The ABMP Podcast | Speaking With the Massage & Bodywork Profession

I received a story in which body odor was a factor. I turned the question back to you . . . and got hundreds of responses! In this episode of " I Have a Client Who . . . " we discuss what kinds of body odor issues turn up in massage therapy settings, when it's appropriate to discuss it, and some strategies for how to make those conversations compassionate and supportive.   Sponsors:      Books of...

When a group of snails walks into a bar, it can help us understand the mess that are the paraspinals. These muscles are many, and in today's episode of The Rebel MT, Allison dives deep to help explain, make sense of, and lessen the panic around trying to memorize them. And drunk snails always seem to help.   Host:                   Contact Allison Denney:  rebelmt@abmp.com              Allison's w...

We all know that insurance coverage is an important aspect of being a practitioner, but how much do we know about that policy? ABMP Risk Manager Spencer Bellott joins Kristin and Darren on The ABMP Podcast to discuss what is actually covered on your insurance policy, coverage limits and what they mean, and an explanation of what a "shared aggregate" is and why ABMP instead uses an individual polic...

When you run a business, there's one very important decision to make intentionally, a decision that will impact all aspects of your massage work: Is this a business or a hobby? If you haven't made that decision, join host Allissa Haines in this episode of Business or Pressure to think it through and move forward. Host: Allissa Haines is a practicing massage therapist and business owner and columni...

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , Kristin and Darren are joined by Mira Rucker to discuss how she came to be the massage therapist for the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL, what the day-to-day work is like, some of the pros and cons of working with a professional athletic team, and how she balances fandom with professionalism. Mira is an attentive and methodical licensed massage therapist with d...

Waaay back when I was in massage school… We looked for one-size-fits-all answers to highly individualized questions. That doesn't work anymore! In this episode we consider a number of questions about massage therapy for surgical patients—when, where, how, what, and more. Of course the answer is always "it depends"—but  WHAT does it depend ON ?   Sponsors:      Books of Discovery:  www.booksofdisco...

There are several potential causes of plantar foot pain, including the most common, plantar fasciitis. In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , Kristin and Darren are joined by Whitney Lowe to discuss common causes of foot pain (including Morton's Neuroma), muscle-tendon pathology, and some treatment options for each one. Whitney has been in the profession for more than 35 years. He is the author of...

Since opening the doors of BodyWork Associates, Doug and Jennifer have helped countless individuals achieve their career and life dreams. But how did it start and what did it take to open a successful practice? Kristin and Darren are joined by Doug Nelson and Jennifer Crozier to discuss why opening a massage therapy clinic is a viable career path, how community relations are the best marketing str...

An 88-year-old man is preparing for his third decompression surgery for spinal stenosis. His friend wonders if massage therapy might be helpful, or even replace this risky procedure. Join us for a closer look at spinal stenosis and the risks and benefits of this common surgery!   Sponsors :     Books of Discovery:  www.booksofdiscovery.com      Host Bio :                    Ruth Werner is a former...

The internal and external obliques may seem like antagonists to the untrained eye, but look a little closer and you will see an infinite loop that's a work of engineering genius and an example of exquisite humanness. In this episode of The Rebel MT , Allison describes why the obliques bring to mind a certain Celtic knot. Or possibly some pretzels—depending on your take. Special shout-out to Rachel...

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , Nate and Carrie from Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa join Kristin and Darren to discuss knowing your expectations in the work environment, why peer mentors are beneficial to a practice, and how open communication during an interview can help set the tone during your tenure. Nate, a massage therapist since 2001, is licensed in several states and is board-...

So, why did the founders of Drybar start a massage business? Because they love making people feel good. In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , Kristin and Darren are joined by Brittany Driscoll, co-founder and CEO of Squeeze, to discuss why she made the leap from Drybar to Squeeze; why mission, philosophy, and culture are the backbone of the Squeeze experience for both therapist and client; and how...

A client with chronic pelvic pain has been through the wringer, trying to get a solid diagnosis and effective treatment for what has—for lack of a better option—been diagnosed as levator ani syndrome. Is there  anything massage can do for this person? And is there a connection between levator ani syndrome and this client's extreme flexibility? We explore these questions and more on this episode of...

Warmth, competence, rituals, and good listening skills in the massage room will help you harness placebo pathways. In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , Kristin and Darren speak with Mark Liskey about how the placebo effect can be a positive approach to massage therapy, the differences between expectancy and learned association, and examples of what can produce a placebo effect. Mark Liskey is a m...

There are many misconceptions about the myofascial system, and the science is changing rapidly. In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , Kristin and Darren speak with Lauri Nemetz about her book, The Myofascial System in Form and Movement . Lauri speaks about how her background in art history, dance and movement therapy, and anatomical dissection helped weave together the many facets of the evolving...

A client is a survivor of childhood trauma. She is a single parent of two children with special needs. She has recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and wonders if other conditions also contribute to her problems. She appreciates massage, but her massage therapist is worried they're not helping enough. What can we do when we have a crisis of confidence? "I Have a Client Who . . ." host Ruth We...

One would think that the knee, one of anatomy ' s most used and abused joints, would have a little better engineering behind it. I t doesn ' t. And there ' s a lot that can go sideways. In this episode of The Rebel MT , Allison details the anatomy of a knee, analyzes  why it ' s so easily injured, discusses how to best approach it as a bodyworker, and shares the story of her own clunker of a knee,...

Many bodyworkers could avoid injury or burnout simply by changing their massage lubricants. But, how do we match the lubricant to the client? In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , Kristin and Darren speak with Diana Dapkins about how the lubricants you use affect body mechanics, what led to her "lubricant epiphany," and how to adapt when working with various client types. Dianna is the founder and...

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , Darren and Kristin are joined by Cindy Meiskin, chief experience officer of Hand & Stone, to discuss the National Association of Spa Franchises (NASF), the new employment verification system (EVS) and how it works, and what success looks like with this new system in place. Cindy Meiskin joined Hand & Stone in 2012 as director of training. She transitioned to v...

A client is struggling with plantar fasciitis. They call a local massage therapist with the right kind of expertise, but reveal they are concerned about their toenail fungus and the risk it could spread. How concerning is this risk? Is it possible to spread toenail fungus to other areas of the body. Could it spread to other people? We explore those questions on this episode of " I Have a Client Wh...

Despite the chaos of our cultural predicaments, you can learn to live beyond your busy mind and experience more "on" days—days where you are in flow . In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , Kristin and Darren are joined by Cara Bradley to discuss mental fitness and keeping a clear mind, strategies to help guide our thought process, and how the gut-brain connection directly impacts our mental health...

In our Third Annual Shingles Episode, we consider a client who developed shingles soon after receiving massage. Is it possible that the massage caused it? And what are the safety guidelines about working with someone during a shingles outbreak? It turns out this is all more complex than it sounds, and the decisions here require some nuance. Listen to  "I Have a Client Who . . ." for more!   Sponso...

The application of opposing techniques within a short time frame can bring your clients into a deeper awareness of self and a greater perception of balance. In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , Kristin and Darren are joined by Allison Denney to discuss why interoception and homeostasis are so important for massage therapists, and the benefits of using techniques that use opposing forces and direc...

On this episode of "I Have a Client Who . . ." a client reports she has been diagnosed with pelvic organ prolapse: Her uterus, bladder, and colon are descending into her vagina. She is young and otherwise healthy, but her body seems to be falling apart. Is there anything massage therapy can do to help?   Sponsors:        Books of Discovery:  www.booksofdiscovery.com        Massage Mentor Institute...

For thousands of years, various cultures have used sound as a tool for healing. In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , Kristin and Darren speak with Ben Brown, founder of HND + TMPL Massage Therapy, about how sound affects the body, mind, and spirit, insight into what a sound offering consists of, and how different instruments play different roles during a massage session. Ben Brown is the founder...