EPISODE · Aug 17, 2026 · 1H 24M
Frozen Shoulder, Aching Hips & Just Aging: Midlife Joint Pain with Dr. Tom Walters
from BETTER! Building bodies women can trust with Dr. Stephanie Estima · host Dr. Stephanie Estima, Dr. Tom Walters
You did everything they told you. You rested it. You waited. And it still hurts. Here's the part no one explains: rest is often the reason it isn't getting better. Dr. Tom Walters is an orthopedic physical therapist, kinesiology professor, and founder of Rehab Science. Tom has spent over a decade teaching people that their bodies are adaptable, not fragile, and this conversation is a masterclass in what that actually means when something starts to hurt. They nerd out (a lot), but everything here is built to help you move through midlife with less fear and more agency. This one is for every Bettie who was told her aching hip or frozen shoulder is "just aging." You're not broken, and you're not behind. Your capacity changed; your plan just needs to change with it. 🎤 EPISODE OVERVIEW: (00:00) Intro/teaser (05:34) Rapid fire: the rehab rules and myths worth tossing (10:35) What pain really is (it's not just a sensation) (16:59) The different types of pain (28:23) Why "just rest it" is outdated (35:40) Ego, injury, and the recovering type A (40:29) Load vs capacity, explained simply (49:23) Perimenopause, estrogen, and your changing capacity (56:51) The three phases of rehab (1:01:48) Hypermobility: why you have to chase muscle (1:10:05) That hip pain isn't bursitis (plus the live demo) (1:14:38) How to care for your body before the pain starts (1:26:06) The After Party with Dr. Stephanie 📎 RESOURCES MENTIONED: https://drstephanieestima.com/podcasts/ep482 🎁 OUR SPONSORS: JUST THRIVE HEALTH - Your gut runs the show — mood, immunity, energy, all of it. Just Thrive's spore-based probiotics are the ones I actually trust. Take the Feel Better Challenge and save on your first order at justthrivehealth.com/better with code BETTER. BRICKHOUSE NUTRITION - Switch to BRICKHOUSE WHEY for guaranteed results or your money back. Go to https://thenewwhey.com and use promo code BETTER for a special deal. PIQUE LIFE - Experience Transformative Results. Start your daily ritual today and elevate your morning and evening routine at piquelife.com/better QUALIA CREATINE+ - If you want to feel stronger, sharper, and more resilient, Qualia’s Creatine+ is my recommendation.Go to qualialife.com/better and use code BETTER to save. ****************************P.S. When you're ready, here are two ways Dr. Stephanie can help you:Subscribe: The Mini Pause — My weekly newsletter packed with the most actionable, evidence-based tools for women 40+ to thrive in midlife.Build Muscle: LIFT — My progressive strength training program designed for women in midlife. Form-focused, joint-friendly, and built for real results. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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What this episode covers
You rested it like a good girl. Weeks later, it still hurts. Orthopedic physical therapist Dr. Tom Walters explains why "just rest it" is often the worst advice for a midlife ache or injury, why pain doesn't equal damage, and how to rebuild your tissue's capacity so you can keep training through perimenopause and beyond.
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Frozen Shoulder, Aching Hips & Just Aging: Midlife Joint Pain with Dr. Tom Walters
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