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."  In Part 3 of this month's focus 'Understanding Pain in 2026' on the STA Clinician Podcast, host Matt Phillips is joined by special guest Dr.Rachel Dewar-Haggart, who discusses the '𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐩' that we see across multiple domains, including prevalence of MSK conditions, pain severity, diagnostic delays, treatment disparities, and healthcare‑provider bias. 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. Chapter Markers 00:00:00 - Welcome to the STA Clinician Podcast 00:04:40 - Introducing special guest Dr. Rachel Dewar-Haggett 00:09:08 - Understanding the Gender Pain Gap 00:16:31 - The Impact of Hormones on Pain 00:21:46 - Diagnostic Overshadowing in Women’s Health 00:30:09 - Unconscious Bias in Pain Perception 00:39:09 - The Importance of Listening 00:51:24 - Cultural Influences on Pain Perception 00:59:57 - Conclusion and Future Discussions Useful Links Dr Rachel Dewar-Haggart: Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences website  Dr Rachel Dewar-Haggart on Linkedin Predicting intentions towards long-term antidepressant use in the management of people with depression in primary care: A longitudinal survey study See My Pain Campaign | Nurofen UK Henrietta Lacks - BBC Article  The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks: Book on Amazon UK Sports Therapy Association Website 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  Want to join the live recordings? Episodes of the STA Clinician Podcast are recorded live every TUESDAY at 8pm on the Sports Therapy Association YOUTUBE CHANNEL and FACEBOOK page. Everyone is welcome - you do not have to be an STA member! If you cannot join us live, be sure to subscribe to the 'Sports Therapy Association Podcast' on all popular podcast apps to be notified when new episodes are available. Interested in joining the STA? Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12!  Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.

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 of Runchatlive.com 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. Chapter Markers 00:00:00 - Welcome to the STA Clinician Podcast 00:01:38 - Meet Professor Dave Newell and Anna Maria Mazzieri 00:03:25 - Anna-Maria’s PhD Journey 00:05:22 - The Centre for Pain & Active Inference Research 00:06:58 - Understanding Active Inference 00:15:46 - The Role of Active Inference 00:21:35 - Clinical Applications of Active Inference 00:23:17 - Contextual Factors in Pain 00:29:46 - The Concept of Self-Evidencing 00:37:38 - Chronic Pain and Active Inference 00:38:35 - Listener Questions 00:42:15 - Therapeutic Alliance in Pain Management 00:45:50 - Co-Creation in Therapy 00:48:30 - The Complexity of Pain 00:53:42 - Conclusion and Next Steps Special Guest Links Website: The Centre for Pain and Active Inference (PAIn) Research at HSU Professor Dave Newell on Facebook Website: The ST School  The ST School on Facebook Further Reading An Embodied Predictive Processing Theory of Pain Experience Therapeutic Alliance as Active Inference: The Role of Therapeutic Touch and Synchrony MASSAG model: Towards an integrative neuroscience framework linking emotional trauma, pain, and mechanisms of force-based manipulations Mark Miller on Predictive Processing - Todd Hargrove on Substack 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  Want to join the live recordings? Episodes of the STA Clinician Podcast are recorded live every TUESDAY at 8pm on the Sports Therapy Association YOUTUBE CHANNEL and FACEBOOK page. Everyone is welcome - you do not have to be an STA member! If you cannot join us live, be sure to subscribe to the 'Sports Therapy Association Podcast' on all popular podcast apps to be notified when new episodes are available. Interested in joining the STA? Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12!  Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.

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. Chapter Markers 00:00:00 - Welcome to the STA Clinician Podcast 00:04:04 - Introducing Dr. Bronnie L. Thompson & Ben Whybrow 00:07:12 - The Role of Communication in Pain Management 00:15:16 - Shifts in Pain Understanding 00:20:52 - The Importance of Hope 00:24:07 - Rethinking Pain Treatment Approaches 00:31:54 - The Power of Doing 00:35:38 - Engaging with Patients’ Concerns 00:42:06 - Addressing Patients’ Main Concerns 00:45:51 - Confidence in Moving Again 00:53:28 - Practical Tips for Clinicians 00:59:37 - Conclusion and Future Discussions Useful links Dr. Bronnie L. Thompson - Blog  Dr. Bronnie L. Thompson on Facebook Dr. Bronnie L. Thompson on Instagram Ben Whybrow on Instagram Clinical Communication Podcast on Spotify  Modern Pain Care Website 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  Want to join the live recordings? Episodes of the STA Clinician Podcast are recorded live every TUESDAY at 8pm on the Sports Therapy Association YOUTUBE CHANNEL and FACEBOOK page. Everyone is welcome - you do not have to be an STA member! If you cannot join us live, be sure to subscribe to the 'Sports Therapy Association Podcast' on all popular podcast apps to be notified when new episodes are available. Interested in joining the STA? Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12!  Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.

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. Chapter Markers 00:00:00 - Welcome to the STA Clinician Podcast 00:02:41 - Introducing Sarah Meharg & Kassandra Clemens 00:09:14 - Sharing Personal Stories of Neurodivergence 00:14:11 - The Importance of Support for neurodivergent therapists 00:20:27 - Emphasizing Self-Compassion 00:27:01 - Navigating the Healthcare System 00:31:50 - Strategies for neurodivergent therapists to avoid burnout 00:33:06 - The Role of Environment 00:42:02 - Communicating with Colleagues 00:52:16 - The Carrot and Stick Approach 00:57:21 - Reflecting on the Journey 01:01:34 - Closing Thoughts and Future Plans Useful links Facebook Group: Neurodivergent MSK Clinicians Kassandra Clemens Website: Heal Your Confidence  Sarah Meharg Website: Mood Lifter Sarah Meharg & Rosi Sexton: Neuroflect.co.uk Autism Central - England's Peer Education Programme Thriving Autistic.org Job Accommodation Network (JAN) Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia & Dysgraphia Line Managers Toolkit Want to join the live recordings? Episodes of the STA Clinician Podcast are recorded live every TUESDAY at 8pm on the Sports Therapy Association YOUTUBE CHANNEL and FACEBOOK page. Everyone is welcome - you do not have to be an STA member! If you cannot join us live, be sure to subscribe to the 'Sports Therapy Association Podcast' on all popular podcast apps to be notified when new episodes are available. Interested in joining the STA? Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12!  Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.

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. Special guests in this episode: James Dewar‑Haggett - Founder of Strong Path - Neuroinclusive & Mental Health-Informed Sports Coaching - Strong Path – Fitness for everyone Lesley Campbell - Massage Therapist and Tutor based in Glasgow Scotland - Lesley Campbell Massage in Lennoxtown Join us on for the live recording of Part 4, entitled 'The Neurodivergent Therapist', 8pm Tuesday January 27th,  with special guests: Sarah Meharg - Occupational Therapist and Neurodivergent Accessibility & Inclusion Consultant at Moodlifter and Neuroflectuk Kassandra Clemens - founder of Heal Your Confidence, a Level 7 Specific Learning Differences Specialist who helps in particular late-identified neurodivergent professionals. Benjamin Mace-Crossley - Repose Injury Rehab – 3rd year BSc Sports Rehabilitator Want to join the live recordings? Episodes of the STA Clinician Podcast are recorded live every TUESDAY at 8pm on the Sports Therapy Association YOUTUBE CHANNEL and FACEBOOK page. Everyone is welcome - you do not have to be an STA member! If you cannot join us live, be sure to subscribe to the 'Sports Therapy Association Podcast' on all popular podcast apps to be notified when new episodes are available. Interested in joining the STA? Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12!  Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.

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. In this episode of the STA Clinician Podcast, the panel of special guests highlight and discuss the importance of recognizing the relationship between joint hypermobility, hypermobility spectrum disorders, and neurodivergence, as well as the need for healthcare clinicians to be aware of these connections. Listen for discussion on diagnostic challenges, communication, individualized treatment strategies, and practical clinic adaptations to better support neurodivergent and hypermobile patients, Learn about current research, patient experiences of invalidation, dosing exercise safely, and simple changes clinicians can make, including intake questions, environment adjustments, and referral pathways, to improve care and reduce harm. Special guests in this episode: Bonnie Southgate - founder of Movement Anatomy Essentials, MSK advisor at SEDSconnective Jessica Janneman - Advanced Clinical Massage Therapist at Ease Therapies Rosi Sexton - Osteopath at Olton Health and Performance, host of the Everyday Athlete Podcast. Useful Links Bonnie Southgate Website: Movement Anatomy Essentials Jessica Janneman Website: Ease Therapies Rosi Sexton Website - Olton Health & Performance SEDS Connective Website NeuroflectUK on Facebook Sports Therapy Association Website Future episodes in this series:  Part 3: 8pm Tuesday January 20th - 'Barriers' - James Dewar-Haggart - Founder of Strong Path - Neuroinclusive & Mental Health-Informed Sports Coaching  - Lesley Campbell - Massage Therapist at Lesley Campbell Massage Part 4 - 8pm Tuesday January 27th - 'The Neurodivergent Therapist' - Sarah Meharg - Occupational Therapist and Neurodivergent Accessibility & Inclusion Consultant at Moodlifter and Neuroflectuk - Kassandra Clemens - founder of Heal Your Confidence, a Level 7 Specific Learning Differences Specialist who helps in particular late-identified neurodivergent professionals. - Benjamin Mace-Crossley - Repose Injury Rehab – 3rd year BSc Sports Rehabilitator Want to join the live recordings? Episodes of the STA Clinician Podcast are recorded live every TUESDAY at 8pm on the Sports Therapy Association YOUTUBE CHANNEL and FACEBOOK page. Everyone is welcome - you do not have to be an STA member! If you cannot join us live, be sure to subscribe to the 'Sports Therapy Association Podcast' on all popular podcast apps to be notified when new episodes are available. Interested in joining the STA? Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12!  Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.

Welcome to a new season of 'The STA Clinician Podcast' (formerly known as The Sports Therapy Association Podcast'). We start 2026 with a four part series focussing on 'Neurodivergence In Healthcare', with the goal of providing information to help MSK clinicians work closer & more effectively with neurodivergent patients/clients, and also to offer support for neurodivergent therapists in how to deal with the challenges that can often bring. In the first part of this series, host Matt Phillips, creator of Runchatlive.com, is joined by a panel of special guests who together look at the vital role that communication can play when working with a neurodivergent patient/client, or interacting with a neurodivergent practitioner/colleague. The panel discuss the role of communication in shaping diagnosis and treatment, the differences in pain experience that neurodivergent patients & clients often have in comparison to neurotypical individuals, and provide practical, person-centred tips to help clinicians avoid the diagnostic overshadowing that sadly happens all too often when we do not have the knowledge, understanding or awareness of these differences.        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. Special guests in this episode: Rosi Sexton of Olton Health and Performance – Osteopath, host of the Everyday Athlete Podcast, pioneer in women’s mixed martial arts, and the first British woman to ever compete in the UFC. Kassandra Clemens, founder of Heal Your Confidence, a Level 7 Specific Learning Differences Specialist who helps in particular late-identified neurodivergent professionals. Benjamin Mace-Crossley of Repose Injury Rehab – a 3rd year BSc Sports Rehabilitator as well as celebrated neurodiverse noise maker (check out 'We Have Ghosts' on Spotify) Useful Links Rosi Sexton Website - Olton Health & Performance Kassandra Clemens Webiste- Heal Your Confidence Benjamin Mace-Crossley on Instagram - @Repose.InjuryRehab NeuroflectUK on Facebook Sports Therapy Association Website Future episodes in this series:  Part 2 - 8pm Tuesday January 13th - 'Hypermobility' - Bonnie Southgate - founder of  movementanatomyessentials.co.uk and MSK advisor at SEDSconnective  - Jessica Janneman - Advanced Clinical Massage Therapist at Ease Therapies - Rosi Sexton - Osteopath at Olton Health and Performance, host of the Everyday Athlete Podcast, first British woman to ever compete in the UFC. Part 3 - 8pm Tuesday January 20th - 'Barriers' - James Dewar-Haggart - Founder of Strong Path - Neuroinclusive & Mental Health-Informed Sports Coaching  - Lesley Campbell - Massage Therapist at Lesley Campbell Massage Part 4 - 8pm Tuesday January 27th - The Neurodivergent Therapist - Sarah Meharg - Occupational Therapist and Neurodivergent Accessibility & Inclusion Consultant at Moodlifter and Neuroflectuk - Kassandra Clemens - founder of Heal Your Confidence, a Level 7 Specific Learning Differences Specialist who helps in particular late-identified neurodivergent professionals. - Benjamin Mace-Crossley - Repose Injury Rehab – 3rd year BSc Sports Rehabilitator Want to join the live recordings? Episodes of the STA Clinician Podcast are recorded live every TUESDAY at 8pm on the Sports Therapy Association YOUTUBE CHANNEL and FACEBOOK page. Everyone is welcome - you do not have to be an STA member! If you cannot join us live, be sure to subscribe to the 'Sports Therapy Association Podcast' on all popular podcast apps to be notified when new episodes are available. Interested in joining the STA? Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12!  Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.

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: Gary Benson - Founder of The STA Scott Loynes - Regional Rep Coordinator and host of the weekly STA Coffee Chats Gemma Puzas - Host of ‘Women In Sports Therapy’ Community & Podcast (WIST) Stevie Barr - STA Champion & Founder of the Scottish Therapists Facebook Group Chapter Markers 00:00:00 - Welcome to the Sports Therapy Association Podcast 00:02:25 - Meet the STA Panel 00:11:03 - Reflecting on Therapist Wellbeing 00:12:37 - The Importance of Therapist Personal Welfare 00:15:42 - Strategies to Avoid Therapist Burnout 00:24:53 - Women’s Health Focus 00:32:11 - Conversations on Female Athletes 00:38:39 - Disability Awareness Month 00:41:19 - Looking back at the Reflections series 00:44:40 - Optimism for the Future of Massage 00:51:16 - Collaboration Among Sports Therapy Stakeholders 00:58:31 - January 2026 Focus on Neurodivergence Useful Links Sports Therapy Association Website Want to join the live recordings? Episodes of the Sports Therapy Association podcast are recorded live every TUESDAY at 8pm on the Sports Therapy Association YOUTUBE CHANNEL and FACEBOOK page. Everyone is welcome - you do not have to be an STA member! If you cannot join us live, be sure to subscribe to the 'Sports Therapy Association Podcast' on all popular podcast apps to be notified when new episodes are available. Interested in joining the STA? Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12!  Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.

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. Chapter Markers 00:00:00 - Welcome to the Sports Therapy Association Podcast 00:02:05 - Meet the Guests: Anna Maria Mazzieri and Gary Benson 00:05:31 - Defining Sports Therapists 00:07:45 - The Challenge of Title Regulation 00:09:33 - Professional Associations and Standards 00:10:31 - The Role of Professional Associations 00:12:12 - Education and Experience in Therapy 00:15:25 - Diagnosis and Its Implications 00:24:22 - The Power of Communication 00:36:58 - The Value of Therapists 00:41:27 - The Importance of Listening 00:49:10 - Red Flags in Therapy 00:54:12 - Conversations Over Consultations 00:55:39 - Insurance and Scope of Practice 00:59:34 - Emphasizing Patient Relationships 01:02:22 - Looking Ahead to Collaboration in 2026 01:06:00 - Thanks to Society of Sports Therapists (SST) and Sports Therapy Organisation (ST0)  Useful Links The ST School Website Sports Therapy Association Website   Want to join the live recordings? Episodes of the Sports Therapy Association podcast are recorded live every TUESDAY at 8pm on the Sports Therapy Association YOUTUBE CHANNEL and FACEBOOK page. Everyone is welcome - you do not have to be an STA member! If you cannot join us live, be sure to subscribe to the 'Sports Therapy Association Podcast' on all popular podcast apps to be notified when new episodes are available. Interested in joining the STA? Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12!  Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.

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. As speakers, theatre hosts, and members of the Therapy Expo Advisory Board, Mike James and Matt Phillips have both seen Therapy Expo evolve from a roomful of attendees in Manchester back in 2013, to becoming the UK’s largest multi-disciplinary event, with over 2,000 delegates, 100 specialist speakers, 150 certified CPD sessions, and 150+ exhibitors. Key takeaways include calls for longer, more practical and interdisciplinary sessions, as well as greater audience interaction. Matt & Mike celebrate the growing collaboration between organisations and speakers and highlight new content plans for 2026, including its new name: "The Therapy Show'. Early bird tickets for next year are just £49 in December! Also mentioned is Mike's new podcast "The Everyday Athlete Podcast" with co-host Rosi Sexton, Osteopath & first British Woman to ever fight in the UFC.  Useful Links Mike James The Endurance Physio on Facebook Mike James The Endurance Physio on Instagram The Everyday Athlete Podcast on Spotify Therapy Expo Website Therapy Expo on Instagram: @therapy_expo Therapy Expo on Facebook Sports Therapy Association Website   Want to join the live recordings? Episodes of the Sports Therapy Association podcast are recorded live every TUESDAY at 8pm on the Sports Therapy Association YOUTUBE CHANNEL and FACEBOOK page. Everyone is welcome - you do not have to be an STA member! If you cannot join us live, be sure to subscribe to the 'Sports Therapy Association Podcast' on all popular podcast apps to be notified when new episodes are available. Interested in joining the STA? Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12!  Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.

In Episode 264 of the Sports Therapy Association podcast, ‘Collaboration Over Competition: The Unbound Project - Nine Months On', host Matt Phillips is joined by Andy Hosgood and Andy Thomas, co-founders (with Andrew McCauley) of ‘The Unbound Project’ - a community for healthcare practitioners and business owners to collaborate rather than compete, to get together and share problems and solutions. Having been guests on the podcast nine months ago in Ep.225 ‘Collaboration Over Competition’, Andy & Andy discuss how the Unbound Project has evolved since its launch, and what they have learnt in the process. Topics include the 'Curiosity Scorecard' which as a clinician you can fill out to discover how your mindset is shaping your healthcare career, how to get involved in free monthly taster sessions (Monday December 8th 7pm) and connect with a growing non‑judgmental community aimed at helping clinicians take action and support one another, and how reflection & collaboration help reduce burnout and improve career satisfaction. Chapter Markers 00:00:22 - Welcome To The Sports Therapy Association Podcast 00:03:05 - Introducing Andy Hosgood and Andy Thomas 00:06:01 - Insights from the recent 'STA & Hands On Hub Conference' in Exmouth 00:07:47 - Overview of the Unbound Project 00:12:19 - Data from the Curiosity Score App 00:16:10 - The Importance of Reflection 00:20:50 - Building a Safe Community 00:24:09 - Upcoming Taster Sessions 00:29:35 - Creating a Non-Judgmental Space 00:34:37 - The Ripple Effect of Change 00:39:06 - Connecting Reflection to Business Success 00:43:52 - Understanding the Score App Results 00:48:03 - Benefits of Professional Associations 00:53:15 - Engaging with the Unbound Community 00:55:39 - Closing Remarks and Future Plans Useful Links Score App for Clinicians Sign up for next free taster session - Monday December 8th 7pm Unbound Project on Instagram  Andy Thomas on Instagram Andy Hosgood on Instagram Andrew McCauley on Instagram   Host Matt Phillips - Speaker at Therapy Expo If you are a clinician who is interested in improving your communication skills, be sure to attend Matt Phillips' presentation at this year's Therapy Expo: '𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬: 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 (and anyone else for that matter!)'. Theatre B, 3.50pm on Day 1 (right before the wonderful Michelle Lyons!).  Want to join the live recordings? Episodes of the Sports Therapy Association podcast are recorded live every TUESDAY at 8pm on the Sports Therapy Association YOUTUBE CHANNEL and FACEBOOK page. Everyone is welcome - you do not have to be an STA member! If you cannot join us live, be sure to subscribe to the 'Sports Therapy Association Podcast' on all popular podcast apps to be notified when new episodes are available. Interested in joining the STA? Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12!  Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.

In Episode 263 of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast, host Matt Phillips is joined by Rehab Guru founders David Barrow and Simon Taylor. Designed for modern health professionals, Rehab Guru is an online platform that streamlines every aspect of your clinic, from bookings, treatment notes, invoicing to digital forms, alerts, and world-class exercise prescription. David & Simon reveal new features & integrations (bookings, invoicing, treatment notes, Scan.com) and expanded customer support. Also discussed are new AI tools for transcribing notes, auto-generating and progressing exercise programs, secure UK data handling, and how the platform aims to reduce clinician burnout, improve patient follow-up, and simplify practice workflows. Rehab Guru has a new partnership with the Better Clinician Project (Ben Cormack & Adam Meakins), meaning that Rehab Guru Exercise Prescription software licences now come with free membership of the Better Clinician Project, and vice-versa. Like the STA, Rehab Guru will be at Therapy Expo this coming 26th & 27th of November at the NEC Birmingham, so if you are coming this year be sure to visit the STA stand at TE7, and Rehab Guru at stand TB31. Chapter Markers 00:00:00 - Welcome to the Sports Therapy Association Podcast 00:02:55 - David Barrow & Simon Taylor of Rehab Guru 00:07:53 - Understanding Rehab Guru1 00:12:02 - Enhancements and New Features 00:15:07 - Avoiding Burnout in Healthcare 00:15:33 - Pricing Strategies and Community Impact 00:18:31 - Partnering for Better Care 00:20:28 - Addressing Clinical Isolation 00:27:21 - Customer Support and Success 00:29:39 - AI Innovations in Healthcare 00:33:29 - Embracing AI in Practice 00:37:02 - Launching a New Clinic 00:44:00 - Creating a Patient-Centric Experience 00:47:48 - Exploring Scan.com Integration 00:50:07 - The Role of AI in Therapy 00:54:27 - Data Protection and AI Usage 00:58:51 - Therapy Expo Highlights and Offers 01:01:22 - Closing Remarks and Next Episode Useful Links Rehab Guru Website Better Clinician Project Website Therapy Expo Website Sports Therapy Association Website   Host Matt Phillips - Speaker at Therapy Expo If you are a clinician who is interested in improving your communication skills, be sure to attend Matt Phillips' presentation at this year's Therapy Expo: '𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬: 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 (and anyone else for that matter!)'. Theatre B, 3.50pm on Day 1 (right before the wonderful Michelle Lyons!).  Want to join the live recordings? Episodes of the Sports Therapy Association podcast are recorded live every TUESDAY at 8pm on the Sports Therapy Association YOUTUBE CHANNEL and FACEBOOK page. Everyone is welcome - you do not have to be an STA member! If you cannot join us live, be sure to subscribe to the 'Sports Therapy Association Podcast' on all popular podcast apps to be notified when new episodes are available. Interested in joining the STA? Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12!  Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.

In this episode, host Matt Phillips is joined by special guests Molly Benson, Therapy Expo Content Producer, and Charlotte Speer, Therapy Expo Show Manager. For those of you unaware, Therapy Expo 2025 is the UK’s largest multi-disciplinary event for professionals dedicated to preventing, treating, and rehabilitating musculoskeletal and neurological conditions, and the 2025 conference is happening in less than a month, on the 26th & 27th of November at the NEC Birmingham. Molly Benson and Charlotte Spear discuss what’s new for this year’s event - new theatres (Business Advice and Practical Skills), expanded CPD and exhibitor line-up, fresh speakers, and the value of in-person learning. The episode also covers discount codes and the October 31st deadline for getting maximum discount, and the new one-day ticket option that can be purchased by calling the delegate phone line on 0203 978 1665 or visiting the Therapy Expo website.  Full details of the speakers and exhibitors can also be found on the website.  Matt Phillips - Speaker If you are a clinician who is interested in improving your communication skills, be sure to attend Matt Phillips' presentation at this year's Therapy Expo: '𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬: 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 (and anyone else for that matter!)'. Theatre B, 3.50pm on Day 1 (right before the wonderful Michelle Lyons!).  Useful Links Therapy Expo Website Therapy Expo on Instagram: @therapy_expo Therapy Expo on Twitter: @therapyexpo Therapy Expo on Facebook Sports Therapy Association Website   Want to join the live recordings? Episodes of the Sports Therapy Association podcast are recorded live every TUESDAY at 8pm on the Sports Therapy Association YOUTUBE CHANNEL and FACEBOOK page. Everyone is welcome - you do not have to be an STA member! If you cannot join us live, be sure to subscribe to the 'Sports Therapy Association Podcast' on all popular podcast apps to be notified when new episodes are available. Interested in joining the STA? Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12!  Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.

Happy Birthday to us! We’ve reached 5 years of weekly podcasts! 260 episodes, 260 weeks since we decided to record a show back in 2020 to help answer some of the questions that therapists had when they were finally allowed to go back to work after Covid-19 restrictions were lifted. Since then, we have grown into around 2000 downloads a month, thanks to our amazing guests who give up their time to share their experience & wise words to help, as our tagline says, put some evidence back into Soft Tissue Therapy. We don’t shout, we don’t make you feel stupid, our goal is to simply provide a safe, authentic space for you, the listener, to pause, reflect, connect and grow. On that note, thank you everyone who joins us for the live recordings, watches on YouTube or Facebook, or listens to the podcast, especially if you have left a rating or review. We couldn’t & wouldn’t do this without you!  In this 5 Year Anniversary episode, host Matt Phillips is joined by Emily Gilbert of frameworksportsmassage.com, who 8 years ago made a huge career change by moving from Biomedical Science to massage therapy, and in her own words has never looked back. As an evidence-based mobile sports massage therapist, Emily has been sharing some great information on Instagram, including some reflections on her experience at the recent 'STA & Hands ON Hub Conference' in Exmouth, in association with the ST School, and in this episode Emily gives her tips on the ‘Five Things To Look Out For In An MSK Conference."     Chapter Markers: 00:00:00 - Happy 5 Year Birthday To The STA Podcast! 00:02:21- Meet Emily Gilbert of frameworksportsmassage 00:04:59 - Reflections on the STA & Hands On Hub Conference 00:18:52 - Five Things To Look Out For In An MSK Conference 00:22:29 - Creating Welcoming Spaces 00:23:03 - Diversity in Therapists 00:25:10 - Approachability of Speakers 00:29:17 - Space for Discussion 00:31:02 - Understanding Conference Value 00:36:59 - Mindset for Networking 00:41:00 - Upcoming Events and Opportunities 00:48:12 - Mentoring for Massage Therapists Questionnaire What do YOU want from a CPD Conference? We need (and would truly) appreciate YOUR input, by kindly answering the questions on this questionnaire. There is also a link and QR code on the homepage of the STA website and  ST School Website. Useful Links Frameworksportsmassage website Instagram: @Frameworksportsmassage Mentoring For Massage Therapist: @frameworktalksmassage   Next Podcast Episode: 8pm Tuesday October 28th: Ep261: 'Therapy Expo 2025 In Less Than A Month" with special guests Molly Benson - Content Producer, Charlotte Speer - Show Manager, Vernon Smeed - Business Development Manager.  Interested in joining the STA? Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12!  Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.

In Episode 259 of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast - '3 Ways for Clinicians To Avoid Physical & Mental Burnout' - host Matt Phillips is joined by special guest Jenny Burrell, Founder, CEO, Lead Tutor and Course Curator of Burrell Education. With over 17 years in the business, Burrell Education is hugely respected in the industry, with courses designed to educate & support Women’s Health, Movement, Fitness, Physiotherapy, Soft Tissue Therapy and Coaching professionals. In this episode, Jenny Burrell talks about her latest course 'BRIEF COACHING', designed to provide the all-important skills to help health professionals avoid physical & mental burnout, skills that are all too often missing from traditional industry qualifications. Jenny explains how shifting from a ‘fixer’ mindset to a partnership with clients, asking better questions, and setting clear contracts can protect both practitioners and patients. Also discussed is spotting red flags and referrals, pricing and workload adjustments, and why listening more can improve outcomes and career longevity. Useful Links Burrell Education Website Brief Coaching Course (Save £100 if booked before 31/10/25) Burrell Education on Facebook Burrell Education on Instagram  Interested in joining the STA? Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12!  Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.

In Episode 258 of the Sports Therapy Association podcast, entitled 'New Perspectives On Fascia', host Matt Phillips is joined by special guests from the University of Kent - Dr Claire Melanie Boucher, Lecturer in Sport, Exercise & Rehabilitation Sciences, and Dr Kyra De Coninck, Senior Lecturer, School of Sport & Exercise Sciences. The episode looks at the differences between superficial and deep fascia, the limits of current imaging, and why effects of touch often involve fluid, neural and psychosocial factors as well as connective tissue. Key takeaways for clinicians from this episode include: use a patient-centred, individualized approach recognise touch and gentle techniques can create a ‘window’ to enable movement and rehabilitation be patient—structural fascia changes are slow combine fascial work with movement, strength and broader care strategies. If you are interested in remaining up-to-date on the topic of fascia, pay a visit to The Fascia Research Society website, where there is a wealth of information, including a new webinar series.  Chapter Markers 00:00:18 - Introduction to New Perspectives on Fascia 00:03:04 - The Importance of Feedback for Conferences 00:04:34 - Meet the Researchers: Dr Claire Boucher and Kyra De Coninck 00:07:31 - Claire’s Journey into Fascia 00:07:41 - Kyra’s Exploration of Chronic Pain 00:13:13 - The Role of Nervous System in Fascia 00:18:46 - The Connection Between Systems 00:36:29 - Understanding Touch and Fascia 00:45:00 - The Interplay of Fascia and Pain 00:54:59 - Patient-Centered Approaches in Therapy 00:59:30 - Embracing Individualized Treatment 01:06:27 - Conclusion and Future Directions in Fascia Research About The Guests In 2023, Dr Claire Melanie Boucher completed her PhD at The University of Kent, titled “Can ultrasound imaging be used to detect adaptations in the thoracolumbar fascia of people with lower back pain?” She currently continues her research to investigate fascia. Dr Kyra De Coninck's PhD thesis investigates how ultrasound imaging can be used to measure the differences in thoracolumbar fascia, in the lower back, in a range of populations with lower back pain. She has presented her research at conferences and scientific meetings in UK, Canada, Italy and Romania, and presented on the subject of fascia & tissue repair at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court, the European School of Osteopathy and the Third International Fascia Research Congress in Vancouver. Useful Links The Fascia Research Society Interested in joining the STA? Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12!  Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.

In this episode, we reflect on the ‘STA & Hands On Hub Conference’ that took place nearly two weeks ago on 20th & 21st September in Exmouth, in collaboration with the ST School. Host Matt Phillips is joined by Gary Benson, Founder of The Sports Therapy Association, Anna Maria Mazzieri, Director of The ST School, and Andy Hosgood, coach, mentor, and Unlocker of Human Potential. Together, they discuss what factors are important for a successful educational conference for soft tissue therapists, in what ways the ‘STA & Hands On Hub Conference’ succeeded, and how it could potentially be improved in future events. There is also an in depth discussion on what you SHOULD be getting when you pay for CPD, and useful advice on how to plan ahead & save funds for events you do not want to miss.       Questionnaire What do YOU want from a CPD Conference? We need (and would truly) appreciate YOUR input, by kindly answering the questions on this questionnaire. There is also a link and QR code on the homepage of the ST School Website. Next Podcast Episode: 8pm Tuesday October 7th: Ep258: 'New Perspectives On Fascia' with guests Dr Claire Boucher & Dr Kyra De Coninck Interested in joining the STA? Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12!  Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.

The tagline of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast, heard at the beginning of every episode, is "Putting The Evidence Back Into Soft Tissue Therapy". One way of becoming more evidence informed is to keep up with the latest research, but how easy is it to understand a research paper, to be able to judge its quality, reliability, and significance in what we practice in clinic? In this episode, host Matt Phillips, freshly back from the recent 'Hands On Hub & STA Conference' in Exmouth, is joined by special guest Ben Cormack, founder of Cor-Kinetic, and co-founder of the Better Clinician Project. Ben explains how clinicians can approach and interpret research papers, breaking them down into study types (RCTs, observational, systematic reviews), key method checkpoints (sample size calculations, blinding, recruitment), and how to read results (p‑values, effect sizes, between‑group vs within‑group changes). It's a super valuable listen to any soft tissue therapist who finds the idea of reading a research paper slightly daunting, and also help the already confident therapist go a little deeper into potential red flags that suggest how the study could have been done better.  The episode also gives information on Cor-Kinetic courses, including the online 'Mentorship Program' that starts on September 29th, and 'The Better Clinician Project'.   Ben Cormack is a musculoskeletal therapist with a clinical background/qualification in sports therapy, rehabilitation & exercise,  stretching back over 20 years, with a special interest in pain and its relation to movement. His Cor-Kinetic courses have run in over 25 countries globally, working with individual health care professionals, clinics, health services & hospitals, elite sports teams & pain services/organisations.  Chapter Markers 00:00:18 - Welcome to Episode 256 of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast 00:01:28 - Reflecting on the Hands On Hub & STA Conference 00:02:28 - Supporting Evidence-Based Practice 00:03:38 - Introducing Ben Cormack 00:04:31 - How to approach Read a Research Paper 00:05:48 - Challenges of Understanding Research 00:09:10 - Identifying Quality Research Papers 00:09:54 - The Importance of Evidence in Therapy 00:11:21 - Diving into Research Methodology 00:21:37 - Understanding Research Results 00:44:10 - Discussing Research Limitations 00:53:50 - Announcing Cor-kinetic Mentorship Programs 00:57:50 - Closing Remarks and Future Events Useful Links Cor-Kinetic Website Instagram: @Corkinetic Facebook: @Corkinetic Next Podcast Episode: 8pm Tuesday September 30th: 'Reflection On The Hands On Hub & STA Conference' with Anna Maria Mazzieri, Andy Hosgood and Gary Benson.   Interested in joining the STA? Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12!  Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.

We reach the last episode before the ‘STA South West & Hands On Hub Conference’ taking place in Exmouth on September 20th and 21st, in collaboration with the ST School. Host Matt Phillips is joined by conference speaker James Earls, Writer, Lecturer & Bodyworker, and founder of Born to Move, who discusses the gains we could all make by re-addressing the way in which we traditionally view anatomy, as well as details of his presentation at the conference: "The Knee: Why Do We Have It All Back To Front?"  If you are listening to this podcast before the weekend of September 20th , you can still get tickets and full details of all 19 speakers at https://thestschool.co.uk/hands-on-hub-sta-conference-2025/. STA members have a discount code which can be found in the latest STA Newsletter & Facebook Members page. James also discusses in this episode details of the 'Anatomy al Aperitivo' that he is giving on the Friday before the conference (September 19th) - an exclusive, intimate look at the wonders of the foot, along with a glass of wine and delicious bites at local Exmouth Deli: The Italian Store. Only 20 tickets are available, and you must already be going to the conference. Book at https://thestschool.co.uk/events/anatomy-al-aperitivo/   Also mentioned in the episode are details of the workshop that host Matt Phillips is giving at the conference: “Mindful Strides: Communication Skills When Working With Runners” 10.30am Sunday 21st in the Main Theatre.   Useful Links Born To Move Website STA & Hands On Hub Conference: Details & Tickets Next Podcast Episode: 8pm Tuesday September 23rd: 'How To Read & Understand Research Papers' with special guest Ben Cormack  Interested in joining the STA? Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12!  Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.

We continue our countdown to the STA South West Conference happening in Exmouth this September 20th and 21st, in collaboration with the ST School and Hands ON Hub. Host Matt Phillips is joined by Director of The ST School Anna Maria Mazzieri, who discusses what evidence-informed practice means in Massage Therapy.   The episode explores topics including how trauma and chronic pain interact, the somatic effects of touch, and practical, evidence‑based approaches to working with scars. Anna Maria talk about the online CPD Webinar offered by The ST School: "Evidence Based Practice in Massage Therapy: What Social Media Doesn’t Tell You!" (see link in notes), including some of the surprises & benefits that attendees typically experience. Also discussed is the value of reflective CPD, and how therapists can better communicate, debate and apply research in clinic and online forums. Anna Maria Mazzieri is giving the following presentations at the conference in September:  Sat Sep 20th 3.10pm Main Theatre: "When Pain Echoes Trauma & When Massage Echoes Embodiment" Sun Sep 21st 9.00am Breakout Room: "Massage & Manual Therapy for Scars" Full details & conference tickets are available at https://thestschool.co.uk/hands-on-hub-sta-conference-2025/. STA members have a discount code which can be found in the latest STA Newsletter & Facebook Members page. Useful Links CPD Webinar "Evidence Based Practice in Massage Therapy" Website: The ST School Conference Details & Tickets Next Podcast Episode: Tuesday September 16th 8pm: James Earls, Writer, Lecturer & Bodyworker, and founder of Born to Move. Interested in joining the STA? Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12!  Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.