Research Review - Is low compression better than high compression for insertional achilles tendinopathy

This solo episode explores the implications of a recent paper by Dr Lauren Pringel investigating whether it is better to minimize compressive loading on a tendon versus choosing movements and exercises which have high tendon compressive loading. But the secondary aim of the podcast is to explore other ways that we can explain the findings.  We want to look at other implications for the results to improve our critical thinking skills.   The paper is here

Biomechanics matter just not how we always think. 1.  High Loads. 2.  Too much too soon 3. Stress Shifting & Symptom Modification 4. Movement Preparation 5. Performance

Solo mini show today.  We often hear that hip bone is connected to the knee bone and pain in one area is a victim of a "dysfunction" somewhere else. Its a foundation of the kinesiopathological model and lead to the idea that if someone has joint pain you should train at a joint around that pain.  Eg. If your knee hurts you train the hips as well. And we have plenty of pragmatic evidence that it helps.  Hip exercises should be added to knee exercises when you have knee pain.  The problem is that we don't know why.  Hence, I reject the impairment correction model of this and offer another way to prescribe exercise and give different opinions on how to tailor you exercise prescriptions to people in pain.  Providing options should be a foundation of person centred care.

I talk with Dr Kim Hebert-Losier.  An associate professor, biomechanist and physiotherapist out of The University fo Waikato.  You can see her profile here.   Some topics discussed: running as rehab her Calf App to evaluate plantar flexion strength and its potential relevance to clinical practice whether body weight training, as opposed to heavy resistance training, can improve running economy (Kim was involved in a paper that showed this!) whether you need to bend the knee to appropriately target the soleus (hint - you don't but there are some caveats) super shoes and running economy running technique and running economy

Dr Lori Michener (Professor of Biomechanics and Physical therapist) is a super expert on shoulder biomechanics and rehabilitation. Today we talked about: - the role of biomechanics in pain and injury - whether you need to be concerned with scapular movement/control - changes in her clinical opinion - shoulder "impingement" debates and so much more. More about Dr Michener The central theme of Michener's funded research is to define optimal treatment pathways for patients with musculoskeletal shoulder disorders by focusing on characterizing mechanisms, defining classification and management approaches and determining optimal outcomes of care. Specifically, her main research aims are: 1) to elucidate the biomechanical and neurophysiological mechanisms related to the presence of pain and poor recovery, in order to 2) develop classification and management strategies to optimize functional outcomes and simultaneously 3) determine the optimal set of patient outcome measures that comprehensively capture activity limitations and participation restrictions to judge treatment outcomes. She is director of the Clinical Biomechanics and Orthopedic Outcomes Research Laboratory, and directs the development, collection and analysis of patient-rated outcomes and process of care in the USC Physical Therapy clinics, and serves as a resource for clinical research.            

Dr Bas van Hooren discussing running injury prevention, running technique and running economy.   Dr van Hooren is a true expert in running biomechanics.  Blending critical thinking, a strong academic background of excellent publications and personal success in elite running Bas brings huge insights into this field. I said it numerous times in the podcast but Bas' PhD in this field should really be used as an exemplar for all PhD students.  His work goes beyond the biomechanics of running and also tests his ideas with clinical relevant intervention studies. You can see his papers here with many of them being open access  Bas's papers on Pubmed You can also read more about Bas on Twitter (@basvanhooren) and his website (basvanhooren.com)

We had Dr Peter Malliaris on this week talking tendons.  Its great to hear different researcher clinicians provide their different takes on the same topic.  Dr Malliaris is a full time professor at Monash University with a keen interest in Tendinopathy.  He teaches the popular online course Tendinopathy rehab.   We talk about:   The role of injections in tendinopathy (hint: not much) The limitations of the literature and research surrounding exercise and tendinopathy The role of load management in tendinopathy and why we don't have a lot of research on it despite it probably being the most important thing we can manage The role of heavy loading, strength changes and tendinopathy recovery Strength testing and tendinopathy rehab

Kate Jochimsen, PhD, ATC is a Researcher at the Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research (CHOIR) at Massachusetts General Hospital and a Member of the Faculty in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Her work "bridges the gap" between sports medicine and psychology by developing interventions to improve patient's pain-related cognitions ('how they think') and emotions ('how they feel') to improve their health behaviors and increase physical activity. She is passionate about advancing psychologically informed practice and teaching clinicians how to communicate about mental health and intervene when appropriate. Her work has been funded by agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and the American College of Sports Medicine.   The big questions we try to answer: 1. When you have hip pain why does it hurt? 2.  What is the mechanism behind psychological factors influencing pain? 3.  How do we address these psychological factors? 4.  What is cognitive restructuring and how can you do it to help pain?

Dr Stephanie Mundt (PT, PhD Candidate) is on talking about bone stress injuries and optimizing the health of athletes to keep them performing and living well.   We talk about: - can you run with pain when you have a bone stress injury - why bone stress injuries occur - high risk versus low risk stress fractures - how to build bone and manage injury risk            

Greg speaks with Jeff Beran of Evolution PT and Jeff's partner Frank Tardi.  They run a successful private practice with exercise, health and optimal training as the foundation of their intervention.  They teach a popular course on energy systems training to improve outcomes entitled "Practical Programming: A Clinician's Guide to Maximizing Physical Potential   They share their thoughts on both exercise prescription and manual therapy AND offer mentorships to those looking to learn more about their model. Their Bios are here