Be Strong Physio

Dr. Mitchell Gibbs discusses exercise in a biopsychosocial model, contrasting it with the biomedical approach. He highlights individualized interventions for pain, limitations of a one-size-fits-all approach, and the impact of social media on treatment. The podcast challenges simplistic narratives in pain management, emphasizes gradual exercise progression, and advocates for a holistic approach for optimal health outcomes.

On this episode it was a privilege to have Physiotherapist Kevin Wernli on the podcast.  Kevin is physiotherapist, has completed his PHD on low back pain at Curtin University and is a great communicator.  This is a great episode to listen to if you currently have low back pain or help people who do. We covered the 10 facts about low back pain which are: Persistent back pain can be scary, but it’s rarely dangerous.  Getting older is not a cause of back pain.  Persistent back pain is RARELY associated with serious tissue damage.  Scans rarely show the cause of back pain.  Pain with exercise and movement doesn’t mean you are doing harm.  Back pain is not caused by poor posture.  Back pain is not caused by a “weak core”.  Backs do not wear out with everyday loading and bending.  Pain flare-ups don’t mean you are damaging yourself.  Injections, surgery and strong drugs usually aren’t a cure.  We then took a deep dive into posture and movement and their relationship to low back pain and how they change as pain improves. This was the subject of Kevin's PHD research and included some fascinating examples of people's lived experience both with disabling back pain and then after the treatment, reflecting how how their movement and posture and fear levels had changed.  To find out more, check out these resources: Ten Low Back Pain Facts – VIDEOs (most shared resource with patients) Back to basics: 10 facts every person should know about back pain From Protection to Non-Protection (Mixed Methods) Does Movement Change When Low Back Pain Changes? A Systematic Review The Relationship Between Changes in Movement and Changes in Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review of Single-Case Designs Movement, posture and low back pain. How do they relate? A replicated single-case design in 12 people with persistent, disabling low back pain Systematic literature review of imaging features of spinal degeneration in asymptomatic populations Empowered Beyond Pain podcast Empowering you to manage pain RESTORE back pain information page Becoming confidently competent: a qualitative investigation of training in cognitive functional therapy for persistent low back pain

Frances Brown, a Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist, discusses bone health, including osteoporosis, osteopenia, and the importance of bone density. She covers resistance training, impact training, and the benefits of strength training and jumping exercises for improving bone density. The podcast also explores training methods to improve power, empowering milestones through weightlifting for bone health, embracing strength culture for women, and clarifying misconceptions about heavy weight lifting and muscle building.

On this episode of the podcast, I was incredibly excited to be joined by Adam Meakins to discuss his back injury and how he recovered from it.   The aim of the podcast was to provide people who might be in a similar situation with acute, severe low back and possibly leg pain an example of how a Physio was able to self manage and get back to full health and fitness without anything fancy.   It's my hope that this episode is a resource for clinicians and people in pain alike. When you are severe pain it is normal to have fear and concern but I hope this episode can provide some hope of the amazing ability of the body to heal.   If you want to check out Adam's original back injury video you can do so here: https://twitter.com/AdamMeakins/status/1557775099721293825   All of the videos are great to watch and you can find them on Adam's Instagram if you scroll back to August 2021: https://www.instagram.com/adammeakins/?utm_medium=copy_link   More details about what we chatted about follow. --------------------------------------------------------------- We dived into a great discussion about what happaned as well as the reocvery process he went through. Some of the recovery principles that came up include: Stay active but also allowed to rest  Do movements that feel good - do you need to push into pain to restore eg extension  Analgesics and sleeping medication  Hot baths / water bottles  Patience    Criticism he copped Should see a physio, get scans etc  Manual therapy  Specific exercises (McKenzie)  Self blame - technique    Evidence about specific treatments / exercises What does the evidence say about whether any specific treatments are superior to others?  Do people need to get manual therapy for acute back pain?  Does this mean they shouldn’t get manual therapy just to anticipate a common strawman argument?  Is this negative or does it provide people more choice?   If people want to see a physio Advice for members of the public who might want some guidance from a healthcare practitioner, what should they look for and what should they be wary of? Why did he get injured? Upon reflection with the aid of hindsight, what factors do you think might have contributed to your injury? Can we take any lessons from this? Technique? Evidence Programming - RPE, Training history with COVID External factors that could have placed a stress on your system? Shit happens?   Fear avoidance - deadlifts How hard was it to get back into deadlifts? Do you still have any residual fears or concerns in the back of your mind?  I really hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did I would be incredibly grateful if you could please leave a review on your favorite viewing platform.    Geoff Ford from Be Strong Physio 

On this podcast I was excited to have Neil Meigh, AKA the Kettlebell Physio on to discuss his research known as the BELL Trial.  We dived into: The outcomes from the paper which were phenomenal.  The exercises the participants performed.  The question of how important is technique. How much forward force is really produced by a hardstyle kettlebell swing. Practical tips and takeaways for people who want to learn kettlebells as well as clinicians looking to include them in their practice.  Neil papers: Meigh, N.J., Keogh, J.W.L., Schram, B. et al. Effects of supervised high-intensity hardstyle kettlebell training on grip strength and health-related physical fitness in insufficiently active older adults: the BELL pragmatic controlled trial. BMC Geriatr 22, 354 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-02958-z Meigh, N.J., Davidson, A.R., Keogh, J.W.L. et al. “If somebody had told me I’d feel like I do now, I wouldn’t have believed them…” older adults’ experiences of the BELL trial: a qualitative study. BMC Geriatr 22, 481 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-03174-5  

On this podcast I chatted to Jono Steedman who is a dietitian and nutritionist about: How people can optimise their nutrition if they are trying to recover from an injury Are there any specific things that he recommends for different types of injuries Are there any vitamins or supplements that he recommends people take to optimise thier health Once people have recovered from their injury and have returned to the gym, what should people be looking to include in their diet to optimise their gains in the gym and long term health? Are their any specific diets he recommends Sufficient v adequate protein intake You can find Jono on Instagram at jonosteedman (https://www.instagram.com/jonosteedman/?hl=en)

Physiotherapist and S&C coach Steve Collins discusses applying principles over methods in healthcare. Topics include critical thinking, EBM framework, and the importance of patient values. He emphasizes individualized decision-making, personalized training programs, and person-centered care in healthcare.

On this episode I spoke to Kieran Richardson who has a special interest in Non-surgical Management of ACL injuries.  We dived into a bunch of exciting topics including: Do early ACL reconstructions lead to better patient outcomes? Are ACL reconstructions necessary to return to sport? Do ACL reconstructions help prevent further knee damage? Do ACL reconstructions reduce the chances of osteoarthritis? Can ACLs heal? I would really appreciate it if you liked the episode, please leave a 5 star review because it really helps more people find the podcast.   I hope you enjoy it.   Geoff.     

Daniel's story to becoming an evidence based Sports Chiropractor and Strength and Conditioning Coach.  People and events that have influenced his practice. Some of the stigmas and false beliefs around him being a Chiro. Changes he would like to see about the way Chiropractic is taught. Whether he thinks we will see a combined musculoskeletal healthcare profession one day. Tips and advice for new gradautes in healthcare.

On this podcast, I spoke to physiotherapist Andrew Wild about his story to becoming a physio and strength and conditioning coach.  We discussed how he moved away from a strongly passive focus towards providing more active interventions that people could then implement themselves away from the physio clinic. Andrew shared what a typical initial appointment is like at Wild Physio Fitness including the Wild Walk and Talk Method (patent pending).  We discussed some common myths and misconceptions around back pain. Andrew also shared some great tips for those at uni and recent graduates.  I really hope you enjoy the first episode of the Be Strong Physio podcast!