Summary: A good question is said to be the first half of knowing, and can make the difference between understanding each other, or operating on our own assumptions. Til Luchau and Whitney Lowe compare notes on some of their favorite questions to ask clients, mentors, and themselves, as well as principles that will help practitioners craft their […]
Employer Blues (with Drew Freedman & Diane Matkowski)
Summary: Employers are having a hard time finding therapists to hire. Like workers everywhere, massage and manual therapists’ relationship to employment is different than it was a few years ago. Til and Whitney talk with independent clinic and spa owners Drew Freedman and Diane Matkowski about the trials, tribulations, and triumphs involved in this changing […]
Medications and Massage Therapy: Eight Key Precautions
So, you have properly asked about what medications your client is on as part of your history. And, you are likely aware that there are potential interactions between medications and massage treatments. In this blog post, let’s explore eight possible precautions and what to do when working with clients on medications. 1. Blood thinners: Clients taking […]
Turning Down the Volume on Back Pain
Summary: Back pain is incredibly common, and it can be incredibly puzzling. Whitney and Til discuss their respective views on causes, types, and effective manual therapy treatment strategies for turning down the volume on back pain. Til Luchau: The Thinking Practitioner Podcast is supported by ABMP, Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. ABMP membership gives […]
Adventure Education (with Til Luchau & Whitney Lowe)
Summary: What’s the reality of combining learning with travel? Whitney talks with Til about his recent educational retreat in Thailand, his teaching trip to Taiwan, and his upcoming professional continuing education retreats in Puerto Rico, on the Camino de Santiago in Spain, and around the USA. Whitney Lowe: Welcome to The Thinking Practitioner Podcast, […]
What is Frequency Specific Microcurrent (with Shannon Goossen)
Summary: Whitney talks with massage therapist and acupuncture physician Shannon Goossen about Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FMS). You may have never heard of FMS, but practitioners like our guest report impressive results with a variety of soft-tissue disorders. Could this approach be an adjunct to your practice? Key points include what FSM is, how it works, […]
Shared Decision-Making (with Walt Fritz)
Summary: Shared decision-making: In this episode, Whitney talks with Walt Fritz about key challenges in the world of manual therapy. We delve into how he got started in manual therapy, how manual therapy differs in physical therapy and massage therapy, ways to break down silos between our professions, how important are specific techniques in our […]
Body by Breath (with Jill Miller)
Summary: Til and Whitney talk with self-care expert Jill Miller about her new book “Body by Breath: The Science and Practice of Physical and Emotional Resilience” and other topics including Jill’s “Five Ps:” levers on our own well-being, applying polyvagal theory in self-care, body image and body awareness in fitness, applications for massage and manual therapy, […]
Collateral Damage: Acute Knee Injuries (Til Luchau)
Summary: Whitney and Til Luchau talk about acute knee ligament injuries, with Til’s recent ski accident being an apt case study. Topics include differences between the “big four” knee ligament injuries, medial collateral ligament (MCL) specificies, rehabilitation and bracing controversies, psychological or mental impacts, the role of manual therapy, and more. Til Luchau: When […]
Nicole Miller – Working With Veterans
Summary: In this episode Whitney talks with Nicole Miller about her extensive work with the veterans population. We cover important topics such as how massage therapy being supported by the VA, important skills a massage therapist would need to work with veterans, where can you get further training to work with this population, essential precautions […]