The ABMP Podcast | Speaking With the Massage &amp; Bodywork Profession

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA

Precision Neuromuscular Therapy seminars (www.pnmt.org) have been teaching high-quality seminars for more than 20 years. Doug Nelson and the PNMT teaching staff help you to practice with the confidence and creativity that comes from deep understanding, rather than the adherence to one treatment approach or technique.

Find our seminar schedule at pnmt.org/seminar-schedule with over 60 weekends of seminars across the country.

Or meet us online in the PNMT Portal, our online gateway with access to over 500 videos, 37 NCBTMB CEs, our Discovery Series webinars, one-on-one mentoring, and much, much more! All for the low yearly cost of $167.50. Learn more at pnmt.thinkific.com/courses/pnmtportal!

At Heights Wellness Retreat, we believe every person is an unstoppable force, whether navigating daily demands, pursuing goals, or striving to be their best. This drives everything we do. We go beyond traditional spa services by creating a purpose-driven environment where wellness professionals are empowered, valued, and positioned to grow. With steady clientele, support, and a wellness-forward culture, Heights Wellness Retreat is where therapists build meaningful, sustainable careers while shaping the future of the wellness industry.

https://www.abmp.com/learn/course/making-leap-full-time-business-part-1-mindset

Save your hands for the smaller structures and start getting your clients underfoot! At the Center for Barefoot Massage, we teach you how to enhance your pressure using gravity and physics and help your clients recover from persistent pain through nerd-level anatomical attention to detail—we just happen to use our feet to do it all!

From the slow, down-regulating glides of our FasciAshi Fundamentals strokes to the proprioceptive "pattern-interrupts" of our Barefoot Matwork techniques and the resisted movements from our Stretch Therapy class, we offer a complete suite of evidence-based tools for deep, myofascial Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage—we nicknamed our approach "FasciAshi."

Worried about your body size in relation to your clients? Our innovation—the suspended Ashi-strap—allows a more diverse population of massage therapists to regulate and vector their weight and pressure distribution with clinical precision, making deep work effortless on a variety of client bodies.

At the Center for Barefoot Massage, we believe the future of massage is afoot! Find when and where our CE classes are happening next at centerforbarefootmassage.com.

Ep 596 – The Pain in Procrastination: "Fully Booked" with Elicia Crook Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Is procrastination really the problem, or is it trying to tell us something? In this episode of Fully Booked, Elicia Crook explores four common reasons we put things off and how asking better questions can help us move forward. From feeling overwhelmed to recognizing when a task should be delegated or eliminated altogether, discover why procrastination might be useful information rather than something we need to fight.

Host:

Elicia Crook is a business coach and mentor for massage therapists, sharing the tactics she used to create her business success over 16 years. She is a diploma-qualified remedial massage therapist, using modalities such as Bowen and craniosacral therapy, and has a Cert IV in Workplace Training and Assessment, which she used while teaching massage for several years. Through her career and business experience, Crook discovered who she needed to be and what is required to run a deeply satisfying massage business. Now she takes the Fully Booked Without Burnout blueprint to other therapists around the world to create more success and passion. For more information, visit https://healthleaderco.com/

Resources:

For more info on Health Leader Mastery - check out https://healthleaderco.com/mastery

"Making the Leap to a Full-Time Business"

Sponsor:

Save time and reduce stress with MassageBook. It's not just software—it's a comprehensive solution that handles online scheduling, payment processing, and marketing campaigns, making it easier for you to provide your clients with top-notch care. Enjoy free, unlimited access for 30 days and save on your monthly subscription with your exclusive ABMP member discount.

Special Offer:

Right now, MassageBook is offering listeners $50 off when they sign up with coupon code ABMP50. Start your free 30-day trial today and transform your practice with tools designed to increase bookings and streamline client management.

Connect with MassageBook:

Visit their website: MassageBook

Follow MassageBook on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

Ep 595 – Our Moment with Doug Nelson Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Doug Nelson explores why this may be a defining moment for the massage therapy profession. From the growing impact of chronic pain to increased interest from the medical community, Doug examines the unique role massage therapists can play in helping people in pain.

Host:

Douglas Nelson is Board Certified in Massage Therapy and Therapeutic Bodywork, beginning his career in massage therapy in 1977. Seeing over 1,200 client visits annually for decades, he is also the owner of BodyWork Associates, a massage therapy clinic in Champaign, IL. with 21 therapists that was established in 1982.

He is the founder of NMT MidWest, Inc., providing training in Precision Neuromuscular Therapy™ across the USA. He has personally taught more than 13,000 hours of continuing education and is the author of three books. Doug is a past president of the Massage Therapy Foundation.

Sponsors:

Website: anatomytrains.com

Email: info@anatomytrains.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA

Find our seminar schedule at pnmt.org/seminar-schedule with over 60 weekends of seminars across the country.

At the Center for Barefoot Massage, we believe the future of massage is afoot! Find when and where our CE classes are happening next at centerforbarefootmassage.com.

Ep 594 – Deeper than the Skin: "I Have a Client Who . . ." Pathology Conversations with Ruth Werner Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

An unusual tattoo triggers a strong reaction in a massage therapist, leaving the practitioner unsure whether they can work with the client again. What is a specific phobia, and how can it affect our work? And what happens when the reaction isn't tied to a traditional phobia but to other triggering symbols?

Ethics meets pathology in this edition of IHACW.

Resources:

Touching the Mind: Mental and Mood Disorders for Massage Therapists

3 CE credits, available here.

Garcia, R. (2017) "Neurobiology of fear and specific phobias," Learning & Memory, 24(9), pp. 462–471. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1101/lm.044115.116.

Host Bio:

Ruth Werner is a former massage therapist, a writer, and an NCBTMB-approved continuing education provider. She wrote A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology, now in its seventh edition, which is used in massage schools worldwide. Werner is also a long-time Massage & Bodywork columnist, most notably of the Pathology Perspectives column. Werner is also ABMP's partner on Pocket Pathology, a web-based app and quick reference program that puts key information for nearly 200 common pathologies at your fingertips. Werner's books are available at www.booksofdiscovery.com. And more information about her is available at www.ruthwerner.com.

Sponsors:

Website: anatomytrains.com

Email: info@anatomytrains.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA

Find our seminar schedule at pnmt.org/seminar-schedule with over 60 weekends of seminars across the country.

https://www.abmp.com/learn/course/making-leap-full-time-business-part-1-mindset

At the Center for Barefoot Massage, we believe the future of massage is afoot! Find when and where our CE classes are happening next at centerforbarefootmassage.com.

Ep 593 – Perfection is Where We Hide: "Fully Booked" with Elicia Crook Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Fully Booked, Elicia Crook explores what Brené Brown's Daring Greatly can teach massage therapists about running a business. She looks at vulnerability, perfectionism, boundaries, and the courage it takes to put yourself and your work out into the world.

Host:

Resources:

If you are new to Brene - you can see one of the world most watched Ted talks of all time here:https://youtu.be/iCvmsMzlF7o?si=Xs8ySZtdUalc5XKE For more info on Health Leader Mastery - check out https://healthleaderco.com/mastery

"Making the Leap to a Full-Time Business"

Sponsor:

Special Offer:

Connect with MassageBook:

Visit their website: MassageBook

Follow MassageBook on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

Ep 592 – Talk Less. Ask Better: "The Rebel MT" with Allison Denney Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

There's a debate in the manual therapy world about which is better: talking or staying silent during a session. But neither approach, when done on autopilot, actually helps a client in pain. In this episode of The Rebel MT, Allison breaks down how effective communication can change the game and why the words you choose are key, not only to your client's healing but also to your confidence as a practitioner.

Host Bio:

Contact Allison Denney: rebelmt@abmp.com

Allison's website: www.rebelmassage.com

Allison Denney is a certified massage therapist and certified YouTuber. You can find her massage tutorials at YouTube.com/RebelMassage. She is also passionate about creating products that are kind, simple, and productive for therapists to use in their practices. Her products, along with access to her blog and CE opportunities, can be found at rebelmassage.com.

About our Sponsors:

Rebel Massage Therapist:

My name is Allison. And I am not your typical massage therapist. After 20 years of experience and thousands of clients, I have learned that massage therapy is SO MUCH more than a relaxing experience at a spa. I see soft tissue as more than merely a physical element but a deeply complex, neurologically driven part of who you are. I use this knowledge to work WITH you—not ON you—to create change that works. This is the basis of my approach. As a massage therapist, I have worked in almost every capacity, including massage clinics, physical therapy clinics, chiropractor offices, spas, private practice, and teaching. I have learned incredible techniques and strategies from each of my experiences. In my 20 years as a massage therapist, I have never stopped growing. I currently have a private practice based out of Long Beach, California, where I also teach continuing education classes and occasionally work on my kids. If they're good.

website: www.rebelmassage.com

FB: facebook.com/RebelMassage

IG: instagram.com/rebelmassagetherapist

YouTube: youtube.com/c/RebelMassage

email: rebelmassagetherapist@gmail.com

Website: anatomytrains.com

Email: info@anatomytrains.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA

Find our seminar schedule at pnmt.org/seminar-schedule with over 60 weekends of seminars across the country.

At the Center for Barefoot Massage, we believe the future of massage is afoot! Find when and where our CE classes are happening next at centerforbarefootmassage.com.

Ep 591 – Creative Kinesiology with Whitney Lowe Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Whitney Lowe explores how massage therapists can move beyond rote memorization and begin applying kinesiology in a more practical, creative way. Whitney covers force vectors, muscle contractions, movement patterns, and assessment strategies that can help practitioners better understand pain and dysfunction.

Resources:

Join us at the ABMP CE Summit! Tuesday, October 27th, 2026. This online event—including 3 hours of CE—is FREE for everyone in the profession. Register here!

Host:

Whitney Lowe is a known authority in the field of massage therapy, with a 36-year career marked by clinical work, research, publications, and teaching in advanced massage principles. He specializes in treating pain and injuries using massage and is one of the pioneers of the orthopedic massage approach. Lowe's Orthopedic Massage Program stands out in its engaging and accessible design and comprehensive curriculum. Students, whether learning online or in-person, praise Lowe for his approachable style and personalized training.

Sponsors:

Website: anatomytrains.com

Email: info@anatomytrains.com

https://healthleaderco.com/mastery

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA

Find our seminar schedule at pnmt.org/seminar-schedule with over 60 weekends of seminars across the country.

At the Center for Barefoot Massage, we believe the future of massage is afoot! Find when and where our CE classes are happening next at centerforbarefootmassage.com.

Ep 590 – Take the Weird Out of Selling: "Fully Booked" with Elicia Crook Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

Selling products doesn't have to feel awkward or salesy. In this episode of Fully Booked, Elicia Crook shares simple strategies for recommending products you genuinely use, love, and believe can help your clients.

Host:

Resources:

I love being a massage therapist, but there was a point where I'd realized I'd built a really busy practice and also accidentally built a business that completely relied on me. If I didn't treat, I didn't earn, and I knew I wanted more, more income, more impact, more freedom, but mostly more choice. I didn't wanna stop being a therapist. I wanted to build a business that supported the life I actually wanted, and learning how to think like a business owner changed everything for me, and that's why I created Mastery. So if you love what you do, but there's a part of you thinking, "I know my business could be more than this," book a Mastery call. You can apply at the bottom on the page and book a call with my Christine or James to get eyes on your business. Let's put 20 minutes of eyes on your business to see what's possible.

"Making the Leap to a Full-Time Business"

https://www.abmp.com/learn/course/making-leap-full-time-business-part-1-mindset

Sponsor:

Jane is a practice management platform for health and wellness clinics, used by more than 245,000 practitioners worldwide. Jane helps practitioners schedule appointments, chart treatments, bill insurers, and get paid all in one secure, beautifully designed platform.

Learn more about Jane at jane.app/demo and if you're ready to get started, use the code ABMP1MO for a one-month grace period on your new account.

For more details, visit jane.app, jane.app/pricing, and jane.app/features.

Ep 589 – Do No Harm: What Massage Schools Need to Know Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

The Department of Education's "Do No Harm" rules have sparked important conversations throughout the massage profession. In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, ABMP Government Relations Director Laura Puryear and higher education attorney Aaron Lacey explain what these regulatory changes mean for massage schools, Title IV funding, and the future of professional education.

Sponsors:

Upledger CranioSacral Therapy addresses deep restrictions, supports neurological and fascial systems, and enhances whole-body function—by working with the body's natural healing processes. For over forty years, Upledger Institute International has led the field of CranioSacral Therapy—setting the global standard for education and clinical application. With trained therapists in more than 120 countries, CST continues to evolve through ongoing clinical experience and alignment with current scientific understanding. CST integrates seamlessly into any manual therapy practice and supports common to complex and chronic conditions—orthopedic, neurological, pediatric, geriatric, and beyond. Learn from our International Teaching Team—experienced clinicians who help you develop your skills, expand your clinical reasoning, and achieve greater clinical outcomes. Begin your training for as little as one hundred dollars a month. Find a class near you at upledger.com/courses or call 800-233-5880, extension 2—and begin your CranioSacral Therapy journey with the leaders who continue to shape the profession.

Website: upledger.com/courses

Email: upledger@upledger.com

Phone: 800-233-5880 Ext 2

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/upledger.institute

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upledger_institute_intl/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSIFELbP6Jsp55cb9puZigQ

Website: anatomytrains.com

Email: info@anatomytrains.com

Website: https://shop.iahe.com/Workshops/Upledger-Institute-International-Online-Learning-Programs-and-Workshops/Trauma-Conversation

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA

Find our seminar schedule at pnmt.org/seminar-schedule with over 60 weekends of seminars across the country.

Ep 588 – Beyond the Tissue: Trauma-Informed Care with Angie Parris Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

Trauma can show up on the massage table in ways practitioners may not expect. In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Angie Parris is joined by Upledger Institute instructors Catherine Whelan, Eric Moya, and Natalie Bledstein to explore what it means to be trauma-informed and how that differs from providing trauma-specific care.

They discuss recognizing when a client may be moving outside their window of tolerance, the importance of consent and communication, and practical ways to help clients stay present and grounded during a session.

Guests:

Eric Moya began his career as a massage therapist in 1997 and quickly moved into studying the osteopathic family of therapies including CranioSacral Therapy, lymphatic drainage, and visceral manipulation. With an interest in the body, mind, spirit connection, Eric began formal mental health training with a masters in mental health in 2007. Eric is also a senior instructor for the Upledger Institute over the past 27 years. During that time, Eric has contributed original coursework in the curriculum in addition to teaching core curriculum courses. Within the past 20 years, Eric has completed additional training in mindfulness, meditation, working with trauma, and has developed his own curriculum integrating body, mind, and spirit in clinical practice. Currently, Eric is working on a Ph.D in clinical psychology with an emphasis on psychoanalytic/psychodynamic approaches to therapy and qualitative research methods.

Natalie Bledstein, OTR/L, CST-D, SEP, has been an Occupational Therapist for over 30 years. Natalie has in-depth experience in Sensory Integration and CranioSacral Therapy. She currently teaches CS1, SER1, and SER2 for the Upledger Institute. Natalie's interest in trauma recovery led her to seek professional mentorship as part of completing the three-year Somatic Experiencing Practitioner certification.

Catherine Whelan is an Upledger CranioSacral Therapist and CranioSacral Therapy instructor with more than two decades of experience in the wellness field. Catherine's foundational background with a degree in kinesiology, personal training, and bodywork shapes her individual practice. For the past 5 years, she has been working collaboratively with other practitioners, including trauma therapists, to create a more community-based approach to wellness.

Resources:

Host:

Angie Parris is a licensed massage therapist and is the advertising director for ABMP. She is Chopra Center Certified in meditation and ayurvedic lifestyle. Her training explores physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. Angie is also the founder of the nonprofit, Project Inti, an organization that provides aid to low-income Peruvian families and communities. For more information, visit www.projectinti.org.

Sponsors:

Website: upledger.com/courses

Email: upledger@upledger.com

Phone: 800-233-5880 Ext 2

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/upledger.institute

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upledger_institute_intl/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSIFELbP6Jsp55cb9puZigQ

Website: anatomytrains.com

Email: info@anatomytrains.com