Tom Varcoe Physio

Tom Varcoe Physio Physiotherapy

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.

19/02/2026

Been told you have sciatica — or think you might? 🤔
Do you know the common signs and symptoms? Comment your guess for #3 below! 👇
It isn’t as easy as your think

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2020) Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management (NICE guideline NG59). London: NICE.

11/02/2026

Most people don’t get stuck with back pain because they’re “broken”.

They get stuck because they slowly start doing less.

Less bending.
Less lifting.
Less loading.
Less confidence.

And over time… your back gets less tolerant, not more protected.

Rebuilding isn’t about being fearless.
It’s about making the movement feel safe again — step by step.

Comment your go-to back pain exercise 👇

08/02/2026

This is the part nobody tells you about sciatica…
The timeline.
Comment your guess 👇

Reference (Harvard):
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2020) Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management (NICE guideline NG59). London: NICE. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng59 (Accessed: 8 February 2026).

Not all pain needs an injection — but some cases may benefit at the right time.We assess first and, when clinically appr...
28/01/2026

Not all pain needs an injection — but some cases may benefit at the right time.
We assess first and, when clinically appropriate, can refer to your GP for steroid injection consideration alongside a structured rehab

24/01/2026

If your back pain has overstayed its welcome,
it’s time to stop resting and start rehabbing.

Strong backs bend, load, and adapt.


Tendon pain that won’t shift is often under-challenged — not damaged.Rest settles symptoms, but slow, controlled strengt...
19/01/2026

Tendon pain that won’t shift is often under-challenged — not damaged.

Rest settles symptoms, but slow, controlled strength work is what helps tendons adapt and get stronger.

If your rehab hasn’t progressed in a while, your tendon may simply need a better plan — not more rest.



Have you ever been given loads of rehab exercises and felt overwhelmed… or just fizzled out doing them?You’re not lazy —...
12/01/2026

Have you ever been given loads of rehab exercises and felt overwhelmed… or just fizzled out doing them?

You’re not lazy — it’s common. Research suggests that longer exercise lists are linked with lower adherence, which is why rehab often works best when it’s kept simple.

Next time you see a physio, make sure the plan fits your life — not the other way around.

Bachmann et al. (2017). Systematic review on home exercise adherence.

08/01/2026

Age doesn’t cause back pain — research shows older adults aren’t automatically more likely to have back pain, and it can even decline in the oldest groups. 🧠✨
If you’re avoiding deadlifts because you think they’re an “age thing” — think again! 👀💪


HealthyAging MoveWithConfidence PhysioEducation
TomVarcoePhysio

Reference:
Fejer, R. & Leboeuf-Yde, C., 2012. Does back and neck pain become more common as you get older? A systematic literature review. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, 20(24), pp.1–10. https://doi.org/10.1186/2045-709X-20-24

05/01/2026

Guess the diagnosis 🧠
Is this you?
Drop your answer in the comments 👇

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