Physio Foundations

Cindy Phan and Chris Lawry are physiotherapists based at Bundoora Specialist Health Care and providers of the Bryta cognitive motor training program for older adults. In this episode, we explore patient-centred physiotherapy for older adults, including community and geriatric physiotherapy, home visits, goal setting, communication with healthcare teams, and the real-world application of what physi...

If you are studying and putting in the work, but feel like things aren’t sticking, or that you’re falling behind, this episode is for you. This episode is a practical overview of learning as a skill, with a focus on how to study more effectively in physiotherapy. It will also be useful for new graduates and clinicians who want to revisit and strengthen their foundations skills in learning.   Use t...

Chris Lawry and Cindy Phan are physiotherapists based at Bundoora Specialist Health Care and providers of the Bryta Motor Cognitive training program for older adults. In this episode, Chris and Cindy discuss motor cognitive training, including how they developed a special interest in this area and how it can be applied in clinical practice.  We also discussed foundational communication and manual...

This episode is part of the Physio Foundations New Graduate Series, exploring the challenges and opportunities in the first five years after graduation. Kristen Witt is a physiotherapist and founder of Witt Wellness in Sydney, Australia. Krissy is also a Nutritionist and Clinical Pilates instructor and was part of the Monash University Physiotherapy class of 2022. Burnout in early-career physiothe...

Associate Professor Tania Pizzari is an internationally recognised physiotherapy clinician, researcher and educator. In this episode, Tania and I discuss shoulder assessment and management, with a particular focus on modifying symptoms during assessment, the role of diagnostic language, and helping people understand the contributing factors to their shoulder pain. Thank you to Tania for a fantasti...

Jaryd Bourke is a podiatrist and PhD candidate at Monash University Physiotherapy.  In this episode, Jaryd discusses Achilles tendinopathy and his research investigating heel lifts and changes in patient outcomes and biomechanics. Edit: Sorry for saying Wodonga is a city in NSW! At least I know people are listening...  it's on the border... Thanks to Jaryd for a great conversation. Use the timesta...

Just in time for World Bronchiectasis Day, this is Part 2 of my discussion with Associate Professor Annemarie Lee on exercise for people with bronchiectasis. In this episode, Annemarie explains the benefits of exercise for people with Bronchiectasis and explores different ways people can engage in physical activity—whether as part of a formal rehabilitation program or by integrating it into daily...

Associate Professor Annemarie Lee is a leading cardiorespiratory physiotherapist, educator and researcher whose work has helped shape how we understand and manage bronchiectasis in physiotherapy practice. This is the first episode of a two-part series on bronchiectasis. In this episode, we discuss subjective and objective assessment of people with bronchiectasis and provide an introduction to airw...

In this episode, Associate Professor Jane Rooney explains the latest evidence for non-operative management of ACL injuries, including the Cross Bracing Protocol and associated research. This discussion is intended for health professionals and health professional students. Always seek guidance from a qualified health professional regarding any questions about your health or medical condition.  Jane...

On this episode, I welcome back Mick Hughes and Randall Cooper to talk about the role of exercise in health and physiotherapy practice. We also discuss the work they are doing with their education platform, Learn. Physio , and what they have learned over the past five years from interviewing and creating content with world-class clinicians and educators. Thanks to Randall and Mick for a great conv...

Nick Kane is the founder of the Sports MAP network, an educational platform for physiotherapists and sports medicine professionals and the former head physiotherapist for the Essendon Australian Rules Football club. Nick founded and consults at the Complete Balance Physiotherapy clinic in Melbourne, Australia. In this episode, Nick discussed his experiences working in elite sport and how you can d...

Narelle Dalwood is a neurological physiotherapist and Senior Lecturer at Monash University Physiotherapy. In this episode, Narelle and I discuss the foundations of neurological physiotherapy, including neuroanatomy and the pathology of common conditions such as stroke. Thanks Narelle for a great conversation. Use the timestamps below to jump to relevant sections. In this episode: 0:00 About this e...

Ellen Ball is a physiotherapist and Monash University Physiotherapy graduate who is currently completing a master’s degree in public health. In this conversation, Ellen and I discuss the study habits that helped her become a highly successful student, how to network effectively, and alternative career pathways after graduation. Thanks Ellen for a great conversation. Use the timestamps below to jum...

Associate Professor Adam Culvenor is a Principal Research Fellow from the La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine (LASEM) Research Centre, a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Emerging Leadership Fellow and the head of the Knee Injury Research Group within LASEM.   In this conversation, Adam and I discussed the research he has led on post traumatic knee osteoarthritis including the...

Bec Phillips is a musculoskeletal physiotherapist and educator at Charles Sturt University. In this episode, Bec reflects on her fascinating career in physiotherapy and public health, including her work supporting the health of people in rural Kenya. Bec then explores her PhD research findings and provides practical tips for physiotherapists to help us understand how different types of people adhe...

This episode contains discussions about self-harm, suicide and sexual abuse, which may be distressing for some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. In Australia, you can contact Lifeline at 13 11 14 for 24/7 confidential support. If you are outside Australia, please seek support from a crisis service in your country. Dr Liam West is a Sports and Exercise Physicia...

Dr Melanie Farlie is a Senior Lecturer in Monash University's Department of Physiotherapy. Mel is an educator, physiotherapy researcher and developer of the Balance Intensity Scale.  In part 4 of this four-part series, Mel finishes her quality appraisal of the quality of the study by Katherine Lawler and colleagues. Mel demystifies the process of data analysis in qualitative research and gives us...

Dr Melanie Farlie is a Senior Lecturer in Monash University's Department of Physiotherapy. Mel is an educator, physiotherapy researcher and developer of the Balance Intensity Scale.  In part 3 of this four-part series, Mel explains the process of appraising the quality of qualitative research, using the example of the study by Katherine Lawler and colleagues. Access the study here: https://doi.org...

Dr Melanie Farlie is a Senior Lecturer in Monash University's Department of Physiotherapy. Mel is an educator, physiotherapy researcher and developer of the Balance Intensity Scale.  In part 2 of this four-part series, Mel demonstrates the process of reading, interpreting and understanding qualitative research. Mel refers to a study by Katherine Lawler and colleagues. Access the study here: https:...

Dr Melanie Farlie is a Senior Lecturer in Monash University's Department of Physiotherapy. Mel is an educator, physiotherapy researcher and developer of the Balance Intensity Scale.  In this four-part series, Mel introduces qualitative research, provides examples of how you can read and understand qualitative research, explains how you can search for, and evaluate the quality of, qualitative resea...

Tim is a consultant physiotherapist and managing director of Melbourne CBD Physiotherapy and Sports Medicine Clinic, in Melbourne, Australia.  In this episode, Tim summarised his approach to rehabilitation for people with ACL injuries and ACL reconstruction. In this episode: 0:00 About this episode and welcome Tim 2:20 Tim’s background and interests 6:33 Why are ACL injuries such a big problem? 10...

Professor Terry Haines is the Head of the School of Primary and Allied Health Care at Monash University. In this episode we discussed Terry’s journey from graduate physiotherapist to research leader, and how clinicians can solve problems with research. In this episode: 0:00 About this episode and welcome Terry 3:17 What gets you out of bed in the morning? 7:40 How did you get started in research?...

Michelle joined me to discuss her research in hip and knee osteoarthritis and how we can apply this research in the clinic. Thanks Michelle for a great conversation. In this episode: 0:00 About this episode and welcome Michelle 11:00 Summary of hip and knee osteoarthritis research and the role of sleep in musculoskeletal health 17:30 Are higher or lower loads responsible for changes in cartilage i...

Associate Professor Laura Diamond is a biomedical engineer and researcher interested in hip biomechanics and osteoarthritis. In this episode we discussed Laura’s research into the role of the deep hip muscles during functional activities and what her findings may mean for rehabilitation of people with hip pain.  Thanks Laura for a great conversation. In this episode: 0:00 About this episode and we...

Emma Williams is an Australian Army Officer and uniformed physiotherapist. In this episode, Emma discusses her career pathway from university to the military and her work with military personnel in Australia and overseas.  In this episode: 0:00 About this episode and welcome Emma 4:00 Pathway into the military through a military scholarship, what is it like working as a physio in the army? 13:05 S...