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Join two of the leading educators in manual therapy, bodywork, and massage therapy, as they delve into the most intriguing issues, questions, research, and client conditions that hands-on practitioners face. Stimulate your thinking with imaginative conversations, tips, and interviews related to the somatic arts and sciences.
Episodes
Thursday Dec 26, 2024
Thursday Dec 26, 2024
In this reflective anniversary episode, hosts Whitney Lowe and Til Luchau take a heartfelt look at the transformative impact of massage and manual therapy—both personally and professionally. Sharing stories from their own journeys into the field, lessons learned from clients, and transformative bodywork experiences, they explore how this work profoundly shapes lives.
The conversation touches on balancing professional demands with personal growth, the joys and challenges of teaching, and the deeper connections formed through touch. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or just starting, this episode offers inspiration, insight, and a celebration of the unique power of this work.
🌟 Highlights:
•Podcast Anniversary and Reflection (00:56): Celebrating milestones and revisiting the podcast’s journey.
•Whitney and Til’s Journeys into Bodywork (02:51, 06:49): Their unique paths into the field and what inspired them to stay.
•The Transformative Power of Massage Therapy (09:58): Exploring how massage changes lives—both clients’ and practitioners’.
•Lessons Learned from Clients (16:25): Profound insights gained from working closely with clients.
•Receiving Bodywork: Personal Transformations (21:47): Whitney and Til recount their most impactful bodywork experiences.
•From Practitioner to Teacher (25:54): Transitioning into teaching and sharing the work with others.
•Balancing Work and Wellbeing (33:15): How to navigate the emotional and physical demands of the profession.
💡 Listeners: Share your story! How has massage or manual therapy changed your life? Send a message or voice recording to us at info@thethinkingpractitioner.com — we’d love to hear from you and maybe even feature your story in a future episode.
📌 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
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.)
Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
Advanced Myofascial Techniques, ScarWork, Zoga Movement, and Contact Improvisation
📄 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:
- Sharon's site: sharonwheeler.com
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.)
Wednesday Nov 27, 2024
Wednesday Nov 27, 2024
In this episode, we delve into the intersection of massage therapy, grief, caretaking, and end-of-life. We touch on global palliative care practices, the role of touch in support for those experiencing grief, navigating sensitive conversations, and creating safe spaces for clients. Our guest, Ronna Moore, a massage therapist with over 40 years of experience, specializes in oncology and palliative care, and is pursuing a doctorate in public health focusing on the role of massage therapy in palliative care. Join us to gain insights into shifting therapeutic mindsets and exploring practical resources to support those experiencing loss.
Key Topics
- 01:19 Guest Introduction and Personal Connection
- 02:08 Exploring Grief and Loss in Massage Therapy
- 03:43 Understanding Palliative Care
- 05:22 Palliative Care Practices in Different Countries
- 23:16 The Role of Touch in Therapy
- 35:18 Role-Playing Therapeutic Conversations
- 36:46 Navigating Grief in Therapy
- 37:48 The Importance of Sensitivity
- 38:10 Avoiding Unhelpful Phrases
- 39:12 The Paradox of Comfort
- 40:15 Shifting the Therapist Mindset
- 47:05 Creating a Safe Space
- 50:01 Understanding Grief Models
- 54:46 Resources and Final Thoughts
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:
-
Ronna's grief recommendations:
Frank Osteseski’s book The Five Intentions is a really valuable guide/resource for me in palliative care and its ‘aftermath'.
I also appreciate Ronald Epstein’s book: Attending: Medicine, Mindfulness and Humanity
Mary-Frances O’Connor: The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss
Mary-Frances O’Connor: The Grieving Body (to be published in 2025)
George Bonnano: The Other Side of Sadness AND George Bonnano: The End of Trauma (both of these have a resilience orientation which appeals to me).
TED talk by Abraham Vergehese emphasising the humanity of care.
Articles:
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-26629-017. (A polyvagal approach)
O’Connor, M.-F. (2019). Grief: A Brief History of Research on How Body, Mind, and Brain Adapt. Psychosomatic Medicine, 81(8), 731–738. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0000000000000717
O’Connor, M.-F., & Seeley, S. H. (2022). Grieving as a form of learning: Insights from neuroscience applied to grief and loss. Current Opinion in Psychology, 43, 317–322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.08.019
In Australia, we have a professional body called Grief Australia which is a great resource for PD/education (amongst other things). Perhaps there is something similar in the US.
https://www.caresearch.com.au/Portals/20/Documents/Health-Professionals/TheRoleOfSkilledCompassionateTouchInGriefSupport_RonnaMoore_ACGBConference2018-1.pdf
What's Your Grief (you have already) has some good descriptions of the models of grief I mentioned (Dual Process Model and Growing around Grief), and there are others as well.
Compassion Cultivation Training: https://med.stanford.edu/psychiatry/education/cme/cct.html
Mindful Self Compassion: https://centerformsc.org
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.)
Wednesday Nov 13, 2024
Wednesday Nov 13, 2024
In this episode Til Luchau interviews Bronnie Lennox Thompson, a pain management expert from the University of Otago in New Zealand. Bronnie shares insights on supporting people with chronic pain to live well, emphasizing pain’s complexity as a personal, multi-dimensional experience. They discuss the value of hands-on therapy, discussing both physical benefits and its comforting, human connection.
The conversation highlights mindfulness as a tool for managing chronic pain, extending beyond meditation to include simple, everyday practices. Bronnie and Til explain how mindfulness helps people observe pain without reacting, fostering a healthier relationship with their bodies. Bronnie also shares her personal approach to mindfulness through activities like walking and savoring positive moments. This episode offers practical advice for both therapists and anyone seeking a mindful, compassionate approach to managing pain.
Key Topics:
00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview
00:16 Sponsorship and Special Offers
02:04 Guest Introduction: Dr. Bronnie Lennox Thompson
02:15 Exploring Pain and Mindfulness
05:40 Personal Journey with Pain
08:59 The Role of Hands-On Therapy
19:16 Mindfulness in Clinical Practice
25:13 History and Science of Mindfulness
39:17 Responding vs. Reacting: The Power of Mindfulness
40:12 Practical Applications for Manual Therapists
41:08 Guiding Clients Through Sensory Awareness
42:11 Exploring Sensations and Descriptions
43:38 The Role of Curiosity in Therapy
44:40 Hands-On Techniques and Client Interaction
47:17 Movement and Awareness in Therapy
48:52 Changing Pain Perception Through Attention
51:51 The Therapeutic Session: Beyond Touch
01:00:07 Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Life
01:06:38 Final Thoughts and Resources
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:
- University of Otago Postgrad Programmes in Pain
- Bronnie Lennox Thompson: Healthskills blog bronwyn.thompson@otago.ac.nz
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.)
Wednesday Oct 30, 2024
Wednesday Oct 30, 2024
Joon Park, author of "As Long as You Need" discusses grief and its impact on bodyworkers and their clients with Til Luchau. Park, a hospital chaplain, shares his experiences with grief, trauma, and the importance of acknowledging and integrating pain rather than suppressing it. He emphasizes the role of the body in grief, the concept of "letting in" rather than "letting go," and the significance of rituals and community in processing loss. The conversation also touches on the idea of the "intimate stranger" and the therapeutic power of touch and presence.
Key Topics:
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:
-
JS Park's book: As Long as You Need: Permission to Grieve http://aslongasyouneedbook.com
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.)