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• Joe Gambino
• Joe LaVacca

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Summary
In this episode, Joe Gambino and Joe LaVacca discuss patellofemoral pain, also known as anterior knee pain. They compare it to low back pain in terms of its complexity and the need for a management approach rather than a fix. They explore the importance of ruling out other diagnoses and focusing on allowing the knee to load better. They also discuss strategies for managing pain during running and other activities, including cadence adjustments and modifying workouts.

Takeaways
Patellofemoral pain is similar to low back pain in terms of its complexity and the need for a management approach.

It is important to rule out other diagnoses before diagnosing patellofemoral pain.

Allowing the knee to load better is a key aspect of treatment.

Pain management during running and other activities can involve adjusting cadence and modifying workouts.

The goal is to give the body the tools to reduce the likelihood of pain and re-injury, rather than aiming for a complete fix.

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• Joe Gambino
• Joe LaVacca

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Summary
In this episode, Joe Gambino and Joe LaVacca discuss the importance of mobility and strength work in relation to golf and other sports. They emphasize the need for movement variability and building a strong foundation to improve performance. They also address the common tendency to compare oneself to professional athletes and highlight the importance of individuality and focusing on one's own unique movement signature. The hosts stress the significance of basics and consistency in training, as well as the role of pain and how it can affect movement. They share personal anecdotes and examples to illustrate their points.

Takeaways
Movement variability is important for skilled movement in sports.
 
Comparing oneself to professional athletes may not be helpful as they are outliers and have unique movement signatures.
 
Focusing on basics and building a strong foundation is crucial for improving performance.
 
Consistency in training and addressing pain are key factors in achieving optimal movement and performance.

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• Joe Gambino
• Joe LaVacca

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Summary
In this episode, Joe Gambino and Joe LaVacca discuss when to push and when to pull back in training, particularly in relation to pain. They emphasize the importance of tolerable pain, maintaining form, and monitoring how pain resolves after a workout. They also discuss the concept of hypermobility and provide a test to determine if someone falls on the hypermobility spectrum. They caution against excessive stretching for hypermobile individuals and suggest focusing on strength training and end-range control exercises instead. They highlight the need to tie progress to specific goals or activities to assess improvement.

Takeaways
When training, it is important to listen to your body and determine when to push and when to pull back based on tolerable pain and maintaining form.

Pain resolution after a workout can be a good indicator of whether you pushed too hard or if your training was appropriate.

Hypermobility is a spectrum that can be determined through a series of tests, and excessive stretching is not recommended for hypermobile individuals.

For hypermobile individuals, focusing on strength training and end-range control exercises can be more beneficial than stretching.

Progress should be tied to specific goals or activities to assess improvement.

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• Joe Gambino
• Joe LaVacca

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Summary

In this episode, Joe Gambino and Joe LaVacca discuss mobility work for individuals with hypermobility and debunk common myths about posture. They emphasize the importance of individualized approaches to mobility work and the need to address soft tissue work and interoception for hypermobile clients. They also challenge the idea of a universally correct posture and highlight the limitations of accurately assessing posture. Lastly, they emphasize that posture is not the sole cause of pain and that changing positions and breaking up long periods of sitting can help alleviate discomfort.

Takeaways

• Individualized approaches to mobility work are important for individuals with hypermobility.
• Soft tissue work and interoception can be beneficial for hypermobile clients.
• There is no universally correct posture, and accurately assessing posture is challenging.
• Posture is not the sole cause of pain, and changing positions and breaking up long periods of sitting can help alleviate discomfort.

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• Joe Gambino
• Joe LaVacca

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Summary
Grayson Strange, owner of Basis Health and Performance, shares his journey from CrossFit to weightlifting to functional range conditioning. He discusses the challenges of training and the injuries he has experienced, including a torn AC joint, broken wrist, and partial MCL tear.

Grayson emphasizes the importance of finding alternative approaches to recovery and rehabilitation, rather than resigning to the belief that injuries will never heal. He highlights the need for awareness of different options and perspectives in order to overcome pain and injury. In this conversation, Grayson Strange discusses the integration of FRC principles with strength training and how to navigate pain and intensity. He emphasizes the importance of individualization and paying attention to the body's sensations. Grayson also highlights the need for grace and flexibility in training and the value of starting with small amounts of mobility work.

He shares his approach to blending traditional strength training with the internal strength model of FRC, focusing on joint-specific training and minimal volume. Grayson encourages listeners to reach out for help and find a balance that works for them.

Takeaways
Training can sometimes lead to injuries and make the body feel fragile and vulnerable.

Finding alternative approaches to recovery and rehabilitation is crucial for overcoming injuries.

Having awareness of different options and perspectives is important in the journey to healing.

Believing that injuries can heal and seeking out the right methods and practices can lead to successful recovery. Individualization is key when integrating FRC principles with strength training.

Paying attention to the body's sensations and navigating pain are crucial for progress.

Starting with small amounts of mobility work can make a significant difference.

Balancing traditional strength training with the internal strength model of FRC involves focusing on joint-specific training and minimal volume.

Finding a balance that works for you and giving yourself grace in training is important.

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• Joe Gambino
• Joe LaVacca

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Summary
In this episode of the Beyond Pain podcast, host Joe LaVacca interviews Dr. Michael Ray, a chiropractor and clinical scientist specializing in pain. They discuss various topics related to pain, including their love for coffee, what they are currently reading, watching, and listening to, and their personal experiences with pain.

Dr. Ray shares his journey from experiencing chronic neck pain to becoming a clinician and researcher in the field of pain. He emphasizes the importance of helping individuals make sense of their pain narratives and the limitations of the biomedical model in understanding and managing chronic pain.

In this conversation, Michael Ray discusses the challenges of studying interventions for pain management and the impact of narratives on pain experiences. He also shares the findings of his study on chronic pain and mortality, highlighting the need to address social determinants of health and provide equitable access to healthcare. Michael emphasizes the importance of understanding that individuals with chronic pain are not broken and that there are ways to cope and improve responses to pain.

Takeaways:
Dr. Michael Ray shares his personal experiences with chronic neck pain and how it influenced his journey to becoming a clinician and researcher in the field of pain.

He emphasizes the importance of helping individuals make sense of their pain narratives and expanding the understanding of pain beyond the biomedical model. 

Dr. Ray discusses the limitations of the biomedical model in explaining and managing chronic pain and the need for a more comprehensive approach.

He highlights the role of open-ended questions and collaboration in understanding and addressing individuals' pain experiences. Studying interventions for pain management is challenging due to the complexity of pain experiences and the inability to isolate active ingredients like in drug trials.

Narratives and language used in healthcare can have a significant impact on pain experiences and individuals' ability to cope with and respond to pain.

A study on chronic pain and mortality found that individuals with chronic pain and high impact chronic pain had elevated mortality rates compared to the general population.

Addressing social determinants of health and providing equitable access to healthcare are crucial in improving outcomes for individuals with chronic pain.

It is important to understand that individuals with chronic pain are not broken and that there are ways to cope and improve responses to pain.

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• Joe Gambino
• Joe LaVacca

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Summary
In this episode, Joe Gambino and Joe LaVacca discuss the myths and misconceptions surrounding manual therapy. They highlight that manual therapy is not about putting the body back into alignment or breaking up scar tissue, but rather about building trust and creating a therapeutic alliance. They emphasize the importance of test-retest strategies and individualized assessments to determine the effectiveness of manual therapy. They also discuss the benefits of foam rolling and self-myofascial release for unstable clients. Overall, they encourage clients to question the narrative around manual therapy and seek multiple opinions if necessary.

Takeaways
Manual therapy is not about putting the body back into alignment or breaking up scar tissue, but rather about building trust and creating a therapeutic alliance.

Test-retest strategies and individualized assessments are important to determine the effectiveness of manual therapy.

Foam rolling and self-myofascial release can be beneficial for unstable clients.

Clients should question the narrative around manual therapy and seek multiple opinions if necessary.

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• Joe Gambino
• Joe LaVacca

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Summary
In this episode of the Beyond Pain podcast, Joe Gambino and Joe LaVacca discuss non-specific low back pain. They emphasize the importance of ruling out serious conditions and educating clients about the nature of non-specific pain. They also highlight the role of movement and staying active in managing low back pain. The hosts provide tips for clients, including not panicking, staying optimistic, and listening to their bodies. They also discuss the fluctuating nature of pain and the importance of gradually reintroducing activities to avoid flare-ups.

Takeaways
Non-specific low back pain refers to pain that cannot be attributed to a specific anatomical structure.

Ruling out serious conditions and educating clients about their pain can help alleviate fear and anxiety.

Staying active and gradually reintroducing activities that feel good can aid in recovery.

Pain may fluctuate during the recovery process, but this does not necessarily indicate setbacks.

Listening to the body and avoiding overexertion can help prevent flare-ups.

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• Joe Gambino
• Joe LaVacca

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Summary
In this episode of the Beyond Pain podcast, Joe Gambino and Joe LaVacca discuss the topic of lower back pain and sciatica. They start off with some fun facts about the history of sciatica, including its Greek origins and early treatments such as cupping and blistering. They also discuss the overuse and misunderstanding of the term 'sciatica' and suggest using the broader classification of 'nerve root issues' instead.

The main takeaway is that true sciatica involves leg pain that is worse than back pain and extends down to the foot or toes. In this conversation, Joe LaVacca and Joe Gambino discuss the assessment and treatment of sciatica and nerve root issues. They explore the importance of understanding the difference between nerve root irritation and nerve root compression, as well as the role of movement in managing these conditions.

They emphasize the need for individualized treatment plans and shared decision-making with clients. The conversation also touches on the use of nerve glides and tensioners, the favorable prognosis of nerve root issues, and the importance of aerobic exercise for nerve health.

Takeaways
Sciatica is often overused and misunderstood as a term for any leg pain, but it should be reserved for cases where the leg pain is worse than the back pain and extends down to the foot or toes.

The history of sciatica includes early treatments such as cupping and blistering, and the term 'sciatica' originated from the Greek word for pain around the hip or thigh.

The term 'nerve root issues' may be a more appropriate and accurate classification for leg pain that is not true sciatica.

Proper education and communication with patients about their pain and diagnosis is important to ensure accurate understanding and appropriate treatment.
 
Differentiating between nerve root irritation and compression is important in guiding treatment decisions.

Nerve glides and tensioners can be effective in managing nerve root issues.
Individualized treatment plans and shared decision-making with clients are crucial.

Aerobic exercise is beneficial for nerve health and should be incorporated into treatment plans.

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• Joe Gambino
• Joe LaVacca

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Summary
In this episode of the Beyond Pain podcast, the hosts Joe Gambino and Joe Lavaca interview Mike Stella, an athletic trainer and performance coach.

They discuss Mike's recent trip to Italy, his business called The Movement Underground, and his personal journey with pain and injury. Mike shares his experience of being an injured athlete and the challenges he faced in his recovery.

He also talks about the turning point in his journey when he started exploring manual therapy and movement as a way to improve his own pain and performance. In this conversation, Mike Stella discusses the role of manual therapy in rehabilitation and the importance of meeting patients' expectations.

He shares his personal experience with anger and how it fueled his drive to overcome adversity. Stella emphasizes the concept of being unbreakable and finding ways to move forward, no matter the circumstances.

He also highlights the value of hiring a coach and the need to blend different approaches to provide the best care for patients. Stella encourages clinicians to evaluate the downside of treatment modalities and to update the narratives surrounding manual therapy.

Takeaways
Mike Stella shares his personal journey of being an injured athlete and the challenges he faced in his recovery.

The turning point in Mike's journey was when he started exploring manual therapy and movement as a way to improve his own pain and performance.

Mike's experience led him to become passionate about helping others and ensuring that no one falls through the cracks in the healthcare system.

The interview highlights the importance of personalized and comprehensive approaches to pain management and rehabilitation. 

Manual therapy can be a valuable tool in rehabilitation, providing pain relief and altering a patient's frame of reference around their injury.

Meeting patients' expectations and providing a tangible exchange of value is important in the therapeutic relationship.

Being unbreakable means finding a way to move forward, no matter the circumstances, and consistently doing the work.

Hiring a coach can help individuals navigate their rehabilitation journey and find the most effective strategies for progress.

Evaluating the downside of treatment modalities and updating narratives around manual therapy can lead to more informed and effective care.