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Hip flexor “tightness” is one of the most common — and most misunderstood — complaints in both rehab and the gym. Most people assume tight means the muscle is short and needs stretching. But what if that’s not the real problem?

In this episode of The Soft Tissue OT Podcast, we dive deep into what hip flexor tightness really is — and why stretching often doesn’t fix it. We explore how muscle tone, overactivity, posture, and poor movement patterns create the sensation of tightness without the muscle actually being short.

You’ll learn:
🔹 The difference between true muscle shortness and perceived tightness
🔹 Why sitting all day switches off your glutes and overworks your hip flexors
🔹 How overactive muscles can feel “tight” without being shortened
🔹 Why stretching can sometimes make symptoms worse
🔹 Practical strategies to restore balance, movement, and hip function

Whether you’re a clinician, student, athlete, or someone who constantly feels tight through the hips, this episode will completely change how you think about hip flexors — and how you should be treating them.

#HipFlexors #HipPain #MovementRehab #Posture #StrengthAndConditioning #Physiotherapy #OccupationalTherapy #SoftTissueOTPodcast #RehabScience

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How Spinal Discs Heal: Hydration, Nutrition, and Endplates

Spinal discs are one of the most fascinating yet misunderstood structures in the human body. Unlike most tissues, they don’t have their own blood supply — so how do they get the nutrients they need to stay healthy and strong?

In this episode of The Soft Tissue OT Podcast, we dive deep into the science of disc health and healing — exploring how hydration, nutrition, and the integrity of your cartilage endplates all work together to keep your spine resilient.

You’ll learn:
🔹 How spinal discs actually receive nutrients
🔹 The role of water content, diffusion, and endplates in spinal health
🔹 Why your spine feels stiffer in the morning — and what that means
🔹 How loading and unloading cycles promote disc nutrition and healing
🔹 Practical strategies to protect your discs long-term

Whether you’re a clinician, student, or someone managing chronic back pain, this episode will give you a clear, evidence-based understanding of how your discs really work — and how to help them heal.

#SpinalHealth #LowBackPain #DiscHealing #SpineRehab #Physiotherapy #OccupationalTherapy #SoftTissueOTPodcast #McGillMethod

🔔 This episode contains a short message about the Soft Tissue OT Academy online course — an on-demand training program helping occupational therapists build confidence in musculoskeletal assessment, treatment, and rehab. Learn more at https://stan.store/SoftTissueOTAcademy

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THE OVERLOOKED LINK BETWEEN SHOULDER PAIN AND THE SCAPULA

When it comes to shoulder pain, most people focus on the rotator cuff, the joint, or the tendons — but rarely the scapula. Yet, the scapula (shoulder blade) plays a critical role in almost every movement your shoulder makes. When it doesn’t move, tilt, or rotate properly, pain and dysfunction quickly follow.

In this episode of The Soft Tissue OT Podcast, we dive deep into the connection between the scapula and shoulder pain — exploring how poor scapular control, positioning, or strength can be the missing piece behind ongoing shoulder issues.

You’ll learn:
🔹 The anatomy and function of the scapula and its stabilizing muscles
🔹 How scapular dyskinesia contributes to common shoulder pathologies
🔹 The relationship between posture, stability, and shoulder performance
🔹 Assessment and rehab strategies to restore scapular control and reduce pain
🔹 Why clinicians often overlook scapular movement — and how to fix that

Whether you’re a clinician, a student, or someone struggling with persistent shoulder pain, this episode will help you see the shoulder in a whole new way — starting with the foundation that holds it all together: the scapula.

🎧 Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you listen.

🔔 This episode contains a short message about the Soft Tissue OT Academy online course — an on-demand training program helping occupational therapists build confidence in musculoskeletal assessment, treatment, and rehab. Learn more at https://stan.store/SoftTissueOTAcademy