Tom Varcoe Physio

Tom Varcoe Physio Physiotherapy

05/05/2026

Had Achilles, ankle, calf or plantar fasciitis pain before?
This might be the piece you’re missing.

When you run, your ankle and calf can take 6–7x your bodyweight every step.

It’s one of the most overlooked areas in training—yet one of the most important for staying injury-free.

Small work over time = big difference.

Happy to help if you need some guidance

18/04/2026

Research and clinical frameworks consistently show that a criteria-based approach reduces re-injury risk.

That means building:
✔️ Strength (e.g. calf capacity)
✔️ Load tolerance (e.g. hopping)
✔️ Movement control
✔️ And most importantly… how your body responds over 24 hours

The 2 tests in this video are a great start — but they’re only part of the bigger picture.

If you’re guessing your way back into running, you’re more likely to end up back at square one.

Want a clear, step-by-step return to running plan?
Drop me a message and would be Happy To Help

02/04/2026

Eccentric hamstring trainin can cut injury risk by ~50% 📉
Not stretching. Not massage. Strength in length = protection.

Rudisill, S.S., Varady, N.H., Kucharik, M.P., Eberlin, C.T. and Martin, S.D. (2023) Evidence-based hamstring injury prevention and risk factor management: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 51(7), pp. 1927–1942. https://doi.org/10.1177/03635465221083998

Some lovely people last few weeks. Thanks for all the messages and feedbacks and support. Genuinely means a lot to me. I...
28/03/2026

Some lovely people last few weeks. Thanks for all the messages and feedbacks and support. Genuinely means a lot to me. If anyone needs any help or struggling with something, get some help

🎧 This Month’s ListensHere are a few podcasts I’ve been listening to this month — covering physiotherapy, rehab, perform...
16/03/2026

🎧 This Month’s Listens

Here are a few podcasts I’ve been listening to this month — covering physiotherapy, rehab, performance, and injury management.

Always looking for ways to sharpen my knowledge and bring the best possible treatment to the clinic.

If you’ve got any podcast recommendations, drop them below 👇

PhysioLife HealthcareLearning

Endometriosis affects around 1 in 10 women, yet diagnosis can still take many years. Greater awareness, improved educati...
08/03/2026

Endometriosis affects around 1 in 10 women, yet diagnosis can still take many years. Greater awareness, improved education, and more research into women’s health are essential to reduce delays and improve care.

References:
Endometriosis UK. The State of Endometriosis Care in the UK Report (2024). https://www.endometriosis-uk.org
Nnoaham, K.E. et al. (2011). Impact of endometriosis on quality of life and work productivity: a multicenter study across ten countries. Human Reproduction, 26(9), 2452–2462. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/der217

You shouldn’t leave a healthcare appointment still guessing what’s wrong.When patients don’t understand:• Confidence in ...
07/03/2026

You shouldn’t leave a healthcare appointment still guessing what’s wrong.

When patients don’t understand:
• Confidence in recovery drops
• Adherence to treatment falls
• Anxiety about symptoms increases

Patients deserve:
✔️ A clear explanation
✔️ A working diagnosis
✔️ The reasoning behind treatment

Understanding your injury is the first step in recovering from it.

⸻

Reference
Cox C, Hatfield T, Willars J, Fritz Z. Identifying facilitators and inhibitors of shared understanding: an ethnography of diagnosis communication in acute medical settings. Health Expectations. 2024.

06/03/2026

Happy to help

People are rarely told this:Most treatments and devices create temporary changes.Massage guns included.They can reduce p...
05/03/2026

People are rarely told this:

Most treatments and devices create temporary changes.

Massage guns included.

They can reduce pain and improve movement in the short term — likely through nervous system effects.

But they don’t break down scar tissue.
They don’t rebuild tendon.
They don’t create lasting adaptation.

And that’s okay — as long as you understand what you’re getting.

Relief is useful.
It’s just not the same as recovery.

If you want longer-term change, consider the things that actually influence tissue capacity and pain:

Sleep.
Nutrition.
Load management.
Progressive strength work.
Stress regulation.

The basics aren’t flashy.
But they’re far more productive.

Use tools wisely.
Just don’t let them distract from what moves the needle.

02/03/2026

POV: Your shoulder finally understands the assignment. If your struggling with shoulder pain, focusing on rehab might be exactly what your need

• True sciatica usually lasts 3–6 weeks, sometimes up to 3 months and very rarely over 6-12 months but this is the excep...
28/02/2026

• True sciatica usually lasts 3–6 weeks, sometimes up to 3 months and very rarely over 6-12 months but this is the exception.
• Recurring episodes can happen, but constant sciatica-type pain beyond that is uncommon.
• If your pain has been ongoing for longer, it may be coming from your hip, pelvis, or lower back, not the sciatic nerve itself.

✅ Takeaway: Persistent “sciatica” for many months is often misunderstood, not your fault. Knowing the real source of your pain is the first step toward proper relief.

Lassere, M.N., Johnson, K.R., Thom, J. & Pickard, G., 2018. Protocol of the randomised placebo controlled pilot trial of the management of acute sciatica (SCIATICA): a feasibility study. BMJ Open, 8(7), e020435. doi:10.1136/bmjopen‑2017‑020435.

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