The ABMP Podcast | Speaking With the Massage & Bodywork Profession

Debt is a drag, and eliminating debt can be a long process. Allissa walks us through the steps and shares some tips to pay off business and personal debt. Resources : Ruth Werner author of A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology in its 7th edition. Visit www.ruthwerner.com to grab a spot at the next "Stump the Pathology Teacher" online event, monthly on third Thursdays at 5 pm Pacific, 8 pm Easte...

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , Whitney Lowe explores the powerful concept of descending modulation. Whitney breaks down the science behind this neurological process and how it applies directly to massage, manual therapy, and bodywork. Can therapeutic touch, trust, and context turn down the pain dial and support long-term healing? Tune in to find out.   Resources :   The Role of Descending M...

In this reflective episode of The ABMP Podcast , Doug Nelson shares a powerful moment sparked by a client's compliment and dives deep into the mystery of intuitive touch. Doug explores the concept of unconscious competence and why it's crucial to bring these instincts into conscious awareness, especially for those teaching or leading in the field. Host: Douglas Nelson is Board Certified in Massage...

With political and economic uncertainty all around us, how can business owners prepare for the inevitable ups and downs? In this episode, Allissa shares practical strategies, and mindset shifts to help you stay grounded, adaptable, and ready. Resources : Chelle Doetsch Owner, New Yew in Michigan:  www.newyewhealing.com   How to Better Serve Your Neurodivergent Clients: https://www.abmp.com/massage...

A 70-year-old client fills in an online intake form, saying she has myasthenia gravis, hypertension, and hypothyroidism. She only takes Synthroid, and says her hypothyroidism and hypertension are well controlled. She has low back pain and muscle soreness. At first glance, this seems fairly simple. MG does not appear to be a major factor for her, because she is not controlling it with medication. B...

Algorithms might dominate our feeds, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. Anatomy has the same issue. Dominated by what is the popular belief, muscles will often do what they are fed to believe is possible. Take, for example, the supraspinatus.   Host Bio:            Contact Allison Denney:  rebelmt@abmp.com              Allison's website:  www.rebelmassage.com                       Allison De...

Before making a big purchase or financial change, try living like you've already made it—for at least three months. This simple practice helps you adjust to new expenses, identify what's truly essential, and build savings in the process. It's a powerful way to test decisions with real-world impact—before you're locked in. Resources : Annette Montgomery, practicing LMT in Indiana and founder of Bol...

Taking the leap into full-time massage is a dream for many practitioners, but it can feel daunting. Whether you're just starting out or looking to make the transition from a part-time role, the step to full time is one that requires courage, planning, and action. Kristin and Darren are joined by Elicia Crook to talk about what's holding people back from taking the leap in becoming a solo practitio...

Fascia has been a hot topic in both research and hands-on therapy for some time now. While the idea that massage therapists affect more than just muscle isn't new, defining exactly what "the other stuff" is has proven trickier than expected. Today, multiple definitions of fascia are debated worldwide. To bring clarity and foster better communication, a new, unified definition has been proposed in...

What if you suddenly couldn't work? Business or Pressure host Allissa Haines breaks down how much money you should have set aside in an emergency fund and the key factors that influence that number. From fixed expenses to income replacement strategies, she walks you through the options to help you stay financially secure in uncertain times. Resources : Barry Hatfield, Main Street Massage  https://...

A contributor sent me several descriptions of people dealing with the aftermath of Lyme disease, hoping for some answers to the questions this mysterious condition brings up. Sorry, no answers here—just more questions. Chronic Lyme disease, post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, Long Lyme… whatever you call it, it's hard to get a handle on it. But here's a starting place. Resources :  Long-Term Lym...

To get a solid understanding of the tensor fascia lata (TFL), it's important to first understand its function. But to understand its function, one needs to clearly grasp its tendon—the IT band. And to really know the IT band, it is necessary to first appreciate fascia. In this episode of The Rebel MT , join Allison Denney as she dives down the rabbit hole that is the TFL. But first, she needs to s...

What happens in your personal budget inevitably impacts your business budget (and vice versa). Business or Pressure host Allissa Haines walks through the basics of creating a personal budget, which ultimately could help your business budget.  Resources : Erin Copelan, Owner of Erin Copelan Massage: https://erincopelan.com/resources/ Host: Allissa Haines is a practicing massage therapist and busine...

Join Kristin Coverly as she asks massage and bodywork experts Les Sweeney, Whitney Lowe, and Ruth Werner "What's a common challenge for you and how do you overcome it?" Gain inspiration you can immediately apply to your personal and professional lives!   Resources :   ABMP Education Center: https://www.abmp.com/learn/   ABMP CE Summit: Neck https://www.abmp.com/summit   Todoist App: https://www.to...

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , Doug Nelson explores the fascinating connections between the artistry and structure of music—think orchestra, composition, and rhythm—and how it parallels the flow and intention behind a well-crafted massage therapy session. Host: Douglas Nelson is board certified in massage therapy and therapeutic bodywork, beginning his career in massage therapy in 1977. See...

Managing an irregular income and planning for less predictable expenses is a big challenge for many business owners. Allissa works through the process to prepare for the leaner times, without sacrificing your own paycheck. Resources : Sarah Cheney, LMT Bloomington Athletic Massage: http://www.bloomingtonathleticmassage.com Allissa's money coaching: https://www.deepbreathdigital.com/money Host: All...

For his 40th birthday, a man is treating himself to his very first massage. His health history includes a few noteworthy details, one of which is a condition neither his massage therapist nor I had ever encountered before: hereditary spherocytosis. Are there any potential concerns? Possibly. Resources :  Hereditary Spherocytosis - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment | NORD (no date). Available at: https:/...

We know it. We can feel it. But understanding the science behind how adrenaline and cortisol affect our soft tissue health is like watching a superhero movie. Kind of. In this episode, join Allison as she unpacks her favorite anatomical system and how it plays a role not only in our clients' soft tissue health, but also how we approach them.   Host Bio:            Contact Allison Denney:  rebelmt@...

What kinds of account do I need in my small business? We go beyond the usual "checking and savings" to determine what serves you well now and in the future. Resources : Meg Donnelly owner of NoVA Weekend Warriors in Herndon, VA, https://novaweekendwarriors.com     Self Employment tax calculator https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/taxes/self-employment-tax (calculates federal tax only)   The Basic F...

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , Darren and Kristin are joined by Jason Erickson to explore Gate Control Theory and Dermoneuromodulation, two key concepts in pain science and nervous system regulation. Join us as we break down these fascinating mechanisms and their impact on health, therapy, and pain management! Resources:   Jason Erickson, BCTMB, CPT, co-owns and practices at Eagan Massage C...

Money moves in and out of your business, are you tracking it? Allissa walks through the what and how of cash flow, and how to get a grip on it. Resources : Tara Eidse, Terra Massage & Wellness https://terrawellnessaz.com/ Host: Allissa Haines is a practicing massage therapist and business owner and columnist for Massage & Bodywork magazine. You can find her building a community of massage therapis...

For nearly 30 years, Rob Kelly has taught anatomy, physiology, pathology, lymphatic work, and orthopedic massage. Recently, Kelly reached out to "I Have a Client Who . . ." host Ruth Werner to share his observations on how easy it is to misunderstand how the body works and how these stories we tell ourselves can have negative consequences. Kelly and Werner turned their conversation into an episode...

What exactly happens when a rib goes out? While it's not exactly hitting the club scene in Vegas, what happens is not so different from if it did. In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , host Allison Denney of Rebel Massage explains what is going on when a rib goes out, how to think about costovertebral joints, and the importance of the health history.    Host Bio:            Contact Allison Denney:...

Walk through the process to set and achieve a reasonable financial goal for 2025 without the corporate jargon. Resources : Guest Marcy Basile, massage therapist and chief muscle mover at Connect Bodyworks. Website designer at Blue Setter Creative www.bluesettercreative.com Host: Allissa Haines is a practicing massage therapist and business owner and columnist for Massage & Bodywork magazine. You c...

Active engagement techniques incorporate active client movement with specific massage treatment applications and can be applied to virtually any region of the body. In this episode of The ABMP Podcast , Whitney Lowe explores some of the key physiological benefits of active engagement and why they have become a powerful tool in manual therapy.   Host:   Whitney Lowe is a known authority in the fiel...