Associate Professor Tania Pizzari is an internationally recognised physiotherapy clinician, researcher and educator.

In this episode, Tania and I discuss shoulder assessment and management, with a particular focus on modifying symptoms during assessment, the role of diagnostic language, and helping people understand the contributing factors to their shoulder pain.

Thank you to Tania for a fantastic conversation and for generously sharing her expertise. Use the timestamps below to jump to specific sections of the episode.

In this episode:

0:00 Introduction to Tania

3:15 Classifications of shoulder conditions -diagnoses and movement systems

15:00 Providing a pathoanatomical diagnosis – language matters

17:30 Red flags to rule out

24:20 How do you prioritise physical examination tests?

29:10 Interpreting diagnostic tests – what do they really mean?

33:10 Patient education starts during your assessment

35:50 What presentations do you still find challenging?

39:15 Pain and sensitisation in shoulder conditions

42:00 The most important knowledge and skills for a physiotherapist – you can always learn more

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This discussion is intended for health professionals and health professional students. Always seek guidance from a qualified health professional regarding any questions about your health or medical condition.

Jaryd Bourke is a podiatrist and PhD candidate at Monash University Physiotherapy.  In this episode, Jaryd discusses Achilles tendinopathy and his research investigating heel lifts and changes in patient outcomes and biomechanics.

Edit: Sorry for saying Wodonga is a city in NSW! At least I know people are listening...  it's on the border...

Thanks to Jaryd for a great conversation. Use the timestamps below to jump to relevant sections.

In this episode:

Diagnostic domains, differential diagnosis and conditions requiring further medical attention that are considered important in the assessment for Achilles tendinopathy: a Delphi consensus study, link to paper:  https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/59/13/891.abstract

Follow Jaryd on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaryd-bourke-86932b200/?originalSubdomain=au

If you are finding this content helpful, we would appreciate a review and rating for the Physio Foundations podcast. This really helps promote the podcast to others. Hit the follow button and give us a review and 5-star rating.

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This discussion is intended for health professionals and health professional students. Always seek guidance from a qualified health professional regarding any questions about your health or medical condition.

Just in time for World Bronchiectasis Day, this is Part 2 of my discussion with Associate Professor Annemarie Lee on exercise for people with bronchiectasis. In this episode, Annemarie explains the benefits of exercise for people with Bronchiectasis and explores different ways people can engage in physical activity—whether as part of a formal rehabilitation program or by integrating it into daily life.

A huge thanks to Annemarie for sharing your expertise.

Use the timestamps below to jump to sections of interest.

0:00 About this episode

1:52 How does exercise benefit people with Bronchiectasis?

4:15 What does a typical pulmonary rehabilitation class look like?

6:15 Who is suitable for a pulmonary rehabilitation class for Bronchiectasis?

11:26 Exercise for airway clearance and exercise tolerance

14:18 Research gaps

16:50 How can people with Bronchiectasis monitor their exercise and symptoms?

22:55 The patient as a person, developing a therapeutic alliance

24:38 The most important knowledge and skills for a health professional – empathy

28:40 How to connect with Annemarie

Links and Resources:

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Disclaimer:

Associate Professor Annemarie Lee is a leading cardiorespiratory physiotherapist, educator and researcher whose work has helped shape how we understand and manage bronchiectasis in physiotherapy practice. This is the first episode of a two-part series on bronchiectasis. In this episode, we discuss subjective and objective assessment of people with bronchiectasis and provide an introduction to airway clearance techniques. A huge thanks to Annemarie for sharing your expertise.

Use the timestamps below to jump to sections of interest.

In this episode:

0:00 About this episode and welcome Annemarie

4:50 What is bronchiectasis?

8:50 Other impacts of bronchiectasis – loss of physical function, pelvic floor dysfunction, low back pain, reflux, etc.

12:50 Emerging treatments

13:40 Objective assessment of people with bronchiectasis

21:30  Airway clearance techniques

25:00 Bronchiectasis Toolbox website

29:12 Strong Lungs website

31:50 Summary

 Links and Resources:

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In this episode, Associate Professor Jane Rooney explains the latest evidence for non-operative management of ACL injuries, including the Cross Bracing Protocol and associated research.

This discussion is intended for health professionals and health professional students. Always seek guidance from a qualified health professional regarding any questions about your health or medical condition. 

Jane Rooney is a Specialist Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist (as awarded by the Australian College of Physiotherapists in 2009) and a facilitator and examiner for physiotherapists completing their specialisation through the College. She has extensive experience in sports physiotherapy, working with athletes of all levels, and is widely respected for her contributions to university and clinical teaching, including through the Physio Educators platform. In 2016, Jane was awarded a prestigious Churchill Fellowship to investigate how knee injuries are managed around the world. She is now part of the research team investigating the effectiveness of the Cross-Bracing Protocol for non-operative ACL injury management.

Thanks to Jane for a fantastic conversation. Use the timestamps below to jump to key sections of the episode:

In this episode:

Jane referenced this study on treatment decision-making for ACL injuries:

Find out more about the Cross Bracing workshop at physioeducators.com.au

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This discussion is intended for health professionals and health professional students. Always seek guidance from a qualified health professional regarding any health concerns or medical conditions.

On this episode, I welcome back Mick Hughes and Randall Cooper to talk about the role of exercise in health and physiotherapy practice. We also discuss the work they are doing with their education platform, Learn.Physio, and what they have learned over the past five years from interviewing and creating content with world-class clinicians and educators.

Thanks to Randall and Mick for a great conversation. Use the timestamps below to jump to the relevant sections.

In this episode:

0:00 About this episode and welcome back Mick and Randall

1:50 Exercise Matters podcast

8:45 How can graduate physios advance their exercise knowledge and skills?

11:35 What sets physiotherapy apart from coaching, exercise physiology, and other professions?

18:40 When to say “I’m not sure” and refer to other health professionals

20:15 Can we over-medicalise exercise? When is it actually appropriate to medicalise exercise?

27:38 Tips for engaging people in exercise – find out what’s important to them

30:15 The Learn.Physio platform – highlights from behind the scenes

36:30 How do you integrate new knowledge from courses into your practice?

40:30 Managing information overload as a graduate practitioner

42:07 Do students learn differently in 2025 compared to the past?

48:00 Learn online, but learn in person as well – don’t neglect your interpersonal and hands-on skills

Links and resources:

Check out: www.Learn.Physio

Listen to the Exercise Matters podcast with Randall and Mick, and give them a 5-star rating and review on Spotify, Apple, or your favourite podcast player:

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Disclaimer:

Nick Kane is the founder of the Sports MAP network, an educational platform for physiotherapists and sports medicine professionals and the former head physiotherapist for the Essendon Australian Rules Football club. Nick founded and consults at the Complete Balance Physiotherapy clinic in Melbourne, Australia.

In this episode, Nick discussed his experiences working in elite sport and how you can develop your own career in sports physiotherapy.

Thanks Nick for a great conversation. Use the timestamps below to jump to relevant sections.

In this episode:

0:00 About this episode and welcome Nick

7:25 Experiences working as the head physiotherapist for the Essendon football club

9:45 Nick’s clinical special interests

11:45 The most important foundational knowledge and skills – clinical reasoning and rehab principles

13:50 Applying anatomy and pathology knowledge as a practitioner

16:58 Sports MAP

20:25 Challenges for graduates – distractions, impatience

22:50 Mentoring and developing strong clinicians

33:40 Developing a special interest area

43:00 Final thoughts

We discussed the SportsMAP network: https://sportsmap.com.au/

Stay connected:

This discussion is intended for health professionals and health professional students. Always seek guidance from a qualified health professional regarding any questions about your health or medical condition.

Narelle Dalwood is a neurological physiotherapist and Senior Lecturer at Monash University Physiotherapy. In this episode, Narelle and I discuss the foundations of neurological physiotherapy, including neuroanatomy and the pathology of common conditions such as stroke.

Thanks Narelle for a great conversation. Use the timestamps below to jump to relevant sections.

In this episode:

0:00 About this episode and welcome Narelle

1:04 Common neurological conditions

3:14 Middle cerebral artery strokes

7:50 Heterogeneity - combining imaging, history and assessment findings

12:45 Defining terminology – infarcts and haemorrhagic strokes

14:38 How do you recognise a stroke? Timely recognition and clot busting drugs.

22:00 Upper and lower motor neurons

25:14 Reflexes and recognising serious neurological problems

33:25 Neuroplasticity

41:12 How to develop your neuro physio knowledge and skills – brush up on your neuroanatomy

54:30 Final thoughts

Narelle mentioned these guidelines and resources for health professionals, patients and their families from the National Stroke Foundation: https://informme.org.au/  https://enableme.org.au/  https://sciptguide.com/

Stay connected:

This discussion is intended for health professionals and health professional students. Always seek guidance from a qualified health professional regarding any questions about your health or medical condition.

Ellen Ball is a physiotherapist and Monash University Physiotherapy graduate who is currently completing a master’s degree in public health. In this conversation, Ellen and I discuss the study habits that helped her become a highly successful student, how to network effectively, and alternative career pathways after graduation.

Thanks Ellen for a great conversation. Use the timestamps below to jump to relevant sections.

In this episode:

0:00 About this episode and welcome Ellen

1:50 Ellen’s foundations

4:20 How do you find and stay in touch with mentors?

6:05 How do you get your foot in the door in education and research?

7:38 What skills did you learn in the physiotherapy course that you now use in the workforce?

9:45 The most important foundational knowledge and skills for a physiotherapist

11:55 Developing interpersonal skills as a student and a new grad

14:10 Managing distractions in the era of TikTok and smartphones

15:25 What is public health?

18:55 Advanced study skills for postgraduate training

21:20 Prioritisation is a skill

25:50 What advice would you give to your younger self?

31:00 Improving health outcomes through public health rather than individual physiotherapy care

32:22 Final thoughts – ride the wave and be kind to yourself

Stay connected:

This discussion is intended for health professionals and health professional students. Always seek guidance from a qualified health professional regarding any questions about your health or medical condition.

Associate Professor Adam Culvenor is a Principal Research Fellow from the La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine (LASEM) Research Centre, a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Emerging Leadership Fellow and the head of the Knee Injury Research Group within LASEM.  

In this conversation, Adam and I discussed the research he has led on post traumatic knee osteoarthritis including the OPTIKNEE 2022: consensus recommendations, the SUPER-Knee trial, the role of diet in managing osteoarthritis and the Australian Knee Injury Study.

Thanks Adam for a great conversation. Use the timestamps below to jump to relevant sections and follow the links below to find out more about Adam and his work.

In this episode:

0:00 About this episode and welcome Adam

6:00 The infrapatellar fat pad

8:10 Adam’s pathway into research – MRI outcomes after ACL reconstruction

14:45 Cartilage imaging studies leading into the SUPER-Knee trial

19:36 How does strengthening help with cartilage health after knee injury?

24:40 Role of diet in managing osteoarthritis

26:40 OPTIKNEE 2022: consensus recommendations to optimise knee health after traumatic knee injury to prevent osteoarthritis

30:55 Australian Knee Injury Study

35:15 Key takeaways – consider the need for imaging, be guided by the guidelines, get involved in research as a clinician or a student

Read more about Adam here: https://scholars.latrobe.edu.au/a2culvenor

Be part of the Australian Knee Injury Study: https://www.kneeinjurystudy.com.au/

Adam discussed the OPTIKNEE consensus recommendations following traumatic knee injury: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/56/24/1393.citation-tools

Whittaker JL, Culvenor AG, Juhl CB, et al OPTIKNEE 2022: consensus recommendations to optimise knee health after traumatic knee injury to prevent osteoarthritis. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2022;56:1393-1405.

Read more about the SUPER-Knee trial: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/1/e068279

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This discussion is intended for health professionals and health professional students. Always seek guidance from a qualified health professional regarding any questions about your health or medical condition.