Dr Bret Contreras (The "Glute Guy") sits down with Greg to discuss some of our favourite topics.  We dive into Bret being one of the original movement optimists with his wildly controversial article "To crunch or not to crunch" in 2011.  Bret took a well thought out position on spinal flexion that was fairly revolutionary at the time. We get Bret's views on whether and when technique is important for injury, performance and life long lifting. Bret also discusses his involvement in the Plotkin et al 2023 study that really challenged some of Bret's thoughts on using EMG to select exercise. Links to Bret  bretcontreras.com Some Relevant Papers  To Crunch or not to Crunch Paper Plotkin et al (2023) Hip thrust and back squat training elicit similar gluteus muscle hypertrophy and transfer similarly to the deadlift  The Collings paper on assessing muscle tension to choose exercise   Music  - Late night train by Vans in Japan  

Dr Bret Contreras takes on movement technique, social media and critical thinking

A deep dive into the world of exercise, pain and injury with a Movement Optimism spin as opposed to the kinesiopathological model.  The traditional view of the human body has considered to be much more akin to car when we should have been viewing like a robust ecosystem. 
This is a masterclass on critical thinking and hopes to get you challenging your biases as well as ours.

Medicine

Science & Medicine

Health & Fitness

Clifton is a Canadian Power Lifter and Chiropractor.  I worked with a Clifton a few years ago to help him with his concussion symptoms, low back and hip pain.  Working with health care professionals is often interesting.  You will feel the pressure to "fix them" but when you get to listening to them you often realize that they have the answers and the knowledge.  They just need help and sometimes coaching.  I think (IIRC) I was once told that I can't comment on low back pain and lifting until I "fix" elite level powerlifters.  Besides this being an absolutely silly and anti-science statement I guess by this standard I can never talk about low back pain again.  Because it's true.  I don't "fix" anyone.  No one does. We work with people where they are and problem solve solutions together.  Working with people is often about coaching, reassurance and being there for that person.   Clifton shares his experience with pain, his recovery, how he helps his own patients and his fundamentals of rehab.

Clifton Pho - A world class powerlifter and chiropractor's story of recovery

Rachel Hannah talks about her own experience as a runner dealing with Relative Energy Deficiency (REDs) and her recovery from bone stress injuries (BSIs).  And Greg (Rachel's former Physiotherapist)  talks about his professional failings as a therapist helping Rachel with her first Bone Stress Injury.   If you want help with all things diet, healthy weight and REDs then you can work with Rachel here:   https://rachel-hannah-registered-dietitian.ca1.cliniko.com/bookings   Or See Rachel on IG here: https://www.instagram.com/rachelhannahrd/

Rachel Hannah - Registered Dietician and Elite Marathoner talks REDs

Dr Malfliet was on today discussing her PhD thesis paper which deserves a lot of attention. We discussed her RCT entitlted "Effect of Pain Neuroscience Education Combined With Cognition-Targeted Motor Control Training on Chronic Spinal Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial" where we focused on the importance of nudging into pain (Time Contingent Exercise), reframing motor control exercises as movements that you get comfortable and confident in moving and how to progress these exercises with a graded exposure/activity approach. We also talked about the role of losing weight (specifically adipose tissue) and its potential role in managing persistent pain.  Weight loss is a difficult topic to broach with patients and providers and we touched on these issues.  We didn't spend too much time on this contentious topic and its certainly worth exploring more in detail   Our Guest - Anneleen Malfliet  Anneleen Malfliet is an assistant professor and postdoctoral researcher at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. She is also a member of the Pain in Motion international research group. Her research and clinical interest goes out to chronic pain with a special interest in chronic spinal pain, pain rehabilitation, central sensitization, nutrition and diet. More info at our Pain in Motion website: www.paininmotion.be

Dr Anneleen Malfliet talks pain neuroscience, graded exposure and addressing adiposity to help with pain

We have Erik Meira (The Science PT) talking ACL injury, the importance or not of strength, whether valgus is a true risk factor for injury or a sign of something else and who technique matters for primary or secondary injury prevention. Please go to Erik's website not just for his links to what he offers but excellent blogs and resources that really explain complicated topics in clinically applicable ways. Erik's website is here

Dr Bret Contreras takes on movement technique, social media and critical thinking

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