In this episode of The Shoulder Physio Podcast , Dr Jared Powell sits down with Dr Mervyn Travers, physiotherapist, S&C coach, and researcher, to explore one of the most compelling frameworks in contemporary pain science: active inference . They discuss how this predictive brain model helps explain persistent musculoskeletal pain, why traditional exercise-based interventions might miss the mark, and how clinicians can use movement and context to shift a patient’s pain experience. Merv blends...
May 27, 2025•1 hr 12 min
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 ...
Apr 29, 2025•36 min
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 clin...
Mar 25, 2025•55 min
In this episode of The Shoulder Physio Podcast, I am interviewed by my wife, Tara, about my recently completed PhD. For the past 7 years of my life I have been engaged in a research based PhD investigating the causal mechanisms underpinning the effectiveness of exercise therapy for rotator cuff related shoulder pain. This research program has produced 6 published pieces of research that is contained with the thesis. In this episode I briefly discuss the premise of the thesis, its main findings, ...
Feb 25, 2025•45 min
In this episode of The Shoulder Physio Podcast, I am joined by Rich Willy, PhD to discuss bone stress injuries. Rich is one of the foremost experts in the world on bone stress injuries, and it was a real pleasure to sit down with him for an hour to chat all things bone. Bone stress injuries can be quite common in athletic populations and the consequences of a poorly managed bone stress injury can be severe. As such, it is so important to be able to accurately detect a bone stress injury, know ho...
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr 1 min
In this episode of The Shoulder Physio podcast, I am joined by Chris Neason and Claire Samanna to discuss their recently published randomised controlled trial exploring running as a treatment for chronic low back pain. Chronic low back pain is widely believed to be one of the biggest contributors to years lived with disability. As such, it is a problem that needs attention, and part of this is identifying effective treatments. Typically, exercise is a recommended and effective treatment for pers...
Dec 22, 2024•44 min
In this episode of The Shoulder Physio podcast, I am joined by Dr John Kuhn, who is an orthopaedic surgeon and researcher from the United States. Doctor Kuhn and his colleagues, through the MOON shoulder group, have published several high impact studies investigating the management of individuals with rotator cuff tears and the results of these studies have caused some controversy (good controversy, that is). Rotator cuff tears are ubiquitous in musculoskeletal health care. They are both common ...
Nov 25, 2024•50 min
In this episode of The Shoulder Physio podcast, I am joined by Leanne Bisset, who is the queen of tennis elbow, seriously. Leanne is an associate professor at Griffith University on the Gold Coast, Australia with a keen interest in upper limb tendinopathy. Leanne also has extensive experience as a clinician, which makes Leanne a balanced voice of reason. Tennis elbow is a common and often debilitating musculoskeletal condition however it often receives insufficient attention compared to other, m...
Oct 22, 2024•55 min
In this episode of The Shoulder Physio podcast, I am joined by Tim Gabbett, who is the training load master. Tim has an incredible resume as both a coach and scientist and recently featured in the top 10 of a list ranking sports scientists from around the world. In this episode, we go deep into the training load literature and what it may mean for the clinician and coach. We discuss the rise of 'load management' in the cultural zeitgeist and whether this is a good or bad thing. Tim discusses his...
Sep 24, 2024•58 min
In this episode of The Shoulder Physio podcast, I am joined by Caitlin Jones, who has recently published a world first randomised placebo controlled trial in the Lancet journal on opioids for acute neck and low back pain. In this episode Caitlin discusses why they chose to do this trial, the results and their possible clinical implications. Caitlin also responds to various critiques of the trial with aplomb. Don't miss this enlightening episode with Caitlin Jones. Key Papers: Jones CMP et al. OP...
Aug 29, 2024•36 min
In this episode of The Shoulder Physio Podcast, I am joined by Rachelle Buchbinder and Ian Harris. Rachelle and Ian are academic doctors who still see and treat patients whilst also conducting high quality research. This conversation centres around the concept that modern medical care is sick. Over-treatment, over-diagnosis, junk science, and perverse incentives are just some of the issues plaguing modern medicine. As it happens, Rachelle and Ian have written a book on this exact topic! The book...
Jul 18, 2024•1 hr 18 min
In this episode of The Shoulder Physio podcast, I am joined by Kim Bennell, a professor and research physiotherapist from the University of Melbourne. Kim has been involved in designing and implementing dozens of clinical trials over her many years of research and is a true giant of the physiotherapy profession. In this episode we discuss something novel. We venture into the world of physiotherapists providing dietary advice for people with knee osteoarthritis, which might be controversial. Kim ...
Jun 18, 2024•50 min
In this episode of The Shoulder Physio podcast, I am joined by Amy McDevitt, an associate professor and clinician at the University of Colorado. Amy shared her perspective on manual therapy and the importance of unraveling the mechanisms behind this treatment approach. We discussed the evolving causal explanations of manual therapy, moving beyond antiquated notions towards a more contemporary and scientifically based explanation for how it many help people in pain. We delved into the complexitie...
May 21, 2024•1 hr 2 min
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 about a very common and important musculoskeletal condition. Key Papers: 1. Rathleff MS, Holden S, Krommes K, Winiarski L, Hölmich P, ...
Apr 16, 2024•1 hr 5 min
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 treatment decisions should be made with consideration of something called the Smallest Worthwhile Effect, which is actually surprisingly ea...
Mar 19, 2024•39 min
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? Listen on to hear Emily and Andrew from The Knowledge Exchange interview me about these very interesting questions...
Feb 20, 2024•52 min
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, contexts and circumstances. Because of this, clinical uncertainty is ubiquitous, it's everywhere, but this should not paralyse us accor...
Nov 15, 2023•1 hr 11 min
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, has a paper on this very question! What a lovely coincidence. Key Papers: Wood et al 2023: Pain catastrophising an...
Oct 17, 2023•42 min
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, avoid nocebo: How contextual factors affect physiotherapy outcomes Connect with Jared and guests: Jared on Instagram: @should...
Aug 29, 2023•1 hr
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 want to miss this one. Key Papers: Powell JK et al. "Restoring that Faith in my Shoulder": A Qualitative Investigation ...
Jul 18, 2023•1 hr 13 min
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 debate. The debate features Marius Henriksen and Christian Barton and these two men engage in polite yet passionate intellectual...
Jun 27, 2023•1 hr
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. Key papers: Millar et al 2021: Tendinopathy Cook and Purdam Continuum Model of Tendinopathy Rees et al 2014: Tendons--ti...
May 23, 2023•51 min
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 Shoulder”? Lewis and Powell 2022: Should We Provide a Clinical Diagnosis for People with Shoulder Pain? Absolutely, Maybe, Never...
Apr 18, 2023•25 min
Can we prevent injuries from happening? All of them? If we can't prevent ALL injuries should we move away from using the term prevention? Or is all this boring and irrelevant linguistic games that don't move the needle for clinical practice? I for one am fascinated by this discussion and I reckon you will enjoy it too. Franco, as always, has the ability to cut through fluffy opinions and statements with hardcore and unabashed science and I love it! Key papers: Prevention versus Risk Reduction or...
Mar 21, 2023•54 min
In this solo episode I discuss the evidence underpinning the use of platelet rich plasma injections for shoulder pain. Platelet rich plasma makes total sense on the surface, but do empirical findings support this? Should we continue down the pathway of research for platelet rich plasma, or move on? Should you recommend it in your practice? What do you say if a patient asks you about it? These are some of the topics we tackle in this short primer on platelet rich plasma for shoulder pain. I hope ...
Feb 21, 2023•17 min
In this episode I speak with eminent sport scientist and coach, John Kiely. John is infamous for challenging dogmatic training principles in sport science, chiefly periodisation theory. Our conversation starts with periodisation theory and then goes to some interesting locations, stopping momentarily at homeostasis, allostasis, general adaptation syndrome (GAS), predictive processing, the biomedical model, sets and reps and much, much more. If you prescribe exercise in any way, shape or form, pl...
Jan 24, 2023•1 hr 8 min
An entrenched assumption in sport and exercise medicine/physiotherapy, going back decades, has been that ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries DO NOT heal. Not ever. However, like many dogmatic beliefs in the health and fitness sector, this assumption appears to have been seriously wrong. Dr Stephanie Filbay joins me to discuss her latest paper about the healing capacity of the ACL and what this means for your clinical practice. Dr Filbay also teases some insights from the CROSS bracing tria...
Dec 18, 2022•58 min
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of pain and disability. OA is also seems to be associated with several myths and misconceptions about how it is caused and how it might be managed. To cut through some of this mythology, I invited Professor David Hunter on the show for a 'no holds barred' conversation. David is the number 1 ranked expert in the world on OA, so it should come as no surprise he is a wealth of knowledge and a clear communicator on the complexities of osteoarthritis. I hope you...
Oct 25, 2022•45 min
In this podcast, I discuss the scapula with Filip Struyf, PhD. Filip is a former guest on the show (episode 2) and I've pulled him back on the podcast to tackle the hard problems as they relate to the scapula. Specifically, in this episode we consider the question: "If we identify a scapula dyskinesis in our physical examination, should we attempt to rectify it?". Key Resources: Filip's fabulous 2013 paper here Connect with Jared and Filip: Jared on Instagram: @shoulder_physio Jared on Twitter: ...
Sep 27, 2022•51 min
Feeling stiff is a familiar feeling for all of us. But does feeling stiff mean our joints are actually stiff? Or is there more to it. Tasha Stanton PhD is a clinical neuroscientist who has performed research directly addressing this question. This is a fascinating conversation and I hope you enjoy. Key resources: Tasha's paper here Connect with Jared and Tasha: Jared on Instagram: @shoulder_physio Jared on Twitter: @jaredpowell12 Tasha on Twitter: @Tash_Stanton Cliniko free trial, click here! Se...
Aug 09, 2022•40 min
