the links above to find out more.

I guarantee if you speak to any experienced therapist...Especially the good ones...They will tell you that being brilliant at the basics...Will fix up 9 out of 10 patient problems...Even the more complex ones.But what are these brilliant basics?Listen to this week's podcast episode to find out...And make sure you don't make the same simple, yet vital, assessment and rehab mistakes... That so many new grads make, day in and day out...Resulting in poor clinical results and unhappy patients!!!Enjoy the show!Andy BarkerThe New Grad Physio MentorPS. In the show I mentioned some exciting in-person courses I am hosting very soon.Find out more about these course dates before anyone else... And get access to the cheapest available tickets...By joining my VIP Waitlist right here.

This week’s podcast focuses on knee special testing and in this episode you will discover…What test you need to do first…Why it is vital you order your special tests in a specific way and…Why the best test might not be the best special test you should use!If you want to ensure you get your knee special testing right…And avoid mis-diagnosing the knee…Or missing something important, like an ACL injury, then this is a must listen!Enjoy the show!Andy BarkerThe New Grad Physio MentorPS. Want to improve your knee injury assessment, hands-on treatment and rehab skills?Then head here to learn more about my new grad physio membership and get access to my special ‘knee’ injury module.