Image of a Baker's Cyst

What is a Baker’s Cyst?

A Baker’s cyst (or popliteal cyst) is a fluid-filled cyst that develops behind the knee and is usually a sign of another condition. Anatomy & Pathology Baker’s cysts develop posterior to the knee joint and are usually found directly behind the medial femoral condyle between the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle and the semimembranosus […]

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Chronic Cough: the Prequel (with Walt Fritz and Ruth Werner)

Summary: Til Luchau and Ruth Werner talk with Walt Fritz PT, as they prepare for some hands-on work with Ruth’s chronic cough. Listen in as these three powerhouse presenters discuss hands-on strategy, potential triggers, and psychosocial impacts related to chronic coughs. Ruth shares her personal experiences, emphasizing the challenges and similarities with chronic pain. Their […]

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clinical massage image

What is Clinical Massage?

What is Clinical Massage?   Healthcare vs. Personal Care Massage There are two main categories of massage therapy: personal care and healthcare massage. Personal care massages are typically offered with the primary focus on general relaxation or wellness enhancement. It may be provided in spas, salons, private massage clinics, health clubs, or other locations. Healthcare […]

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The Many (Cervical) Facets of Neck Pain (with Til Luchau & Whitney Lowe)

Summary: The neck’s facet joints (or the harder-to-to pronounce and remember “zygapophyseal joints”) are the primary articulations involved in cervical movement. They are commonly thought to be involved in a range of painful cervical conditions. What do manual and massage therapists need to know? What are some helpful ways to think about and work with […]

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Where the Profession Is Now (with Les Sweeney)

Summary: ABMP (the largest professional organization of massage therapists and bodyworkers in the USA) has just published the results of their regular survey of massage education programs, and it reveals some very interesting trends. Whitney discusses these and their implications with Les Sweeney, the CEO of the Professional Assist Corporation and President of the ABMP […]

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Lessons Learned (with Susan Salvo)

Summary: Susan Salvo has been a key contributor to the advancement of the massage therapy profession in the U.S. and abroad. She has been a school owner, practitioner, author, researcher, educator, and legal expert witness. In this episode, we talk about many of these different paths she has traversed and some of the important lessons […]

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Interprofessional Communication (with Lane Blondheim)

Summary: A crucial aspect of high-quality health care is communication between the individuals that deliver that care. In this episode Whitney talks with Lane Blondheim, a physical therapist in South Bend, Indiana about various challenges and opportunities for enhanced communication in the manual therapy fields.   Whitney Lowe: Welcome to the Thinking Practitioner where Books […]

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Wait, What? Fascial Stiffness & Pain (with Robert Schleip)

Summary: 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 […]

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Working in Professional Sports (with Brian Glotzbach)

Summary: 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.   Whitney Lowe: Welcome to The Thinking Practitioner. And welcome to The Thinking Practitioner, where the podcast is supported by ABMP, the Associated […]

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Back At It: Back Pain Revisited (with Stuart McGill)

Summary: 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.   Whitney Lowe: Welcome to The Thinking Practitioner where Books of Discovery has been a part of massage therapy education for […]

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