This month on the STA Clinician Podcast, our focus is 'Common Frustrations For MSK Clinicians'. In Part 1, host Matt Phillips is joined by special guests Imi Testa, owner of Back On Track Soft Tissue Therapy, and Jo Turner, founder of Mehab.co.uk. Imi and Jo discuss the all too often polarised debate over 'good posture', and the misconception that maintenance massage is merely a luxury.

The conversation covers safe peer spaces, coaching and clinician self‑care, the limits of purely biomechanical thinking, and the value of collaboration and awareness in practice. Imi talks about the exciting new course she has created with fellow therapist Joanne Crawley, created for people in midlife and beyond that incorporates exercise for strength, balance and mobility. Jo Turner mentions her highly respected 'Coaching Unpeeled' course, delivered online with Joanne Elphinstone of JEMS Movement, designed to help MSK clinicians partner more effectively with patients, reduce sense of pressure and enable patients to participate in their treatment with greater engagement and motivation. Part one of the series—practical, honest, and reflective.

Useful Links

• Back On Track Soft Tissue Therapy Website
• Imi Testa & Joanne Crawley New Course Details
• Mehab.co.uk Website
• Coaching Unpeeled April Course 2026

Want to join the live recordings? Episodes of the STA Clinician Podcast are recorded live every TUESDAY at 8pm on the Sports Therapy Association YOUTUBE CHANNEL and FACEBOOK page. Everyone is welcome - you do not have to be an STA member! If you cannot join us live, be sure to subscribe to the 'Sports Therapy Association Podcast' on all popular podcast apps to be notified when new episodes are available.

Interested in joining the STA? Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12! Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.

The Sports Therapy Association (STA), The Society of Sports Therapists (SST) and the Sports Therapy Organisation (STO) are widely recognised as the three main professional membership bodies specifically representing Sports Therapists in the UK. In Ep.279 of the STA Clinician Podcast 'Collaboration: Therapy Show 2026 & Beyond', host Matt Phillips is joined by representatives from each of these professional membership bodies, who discuss how by working together in collaboration the Sports Therapy Industry can move forwards & upwards. They also reflect on what’s in store at this year’s Therapy Show, formerly known as Therapy Expo, which is taking place at the NEC Birmingham this November, on Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th. Representatives from the three professional bodies: • Kate Williams, Head of Education at The SST (Society of Sports Therapists) • Sarah Catlow, Chair of the STO (Sports Therapy Organisation) • And Gary Benson, founder of the STA (Sports Therapy Association)

The panel discusses conference goals, public education, professional membership, education standards, and the language around diagnosis and clinical decision-making. The episode highlights opportunities for unified messaging, better accreditation and training, and the power of multidisciplinary events to raise standards, protect patients, and support practitioners across the sector.

Chapter Markers

• 00:00:15 - Welcome to the STA Clinician Podcast
• 00:02:32 - Introducing guests Kate Williams, Sarah Catlow and Gary Benson
• 00:04:42 - Reflections on Therapy Expo 2025
• 00:07:20 - Collaboration: The Society of Sports Therapists (SST), The Sports Therapy Organisation (STO) and the Sports Therapy Association (STA)
• 00:10:33 - Clinical Decision Making
• 00:12:27 - The Diagnosis Debate
• 00:17:30 - Addressing Public Awareness
• 00:20:27 - The Value of Professional Membership
• 00:22:53 - Supporting New Graduates
• 00:24:49 - The Importance of Standards
• 00:31:44 - Concerns About Therapy Show 2026
• 00:35:29 - Pricing and Accessibility
• 00:38:07 - Future Collaborations
• 00:43:22 - Ensuring Quality Education
• 00:50:44 - Conclusion and Future Events

Useful Links

• The Society of Sports Therapists Website
• The Sports Therapy Organisation Website
• The Sports Therapy Association Website
• Therapy Show Website
• STA South Conference 2026 - Saturday May 9th
• STA Midlands Conference 2026 - Saturday June 20th
• Neurodivergent MSK Clinicians Facebook Group

Want to join the live recordings? Episodes of the STA Clinician Podcast are recorded live every TUESDAY at 8pm on the Sports Therapy Association YOUTUBE CHANNEL and FACEBOOK page. Everyone is welcome - you do not have to be an STA member! If you cannot join us live, be sure to subscribe to the 'Sports Therapy Association Podcast' on all popular podcast apps to be notified when new episodes are available.

Interested in joining the STA? Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12! Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.

In Ep.278 of the STA Clinician Podcast, entitled 'Why is Therapy Expo now Therapy Show?’ host Matt Phillips is joined by special guest Liam Richardson, Content Director of Therapy Show. Liam explains why Therapy Expo, thirteen years after it first started, has now been rebranded as Therapy Show, including a focus on better content and attendee experience, new practical and business-focused sessions, speaker line-up highlights, and ticketing details for the 25–26 November event at the NEC Birmingham (England).

Liam explains the reasons behind the new advisory and education committees, improvements to theatre sizes and interactive spaces, networking plans, and how organizers are working to make the show more inclusive and engaging for first-time visitors and neurodivergent clinicians. If you are a neurodivergent clinician, whether it be through formal diagnosis or not, you are welcome to join the Neurodivergent MSK Clinicians Facebook Group. Host Matt Phillips, creator of the group, will be consulting & updating members on developments for a more inclusive space at Therapy Show this year, including the planned 45-minute panel debate that Matt will be hosting.

Chapter Markers

• 00:00:15 - Welcome to the STA Clinician Podcast
• 00:02:12 - Introducing Content Manager Liam Richardson
• 00:04:15 - The Evolution of Therapy Expo
• 00:06:34 - What Caused the Rebrand?
• 00:08:47 - Enhancing Attendee Experience
• 00:14:56 - Speaker Lineup Highlights
• 00:17:14 - Addressing Advisory Board Concerns
• 00:18:57 - Ticket Pricing Strategy
• 00:31:03 - Networking Opportunities at the Show
• 00:34:02 - Making the Show Neurodivergent Friendly
• 00:37:06 - Communication is Key
• 00:45:19 - Collaboration and Future Discussions

Useful Links

• Therapy Show Website
• Therapy Show on Instagram
• Therapy Show on Facebook
• Neurodivergent MSK Clinicians Facebook Group

Want to join the live recordings? Episodes of the STA Clinician Podcast are recorded live every TUESDAY at 8pm on the Sports Therapy Association YOUTUBE CHANNEL and FACEBOOK page. Everyone is welcome - you do not have to be an STA member! If you cannot join us live, be sure to subscribe to the 'Sports Therapy Association Podcast' on all popular podcast apps to be notified when new episodes are available.

Interested in joining the STA? Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12! Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.