The Physio Matters Podcast

In this episode of Chewing It Over, Jack is joined by Andy Thomas, founder of Physiquip and host of the Real Health podcast, to discuss his new book Real Growth and the thinking behind it. Rather than presenting another abstract business or personal development manual, Andy explains that Real Growth is built from real conversations, real careers, and real lived experience, drawn from more than 200 long-form podcast interviews across sport, healthcare, and business .The discussion explores why “real” growth matters. Andy contrasts authentic development with surface-level metrics and performative success, arguing that growth is rooted in values such as authenticity, positivity, humility, enjoyment, and reflection. The book weaves together insights from elite sport practitioners, clinicians, business leaders, and entrepreneurs, showing how lessons learned in one domain often translate powerfully into others.Andy describes the challenge of turning hundreds of conversations into a coherent structure, ultimately cr

In this episode of Chewing It Over, Jack is joined by Heather Mclellan, physiotherapist, occupational health specialist, and founder of The Return to Work Mentor, to explore a largely invisible gap in healthcare: what happens when people—especially small business owners and the self-employed—become ill or injured and have no access to occupational health support.Heather explains that while large organisations often have structured return-to-work systems, most UK workers are employed by micro-businesses with fewer than ten staff, where occupational health simply doesn’t exist. As a result, people are left to “chance it”: either staying off work longer than necessary due to fear and uncertainty, or returning too early without a plan, risking relapse or failure.The conversation becomes deeply personal as Heather shares her own experience of suffering a rare stroke caused by an underlying blood cancer. Despite decades of expertise in vocational rehabilitation, she found herself navigating illness, identity, and w

In this episode of Chewing It Over, Jack is joined by Rosie Sexton — osteopath, former MMA fighter, academic, and commentator — for a deep, nuanced conversation on “reasonable adjustments”, neurodivergence, and where workplace accommodation becomes ethically, practically, and emotionally complex.The discussion is sparked by a satirical MSK Mag article, Unreasonable Adjustments, written under the Glenohumeral pseudonym. Rosie explains why the piece felt frustrating and harmful to her: not because unreasonable adjustments don’t exist, but because satire can slide from critique into reinforcing stereotypes, particularly around neurodivergence. She highlights how portrayals of “comfort-seeking” or “trend-driven diagnoses” can discourage people from requesting adjustments that would genuinely allow them to work better and avoid burnout.Jack responds by situating the article within its satirical intent and wider editorial context, acknowledging both its provocations and its blind spots. A central tension emerges: h

In this episode of Chewing It Over, Jack speaks with researcher and osteopath David Evans about what has actually changed in low back pain care over the past 20 years — and what hasn’t. Using data from a unique follow-up study comparing physiotherapists, osteopaths, and chiropractors, David reveals that the story is more nuanced than the usual “hands-on vs hands-off” narrative.Spinal manipulation use has fallen across all three professions — not just physios — while massage and acupuncture have increased, suggesting clinicians haven’t abandoned hands-on care, but have shifted the type of intervention used. Specific exercises have declined while general exercise has risen, aligning more closely with guideline messaging around activity and self-management. Interestingly, these trends don’t map neatly onto clinical guidelines, raising questions about what really drives practice change: pain science discourse, safety concerns, professional identity, training exposure, and system pressures all emerge as possible i

In this episode of Chewing It Over, Jack is joined by Joshua Catlett, former physio, founder of Bodyset, and now founder of Verilo, to unpack the realities of buying and selling MSK clinics—and why it’s far more complex than most owners expect. Joshua explains that for many clinic owners, a sale is a once-in-a-lifetime event with huge consequences: get it right and it can be life-changing; get it wrong and you can lose money, damage reputation, or sell to the wrong buyer.A key theme is preparation and timing. Joshua warns against selling out of necessity (lease pressure, staff loss, burnout), and encourages owners to plan ahead so they can sell from a position of strength. He also challenges a common assumption: the “natural” exit via associate buyout is often more myth than reality, with fewer clinicians wanting (or able) to buy practices today due to funding constraints and higher borrowing costs .The conversation highlights why some practices aren’t truly “saleable”—often because they’re essentially a job:

sdsd

In this episode of Chewing It Over, Jack is joined by pain coach and clinician Richmond Stace for a wide-ranging, thoughtful exploration of what pain coaching is, and why it matters for people living with persistent and chronic pain.Richmond traces the origins of pain coaching from his multidisciplinary background in nursing, pain science, and coaching, describing it not as a rigid framework but as an approach and a way of being. Central to this approach is meeting people exactly where they are, prioritising relationship, presence, and communication over protocols or prescriptive solutions. Pain coaching, he argues, is less about “fixing” pain and more about supporting meaningful, sustained change in a person’s life.A core theme of the conversation is the idea of pain as a lived experience or need state, rather than a purely structural or biological problem. Richmond challenges dominant biomedical narratives, suggesting that pain is information rather than error, and that persistent pain often reflects unmet

In this episode of Chewing It Over, host Jack Chew speaks with Carolyn Kent, founder and director of the Women’s Football Hub, about the history, culture, health, and future of women’s football. Kent explains that her passion is rooted both in a love for the game and in a desire to address historical injustices, particularly the 1921 ban on women’s football that continues to shape attitudes today. Drawing on her background as a former player, physiotherapist, academic, and practitioner within elite football, she describes how the sport shaped her career while also exposing persistent barriers faced by women.Kent outlines the vision behind the Women’s Football Hub: a deliberately broad, multidisciplinary platform that combines sport science, health, sociology, business, and lived experience. Rather than focusing narrowly on injuries or feminism alone, the Hub aims to engage women who are “football curious” and to close widespread knowledge gaps, particularly around female health. She emphasises the importance

Jack Chew talks all about measurement tech for the clinical space with Athan who is CEO of our partners Kinvent! He is an interesting charecter with a background in sport and engineering which led him to develop MSK specific measurement equipment!Get all your equipment for measuring here: http://landing.kinvent.com/partner-physiomatters

Physio Matters and Physiquipe have joined forces in a partnership to enable access to best in class clinical education AND clinical technology. The collaborative aim to improve rehabilitation standards for better patient outcomes across the MSK landscape is intentionally challenging and lofty. It also aligns perfectly with both Physiquipe and Physio Matters respective aims helping to elevate both simultaneously!Interested in Diagnostic Ultrasound and/or shockwave for your clinic? Go to this link and if you get a machine then you will unlock 3 years of Physio Matters Premium Membership at no extra cost!https://content.physiquipe.com/physiomatters

In this mini episode of You Matter, Joanne and I discuss the power of setting agreements with your patient, not just at the beginning of an episode of treatment but at every session, and even within a session. Rather than wondering, "Is this right? Are they happy? Am I doing a good job? " You get an answer in real time. Your patient gets seen and heard, and you are relieved from the pain of wondering. There are surprising benefits for both of you.Coaching Unpeeled: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/mehab/1737501Future Dates: https://tinyurl.com/4f5nh8fm

In this episode of Physio Matters, Jack Chew and Rob Bevan dive deep into how they use Cliniko to streamline and grow their clinics. Drawing on Jack’s experience running a smaller practice and Rob’s decade of managing a larger MDT clinic, they share practical insights into online bookings, patient communication, diary management, and notes systems.They unpack why Cliniko consistently delivers higher conversion rates for online bookings, how tailored reminders and confirmations reduce admin and no-shows, and why small tweaks in setup can transform patient experience. The discussion also explores clever ways to categorize services, manage next-available appointments, and integrate automations to free up time while keeping a human touch.Whether you’re just getting started with Cliniko or want to optimize how your practice uses it, this episode offers actionable tips, real-world examples, and lessons learned from years of trial, error, and success in MSK practice management.90 day free trial: cliniko.com/physio-m

Today I'm Chewing Over sore young knees and how to help manage them with Claire Robertson & Tom JacobsCIO is a weekly lunchtime livestream with Jack Chew chatting about whatever is topical. Usually healthcare and education, occasionally current affairs, always honest.

Chewing It Over — AI, Ethics & the Future of PhysiotherapyJack Chew is joined by Ash James (CSP’s Director of Practice and Development) to tackle the hot topic of artificial intelligence in physiotherapy — and the newly released CSP Statement of Principles on the subject.This wide-ranging conversation explores the origins of the document, the reasons for its principle-based approach over policy, and what it means for clinicians across sectors — from MSK to sport, education, and beyond.In this episode:▪ Why the CSP chose agile principles instead of hard rules▪ Data governance, patient safety, and protecting professional titles▪ How AI might support — not replace — clinical decision-making▪ What physios need to know about legal and ethical use of generative tools▪ The future role of human touch in a tech-enhanced professionAsh and Jack don’t shy away from critiques — including whether the CSP is reacting too slowly, or even too early, and how the profession can keep its identity amidst change.Want to weigh

Chewing It Over — MVPs, Belief & Building Before You’re ReadyJack digs into the messy middle of product development — when you’re building something people can believe in, even if it’s not finished with two wonderful Jo’s (Turner and Elphinston).Prompted by a conversation about MVPs, early-stage traction, and product storytelling, Jack explores how clarity, confidence, and customer obsession shape successful products long before they’re “ready.”This episode touches on:▪ Why belief is often more valuable than features▪ The fine line between feedback-driven and vision-led development▪ How to communicate what you’re building — even when it barely exists▪ And why showing enough to inspire action beats waiting for perfect polishWhether you're launching a product, building a business, or just figuring out how to talk about your idea, this one’s for you.Got thoughts or questions? Reach out at: info@physio-matters.comLike, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives from the front lines of innovation, leadersh

The Elephant in the Treatment Room Jack Chew is back, diving headfirst into a controversial topic that’s stirred the waters on LinkedIn. In this solo episode, Jack unpacks a bold statement made by a leader in UK physiotherapy regarding the undervaluation of quality care by private medical insurers — and the uncomfortable contradictions that come with it. From public post to corporate ownership, Jack explores the blurred lines between truth-telling and virtue signaling, the influence of venture capital on care standards, and why leadership accountability matters more than ever. This episode isn't just a takedown — it's a rallying call for integrity, transparency, and deeper discussion in MSK care. Join the conversation: ▪ Should clinic leaders speak out publicly or tackle issues internally? ▪ Are private medical insurers solely to blame for degrading care standards? ▪ What role does corporate consolidation play in patient outcomes? Send feedback or thoughts to: info@physio-matters.com Don't forget

Matt Phillips has a modern approach to the treatment of runners. It doesn't involve tech or new treatment potocols - the main distinction in Matt's approach is an acknowledgement of the potential impact of a client's mental and wellbeing state, on their running performance and recovery from injury. With this in mind, Matt and I discuss the benefits of this approach to you, as well as your clients. Allowing yourself to take longer to get to the route of the problem, to do less in a session, and to accept that you may be just a part of this person's recovery. We also talked about the magic of collaborating with colleagues so that together you can navigate these new ways of working and of talking about how you work. Contacts for Matt Across social media @runchatlive STA Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/sports-therapy-association-podcast/id1540427581 On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/09vmcVVDN1lrq1kQ3ExXWJ Link for Coaching Unpeeled https://buytickets.at/mehab/1520869

Mehab.co.ukIn this episode I am joined by clinical researchers Gillian Campbell, Katherine Mcnabb, and Virginia Rivers Bulkeley, 3 brave souls taking on the challenge of balancing clinical work and research in physiotherapy. In a wonderfully honest conversation, Katherine, Gillian and Virginia tell me about their motivations, their challenges, and the rewards of pursuing a clinical academic career, plus some tips for clinicians considering research.Key themes in this epsiodeInspiration: We discuss what inspired each guest to pursue clinical research, from addressing gaps in evidence to a desire to improve patient care and challenge existing norms.Work-Life Balance: The realities of juggling clinical practice with research, including time management, headspace, and the importance of a supportive network.Challenges & Rewards Insights into the difficulties of securing funding, overcoming imposter syndrome, and navigating the publication process, alongside the joys of discovery and contributing to the physiot

Adam shared his personal and professional journey, from working in a takeaway to becoming a physiotherapist, and his experiences with dyslexia, social belonging, and imposter syndrome. He discussed his transition from traditional medical practices to starting his own business, Working And Pain Solutions, which focuses on helping people with chronic pain reintegrate into the workforce. The conversation also touches on the importance of community building, honesty, and social belonging in our profession as a whole.

Jack discusses the new partnership between Physio Matters and Physio First with Katie Knapton (Physio First Chair). The history of both groups is relevant and no stone is left unturned. Can a partnership better serve the private sector for Physiotherapists? We think so! Physio Matters Premium is now INCLUDED at no cost in Physio First Membership. You can find out more here