RX Physiotherapy Shellharbour

For decades, we’ve believed the ACL cannot heal. But modern research is changing the narrative. 

In this episode, Trent Cooksley from RX Physiotherapy explores the healing potential of ACL injuries, why some knees recover without surgery, and how rehab-first approaches can guide smarter decisions. 

Learn why MRI appearance doesn’t tell the whole story, and how function, not perfection, determines long-term outcomes. 

If you or someone you know is navigating an ACL injury, this episode will help you make evidence-informed choices. 

🎧 Tune in to learn how better testing and smarter rehab strategies can help athletes return to sport with greater confidence and lower risk of re-injury.

Disclaimer: Before making any health changes, consult with a healthcare professional.

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Return-to-sport testing is often treated as the final checkpoint after an ACL injury. Pass the tests, get cleared, and return to competition. But is it really that simple?

In this episode of the RX Physiotherapy Podcast, Trent Cooksley breaks down what return-to-sport (RTS) testing actually tells us — and more importantly, what it doesn’t.

You’ll learn why many athletes still experience high re-injury rates after being cleared, and why passing a battery of tests doesn’t necessarily mean the knee is ready for the demands of sport.

We explore key factors that influence safe return to sport including:

• Quadriceps strength and why it matters more than you think
• The limitations of hop tests and limb symmetry
• Why athletes can “game” common testing protocols
• How fatigue, time pressure, and real-game scenarios change movement patterns
• The psychological side of returning to sport after injury
• Why gradual exposure to training loads is critical

Rather than acting as a simple green light, return-to-sport testing should be used as a risk-management tool to prepare athletes for the demands of sport.

If you're recovering from an ACL injury, working with injured athletes, or simply want to understand how safe return-to-sport decisions are made, this episode is for you.

🎧 Tune in to learn how better testing and smarter rehab strategies can help athletes return to sport with greater confidence and lower risk of re-injury.

Disclaimer: Before making any health changes, consult with a healthcare professional.

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In this episode with Trent Cooksley, discover why not all ACL-deficient knees behave the same, and how modern evidence supports structured non-surgical rehabilitation as a valid, and sometimes optimal, pathway. 

Trent explains the principles of effective ACL rehab, from heavy quadriceps strengthening and posterior chain development to neuromuscular control, progressive running, and change-of-direction drills.

This episode emphasises that non-surgical ACL rehab is not about minimal effort or toughness; it’s about building a knee capable of supporting the life and activities you want to enjoy.

Tune in to understand when surgery may be necessary, when rehab alone is sufficient, and how evidence-based care can guide better outcomes for ACL injuries.

Disclaimer: Before making any health changes, consult with a healthcare professional.

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In this episode of the RX Physiotherapy Podcast, Trent Cooksley dives into the biomechanics behind ACL injuries and re-injuries.

Drawing from landmark video analysis research and current return-to-sport evidence, we unpack:

• Why ACL injuries occur within 40–50 milliseconds of ground contact
• The role of knee valgus, internal rotation, and near-full extension
• Why ACL injuries are often a system failure — not just a knee problem
• The importance of quadriceps strength in reducing re-injury risk
• How fatigue alters landing mechanics late in games and seasons
• Why young athletes are up to 15x more likely to sustain a second ACL injury

ACL injuries are rarely random.
They are predictable.
And that means they are modifiable.

If you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or clinician, this episode is essential listening.

In our next episode, we’ll explore non-surgical ACL rehabilitation and what to expect from that pathway.

Disclaimer: Before making any health changes, consult with a healthcare professional.

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An ACL injury is one of the few injuries where people are asked to make a permanent decision within days — swollen knee, unclear scans, season pressure… and somehow you’re expected to already know if you want surgery. 

In this episode of the RX Physiotherapy Podcast, Trent Cooksley unpack what surgery actually does, and what it doesn’t. 

Because here’s the truth:
Surgery restores anatomy.
Rehab restores capacity. 

We explore the research behind immediate vs delayed reconstruction, why rehab quality matters more than surgical timing, and how strength, confidence, and knee stability should guide decision-making — not fear or urgency. 

This conversation isn’t about choosing sides. It’s about slowing the process down, understanding your options, and making an informed decision based on how your knee responds to structured rehab. 

If you or someone you know is navigating an ACL injury, this episode offers clarity grounded in evidence — not pressure. 

Disclaimer: Before making any health changes, consult with a healthcare professional.

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An ACL injury can feel overwhelming. In the first few days, opinions come fast — you’ll need surgery, your season is over, your knee will never be the same. But the evidence tells a very different story.

In this first episode of our ACL series, physiotherapist Trent Cooksley breaks down what actually happens during an ACL injury and why rushing decisions early can lead to poorer outcomes. We explore the true role of the ACL, how these injuries occur, and why the ligament alone does not determine your future function.

Drawing on landmark research and modern rehabilitation frameworks, this episode explains:

• What the ACL actually does (and doesn’t do)
• Why ACL injuries aren’t “bad luck” but influenced by movement, load, and fatigue
• What matters most in the early stages after injury
• Why rehab-first approaches are evidence-based, not “second best”
• How strength, capacity, and confidence — not timelines — guide return to sport

An ACL injury is not a career-ending diagnosis, and surgery is not always inevitable. With the right information, time, and rehabilitation, outcomes improve — with or without surgery.

This episode sets the foundation for the series. In Episode 2, we’ll explore surgical vs non-surgical management and how to decide which path is right for you.

Disclaimer: Before making any health changes, consult with a healthcare professional.

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If you have hypermobility and live with ongoing neck pain, it’s easy to feel confused, frustrated, or even afraid to move.

In this episode, April and Laura unpack why neck pain is so common in people with hypermobility and why it doesn’t mean you’re fragile, broken, or destined for pain.

They discuss how ligament laxity, reduced proprioception, muscle fatigue, posture, and nervous system sensitivity all contribute to neck symptoms, and why common advice like excessive stretching or neck cracking can sometimes make things worse.

This conversation focuses on what actually helps long-term:
 ✔️ building strength and control
 ✔️ improving proprioception
 ✔️ understanding pain as a protective signal, not damage
 ✔️ using a graded, whole-body approach to rehab
 ✔️ recognising red flags and knowing when to seek further assessment

Most importantly, this episode reframes hypermobility from something to fear into something that can be managed — and even become a strength — with the right plan and support.

If you’ve been told to “just be careful” or feel unsure about how to move safely with hypermobility, this episode is for you.

Disclaimer: Before making any health changes, consult with a healthcare professional.

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In this episode of the RX Physiotherapy Podcast, April Patterson sits down with physiotherapist and former competitive golfer Trent Cooksley to explore how physiotherapy can transform the way you play golf.

From common golf injuries like back pain, golfer’s elbow, and shoulder strain to the science behind mobility, strength, and flexibility, Trent shares his expertise on how golfers can reduce pain, prevent injuries, and unlock their full potential on the course.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

• What “golf physiotherapy” is and why it matters for both amateurs and pros
• The most common golf injuries (lower back pain, golfer’s elbow, shoulder and wrist issues)
• The role of mobility, flexibility, and core stability in a powerful, pain-free swing
• Why amateur golfers often neglect physical conditioning and how to fix it
• How physiotherapists use TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) screening to assess swing mechanics
• The top 3 exercises every golfer should be doing for strength and injury prevention
• Simple warm-up routines that prime your body for golf and reduce injury risk
• How often golfers should see a physiotherapist for injury recovery and performance check-ins

Whether you’re new to the sport or a seasoned player, this episode will help you understand the vital role physiotherapy plays in keeping your body strong, efficient, and injury-free so you can enjoy more time on the course.

Disclaimer: Before making any health changes, consult with a healthcare professional.

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Join April Patterson and Emily Yorkston on the RX Physiotherapy Podcast as they dive deep into women’s health, pregnancy, and postpartum recovery. 

In this episode, Emily, a women’s health physiotherapist, shares expert advice on managing pregnancy-related pelvic pain, diastasis recti, and core health.

Discover practical tips for exercising safely during and after pregnancy, reducing discomfort from round ligament pain, lower back pain, and pelvic girdle pain, and returning to your pre-pregnancy fitness routine. 

Emily also explains what’s normal versus what’s not, including bladder leakage, posture changes, and core muscle separation, empowering women to advocate for their own health.

Whether you’re pregnant, recently postpartum, or simply interested in understanding women’s musculoskeletal health, this episode is packed with actionable advice, evidence-based guidance, and practical strategies to support your body through pregnancy and beyond.

Key topics covered:

• Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle and lower back pain
• Round ligament pain and fetal positioning
• Diastasis recti: causes, prevalence, and postpartum management
• Safe exercises during pregnancy and gradual return to activity postpartum
• Tips for managing day-to-day pain and discomfort
• Advocacy and self-care for women’s health concerns

Listen now for expert insights on supporting your body, reducing pain, and confidently navigating pregnancy and postpartum recovery!

Disclaimer: Before making any health changes, consult with a healthcare professional.

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Jaw pain can feel overwhelming — especially when it affects your ability to speak, eat, or focus. In this episode, April Patterson breaks down what TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction really is, why it happens, and most importantly — what actually helps.

From muscle tension and poor posture to stress, hypermobility and compensatory movement patterns, we explore the many reasons why jaw pain can arise — and why treating it isn't just about the jaw.

Learn how conservative care (no surgery, no injections) can lead to real results through manual therapy, exercise, posture support, and patient-centred education. April shares practical insights from clinical experience, pain science, and personal understanding to help you take back control — whether you’re living with TMD or supporting others who are.

You’ll also hear tips on:

• How posture affects jaw stability
• Why strengthening (not just stretching) matters
• What to look for in a good practitioner
• The link between stress, pain, and the jaw
• And how to build long-term resilience, not just quick fixes

This episode is a must-listen for anyone dealing with persistent jaw pain — or wanting to better understand it from a whole-body, whole-person approach.

Disclaimer: Before making any health changes, consult with a healthcare professional.

Connect with us:

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• Explore exclusive offers and discover additional resources on our website.