The ABMP Podcast | Speaking With the Massage & Bodywork Profession

Massage & Bodywork columnist (Table Lessons) and MTF President Douglas Nelson discusses honoring the uniqueness of every therapeutic encounter and remaining open and curious to each client. We discuss the partnership between client and practitioner, outline strong leadership during the pandemic, and define the difference between excellence and art in the work.   Douglas Nelson is the founder and principal instructor for Precision Neuromuscular Therapy Seminars; president of the 20-therapist clinic BodyWork Associates in Champaign, Illinois; and president of the Massage Therapy Foundation. His clinic, seminars, and research endeavors explore the science behind his work. For more information, visit www.pnmt.org and www.massagetherapyfoundation.org.   This episode sponsored by:   ExpertVoice   Resources:   “Connecting the Dots: A Key to Massage Integration in the Health-Care System,” by Douglas Nelson, Massage & Bodywork, January/February 2021, page 30,

A young client has had dizzy spells and neck pain with stiffness for three years. His doctor can’t find anything wrong, and—huzzah!—suggests massage therapy to help. What is the source of his vertigo? Can massage help?   Resources:   Cho, D. K. et al. “Myofascial Pain Syndrome in Patients with Cervical Vertigo.” Journal of the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine 35, no 2: 243–49.   Krabak, B. J. et al. “Chronic Cervical Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Improvement in Dizziness and Pain with a Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Program. A Pilot Study.” Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation 15, no 2 (2000): 83–7.   This podcast sponsored by:    Books of Discovery: www.booksofdiscovery.com    Pain in the App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id1473476636   Host:   Ruth Werner: www.ruthwerner.com     Additional articles by Ruth Werner:     “COVID-19–Related Complications”    “Lipedema: the Skinny on Painful Fat,”    “Skipping a Beat: Cardiac Arrhythmias,”     

Dr. Ben Benjamin offers his inspirational path toward massage therapy and beyond—a career driven by his consistent curiosity. From his early dance career, Benjamin became curious about the healing power of touch when working with a local manual therapist. This led to him developing his own techniques and opening practices in New York City and San Francisco. From there, Benjamin opened his own massage therapy school, emphasizing the same one-on-one supervision he was privy to in his training. Today, Benjamin’s work includes communication skills and boundaries, combined in his influential book The Ethics of Touch, and occasionally serving as an expert witness in cases of client and practitioner impropriety.    This episode sponsored by Pain in the App.   Ben Benjamin, PhD in sports medicine, has been practicing massage since 1963 and has been nationally recognized for his contributions to massage therapy, receiving an induction into the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame in 2010. With his years of experience as a therapist, educator, and author, Dr. Benjamin has been regarded as a voice of authority in the muscular therapy ­field. He was the founder and president of the Muscular Therapy Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which began in 1974. Shortly after the Muscular Therapy Institute opened, Dr. Benjamin enhanced his practice by studying under Dr. James Cyriax, widely known for his pioneering work in orthopedic medicine. He has also integrated Aaron Mattes’ Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) techniques into his therapy. With a passion for helping individuals cope with and overcome pain, Dr. Benjamin has been lecturing internationally for more than four decades and written countless articles in publications such as Massage & Bodywork magazine. Dr. Benjamin is also the author of several works referenced by those educators and students in the field, such as Listen to Your Pain, Are You Tense?, Exercise Without Injury, and co-author of The Ethics of Touch and Conversation Transformation.   Resources:   “Clients Crossing Boundaries in the Treatment Room,” Massage & Bodywork, March/April 2020, page 54,  

In this episode, I explore a condition that is completely new to me, and you get to come along for the ride. A long-time client shows signs of some complicated neurological problems. Is it Parkinson’s? Is it hydrocephalus? Why not both?   Resources:   National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. “Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Information Page. Accessed January 2021.   Schneck, Michael J., “How is Parkinson’s Disease Differentiated from Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)?” Last modified October 19, 2018. Accessed January 2021.   Williams, Michael A. and Malm, Jan. “Diagnosis and Treatment of Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.” Continuum 22, no. 2 (2016): 579–99.    Diagram showing a brain shunt

Author, educator, and spa owner Terrance Bonner joins the podcast to discuss his challenging road to become a bodyworker, his esthetics training that deepens his skill set, and his new book for aspiring entrepreneurs. His passion and commitment to practice massage in the face of life’s obstacles is an inspirational lesson for all practitioners.   This episode sponsored by ExpertVoice   Guest bio: Terrance Bonner is a massage therapist and esthetician practicing in Columbus, Mississippi. He is a Mississippi-approved continuing education provider for both massage and esthetics and is a licensed massage therapy instructor. He is the owner of The Glam Station and Spa and author of the recent book Determination + CORE Values = Success: A Business-Building Guidebook for New Wellness Entrepreneurs. For more information, visit www.theglamstationspa.com.   Resource: Determination + CORE Values = Success: A Business-Building Guidebook for New Wellness Entrepreneurs    

Today we take a deep dive . . . into the ear. We look at a client who had a sinus infection with lingering ear stuffiness. Magically, it resolved with massage! The MT naturally wants to know, “What happened? And can I make it happen again?”   Resources   Hayes, Kristin. “What Causes the Accumulation of Fluid in the Ear?” Verywell Health. Last modified November 2019. Accessed January 2021.   Hoffman, Matthew. “Picture of the Ear.” WebMD. Accessed January 2021.   Llewellyn, A. et al. (2014). “Interventions for Adult Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: A Dystematic Review.” Health Technology Assessment 18, no. 46. Accessed January 2021.   This podcast sponsored by:   Books of Discovery: www.booksofdiscovery.com   Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com   Host:   Ruth Werner: www.ruthwerner.com     Additional articles by Ruth Werner:   “COVID-19–Related Complications”

We close out our three-pod series with a Top 5 list of things to do for a great start to 2021. From looking at everything you do with fresh eyes, to the Pomodoro Technique, to our favorite podcasts, listen as we come up with ideas to support professional and personal self-improvement in the new year.   Darren Buford is editor-in-chief of Massage & Bodywork magazine and senior director of communications for ABMP.   Kristin Coverly is director of professional development for ABMP and a licensed massage therapist.   Colin Kelliher is audio producer for ABMP.   Top 5 Tips Review and re-do The Pomodoro Technique Learn something new Networking Colin’s favorite podcasts   Resources: Find Pomodoro examples at www.tomato-timer.com and www.pomofocus.io or on the Apple Watch.   Colin’s favorite podcasts: The $100 MBA, “Should You Set Goals for 2021?”  Super Soul Conversations, “Intention,” 

Join us for the second episode of our three-podcast series to set you up for success in the new year. Today we focus on skills to evaluate and reshape your practice. Learn a two-step process that will have you looking at your business—and life—in a new way and give you the tools and inspiration to improve them!   This episode sponsored by:   Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com   Books of Discovery: www.booksofdiscovery.com   Host bio:   Kristin Coverly is a licensed massage therapist, educator, and the director of professional education for ABMP.

This week begins a three-podcast push for practice improvements in the new year. We start with improving your written and speaking skills. Why? Because communicating well is a sign of respect for your audience and saying that you take what you do seriously. From emails to your service menu, from public presentations to your elevator pitch, how you write and speak is a reflection of your practice and your brand. Nine writing tips and three verbal tips follow!   This episode sponsored by   Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com   Books of Discovery: www.booksofdiscovery.com   Host bio:   Darren Buford is editor-in-chief of Massage & Bodywork magazine and senior director of communications for ABMP.   Recap   Written: Have an editing buddy. Write like you speak. Buy Strunk & White’s The Elements of Style Listen to Grammar Girl  Buy a dictionary Kill your darlings. Do not plagiarize! Read great stuff: The New Yorker Garden and Gun The Atlantic Harvard Business Review Journal.   Verbal: Listen more, speak less. Perfect your elevator speech. Join Toastmasters  

Thanks to our 2020 listeners! You’ve made this a special year to remember. We’ll strive to continue to bring you fresh and engaging content and interviews throughout the coming year. And we’re excited to announce that we’ll soon be bringing Meditate & Move from Facebook to The ABMP Podcast Network. More info to come soon!   2020 Sponsors:   We’d like to thank our 2020 sponsors:   Oakworks   Anatomy Trains   Books of Discovery   Yomassage   Hosts’ info:   Darren Buford is editor-in-chief of Massage & Bodywork magazine and senior director of communications for ABMP. Contact him at darren@abmp.com.   Kristin Coverly, LMT, is director of profession education for ABMP. Contact her at kristin@abmp.com.