The ABMP Podcast | Speaking With the Massage & Bodywork Profession

Join Kristin Coverly as she explores the aging process and chats with guests (and instructors at the upcoming ABMP CE Summit: Aging Clients) Dawn Castiglione and Sheila Alexander about their passion for working with older clients and the joy that it brings them. Resources: ABMP Education Center: https://www.abmp.com/learn/   ABMP CE Summit: Aging Clients Event: https://www.abmp.com/summit Host: Kr...

A school administrator and massage therapist wants guidance on how to respond to a student who is reluctant to work with clinic clients who report a history of herpes. Is this a significant risk for massage therapists? The reality is that anyone with a history of herpes simplex can shed the virus intermittently, even without visible symptoms. However, the risk to massage therapists who follow prop...

Marketing is one of the biggest sticking points for massage and bodywork professionals. Most therapists were never taught how to market themselves, and the idea can feel overwhelming or uncomfortable. In this episode of Fully Booked , Elicia explains how clearly sharing your story, your values, and the difference you make in clients' lives helps the right clients find you and choose you with confi...

When a client presents with shin splints, there might be a whole lot of things going on for them. Getting into the nitty gritty of shin splints - or more accurately Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome - involves being able to parse through a lot of information and checking the facts. Kinda like doom scrolling but for leg anatomy. Join Allison as she defines shin splints, uncovers what is happening under...

Up to two-thirds of the human body is made of water — that's a lot of H2O! But where does all that water actually live in our anatomy, and why is it so important? In this episode, Rachelle and Nicole take a macro and a micro view of water in our bodies — where it lives, how it's organized, and how it keeps us moving with ease. They zoom in on the extracellular matrix and discuss some unexpected wa...

Our brains filter millions of bits of information every second. This what helps shape how we think, make decisions, and act in our business. In this episode of Fully Booked , Elicia Crook discusses how clarity in your messaging helps to reduce confusion, hesitation and burnout, why goals help turn unconscious drift into intentional growth, and how our beliefs can shape our behavior and actions. Ho...

Massage therapy is a deeply rewarding career. But it can also be demanding. In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Whitney discusses why creating a personal mission plan matters for career longevity, how to use it in your practice, and tips on how to find clarity in your profession. Host: Whitney Lowe is a known authority in the field of massage therapy, with a 36-year career marked by clinical work...

Ruth is learning, writing, and teaching about thyroid disease in lots of different places, so IHACW is coming along for the ride. Hypothyroidism: the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of the right hormones to stimulate healthy metabolism—a person has a hard time turning fuel (that's oxygen and food) into energy. The result: lethargy, weight gain, sluggish digestion, and lots, lots more. Does th...

In this inaugural episode of Fully Booked , Elicia Crook takes us behind the curtain of her massage journey, shares key differences between massage in Australia and America, and explains why mistakes can be our greatest opportunity for growth. 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...

For my first episode of 2026, I'm shining a huge spotlight on what we do for a living and explaining why we are sitting pretty in this current day and age to create incredible amounts of success. It's all about the anatomy of our belief systems. It happens to be similar to our fascia. It's 2026 my friends. Let's go!! Host Bio:          Contact Allison Denney:  rebelmt@abmp.com              Allison...

Does more experience always lead to better outcomes? In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , Doug Nelson explores both sides of the experience debate—when years in practice enhance clinical insight, and when they can quietly become a limitation. Doug also digs into the concept of therapeutic drift , how habits form over time, and why even well-intentioned clinicians can stray from best practices.  H...

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , Angie welcomes Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar and Dr. Sheila Patel to discuss their new book, Awakened Sleep , how to rediscover rest as a transformative tool for healing, clarity, and personal growth, and how blending science, spirituality, and practical rituals to help cultivate deep, restorative sleep that helps unlock your full potential. Guests : Dr. Suhas Kshirsag...

A client has a very traumatic experience with their kidney transplant surgery in 2017. Ever since, they have lived with chronic, intractable neck and head pain that doesn't respond to any treatment they've tried so far. A recent CT scan reveals some calcium deposits inside the cranium but - is that the cause? Can massage therapy help? Are there any options for this person? Resources : Anwar, Z. et...

For my last episode of 2025, I am giving you a top 5 list. These are the top 5 techniques that I have kept in my pocket throughout my 25 years as a massage therapist. I break down how they work, why they're so effective, and, of course, why I love them. Thank you for getting me to my 84th episode. Here's to 2026!   Host Bio:           Contact Allison Denney:  rebelmt@abmp.com              Allison'...

Join Kristin Coverly as she explores the health benefits of gratitude, practices to incorporate into your daily life, and chats with guests Allison Denney and Ann and Lynn Teachworth about their gratitude practices. Gain information and tools you can immediately apply to your personal and professional lives! Resources : ABMP Education Center: https://www.abmp.com/learn/ ABMP CE Socials Event: http...

In integrated and interrelated systems, small effects cascade to become much larger forces over time. In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , Doug Nelson asks if there is more of an integrated and interrelated system than the human body? Host: Douglas Nelson is Board Certified in Massage Therapy and Therapeutic Bodywork, beginning his career in massage therapy in 1977.  Seeing over 1,200 client visi...

In her final Business or Pressure episode, Allissa shares some of the big-picture guidance that has helped her make better decisions in her businesses.  Host : Allissa Haines is a practicing massage therapist and business owner. You can find her building websites and coaching massage therapists at deepbreathdigital.com . Author links :   Website:  www.deepbreathdigital.com   Facebook: https://www....

A simple question turned into a deep dive, and I learned a ton along the way! A client has an implanted vagus nerve stimulator. Now what? In this episode of I Have a Client Who . . . , Ruth explore's how vagus nerve stimulators work, why they're used, and the precautions massage therapists should consider. Plus, we discuss the exciting possibilities these devices hold for a wide range of treatment...

This month mark's my 25th anniversary of being a massage therapist. In my 25 years, I have developed some opinions about definitions. In this episode of The Rebel MT , I am breaking down the cost of deep tissue therapy, calling out who is paying the price, and analyzing how we need to rethink things. Not just for our clients, but for the sake of a long and awesome career.   Host Bio:           Con...

It's easy to skip some of the less-than-daily tasks that need to be handled in a small business. In this episode of Business or Pressure , Allissa Haines walks you through some common tasks and universal lists.  Host : Allissa Haines is a practicing massage therapist and business owner. You can find her building websites and coaching massage therapists at deepbreathdigital.com .   Links :   Websit...

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , Darren and Kristin are joined by Doug Nelson to discuss how collaboration between MTs and PTs can accelerate client outcomes and strengthen the continuum of care. Doug shares how to navigate professional boundaries, build effective communication systems, and offers practical advice for massage therapists looking to establish stronger referral relationships as...

Collagen is everywhere in the body. The 30 trillion cells that make up the human body are held together in a matrix of collagen fibers that provides structural support and gives the body its recognizable form. In this episode, Rachelle and Nicole explore all things collagen—asking if we are really "losing" it as we age, explaining its role as the body's "glue," and discussing why understanding thi...

Allissa offers a reality check in using budget software and some tips to make a budget actually work for you.   Resources : Annalisa Derryberry LMT:  derryberrymassage.com     Host: Allissa Haines is a practicing massage therapist and business owner. You can find her building websites and coaching massage therapists at deepbreathdigital.com . Author links: Website:  www.deepbreathdigital.com  

A client was prescribed oral birth control to help manage symptoms of perimenopause. The medication caused a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which then caused a pulmonary embolism (PE). Altogether this forms a potentially deadly phenomenon called venous thromboembolism (VTE). She survived, and she's fine. But here's the thing: her PE was just two weeks ago, and she wants to receive deep massage to her...

Handling adhesions is not an easy task as a massage therapist. But sometimes taking notes from Dr. Frankenstein and the relationship he had with his monster can offer up a lot of insights. In this episode, Allison explores what it would be like if we could shift our approach, use a little pixie dust, and learn how to love a monster.    Host Bio:           Contact Allison Denney:  rebelmt@abmp.com...