ABMP Podcasts for Massage Therapists & Bodyworkers

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Exploring the issues and challenges unique to the massage and bodywork community.

Subscribe to The ABMP Podcast in the Apple Podcast Store, Google Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you access your favorite podcasts, or click on an episode below to listen online.

Send questions, topic ideas, and guest recommendations to podcast@abmp.com, and we may answer your question on a future podcast.

 

Ep 101 – When You See a Doorway, Walk Through It with Diane Matkowski

Diane Matkowski, the Massage Mentor, has had many revelatory moments in her life: from getting her first massage, to studying under a hands-on mentor, to making the leap of faith to start her own business. She was terrified. But she took comfort in the phrase from one of her clients: “When you see a doorway, Diane, walk through it.” We discuss her successes (and failures), her COVID protocols that will stick long after the pandemic is over, and what’s it like being audited by the IRS.

Ep 100 – Mercy, it’s MRSA! “I Have a Client Who . . .” Pathology Conversations with Ruth Werner

A client with a complex health history reveals he has recently been exposed to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. During his session, his massage therapist finds lots of little scabs on his body—yikes! Good news: this is not nearly so scary as it seems. The hygienic practices we already use provide us with good protection from MRSA colonization, but that needs to happen on purpose, and not by accident. Also, you might want to keep some gloves and masks around.

Ep 99 – Addressing Anxiety Part 2 with Amanda Huggins

In part two of this conversation, Amanda Huggins offers listeners somatic tools for addressing anxiety, including meditation, box breathing, and heart-focused breathing. She discusses how to work with clients with anxiety (space holding, not advice; supportive  affirmations, not comparisons) and advocates for all of us to “triple down on self-care.”

Ep 96 – “I am enough”: Addressing Anxiety with Amanda Huggins

In part one of this conversation, Amanda Huggins defines anxiety and describes her own challenge to integrate the mental, physical, and spiritual in her personal life. She helps us get to the emotions underneath the umbrella term anxiety—fear, guilt, imposter syndrome—and lets us know the difference between the stories we tell ourselves (unpacking how beliefs began) and our truths. We conclude with some affirmation practices, the power of grounding, and valuing our worth.

Ep 94 – Get Involved! Talking Government Relations with Laura Embleton

ABMP Director of Government Relations Laura Embleton joins the podcast to tell us about the advocacy work her team does to support individual practitioners across all 50 states. Laura’s goal is to ensure fair legislation is enacted without overburdening practitioners. We discuss her battle with illicit businesses operating under the guise of massage therapy, human trafficking, media and states usage of the term massage parlors, and, most importantly, how individual practitioners can get involved to make a difference.

Ep 93 – A Failure to Communicate About a Failure of the Liver: “I Have a Client Who . . .” Pathology Conversations with Ruth Werner

A client didn’t share an important piece of information—and the therapist didn’t ask. The result: a serious situation that massage could have made much worse. In this episode, we talk about a surprising relationship between bariatric surgery and liver failure—and about the need to ask open-ended, inviting questions that will help us get a clear and full understanding of our clients’ health challenges.

Ep 91 – An Ayurvedic Lifestyle: Detox on the Equinox with Angie Parris-Raney

Angie Parris-Raney, Chopra Center Certified in meditation and ayurvedic lifestyle, joins the podcast to break down her recent article, “Detox on the Equinox,” in Body Sense magazine. Angie lays the foundation for bringing fresh energy and movement to our seasonal transition into spring. She gives five tips on improving diet, exercise, meditation, tongue scraping, and self-massage. And, she informs us about avoiding FLUNC foods.  

Ep 90 – Lots o’ Clots, Part 2: “I Have a Client Who . . .” Pathology Conversations with Ruth Werner

Another episode about DVT and pulmonary embolism—but this one looks really different from last week!

  • New client says, “I want to make you aware of my pulmonary embolism this week . . . my hospitalist says massage will be OK”
  • Encouragement to do massage
  • Encouragement NOT to do massage

What to do??? In the face of contradictory advice, we walk through this decision-making process, discussing the difference between information and permission along the way. 

News

Vacancies on the Oregon Massage Board

There are two seats open to licensed massage therapists. You must be nominated by a massage organization for a vacancy, and ABMP can help nominate you. Let us know if you're interested and find out how to apply!

Massage School Programs at Risk Across the Country

The US Department of Education issued final rules on October 31 that will likely greatly impact clock-hour programs in states with minimum clock-hour requirements for licensure or certification, including massage therapy. The new rule is flawed and, if not changed, will cause devastating collateral damage to schools, instructors, students, and the public. Find out how you can advocate!

“150%” Rule Advocacy Template

School owners, operators, and instructors—use our advocacy template to send to your state senators and representatives to make them reconsider the "150%" rule amendment. Add your own opinions and experiences to make your letter more personal and impactful.

Blog

Benefits

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