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Ep 101 – When You See a Doorway, Walk Through It with Diane Matkowski
04/26/2021
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
04/23/2021
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
04/20/2021
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 98 – Marfan Syndrome: “I Have a Client Who . . .” Pathology Conversations with Ruth Werner
04/16/2021
A client has Marfan syndrome—what does it mean for him? And what does it mean for massage? Listen in as we review what autosomal dominant means, and we enjoy some new vocabulary: dolichostenomelia (abnormally long, thin limbs) and arachnodactyly (spider-digits). We also learn about the potentially life-threatening complications of this genetic disorder.
Ep 97 – The Philosophical Truth About Trigger Points, The Rebel MT, with Allison Denney
04/15/2021
The momentum of a wave can take down huge ships, in much the same way that the momentum of a trigger point can paralyze giants. In this episode, Allison dives into why trigger points are so painful and how approaching them as you might approach an octopus in the ocean is the key to calming the waters.
Ep 96 – “I am enough”: Addressing Anxiety with Amanda Huggins
04/12/2021
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 95 – Disordered Eating: “I Have a Client Who . . .” Pathology Conversations with Ruth Werner
04/09/2021
This story is a delicate one. The client has an eating disorder that the massage therapist thinks is pretty advanced, and may be getting worse. This episode dives into some of the serious consequences of eating disorders and the important role massage therapy may play. It may be upsetting for people who struggle with eating disorders, so please consider this a trigger warning.
Ep 94 – Get Involved! Talking Government Relations with Laura Embleton
04/05/2021
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.
04/02/2021
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 92 – The Calf: Did Someone Say Achilles? The Rebel MT, with Allison Denney
03/31/2021
The desire to be free is one that we not only feel in our hearts, but also in our muscles. Nowhere in the body is this truer than in the calves. In this episode, Allison explores the innate restriction of the calf muscles and finds meaning in the lessons offered up by Greek mythology.
Ep 91 – An Ayurvedic Lifestyle: Detox on the Equinox with Angie Parris-Raney
03/30/2021
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
03/25/2021
Another episode about DVT and pulmonary embolism—but this one looks really different from last week!
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.
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!
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!
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.
The newest Massage & Bodywork magazine CE course is now available in the ABMP Education Center to read and earn 3 CE hours.
CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle and precise hands-on treatment method that focuses on the functioning of the body’s craniosacral system.
Follow these four steps to conquer paper and digital paperwork and create some peace (and space) in your business.
Start your year off right with FREE enrollment from Active&Fit Direct through your ABMP membership.
Save time, stress less, and make an honest living improving lives with the only practice management software purpose-built for the independent massage therapist.
Tune in to this episode of Business or Pressure with host Allissa Haines to learn about some easy ways to level up your website.
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