🎙️In this episode, educators, authors, and massage therapists Rachelle Clauson and Nicole Trombley discuss the surprising sensitivity and functional significance of the ankle’s fascial retinaculum. Their conversation with Whitney and Til also ventures into Rachelle’s work on the Fascial Plastination Project, and their hands-on anatomy educational offerings via AnatomySCAPES. 🔍🗣️👥🔊 Watch the video and get the full transcript of their conversation on Til or Whitney's sites: Til Luchau’s Advan...
May 29, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 119
🎙️In this episode Whitney engages in a wide-ranging discussion with Paula Nutting about the world of massage therapy in Australia and beyond. They compare notes about the professional landscape, education and numerous other topics. We all learn and grow so much when we look at things through the lens of others, so this is a great opportunity to reflect on how we see things and how they may be viewed from other perspectives. Paula also shares extensively about her experience with teaching and le...
May 15, 2024•54 min•Ep. 118
🎙️Whitney Lowe and Til Luchau explore the complexities of ankle anatomy and stability, discussing everything from the mortise and tenon structure to valgus and varus alignments. Join them as they debate ligament injuries, nerve compression, and practical strategies for addressing ankle issues. Tune in for valuable insights into the importance of client education and the role of massage in enhancing ankle function. 🔍🗣️👥🔊 👉Check out Til Luchau's new Ankle Issues livestreamed and recorded cou...
May 01, 2024•57 min•Ep. 117
🎙️This episode of the Thinking Practitioner podcast features an in-depth interview with Tom Myers, author of the influential book Anatomy Trains. Host Til Luchau and Whitney Lowe discuss Tom's bodywork background, and how his goal of providing a holistic framework for understanding the body's fascial connections lead to the development of his "Anatomy Trains" concept. They explore Ida Rolf's legacy and influence on developing a model of structural integration, and Tom shares his evolving views ...
Apr 17, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 116
🎙️Two new studies are re-opening the age-old discussion about whether massage is safe with clients with cancer. Til and Whitney review the new evidence, the implications, and discuss best practices with expert guests Cathy Ryan and Erika Slocum. 🔍🗣️👥🔊 Watch the video and get the full transcript of their conversation on Til or Whitney's sites: Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.com Whitney Lowe’s Academy of Clinical Massage Key Points in the Podcast Introduction to The Thinking Practitioner Pod...
Apr 03, 2024•56 min•Ep. 115
🎙️When we treat our client’s “problems,” are we really helping them? Or, would a more fundamental reframe yield better results? How do we help our clients (and ourselves) shift the usual viewpoints about pain, injury, and recovery? Whitney and Til catch up with physiotherapist and chiropractor Greg Lehman about the evolution of his influential “Reconciling Biomechanics with Pain Science” course, and his thinking on specifics like SI Joint pain, “flat arches,” and more. 🔍🗣️👥🔊 Watch the video...
Mar 20, 2024•48 min•Ep. 114
🎙️It's no exaggeration to say that in the history of massage and bodywork, there was "before Esalen," and "after Esalen." Til & Whitney talk to Peggy Horan (senior Esalen Massage teacher) and her daughter Lucia (who grew up at Esalen) about their stories, the Esalen Institute, and its influence on how massage and bodywork are practiced and taught today. 🔍🗣️👥🔊 Watch the video and get the full transcript of their conversation on Til or Whitney's sites: Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.com ...
Mar 06, 2024•54 min•Ep. 112
🎙️ Ten years ago, massage therapist Rajam Roose was curious about pain science. Seeing a need for an interdisciplinary conference focusing on the clinical applications of this emerging field, and took a leap and created what has become a regular event. The San Diego Pain Summit has continued to grow, and gets outstanding reviews from the many people, from so many different fields, that it brings together each year. 🔍🗣️👥🔊 Watch the video and get the full transcript of their conversation on T...
Feb 21, 2024•41 min•Ep. 113
🎙️Twelve years ago, Lorimer Moseley’s TEDx talk “Why Things Hurt” helped to catalyze profound changes in how pain is conceptualized, in our field and in many others. If we think about pain as protection, rather than as damage, it changes how we explain the improvements we see in hands-on work. Professor Moseley joins Til and Whitney to update us on his thinking, and to offer bodyworks and massage therapists practical advice on working with our clients with pain.🔍🗣️👥🔊 Watch the video and get...
Feb 07, 2024•54 min•Ep. 111
🎙️ Anatomist extraordinaire Gil Hedley stops by to talk with Til and Whitney about nerves, dissection, bodywork, and what hands-on therapists can learn from his most recent project, the Nerve Tour. 🔍🗣️👥🔊 Watch the video and get the full transcript of their conversation on Til or Whitney's sites: Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.com Whitney Lowe’s Academy of Clinical Massage Topics: 0:00 - Introduction to The Thinking Practitioner Podcast 0:30 - Introduction of hosts Whitney Lowe and Til Luch...
Jan 24, 2024•54 min•Ep. 110
🎙️ Join us as we revisit the key moments of The Thinking Practitioner’s fourth season. This year, our esteemed guests shared both the latest research, and historical insights into the legacies that continue to shape our field. A heartfelt thanks to our amazing guests, sponsors, and to you, our audience—your support continues to drive the Thinking Practitioner community. Subscribe now for a condensed dose of practical wisdom and discerning reflection. 🔍🗣️👥🔊 Watch the video and get the full t...
Jan 10, 2024•36 min•Ep. 109
Legendary trauma pioneer Peter Levine PhD talks with Til Luchau about how bodyworkers might recognize trauma, and, how can they be most helpful with its effects. Along the way, Dr Levine reflects on topics such as his own training with Ida Rolf (the originator of Rolfing® Structural Integration), scope of practice considerations for bodyworkers, self-care and much more. Watch the video and get the full transcript of their conversation on Til or Whitney's sites: Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.co...
Dec 27, 2023•41 min•Ep. 108
Baker's cysts, the most common cyst behind the knee, affect about 20% of all people. When painful, they can limit mobility and impact quality of life. In this episode, Til interviews Whitney about what Baker’s cysts are, what we as hands-on therapists can do about them, and how we can broaden the lens about the benefits of our work. Watch the video and get the full transcript of their conversation on Til or Whitney's sites: Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.com Whitney Lowe’s Academy of Clinical M...
Dec 13, 2023•41 min•Ep. 107
The Massage Therapy Foundation is a crucial organization for the growth and development of our profession. In this episode, Whitney talks with Adrienne Asta, current president of the Foundation. In this episode, they discuss: What are the different programs the Foundation runs? What is the role of the Foundation in our profession? Why is research important for practitioners? How can people get involved with the Foundation? ...much more Watch the video and get the full transcript of their convers...
Nov 29, 2023•50 min•Ep. 106
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 stimulating conversation then delves into the broader implications of treating the whole person rather than just the symptoms, of...
Nov 15, 2023•37 min•Ep. 105
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 these joints? Whitney and Til think it through, and touch on topics such as: Does or doesn't head-forward posture cause pain? What about text-neck? A self-...
Nov 01, 2023•39 min•Ep. 104
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 (Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals). Topics include: How employment trends are changing in the field How are schools doing in...
Oct 18, 2023•56 min•Ep. 103
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 learned. We cover these key points What brought her to the world of textbook authoring How her graduate work in education has influenced her thinking Some of the challenges...
Oct 04, 2023•56 min•Ep. 102
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. We cover these key points Common myths and misconceptions about our professions Challenges of working within the existing system Where does the scope of practice overlap or interfere How can we e...
Sep 20, 2023•52 min•Ep. 101
When Ruth Werner sought Til Luchau's hands-on help with a chronic symptom, they stopped by ABMP's Colorado studio for a fascinating discussion with Darren Buford and Kristin Coverly about what they were learning by working together. (This special episode is thanks to ABMP.) Get the full transcript of their conversation on Til or Whitney's sites: Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.com Whitney Lowe’s Academy of Clinical Massage Resources: Ruth Werner's site Til's site Sponsor Offers: Books of Discove...
Sep 06, 2023•32 min•Ep. 100
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 nuanced conversation that sheds light on our evolving understanding of fascia, stiffness, and pain. Watch the video and get the full transcri...
Aug 23, 2023•53 min•Ep. 99
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. Things we cover include: How to get started and make connections Speaking the language of the athletic staff What is unique about working with these athletes What will make you successful in this environment. ...much more Watch the video and get the full transcript of their conversation on...
Aug 09, 2023•59 min•Ep. 98
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. They discuss: • Common misconceptions about back pain • Stiffness and mobility in back pain, and the role of bodywork • Inflammatory factors in back pain • Traction and movement techniques to mechanically "vacuum" extruded nucleus and alleviate disc bulges • The McKenzie prone press-up exer...
Jul 26, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 97
Sue Hitzmann and Aaron Alexander are curious about other people. So how do these two well-known interviewers exercise their curiosity and their "openness muscles?" And, how do they know when their openness is going too far? Listen in as we discuss what makes us feel each good, connecting our personal journeys to our professional work, and much more. Watch the video and get the full transcript at Til or Whitney's sites: Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.com Whitney Lowe’s Academy of Clinical Massag...
Jul 12, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 96
If we don’t learn, we’re doomed to the same results over and over. But sometimes, we get in the way of our own learning. Can we learn to be better learners? Til takes Whitney on an illustrated tour of some of his favorite obstacles to learning, and gets his help applying these to our work as hands-on practitioners. Get the slideshow-handout, watch the video, and get the full transcript at Til or Whitney's sites: Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.com Whitney Lowe’s Academy of Clinical Massage Resou...
Jun 28, 2023•46 min•Ep. 95
Til interviews Alicia Grayson, an expert practitioner and teacher of Contact Improvisation dance, about that form’s significance as an embodiment and movement practice. They explore its connection to other forms of movement and therapy, share their personal journeys, and discuss the similarities and differences between Contact Improv and hands-on bodywork, comparing methods and therapeutic goals. They also delve into topics such as the role of gravity, the benefits of touch sensitivity and human...
Jun 14, 2023•45 min•Ep. 94
Whitney talks with education specialist Patti Shank on what the current research tells us about the most effective methods of learning. In Episode 17 Til and Whitney talked about how massage and manual therapists chart their own path of learning, so here we talk to an education expert to help us figure out more about what makes a good learning experience. Things we cover include: Common myths around learning, such as "learning styles" What makes a good video lesson? What is best done online vs. ...
May 31, 2023•58 min•Ep. 93
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 own good questions. Resources mentioned: "Favorite question" Facebook post Check out the video, show notes, and full transcript on Til or Whitney's sites: Til Luc...
May 17, 2023•54 min•Ep. 92
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 landscape, in a conversation that solo practitioners, employed therapists, and employers will all find stimulating and informative. Check out the vid...
May 03, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 89
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. Check out the video, show notes, and full transcript on Til or Whitney's sites: Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.com Whitney Lowe’s Academy of Clinical Massage Sponsor Offers: The Back Jam : 1 body part, 17 amazing teachers, 4 days. Live in May or by recording. Books of Discov...
Apr 19, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 91
