
Frozen Shoulder, Aching Hips & Just Aging: Midlife Joint Pain with Dr. Tom Walters
About this episode
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(28:23) Why "just rest it" is outdated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
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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.
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