Why You're Always Tired: The Hidden Link Between Sleep, Pain & Recovery

Why You're Always Tired: The Hidden Link Between Sleep, Pain & Recovery

Sleep is one of the most important pillars of health, yet it's often the most neglected. In this special bonus episode of The Treatment Table, Mathew is joined by sleep physiotherapist Peter Allen from Melbourne Brain and Spine Group and SD Labs, alongside co-host and Women's Health Physiotherapist Dimi Tanyous, to explore the powerful connection between sleep, pain, recovery and long-term health. If you wake up feeling stiff, sore, exhausted, struggle with chronic pain, or feel like you're doing everything right but still not recovering, this episode is for you. We discuss: • Why poor sleep can increase your risk of developing chronic pain • The surprising relationship between sleep, inflammation and recovery • Common sleep disorders, including insomnia and sleep apnoea • Why waking up tired isn't normal • How sleep quality impacts athletic performance and injury recovery • The role of sleep posture, mattresses and sleep environment • Practical strategies to improve your sleep starting tonight • The "three-legged stool" of health: movement, nutrition and sleep Whether you're an athlete looking to recover better, someone living with persistent pain, or simply wanting more energy and better health, this episode will change the way you think about sleep. Resources & Links Learn more about SD Labs: https://sdlabs.com.au [https://sdlabs.com.au] Follow SD Labs on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sdlabsau [https://www.instagram.com/sdlabsau] Learn more about Melbourne Brain & Spine Group: https://melbournebrainandspine.com.au [https://melbournebrainandspine.com.au] As a listener of The Treatment Table Podcast, you'll receive 20% off your first appointment at Active Movement Studio. Book online at: https://activemovement.com.au [https://activemovement.com.au] Use code: TREATMENTTABLE20 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could benefit from a better night's sleep. 🎧 Episode Resources & Links * Podcast Sponsor: Active Movement Studio https://activemovement.com.au [https://activemovement.com.au/] * Watch the exercises from this episode: https://www.instagram.com/treatmenttablepodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/treatmenttablepodcast/] * Podcast Producer Nellie: https://www.instagram.com/producer_nellie/ [https://www.instagram.com/producer_nellie/] * Royalty-Free Music: Kontraa Studio | UKA Music. Pixabay.com See you next week on the Treatment Table!

Mini Consult | Should You Eat Before a Workout? The Truth About Fasted Training

Should you eat before exercise, or is fasted training better for fat loss? In this Mini Consult episode, Mathew answers a listener's question from Shirley about what to eat before a workout and whether a banana, snack, or full meal is the best option. With so much conflicting nutrition advice online, it can be hard to know what's actually worth following. Mathew breaks down the science behind fasted training, fat burning, workout performance, and recovery in a simple, practical way. You'll learn: *  Whether fasted training really burns more fat  *  When a banana is enough before exercise  *  Why workout intensity matters when deciding what to eat  *  The best timing for meals before training  *  Why protein after exercise is essential for recovery  *  How to fuel morning workouts without feeling sick or sluggish  If you've ever wondered what you should eat before the gym, a run, Pilates, HIIT, or strength training session, this episode will help you cut through the confusion and make better decisions for your health and performance. One takeaway: Fuel your body for the workout you want to perform, not just the calories you want to burn. Send your questions for future Mini Consult episodes via Instagram @treatmenttablepodcast or email treatmenttablepodcast@gmail.com. 🎧 Episode Resources & Links * Podcast Sponsor: Active Movement Studio https://activemovement.com.au [https://activemovement.com.au/] * Watch the exercises from this episode: https://www.instagram.com/treatmenttablepodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/treatmenttablepodcast/] * Podcast Producer Nellie: https://www.instagram.com/producer_nellie/ [https://www.instagram.com/producer_nellie/] * Royalty-Free Music: Kontraa Studio | UKA Music. Pixabay.com See you next week on the Treatment Table!

Mini Consult | Waking Up Stiff & Sore Every Morning? The Best Time to Stretch Might Surprise You

Do you wake up feeling stiff, sore, and tight every morning? Most people instinctively bend over and try to touch their toes. But according to physiotherapist Mathew Ah Chow, that could be one of the worst things you can do for a cold, stiff body. In this Mini Consult episode, Mathew answers a listener's question from Poppy and explains the difference between dynamic and static stretching, why morning stiffness happens, and how to use movement to feel better throughout the day. You'll learn when stretching helps, when it doesn't, and the simple mistake that could be increasing your risk of back pain and muscle strains.  In This Episode: ✔ Why do you wake up feeling stiff and tight  ✔ The difference between static and dynamic stretching  ✔ Why stretching cold muscles isn't always a good idea  ✔ The best way to loosen up in the morning  ✔ When to use static stretching for flexibility and recovery  ✔ A simple movement routine you can start today One Simple Takeaway Move first. Stretch later. If your body feels stiff in the morning, start with gentle movement to increase blood flow and warm your joints before jumping into long stretches. Your body will thank you for it. 🎧 Episode Resources & Links * Podcast Sponsor: Active Movement Studio https://activemovement.com.au [https://activemovement.com.au/] * Watch the exercises from this episode: https://www.instagram.com/treatmenttablepodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/treatmenttablepodcast/] * Podcast Producer Nellie: https://www.instagram.com/producer_nellie/ [https://www.instagram.com/producer_nellie/] * Royalty-Free Music: Kontraa Studio | UKA Music. Pixabay.com See you next week on the Treatment Table!

Mini Consult | Why Different Injuries Feel Different | Muscles, Tendons, Ligaments & Fascia Explained

Why does some pain feel tight and achy… while other pain feels sharp, unstable or burning? In this Mini Consult episode of The Treatment Table Podcast, Doctor of Physiotherapy Mathew Ah Chow breaks down the difference between muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia — and explains how each structure can create different types of pain, tightness and injury. You’ll learn: * What muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia actually do * Why different injuries create different sensations * Common examples of muscle, tendon and ligament pain * Why tightness isn’t always caused by “tight muscles” * When pain is something to monitor vs something to get assessed If you’ve ever wondered what your body is trying to tell you, this episode will help you better understand pain, movement and injury in simple, practical terms. Follow The Treatment Table Podcast for weekly episodes on movement, pain, recovery and living a healthier, more active life. 🎧 Episode Resources & Links * Podcast Sponsor: Active Movement Studio https://activemovement.com.au [https://activemovement.com.au/] * Watch the exercises from this episode: https://www.instagram.com/treatmenttablepodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/treatmenttablepodcast/] * Podcast Producer Nellie: https://www.instagram.com/producer_nellie/ [https://www.instagram.com/producer_nellie/] * Royalty-Free Music: Kontraa Studio | UKA Music. Pixabay.com See you next week on the Treatment Table!

Mini Consult | How to Turn Fitness Goals Into Lifelong Habits

Do you keep setting health or fitness goals… only to fall off track once you hit them? In this Mini Consult episode of The Treatment Table Podcast, physiotherapist Mathew Ah Chow breaks down one of the biggest mindset mistakes people make with health, fitness, and weight loss. Inspired by a question from long-time client Ngaire, Mathew explores: * Why motivation fades after short-term goals * The hidden problem with relying on weight loss goals * How athletes often struggle after competition ends * The “arrival fallacy” and why achievement doesn’t create lasting happiness * How to shift from chasing outcomes to building identity-based habits * Why consistency matters more than perfection * Practical ways to make exercise and health part of your lifestyle Mathew also shares his personal experience transitioning from competitive karate into everyday health and movement after retirement from sport. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the cycle of: ➡️ Getting motivated ➡️ Going all in ➡️ Burning out ➡️ Starting again …this episode will help you build a healthier, more sustainable relationship with exercise and long-term health. Whether your goal is weight loss, fitness, better energy, or simply staying active as you get older, this conversation will help you stop relying on motivation and start building habits that actually last. KEY TAKEAWAYS ✔ Short-term goals can help you get started, but they rarely sustain long-term health  ✔ Lifestyle habits outperform motivation every time  ✔ Your identity drives your behaviour more than your goals do  ✔ Consistency beats intensity when it comes to long-term results  ✔ Exercise should support your life — not just a temporary outcome 🎧 Episode Resources & Links * Podcast Sponsor: Active Movement Studio https://activemovement.com.au [https://activemovement.com.au/] * Watch the exercises from this episode: https://www.instagram.com/treatmenttablepodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/treatmenttablepodcast/] * Podcast Producer Nellie: https://www.instagram.com/producer_nellie/ [https://www.instagram.com/producer_nellie/] * Royalty-Free Music: Kontraa Studio | UKA Music. Pixabay.com See you next week on the Treatment Table!