The ABMP Podcast | Speaking With the Massage & Bodywork Profession

Authors Janet Penny and Rebecca Sturgeon join the podcast to discuss their new book and how it builds on the work of professional luminaries like Gayle MacDonald and Tracy Walton. We discuss mythbusting massage therapy and cancer care, working as part of an integrative team with other health-care providers, and considerations and treatment approaches. With the chances ever-increasing that all prac...

Student's elbow? Popeye's elbow? Whatever you call it, an infected olecranon bursa is no joke. Lots of people have to go through several attempts to treat it, culminating in surgery to remove it. When is massage therapy safe?   Image of Bursitis Elbow   Past "I Have a Client Who . . ." episode on olecranon bursitis   Sponsors:                  Anatomy Trains:  www.anatomytrains.com                ...

When there is a fork in the road, what part of the brain do we access to choose which route to take? In this episode, Allison examines what it means to apply ourselves and drives down the road with many forks called sciatica.    Host:                   Contact Allison Denney:  rebelmt@abmp.com              Allison's website:  www.rebelmassage.com                     Allison Denney is a certified m...

Trauma fundamentally alters our sense of safety, overwhelms our normal coping mechanisms, causes us to feel helpless, and becomes an instant habit. Chris Smith is a trained professional in trauma touch and takes us through recognizing trauma in ourselves and in our clients, addressing long-term physical and emotional effects. Chris gives listeners advice for recognizing trauma on the massage table...

What happens when a bone that forms a major pivot point in the wrist falls apart? A friend of a massage therapist is looking for some self-massage ideas as she recovers from a pioneering surgery on her wrist to repair damage from a rare and painful condition called Kienböck's disease. Or lunatomalacia. Or avascular necrosis of the lunate. Kienböck's disease? What is it? And why does it lead to wri...

What does bodywork volunteerism look like? When finding your philanthropy path, ask yourself these questions: What are you good at? What does the world need? What brings you joy. Listen in as Angie Parris-Raney and Kristin Coverly discuss their background and experiences with helping people and organizations through their hands-on skills. From donating their time at races and sporting events, to h...

Listen for an exploration of an extraordinarily complex autoimmune disorder with elements of lupus, scleroderma, and muscle inflammation. Includes short tangents on the etymology of the term pathognomonic and CREST syndrome (no, not the toothpaste.) Can massage help? Or is it off the table?   Sponsors:                Anatomy Trains:  www.anatomytrains.com               Books of Discovery:  https:/...

There are leaders and there are followers. This is true in life and in the world of muscles. But what happens when a follower is thrown into the position of a leader? In this episode, Allison examines the world of prime movers and synergists, the confusion that exists among them, and the philosophical pickle of the coracobrachialis.   Host:                  Contact Allison Denney:  rebelmt@abmp.co...

Eric Stephenson tells us about maintaining mental health, overcoming adversity, finding motivation in non-negotiable routines, recognizing and reacting to defining moments, and the lasting power of social support.  Eric Stephenson is a 20-year massage veteran and Chief Wellness Officer for Elements Massage, a 250-unit franchise system headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Eric is also Co-Founder of i...

A client had brain surgery and now has severe and painful spasms in their back. Is this a complication of surgery? Is this a precursor to total paralysis? Will massage make it worse? Listen for a brisk review of nervous system function and what happens when parts of the nervous system are injured. Upper or lower motor neurons—it makes a difference!   Sponsors:               Anatomy Trains:  www.an...

Did you know 15 million registered businesses are on the 'Gram? Or that 1 billion people are on the platform and that 50% of them follow at least one business to learn more information? It's time you take the deep dive into using Instagram to expand your bodywork practice. Elicia Crook, the Rebooking Ninja, breaks down each component of an Instagram account (from bios to feeds, from hashtags to St...

In this episode we do a deep dive into varicella zoster virus and the many confusions about chickenpox, shingles, and a weird invisible form of shingles. Is shingles contagious? Can you get it more than once? Where does the chickenpox vaccine fit? It can be very confusing! Tune in for some useful clarifications.   Sponsors:              Anatomy Trains:  www.anatomytrains.com             Books of D...

We investigate why the pride of the pectoralis major is both a good and a bad thing, and how we as body workers can use this knowledge to our advantage.   Host:                 Contact Allison Denney:  rebelmt@abmp.com           Allison's website:  www.rebelmassage.com                 Allison Denney is a certified massage therapist and certified YouTuber. You can find her massage tutorials at YouT...

Low-back pain is certainly one of the, if not the most, pressing issues practitioners will face when working with clientele. More than 70 million people visit doctors each year with low-back pain, so as an MT, knowing the what and how of working with this population can be valuable. Dr. Ben Benjamin joins the podcast to talk about his personal experience with low-back pain, common myths and miscon...

A client comes back to the massage table after a long pandemic-related break. Her therapist notices something new: as the client relaxed, her legs began to twitch and jump, and she felt "tingling" on the top of her foot. What is going on, and can massage therapy help?   Sponsors:           Anatomy Trains:  www.anatomytrains.com           Books of Discovery:  https://booksofdiscovery.com          ...

In preparation for ABMP Movie Night on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, we ask the filmmaker and star of Touched: A Massage Story to join the podcast and tell us about their experience making the documentary. Touched: A Massage Story uncovers the wisdom found in the hands of a world-renowned massage therapist, Jonathan Grassi. This documentary offers insight into the hardships of entering this profession....

A client who has never had massage before calls to make an appointment. He has a history of "grand mal" seizures. What does the massage therapist need to know to be safe with this client? We go through a short list of important questions.   Sponsors:            Anatomy Trains:  www.anatomytrains.com            Books of Discovery:  https://booksofdiscovery.com                Author Bio:            ...

Is it the devil? Or is it the solution to so many questions that are buried in all those details? In this episode, Allison ponders the bedeviled details of the trapezius muscle, the beauty of the nuchal ligament, and the bravery of Michelangelo.   Host:                Contact Allison Denney:  rebelmt@abmp.com           Allison's website:  www.rebelmassage.com               Allison Denney is a cert...

What's it like being an intuitive? Do we all possess these abilities? "It's a matter of tuning in and paying attention," guest Cyndi Dale says. Dale, the author of more than 20 books on energy work, empathy, and clairvoyance, joins the podcast to talk about discovering her gifts, countering skeptics, the four ways people access their abilities, the difference between physical energy and subtle ene...

An obese client wants help with low-back pain, but she can't take deep pressure. What to do? Ruth might get a little strident in this discussion of weight, health, judgmental language, and hands-on options.   Sponsors:            Anatomy Trains:  www.anatomytrains.com          Books of Discovery:  https://booksofdiscovery.com              Author Bio:          Ruth Werner is a former massage therap...

This dynamic duo are the perfect pair to speak to successful business partnerships, as they celebrate six years of working together. Allissa and Michael tell us why they created Massage Business Blueprint and how their skill sets complement one another. We also dive into the pros and cons of partnerships, what it's like working with your best friend, and how to keep work fun. We close with thought...

A young woman has lots of muscle pain after her soccer game. A great time to receive massage, right? Not this time. Listen in for a case where massage could cause renal damage.   Sponsors:           Anatomy Trains:  www.anatomytrains.com          Books of Discovery:  https://booksofdiscovery.com            Author Bio:          Ruth Werner is a former massage therapist, a writer, and an NCBTMB-appr...

The world, and anatomy, is a lot easier to understand when we talk about it in organized categories. But, sometimes, thinking outside the box is a much better approach. In this episode, Allison explores the identity crisis of the glute medius and how to ease the grip of confusion for this multifaceted middle muscle.    Host:               Contact Allison Denney:  rebelmt@abmp.com          Allison'...

Jordan Person wrote the book on cannabis massage—literally. Listen in as she tells us the difference between CBD and THC, side effects and contraindications, and incorporating CBD topicals into your practice. Jordan breaks down the common cannabis myths, talks about the growing public acceptance, and the possible future of cannabis research. Jordan Person has been a licensed nurse for 20 years and...

A pregnant client has pain and numbness in her hands. It is NOT what you think. In this conversation with pregnancy massage expert Carole Osborne, we take a look at a common pregnancy-related complaint, and see how it can offer some surprises! Carole is a board-certified therapeutic massage and bodywork practitioner, an educator, and a practice supervisor/mentor. She is the co-author of  Pre- and...