Physiotutors Podcast

Download the FREE Physiotutors App 📲: https://physiotutors.app Get 3 months free of WriteUpp's Practice Management Software. Visit: https://writeupp.com/physiotutors for more Summary In this episode, Firat Kesgin, founder of the German Institute for Vestibular Rehabilitation, discusses the controversial topic of cervicogenic dizziness. He challenges the validity of this diagnosis, arguing that dizziness often associated with neck pain and limited cervical mobility should not be considered a distinct disorder. Kesgin references the Barani Society's stance, which suggests that the connection between cervical issues and dizziness lacks high-quality evidence. He explains that patients with vestibular disorders often restrict head movement, leading to neck problems over time, which can be mistaken for cervicogenic dizziness.Kesgin emphasizes the importance of accurate diagnosis and the risks of relying on exclusion-based diagnoses. He highlights the need for specialized knowledge in vestibular disorders to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatments. The discussion also touches on the psychological aspects of dizziness, comparing it to chronic pain conditions where the central nervous system plays a significant role. Kesgin advocates for a more comprehensive understanding of vestibular disorders and cautions against simplistic mechanical explanations for complex symptoms. Guest Firat is the founder of the German Institute for Vestibular Rehabilitation and has been teaching postgraduate courses throughout Europe. His work focuses on helping clinicians better understand and treat patients with dizziness and balance disorders. Alongside his clinical and teaching work, Firat is currently pursuing a PhD on the standardization of BPPV testing and the implementation of structured vestibular rehab programs in outpatient care. Chapters 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:22 Why "cervical dizziness" isn't a valid diagnosis 00:03:36 Neck pain/limited ROM as consequences of vestibular issues 00:04:26 Sponsor: WriteUpp 00:06:00 Temporal link to neck pain doesn't prove causation 00:08:15 Does treating the neck fix dizziness? Short-term vs long-term 00:10:51 Risks of diagnosis by exclusion 00:12:24 Diagnostic gaps in routine ENT practice 00:14:20 No specific test: is that enough to reject it? 00:16:59 Vestibular migraine vs "cervical dizziness" 00:20:51 Sponsor: Physiotutors Premium 00:21:27 Common mislabels: BPPV, hypofunction, and 3PD 00:25:45 Cervical proprioception: acute vs chronic relevance 00:32:32 Interpreting cervical torsion and SPNT tests 00:36:53 Sponsor: Physiotutors Courses 00:37:55 Parallels with chronic low back pain 00:38:41 Why the research persists and biomechanical bias 00:45:19 Clinical guidance for dizzy patients with neck pain 00:46:54 Myth-busting: negative ENT and psychology factors 00:49:23 Closing thoughts 00:50:33 Where to find Firat 00:51:19 Outro Bonus Material Download the referenced transcript including PubMed Links and a high-resolution infographic on this episode as part of your Physiotutors membership on the Physiotutors App. Download the Free App now Follow our Podcast on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts

Summary In this episode, we explore the innovative world of Runeasi, a company co-founded by Dr. Kurt Schütte, which is revolutionizing the assessment of running and jumping in both clinical and athletic settings. Dr. Schütte shares how Runeasi bridges the gap between lab-based biomechanics research and real-world application, offering affordable, evidence-based analysis tools. The episode delves into the workings of Runeasi's AI-driven 3D gait analysis and its jump module, highlighting their key metrics and practical applications in reducing injury risk and enhancing performance. Additionally, the podcast covers the benefits of using Runeasi for clinicians and coaches, its validation process, and its future developments, including remote rehabilitation and mobile app advancements. The discussion emphasizes Runeasi's mission to make data-driven insights accessible and actionable for everyday physiotherapists, coaches, and athletes. Guest Dr. Kurt Schütte, PhD in biomechanics, CEO, and co-founder of Runeasi — a company that's shaking up how we assess running and jumping in both clinical and athletic settings. After completing his PhD, Kurt saw a gap between the lab and the field — and a clear need for affordable, evidence-based biomechanics analysis that could be used in the real world. That realization became Runeasi. His mission? To empower clinicians and coaches to use data-driven insights to reduce injury risk and enhance performance — and to make this the standard within the next three years. Resources Andreas Halfmarathon Case Study with Runeasi Runeasi Website Content 00:00:00 Introduction of Dr. Kurt Schütte and Runeasi 00:01:06 Discussion on the origin of Runeasi 00:02:09 Motivation from research to entrepreneurship 00:04:11 Vision for data-driven insights in clinical practice 00:08:25 Core of Runeasi's AI-driven 3D gait analysis 00:09:50 Difference from traditional lab-based systems 00:12:27 Ensuring closeness to the gold standard 00:14:58 Main metrics from gait testing 00:22:02 Who uses Runeasi and for which scenarios 00:27:18 Typical test session walkthrough 00:32:24 Running on a treadmill vs. outdoors 00:38:11 Jump testing module 00:41:11 Main metrics in the jump module 00:44:26 Ensuring accuracy compared to force plates 00:48:34 Special cases in return to sport testing 00:52:59 Future developments for Runeasi 00:57:26 Message to physios hesitant about biomechanics tech 01:01:51 Final thoughts and how to get Runeasi Bonus Material Download the referenced transcript including PubMed Links and a high-resolution infographic on this episode as part of your Physiotutors membership on the Physiotutors App. Download the Free App now Follow our Podcast on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts

In episode 76 of the podcast, we engage with Dan Elias, a seasoned physiotherapist with over 15 years of experience, specializing in youth athletes. Dan works with the England athletics team and runs the Youth Physiotherapy Clinic in Bath, focusing on athletes aged 8-18. During the episode, Dan discusses his journey into youth physiotherapy, emphasizing the unique approach required for treating young athletes compared to adults. He highlights common misconceptions about physiotherapy for children and the importance of adapting communication and treatment strategies to suit their developmental needs. Dan elaborates on the challenges of managing injuries during growth spurts and the significance of bone health and appropriate strength training for young athletes. He also addresses the phenomenon of overtraining, offering insights into recognizing early signs and mitigating risks through proper rest, nutrition, and diversified physical activities. The conversation underscores the role of fun and engagement in rehabilitation and the necessity of establishing healthy long-term habits for injury prevention. Dan stresses the importance of understanding each child's unique circumstances and fostering a supportive environment that encourages confidence and communication. The episode is a comprehensive discussion on the nuances of youth physiotherapy, offering valuable insights for parents, coaches, and practitioners involved in youth sports. Content 00:00 Intro 01:14 Dan's Journey into Youth Athletics 04:34 What are the biggest misconceptions on Youth Athlete Physiotherapy 08:03 Tips on communicating with children & adolescents 10:08 How Growth Spurts affect Injury Risk 16:19 Sponsor 17:20 What does a typical Assessment look like 22:20 What are common injuries in this population? 25:05 Are avulsion fractures prevalent? 26:13 How to recognize early signs of overtraining 30:30 How to deal with overtraining symptoms 33:01 Specific sports that have the most injuries 35:35 Resistance Training in adolescents 38:02 How to design "fun" rehab plans 41:15 Sponsor 42:03 How to help adolescents create healthy habits 45:26 Physical and mental advice for young patients 50:25 Parents' biggest mistakes in youth development 52:54 Early sports specilization 54:05 Dan's closing thoughts 55:47 Contact Info & Outro Bonus Material Download the referenced transcript including PubMed Links and a high-resolution infographic on this episode as part of your Physiotutors membership on the Physiotutors App. Download the Free App now Follow our Podcast on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts

In Episode 74 of the Physiotutors podcast, host Kai is joined by Dr. Erik Thoomes, an expert in musculoskeletal conditions, particularly cervical radiculopathy. Dr. Thoomes provides an in-depth discussion on cervical radiculopathy, distinguishing it from nonspecific neck pain. He explains that cervical radiculopathy involves radiating arm pain due to nerve root irritation or compression, often caused by disc herniation or spondylotic changes, contrasting it with lumbar radiculopathy. The episode emphasizes the importance of thorough patient history in diagnosis and suggests a cluster of tests including Spurling's test and neural tension tests to improve diagnostic accuracy. Dr. Thoomes also challenges the reliability of traditional dermatomes and myotomes, advocating for individualized assessment and treatment strategies. The conversation covers various treatment options, highlighting the ineffectiveness of cervical traction and suggesting neurodynamic mobilization, spinal manipulative therapy, and targeted exercises. Dr. Thoomes advises adapting management strategies from acute to chronic stages and stresses the role of patient education and self-management. The episode also touches on the limited role of imaging unless necessary and discusses the importance of differentiating cervical radiculopathy from other conditions. Dr. Thoomes calls for more research in areas like epidemiological data and neurodynamic mobilization and shares clinical gems for effective management. The episode concludes with an emphasis on individualized patient care and encourages questions and further discussion from listeners. Content 00:00 Intro 00:52What is Cervical Radiculopathy? 04:05 Cervical vs Lumbar Disc Herniation 05:29 Clearer Terminology needed 07:15 Prevalence and Risk Factors 08:26 Most useful Tests 10:33 Crucial History Findings 11:56 Dermatomal/myotomal examination 13:13 Treatment Options 18:27 Manipulations? Mobilizations? 21:29 Motor Control Training 24:55 Directional Preference in the Cervical Spine? 26:03 Higher Level Exercises 27:01 Self-Management 28:52 Diagnostic Mistakes to Avoid 31:30 Red Flags and Imaging 33:15 Lessons to learn from LRS 34:25 Future Research Directions 37:45 Top Tips 39:27 Outro & Contact Info Bonus Material Download the referenced transcript including PubMed Links and a high-resolution infographic on this episode as part of your Physiotutors membership on the Physiotutors App. Download the Free App now Follow our Podcast on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts

In Episode 72 of the Physiotutors podcast, we interview Dr. Daniel Belavy, a professor with a prolific research background in muscle, bone, and joint health, specifically focusing on low back pain. The discussion explores various aspects of back pain research, including disk herniations in astronauts, the role of mechanical loading in disk health, and the challenges of classifying non-specific low back pain. Dr. Belavy shares insights from his studies on physical exposure and spine postures, contextual effects in treatment, and exercise training for back pain. He emphasizes the importance of understanding how treatments work to optimize clinical care and highlights the ongoing quest to identify subgroups and optimal exercise prescriptions for back pain. The episode underscores the complexity of back pain and the multifactorial elements influencing it, advocating for continued research and collaboration in the field. Content 00:00 Intro 00:57 Disc Herniations in Astronauts 04:08 Discs need (de-)loading 08:04 Is there a U-curve for loading? 10:15 NSLBP Classification Challenges 19:20 SI Joint Pain Classification Challenges 24:30 Physical Exposures and Low Back Pain 29:04 Physical Function/Activity and Low Back Pain 31:40 Contextual Effects in Low Back Pain 40:09 How to harness contextual effects in treatment 41:21 Which type of exercise is best for LBP 47:01 Exercise variables and pain reduction 50:29 Daniel's closing thoughts 53:00 Contact info 55:52 Outro Bonus Material Download the referenced transcript including PubMed Links and a high-resolution infographic on this episode as part of your Physiotutors membership on the Physiotutors App. Download the Free App now Follow our Podcast on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts

In this episode of the Physiotutors podcast, Kai interviews Serena Simmons, a seasoned psychologist with over 30 years of experience, about behavioral change and patient buy-in in healthcare. Serena highlights the challenges that healthcare providers face due to the lack of psychological training in their initial education, which often leaves them unequipped to effectively promote behavioral change in patients. She emphasizes the importance of understanding both the practitioner's and the patient's psychology to foster meaningful interactions and facilitate change. Serena discusses the significance of the patient-provider relationship, suggesting that building trust and rapport is crucial, and that understanding and addressing the patient's intrinsic motivations can lead to better adherence to treatment plans. Additionally, Serena offers practical advice for healthcare providers, such as spending more time understanding the patient's emotional reasons for seeking treatment and creating small, achievable milestones to reinforce progress. She also stresses the importance of self-awareness and communication skills for practitioners, recommending further education in human psychology and decision-making processes. Serena's insights underscore the need for a holistic approach that combines psychological understanding with clinical expertise to improve patient outcomes. The episode is rich with strategies for enhancing patient engagement, compliance, and overall effectiveness in physiotherapy and other healthcare practices. Content 00:00 Intro 02:00 Barriers to behavior change 05:19 How to identify psychological factors impeding recovery 08:15 How to create rapport 14:27 Everything starts with you 18:30 How to strengthen your bond with a patient 24:24 How to uncover a patient's "why" 33:40 The benefit of hands-on treatment 35:13 Motivational Interviewing 39:10 My patient doesn't do exercises 46:06 How to secure buy-in 51:09 Recommended reading 53:30 Serena's closing thoughts 54:10 Contact info 54:35 Outro Bonus Material Download the referenced transcript including PubMed Links and a high-resolution infographic on this episode as part of your Physiotutors membership on the Physiotutors App. Download the Free App now Follow our Podcast on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts

In this episode of the Physiotutors podcast, host Kai speaks with Edel Fanning, a lead upper limb physiotherapist from Ireland, about various shoulder pathologies in athletes and effective rehabilitation strategies. Edel discusses common shoulder injuries in different sports, such as dislocations in contact sports like rugby and rotator cuff issues in overhead sports like swimming and tennis. She emphasizes the importance of considering the kinetic chain in rehabilitation, focusing on both local shoulder control and the role of other body parts to optimize recovery and performance. Edel also highlights the significance of proper scapular function and offers insights into the nuances of treating shoulder injuries, including specific exercises and positions to support recovery. Edel also delves into the challenges of returning athletes to sport post-injury, discussing the importance of objective testing, psychological readiness, and sport-specific considerations. She outlines the differences in rehabilitation approaches for contact vs. non-contact sports, noting the unique demands and injury mechanisms of each. The conversation touches on screening tests, injury prevention strategies, and the development of an online course on athletic shoulder rehabilitation. Edel's expertise and practical advice provide valuable insights for physiotherapists and sports professionals aiming to enhance shoulder health and performance in athletes. Content 00:00 Intro 00:45 Which pathologies to consider 08:34 The scapula and stability & performance 15:36 Which muscles to consider in rehab 19:08 The importance of strength in the kinetic chain 21:43 How to reduce injury risk 25:03 Shoulder warm-up routines 27:29 Screening tests useful? 33:11 Exercise dilemmas 38:47 AC Joint Injuries 45:50 What is assessed? 51:35 RTP & RTS markers are different 01:00:09 Edel's closing thoughts 01:01:00 Contact Details 01:02:50 Outro Bonus Material Download the referenced transcript including PubMed Links and a high-resolution infographic on this episode as part of your Physiotutors membership on the Physiotutors App. Download the Free App now Follow our Podcast on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts

In this podcast, Dr. Claire Minshull shares her insights on teaching strength and conditioning to physiotherapists, emphasizing the practical application of academic knowledge. She discusses common mistakes in S&C practices, the importance of muscular strength in rehabilitation, and the significance of individualized exercise prescription for optimal outcomes. Claire also explores topics like measuring strength, rate of force development, and emerging technologies in strength training, underlining the need for patient-centered approaches and effective rehabilitation strategies. Guest Dr. Claire Minshull is a sport scientist, researcher and visiting professor at Leeds Beckett University in the UK. She has published more than 30 papers mainly on strength and conditioning and runs an educational company called Get Back to Sport Content 00:00 Intro 01:01 Claire's Journey in S&C 04:58 The issue with S&C in Physio 07:38 S&C Mistakes Physios make 13:36 Hypertrophy & Strength is important 18:43 How to gauge Strength 24:03 Compound vs. Isolation Exercises 27:19 How far to push Patients to Fatigue 33:26 Failure to adapt Exercise Prescription in Clinic 36:04 Rate of Force Development explained 42:47 Cross Education Effect explained 50:41 Tips to create Patient Buy-In to Exercise 55:06 Emerging Technology Highlights in S&C 01:01:56 Claire's closing thoughts 01:03:48 Contact Info 01:04:48 Outro Bonus Material Download the referenced transcript including PubMed Links and a high-resolution infographic on this episode as part of your Physiotutors membership on the Physiotutors App. Download the Free App now Follow our Podcast on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts