#68 Aging Joints & Grateful Bodies: Elbows, Fingers, Sleep, and the Stories We Tell Ourselves

Physiotherapist and coach Andy McVittie returns to the podcast for a deeper dive into the aging body — what breaks down, why it happens, and how to keep moving through it all.

In this episode, we move from big-picture thinking to the specific joints and patterns that affect everyday athletes most: shoulders, elbows, fingers, and knees. Andy shares how to work around pain, when to push and when to pull back, and how aging athletes can train with purpose — not fear.

We also explore unexpected territory:
 – Are sleep positions actually causing injury?
 – What’s the mental toll of chronic pain or long-term rehab?
 – How can we shift from frustration to gratitude when our bodies don’t move like they used to?

Whether you’re an aging athlete, a weekend warrior, or just trying to stay active without breaking down, this one is packed with insights that go beyond rehab — and into how we relate to our bodies over time.

🎧 What we cover:

• Bulletproofing shoulders, elbows, fingers, and knees
• Common mistakes in managing pain and recovery
• Why tendon issues don’t heal like muscle injuries
• Strategies for staying active through discomfort
• The surprising role of mindset and body gratitude
• Whether sleep posture actually matters for pain

📌 Guest: Andy McVittie
Website: processphysiotherapy.co.uk
Instagram: @process.physio
Book: The Self-Rehabbed Climber – Available on Amazon

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