Just strengthen your quads and hamstrings." If you have ever gone to an ortho or PT for knee pain, you have probably heard this advice. But does it actually make sense?

In this episode, We discuss why "getting stronger" is often a lazy and ineffective strategy for resolving pain. Inspired by a recent editorial by Jared Powell titled "It is not all about strength," the hosts break down why pain is rarely about muscle size and almost always about position.

They explore the difference between "Hardware" (structural damage) and "Software" (movement patterns), why MRI findings are often misleading, and why surgery should be the last resort—not the first option. Whether you are a college athlete or an "industrial athlete," this episode will challenge the way you think about rehab.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• The Strength Myth: Why "get stronger" fails active people who are already squatting heavy but still have pain.
• Position Over Power: Why pain relief often comes from changing how you move, not how much you lift.
• Hardware vs. Software: Why you can fix a "Hardware" problem (surgery) but still have pain if you don't fix the "Software" (movement patterns).
• The "Industrial Athlete": Why factory workers and tradesmen need to view their bodies like elite athletes to avoid injury.
• Surgery Reality Check: Why getting surgery doesn't guarantee a fix, and why you should exhaust your conservative options first.
• Return to Sport: Why athletes often "cram" for preseason and end up injured, and the realistic timelines for tissue healing.

Resources Mentioned:

• Editorial: "It is not all about strength: Rethinking mechanistic assumptions in exercise-based rehabilitation for musculoskeletal pain relief" by Jared Powell.
• Concepts: Hardware vs. Software in Injury Rehab.

Connect with Us: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on your listening platform or subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Disclaimer: Although we are healthcare providers, we are not YOUR healthcare provider. Content is for educational purposes only. Please consult your physician before making lifestyle changes.

Support the show

Support the Show: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star review and subscribe on YouTube! It helps us continue to bring you the best health insights so you can Go Fix Yourself.

You can also so your support through donations! You can click here and pledge a monthly amount to help keep this podcast running! We'll give you a shout out and answer a question of your choosing on an episode!

Find us on the Following!
Instagram: @gfy.podcast
Spotify:
Website:
Youtube:

Available on all podcast streaming sites!

If you have general questions about pain you're experiencing send us a DM on instagram or email at wellinformed24@gmail.com

Michael Stant has also launched a weekly blog, Well-Informed. If interested in following. You can subscribe to the following link: https://wellinformed24.substack.com/

We are fast approaching "National Quitters Day." Research shows that by January 9th, most people will have abandoned their New Year's resolutions. Why? Because the "grindset" of waking up at 5:00 AM, cutting carbs, and crushing yourself in the gym is unsustainable without one key component: Recovery.

In this episode, We break down what recovery actually means. They discuss why "resting" doesn't fix tendon pain, why you need to track your Heart Rate Variability (HRV), and the difference between a "Hardware" injury and a "Software" problem. If you want to make it past January, this episode is your blueprint.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• National Quitters Day: Why the "all or nothing" approach in January leads to burnout in less than three weeks.
• What Gets Measured Gets Managed: Why you need to track data (like HRV and sleep) rather than just guessing how you feel.
• HRV 101: What Heart Rate Variability is, and why a "chaotic" heartbeat is actually a sign of good health.
• The Tendon Trap: Why resting a tendon injury (like patellar tendinitis) often makes it worse, and why "loading" is the real cure.
• Hardware vs. Software: Why your brain (the software) needs months of rehab even after the bone or ligament (the hardware) has healed.
• The Math of Recovery: Simple formulas for hydration (ounces per minute of exercise) and protein intake (grams per pound of body weight).

Connect with Us: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on your listening platform or subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Disclaimer: Although we are healthcare providers, we are not YOUR healthcare provider. Content is for educational purposes only. Please consult your physician before making lifestyle changes.

Support the show

Support the Show: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star review and subscribe on YouTube! It helps us continue to bring you the best health insights so you can Go Fix Yourself.

You can also so your support through donations! You can click here and pledge a monthly amount to help keep this podcast running! We'll give you a shout out and answer a question of your choosing on an episode!

Find us on the Following!
Instagram: @gfy.podcast
Spotify:
Website:
Youtube:

Available on all podcast streaming sites!

If you have general questions about pain you're experiencing send us a DM on instagram or email at wellinformed24@gmail.com

Michael Stant has also launched a weekly blog, Well-Informed. If interested in following. You can subscribe to the following link: https://wellinformed24.substack.com/

Back pain is the one of the largest burdens on the healthcare system. It is complex, frustrating, and often misunderstood. But does fixing it require expensive surgery or endless adjustments? Often, the answer is no.

In this episode, we break down 6 Simple Ways to address back pain. We move beyond the traditional "structural" view and explore the Biopsychosocial Model—looking at how your movement, your social life, and even your self-talk influence your pain levels. From finding the "root cause" (hint: it’s usually not your back) to understanding why "Motion is Lotion," this episode provides a checklist to help you take control of your recovery.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Motion is Lotion: Why being sedentary makes pain worse and how to find an "entry point" for movement that doesn't hurt (like breathing exercises or glute squeezes).
• The Biopsychosocial Model: Why you need to treat the "Psycho" (mental) and "Social" (connection) aspects of pain, not just the "Bio" (physical).
• Nutrition & Inflammation: Why it’s not just about "losing 20 lbs," but tracking how alcohol and sugar affect your inflammation levels.
• Finding the Root Cause: The 3 Big Buckets of back pain: Hip Asymmetry, Spinal Flexibility, and Core Stability.
• The "I'm Broken" Trap: How negative self-talk creates a fear-avoidance cycle that keeps you in pain.
• Education vs. Exercise: Why knowing why you are doing an exercise is just as important as the exercise itself.

Connect with Us: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on your listening platform or subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Disclaimer: Although we are healthcare providers, we are not YOUR healthcare provider. Content is for educational purposes only. Please consult your physician before making lifestyle changes.

Support the show

Support the Show: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star review and subscribe on YouTube! It helps us continue to bring you the best health insights so you can Go Fix Yourself.

You can also so your support through donations! You can click here and pledge a monthly amount to help keep this podcast running! We'll give you a shout out and answer a question of your choosing on an episode!

Find us on the Following!
Instagram: @gfy.podcast
Spotify:
Website:
Youtube:

Available on all podcast streaming sites!

If you have general questions about pain you're experiencing send us a DM on instagram or email at wellinformed24@gmail.com

Michael Stant has also launched a weekly blog, Well-Informed. If interested in following. You can subscribe to the following link: https://wellinformed24.substack.com/