The ABMP Podcast | Speaking With the Massage & Bodywork Profession

Surveys are showing a "COVID bump" – are you seeing the same in your practice? In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , Kristin and Darren speak with Lisa Starr, collaborator with Mindbody and Principal of Wynne Business Consulting and Education to discuss data findings of the 2022 Mindbody Wellness Index, consumer sentiment toward wellness services right now, the top challenges practitioners are ove...

And older client has a complicated set of surgeries on her colon. Is it safe to receive massage? It depends, of course. But what does it depend on ? Join us for this discussion of bowel resections, colostomies, and colostomy repairs—and find out one of Ruth's very favorite pathology-related words. (Hint: it means "poop stone.") Plus, there's a really bad pun.   Sponsors:      Anatomy Trains:  www....

Can you be a leader and a healer at the same time? In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , Darren sits down with courage-builder and collaborative change-maker Amy Andrews McMaster to discuss the Great Resignation—or better put, the Great Realignment—the characteristics of a leader, the saboteurs that get in the way of our success, and frameworks for navigating your call to courage.   Want to find Y...

A client has nutcracker syndrome, and she is not a good candidate for surgical correction. She wants massage to help deal with her symptoms. But nutcracker syndrome is a kidney problem with a risk of thrombosis and renal damage. Yikes! Can massage be safe? As always, it depends. Listen in to see what it depends on .    Sponsors:      Anatomy Trains:  www.anatomytrains.com       Books of Discovery:...

Art Riggs stumbled into a career that happened to be perfect for him. After pivoting later in life and discovering the world of bodywork and massage, Art studied with the best and soon became a legend. But his humility and his love of people are what make him most fascinating.   Art Riggs's Deep Tissue & Manual Therapy Educational Systems: https://deeptissuemassagemanual.com/   Host:              ...

People think that if they're exercising regularly, they've got their bases covered. But is there more to movement than just routine exercise? In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , Kristin and Darren sit down with biomechanist Katy Bowman to discuss the concept of "movement nutrition," alignment concepts for massage therapists, different kinds of movements our bodies should be doing each day, and w...

A pregnant massage client, who is consistently late and unusually demanding, wants deep—really, really, deep pressure on her hip. The tricky part? She has been diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome: a condition that often begins with an injury but complicates to chronic, intractable, and sometimes spreading pain. And massage can make it worse.   Sponsors:      Anatomy Trains:  www.anatomyt...

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Kristin and Darren sit down with Ann Baldwin, PhD, to discuss how she went from skeptic to convert, her training and studies in the practice of reiki, what research exists that prove the validity and success of reiki, and how reiki is being used in a clinical setting today. Ann Linda Baldwin, PhD, professor of physiology at the University of Arizona, has publis...

A client stiffens up when the therapist touches her upper leg, but doesn't know why. The therapist responds with compassion and sensitivity, and creates some amazing possibilities. In this very special episode Ruth sits down with Pamela Fitch, author of Talking Body, Listening Hands, an expert in the role of massage therapy for people with histories of touch-related trauma to unpack why this situa...

How do we fix something that can't be fixed? We can't. But a good look at the levator scapulae gives us some insights into how we perceive pain, how our clients might perceive pain, and what, exactly, we can do with all that perception. Join Allison in pondering this powerful muscle and the lessons it might teach us if we begin to pivot how we listen.    Host:                   Contact Allison Den...

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Kristin and Darren sit down with Eric Stephenson to discuss what motivated him to develop and teach pain-free deep-tissue techniques, common mistakes practitioners make when doing deep-tissue work, how practitioners can work better while seated, and ways you can work thumb-free. Eric   is a 20-year massage veteran and Chief Wellness Officer for Elements Massage...

There's a condition that is not well understood. It creates a lot of common signs and symptoms: headache, dizziness, tinnitus, and a few others. But it hides a lurking danger: weak blood vessels that may bulge in some places and become dangerously narrow in others. It can contribute to stroke and kidney damage. It is usually found only by accident, during testing for other issues. Fortunately, it...

When a client walks into your treatment room, they are asking for your hands to help them. But oftentimes, they are also asking – whether explicitly or implicitly – for us to tell them what's happening with their bodies. In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Kristin and Darren sit down with David Lobenstine to discuss his latest article in Massage & Bodywork magazine, "Leave Diagnosing to the Docto...

A middle-aged, otherwise healthy woman woke up one day, and found that her face had sort of collapsed on one side. Very alarming! Her doctor diagnosed her with Bell's palsy, gave her some heavy-duty anti-inflammatories, and told her to protect her eye while she was recovering—which could take a couple of months or more. The clerk at the health food store told her that she needed to get massage, an...

Rachelle Clauson is your average mild-mannered, everyday massage therapist. Except for one thing: She has mastered the art of pivoting. Join Allison as she taps into why Rachelle's career has offered her more opportunities than she could have imagined, and how she has landed on the front lines of helping all of us to understand fascia a little bit better.   Check out Rachelle's endeavors:   https:...

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Kristin and Darren sit down with Davonna Willis to discuss what led her to massage therapy, how she became a business coach and CE provider, lessons learned when expanding her massage practice and coaching business, and how to overcome common roadblocks in your massage business. As a respected health and wellness practitioner, an acclaimed entrepreneur, and edu...

A client wakes up with a limp arm and wrist. He's a carpenter, so this is a problem! What is going on, and can massage therapy help? Join us for a closeup look at nerve damage and radial nerve palsy.   Sponsors:      Anatomy Trains:  www.anatomytrains.com       Books of Discovery:  www.booksofdiscovery.com        Host Bio:                     Ruth Werner is a former massage therapist, a writer, an...

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Kristin and Darren sit down with Michelle Roos to discuss mobile massage, safety protocols when traveling, marketing and networking techniques, and how to set up travel parameters for efficient booking. Michelle Roos is a Board Certified & Licensed Massage Therapist, a Facial Specialist, an author, educator, as well as a business owner in South Florida. Michell...

Sixty minutes into the session, a massage therapist discovers the client has a fentanyl patch—that they did not report on their intake form. Is the therapist at risk for exposure? What are some good practices regarding medicated patches for massage therapy clients? Listen on for more.   Sponsors:      Anatomy Trains:  www.anatomytrains.com       Books of Discovery:  www.booksofdiscovery.com       ...

The biceps are that muscle you know before you study anatomy. But there is a lot going on underneath the skin to make it all look easy. Join Allison as she explores the magic behind the curtain. Don't get overwhelmed, though—just remember that you already know what you know.   Host:                   Contact Allison Denney:  rebelmt@abmp.com              Allison's website:  www.rebelmassage.com   ...

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Kristin and Darren sit down with Allissa Haines and Michael Reynolds from Massage Business Blueprint to discuss changes for the upcoming year, why you should think of your business as an asset, how keeping your physical space organized helps maintain a healthy mental space, and how to stop procrastinating and start "adulting" in 2022. Allissa Haines and Michael...

A client with a history of heart failure, lymphedema, and diabetes contracted COVID. At first, she seemed to get through with only mild symptoms, but many months later she is hospitalized for three days with blood clots and lung scarring.  Is there a role for massage therapy for this client? What questions do we need to ask to be safe? Exercise your critical thinking muscles—listen on for more!  ...

Aubrey Gowing and Alison Kavanagh, a brother and sister team from Dublin, Ireland, are the founders and college directors at the Holistic College of Dublin. Their lives have been immersed in the world of health and wellness since before they could talk. And now, their ability to talk and teach about all things bodywork seems boundless. Join Allison Denney as she sits down with Aubrey and Alison to...

Massage Smart. Massage Lazy. Be the Sloth. In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Kristin and Darren sit down with Ian Harvey, aka The Massage Sloth , to discuss his new book Massage is Weird , how to treat pain (and dealing with it yourself), client-therapist boundaries in a therapeutic relationship, and how to beat burnout. Ian is known as the Massage Sloth. He graduated from the Florida School of...

A client was involved in a motor vehicle accident three years ago. Since then, she's had numbness and weakness in her legs, and she struggles with incontinence, balance, and fatigue. Oh, and she had a baby, and hopes to have another.   What is going on, and what are the safety parameters for massage therapy?   Sponsors:      Anatomy Trains:  www.anatomytrains.com       Books of Discovery:  www.boo...