If you think that getting older means more muscle and joint pain you are doing it wrong! You need to listen to this podcast as it might just change your mind...

Welcome to the Pain Free Living Podcast with your hosts Bob Allen and Louise Gordon.

Bob is an osteopath who has been treating people's pain problems since 2008. while Louise, is a change coach who helps individuals and businesses to navigate change. Although she has no clinical experience she has been in pain and is qualified to ask the questions you would if you had access to a friendly and knowledgeable medical expert.

Movement is Medicine

This episode is all about the benefits of exercise and why movement becomes more important as we get older. Bob is a big fan of exercise because it has so many benefits regardless of age. Unfortunately, the fitness industry and social media portray exercise as the privilege of the young and healthy which can put off those of us who are not so fit. There is also a generally held view that unless you are reduced to a sweaty heap with every muscle aching at the end of an exercise session you won't get any benefit from doing it. With his experience of working with people in pain Bob knows how beneficial moving more can be and how it is applicable at any age.

This show is all about combating the myth that aging means unavoidable decline and highlights the fact that the more you exercise the greater the benefits.

What is the best exercise?

Bob highlights the fact that the best exercise is the one that people will do! He is a qualified Otago instructor which is a mixture of strength and balance exercises originally designed for older adults but can be tailored for most people regardless of age or fitness levels. All good exercise approaches need to be progressive, simple, and effective and Otago is all of those things. It can have a life-changing impact for people of any age improving their confidence, reducing injuries, and promoting social connection.

Practical & Accessible Workouts

Although Bob is an advocate for the Otago program the point is that any exercise program you do should fit into your lifestyle.  For someone who hasn't exercised for a while practical, simple exercises can make a difference when done consistently.  

The key takeaway is that you are never too old to exercise you just need to find the right exercises that match your level of fitness.

More info on Bob and Louise

You can find out more about Bob and why he became an osteopath here

Here is something more on Louise and how She makes the complex simple

Sign up for the very popular Monthly Pain Free Living newsletter here

If you want to follow Bob on social media this is the place for you linktr.ee/Painfreeliving

We have all experienced pain, but did you know it can cause issues after the original problems have gone away? If you didn't know, you need to listen to this podcast as it's all about Kinesiophobia which is the fear of movement causing pain.

Welcome to the Pain Free Living Podcast with your hosts Bob Allen and Louise Gordon.

Bob is an osteopath who has been treating people's pain problems since 2008. while Louise, is a change coach who helps individuals and businesses to navigate change. Although she has no clinical experience she has been in pain and is qualified to ask the questions that you would if you had access to a friendly and knowledgeable medical expert.

This episode, is all about kinesiophobia which we guarantee you will have experienced even if you have never heard of it before today.

What is Kinesiophobia?

Kinesiophobia, or fear of movement, usually happens after an episode of chronic pain, typically affecting your low back but could just as easily be your neck or a shoulder. Bob explains how the body, in an attempt to protect itself, may avoid certain movements, leading to compensatory habits.

These altered movements can continue long after the problem, has healed as the brain has learned to fear the pain originally caused by those movements.

Neuroplasticity is the solution to your kinesiophobia problem

Bob explains what neuroplasticity is and how you can use it to override your brain's kinesiophobia problem. Your brain likes forming habits similar to learning how to drive which initially feels very complicated but becomes easier with proactive and experience. The good news is that the pain-avoiding movements and kinesiophobia you developed when you were in pain can be 'unlearned'.

Goodbye Kinesiophobia...

The way to address pain-avoiding movements is to teach your brain that the movements are safe. This is achieved through a combination of education, conversation, and rehabilitation exercises to gradually expand conscious and unconscious confidence that particular movements are safe.

Kinesiophobia is a complex problem to identify and can be difficult to treat unless you find a therapist who has an understanding of how the body works. If you suspect you have a problem related to kinesiophobia contact Bob to find out more.

More info on Bob and Louise

You can find out more about Bob and why he became an osteopath here

Here is something more on Louise and how She makes the complex simple

Sign up for the very popular Monthly Pain Free Living newsletter here

If you want to follow Bob on social media this is the place for you linktr.ee/Painfreeliving

Takeaways:

• Kinesiophobia, or fear of movement, is a psychological response often stemming from chronic pain experiences.
• The brain learns to avoid movements that previously caused pain, leading to compensatory habits and potential long-term issues.
• Neuroplasticity allows individuals to unlearn pain-avoidant behaviors and re-establish normal movement patterns.
• Effective rehabilitation requires education on movement safety and gradually increasing activity levels.
• Support from knowledgeable practitioners is crucial for overcoming kinesiophobia...

You have low back pain, a headache, shoulder pain, or some other muscle or joint problem and need to see a physical therapist how do you decide whether you need an osteopath, chiropractor, or physiotherapist?

If you have ever wondered which one would be the best for you listen to this podcast and all will be revealed.

Introduction

Welcome to the Pain Free Living Podcast with your hosts Bob Allen and Louise Gordon.

Bob is an osteopath who has been treating people's pain problems since 2008. while Louise, is a change coach and business consultant. Although she has no clinical experience she has been in pain and is qualified to ask the questions that you would if you had access to a friendly and knowledgeable medical expert.

In this episode, Bob and Louise discuss the differences between chiropractors, osteopaths, and physiotherapists to clarify common misconceptions and look at whether it makes a difference which type of practitioner you see.

Educational Pathways & Professional Bodies

They discuss the educational and regulatory frameworks and the extensive training required for each clinical discipline. Bob highlights osteopathy’s holistic approach contrasting it with chiropractic's focus on spinal health, and physiotherapy's roots in exercise rehabilitation. We also highlight the fact that regardless of the therapeutic approach all practitioners practice under a regulatory body that ensures they adhere to strict standards.

Choosing the Right Practitioner

Louise asks the common question regarding the best way to find a therapist and the potentially controversial answer is that it's all about the skills and experience of the therapist rather than their professional label.

The other key point is to do your own research asking friends and family for recommendations rather than relying on a Google search. Alternatively use the internet, find the practitioners that get good reviews, and talk to them if you can then decide who you like the sound of and visit them. Not very scientific but a good way to find a therapist that you can trust which is the most important thing.

More info on Bob and Louise

You can find out more about Bob and why he became an osteopath here

Here is something more on Louise and how She makes the complex simple

Sign up for the very popular Monthly Pain Free Living newsletter here

If you want to follow Bob on social media this is the place for you linktr.ee/Painfreeliving

Takeaways:

• When looking for a therapist, always check the practitioner's skills and experience over their title.
• Osteopaths, chiropractors, and physiotherapists all undergo rigorous training and are regulated by distinct professional bodies.
• A holistic approach characterises osteopathy, while chiropractic care primarily focuses on spinal health and nervous system function.
• Physiotherapy emphasises exercise-based rehabilitation techniques to facilitate recovery from injuries and pain.
• Researching potential therapists through recommendations from friends and family can yield more trustworthy results than online searches.
• Effective communication with your therapist about your condition is critical to developing

Introduction to the podcast and host

Welcome to the first episode of the Pain Free Living podcast, where host Bob Allen offers a sneak peek into some of the topics designed to help you manage and reduce pain.

As an osteopath with over a decade of experience, Bob discusses his background, the motivation for starting the podcast, and the wide range of subjects he plans to cover.

While he is flying solo in this episode, he will be joined by co-host Louise Gordon in the others where they will cover future topics including

• Busting some of the myths that surround back pain.
• Why you need to know what kinesiophobia (fear of movement) is and what you can do about it.
• A simple explanation of what sciatica is with tips on how to manage it.
• Some of the serious issues that can result from being hypermobile (double-jointed).
• A breakdown of Fibromyalgia and what to do if you have it.
• A look at ways to manage your pain using things like TENS machines, Kinesio tape, shockwave, and lumbar supports and why postural supports are a waste of money.

Bob also shares his plans for future episodes which will include guest appearances from people who are key influencers in the health and wellbeing world and others with an interesting health-related story to tell.

Subscribe to the podcast and learn simple, practical ways to either get rid of or reduce your pain, and prevent it from coming back. These tips will be useful whatever your age and whether you are able-bodied or have a disability.

The aim is also to grow a community that is dedicated to wellness and happy to get involved and exchange ideas about what has worked for them.

If there are any topics you would like to see covered in a future episode please send them in and I will add them to the list.

More info on Bob and what Pain Free Living is all about

You can find out more about Bob and why he became an osteopath here

Sign up for the very popular Monthly Pain Free Living newsletter here

If you want to follow Bob on social media this is the place for you linktr.ee/Painfreeliving