The STA Clinician Podcast

"Research consistently shows that women experience more MSK pain than men, have it taken less seriously, and are more likely to receive delayed or inadequate treatment compared to men." 

The episode discusses biological factors like hormones, the impact of diagnostic overshadowing, racial and socioeconomic disparities, and the need for better clinician communication, continuity of care, and pelvic health support.

Practical recommendations include listening, validating patient experiences, asking about menstrual and life-course factors, promoting continuity and pelvic health services, and acknowledging when answers aren’t known while working collaboratively on management strategies.

Dr.Rachel Dewar-Haggart is a Postdoctoral Qualitative Researcher within the Medical Sociology & Health Experiences Research Group at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford.

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Other Episodes 

Part 1 - Ep.272 with Dr. Bronnie Lennox Thompson and Ben Whybrow - 'An Introduction to Understanding pain in 2026'

Part 2 - Ep.273 with special guests Prof Dave Newell and Anna Maria Mazzieri - 'Predictive Processing & Active Inference' 

Part 4 Wed Feb 25th with special guest Dr. Rachel Zoffness, Pain scientist, International Speaker, Science Writer, with her new book “Tell Me Where It Hurts” coming out March 26th 

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In Part 2 of our focus this month on ‘Understanding Pain in 2026’, we take a look at Predictive Processing (the brain guessing what is happening and outputting pain when it predicts danger) and Active Inference (the brain acting to confirm or update these guesses, shaping how you move, feel, and interpret sensations). 

Joining host Matt Phillips are special guests Professor Dave Newell, Head of The Centre for Pain & Active Inference Research at Health Sciences University, and Anna Maria Mazzieri, a PhD student at Health Sciences University, and Director of The ST School.  

The episode discusses how the brain builds models, predicts sensory input, and acts to minimize prediction error -  shaping movement, sensation and chronic pain. The conversation covers embodiment, precision, therapeutic alliance, and practical implications for clinicians, including sense-making, creating safe liminal spaces, graded exposure and using touch as a communication tool.

Listeners are invited & encouraged to re-listen for deeper understanding and to use the episode’s insights to rethink clinical reasoning and patient-centred approaches to pain management.

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Other Episodes 

Part 1 - Ep.272 with Dr. Bronnie Lennox Thompson and Ben Whybrow - available on the Sports Therapy Association YouTube channel and all popular podcast apps.

Part 3 Tues Feb 17th with special guest Dr. Rachel Dewar-Haggart, Postdoctoral Qualitative Researcher within the Medical Sociology & Health Experiences Research Group at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford.

Part 4 Wed Feb 25th with special guest Dr. Rachel Zoffness, Pain scientist, International Speaker, Science Writer, with her new book “Tell Me Where It Hurts” coming out March 26th 

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A new month arrives for the STA Clinician Podcast, and with it new focus topic: ‘Understanding Pain in 2026’. In this first part of four episodes, host Matt Phillips of runchatlive.com is joined by Dr. Bronnie Lennox Thompson (Occupational Therapist, Psychologist, Academic Coordinator, Postgraduate Programmes in Pain & Pain Management at University of Otago, New Zealand, Mentor & Content Expert for Modern Pain Care) and Ben Whybrow (Pain Specialist Physiotherapist in the NHS, Communication Skills Facilitator for Cambridge Medical School, host of “Clinical Communication Podcast," Community Manager & Content Expert for Modern Pain Care).

With so much changing & evolving information out there regarding pain, how to explain it, when to treat it, HOW to treat it, it can often be tricky for healthcare professionals to stay up-to-date, but we must as we have an ethical, moral, and professional obligation to stay current with modern understandings of pain, in order to provide competent, compassionate, evidence‑based care.

But fear not, for that's what this month is all about. Dr. Bronnie L. Thompson & Ben Whybrow review recent shifts in pain science, discuss the limits of over-explaining neurobiology, and why context matters more than lecture-style patient education. The conversation focuses on practical approaches: ask patients their main concerns, prioritize collaborative problem-solving and graded doing over long explanations.

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Guests in Future Episodes 

Part 2 - Wed Feb 11th with special guests Professor Dave Newell, Head of The Centre for Pain & Active Inference Research at Health Sciences University, and Anna Maria Mazzieri, Director of The ST School & current PhD student at Health Sciences University

Part 3 Tues Feb 17th with special guest Dr. Rachel Dewar-Haggart, Postdoctoral Qualitative Researcher within the Medical Sociology & Health Experiences Research Group at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford.

Part 4 Wed Feb 25th with special guest Dr. Rachel Zoffness, Pain scientist, International Speaker, Science Writer, with her new book “Tell Me Where It Hurts” coming out March 26th 

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Welcome to the final part of our series “Neurodivergence in Healthcare” this month on 'The STA Clinician Podcast' (formerly known as The Sports Therapy Association Podcast'). In this episode entitled ‘THE NEURODIVERGENT THERAPIST’, we look at steps that neurodivergent therapists can take to help look after one's own health & energy capacity, including how to structure one's day, build in recovery time, use energy accounting, and more.

Host Matt Phillips is joined by special guests Sarah Meharg (Occupational Therapist and Neurodivergent Accessibility & Inclusion Consultant at Moodlifter and Neuroflectuk) and Kassandra Clemens (Founder of Heal Your Confidence, a Level 7 Specific Learning Differences Specialist who helps in particular late-identified neurodivergent professionals).

The episode discusses structuring the working day, building in recovery, energy accounting, communication with colleagues, reasonable adjustments, and where to find peer support. Listeners will hear practical ideas, lived‑experience insights, and signposting to resources and communities for clinicians navigating neurodivergence diagnosis, self‑compassion, and workplace adjustments.

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In Episode 270 of 'The STA Clinician Podcast' (formerly known as The Sports Therapy Association Podcast'), we present Part 3 of our four part series 'Neurodivergence In Healthcare', and in this episode look at BARRIERS that neurodivergent patients & clients so often find themselves up against when seeking healthcare, which typically reduce their access to effective or suitable healthcare.  

Host Matt Phillips is joined by special guests James Dewar‑Haggett (Founder of Strong Path - Neuroinclusive & Mental Health-Informed Sports Coaching) and Leslie Campbell (Massage Therapist and Tutor based in Glasgow Scotland). Together they discuss communication differences, the double‑empathy problem, sensory triggers, consent and safety, and practical clinic adaptations clinicians that can improve access and comfort.

The valuable advice shared in this episode includes sending pre‑visit photos and offering quiet options, remembering to simply ask patients and clients what they need, explaining procedures clearly, dimming lights, limiting scents and leaving buffer time between appointments.

Join us on for the live recording of Part 4, entitled 'The Neurodivergent Therapist', 8pm Tuesday January 27th,  with special guests:

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In Episode 269 of 'The STA Clinician Podcast' (formerly known as The Sports Therapy Association Podcast'), we present Part 2 of our four part series 'Neurodivergence In Healthcare', and in this episode look at the link between Neurodivergence and Hypermobility.

Modern studies suggests that individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, ADHD and Tourette’s have a significantly higher prevalence of joint hypermobility compared to the general population. Research by Dr. Jessica Eccles has shown that individuals with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) have an increased risk of autism. Her studies indicate that approximately 31% of autistic individuals exhibit joint hypermobility, and about 39% of people with EDS or HSD meet diagnostic criteria for autism. Additionally, over 20% of mothers with EDS or HSD have autistic children, suggesting a possible shared genetic or biological link.

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Welcome to a new season of 'The STA Clinician Podcast' (formerly known as The Sports Therapy Association Podcast').

This episode offers real-world examples, common pitfalls (dismissal, rushed consultations) and clear strategies including asking how a condition is affecting the patient, actively listening & believing what they say, avoiding assumptions, and offering to recap key points in writing.

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And so we reach the final episode of 2025! The Sports Therapy Association Podcast has now been streaming LIVE every Tuesday Night at 8pm for an incredible 5 years and 7 weeks, and as the 2025 end of year festivities rapidly approach, host Matt Phillips is joined by some of the Sports Therapy Association team who together look back at the highlights of 2025, and look forward to what will, could or should be happening in 2026. 

On The Christmas Panel:

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In Ep.266 of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast, Matt Phillips hosts a candid discussion with Anna Maria Mazzierri, Director of The ST School,  and Gary Benson, Founder Of The STA, about whether sports therapists should diagnose. They explore the difference between vocational and university routes, the current unregulated landscape, professional membership standards, and legal and insurance implications.

Key takeaways include prioritising clinical reasoning and red-flag screening, the value of referral and communication, protecting scope of practice through strong governance and reflective CPD, and the importance of listening to and treating the whole person rather than chasing labels.

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In Ep.265 of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast, special guest Mike James, aka 'The Endurance Physio' joins host Matt Phillips to reflect on the recent Therapy Expo 2025, held at the NEC Birmingham. Listen as they discuss this year's highs, lows, everything in between, and what the future could / should hold for Therapy Expo.

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