The Soft Tissue OT Podcast

Facet joint low back pain is common, but it is often poorly understood and easily oversimplified.

In this episode, we explain what the lumbar facet joints actually do, how they can become sensitive, and why repeated extension and compression can be a common aggravating factor.

We also discuss how previous disc changes may alter the way load is shared through the spine and potentially increase the demand placed on the facet joints.

From there, we cover the common signs of facet-dominant back pain, including:

• Localised or one-sided low back pain
• Pain aggravated by standing, walking or arching backwards
• Symptoms that tend to ease with sitting, flexion or unloading
• Mechanical symptoms that change predictably with movement and posture

We also explore why MRI findings such as facet arthritis or degeneration do not automatically mean that the facet joint is the source of pain. These changes are common, particularly as we age, so imaging always needs to be interpreted alongside the person’s symptoms, movement behaviour and clinical assessment.

The episode also challenges some common misconceptions, including the idea that facet arthritis means inevitable decline, that the back simply needs more stretching, or that injections are the only option.

Finally, we break down the rehabilitation process from identifying and reducing aggravating movements, to improving spine hygiene, walking tolerance, spinal endurance, movement proficiency and gradually rebuilding load capacity.

The key message is that facet joint pain does not necessarily mean your spine is worn out or damaged beyond repair.

In many cases, understanding the movements and loads that aggravate the joint and then progressively improving the spine’s ability to tolerate them, is far more useful than simply focusing on what appears on a scan.

If you’ve been told you have facet arthritis or facet degeneration and are unsure what that actually means, this episode will give you a much clearer framework for understanding the condition and how rehabilitation can help.

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Hip flexor “tightness” is one of the most common — and most misunderstood — complaints in both rehab and the gym. Most people assume tight means the muscle is short and needs stretching. But what if that’s not the real problem?

In this episode of The Soft Tissue OT Podcast, we dive deep into what hip flexor tightness really is — and why stretching often doesn’t fix it. We explore how muscle tone, overactivity, posture, and poor movement patterns create the sensation of tightness without the muscle actually being short.

You’ll learn:
 🔹 The difference between true muscle shortness and perceived tightness
 🔹 Why sitting all day switches off your glutes and overworks your hip flexors
 🔹 How overactive muscles can feel “tight” without being shortened
 🔹 Why stretching can sometimes make symptoms worse
 🔹 Practical strategies to restore balance, movement, and hip function

Whether you’re a clinician, student, athlete, or someone who constantly feels tight through the hips, this episode will completely change how you think about hip flexors — and how you should be treating them.

#HipFlexors #HipPain #MovementRehab #Posture #StrengthAndConditioning #Physiotherapy #OccupationalTherapy #SoftTissueOTPodcast #RehabScience

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How Spinal Discs Heal: Hydration, Nutrition, and Endplates

Spinal discs are one of the most fascinating yet misunderstood structures in the human body. Unlike most tissues, they don’t have their own blood supply — so how do they get the nutrients they need to stay healthy and strong?

In this episode of The Soft Tissue OT Podcast, we dive deep into the science of disc health and healing — exploring how hydration, nutrition, and the integrity of your cartilage endplates all work together to keep your spine resilient.

You’ll learn:
 🔹 How spinal discs actually receive nutrients
 🔹 The role of water content, diffusion, and endplates in spinal health
🔹 Why your spine feels stiffer in the morning — and what that means
🔹 How loading and unloading cycles promote disc nutrition and healing
🔹 Practical strategies to protect your discs long-term

Whether you’re a clinician, student, or someone managing chronic back pain, this episode will give you a clear, evidence-based understanding of how your discs really work — and how to help them heal.

#SpinalHealth #LowBackPain #DiscHealing #SpineRehab #Physiotherapy #OccupationalTherapy #SoftTissueOTPodcast #McGillMethod

 🔔 This episode contains a short message about the Soft Tissue OT Academy online course — an on-demand training program helping occupational therapists build confidence in musculoskeletal assessment, treatment, and rehab. Learn more at  https://stan.store/SoftTissueOTAcademy

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THE OVERLOOKED LINK BETWEEN SHOULDER PAIN AND THE SCAPULA

When it comes to shoulder pain, most people focus on the rotator cuff, the joint, or the tendons — but rarely the scapula. Yet, the scapula (shoulder blade) plays a critical role in almost every movement your shoulder makes. When it doesn’t move, tilt, or rotate properly, pain and dysfunction quickly follow.

In this episode of The Soft Tissue OT Podcast, we dive deep into the connection between the scapula and shoulder pain — exploring how poor scapular control, positioning, or strength can be the missing piece behind ongoing shoulder issues.

You’ll learn:
 🔹 The anatomy and function of the scapula and its stabilizing muscles
🔹 How scapular dyskinesia contributes to common shoulder pathologies
🔹 The relationship between posture, stability, and shoulder performance
🔹 Assessment and rehab strategies to restore scapular control and reduce pain
🔹 Why clinicians often overlook scapular movement — and how to fix that

Whether you’re a clinician, a student, or someone struggling with persistent shoulder pain, this episode will help you see the shoulder in a whole new way — starting with the foundation that holds it all together: the scapula.

🎧 Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you listen.

 🔔 This episode contains a short message about the Soft Tissue OT Academy online course — an on-demand training program helping occupational therapists build confidence in musculoskeletal assessment, treatment, and rehab. Learn more at  https://stan.store/SoftTissueOTAcademy

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Spondylolisthesis Explained: The Science, Symptoms, and Solutions

Spondylolisthesis is one of the most overlooked yet impactful causes of low back pain. It doesn’t just create discomfort — it can change how you move, stand, and function in daily life.

In this episode of The Soft Tissue OT Podcast, we break down what really happens when a vertebra slips forward, who is most at risk, and what you can do to manage it effectively. Whether you’re a health professional wanting to sharpen your clinical reasoning or someone personally dealing with persistent back issues, this episode will give you the clarity and tools you’ve been looking for.

We cover:
 🔍 What spondylolisthesis actually is
 🔍 The difference between isthmic and degenerative types
🔍 Key signs and symptoms to look out for
🔍 Evidence-informed treatment and management strategies
🔍 Practical advice to restore function and protect your spine long-term

📲 Tune in now as we simplify a complex condition and give you actionable insights you can use in practice — or in your own recovery.

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In this episode, we’re joined by chiropractor, researcher, and founder of Dynamic Disc Designs, Jerome Fryer, for a powerful conversation that challenges how we approach spinal care — clinically and educationally.

We dive into some of the most misunderstood areas of spine rehab, including:
🔍 The limitations of the “non-specific low back pain” label
🧠 Why clear, visual, and empowering patient education is often the missing link in effective treatment
📚 The importance of staying current with spine research — and how clinical outcomes suffer when practitioners fall behind
🔁 How cyclic loading and movement promote disc health and resilience
⚖️ The gap between what the research says and what’s actually communicated in practice

Jerome shares his insights on bridging the disconnect between cutting-edge spinal science and what patients experience in real-world rehab. Whether you're a clinician or a patient, this episode will shift the way you think about spinal care.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms.

 #LowBackPain #SpinalRehab #PatientEducation #JeromeFryer #DynamicDiscDesigns #DiscHealth #ClinicalReasoning #SofttissueOT #Occupationaltherapy #McGillmethod

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Meniscus injuries are one of the most common causes of knee pain — but they’re also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, we uncover the real story behind meniscus tears, separating fact from fiction and giving you the clinical insights that most people (and even some professionals) don’t know.

We break down:
 🔍 What the meniscus actually is and why it matters
 🧠 The different types of meniscus tears — and how they occur
❗ Signs and symptoms that point to a meniscus issue
⚖️ Surgery vs. non-operative rehab — what the evidence says, and how to decide
💪 Our approach to effective, movement-based rehabilitation

Whether you're a clinician, a student, or someone dealing with knee pain yourself, this episode is packed with straight-talking advice and clinical reasoning to help you understand, manage, and treat meniscus injuries more effectively.

#MeniscusTear #KneeInjury #RehabVsSurgery #PhysiotherapyPodcast #MovementIsMedicine #KneeRehab

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In this special episode of The Soft Tissue OT Podcast, we’re bringing you something a little different — a live recording from our Soft Tissue Interest Group.

🎥 This session features my full clinical breakdown of an Acromio-Clavicular (AC) joint case — including how I approached the assessment, the reasoning behind my diagnosis, and the exact rehab strategies I used to get this patient back to full function.

💡 If you've ever wanted to get inside the mind of a clinician managing a tricky shoulder case, this is your chance. I walk you through:
 🔍 The subjective clues that narrowed the diagnosis
🧠 The clinical reasoning at each stage of assessment
🧪 The special tests and differential diagnoses considered
💪 The treatment pathway and exercise progression that led to success

This episode isn’t theory — it’s real clinical application, delivered in a step-by-step format you can apply to your own practice.

📢 Clinicians, students, and anyone passionate about shoulder rehab — don’t miss this!

🎧 Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

#ACJointPain #ShoulderRehab #SoftTissueOT #ClinicalReasoning #Physiotherapy #Musculoskeletal #shoulderpain #MusculoskeletalAssessment

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In this episode of The Soft Tissue OT Podcast, we dive deep into one of the most misunderstood sources of low back and pelvic pain — the sacroiliac joint (SIJ).

We start by breaking down the common signs and symptoms of SIJ dysfunction and why it's often misdiagnosed or missed altogether. Then, we reveal what most people — even many clinicians — get wrong about SIJ issues, and why a surface-level approach often leads to poor outcomes.

You’ll also learn about the critical importance of force-coupling — the coordinated activation of specific muscles to stabilize the SIJ — and why simply stretching or strengthening is never enough without proper patterning.

Finally, we guide you through the principles of correct SIJ rehabilitation: what needs to be done, what mistakes to avoid, and how to truly restore stability and function.

Whether you're a clinician, a student, or someone dealing with stubborn low back or pelvic pain, this episode will give you a clear roadmap.

#podcast #health #wellbeing #backpain #rehab #softtissueot #rehab #SIJ #OT

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🎙️ Deep Dive into the Rotator Cuff with Special Guest Brett Zani! 🎙️ 

The rotator cuff plays a crucial role in shoulder function and stability, but it’s also one of the most commonly injured areas. In this episode, we’re joined by repeat special guest Brett Zani to break down everything you need to know about this important muscle group. 

🔍 We Cover:
✅ The anatomy of the rotator cuff—what it is & how it works
✅ The true role of the rotator cuff in movement & stability
✅ The two most common conditions: Rotator cuff tendinopathy & tears
✅ How these injuries happen and what can be done to manage them 

💥 PLUS – We’ve got something special at the end of this episode! If you’re a clinician or student interested in shoulders, you won’t want to miss this. But you’ll have to listen to find out! 

🎧 Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube! 

#RotatorCuff #ShoulderInjury #Physiotherapy #SportsRehab #ShoulderPain #health #occupationaltherapy #softtissueot #rotatorcuff