Bone strength and density are vital in your running and sporting patients who can experience bone stress injuries (BSI’s), and also as patients get older and more vulnerable to falls and fractures.

How can you improve bone strength in patients following a bone stress injury such as Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome or stress fractures, or in other patients that you’d like to improve bone density or strength?

Traditional approaches to strength and conditioning may not always address the needs of your patients recovering from bone stress injuries. That’s where bone loading programs come in—a targeted strategy to help prepare bones for impact, improve power, and support a return to sport.

In this episode, Tom Goom (Running Physio) dives into the research and how to use a bone loading program to stimulate bone adaptation.

In this podcast, you’ll discover:

• The theory and evidence behind bone loading programs and how bones respond to impact.
• How to identify the right stage of injury recovery for introducing impact training.
• Practical guidelines for implementing short, progressive bone loading exercises.
• Techniques for progressing exercises based on patient goals and symptoms.
• Strategies to improve bone strength in patients experiencing other musculoskeletal issues such as Achilles tendinopathy.
• Real-world applications and demonstrations of bone loading programs.

Tom also shares insights on identifying readiness for impact exercises, managing patient expectations, and adjusting programs for individual needs. You’ll leave this episode equipped with actionable strategies to help patients safely and effectively return to sport while supporting their bone health.

If you’re a clinician or physiotherapist looking for practical solutions to manage bone stress injuries or improve bone density, this podcast is packed with valuable information you can apply in your practice right away.

🔗 Free Webinar Alert! Don't miss out on our free webinars for therapists on shin pain and Achilles tendinopathy in runners. Check the link in the description for more information.

Free running injury assessment & treatment video series available now

Improve running injury assessment & treatment now with the Running Repairs Online course with Tom Goom at clinicaledge.co/runningrepairs.

Get free access to the "Tricky tendons" infographic series

Unlock the secrets of successful tendinopathy assessment and treatment with this free infographic series for therapists.

Article associated with this episode:

• Turner CH, Robling AG. Mechanisms by which exercise improves bone strength. Journal of bone and mineral metabolism. 2005 Jan;23:16-22.

Links associated with this episode:

• Free Achilles tendinopathy videos
• Discover the simple secrets to successfully treat tendon pain in this free three part video series with Tom Goom
• Improve your confidence and clinical reasoning with a free trial Clinical Edge membership
• Join Tom live on Facebook & ask your shoulder related questions every Friday
• Download and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes
• Download the podcast now using the best podcast app currently in existence - Overcast
• Listen to the podcast on Spotify
• Tom Goom on Twitter
• Tom Goom’s website
• David Pope - Twitter
• David Pope & why I started Clinical Edge
• Review the podcast on iTunes
• Infographics by Clinical Edge

Chapters:

• 04:37 - Turner and Robling (2005) running longer doesn't make bones stronger
• 10:46 - Bone loading progressions
• 15:58 - Analysis of the evidence
• 17:05 - Whether loading technique matters
• 15:03 - Summary

Taping: does it really help patients with shoulder pain, or is it just a brightly coloured placebo? In this thought-provoking episode of the Physio Edge Shoulder Success Podcast, Jo Gibson, upper limb rehab specialist at Rehab for Performance, unpacks the complexities of taping in shoulder rehabilitation. Drawing from the latest evidence and her extensive experience with shoulder pain, Jo shares two compelling case studies and whether taping was useful in the treatment of:

1. Volleyball player post-stabilisation surgery – Despite passing all return-to-play criteria, this patient struggled with fear of re-injury in specific positions.
2. C/Sp referred shoulder pain – Severe neck and shoulder pain with difficulty sleeping left this patient guarding every movement. Learn whether taping played a role in this patient’s rehab.

Jo examines the evidence behind taping, addressing key questions:

• Does tape improve biomechanics, or are the effects purely psychological?
• How do sensory input and contextual factors influence patient outcomes?
• Can taping be a useful temporary tool, or is it overrated?

You’ll also gain insights into:

• The importance of clinical reasoning when choosing adjuncts like taping.
• How to manage patient beliefs and expectations around interventions.
• Practical applications of taping to improve confidence and support movement strategies.

With a blend of evidence, clinical expertise, and practical examples, this episode offers a balanced view on the role of taping in physiotherapy. Whether you’re a seasoned clinician or early in your career, you’ll come away with fresh perspectives on using taping effectively in your practice.

🎧 Tune in now to discover when, why, and how to use taping to support your patients’ shoulder rehab success!

Click on an image below to access these free resources from Jo Gibson and Clinical Edge

The handout for this podcast consists of a transcript associated with this podcast.

Click here for the free webinar with Jo Gibson “Rotator cuff revealed! Rehab & reasoning”. 

Shoulder: Steps to Success online course with Jo Gibson

Improve your assessment and treatment of shoulder pain with the Shoulder: Steps to Success online course with Jo Gibson, now available for enrolment at clinicaledge.co/shouldersuccess

Free trial Clinical Edge membership

Use a fresh approach to your musculoskeletal and sports injury treatment with a free trial Clinical Edge membership at clinicaledge.co/freetrial

Links associated with this episode:

• Free webinar - Rotator cuff revealed: Rehab & reasoning with Jo Gibson
• Get your access to the free video series “Frozen shoulder assessment & treatment” with Jo Gibson
• Improve your shoulder assessment & treatment with the Shoulder: Steps to Success online course with Jo Gibson
• Improve your confidence and clinical reasoning with a free trial Clinical Edge membership
• Join Jo Gibson live on Facebook & ask your shoulder related questions every Monday
• Download and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes
• Download the podcast now using the best podcast app currently in existence - Overcast
• Listen to the podcast on Spotify
• Jo Gibson on Twitter
• Let David know what you liked about this podcast on Twitter
• Review the podcast on iTunes
• Infographics by Clinical Edge

Chapters:

• 03:36 - Patient 1 - Taping for volleyball post shoulder stabilisation surgery
• 06:26 - Patient 2 - Neck driven shoulder pain 
• 07:04 - What's the evidence for and against tape?
• 13:09 - Applying the evidence around taping
• 18:15 - Back to the case studies 
• 21:47 - Question - Can tape stimulate mechanoreceptors to give somatosensory feedback to the brain?