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By Duke Autret, Myotherapist Musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction are often linked to biomechanical factors such as joint alignment, muscular imbalances, or overuse injuries. However, in some cases, pain arises without a clear mechanical, viral, or injury-based cause. By broadening the lens to include non-mechanical origins such as visceral, vascular, neural, fascial, and psycho-emotional factors, physical therapists can uncover hidden contributors to pain and provide a more comprehensive treatment approach.  Non-Mechanical Contributors to Pain Visceral Origins The internal organs (viscera) can play a surprising role in musculoskeletal pain:
Vascular Origins
Neural Origins
Fascial Restrictions
Stress and Psycho-emotional Factors
Common Examples that can be Non-Mechanical Pain
A Holistic Approach to Treatment When mechanical explanations fall short, physical therapy can offer a more integrative assessment:
Restoring Balance Through Physical Therapy In our next Beyond the Mechanics blog, we’ll explore examples of how physical therapy can make a significant impact, even when the primary concerns aren’t purely biomechanical or musculoskeletal. Many issues, such as systemic inflammation, nervous system dysregulation, or metabolic imbalances, and psychological/emotional issues can manifest in ways that affect physical function and well-being. And we’ll see how and why hands-on physical therapists like Osteopaths and Myotherapists are well placed to address these challenges by combining their expertise in movement and anatomy with a holistic understanding of how the body’s systems interact. Through targeted interventions like hands-on therapy, guided exercises, and patient education (but with a different emphasis) they can help restore balance, improve function, and support the body’s natural healing processes. We’ll discuss why physical therapy is a valuable resource for addressing these interconnected challenges and how therapists are uniquely equipped to guide patients toward better health and resilience. By Ethan Farr, Sports Myotherapist and Exercise Scientist I was having a discussion with one of my clients today and he wanted to know why someone should start weightlifting and how you should get started. It’s a question I hear more often than you’d expect and it’s a great one. So many people associate weightlifting with looking big and muscly or elite athletes and sport performance, but the truth is, resistance training is one of the most powerful tools we have for aging gracefully and maintaining independence as we age.  So what's the big deal? Why should we be weightlifting or resistance training? Well as we age we naturally have a decline in things like; muscle mass, bone density, stability/coordination and reaction time. Some research has even estimated we lose approximately 1% of these physical attributes per year after the age of 35 which might not sound like much, but over a decade, it adds up. This decline can lead to an increased risk of falls, fractures, immobility, and chronic disease all of which affect quality of life. The good news? That decline isn’t inevitable and it’s certainly not irreversible It all starts with lifestyle choices. Through simple lifestyle choices like getting enough quality sleep, eating a balanced, protein-rich diet, and engaging in regular physical activity (especially resistance training) we can slow, stop, and even reverse many of these effects of aging. So how do you get started? If you’re new to resistance training it can be quite daunting to walk in the gym for the first time. Not only that but knowing how to plan your exercises and how often you should be training can be challenging and you often hear conflicting opinions about it online. Lucky for us the Australian Department of Health has set some basic guidelines for physical activity and exercise for different ages and stages of the lifespan. For most it boils down to completing approximately 150-300 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity (light walking, riding, golf, swimming, etc.) or 75-150 minutes vigorous intensity activity ( faster running, cycling or sport participation like soccer/basketball) a week as well as resistance training at least twice a week. So now we know how often, let's look at some simple exercises to complete: I would start with some of our natural foundational movements like: 🔹 Squats Build lower body strength and core stability → Start with bodyweight, progress to goblet or barbell squats 🔹 Lunges Improve single-leg strength, balance, and hip mobility → Try static lunges, walking lunges, or reverse lunges 🔹 Push-ups Strengthen the chest, shoulders, triceps, and core → Modify on knees or incline to start 🔹 Rows Build upper back and arm strength → Use resistance bands, dumbbells, or a TRX system 🔹 Pull-ups or assisted variations Target upper back, shoulders, and arms → Resistance bands or machines can help with progression 🔹 Overhead Press Develop shoulder strength and control → Start with light dumbbells or resistance bands 🔹 Hip hinge movements Strengthen glutes, hamstrings, and lower back → Think glute bridges, deadlifts, or good mornings A simple beginner-friendly strength session might look like this:
Weightlifting isn’t just for bodybuilders or athletes; it's one of the most effective, evidence-based ways to stay strong, mobile, and independent as we age. It also staves off osteoporosis which is especially important for women post menopause as they have the largest risk of being diagnosed with osteoporosis. By incorporating resistance training into your weekly routine, you’re not just building muscle; you’re protecting your joints, supporting your bones, improving balance, and reducing your risk of chronic disease. The beauty of it? You don’t need to overcomplicate things. Starting with foundational movements a couple of times per week can have a profound impact on your long-term health and quality of life. So whether you're in your 20s, 30s, 50s, or beyond it's never too early or too late to start lifting for longevity. Start simple, stay consistent, and let strength be your foundation for graceful aging. Do my feet affect my posture? here is some information on how your feet posture affects your body11/9/2025
By Rachael Bird, Myotherapist Yes, the posture of your feet can indeed affect your overall body posture. Proper foot posture is essential for maintaining good alignment and balance throughout the rest of your body. 
Here's some information on how your feet's posture can impact your body: Foundation of Support: Your feet are the foundation of your body. They provide the base of support for your entire musculoskeletal system. If your feet are not properly aligned, it can affect the alignment of your entire body. Arch Support: The arches of your feet (the longitudinal and transverse arches) help distribute your body weight evenly. When these arches are not properly supported, it can lead to imbalances in your posture. Ankle Stability: The alignment of your feet also affects the stability of your ankles. If your ankles are not properly aligned, it can lead to problems further up the kinetic chain, including the knees and hips. Knee Alignment: Misalignment in the feet can affect the alignment of your knees. If your feet roll inwards (pronation) or outwards (supination) excessively, it can lead to knee problems, such as pain and overuse injuries. Hip and Pelvic Alignment: Issues with foot posture can have a ripple effect on your hips and pelvis. If your feet are not in the right position, it can cause your hips to tilt or rotate, which can lead to low back pain and postural problems. Spinal Alignment: Ultimately, the alignment of your feet can impact the alignment of your spine. Improper foot posture can contribute to conditions such as scoliosis or lordosis, which affect the curvature of your spine. Balance and Gait: Correct foot posture is essential for maintaining balance and walking or running efficiently. If your feet are not aligned properly, it can lead to balance problems and increase the risk of falls and injuries. Muscle Imbalances: When your feet are not in the correct position, it can cause certain muscles to overcompensate, leading to muscle imbalances and, eventually, pain and dysfunction in various parts of the body. To maintain proper foot posture if there is an instability/imbalances present, it is essential to wear appropriate footwear, use orthotics if necessary, and perform exercises that strengthen the muscles of the feet and lower limbs. If you are experiencing persistent pain or posture problems related to your feet, it's a good idea to consult your myotherapist to determine what the best course of action may be. This may include assessment, treatment and possibly a podiatrist, or orthopedic specialist for a thorough evaluation and orthotics that will be fitted to you. This will help correct these imbalances and improve your posture by using the appropriate tools given to you By Ethan Farr, Sports Myotherapist and Exercise Scientist Whether you're a seasoned athlete or new to the hybrid fitness scene, HYROX is one of the most demanding competitions out there. Combining functional strength, endurance, and speed, it pushes your body to the absolute limit—which is why recovery and injury prevention need to be just as much a part of your training plan as the workouts themselves.  Because of its intensity and repetitive nature, HYROX training is notorious for stress-related injuries. Common issues include knee pain (patellofemoral pain, ITB friction, patella tendonitis), shoulder problems (rotator cuff strain, impingement, pec or tricep strain), tennis or golfer’s elbow, and foot and ankle conditions such as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy. The good news is, with the right recovery strategy and preventative care, many of these injuries can be avoided—helping you stay consistent and perform at your best. How Myotherapy Can Help You Prepare and Recover for HYROX Myotherapy is a manual therapy that focuses on the assessment, treatment, and prevention of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. For HYROX athletes, it can be a game-changer—keeping your body moving well, speeding up recovery, and lowering your risk of injury as training ramps up. Through soft tissue release, joint mobilisation, and corrective exercises, myotherapy addresses muscular imbalances and helps protect against overuse injuries. If you’re already experiencing niggles like knee or shoulder pain, targeted techniques such as dry needling, deep tissue release, and stretching can ease irritation, restore movement, and keep you training. It also promotes circulation and reduces muscle tightness, helping you recover faster and handle higher training loads. By improving mobility, stability, and activation, myotherapy ensures you move more efficiently and with greater power on race day. Most importantly, it’s tailored to your individual needs, so you get the right support throughout your HYROX journey. If you’re serious about competing at your best, think of myotherapy as part of your training toolkit—not just something to turn to when injured. Incorporating regular sessions can keep you performing at your peak, minimise downtime, and give you the confidence to push harder in training and on event day. |
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