Podcast

Ep75 'Safety In Practice: Female Sports Massage Therapists'

Despite it being 2021, we sadly STILL live in an age where Sports & Massage Therapists do not always feel safe during / after work. From inappropriate banter, comments & requests to stalking, attack & abuse, therapists within our industry are subjected to what many of us do not realise is shockingly common abuse, highlighting a total lack of understanding of what Sports & Remedial Massage is all about.

In Ep.75 of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast, we focus on safety at work for Female Massage Therapists, though the subject of safety of work is obviously one that can affect all therapists regardless of gender. We are joined live by nine female massage therapists, each of whom was kind enough to share personal details of their experiences and join each other in thought & discussion. The extent of this issue rapidly becomes apparent, causing us to seriously ask ourselves why this topic is so often ignored or swept under the carpet.

Warning: The subject matter in this episode may cause distress, so please check who is around you when you are listening. If you are affected by the content of this episode and would like support or simply a chat, please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Ep74 'Massage 2021 - Year of Change?' with special guests The Massage Collective

In Ep.74 of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast, we welcome back to the show The Massage Collective - Anna Maria Mazzieri, Becky DeMott Horton & Matt Scarsbrook.Though it's not quite Christmas yet, with Therapy Expo 2021 just around the corner it gives us an opportune moment to look back at 2021 at consider changes we have seen in the Sports Massage Industry over the year.

Anna Maria, Becky and Matt started the 'Massage Collective' back in October 2020 and from the outset proved to be key players in the promotion & facilitation of a shift in how massage therapy is presented within healthcare provision. In this episode, Anna Maria and Matt (Becky could sadly not join us in the live studio) take a look at how far our Industry has come in a year, and what 2022 potentially holds in terms of goals, challenges and continued evolution.

STA73 'Evidence Informed Pilates' with special guest Raphael Bender

In Ep.73 of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast, we bring you an hour with special guest Raphael Bender, CEO of Breathe Education, a hugely popular Pilates training programme based in Australia, Melbourne. With a Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology, a Bachelor degree in Exercise and Sports Science, a Diploma of Pilates Movement Therapy and full Stott Pilates instructor trainer certification, Raphael is host of the Pilates Elephants podcast, along with co-host Cloe Bunter.

In this episode, Raphael talks to us about the phases of focus change that Pilates has gone through since its inventor Joseph Hubertus Pilates first developed what he called "Contrology" in the early 20th century.

Ep72 'Tokyo: Working With Elite Athletes' with special guest Poora Singh

In Ep.72 of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast, we have the great pleasure of welcoming special guest Poora Singh. As well as being Senior Osteopath for British Athletics Team GB, Poora is also the Lead Therapist for the PGA European Challenge Tour and works on the Race to Dubai Physio Unit with the World's Elite Golfers travelling worldwide to Golf events. He was part of the Medical Team for Team GB at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

Poora has been the Consultant Osteopath to Birmingham City Football Club for the last 11 years and for Aston Villa Football Club for 4 years. In this episode, Poora shares some of his great experience of working with Elite Athletes, including his recent time with Team GB in Tokyo. He discusses the differences & similarities compared to working with recreational athletes, and offers advice for therapists aspiring to work in these elite circles.

Ep.71 'NSAIDs - Uses & Abuses' with special guest Dr Fiona Higgs

As therapists, some of you will be aware of the controversy that surrounds the use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like Ibuprofen and Naproxen, particularly if taken prior or during endurance events such as triathlon, marathons & ultras. The organizers of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) World Series recently announced that they will be banning the use of painkillers within 24 hours and during all races.

In Ep.71 of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast, we welcome back special guest Dr Fiona Higgs of move-well.co.uk, a Sport & Exercise Scientist, Educator, Sports Massage & Exercise Therapist and published scientific author. Fiona raises the point that for some athletes, NSAIDs play a vital part in allowing participation, eg. those with physical disability and athletes suffering from pain related to their menstrual cycle. Is it fair to end their participation with a new 'one size fits all' ban of painkillers?

Ep70 'Back Pain: Case Study Special' with Rob Beaven and Dave Elliott

In Ep.70 of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast, we welcome special guests Rob Beaven & Dave Elliott - hosts of The Back Pain Podcast, who share with us three of their own case histories involving clients with back pain, selected due to the fact that they each played a big part in their personal learning experience. Together, these case histories provide fantastic real life examples of how we can learn from the oversights & mistakes we as therapists typically make in the early days of our career, and how important self reflection is in helping us evolve and get better at what we do.