The ABMP Podcast | Speaking With the Massage & Bodywork Profession

In this episode of  The Rebel MT , Allison reflects on a session she had as a newbie therapist that shaped how she approaches anatomy, particularly in relation to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). She explores what bodyworkers need to know about EDS, what interventions can be meaningfully helpful, and why the lessons learned from early mistakes can become some of our greatest strengths.   Host Bio:   ...

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , Doug Nelson explores the value of productive struggle in clinical practice. He shares how embracing uncertainty, reflecting on your decisions, and developing deeper understanding can help therapists grow into more confident and effective clinicians. Host: Douglas Nelson is Board Certified in Massage Therapy and Therapeutic Bodywork, beginning his career in mas...

A massage therapist notices that more clients are reporting their use of topical hormone medications. Somehow, this never came up in massage school. Is the massage therapist at risk for being dosed? It's possible, but it's nuanced. Listen for more information! Resources: Commissioner, O. of the (2021) Investigation of skin-to-skin transfer risks of topically applied transdermal hormonal drugs, FDA...

In this episode of Fully Booked , Elicia shares a simple referral strategy she discovered that helped fill her schedule quickly. Easy to implement and highly effective, this approach shows how your existing clients can become your best source of new bookings, without adding more complexity to your marketing efforts. Host: Elicia Crook is a business coach and mentor for massage therapists, sharing...

Frozen shoulder. No, it's not the latest in desserts. It's a condition that happens to a shoulder. In this episode, Allison explores the origin story of frozen shoulder, what is happening during the three stages of its progression, and how we can approach it in our bodywork. Take this one out for a walk with you and lean in. Just don't lean on your shoulder. Host Bio:          Contact Allison Denn...

Meet the Researchers! Rachelle and Nicole launch a new series of conversations with fascia researchers from around the globe. Our first guest is Caterina Fede from the University of Padua, Italy. Caterina's work focuses on the microanatomy of fascia — the cells, gels, and fibers that determine what fascia is made of and how it's organized. In this conversation, she walks us through the layered arc...

With more than 3 billion monthly active users and 500 million people engaging with Stories every day, Facebook remains one of the most powerful marketing tools available for massage therapists and wellness professionals. In this episode of Fully Booked , Elicia Crook breaks down how to use Facebook strategically to promote your business, connect with clients, and stay visible in a crowded online s...

Kristin Coverly sits down with peak performance coach and The Morning Hero founder Jarvis Levenson to discuss how intentional mornings can transform your mindset, productivity, and overall fulfillment. Jarvis shares his personal journey from burnout and rock bottom to rebuilding his life through his W.I.N. Formula: Wake Up Early, set Intentions, and No days off. Together, Kristin and Jarvis explor...

After years of misdiagnoses, medication sensitivities, injuries, and setbacks, a massage therapist is diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a condition that causes non-typical seizures and intermittent paralysis-like weakness. Despite being unable to work, she continues advocating for the FND community and wants to help educate massage therapists about the benefits of safe, inform...

Making the leap into full-time massage practice can feel exciting and intimidating, but it doesn't have to be a blind jump. When you understand where you are in your journey, focus on the right priorities, and build step by step, creating a sustainable practice becomes far more achievable. Elicia explains how the right mindset, consistent marketing, and a solid system can help build a business tha...

The language of assessment is rarely taught in a way that feels approachable, which can make it intimidating and difficult to retain. In this episode of The Rebel MT , Allison breaks assessment down into a more practical, anatomy-based approach, showing how following the body's patterns can lead you to tools and insights you already have. Starting with the knee, she explores how anatomy itself can...

Shoulder pain is incredibly common, but new research is changing how we understand what's really causing it. In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , Whitney Lowe breaks down the shift from a mechanical "impingement" model to a more complex view that includes pain science, nervous system sensitivity, and biomechanics. Whitney also shares practical, evidence-informed strategies to help you treat shoul...

In second episode of a two-part series of Fully Booked , Elicia walks us through a simple step-by-step approach when raising prices, how to communicate changes confidently, and how to keep attracting the right clients as your massage business grows.   Host: Elicia Crook is a business coach and mentor for massage therapists, sharing the tactics she used to create her business success over 16 years....

What if the biggest factor in treatment success isn't just what you do, but how long and how often you do it? In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Doug Nelson explores the often-overlooked concepts of dosage and frequency in massage therapy, and why they may be the key to achieving real, lasting outcomes for your clients. Host: Douglas Nelson is Board Certified in Massage Therapy and Therapeutic B...

Do you have clients who are athletes? This is something you won't want to miss. Dr. Portia Resnick is an associate professor at Cal State Long Beach, who loves working with athletes, both as a trainer and as a massage therapist. Her new book, The Anatomy and Physiology of Sports Massage is published by Human Kinetics. It looks at manual therapy for high-level athletes, incorporating anatomy, sport...

In this first episode of a two-part series of Fully Booked , Elicia explores why raising your prices is essential as costs increase, the real fears that hold therapists back, and what can happen when you keep putting it off.   Host: Elicia Crook is a business coach and mentor for massage therapists, sharing the tactics she used to create her business success over 16 years. She is a diploma-qualifi...

The scapula—I mean, look at this thing! It's not only cool in shape, but it is incredible at bringing tissues together. Allison explores the phenomenon known as force coupling, a concept that recruits opposing muscles to create one motion. Kind of like what she is trying to get her heart to do with her emotions.   Host Bio:           Contact Allison Denney:  rebelmt@abmp.com              Allison's...

As massage therapists, we use our sense of touch every day, but how do we know what we are feeling with our hands? Nicole Trombley and Rachelle Clauson break down the art of recognizing the tissues we touch by examining what palpation is, exploring how our hands are perfectly equipped for the task, and discussing the "touch dialogue" that starts from the very first contact. Resources: LAB COURSE:...

In this episode of Fully Booked , Elicia breaks down how understanding your audience can completely transform the way you market your clinic, attract clients, and fill your schedule with less effort. When you know exactly who you're speaking to, your messaging becomes clearer, your content resonates, and booking starts to feel natural instead of forced. Elicia explores the four levels of client aw...

Ricky Williams joins The ABMP Podcast to share his journey from elite athlete to lifelong student of healing. After experiencing the power of massage therapy early in his football career, Ricky began exploring craniosacral therapy and other modalities as a path toward true wholeness—physically, emotionally, and mentally. In this conversation, he discusses the connection between performance and hea...

A client asks for a specific technique on their face. They have a bad reaction. Then they say they didn't want work in that area anyway, and by the way, they had a skull fracture four years ago. Now they're leaving because they feel a migraine coming on. The therapist is left wondering what just happened. In this episode of I Have a Client Who . . . , Ruth unpacks this interaction, what may have b...

You can be doing everything right—your marketing is working, your systems are in place, and clients are coming in—yet your calendar still ends up with unexpected gaps. In this episode of Fully Booked , Elicia breaks down why rebooking is the key to consistency and how to stop constantly chasing new clients.  Host: Elicia Crook is a business coach and mentor for massage therapists, sharing the tact...

No, I am not sharing a deep conversation I had with a colleague on the back and all its complexities for this episode. I am, however, highlighting that the back, any back, at any moment, is having thousands of conversations. All the time. Our back routines are not just the warmup. They are so much more. If we are listening.  Also - neuroplasticity is SO COOL.   Host Bio:          Contact Allison D...

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , Doug Nelson explores the parallels between manual palpation and digital imaging such as MRI. Both methods can reveal important information about what is happening in the body, but they also share an important limitation: they can show what is present , but they cannot always explain how it got there . Host: Douglas Nelson is Board Certified in Massage Therapy...

Running a successful massage practice is not just about the work you do with clients. It is also about the systems behind the scenes that keep everything running smoothly. In this episode of Fully Booked , Elicia explores mechanics : the systems and back-end processes that help your business operate efficiently, consistently, and without unnecessary chaos. When your workflows are clear and repeata...