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For the practitioner who’s never stopped being curious. Til Luchau and Whitney Lowe bring together leading researchers, master clinicians, and big questions from across bodywork, massage, and manual therapy — exploring not just what we do with our hands, but why it works and how to do it better. Smart, grounded, and genuinely useful conversations for the somatic arts and sciences.
For professional practitioners in bodywork, massage therapy, structural integration, chiropractic, myofascial and myotherapy, orthopedics, sports massage, physical therapy, and osteopathy — as well as yoga, strength and conditioning, and allied professions.
This podcast is not medical or treatment advice.
Episodes
Jan 8, 2025
Jan 8, 2025
59 min
In this episode, Whitney Lowe and Til Luchau welcome Dr. Mark Olson, a neuroscientist and massage practitioner, for an engaging conversation about the fascinating intersection of neuroscience, trauma, and massage therapy. Dr. Olson shares insights into the complex processes of pain perception, the role of descending modulation, and how manual therapy can create lasting impacts beyond any tissue effects. The trio dives deep into practical applications for massage therapists, addressing divergent views around posture, nociception, and the impact of environment and interpersonal dynamics on client care. This episode will leave you inspired to deepen your practice and reconsider how you approach pain and trauma in the treatment room.
Key Topics:
•[00:03:18] Introduction to Dr. Mark Olson and his background in neuroscience and massage.
•[00:06:24] Overview of nerve processing: sensory input, motor output, and top-down vs. bottom-up influences.
•[00:12:00] Ascending vs. descending modulation: What they mean and how they affect pain perception.
•[00:20:30] Understanding pain as a perception of danger rather than tissue injury.
•[00:33:35] Defining trauma-informed care and its importance for manual therapists.
•[00:36:45] Recognizing developmental and shock trauma in practice.
•[00:45:43] Exploring myths around posture and its relationship to pain.
•[00:54:26] Practical advice for integrating neuroscience into manual therapy practice.
Tune in to gain practical tools for fostering safety, understanding pain, and transforming your approach to bodywork.
📌 Sponsored by: ABMP and Books of Discovery
📄 Get the full transcript at Til or Whitney's sites!
- Whitney Lowe’s site: AcademyOfClinicalMassage.com
- Til Luchau’s site: Advanced-Trainings.com
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Mark Olson's site: https://www.dr-olson.com
- Pain CE Course page: https://www.dr-olson.com/pain-posture-bodywork-register
- Trauma CE Course page: https://www.dr-olson.com/trauma-informed-care-register
Sponsor Offers:
- Books of Discovery: save 15% by entering "thinking" at checkout on booksofdiscovery.com.
- ABMP: save $24 on new membership at abmp.com/thinking.
- Advanced-Trainings: try a month of the amazing A-T Subscription free by entering “thinking” at checkout at a-t.tv/subscriptions/,.
- Academy of Clinical Massage: Grab Whitney's valuable Assessment Cheat Sheet for free at: academyofclinicalmassage.com/cheatsheet
About Whitney Lowe | About Til Luchau | Email Us: info@thethinkingpractitioner.com
(The Thinking Practitioner Podcast is intended for professional practitioners of manual and movement therapies: bodywork, massage therapy, structural integration, chiropractic, myofascial and myotherapy, orthopedic, sports massage, physical therapy, osteopathy, yoga, strength and conditioning, and similar professions. It is not medical or treatment advice.)
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