What exactly is rheumatology, and how do you know when a "typical" MSK issue is actually a systemic inflammatory condition?In this episode, we sit down with Jack March (@Rheumatology.Physio) to demystify rheumatology for physiotherapy students and new graduates. We dive into the "index of suspicion," the importance of comorbidities like psoriasis, and why your clinical reasoning must change when a condition is autoimmune rather than mechanical.In this video, you’ll learn:A simple definition of rheumatology for patients and students.Key screening questions: Morning stiffness, night waking, and NSAID response.The "Masqueraders": How to tell if that Achilles pain is mechanical or inflammatory.Common mistakes: Why being "too gentle" with treatment can sometimes be an error.The patient journey: Managing expectations during rheumatology referrals.Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro: Why rheumatology is complex for physios 1:24 - Defining Rheumatology: Autoimmune vs. Autoinflammatory 5:35 - Comorbidities: Fibromyalgia, EDS, and Psoriasis 12:15 - Key Screening Tools & Questions 17:25 - Clinical Reasoning: MSK vs. Systemic Issues 21:10 - Loading Tendons in Rheumatological Patients 26:50 - Common Mistakes Physios Make in Management 37:15 - Treatment Precautions & Red Flags 41:50 - Top Tips for Students & New GradsAbout Jack March: Jack is a physiotherapist who specialises in supporting patients with rheumatological conditions as well as providing educational content for healthcare professionals. He provides expert CPD and resources to help clinicians identify and manage rheumatological conditions with confidence.See below for the resources that Jack mentions in the episode:Jacks YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRheumatologyPhysio Jacks Linktree (all courses and content): https://linktr.ee/rheumatology.physio Physio Matters YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@physiomatters Physio Matters Linktree: https://linktr.ee/physiomattersRelated Episodes: If you enjoyed this deep dive into clinical decision-making, be sure to check out our other podcast episodes:The Reality of Elite Sport: Trauma, High Stakes & Clinical Decisions – Explore how high-pressure environments influence clinical reasoning.Understanding IBS: symptoms, causes and clinical realities – A closer look at clinical realities in internal health.Charcot foot: the diabetic red flag all clinicians need to know – Essential knowledge for identifying critical clinical indicators.Don't forget to subscribe to ABPT Physi-ed for more evidence-based physiotherapy education and clinical reasoning support!If you found this episode helpful, please check out our other other episodes here: • Physi-ed Podcast If you found this video helpful, please like and subscribe as this really helps our channel.Please note this video is intended as a teaching and learning resource for healthcare students or professionals, and is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for clinical assessment or professional training. Please follow the guidance of your health professional or educators.[Insert your social links/website here] [Insert link to Jack’s website/resources]#Physiotherapy #Rheumatology #StudentPhysio #ClinicalReasoning #MSK #PhysioEducation

Cognitive Functional Therapy (CFT) can be a complex concept to explain to patients and fellow clinicians. In this episode, we use the "Salsa Story" as a powerful metaphor to break down how CFT addresses the multidimensional nature of pain.What You’ll Learn:How to use storytelling to improve patient education and buy-in.The core principles of Cognitive Functional Therapy (CFT) in clinical practice.A fresh perspective on moving beyond traditional biomechanical models for chronic pain.About ABPT Physi-ed We provide high-level education for physiotherapists and healthcare professionals looking to sharpen their clinical reasoning and stay updated with evidence-based practice.#Physiotherapy #CognitiveFunctionalTherapy #CFT #PainManagement #PhysicalTherapy #ClinicalReasoningRelated Episodes: If you enjoyed this deep dive into clinical decision-making, be sure to check out our other podcast episodes:The Reality of Elite Sport: Trauma, High Stakes & Clinical Decisions – Explore how high-pressure environments influence clinical reasoning.Understanding IBS: symptoms, causes and clinical realities – A closer look at clinical realities in internal health.Charcot foot: the diabetic red flag all clinicians need to know – Essential knowledge for identifying critical clinical indicators.Don't forget to subscribe to ABPT Physi-ed for more evidence-based physiotherapy education and clinical reasoning support!If you found this episode helpful, please check out our other other episodes here: • Physi-ed Podcast If you found this video helpful, please like and subscribe as this really helps our channel.Please note this video is intended as a teaching and learning resource for healthcare students or professionals, and is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for clinical assessment or professional training. Please follow the guidance of your health professional or educators.

Shoulder pain after trauma is common—but jumping to a diagnosis too quickly can lead to missed pathology or poor management decisions.In this second case-based episode, we work through a 45-year-old female with shoulder pain after a fall, and explore how to systematically rule out serious injury while refining your diagnosis.We break down how to differentiate between:Fracture, dislocation, and serious rotator cuff tearsRotator cuff-related shoulder painFrozen shoulder (and when to suspect it)Alongside this, we explore how pre-existing symptoms, comorbidities, and movement assessment shape your clinical reasoning.Alex and Francesca walk through a realistic clinical scenario, showing how experienced clinicians think through uncertainty, avoid common traps, and adapt assessment based on the patient in front of them.This is essential listening for:• Physiotherapy students and new graduates building assessment confidence• Band 5–6 clinicians in MSK, FCP, or primary care settings• Clinicians wanting clarity on shoulder pain diagnosis and management🔍 We cover:✔ What to rule out after shoulder trauma (fracture, dislocation, cuff tear)✔ When special tests are useful in shoulder assessment✔ Rotator cuff-related pain vs subacromial pain✔ How pre-existing stiffness changes your diagnosis✔ Frozen shoulder risk factors (diabetes, age, comorbidities)✔ Active vs passive range: what actually matters✔ When to image—and when to wait✔ Why subjective history is critical in shoulder cases⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Case introduction: shoulder pain after a fall01:10 – Red flags: fracture, dislocation, cuff tear04:00 – How to recognise serious shoulder pathology06:10 – Special tests: when they help (and when they don’t)09:00 – Most likely diagnosis: rotator cuff-related pain11:30 – What to assess objectively (movement & loading)14:00 – New information: pre-existing pain & stiffness16:00 – Frozen shoulder risk factors & reasoning18:30 – Active vs passive range: key differences21:00 – Functional assessment & positioning23:30 – Special tests for subacromial pain25:30 – Imaging decisions: X-ray or wait?28:00 – Monitoring vs referring: what guides your decision?30:30 – Key clinical reasoning takeaways📌 Key takeaway: Shoulder pain after trauma isn’t always “just a cuff issue”—strong clinical reasoning means ruling out serious pathology, recognising pre-existing conditions, and adapting your assessment to the individual.Resources referenced in the discussion:Ladermann et al 2021: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32725446/Dakkak et al 2021: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32822265/Subscribe for clear, structured clinical reasoning you can use on placement tomorrow. If you found this video helpful, please like and subscribe as this really helps our channel.Please note this video is intended as a teaching and learning resource for healthcare students or professionals, and is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for clinical assessment or professional training. Please follow the guidance of your health professional or educators.