Physio Global Podcast

Physio Global

Welkom bij de Physio Global Podcast! Tijdens elke podcast bespreken we verschillende onderwerpen met verschillende gastsprekers m.b.t. de fysiotherapie binnen de #BeNeLux. Volg ons ook op LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram en Twitter! En bezoek ook onze website: www.physioglobal.nl #Podcast #PhysioGlobal #PhysioNews #BeNeLux #Physiotherapy #Fysiotherapie

  1. 6d ago

    #50 Implementing and evaluating a training program for healthcare providers in conservative knee and hip osteoarthritis management

    In this episode, recorded live at the Pain Science in Motion Congress in Brussels, we sit down with Nina Heijens, Physiotherapist PhD Researcher VUB & KU Leuven. Nina shares insights from her poster presentation, focusing on a federally funded project to develop and evaluate a conservative treatment training program for knee and hip osteoarthritis in Belgium. Featured Guest: Nina Heijens Nina Heijens is a physiotherapist and a current PhD researcher at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and KU Leuven. Together with a large interdisciplinary team, she specializes in implementing educational programs aimed at optimizing conservative care pathways for patient populationssuffering from osteoarthritis. Nina’s Study: Optimizing Osteoarthritis Care While evidence-based guidelines exist for managing knee and hip osteoarthritis, ensuring patients receive the recommended conservative care remains a massivehurdle. Frequently, patients bypass first-line treatments like physiotherapy and dietetics, being referred directly to orthopedic surgeons for total jointreplacement surgery instead. Nina’s research addresses this clinical gap by developing a comprehensive training program to educate healthcare providers on correct interdisciplinary referrals and evidence-based conservative treatments. The Structure of the Training The initiative targets approximately 600 healthcare providers across Belgium, including general practitioners, physiotherapists, orthopedic surgeons, anddietitians. The program uses a blended learning approach with distinct pros: E-Learning Modules: Participants begin with an interactive online learning module, which is tailored specifically for either interdisciplinary teams or specialized physiotherapy groups.Face-to-Face Workshops: Following the digital theory, participants attend practical, case-basedworkshops designed to mimic collaborative, university-style problem-solving to actively boost clinical reasoning.Target Population and Study Status The primary targets for this training are healthcare professionals directly involved in treating osteoarthritis patients. Recruitment for the 600participants started recently and remains open. The first training sessions are scheduled to begin at the end of November this year and will run continuouslyuntil December 2027. To evaluate the program's effectiveness, usability, and impact on provider attitudes, the research team will collect data using questionnaires administered at three time points: before the e-learning, after the workshops,and at a six-month follow-up. Clinical Implications: Streamlining Interdisciplinary Care Nina emphasizes that the goal is to provide "matched care" to ensure patients receive the right treatment at the right time. By teaching providers exactly when and how to refer a patient—such as a general practitioner referring to a physiotherapist before considering surgical options—the programaims to reduce overall healthcare costs and delay or prevent unnecessary joint replacement operations. Ultimately, this interdisciplinary approach opens the door to much more meaningful and effective patient outcomes. Call to Action for Clinicians The project is actively recruiting healthcare providers in Belgium to participate in this free, blended learning program. Practitioners are highly encouraged to register and join the initiative to improve their clinical practice andinterdisciplinary networking. Recruitment is currently open and will run until the final training sessions. References Featured Guidelines: KNGF Guidelines (adapted for the Belgian healthcare system) Collaborating Entities: VUB, KU Leuven, and the Belgian Federal Government Contact Do you want to know more about Physio Global? Visit our website: www.physioglobal.nl Or do you have other ideas or a question? Please send us an email: info@physioglobal.nl Jingle A special thanks to: Seize the Day en Andrey Rossi. Muziek van #Uppbeat.

    #50 Implementing and evaluating a training program for healthcare providers in conservative knee and hip osteoarthritis management
  2. Oct 17

    #49 De kracht van leefstijl: Plants for Health in de praktijk

    De kracht van leefstijl: Plants for Health in de praktijk In deze aflevering van de Physio Global podcast gaat presentator Adriaan Ruesink in gesprek met Carlijn Wagenaar. Carlijn is arts, onderzoeker en oprichtster van het platform Plants for Health[cite: 1, 2]. Ziekten zoals reuma en artrose hebben een enorme impact op het dagelijks leven van patiënten. In de spreekkamer ligt de focus vaak nog op het bestrijden van symptomen met medicatie, terwijl het fundament – onze leefstijl – onderbelicht blijft. In deze aflevering onderzoeken we hoe chronische laaggradige ontstekingen juist in onze leefstijl hun oorsprong én oplossing kunnen vinden. Ongeveer een jaar geleden promoveerde Carlijn op de 'Plants for Joints' studie, een onderzoek uitgevoerd vanuit het Amsterdam UMC en Reade onder 150 patiënten met artrose of reumatoïde artritis. Dit onderzoek toonde aan dat een leefstijlinterventie kan leiden tot aanzienlijke klinische verbeteringen in de ziekteactiviteit en fysieke gesteldheid. Het programma bestond uit een 'whole-food plant-based' (onbewerkt plantaardig) voedingspatroon, gecombineerd met gerichte beweging, slaapoptimalisatie en stressmanagement. Belangrijke thema's die in deze aflevering aan bod komen: De werking van voeding: Een onbewerkt plantaardig dieet vermindert ontstekingen doordat het rijk is aan vezels en onverzadigde vetten, en arm aan ontstekingsbevorderende bewerkte producten. Spierbehoud en vetverlies: Patiënten in de studie verloren structureel vetmassa, met name schadelijk buikvet, wat sterk bijdraagt aan de afname van ontstekingen[cite: 1, 2]. Hun spiermassa bleef echter behouden dankzij twee keer per week gerichte krachttraining en een bewuste inname van voldoende plantaardige eiwitten. Valkuilen van vegan-marketing: Er wordt kritisch gekeken naar bewerkte plantaardige alternatieven. Hoewel peulvruchten en onbewerkte soja uitstekend zijn, vormen sommige veganistische kazen (vaak vol verzadigd kokosvet) een risico voor hart- en bloedvaten zonder gezondheidsvoordeel. Het fundament van slaap en stress: Zonder goede slaaphygiëne en gerichte stressreductie is het veel moeilijker om een gezond voedingspatroon vol te houden en de fysiologische stress in het lichaam te verlagen. Samenwerking in de zorg: Carlijn vertelt hoe artsen, fysiotherapeuten en diëtisten optimaal multidisciplinair kunnen samenwerken om de patiënt hierin de juiste stappen te laten zetten[cite: 1, 2]. Omdat zorgprofessionals vaak beperkte tijd hebben in de behandelkamer, werd het platform 'Plants for Health' opgericht. Dit platform en het gelijknamige leefstijlboek bieden theorie, recepten en een ondersteunende community, en dienen zo als direct verlengstuk van de behandeling0 Referenties: LinkedIn: Carlijn Wagenaar Website: Plants for Health https://plants-for-health.nl/ Boek: Nederlandse versie https://plants-for-health.nl/boek/ Voedingscentrum: Informatie over gezond en vegetarisch/plantaardig eten www.voedingscentrum.nl

    #49 De kracht van leefstijl: Plants for Health in de praktijk
  3. Jul 30

    #48 Local and remote exercise induced hypoalgesia in knee osteoarthritis patients a randomized crossover

    In this special bite-sized episode, recorded live at the Pain Science in Motion Congress in Brussels, we sit down with Mark van Loo. Mark is a physical therapist and researcher at the University of Applied Sciences Rotterdam, specializing in knee osteoarthritis and physical activity behavior. Mark shares insights from his PhD poster presentation, focusing on a fascinating physiological mechanism to help patients overcome the pain barrier when exercising. A major clinical hurdle in treating knee osteoarthritis is that movement is inherently painful for these patients, making it incredibly difficult to increase their physical activity levels. Mark’s research investigates a potential workaround known as exercise-induced hypoalgesia. This phenomenon involves a temporary decrease in pain sensitivity immediately following an exercise session, creating a window of pain reduction that typically lasts anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes. The ongoing crossover study explores whether utilizing non-painful areas of the body can reduce pain in the affected joints. The study design includes: Upper Body Interventions: Participants perform a rowing exercise using elastic bands, tested at both high and lower intensities. Lower Body Comparison: A high-intensity cycling condition is used as a standard comparison. Objective Pain Tracking: Pain thresholds are measured globally at the shoulder and locally at the knee using a pressure algometer. Timing: These pressure measurements are taken before the exercise and immediately after to capture the temporary pain-relief window. The research focuses on individuals suffering from knee osteoarthritis. So far, the feasibility of the study is highly promising. The research team has successfully recruited 37 out of their target 45 participants, noting excellent adherence and zero dropouts related to adverse events or the exercise protocols. Data collection is utilizing a strong crossover design, where participants are their own control group, and is expected to conclude before the summer. The team hopes to publish their findings by the end of the year. If the systemic effects of exercise-induced hypoalgesia are proven effective, it could revolutionize behavioral change strategies for this population. Clinicians could potentially use high-intensity upper body exercises as a strategic "warm-up" to induce temporary pain relief, opening a vital window to safely load and exercise the painful lower body without triggering the patient's alarm system. Are you a clinician struggling to get patients with severe knee osteoarthritis active? Consider the systemic effects of movement. While waiting for the final publication of this study, you can start thinking about how to integrate upper body conditioning into your treatment plans to help desensitize the nervous system before moving on to targeted lower extremity exercises. Event: Pain Science in Motion Congress in Brussels Featured Mechanism: Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia Collaborating Entities: University of Applied Sciences Rotterdam, Physio Global & Pain in Motion Do you want to know more about Physio Global? Visit our website: ⁠www.physioglobal.nl⁠ Or do you have other ideas or a question? Please send us an email: ⁠info@physioglobal.nl⁠ Mark’s Research: Exercise-Induced HypoalgesiaThe Study Design and MeasurementsTarget Population and Study StatusClinical Implications: A Gateway to MovementCall to Action for CliniciansReferences & Resources For the Jingle a special thanks to: Seize the Day en Andrey Rossi. Muziek van #Uppbeat.

    #48 Local and remote exercise induced hypoalgesia in knee osteoarthritis patients a randomized crossover
  4. Jul 23

    #47 Chronic Pain: a personal story

    In this special bite-sized episode, recorded live at the Pain Science in Motion Congress in Brussels, we sit down with Anneleen, a 30-year-old lab scientist who shares her personal testimonial as a chronic pain patient. Diagnosed with fibromyalgia at the age of 12, Anneleen offers a profound, firsthand perspective on the challenges of navigating the healthcare system and the turning points that helped her regain her mobility and life. Anneleen’s symptoms began at an early age, involving severe fatigue, muscle pain, and brain fog. Guided by her mother's own experience with fibromyalgia, Anneleen was evaluated through questionnaires and diagnosed at just 12 years old. Her early interventions were heavily medicalized and highly restrictive: Intravenous TreatmentsIntravenous: She regularly received magnesium intravenously, which left her feeling highly fatigued and foggy. Activity Restriction: Her general practitioner advised her not to walk or bike more than 4 kilometers, and she was granted exemptions from various school classes. Pharmaceuticals: She received extensive pharmaceutical care, which ultimately steered her further into an inactive and sedentary lifestyle. At age 21, Anneleen experienced a drastic turning point when she found a multidisciplinary center for pain education. After enduring a difficult period involving severe side effects from prescribed medication—including extreme fatigue, weight loss, and depression—she chose to stop the medication and pivot her approach in collaboration with her care team. Instead, she focused on holistic understanding and gradual re-engagement: Understanding the Alarm System: She learned about the mechanisms of pain and nociception, realizing that her nervous system's alarm system was constantly on edge and giving false signals. Intuitive Movement: She began incorporating activities like walking, cycling, and Yin yoga into her daily life, moving intuitively without having strict physical goals in mind. Reframing Pain: She learned how to validate the pain she was feeling, while simultaneously understanding that experiencing pain does not necessarily mean the body is being damaged. Anneleen highlights the importance of having a support system that recognizes the small, gradual victories in recovery that a patient might overlook. She also strongly advocates for transparency; despite the fear of repercussions, being radically honest with her employer and friends about her condition opened the door to much-needed understanding and support. Are you a clinician working with chronic pain? Annelien’s story underlines the vital importance of providing comprehensive pain science education and avoiding overly restrictive movement guidelines. Clinicians are encouraged to be open-minded, transparent, and supportive in helping patients find their own intuitive path back to movement. Event: Pain Science in Motion Congress in Brussels Collaborating Entities: Physio Global & Pain in Motion Do you want to know more about Physio Global? Visit our website: ⁠www.physioglobal.nl⁠ Or do you have other ideas or a question? Please send us an email: ⁠info@physioglobal.nl⁠ For the Jingle a special thanks to: Seize the Day en Andrey Rossi. Muziek van #Uppbeat.

    #47 Chronic Pain: a personal story
  5. Jul 4

    #46 Physical activity assessment study

    In this episode, recorded live at the Pain Science in Motion Congress in Brussels, we sit down with PhD researcher and physiotherapist Sophie van Dijk from the University of Antwerp. Sophie shares insights from her double poster presentation, focusing on the critical challenges and methodologies surrounding the assessment of physical activity in populations living with persistent pain. Sophie’s Study: Measuring Activity in Persistent Pain While physical activity is a cornerstone of chronic pain rehabilitation, staying active remains a massive hurdle for patients. To design effective, tailored interventions, clinicians must first be able to accurately track a patient's movement. Sophie van Dijk’s research addresses a fundamental clinical question: how do subjective patient self-reports compare to objective technological tracking? The Trade-offs of Measurement Both assessment methods have distinct pros and cons: ●       Subjective Self-Reports (e.g., the IPAQ questionnaire): These are cost-effective and provide rich context, showing exactly where and why a patient is active (e.g., at work vs. during leisure). However, they are highly susceptible to recall bias. ●       Objective Tracking (e.g., smartwatches and accelerometers): These deliver unbiased, continuous data that can actively boost patient motivation. On the downside, wearing a device 24/7 can be intrusive, and the data lacks behavioral context. Target Population and Study Status The research focuses specifically on breast cancer survivors, a group where roughly 45% to 50% experience persistent pain after completing treatment. By directly comparing their questionnaire answers with accelerometer data, the study aims to map out exactly where measurement discrepancies occur. This project efficiently "piggybacks" on the baseline data of a larger randomized controlled trial, the PEAK trial. Recruitment for Sophie's sub-study concludes at the end of this year, with data analysis slated for next year. Future steps will also examine how pain variables—like pain intensity and disability—directly influence a patient's tendency to over- or underestimate their actual physical activity. Clinical Implications: A Combined Approach Sophie emphasizes that the goal is not to choose one method over the other, but to integrate both. Merging the hard numbers of objective tracking with the rich, personal context of a questionnaire gives clinicians the complete picture. Ultimately, this combined approach opens the door to much more meaningful and effective conversations in the treatment room. Call to Action for Clinicians The PEAK trial is actively seeking breast cancer survivors who suffer from persistent pain after ending their treatment. The trial offers a comprehensive intervention combining pain science education with targeted behavior change strategies to safely promote physical activity. Clinicians are highly encouraged to refer eligible patients via the research group's official channels. Recruitment is still open till the end of 2026. Do you want to know more about this Physical Activity Assessment Study? Visit the website: https://www.caredon.org/researchers/projects/pragmatic-rct-belgian-primary-care-and-hospital-settings-effectiveness-ehealth References & Resources Featured Assessment Tool: IPAQ Long Form (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) Associated Clinical Trial: The PEAK Trial (Investigating Pain Science Education and Activity Behavior Change) Collaborating Entities: University of Antwerp & Pain in Motion Do you want to know more about Physio Global? Visit our website: www.physioglobal.nl Or do you have other ideas or a question? Please send us an email: info@physioglobal.nl For the Jingle a special thanks to: Seize the Day en Andrey Rossi. Muziek van #Uppbeat.

    #46 Physical activity assessment study
  6. Jun 21

    #45 Exploring Radiation and spatial summation in the context of pain

    Does Perceived Spatial Extent Mediate the Spatial Summation of Pain? In this episode, recorded live at the Pain Science in Motion Congress in Brussels, we sit down with clinical physiotherapist and researcher Tom Frankenstein. This special episode was brought to you in close collaboration with Pain in Motion. Tom dives into the intriguing findings from his oral presentation, exploring whether the perceived spatial extent of a stimulus mediates the well-known phenomenon of spatial summation of pain (SSp). 🎙️ Featured Guest: Tom Frankenstein  Clinical physiotherapist, lecturer, and PhD candidate at the University of Lübeck, Germany. Tom splits his time between managing chronic pain patients in the clinic and conducting advanced research in experimental pain science, aiming to uncover the complex supraspinal mechanisms behind spatial pain perception. The Central Question: Spatial Summation & Perception Tom explains his research into whether spatial summation of pain (SSp) is driven solely by actual noxious stimulus inputs or if it is significantly mediated by how large a person perceives the painful area to be (perceived spatial extent). The Discrepancy of Pain Radiation Building on an evolution of research—specifically a 2025 study by Adamczyk et al.—Tom outlines the concept of "pain radiation." This highlights a massive discrepancy between actual physical stimulus boundaries and a person's spatial perception, sparking key questions about the underlying brain mechanisms. Experimental Setup and Methodology The study was conducted in a specialized research laboratory environment at the university with 53 healthy participants. Using a trackball, participants continuously rated both pain intensity and their perceived spatial extent during the application of noxious heat (contact heat) as well as innoxious tactile and warmth stimuli for comparative analysis. Uncovering Supraspinal Mechanisms While spatial summation is typically a mix of peripheral, spinal, and supraspinal pathways, this project isolates spatial perception as a key supraspinal factor, showing how top-down cognitive and perceptual processing directly influences the experienced intensity of pain. Moving Toward Clinical Populations With his PhD thesis submission imminent, Tom looks ahead to the future of pain science. He calls for these experimental models to be expanded into clinical populations, noting that conditions like Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)—which currently lacks spatial summation studies—low back pain, fibromyalgia, knee osteoarthritis, and polyneuropathy could benefit enormously from clearer spatial perception data. References & Resources 2025 Foundation Paper (Adamczyk et al.): PubMed Link SSp Supraspinal Involvement Studies: Exploring Supraspinal Pathways Paper 1 Exploring Supraspinal Pathways Paper 2 Preprint on Clinical Relevance of Spatial Pain: medRxiv Preprint Speaker Info & Contact ResearchGate Profile: Tom Frankenstein on ResearchGate University Profile & Contact: University of Lübeck Staff Details Visit our website for more info: www.physioglobal.nl  Contact email information: info@physioglobal.nl   For the Jingle a special thanks to: Seize the Day en Andrey Rossi. Muziek van #Uppbeat.

    #45 Exploring Radiation and spatial summation in the context of pain
  7. Jun 19

    #44 Fasciale interventies en Lage Rugpijn

    In deze aflevering van Physio Global gaan we in gesprek met dr. Robbert van Amstel, fysiotherapeut, manueel therapeut en senior onderzoeker aan de Vrije Universiteit van Amsterdam. Centraal in deze uitzending staat de intrigerende rol van het fasciale systeem bij de diagnostiek en behandeling van patiënten met lage rugpijn. Robbert neemt ons mee in de nieuwste wetenschappelijke inzichten rondom fascieweefsel en de klinische relevantie hiervan binnen de fysiotherapie. Wat zegt de huidige literatuur over de effectiviteit van fasciale interventies? Hoe beïnvloeden deze technieken mechanismen zoals weefsel mechanica en nociceptie bij lage rugklachten? En hoe vertaal je deze complexe neurobiologische en biomechanische processen concreet naar de dagelijkse praktijk op de behandelbank? Een onmisbare aflevering voor elke clinicus die zijn mechanische en neurofysiologische denkkader bij rugklachten wil verdiepen. 🎙️ Gastspreker: dr. Robbert van Amstel Over de gastspreker dr. Robbert van Amstel is een vooraanstaand expert, clinicus en onderzoeker gespecialiseerd in het fasciale systeem, manuele therapie en musculoskeletale revalidatie. Met zijn unieke combinatie van praktijkervaring en wetenschappelijke expertise slaat hij op heldere wijze de brug tussen complexe weefselbiologie en effectieve patiëntenzorg. Meer ontdekken? Wil je meer afleveringen beluisteren of op de hoogte blijven van de nieuwste klinische inzichten? Bezoek onze website: www.physioglobal.nl Heb je een vraag of wil je in contact komen? Stuur dan een e-mail naar: info@physioglobal.nl of bezoek de contactpagina op onze website. #PhysioGlobal #Podcast #Fascia #LageRugpijn #Fysiotherapie #ManueleTherapie #PhysioNews For the Jingle a special thanks to:Seize the Day en Andrey Rossi. Muziek van #Uppbeat.

    #44 Fasciale interventies en Lage Rugpijn
  8. Jun 8

    #43 Do Manual Therapeutic Techniques influence central pain processing mechanisms in people with neck pain?

    In this episode, recorded live at the Pain Science in Motion Congress in Brussels, we sit down with manual therapist and researcher Roland Reezigt MSc. This special episode was produced in close collaboration with the Pain in Motion research group. Roland dives into the neurobiological mechanisms behind manual therapy, exploring whether hands-on techniques can actually influence how the central nervous system processes pain in individuals suffering from neck pain. 🎙️ Featured Guest: Roland Reezigt MSc.Manual therapist, lecturer, and researcher affiliated with Hanzehogeschool Groningen and VU Amsterdam.An emerging voice in musculoskeletal physiotherapy, dedicated to bridging the gap between clinical manual therapy and advanced pain science. The Central Question: Roland discusses his research into whether manual therapeutic techniques can directly modulate central pain processing mechanisms in people with neck pain. Beyond the Joint: Shifting the perspective from purely mechanical explanations of manual therapy toward a neurophysiological and central nervous system-focused approach. Live from PSiM: Key insights and discussions generated during the Pain Science in Motion Congress in Brussels, highlighting the future of pain research.Clinical Relevance: How clinicians can integrate these insights into daily practice to better understand and treat patients with persistent neck complaints. References Yarnitsky D. Conditioned pain modulation (the diffuse noxious inhibitory control-like effect): its relevance for acute and chronic pain states. Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology. 2010;23(5):611-615. doi:10.1097/ACO.0b013e32833c348b Hermans L, Calders P, Oosterwijck JV, Verschelde E, Bertel E, Meeus M. An overview of offset analgesia and the comparison with conditioned pain modulation: A systematic literature review. Pain physician. 2016;19(6):307-326. doi:10.36076/ppj/2016.19.307 Ramaswamy S, Wodehouse T. Conditioned pain modulation—A comprehensive review. Neurophysiologie Clinique. Published online December 2020. doi:10.1016/j.neucli.2020.11.002 Physio Global Website: www.physioglobal.nl Contact email information: info@physioglobal.nl For the Jingle a special thanks to:Seize the Day en Andrey Rossi. Muziek van #Uppbeat.

    #43 Do Manual Therapeutic Techniques influence central pain processing mechanisms in people with neck pain?

About

Welkom bij de Physio Global Podcast! Tijdens elke podcast bespreken we verschillende onderwerpen met verschillende gastsprekers m.b.t. de fysiotherapie binnen de #BeNeLux. Volg ons ook op LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram en Twitter! En bezoek ook onze website: www.physioglobal.nl #Podcast #PhysioGlobal #PhysioNews #BeNeLux #Physiotherapy #Fysiotherapie

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