The ABMP Podcast | Speaking With the Massage & Bodywork Profession

As massage therapists, we use our sense of touch every day, but how do we know what we are feeling with our hands? Nicole Trombley and Rachelle Clauson break down the art of recognizing the tissues we touch by examining what palpation is, exploring how our hands are perfectly equipped for the task, and discussing the "touch dialogue" that starts from the very first contact. Resources: LAB COURSE: Journey into the MATRIX www.anatomyscapes.com/MATRIX for more information about "Journey Into the MATRIX: the Fascial System" dissection lab workshop. LAB COURSE: Dissection Lab Intensive ​​https://www.anatomyscapes.com/DLI for more information about the "Dissection Lab Intensive" lab workshop. Check out the Anatomy for Touch column in the Massage & Bodywork magazine at https://www.anatomyscapes.com/anatomyfortouch Connect with us! website: www.anatomyscapes.com FB: facebook.com/AnatomySCAPES IG: instagram.com/anatomyscapes YouTube: youtube.com/@anatomyscapes email: [email protected] Host: AnatomySCAPES Co-Directors, Rachelle Clauson and Nicole Trombley, are NCBTMB-approved continuing education providers and teach anatomy explorations for hands-on professionals online and in person. They co-author the "Anatomy for Touch" column in Massage & Bodywork magazine and enjoy helping therapists better understand how anatomy relates to what they are feeling through their sense of touch. Nicole Trombley: As a massage educator, Nicole draws on her passion for human biology to help therapists better understand the tissues under their hands. She owns and operates Equilibrio Massage in San Diego, CA, where she has specialized in massage for pregnancy and postpartum since 2004. Rachelle Clauson: Rachelle loves teaching therapists about the structural organization and beauty of the human fascial system. She served as the Director of Creative and Administrative Affairs for the Fascial Net Plastination Project, and owns Flourish Bodywork, her private practice where she has offered hands-on bodywork in San Diego, CA, since 2003. About Our Sponsors: Are you a manual therapist ready to expand your clinical reach, deepen your effectiveness, and work with greater confidence? Upledger CranioSacral Therapy addresses deep restrictions, supports neurological and fascial systems, and enhances whole-body function—by working with the body's natural healing processes. For over forty years, Upledger Institute International has led the field of CranioSacral Therapy—setting the global standard for education and clinical application. With trained therapists in more than 120 countries, CST continues to evolve through ongoing clinical experience and alignment with current scientific understanding. CST integrates seamlessly into any manual therapy practice and supports common to complex and chronic conditions—orthopedic, neurological, pediatric, geriatric, and beyond. Learn from our International Teaching Team—experienced clinicians who help you develop your skills, expand your clinical reasoning, and achieve greater clinical outcomes. Begin your training for as little as one hundred dollars a month. Find a class near you at upledger.com/courses or call 800-233-5880, extension 2—and begin your CranioSacral Therapy journey with the leaders who continue to shape the profession. Website: upledger.com/courses Email: [email protected] Phone: 800-233-5880 Ext 2 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/upledger.institute Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upledger_institute_intl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSIFELbP6Jsp55cb9puZigQ Anatomy Trains is a global leader in online anatomy education and also provides in-classroom certification programs for structural integration in the US, Canada, Australia, Europe, Japan, and China, as well as fresh-tissue cadaver dissection labs and weekend courses. The work of Anatomy Trains originated with founder Tom Myers, who mapped the human body into 13 myofascial meridians in his original book, currently in its fourth edition and translated into 12 languages. The principles of Anatomy Trains are used by osteopaths, physical therapists, bodyworkers, massage therapists, personal trainers, yoga, Pilates, Gyrotonics, and other body-minded manual therapists and movement professionals. Anatomy Trains inspires these practitioners to work with holistic anatomy in treating system-wide patterns to provide improved client outcomes in terms of structure and function. Website: anatomytrains.com Email: [email protected] Facebook: facebook.com/AnatomyTrains Instagram: www.instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA Precision Neuromuscular Therapy seminars (www.pnmt.org) have been teaching high-quality seminars for more than 20 years. Doug Nelson and the PNMT teaching staff help you to practice with the confidence and creativity that comes from deep understanding, rather than the adherence to one treatment approach or technique. Find our seminar schedule at pnmt.org/seminar-schedule with over 60 weekends of seminars across the country. Or meet us online in the PNMT Portal, our online gateway with access to over 500 videos, 37 NCBTMB CEs, our Discovery Series webinars, one-on-one mentoring, and much, much more! All for the low yearly cost of $167.50. Learn more at pnmt.thinkific.com/courses/pnmtportal! Follow us on social media: @precisionnmt on Instagram or at Precision Neuromuscular Therapy Seminars on Facebook. Heights Wellness Retreat is redefining whole-body wellness through an innovative, integrated approach to physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Built on more than two decades of Massage Heights expertise in massage and skin therapy, this next-generation wellness destination represents the evolution of our mission to transform lives through wellness. At Heights Wellness Retreat, we believe every person is an unstoppable force, whether navigating daily demands, pursuing goals, or striving to be their best. This drives everything we do. We go beyond traditional spa services by creating a purpose-driven environment where wellness professionals are empowered, valued, and positioned to grow. With steady clientele, support, and a wellness-forward culture, Heights Wellness Retreat is where therapists build meaningful, sustainable careers while shaping the future of the wellness industry. www.massageheightscareers.careerplug.com/jobs www.heightswellnessretreats.com https://www.instagram.com/heightswellnessretreat/ https://www.facebook.com/heightswellnessretreat/

In this episode of Fully Booked, Elicia breaks down how understanding your audience can completely transform the way you market your clinic, attract clients, and fill your schedule with less effort. When you know exactly who you're speaking to, your messaging becomes clearer, your content resonates, and booking starts to feel natural instead of forced. Elicia explores the four levels of client awareness, from those who don't even realize they need help to those actively searching for solutions. Host: Elicia Crook is a business coach and mentor for massage therapists, sharing the tactics she used to create her business success over 16 years. She is a diploma-qualified remedial massage therapist, using modalities such as Bowen and craniosacral therapy, and has a Cert IV in Workplace Training and Assessment, which she used while teaching massage for several years. Through her career and business experience, Crook discovered who she needed to be and what is required to run a deeply satisfying massage business. Now she takes the Fully Booked Without Burnout blueprint to other therapists around the world to create more success and passion. For more information, visit https://healthleaderco.com/ Author links: Website: https://healthleaderco.com/ Want more engagement in your social media in 2026? Download your marketing calendar here! Fast Five is a mini course from The Health Leader Co with simple, fast strategies to bring in clients right now. Watch it, do it, and see bookings flow. Normally $347, but ABMP listeners get 50% off with code ABMPPOD. You'll also earn 4 CE credits in the US. Check it out here: https://go.healthleaderco.com/fastfive "Building a Thriving Hands-On Practice", by Elicia Crook, Massage & Bodywork magazine, Spring 2025. ABMP CE Center Sponsor: Jane is a practice management platform for health and wellness clinics, used by more than 245,000 practitioners worldwide. Jane helps practitioners schedule appointments, chart treatments, bill insurers, and get paid all in one secure, beautifully designed platform. Learn more about Jane at jane.app/demo and if you're ready to get started, use the code ABMP1MO for a one-month grace period on your new account. For more details, visit jane.app, jane.app/pricing, and jane.app/features.

Ricky Williams joins The ABMP Podcast to share his journey from elite athlete to lifelong student of healing. After experiencing the power of massage therapy early in his football career, Ricky began exploring craniosacral therapy and other modalities as a path toward true wholeness—physically, emotionally, and mentally. In this conversation, he discusses the connection between performance and healing, the role of listening and curiosity in bodywork, and how subtle, hands-on work can unlock profound change. Ricky also reflects on his ongoing mission to bridge the gap between professional sports and holistic healing. About Ricky Williams: Ricky Williams has devoted his life and career to inspiring greatness in himself and others. A Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL running back, he played most notably with the Miami Dolphins, finishing his career with over 10,000 rushing yards and 74 touchdowns before retiring in 2011. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2015. After football, Williams turned his focus to healing and wellness, studying Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine and co-founding Real Wellness in 2018. In 2021, he launched Highsman, a cannabis brand rooted in his belief in the plant's ability to support both physical and emotional well-being. Resources: Highsman Website: https://www.highsman.com/ Upledger Institute: https://www.upledger.com/ Lila Astrology App: https://www.lilaverse.app/ Instagram: @williams Host: Angie Parris is a licensed massage therapist and is the advertising director for ABMP. She is Chopra Center Certified in meditation and ayurvedic lifestyle. Her training explores physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. Angie is also the founder of the nonprofit, Project Inti, an organization that provides aid to low-income Peruvian families and communities. For more information, visit www.projectinti.org. Sponsors: Upledger CranioSacral Therapy addresses deep restrictions, supports neurological and fascial systems, and enhances whole-body function—by working with the body's natural healing processes. For over forty years, Upledger Institute International has led the field of CranioSacral Therapy—setting the global standard for education and clinical application. With trained therapists in more than 120 countries, CST continues to evolve through ongoing clinical experience and alignment with current scientific understanding. CST integrates seamlessly into any manual therapy practice and supports common to complex and chronic conditions—orthopedic, neurological, pediatric, geriatric, and beyond. Learn from our International Teaching Team—experienced clinicians who help you develop your skills, expand your clinical reasoning, and achieve greater clinical outcomes. Begin your training for as little as one hundred dollars a month. Find a class near you at upledger.com/courses or call 800-233-5880, extension 2—and begin your CranioSacral Therapy journey with the leaders who continue to shape the profession. Website: upledger.com/courses Email: [email protected] Phone: 800-233-5880 Ext 2 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/upledger.institute Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upledger_institute_intl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSIFELbP6Jsp55cb9puZigQ Anatomy Trains is a global leader in online anatomy education and also provides in-classroom certification programs for structural integration in the US, Canada, Australia, Europe, Japan, and China, as well as fresh-tissue cadaver dissection labs and weekend courses. The work of Anatomy Trains originated with founder Tom Myers, who mapped the human body into 13 myofascial meridians in his original book, currently in its fourth edition and translated into 12 languages. The principles of Anatomy Trains are used by osteopaths, physical therapists, bodyworkers, massage therapists, personal trainers, yoga, Pilates, Gyrotonics, and other body-minded manual therapists and movement professionals. Anatomy Trains inspires these practitioners to work with holistic anatomy in treating system-wide patterns to provide improved client outcomes in terms of structure and function. Website: anatomytrains.com Email: [email protected] Facebook: facebook.com/AnatomyTrains Instagram: www.instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA Precision Neuromuscular Therapy seminars (www.pnmt.org) have been teaching high-quality seminars for more than 20 years. Doug Nelson and the PNMT teaching staff help you to practice with the confidence and creativity that comes from deep understanding, rather than the adherence to one treatment approach or technique. Find our seminar schedule at pnmt.org/seminar-schedule with over 60 weekends of seminars across the country. Or meet us online in the PNMT Portal, our online gateway with access to over 500 videos, 37 NCBTMB CEs, our Discovery Series webinars, one-on-one mentoring, and much, much more! All for the low yearly cost of $167.50. Learn more at pnmt.thinkific.com/courses/pnmtportal! Follow us on social media: @precisionnmt on Instagram or at Precision Neuromuscular Therapy Seminars on Facebook. Heights Wellness Retreat is redefining whole-body wellness through an innovative, integrated approach to physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Built on more than two decades of Massage Heights expertise in massage and skin therapy, this next-generation wellness destination represents the evolution of our mission to transform lives through wellness. At Heights Wellness Retreat, we believe every person is an unstoppable force, whether navigating daily demands, pursuing goals, or striving to be their best. This drives everything we do. We go beyond traditional spa services by creating a purpose-driven environment where wellness professionals are empowered, valued, and positioned to grow. With steady clientele, support, and a wellness-forward culture, Heights Wellness Retreat is where therapists build meaningful, sustainable careers while shaping the future of the wellness industry. www.massageheightscareers.careerplug.com/jobs www.heightswellnessretreats.com https://www.instagram.com/heightswellnessretreat/ https://www.facebook.com/heightswellnessretreat/

A client asks for a specific technique on their face. They have a bad reaction. Then they say they didn't want work in that area anyway, and by the way, they had a skull fracture four years ago. Now they're leaving because they feel a migraine coming on. The therapist is left wondering what just happened. In this episode of I Have a Client Who . . ., Ruth unpacks this interaction, what may have been going on for the client and their bones, and takes a closer look at where things started to break down. Has this ever happened to you? You're not alone. Resources: Cheatham, S.W. et al. (2025) "International Expert Consensus on Instrument-Assisted Soft-Tissue Mobilization Precautions and Contraindications: A Modified Delphi Study," Healthcare, 13(6), p. 642. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13060642. Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (no date) Physiopedia. Available at: https://www.physio-pedia.com/Instrument_Assisted_Soft_Tissue_Mobilization (Accessed: March 13, 2026). Skull Fractures: Types, Treatment and Prevention (no date) Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/skull-fracture (Accessed: March 13, 2026). Handling Head Trauma | ABMP (no date). Available at: https://www.abmp.com/massage-and-bodywork-magazine/issues/winter-2025/handling-head-trauma (Accessed: March 13, 2026). Host Bio: Ruth Werner is a former massage therapist, a writer, and an NCBTMB-approved continuing education provider. She wrote A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology, now in its seventh edition, which is used in massage schools worldwide. Werner is also a long-time Massage & Bodywork columnist, most notably of the Pathology Perspectives column. Werner is also ABMP's partner on Pocket Pathology, a web-based app and quick reference program that puts key information for nearly 200 common pathologies at your fingertips. Werner's books are available at www.booksofdiscovery.com. And more information about her is available at www.ruthwerner.com. Sponsors: Anatomy Trains is a global leader in online anatomy education and also provides in-classroom certification programs for structural integration in the US, Canada, Australia, Europe, Japan, and China, as well as fresh-tissue cadaver dissection labs and weekend courses. The work of Anatomy Trains originated with founder Tom Myers, who mapped the human body into 13 myofascial meridians in his original book, currently in its fourth edition and translated into 12 languages. The principles of Anatomy Trains are used by osteopaths, physical therapists, bodyworkers, massage therapists, personal trainers, yoga, Pilates, Gyrotonics, and other body-minded manual therapists and movement professionals. Anatomy Trains inspires these practitioners to work with holistic anatomy in treating system-wide patterns to provide improved client outcomes in terms of structure and function. Website: anatomytrains.com Email: [email protected] Facebook: facebook.com/AnatomyTrains Instagram: www.instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA Precision Neuromuscular Therapy seminars (www.pnmt.org) have been teaching high-quality seminars for more than 20 years. Doug Nelson and the PNMT teaching staff help you to practice with the confidence and creativity that comes from deep understanding, rather than the adherence to one treatment approach or technique. Find our seminar schedule at pnmt.org/seminar-schedule with over 60 weekends of seminars across the country. Or meet us online in the PNMT Portal, our online gateway with access to over 500 videos, 37 NCBTMB CEs, our Discovery Series webinars, one-on-one mentoring, and much, much more! All for the low yearly cost of $167.50. Learn more at pnmt.thinkific.com/courses/pnmtportal! Follow us on social media: @precisionnmt on Instagram or at Precision Neuromuscular Therapy Seminars on Facebook. Heights Wellness Retreat is redefining whole-body wellness through an innovative, integrated approach to physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Built on more than two decades of Massage Heights expertise in massage and skin therapy, this next-generation wellness destination represents the evolution of our mission to transform lives through wellness. At Heights Wellness Retreat, we believe every person is an unstoppable force, whether navigating daily demands, pursuing goals, or striving to be their best. This drives everything we do. We go beyond traditional spa services by creating a purpose-driven environment where wellness professionals are empowered, valued, and positioned to grow. With steady clientele, support, and a wellness-forward culture, Heights Wellness Retreat is where therapists build meaningful, sustainable careers while shaping the future of the wellness industry. www.massageheightscareers.careerplug.com/jobs www.heightswellnessretreats.com https://www.instagram.com/heightswellnessretreat/ https://www.facebook.com/heightswellnessretreat/

You can be doing everything right—your marketing is working, your systems are in place, and clients are coming in—yet your calendar still ends up with unexpected gaps. In this episode of Fully Booked, Elicia breaks down why rebooking is the key to consistency and how to stop constantly chasing new clients. Host: Elicia Crook is a business coach and mentor for massage therapists, sharing the tactics she used to create her business success over 16 years. She is a diploma-qualified remedial massage therapist, using modalities such as Bowen and craniosacral therapy, and has a Cert IV in Workplace Training and Assessment, which she used while teaching massage for several years. Through her career and business experience, Crook discovered who she needed to be and what is required to run a deeply satisfying massage business. Now she takes the Fully Booked Without Burnout blueprint to other therapists around the world to create more success and passion. For more information, visit https://healthleaderco.com/ Author links: Website: https://healthleaderco.com/ Want more engagement in your social media in 2026? Download your marketing calendar here! Fast Five is a mini course from The Health Leader Co with simple, fast strategies to bring in clients right now. Watch it, do it, and see bookings flow. Normally $347, but ABMP listeners get 50% off with code ABMPPOD. You'll also earn 4 CE credits in the US. Check it out here: https://go.healthleaderco.com/fastfive "Building a Thriving Hands-On Practice", by Elicia Crook, Massage & Bodywork magazine, Spring 2025. ABMP CE Center