The Thinking Practitioner

Tight tissue is more painful, right? And, helping bodies be less stiff makes them feel better, doesn’t it? Fascial researcher Robert Schleip shares new research that contradicts these commonly held (but rarely examined) assumptions, and helps us think through how we, as body therapy practitioners, can apply this new understanding to our work. Tune in for a nuanced conversation that sheds light on...

Brian Glotzbach has been working with high-performance athletes and professional teams for three decades. Whitney talks with Brian about the unique facets of working as a massage therapist in this environment. Things we cover include: How to get started and make connections Speaking the language of the athletic staff What is unique about working with these athletes What will make you successful in...

Til Luchau and Whitney Lowe welcome back special guest Dr. Stuart McGill, a distinguished professor emeritus at the University of Waterloo and one of the world's leading experts in back pain and spine health. They discuss: • Common misconceptions about back pain  • Stiffness and mobility in back pain, and the role of bodywork  • Inflammatory factors in back pain • Traction and movement techniques...

Sue Hitzmann and Aaron Alexander are curious about other people. So how do these two well-known interviewers exercise their curiosity and their "openness muscles?" And, how do they know when their openness is going too far? Listen in as we discuss what makes us feel each good, connecting our personal journeys to our professional work, and much more.  Watch the video and get the full transcript at...

If we don’t learn, we’re doomed to the same results over and over. But sometimes, we get in the way of our own learning. Can we learn to be better learners? Til takes Whitney on an illustrated tour of some of his favorite obstacles to learning, and gets his help applying these to our work as hands-on practitioners.  Get the slideshow-handout, watch the video, and get the full transcript at Til or ...

Til interviews Alicia Grayson, an expert practitioner and teacher of Contact Improvisation dance, about that form’s significance as an embodiment and movement practice. They explore its connection to other forms of movement and therapy, share their personal journeys, and discuss the similarities and differences between Contact Improv and hands-on bodywork, comparing methods and therapeutic goals....

Whitney talks with education specialist Patti Shank on what the current research tells us about the most effective methods of learning. In Episode 17 Til and Whitney talked about how massage and manual therapists chart their own path of learning, so here we talk to an education expert to help us figure out more about what makes a good learning experience. Things we cover include: Common myths arou...

A good question is said to be the first half of knowing, and can make the difference between understanding each other, or operating on our own assumptions. Til Luchau and Whitney Lowe compare notes on some of their favorite questions to ask clients, mentors, and themselves, as well as principles that will help practitioners craft their own good questions.  Resources mentioned: "Favorite question"...

Employers are having a hard time finding therapists to hire. Like workers everywhere, massage and manual therapists' relationship to employment is different than it was a few years ago. Til and Whitney talk with independent clinic and spa owners Drew Freedman and Diane Matkowski about the trials, tribulations, and triumphs involved in this changing landscape, in a conversation that solo practition...

Back pain is incredibly common, and it can be incredibly puzzling. Whitney and Til discuss their respective views on causes, types, and effective manual therapy treatment strategies for turning down the volume on back pain. Check out the video, show notes, and full transcript on Til or  Whitney's sites:  Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.com   Whitney Lowe’s Academy of Clinical Massage Sponsor Offer...

What's the reality of combining learning with travel? Whitney talks with Til about his recent  educational retreat in Thailand, his teaching trip to Taiwan, and his upcoming professional continuing education retreats in Puerto Rico, on the Camino de Santiago in Spain, and around the USA.  Check out the video, and full transcript on Til or  Whitney's sites:  Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.com   Wh...

Whitney talks with massage therapist and acupuncture physician Shannon Goossen about Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FMS). You may have never heard of FMS, but practitioners like our guest report impressive results with a variety of soft-tissue disorders. Could this approach be an adjunct to your practice? Key points include: What is FSM? How does it work? What kinds of conditions can it best be...

Shared decision-making: In this episode, Whitney talks with Walt Fritz about key challenges in the world of manual therapy. We delve into: How he got started in manual therapy How manual therapy differs in physical therapy and massage therapy Ways to break down silos between our professions How important are specific techniques in our treatment strategies The value of working with clients in share...

Til and Whitney talk with self-care expert Jill Miller about her new book "Body by Breath: The Science and Practice of Physical and Emotional Resilience" and other topics including: Jill's "Five Ps:" levers on our own well-being Applying polyvagal theory in self-care Body image and body awareness in fitness Applications for massage and manual therapy Check out the video, full transcript, and a spe...

Whitney and Til talk about acute knee ligament injuries, with Til's recent ski accident being an apt case study. Topics include: Differences between the "big four" knee ligament injuries Medial collateral ligament (MCL) specificies Rehabilitation and bracing controversies Psychological or mental impacts The role of manual therapy Check out the video, illustrations, outline, and full transcript of...

Essential skills in working with veterans: In this episode Whitney talks with Nicole Miller about her extensive work with the veterans population. We cover important topics such as How is massage therapy being supported by the VA What are important skills a massage therapist would need to work with veterans Where can you get further training to work with this population Essential precautions to be...

How do we think about our business? In this episode Whitney talks with Allissa Haines of Massage Business Blueprint about pertinent business topics such as: What's coming up for the new year? How to get more massage and bodywork clients? How to communicate with your client's healthcare practitioners? And much more. Get the full transcript of their conversation on Til or  Whitney's sites:  Til Luch...

With a quarter-million downloads to date, Whitney and Til share their top 5 episode highlights and notable ideas from their third season of interviews, conversations, and inquiries into the thinking behind effective hands-on work. The Ten Most-Downloaded Episodes from Season Three: 53: Fascia: A Deep Dive (with Dr. Antonio Stecco) 69: Back Pain, Stiffness & Fascia (with Stuart McGill) 56: Work...

Is language important? Do muscles actually change length? Does posture matter? Is “fascia” a reductionist idea? Whitney and Til head straight down these rabbit holes (and more) in conversation with clinical anatomist John Sharkey. Get the full transcript of their conversation on Til or  Whitney's sites:  Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.com   Whitney Lowe’s Academy of Clinical Massage   Sponsor Off...

What can we as bodyworkers can learn about intimacy, ethics, consent, touch, and boundaries, from people working on the other side of the no-sex "firewall" that (very appropriately) separates our profession from erotic and sex work? Betty Martin is a leading author, thinker, and trainer in the field of consent and touch; listen in as she and Til think it through.  Check out the video or get the fu...

Does stiff fascia hurt because it's stiff? Why then is there pain with the softer-tissue patterns of hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos syndromes? Dr. Tina Wang's fascinating research (as well as her own story) helps shed some light on this paradox. Check out the video of her Thinking Practitioner conversation on Til or  Whitney's sites:  Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.com   Whitney Lowe’s Academy o...

Most everyone agrees that the current system of continuing professional education (CE or CPD) for massage and manual therapy has problems. Should CE requirements simply be abolished? Or is even more regulation needed? Whitney and Til think these things through and come up with individual and system-wide options. Check out the video of their conversation on Til or  Whitney's sites:  Whitney Lowe’s...

Whitney has a conversation with Sandy Fritz on her vision of the current and future state of the profession.  How the current economic situation has impacted the massage profession Innovative changes with the ICMT The migration of massage employment to a "job" Challenges with massage employees How to work full time Ergonomic challenges in our field Get the full transcript at Til or Whitney's sites...

Til & Whitney share their takeaways, impressions, and highlights from the recent 6th International Fascia Research Congress in Montreal. Topics include: New research correlating tissue qualities with depression Biomechanics of thoracolumbar fascia Counterintuitive findings about Ehlers-Danlos Fascia and elastic recoil Should we massage tumors? Get the full transcript at Til or Whitney's sites:...

Unbeknownst to us, the hosts of the 'Hands at the Table' podcast recorded and aired a “secret shopper” episode about one of Til Luchau’s most popular online CE classes. Listen in as they dissect and review the course, bit-by-excruciating-bit.  (And, you can find out more about Til’s next Principles course, live or by recording, at Advanced-Trainings.com .) In this episode: Were the techniques usef...