Podcast appearances and mentions of Ruth Werner

After years of misdiagnoses, medication sensitivities, injuries, and setbacks, a massage therapist is diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a condition that causes non-typical seizures and intermittent paralysis-like weakness. Despite being unable to work, she continues advocating for the FND community and wants to help educate massage therapists about the benefits of safe, informed touch for people living with the condition. In this episode of IHACW. . ., Ruth explores Sarah's journey, the realities of FND, and the role massage therapy may play in supporting those navigating complex neurological challenges.  Resources: Functional Neurologic Disorder | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (no date a). Available at: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/functional-neurologic-disorder (Accessed: May 8, 2026). Functional Neurologic Disorder | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (no date b). Available at: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/functional-neurologic-disorder (Accessed: April 28, 2026). Functional Neurological Disorder (Conversion Disorder) (no date). Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17975-conversion-disorder (Accessed: April 28, 2026). Functional Neurological Disorder, Reframed | Harvard Medicine Magazine (no date). Available at: https://magazine.hms.harvard.edu/articles/functional-neurological-disorder-reframed (Accessed: May 8, 2026). Ranford, J. et al. (2020) "Sensory Processing Difficulties in Functional Neurological Disorder: A Possible Predisposing Vulnerability?," Psychosomatics, 61(4), pp. 343–352. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psym.2020.02.003. "What Is FND" (no date) FND Hope International. Available at: https://fndhope.org/fnd-guide/ (Accessed: April 28, 2026). What Is Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)? (no date) Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17975-conversion-disorder (Accessed: May 8, 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: info@anatomytrains.com           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.   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/   

Do you have clients who are athletes? This is something you won't want to miss. Dr. Portia Resnick is an associate professor at Cal State Long Beach, who loves working with athletes, both as a trainer and as a massage therapist. Her new book, The Anatomy and Physiology of Sports Massage is published by Human Kinetics. It looks at manual therapy for high-level athletes, incorporating anatomy, sports-specific knowledge, and clinical decision-making. She uses a great I Have a Client Who story about a college athlete who has an injury and follow-up surgery. She tracks how she was able match bodywork goals, anatomy, and client input to get the best possible outcome.   Resources:   The Anatomy and Physiology of Sports Massage   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: info@anatomytrains.com             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.   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: upledger@upledger.com   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    Save your hands for the smaller structures and start getting your clients underfoot! At the Center for Barefoot Massage, we teach you how to enhance your pressure using gravity and physics and help your clients recover from persistent pain through nerd-level anatomical attention to detail—we just happen to use our feet to do it all! From the slow, down-regulating glides of our FasciAshi Fundamentals strokes to the proprioceptive "pattern-interrupts" of our Barefoot Matwork techniques and the resisted movements from our Stretch Therapy class, we offer a complete suite of evidence-based tools for deep, myofascial Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage—we nicknamed our approach "FasciAshi."   Worried about your body size in relation to your clients? Our innovation—the suspended Ashi-strap—allows a more diverse population of massage therapists to regulate and vector their weight and pressure distribution with clinical precision, making deep work effortless on a variety of client bodies. At the Center for Barefoot Massage, we believe the future of massage is afoot! Find when and where our CE classes are happening next at centerforbarefootmassage.com.  

Listen in as Ruth Werner and Dr. Niki Munk discuss three Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder-related case reports from the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (IJTMB) September 2025 Special Issue on Massage Therapy and Mental Health: Hanus, A., & Fogarty, S. (2025). The effects of massage therapy on post-traumatic stress disorder: a case report. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, 18(3), 42. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12370315/ Clark, M., & Steinberg, B. (2025). The Effects of Massage Therapy on Medically Induced Trauma and Touch Aversion: A Case Report. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, 18(3), 86. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12370311/ Fraser, A. (2025). Therapeutic Massage and Homecare to Reduce Dissociation in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Report. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, 18(3), 5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12370312/

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: info@anatomytrains.com           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 school administrator and massage therapist wants guidance on how to respond to a student who is reluctant to work with clinic clients who report a history of herpes. Is this a significant risk for massage therapists? The reality is that anyone with a history of herpes simplex can shed the virus intermittently, even without visible symptoms. However, the risk to massage therapists who follow proper hygiene and self-care protocols is extremely low. In that sense, herpes falls into the same category as other infections that may be transmitted through direct contact but are effectively managed with consistent hygienic practices. The key issue is not the client's infection status; it is the therapist's adherence to appropriate hygiene protocols. Resources: Ang, J.Y. et al. (2012) "A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of Massage Therapy on the Immune System of Preterm Infants," Pediatrics, 130(6), pp. e1549–e1558. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2012-0196.  Contributors, W.E. (no date) Genital Herpes Treatment Options, WebMD. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/genital-herpes/genital-herpes-treatment-options (Accessed: March 7, 2025). Globally, an estimated two-thirds of the population under 50 are infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (no date). Available at: https://www.who.int/news/item/28-10-2015-globally-an-estimated-two-thirds-of-the-population-under-50-are-infected-with-herpes-simplex-virus-type-1 (Accessed: March 6, 2025). Herpes simplex Information | Mount Sinai - New York (no date) Mount Sinai Health System. Available at: https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/report/herpes-simplex (Accessed: March 6, 2025). Herpes simplex virus (no date). Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/herpes-simplex-virus (Accessed: March 6, 2025). How many people have herpes? Myths, facts, and statistics (2020). Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-many-people-have-herpes (Accessed: March 6, 2025). Kaneko, H. et al. (2008) "Evaluation of mixed infection cases with both herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2," Journal of Medical Virology, 80(5), pp. 883–887. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/jmv.21154. Line is blurring between human herpes simplex viruses (no date) UW Medicine | Newsroom. Available at: https://newsroom.uw.edu/news-releases/line-blurs-between-human-herpes-simplex-viruses (Accessed: March 6, 2025). Products - Data Briefs - Number 304 - February 2018 (2019). Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db304.htm (Accessed: March 6, 2025). Ramchandani, M. et al. (2016) "Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Shedding in Tears, and Nasal and Oral Mucosa of Healthy Adults," Sexually transmitted diseases, 43(12), pp. 756–760. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000522. Rapaport, M.H., Schettler, P. and Bresee, C. (2012) "A Preliminary Study of the Effects of Repeated Massage on Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal and Immune Function in Healthy Individuals: A Study of Mechanisms of Action and Dosage," Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 18(8), pp. 789–797. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2011.0071. Usatine, R.P. and Tinitigan, R. (2010) "Nongenital Herpes Simplex Virus," American Family Physician, 82(9), pp. 1075–1082. (2025) "Herpes Simplex Treatment & Management: Approach Considerations, Medical Care, Consultations." Available at: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/218580-treatment (Accessed: March 7, 2025). 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: info@anatomytrains.com           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.   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: upledger@upledger.com   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     Somatic Mindfulness helps massage therapists prevent physical and emotional burnout by integrating somatic principles into bodywork. Created by Fernando Rojas, LMT, PhD, Massage Hall of Famer, Master Somatic Therapist, Educator, and author of Embodied Presence & Attuned Touch, it teaches self-care as a professional skill so that the therapist's own wellbeing becomes the method for creating the conditions for healing and clarity of purpose. Through continuing education workshops, somatic touch training, and mindful self-study, Fernando helps therapists work sustainably, communicate clearly, and rediscover meaning in their practice. https://somaticmindfulness.co/ https://www.facebook.com/somatic.mindfulness https://www.instagram.com/somatic.mindfulness/  

Ruth is learning, writing, and teaching about thyroid disease in lots of different places, so IHACW is coming along for the ride. Hypothyroidism: the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of the right hormones to stimulate healthy metabolism—a person has a hard time turning fuel (that's oxygen and food) into energy. The result: lethargy, weight gain, sluggish digestion, and lots, lots more. Does this describe any of your clients? But treating endocrine diseases is a tricky business. In this episode Ruth interviews a friend who had some success, but it is an ongoing battle. Resources: Allen, E. and Fingeret, A. (2025) "Anatomy, Head and Neck, Thyroid," in StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470452/ (Accessed: January 1, 2026). Elshimy, G. et al. (2025) "Myxedema Coma," in StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545193/ (Accessed: January 8, 2026). Lu, M. et al. (2025) "Therapeutic benefits of acupoint massage at Yuji (LU10) and Zhaohai (KI6) for postoperative hoarseness in thyroid surgery patients," BMC surgery, 25(1), p. 148. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12893-025-02889-7. Rosen, J.E. et al. (2013) "Complementary and alternative medicine use among patients with thyroid cancer," Thyroid: Official Journal of the American Thyroid Association, 23(10), pp. 1238–1246. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1089/thy.2012.0495. Tachi, J., Amino, N. and Miyai, K. (1990) "Massage therapy on neck: a contributing factor for destructive thyrotoxicosis?," Thyroidology, 2(1), pp. 25–27. Thyroid Nodules: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment (no date) Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/13121-thyroid-nodule (Accessed: January 8, 2026). Thyroid: What It Is, Function & Problems (no date). Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23188-thyroid (Accessed: January 1, 2026). Wyne, K.L. et al. (2023) "Hypothyroidism Prevalence in the United States: A Retrospective Study Combining National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and Claims Data, 2009–2019," Journal of the Endocrine Society, 7(1), p. bvac172. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1210/jendso/bvac172. 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: info@anatomytrains.com           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 has a very traumatic experience with their kidney transplant surgery in 2017. Ever since, they have lived with chronic, intractable neck and head pain that doesn't respond to any treatment they've tried so far. A recent CT scan reveals some calcium deposits inside the cranium but - is that the cause? Can massage therapy help? Are there any options for this person? Resources: Anwar, Z. et al. (2011) "Superficial temporal artery calcification in patients with end-stage renal disease: Association with vascular risk factors and ischemic cerebrovascular disease," The Indian Journal of Radiology & Imaging, 21(3), pp. 215–220. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4103/0971-3026.85371. CNN, C.S., Special to (2014) 'I couldn't move': Patients who wake up during surgery, CNN. Available at: https://www.cnn.com/2014/11/28/health/wake-up-during-surgery (Accessed: November 14, 2025). Healthcare, G.E. (2020) Waking Up During Surgery: A Nightmare | Clinical View. Available at: https://clinicalview.gehealthcare.com/article/waking-during-surgery-patients-worst-nightmare (Accessed: November 14, 2025). Kiroglu, Y. et al. (2009) "Intracranial calcifications on computed tomography: pictorial essay," Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology [Preprint]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4261/1305-3825.DIR.2626-09.1. Li, Xuelong et al. (2022) "The association of renal impairment with different patterns of intracranial arterial calcification: Intimal and medial calcification," Atherosclerosis, 363, pp. 42–47. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2022.11.012. 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.      About our 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: info@anatomytrains.com             Facebook: facebook.com/AnatomyTrains                       Instagram: www.instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA     

A simple question turned into a deep dive, and I learned a ton along the way! A client has an implanted vagus nerve stimulator. Now what? In this episode of I Have a Client Who . . ., Ruth explore's how vagus nerve stimulators work, why they're used, and the precautions massage therapists should consider. Plus, we discuss the exciting possibilities these devices hold for a wide range of treatments. Resources: Ben-Menachem, E. (2001) "Vagus nerve stimulation, side effects, and long-term safety," Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology: Official Publication of the American Electroencephalographic Society, 18(5), pp. 415–418. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1097/00004691-200109000-00005.   Lerman, I. et al. (2019) "Noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation alters neural response and physiological autonomic tone to noxious thermal challenge," PLoS ONE, 14(2), p. e0201212. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0201212.   Mandalaneni, K. and Rayi, A. (2025) "Vagus Nerve Stimulator," in StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562175/ (Accessed: October 22, 2025).   Olsen, L.K. et al. (2023) "Vagus nerve stimulation: mechanisms and factors involved in memory enhancement," Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 17. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2023.1152064.   Tariq, K. et al. (2020) "A case report of Vagus nerve stimulation for intractable hiccups," International Journal of Surgery Case Reports, 78, pp. 219–222. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2020.12.023.   UCL (2025) Vagus nerve stimulation could help people get more exercise, UCL News. Available at: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/jul/vagus-nerve-stimulation-could-help-people-get-more-exercise (Accessed: October 22, 2025).   Vagus Nerve (no date) Physiopedia. Available at: https://www.physio-pedia.com/Vagus_Nerve (Accessed: October 22, 2025).   Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS): What It Is, Uses & Side Effects (no date) Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17598-vagus-nerve-stimulation (Accessed: October 18, 2025).   Wu, Q. et al. (2024) "Current status of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation for tinnitus: a narrative review of modern research," Frontiers in Neuroscience, 18, p. 1405310. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2024.1405310.         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.                                          About our 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: info@anatomytrains.com             Facebook: facebook.com/AnatomyTrains                       Instagram: www.instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA     

A client was prescribed oral birth control to help manage symptoms of perimenopause. The medication caused a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which then caused a pulmonary embolism (PE). Altogether this forms a potentially deadly phenomenon called venous thromboembolism (VTE). She survived, and she's fine. But here's the thing: her PE was just two weeks ago, and she wants to receive deep massage to her neck, back, and shoulders. Yikes, right? Or maybe not? Listen in for some key decision points about this question. Resources:  A Doctor's Note is Not Good Enough… and what is better: online self-paced continuing education course, available here. Massage & Bodywork magazine, “Helping Clients with Complex Conditions”, Jan/Feb 2023, available here.   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.      About our 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: info@anatomytrains.com             Facebook: facebook.com/AnatomyTrains                       Instagram: www.instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA     

Teresa Matthews is a nationally accredited massage therapy continuing education provider, a massage school owner, an athlete and personal trainer, and now… a published author. Her new book, Self Defense for Massage Therapists is now available and—in my opinion—should be considered a required topic in massage therapy beginning education. In this interview Teresa shares how this project developed, and her priorities for teaching massage therapists to be safe at all times. Resources:  Amazon Link https://www.amazon.com/Self-Defense-Massage-Therapists-Practical-Unacceptable/dp/196464433X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=39XAX4TO7ALSU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.07_RSFDiCJH2iEEUP788kydrLxru2BrauQPS3y8KPOM.7ZJz26zVx2KmsxyawQELZ8YGoQsOtlombTZqVl23hFs&dib_tag=se&keywords=self+defense+for+massage+therapists&qid=1753384542&sprefix=Self+defense+for+massage+t%2Caps%2C200&sr=8-1   Global Book Publishing link: https://globalbookpublishing.com/self-defense-for-massage-therapists-a-practical-guide-to-prevent-unacceptable-behavior-habits-to-promote-personal-safety/     Recent article in Massage & Bodywork magazine: https://www.abmp.com/massage-and-bodywork-magazine/self-defense-massage-therapists   Teresa's FB page: https://www.facebook.com/teresa.taglionematthews     Teresa's IG page: https://www.instagram.com/teresamatthews10s/?hl=en   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.      About our 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: info@anatomytrains.com             Facebook: facebook.com/AnatomyTrains                       Instagram: www.instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA     

A seasoned massage therapist has just started working at a prestigious facility where client intakes are only conducted on the fly, and nothing is documented. Almost immediately, two clients present with complex situations that could be made substantially worse by thoughtless massage. What to do? In this episode we explore this complex question. I have some thoughts from the massage side of the equation, and I also turned to an industry expert, Sherrie Tennessee, PhD, to help understand this from the point of view of the businesses. I also speculate on what it would be like if I were Queen of the World, but that's a bit beside the point.   Resources:  Sherrie Tennessee, Ph.D., CHE,  Founder, SpaSOS | Author | Educator | Industry Speaker   Website: www.spasos.com SpaSOS: Revolutionizing Your Spa with Wellness Technology https://youtu.be/Pk2T0ygfoqk?si=ZOn9tJf7c6FD44FR Author: How to Open a Wellness Center: 31-Day Guide www.amazon.com/How-Open-Wellness-Center-Workbook   Instagram: @thespasos YouTube: @spasos LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sherrie-tennessee-phd/   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.      About our Sponsors: Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com  PMNT: www.pmnt.org MassageBook: www.massagebook.com   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: info@anatomytrains.com             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.   MassageBook is offering listeners $50 off when they sign up with coupon code ABMP50. Start your free 30-day trial today and transform your practice with tools designed to increase bookings and streamline client management.   Connect with MassageBook:   Visit their website: MassageBook   Follow MassageBook on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn  

A client has a recently placed stent in their left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. The therapist isn't clear about safety. What to do—get permission to work? Or get information to work safely? (You get two guesses, and one of them doesn't count.) This episode explores a helpful communication to establish client safety—and an example to us all!   Resources:  I Have a Client Who: Femoral Artery Stent (episode 77) I Have a Client Who: Cardiac Catheter (episode 297) I Have a Client Who: TAVR (episode 465) A Doctor's Note is Not Good Enough (and what is better) online self-paced CE class Helping Clients with Complex Conditions (no date). Available at: https://www.abmp.com/massage-and-bodywork-magazine/helping-clients-complex-conditions (Accessed: 13 June 2025).   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.      About our Sponsors:    Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com    PMNT: www.pmnt.org   MassageBook: www.massagebook.com   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: info@anatomytrains.com             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.   MassageBook is offering listeners $50 off when they sign up with coupon code ABMP50. Start your free 30-day trial today and transform your practice with tools designed to increase bookings and streamline client management.   Connect with MassageBook:   Visit their website: MassageBook   Follow MassageBook on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn  

A massage therapist wonders about the communicability of herpes from lesions on the sacrum: How might this infection spread from one person to another? “I Have a Client Who . . .” host Ruth Werner takes the opportunity to talk about herpes epidemiology, communicability, and asymptomatic viral shedding. You won't want to miss this one!   Resources:   ABMP Education Center: https://www.abmp.com/learn/courses   Hygiene: Critical Updates for Massage Therapists   Protect Your Practice: Public Health and Contagious Diseases, Part 1 and Part 2     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.            About our Sponsors: Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com  Earthlite: www.earthlite.com PMNT: www.pmnt.org 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: info@anatomytrains.com             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.   Earthlite Unlock an exclusive 20 percent discount on all Earthlite products, from portable tables and chairs to professional sheets and oils. Visit earthlite.com, create an account, and enter your ABMP member ID during registration. Plus, enjoy free ground shipping on orders over $75 and a flat rate of $395 for stationary or electric lift tables. (Prices subject to change at any time.) Significant savings on everything you need to enhance your practice. We are proud to assist you as the “World's No. 1 Brand in Massage!”   Sign-up page: https://www.earthlite.com/customer/account/login/referer/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZWFydGhsaXRlLmNvbS8~/      

A 70-year-old client fills in an online intake form, saying she has myasthenia gravis, hypertension, and hypothyroidism. She only takes Synthroid, and says her hypothyroidism and hypertension are well controlled. She has low back pain and muscle soreness. At first glance, this seems fairly simple. MG does not appear to be a major factor for her, because she is not controlling it with medication. But a closer look reveals some possible tangles between MG, hypothyroidism, and some cautions about hypertension drugs. Join me as I completely overthink this situation, it will be fun!   Resources:   Barnes, S. (2023) Massage is not just a luxury for those of us with myasthenia gravis | Myasthenia Gravis News. Available at: https://myastheniagravisnews.com/columns/massage-is-not-just-luxury-those-us-with-myasthenia-gravis/ (Accessed: 16 April 2025).   Myasthenia Gravis (no date a) Physiopedia. Available at: https://www.physio-pedia.com/Myasthenia_Gravis (Accessed: 16 April 2025).   Myasthenia Gravis (no date b). National Library of Medicine. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/myastheniagravis.html (Accessed: 16 April 2025).   Myasthenia Gravis | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (no date). Available at: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/myasthenia-gravis (Accessed: 16 April 2025).   Myasthenia gravis - causes, symptoms, treatment, pathology (2016). Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYGxGdu9MsQ (Accessed: 16 April 2025).   ‘Myasthenia Gravis: Practice Essentials, Background, Anatomy' (2024). Available at: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1171206-overview (Accessed: 16 April 2025).   Myasthenia Gravis: What Is It? (no date) Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17252-myasthenia-gravis-mg (Accessed: 16 April 2025).   Sheikh, S. et al. (2021) ‘Drugs That Induce or Cause Deterioration of Myasthenia Gravis: An Update', Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(7), p. 1537. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10071537.     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.      About our Sponsors:   Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com    American Massage Conference: www.massagetherapymedia/conferences   Earthlite: www.earthlite.com   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: info@anatomytrains.com             Facebook: facebook.com/AnatomyTrains                       Instagram: www.instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA      American Massage Conference Get ready to immerse yourself in the excitement as the American Massage Conference (AMC) arrives to Disney Springs near Orlando, Florida (May 16th-18th, 2025)! With a legacy of 17 successful years in Ontario, Canada, this premier event, proudly hosted by ONE Concept Conferences and expertly produced by Massage Therapy Media (MTM), boasts a lineup of presenters from across the nation and around the globe. The American Massage Conference began in Atlanta in 2011 and has been hosted through the years in San Diego, Chicago, and Virginia Beach. The conference provides educational opportunities with engaging one-, two-, three- and four-hour class formats, networking opportunities, masterminds, MTM Talks, demonstrations, and an extensive exhibitor tradeshow.   Mark your calendars for an unforgettable experience filled with education, networking, and the celebration of massage therapy excellence! ABMP members receive a special discount to attend this in-person conference—log in to your ABMP account to access the discount code and register today. Website: https://www.massagetherapymedia.com/conferences   Earthlite Unlock an exclusive 20 percent discount on all Earthlite products, from portable tables and chairs to professional sheets and oils. Visit earthlite.com, create an account, and enter your ABMP member ID during registration. Plus, enjoy free ground shipping on orders over $75 and a flat rate of $395 for stationary or electric lift tables. (Prices subject to change at any time.) Significant savings on everything you need to enhance your practice. We are proud to assist you as the “World's No. 1 Brand in Massage!”   Sign-up page: https://www.earthlite.com/customer/account/login/referer/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZWFydGhsaXRlLmNvbS8~/  

A contributor sent me several descriptions of people dealing with the aftermath of Lyme disease, hoping for some answers to the questions this mysterious condition brings up. Sorry, no answers here—just more questions. Chronic Lyme disease, post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, Long Lyme… whatever you call it, it's hard to get a handle on it. But here's a starting place. Resources:  Long-Term Lyme Disease, Controversies and Challenges, July/Aug 2022 Development, P. (no date) 73: Long Term Lyme Disease: What Helps? (with Ruth Werner) | The Thinking Practitioner. Available at: https://www.thethinkingpractitioner.com/e/long-term-lyme-disease-what-helps-with-ruth-werner/ (Accessed: 24 March 2025).   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.      About our Sponsors:   Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com    American Massage Conference:  https://www.massagetherapymedia.com/conferences   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: info@anatomytrains.com             Facebook: facebook.com/AnatomyTrains                       Instagram: www.instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA       American Massage Conference   Get ready to immerse yourself in the excitement as the American Massage Conference (AMC) arrives to Disney Springs near Orlando, Florida (May 16th-18th, 2025)! With a legacy of 17 successful years in Ontario, Canada, this premier event, proudly hosted by ONE Concept Conferences and expertly produced by Massage Therapy Media (MTM), boasts a lineup of presenters from across the nation and around the globe.   The American Massage Conference began in Atlanta in 2011 and has been hosted through the years in San Diego, Chicago, and Virginia Beach. The conference provides educational opportunities with engaging one-, two-, three- and four-hour class formats, networking opportunities, masterminds, MTM Talks, demonstrations, and an extensive exhibitor tradeshow.     Mark your calendars for an unforgettable experience filled with education, networking, and the celebration of massage therapy excellence! ABMP members receive a special discount to attend this in-person conference—log in to your ABMP account to access the discount code and register today.   Website: https://www.massagetherapymedia.com/conferences

For his 40th birthday, a man is treating himself to his very first massage. His health history includes a few noteworthy details, one of which is a condition neither his massage therapist nor I had ever encountered before: hereditary spherocytosis. Are there any potential concerns? Possibly. Resources:  Hereditary Spherocytosis - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment | NORD (no date). Available at: https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/anemia-hereditary-spherocytic-hemolytic/ (Accessed: 19 February 2025). Hereditary spherocytosis: MedlinePlus Genetics (no date). Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/hereditary-spherocytosis/ (Accessed: 19 February 2025). ‘Hereditary Spherocytosis: Practice Essentials, Pathophysiology, Etiology' (2023). Available at: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/206107-overview?_gl=1*1ulm2jw*_gcl_au*NDQwNzg1MDc3LjE3MzkzMDYxNDM. (Accessed: 19 February 2025). Hereditary Spherocytosis: What It Is, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment (no date) Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23058-hereditary-spherocytosis (Accessed: 19 February 2025). Mehta, P. (no date) What Is Hereditary Spherocytosis?, WebMD. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/children/what-is-hereditary-spherocytosis (Accessed: 19 February 2025).   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.                    About our Sponsors:   Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com    American Massage Conference:  https://www.massagetherapymedia.com/conferences   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: info@anatomytrains.com             Facebook: facebook.com/AnatomyTrains                       Instagram: www.instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA     American Massage Conference   Get ready to immerse yourself in the excitement as the American Massage Conference (AMC) arrives to Disney Springs near Orlando, Florida (May 16th-18th, 2025)! With a legacy of 17 successful years in Ontario, Canada, this premier event, proudly hosted by ONE Concept Conferences and expertly produced by Massage Therapy Media (MTM), boasts a lineup of presenters from across the nation and around the globe. The American Massage Conference began in Atlanta in 2011 and has been hosted through the years in San Diego, Chicago, and Virginia Beach. The conference provides educational opportunities with engaging one-, two-, three- and four-hour class formats, networking opportunities, masterminds, MTM Talks, demonstrations, and an extensive exhibitor tradeshow.   Mark your calendars for an unforgettable experience filled with education, networking, and the celebration of massage therapy excellence! ABMP members receive a special discount to attend this in-person conference—log in to your ABMP account to access the discount code and register today. Website: https://www.massagetherapymedia.com/conferences  

Listen in to Research Perch as MTF President Adrienne F. Asta, BA, LMT, speaks with author and educator Ruth Werner, BCTMB, about the upcoming 2025 International Massage Therapy Research Conference (IMTRC) in Alexandria, VA. Learn how attending can benefit you and your clients, explore speakers and topics, and find out how IMTRC impacts research in the field.

For nearly 30 years, Rob Kelly has taught anatomy, physiology, pathology, lymphatic work, and orthopedic massage. Recently, Kelly reached out to “I Have a Client Who . . .” host Ruth Werner to share his observations on how easy it is to misunderstand how the body works and how these stories we tell ourselves can have negative consequences. Kelly and Werner turned their conversation into an episode about the power of language and the responsibility we have to elevate our profession by using words carefully.   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.                    About our Sponsors:   Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com    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: info@anatomytrains.com             Facebook: facebook.com/AnatomyTrains                       Instagram: www.instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA    

A client with Marfan's syndrome, a connective tissue disorder with dysfunctional collagen, has had multiple surgeries for a traumatic accident, and their scar tissue is restricting their ease of movement. Their massage therapist is concerned about how best to help them regain function. When I have questions about scar tissue, I go to the Scar Tissue Diva, Cathy Ryan. In this episode we discuss the difference between “challenging tissue” and working with the fluid environment to improve function.   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.            Resources:    Pocket Pathology: https://www.abmp.com/abmp-pocket-pathology-app Cathy Ryan, Registered Massage Therapist, at cryanrmt@gmail.com Live and online scar tissue classes through Healwell: https://online.healwell.org/pages/scars-fascia-lymph-landing ABMP CE Library: Scar Tissue Management, with Cathy Ryan and Nancy Keeney Smith: https://www.abmp.com/learn/course/scar-tissue-management-part-1-introduction A short list of Stecco fascial research papers: Adstrum, S. et al. (2017) ‘Defining the fascial system', Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 21(1), pp. 173–177. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2016.11.003. Stecco, A. et al. (2023) ‘From Muscle to the Myofascial Unit: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(5), p. 4527. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24054527. Stecco, C. and Schleip, R. (2016) ‘A fascia and the fascial system', Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 20(1), pp. 139–140. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2015.11.012. Suarez-Rodriguez, V. et al. (2022) ‘Fascial Innervation: A Systematic Review of the Literature', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(10), p. 5674. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23105674.   About our Sponsors:   Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com   MassageBook: www.massagebook.com   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: info@anatomytrains.com             Facebook: facebook.com/AnatomyTrains                       Instagram: www.instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA     Save time and reduce stress with MassageBook. It's not just software—it's a comprehensive solution that handles online scheduling, payment processing, and marketing campaigns, making it easier for you to provide your clients with top-notch care. Enjoy free, unlimited access for 30 days and save on your monthly subscription with your exclusive ABMP member discount.   Special Offer: Right now, MassageBook is offering listeners $50 off when they sign up with coupon code ABMP50. Start your free 30-day trial today and transform your practice with tools designed to increase bookings and streamline client management.   Connect with MassageBook: Visit their website: MassageBook Follow MassageBook on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn  

A client has a history of a very unusual and somewhat alarming condition: pyoderma gangrenosum. Can massage therapy be applied in this situation? Probably yes, but in specific circumstances. Listen to this episode of “I Have a Client Who . . .” to learn more and to hear host Ruth Werner get on one of her favorite soapboxes: the language of massage therapy.   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.                                   Resources:    Pocket Pathology: https://www.abmp.com/abmp-pocket-pathology-app   Brooklyn, T., Dunnill, G. and Probert, C. (2006) ‘Diagnosis and treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum', BMJ : British Medical Journal, 333(7560), p. 181. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.333.7560.181.   Mohd, A.B. et al. (2022) ‘COVID-19 Vaccine: A Possible Trigger for Pyoderma Gangrenosum', Cureus, 14(5), p. e25295. Available at: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.25295.   Pyoderma gangrenosum (no date) Autoimmune Association. Available at: https://autoimmune.org/disease-information/pyoderma-gangrenosum/ (Accessed: 23 October 2024).   Pyoderma Gangrenosum - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment | NORD (no date). Available at: https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/pyoderma-gangrenosum/ (Accessed: 23 October 2024).   Schmieder, S.J. and Krishnamurthy, K. (2024) ‘Pyoderma Gangrenosum', in StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482223/ (Accessed: 24 October 2024).   Zou, H. and Daveluy, S. (2023) ‘Pyoderma gangrenosum after COVID-19 infection and vaccination', Clinics in Dermatology, 41(1), pp. 129–131. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2022.11.003.     About our Sponsors:   Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com      MassageBook: www.massagebook.com  

A client had a complex surgical procedure on her heart two weeks prior, but it was conducted by way of a catheter threaded up her femoral artery and aorta. Now, she wants to receive massage again. A quick Google search suggests that it would be OK. Her MT is skeptical and wants to be more conservative. Who is right? Listen on for information about transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) surgery, using AI to make clinical decisions, and how to get to “yes” for people who have recently had surgery. 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.                    Resources:    Pocket Pathology: https://www.abmp.com/abmp-pocket-pathology-app   Braun, L.A. et al. (2012) ‘Massage therapy for cardiac surgery patients--a randomized trial', The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 144(6), pp. 1453–1459, 1459.e1. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2012.04.027.   Grafton-Clarke, C. et al. (2019) ‘Can postoperative massage therapy reduce pain and anxiety in cardiac surgery patients?', Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, 28(5), pp. 716–721. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivy310.   Patients Who Stay in Hospital Less Than 3 Days After TAVR Fare Better (no date) American College of Cardiology. Available at: https://www.acc.org/about-acc/press-releases/2019/03/04/13/53/http%3a%2f%2fwww.acc.org%2fabout-acc%2fpress-releases%2f2019%2f03%2f04%2f13%2f53%2fpatients-who-stay-in-hospital-less-than-3-days-after-tavr-fare-better (Accessed: 26 September 2024).   Pressler, A. et al. (2018) ‘Long-term effect of exercise training in patients after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: Follow-up of the SPORT:TAVI randomised pilot study', European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 25(8), pp. 794–801. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/2047487318765233.   Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) (no date). Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17570-transcatheter-aortic-valve-replacement-tavr (Accessed: 25 September 2024).   Wang, A.T. et al. (2010) ‘Massage therapy after cardiac surgery', Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 22(3), pp. 225–229. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1053/j.semtcvs.2010.10.005.   What recovery looks like 6 months after an aortic valve replacement (2023). Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/6-months-after-aortic-valve-replacements (Accessed: 25 September 2024).   Sponsors:   Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com    Elements Massage: www.elementsmassage.com/abmp   MassageBook: www.massagebook.com   Books of Discovery: www.booksofdiscovery.com   The American Massage Conference: www.massagetherapymedia.com/conferences    

A client has hereditary hemochromatosis, which has affected their hip and toes. It is bad enough that they are considering joint replacement. In the meantime, they would like to receive massage for hip pain. Oh, and there's this tiny little issue about having recent strokes. What is going on? How can iron overload cause joint damage, and is it involved in strokes too? Is bodywork even possible in this situation?   Resources:   IHACW Episode 317, available here   Agarwal, A.R. et al. (2022) ‘Postoperative Complications in Patients With Hereditary Hemochromatosis Undergoing Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Matched Cohort Analysis', The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 30(1), pp. e99–e107. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5435/JAAOS-D-21-00105.   Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs) | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (no date). Available at: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/arteriovenous-malformations-avms (Accessed: 28 August 2024).   Arthropathy and joint pain (2020) Haemochromatosis UK. Available at: https://www.haemochromatosis.org.uk/arthropathy (Accessed: 29 August 2024).   Brain AVM (arteriovenous malformation) - Symptoms and causes (no date) Mayo Clinic. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-avm/symptoms-causes/syc-20350260 (Accessed: 30 August 2024).   Carroll, G.J., Breidahl, W.H. and Olynyk, J.K. (2012) ‘Characteristics of the arthropathy described in hereditary hemochromatosis', Arthritis Care & Research, 64(1), pp. 9–14. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.20501.   Hemochromatosis | Arthritis Foundation (no date). Available at: https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/hemochromatosis (Accessed: 28 August 2024).   Hemochromatosis (Iron Overload): Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Diet & More (no date). Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14971-hemochromatosis-iron-overload (Accessed: 28 August 2024). McCurdie, I. and Perry, J.D. (1999) ‘Haemochromatosis and exercise related joint pains', BMJ : British Medical Journal, 318(7181), pp. 449–451.   Porter, J.L. and Rawla, P. (2024) ‘Hemochromatosis', in StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430862/ (Accessed: 30 August 2024).   Sahinbegovic, E. et al. (2010) ‘Hereditary hemochromatosis as a risk factor for joint replacement surgery', The American Journal of Medicine, 123(7), pp. 659–662. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2010.01.024.   Walling, A.D. (1999) ‘The Differential Diagnosis of Joint Pain: Hemochromatosis', American Family Physician, 59(9), pp. 2587–2588.   Host:            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.      This podcast sponsored by:     Books of Discovery: www.booksofdiscovery.com   Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com    Elements Massage: www.elementsmassage.com/abmp   MassageBook: www.massagebook.com

A 60-ish year-old client with a history of surgery for aortic aneurysm insists—INSISTS—that his 21-year-old massage therapist work with him, in spite of his new onset severe leg pain. What are the practitioner's options in this literally life-or-death scenario? This story, that looks cut-and-dried on the surface, is more complex than it appears. Plus, we get to talk about bulges in the aorta, bleeding ruptures, migrating devices, new surgical innovations, and much much more. Listen in to find out how it all turns out. Resources: Pocket Pathology: https://www.abmp.com/abmp-pocket-pathology-app Ameli, F.M. et al. (1987) ‘Etiology and management of aorto-femoral bypass graft failure', The Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery, 28(6), pp. 695–700. Choi, E. et al. (2021) ‘Risk Factors for Early and Late Iliac Limb Occlusions of Stent Grafts Extending to the External Iliac Artery after Endovascular Abdominal Aneurysm Repair', Annals of Vascular Surgery, 70, pp. 401–410. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avsg.2020.06.028. Daye, D. and Walker, T.G. (2018) ‘Complications of endovascular aneurysm repair of the thoracic and abdominal aorta: evaluation and management', Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Therapy, 8(Suppl 1), pp. S138–S156. Available at: https://doi.org/10.21037/cdt.2017.09.17. Endovascular repair of complex aortic aneurysms - Mayo Clinic (no date). Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/cardiovascular-diseases/news/endovascular-repair-of-complex-aortic-aneurysms/mac-20429867 (Accessed: 31 July 2024). Ivancev, K. and Vogelzang, R. (2020) ‘A 35 Year History of Stent Grafting, and How EVAR Conquered the World', European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, 59(5), pp. 685–694. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejvs.2020.03.017. Modern History of Aortic Surgery, by Hazim J. Safi, MD | McGovern Medical School (no date). Available at: https://med.uth.edu/cvs/2020/08/25/modern-history-of-aortic-surgery-by-hazim-j-safi-md/ (Accessed: 31 July 2024). Park, K.-M. et al. (2017) ‘Long Term Outcomes of Femorofemoral Crossover Bypass Grafts', Vascular Specialist International, 33(2), pp. 55–58. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5758/vsi.2017.33.2.55. Sponsors: Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com  MassageBook: www.massagebook.com Elements Massage: www.elementsmassage.com/abmp

During this episode I had the pleasure of having a discussion with Ruth Werner.  _ Ruth is a Massage Therapy educator, podcast host and author of, “A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology: Critical Thinking and Practical Application”, now in it's seventh edition.  _ During this episode Ruth provides a great deal of information about how to navigate the world of manual therapy and pathology. _ Ruth provides tips on how to navigate uncertainty, how to communicate with physicians, how to modify treatments with confidence, as well as Ruth outlines the process of critical thinking in the context of a clinical visit.   _ There is so much value in this episode. I hope you enjoy it. 

A client cancels her massage therapy appointment because she has hand, foot, and mouth disease. Her therapist is grateful but wants to know when it will be safe to work with the client again. Oh, by the way, the client also has strep throat and lupus. Does that make a difference? Find out on this episode of “I Have a Client Who . . .” Pathology Conversations with Ruth Werner. Sponsors:     Books of Discovery: www.booksofdiscovery.com   Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com  MassageBook: www.massagebook.com Elements Massage: www.elementsmassage.com/abmp   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.                                        Resources:    Pocket Pathology: https://www.abmp.com/abmp-pocket-pathology-app   Acropustulosis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and More (2017) Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/acropustulosis (Accessed: 3 July 2024).   Diagnostic Department and Public Health Laboratories, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece. et al. (2023) ‘A case of hand-foot-and-mouth disease in a systemic lupus erythematosus patient presenting as late complication onychomadesis', Open Journal of Clinical and Medical Case Reports, 9(39). Available at: https://doi.org/10.52768/2379-1039/2150.   Disease Alert: Foot-and-Mouth Disease (no date). Available at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/cattle/foot-and-mouth (Accessed: 3 July 2024).   Faulkner, C.F. et al. (2003) ‘Hand, foot and mouth disease in an immunocompromised adult treated with aciclovir', The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 44(3), pp. 203–206. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-0960.2003.00679.x.   Hand-Foot Syndrome: What It Is, Causes & Treatment (no date). Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24105-hand-foot-syndrome (Accessed: 3 July 2024).   ‘Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease (HFMD): Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology' (2024). Available at: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/218402-overview (Accessed: 3 July 2024).   It's Not Strep Throat: Treating Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease | University of Utah Health (2018). Available at: https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/kids-zone/all/2018/11/its-not-strep-throat-treating-hand-foot-and-mouth-disease (Accessed: 3 July 2024).   Li, Z., Jiang, N. and Xu, Y. (2016) ‘The concurrence of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus and hand-foot syndrome in a patient undergoing capecitabine chemotherapy', Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 57(1), pp. e14–e16. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/ajd.12224.   Qin, L. et al. (2019) ‘Identification of immune and metabolic predictors of severe hand-foot-mouth disease', PLoS ONE, 14(5), p. e0216993. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0216993.  

A client with frequent nosebleeds works with a massage therapist on TMJ pain, and something unexpected happens: she goes from 3-4 bleeds a week, to about one. The therapist has referred her to get more information about her sinus health, which is a good idea. But is there anything else they can be doing? Sponsors:     Books of Discovery: www.booksofdiscovery.com     Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com  MassageBook: www.massagebook.com EmbodyU: www.embodyu.net   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.                             Resources:    Pocket Pathology: https://www.abmp.com/abmp-pocket-pathology-app   Association of Hypertension With the Risk and Severity of Epistaxis | Bleeding and Transfusion | JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery | JAMA Network (no date). Available at: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/fullarticle/2770570 (Accessed: 28 May 2024).   Durham, J. and Wassell, R. (2011) ‘Recent Advancements in Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs)', Reviews in Pain, 5(1), pp. 18–25. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/204946371100500104.   Epistaxis and Hypertension: Reviewing a Complex Relationship (no date) Medscape. Available at: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/epistaxis-and-hypertension-reviewing-complex-relationship-2023a1000i7t (Accessed: 28 May 2024).   ‘Epistaxis: Practice Essentials, Anatomy, Pathophysiology' (2024). Available at: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/863220-overview?&icd=login_success_email_match_fpf (Accessed: 28 May 2024).   Karegeannes, M. (2018) Red Flags, Treating TMJ. Available at: https://www.treatingtmj.com/symptoms/red-flags/ (Accessed: 28 May 2024).   Nose Bleeds at Night: 5 Causes (2017) Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/nose-bleeds-at-night (Accessed: 28 May 2024).   Nosebleeds (Epistaxis): Causes, Treatment & Prevention (no date) Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/13464-nosebleed-epistaxis (Accessed: 29 May 2024).   Nosebleeds: When It's Time to Get Medical Attention (2021) Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Available at: https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/nosebleeds-when-its-time-get-medical-attention (Accessed: 28 May 2024). Image of Kiesselbach Plexus Credit: FirstAdmiral, CC-SA-3.0  

A person with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus develops new back pain in her mid-upper left side. It feels like “it's coming from under my ribs,” she says. First, it's diagnosed as arthritis, but interventions don't seem to make a difference. Finally, a year into this unremitting pain, a rheumatologist asks about her breathing and discovers she has developed a complication called pulmonary thrombosis, probably related to her autoimmune diseases. They start treatment and voilà, her back pain is gone. This is a good example of a case in which massage therapy was definitely NOT the best choice.   Resources: Dsouza, K.G. et al. (2023) ‘Management of interstitial lung disease in patients with autoimmune disease-related interstitial lung disease', Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine, 18(1), p. 890. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4081/mrm.2023.890.   Fibrosis as an autoimmune disease (no date) CPC - M. Available at: https://www.cpc-munich.de/en/research-projects/fibrosis-as-an-autoimmune-disease/index.html, https://www.cpc-munich.de/en/research-projects/fibrosis-as-an-autoimmune-disease/index.html (Accessed: 3 May 2024).   3. Gole, S. and Bankole, A. (2024) ‘Nintedanib', in StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585049/ (Accessed: 8 May 2024).   Interstitial Lung Diseases - What Are Interstitial Lung Diseases? | NHLBI, NIH (2022). Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/interstitial-lung-diseases (Accessed: 8 May 2024).   5. Kašiković Lečić, S. et al. (2022) ‘Management of musculoskeletal pain in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a review', Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences, 127, p. 10.48101/ujms.v127.8739. Available at: https://doi.org/10.48101/ujms.v127.8739.   6. Massage & Bodywork - MAY | JUNE 2021 (no date). Available at: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1358392-may-june-     Host:   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: www.anatomytrains.com    Elements Massage: www.elementsmassage.com/abmp   Earthlite: www.earthlite.com  

Welcome to "The Rub," a captivating podcast delving into the world of massage therapy. Join your host, Corey Rivera, as they explore the intricacies of continuing education in massage therapy with guests Ruth Werner, Whitney Lowe, and Rebecca Sturgeon.In this enlightening episode, Corey engages in insightful conversations with industry experts about the transformative shift in massage therapy education, particularly focusing on the transition from traditional in-person classes to the realm of online learning.The discussion delves into contrasting viewpoints on education's purpose within the massage therapy community. Whitney laments the prevailing focus on technique-oriented courses, advocating for broader clinical reasoning skills.Ruth Werner shares her passion for teaching ethics in massage therapy, emphasizing the power of role-playing and peer discussions in cultivating a supportive learning environment.Rebecca Sturgeon champions the emotional and social dimensions of in-person learning, highlighting its unique ability to foster camaraderie and resilience among practitioners.As the episode draws to a close, Corey invites reflections from the guests on their favorite topics to teach and learn.Join Corey Rivera and their esteemed guests on "The Rub," where each episode invites you to uncover the secrets, challenges, and triumphs of the massage therapy profession.Links:Healwell's Oncology ClassesWhat is the Transformative Learning Theory?An Update on Transformational LearningRuth WernerWhitney LoweRebecca Sturg Healwell Homecoming; Sept 20-21In true Healwell fashion, we're inviting you to join us as we redefine the status quo, lead with kindness, and have fun doing it. Come as you are and come ready to collaborate, celebrate, and learn! Connect or reconnect with people you've met over the years through Healwell!Come for the classes and stay for the party!Support the showHealwell Homecoming is September 20-21st in Arlington, VA. Come for the classes and stay for the party!Let us know what you think! Send us an email: podcast@healwell.orgCheck out our interview-style podcast: InterdisciplinaryYou can support Healwell and the cool things we make by donating here!Other ways join in: Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Find bonus content from Interdisciplinary and early release episodes on Patreon! Check Healwell's live and online classes Continue the conversation with a two-week free trial of the Healwell Community Find a copy of Rebecca Sturgeon's book: "Oncology Massage: An Integrative Approach to Cancer Care" Thank you to ABMP for sponsoring The Rub!Healwell is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based out of the Washington DC area. Check us out at www.healwell.org

A client uses fentanyl patches to manage chronic pain from a back injury. What kind of risk does this present to the therapist? And, if we're not careful, the bigger risk might be to the client. Check it out on this episode of “I Have a Client Who . . .” with Ruth Werner. Resources:   Cai, B., Engqvist, H. and Bredenberg, S. (2015) ‘Development and evaluation of a tampering resistant transdermal fentanyl patch', International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 488(1), pp. 102–107. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2015.04.061. Commissioner, O. of the (2023) ‘Accidental Exposures to Fentanyl Patches Continue to Be Deadly to Children', FDA [Preprint]. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/accidental-exposures-fentanyl-patches-continue-be-deadly-children (Accessed: 4 April 2024). ‘Drug Overdoses - Data Details' (no date) Injury Facts. Available at: https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/home-and-community/safety-topics/drugoverdoses/data-details/ (Accessed: 4 April 2024). Duragesic Transdermal: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing - WebMD (no date). Available at: https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-14008/duragesic-transdermal/details (Accessed: 4 April 2024). Ep 186 – Fentanyl Patches: “I Have a Client Who . . .” Pathology Conversations with Ruth Werner (2022) Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals. Available at: https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-186-fentanyl-patches-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner (Accessed: 4 April 2024). Equity--OS-OPAE--1600, O. of P.A. and (no date) Fentanyl Exposure in Public Places | Washington State Department of Health. Available at: https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/opioids/fentanyl-exposure-public-places (Accessed: 4 April 2024). Fentanyl Facts (2024). Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fentanyl/index.html (Accessed: 4 April 2024). Khan, S. and Sharman, T. (2024) ‘Transdermal Medications', in StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556035/ (Accessed: 4 April 2024). Kim, T.S. et al. (2015) ‘Comparison of adhesion and dissolution of fentanyl patches: Fentadur® and Durogesic DTrans®', Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation, 45(5), pp. 475–480. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40005-015-0195-y. Mann, B., News, A.P.-K.H. and Bebinger, M. (2023) ‘In 2023 fentanyl overdoses ravaged the U.S. and fueled a new culture war fight', NPR, 28 December. Available at: https://www.npr.org/2023/12/28/1220881380/overdose-fentanyl-drugs-addiction (Accessed: 4 April 2024). Overdose (no date) Drug Policy Alliance. Available at: https://drugpolicy.org/overdose/ (Accessed: 5 April 2024). Prausnitz, M.R. and Langer, R. (2008) ‘Transdermal drug delivery', Nature Biotechnology, 26(11), pp. 1261–1268. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt.1504. Shearn, I.T. (2023) Fentanyl myth: Police cry overdose, facts prove otherwise, NJ Spotlight News. Available at: https://www.njspotlightnews.org/special-report/fentanyl-myth-police-cry-overdose-facts-prove-otherwise/ (Accessed: 5 April 2024). Using Skin Patch Medicines Safely (no date). Available at: https://www.poison.org/articles/using-skin-patch-medicines-safely (Accessed: 4 April 2024). Wong, W.F. et al. (2023) ‘Recent Advancement of Medical Patch for Transdermal Drug Delivery', Medicina, 59(4), p. 778. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59040778.   Host:   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:   Books of Discovery: www.booksofdiscovery.com     Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com    Elements Massage: www.elementsmassage.com/abmp   Earthlite: www.earthlite.com

A client was recently treated for colon cancer—and it didn't go well. She had surgical complications, a bout of sepsis, and more. She has substantial abdominal scar tissue, which is giving her a lot of pain. But after finding a massage therapist who is helping a lot, things are looking up . . . until she gets COVID. And now she's having a long, slow recovery. The highly educated MT wants a little more information about COVID-related clot risk before they go back to work. How can they determine when it is safe to proceed? We discuss all that on this episode of “I Have a Client Who . . .” Pathology Conversations with Ruth Werner. 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.    Resources:  Pocket Pathology: https://www.abmp.com/abmp-pocket-pathology-app   CDC (2020) COVID Data Tracker, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker (Accessed: 13 March 2024).   Frequently Asked Questions: COVID-19 and Blood Clotting (no date) Blood Clots. Available at: https://www.stoptheclot.org/covid-19-and-blood-clotting/frequently-asked-questions-covid-19-and-clotting/ (Accessed: 13 March 2024).   Scharf, R.E. and Anaya, J.-M. (2023) ‘Post-COVID Syndrome in Adults—An Overview', Viruses, 15(3), p. 675. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/v15030675.   ‘Study finds risk of serious blood clots up to six months after covid-19 | BMJ' (no date). Available at: https://www.bmj.com/company/newsroom/study-finds-increased-risk-of-serious-blood-clots-up-to-six-months-after-covid-19/ (Accessed: 13 March 2024).   On sepsis:   Ep 292 – Sepsis: “I Have a Client Who . . .” Pathology Conversations with Ruth Werner (2022) Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals. Available at: https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-292-sepsis-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner (Accessed: 13 March 2024).   Massage & Bodywork - NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2021 (no date). Available at: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1417136-november-december-2021/40?token=ZWM1ZjJmODdiNTEwOWZiM2ViMWYzNDQ1YzIxYTJjMmJkYWZlMWE0NQ%3D%3D (Accessed: 13 March 2024).   About our Sponsors:   Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com   Elements Massage: www.elementsmassage.com/abmp   Earthlite: www.earthlite.com   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: info@anatomytrains.com             Facebook: facebook.com/AnatomyTrains                       Instagram: www.instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA       Founded by a massage therapist for massage therapists, the Elements Massage brand is a network of independently-owned and operated studios dedicated to changing lives--including yours!  The Elements Massage brand believes massage therapists deserve a supportive team, business and marketing resources, and the chance to learn as much as they want, so many Elements Massage studios offer and reimburse continuing education on an ongoing basis. It's no surprise Elements Massage therapist and client satisfaction leads the industry. That's because from day one, the brand has kept an unmatched commitment to deliver the best therapeutic massage experiences possible for both clients and massage therapists. Elements Massage studios expects the best. So should you. If this sounds like a fit, reach out. Studios are  hiring!    Website: https://elementsmassage.com/ABMP Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elementsmassage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elementsmassage Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXLHkAYMgmA6_MJ8DSEZm-A   Disclaimer: Each Elements Massage® studio is independently owned and operated. Franchise owners (or their designated hiring managers) are solely responsible for all employment and personnel decisions and matters regarding their independently owned and operated studios, including hiring, direction, training, supervision, discipline, discharge, compensation (e.g., wage practices and tax withholding and reporting requirements), and termination of employment. Elements Therapeutic Massage, LLC (ETM) is not involved in, and is not responsible for, employment and personnel matters and decisions made by any franchise owner. All individuals hired by franchise owners' studios are their employees, not those of ETM. Benefits vary by independently owned and operated Elements Massage® studios. Elements Massage® and Elements Massage + design are registered trademarks owned by ETM.     Unlock exclusive 20% discounts on ALL Earthlite products for all ABMP members, from portable tables and chairs to professional sheets and oils. Simply visit earthlite.com, create an account, and enter your ABMP member ID during registration. Enjoy free ground shipping on orders over $75 and stationary or electric lift tables at a $395 flat rate - a significant savings on everything you need to enhance your practice. We are proud to assist you as the World's #1 Brand in Massage!   Sign up page: https://www.earthlite.com/customer/account/login/referer/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZWFydGhsaXRlLmNvbS8~/   Website: https://www.earthlite.com

A young client is comatose after a series of ischemic strokes. They have frequent painful episodes of paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity, during which their muscles become spastic and their heart rate and blood pressure rise. Their palliative care team wonders if massage therapy might help the contractures of their limbs, and the massage therapist is willing to try . . . but the results are unexpected.   Resources:   Neurostorming: Causes, Signs, Risks, and Treatment (2022) NewGait. Available at: https://thenewgait.com/blog/neurostorming/ (Accessed: 16 February 2024).   Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity - UpToDate (no date). Available at: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/paroxysmal-sympathetic-hyperactivity (Accessed: 14 February 2024).   Zheng, R.-Z. et al. (2020) ‘Identification and Management of Paroxysmal Sympathetic Hyperactivity After Traumatic Brain Injury', Frontiers in Neurology, 11, p. 81. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2020.00081.   Verma, R., Giri, P. and Rizvi, I. (2015) ‘Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity in neurological critical care', Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine : Peer-reviewed, Official Publication of Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine, 19(1), pp. 34–37. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-5229.148638.   Xu, S., Zhang, Q. and Li, C. (2023) ‘Paroxysmal Sympathetic Hyperactivity After Acquired Brain Injury: An Integrative Review of Diagnostic and Management Challenges', Neurology and Therapy, 13(1), pp. 11–20. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40120-023-00561-x.   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:     Books of Discovery: www.booksofdiscovery.com   Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com Elements Massage: www.elementsmassage.com/abmp MYCO CLINIC: www.myco-clinic.com   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: info@anatomytrains.com             Facebook: facebook.com/AnatomyTrains                       Instagram: www.instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA       Founded by a massage therapist for massage therapists, the Elements Massage brand is a network of independently-owned and operated studios dedicated to changing lives--including yours!  The Elements Massage brand believes massage therapists deserve a supportive team, business and marketing resources, and the chance to learn as much as they want, so many Elements Massage studios offer and reimburse continuing education on an ongoing basis. It's no surprise Elements Massage therapist and client satisfaction leads the industry. That's because from day one, the brand has kept an unmatched commitment to deliver the best therapeutic massage experiences possible for both clients and massage therapists. Elements Massage studios expects the best. So should you. If this sounds like a fit, reach out. Studios are  hiring!    Website: https://elementsmassage.com/ABMP Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elementsmassage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elementsmassage Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXLHkAYMgmA6_MJ8DSEZm-A   Disclaimer: Each Elements Massage® studio is independently owned and operated. Franchise owners (or their designated hiring managers) are solely responsible for all employment and personnel decisions and matters regarding their independently owned and operated studios, including hiring, direction, training, supervision, discipline, discharge, compensation (e.g., wage practices and tax withholding and reporting requirements), and termination of employment. Elements Therapeutic Massage, LLC (ETM) is not involved in, and is not responsible for, employment and personnel matters and decisions made by any franchise owner. All individuals hired by franchise owners' studios are their employees, not those of ETM. Benefits vary by independently owned and operated Elements Massage® studios. Elements Massage® and Elements Massage + design are registered trademarks owned by ETM.   MYCO CLINIC stands at the forefront of natural pain relief and quality patient care.  Backed by 20 years of research and experience developing naturally derived topical products MYCO CLINIC was developed specifically for healthcare professionals and is available in moderate, extra strength and maximum strength formulas in a variety of sizes for in-clinic and home care solutions.   Product benefits include a smooth glide, no greasy residue, no medicinal smell and enhanced natural performance. All ingredients are clean, vegetarian or vegan-friendly, naturally sourced and/or USDA organic extracts. MYCO CLINIC products are manufactured in an FDA registered and cGMP audited facility to ensure the highest quality standards.   Try it today- get your free 10-pack sample of MYCO CLINIC ointment by visiting myco-clinic.com/get-free-samples/ 

Blood clots, legitimate concern about blood clots, and well-honed knowledge about blood clots are all part of our profession's requirements for safe practice, right? And over the years I've been doing I Have a Client Who . . ., I've received dozens of stories about blood clots in one context or another. Today, we'll look at yet another: a condition called Factor Five Leiden.   Resources:    Pocket Pathology: https://www.abmp.com/abmp-pocket-pathology-app   CE class, "A Doctor's Note is Not Good Enough, and what is better".   Chronic Venous Insufficiency - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics (no date). Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/chronic-venous-insufficiency (Accessed: 10 January 2024).   Factor V Leiden (no date). Available at: https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/factor-v-leiden (Accessed: 10 January 2024).   Ghalaut, P.S. et al. (2014) ‘Ischemic Stroke in a Patient with Heterozygous Factor V Leiden Mutation: An Uncommon Association', Indian Journal of Hematology & Blood Transfusion, 30(Suppl 1), pp. 335–337. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12288-014-0392-2.   Jehangir, W. et al. (2014) ‘Treatment for Factor V Leiden, Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place: A Case Report and Review of Literature', Journal of Hematology, 3(2), pp. 43–45. Trani, J.L. and Lawson, J.H. (2007) ‘5 - HYPERCOAGULABLE STATES ASSOCIATED WITH CHRONIC VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY', in J.J. Bergan and C.K. Shortell (eds) Venous Ulcers. San Diego: Academic Press, pp. 55–65. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-012373565-2.50009-9.     Sponsors:     Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com    Zibby Media: www.zibbymedia.com   Elements Massage: www.elementsmassage.com/abmp   Susan's CBD: www.susanscbd.com     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: info@anatomytrains.com             Facebook: facebook.com/AnatomyTrains                       Instagram: www.instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA       Zibby Media is a women-led company dedicated to deepening the connections between readers, authors, and each other. We do so by offering many ways to connect—even for those who don't have time to read. Founded by Zibby Owens, author, podcaster, publisher, bookstore owner, CEO, and mother of four, Zibby Media includes a publishing house, a magazine, podcasts, retreats, classes, a book club, salon events, and an independent bookstore with frequent author events. If you have ever loved a book, you're in the right place.   Learn more at zibbymedia.com Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zibbybooks/?hl=en Listen to the podcast @momsdonthavetimetoreadbooks Read the magazine @zibbymag   Founded by a massage therapist for massage therapists, the Elements Massage brand is a network of independently-owned and operated studios dedicated to changing lives--including yours!  The Elements Massage brand believes massage therapists deserve a supportive team, business and marketing resources, and the chance to learn as much as they want, so many Elements Massage studios offer and reimburse continuing education on an ongoing basis. It's no surprise Elements Massage therapist and client satisfaction leads the industry. That's because from day one, the brand has kept an unmatched commitment to deliver the best therapeutic massage experiences possible for both clients and massage therapists. Elements Massage studios expects the best. So should you. If this sounds like a fit, reach out. Studios are  hiring!    Website: https://elementsmassage.com/ABMP Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elementsmassage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elementsmassage Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXLHkAYMgmA6_MJ8DSEZm-A   Disclaimer: Each Elements Massage® studio is independently owned and operated. Franchise owners (or their designated hiring managers) are solely responsible for all employment and personnel decisions and matters regarding their independently owned and operated studios, including hiring, direction, training, supervision, discipline, discharge, compensation (e.g., wage practices and tax withholding and reporting requirements), and termination of employment. Elements Therapeutic Massage, LLC (ETM) is not involved in, and is not responsible for, employment and personnel matters and decisions made by any franchise owner. All individuals hired by franchise owners' studios are their employees, not those of ETM. Benefits vary by independently owned and operated Elements Massage® studios. Elements Massage® and Elements Massage + design are registered trademarks owned by ETM.     Founded in 2017, Susan's CBD is a woman-owned business that manufactures high-quality, high-milligram CBD and CBG massage products for the massage and wellness industry. Located in Boulder, Colorado, we handcraft our massage and topical products using all-natural ingredients and effective amounts of hemp CBD because we believe milligrams matter. Elevate your client's experience and build your practice by using our wide range of massage and topical products. Licensed massage therapists can try eight different CBD and CBG massage products with our free sample pack (one per customer). Contact us today by visiting www.susanscbd.com and clicking on the Professional Pricing tab to get your free sample pack! Licensed therapists also receive 50 percent off retail pricing with a wholesale login.   Website: www.susanscbd.com Email: info@susanscbd.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/susanscbd   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.     

In our final episode of 2023, we revisit our powerful conversations with massage industry groundbreakers Andrew Biel, Rachel Beider, Allison Denney and Ruth Werner. Let their personal journeys, advice and reflections inspire you to take the next step on your massage path right now.To learn more about CRSMT, visit www.atouchofcostarica.com

A client has a rare condition that might impact her ability to receive massage. A brief look shows no special cautions, but a deeper look reveals some important questions to ask. In this episode Ruth takes listeners along for the treasure hunt for useful information—not just for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, but for your future use when you have a client with a condition you've never heard of.   Sponsors:     Books of Discovery: www.booksofdiscovery.com       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.                                      Recent Articles by Ruth:          “Working with Invisible Pain,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, November/December 2022, page 36, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1481961-november-december-2022/38   “Unpacking the Long Haul,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, January/February 2022, page 35, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1439667-january-february-2022/36. “Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Massage Therapy,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, September/October 2021, page 33, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1402696-september-october-2021/34.           “Pharmacology Basics for Massage Therapists,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, July/August 2021, page 32, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1384577-july-august-2021/34.           Resources:    Pocket Pathology: https://www.abmp.com/abmp-pocket-pathology-app   Ablation for Arrhythmias (no date) www.heart.org. Available at: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/prevention--treatment-of-arrhythmia/ablation-for-arrhythmias (Accessed: 13 December 2023).   Athletic Screening (no date) 1-to-1 Pediatrics. Available at: http://www.1to1pediatrics.com/athletic-screening.html (Accessed: 13 December 2023).   Chhabra, L., Goyal, A. and Benham, M.D. (2023) ‘Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome', in StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554437/ (Accessed: 13 December 2023).   Massage & Bodywork - NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2020 (no date). Available at: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1299745-november-december-2020/40? (Accessed: 13 December 2023).   Patient Education: Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (Beyond the Basics). Available at: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/wolff-parkinson-white-syndrome-beyond-the-basics. (Accessed: 13 December, 2023).   Screening in Sport (no date) Physiopedia. Available at: https://www.physio-pedia.com/Screening_in_Sport (Accessed: 13 December 2023).   Vagal Maneuvers with Supraventricular Tachycardia (no date) ACLS.com. Available at: https://acls.com/articles/vagal-maneuvers/ (Accessed: 13 December 2023).   What Is Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome? (no date) Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17643-wolff-parkinson-white-syndrome-wpw (Accessed: 13 December 2023).   ‘Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology' (2022). Available at: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/159222-overview (Accessed: 13 December 2023).  

A client wants to know if massage will help with their uterine fibroids? How can we answer this question?   What does “help” mean?   What are their goals?   What does the research say?   Spoiler: the research, while thin, holds some surprises.   Sponsors:     Books of Discovery: www.booksofdiscovery.com     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.                                      Recent Articles by Ruth:          “Working with Invisible Pain,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, November/December 2022, page 36, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1481961-november-december-2022/38   “Unpacking the Long Haul,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, January/February 2022, page 35, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1439667-january-february-2022/36. “Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Massage Therapy,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, September/October 2021, page 33, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1402696-september-october-2021/34.           “Pharmacology Basics for Massage Therapists,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, July/August 2021, page 32, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1384577-july-august-2021/34.           Resources:    Pocket Pathology: https://www.abmp.com/abmp-pocket-pathology-app   Massage Today (no date) Massage Today. Available at: https://www.massagetoday.com/articles/14184/Uterine-Fibroids (Accessed: 29 November 2023).   Maya Abdominal Massage for Women: Northeast Rehab (no date) Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital. Available at: https://www.northeastrehab.com/services/maya-massage/ (Accessed: 29 November 2023).   Mehl-Madrona, L. (2002) ‘Complementary medicine treatment of uterine fibroids: a pilot study', Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 8(2), pp. 34–36, 38–40, 42, 44–46. Rubio, E.M. et al. (2023) ‘Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Women with Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids', Journal of Women's Health (2002), 32(5), pp. 546–552. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2022.0094.   The Dos and Don'ts of Managing Fibroids – Taking Control Of Your Health : Midwest Institute for Non-Surgical Therapy: Vascular and Interventional Radiologists (no date). Available at: https://www.mintstl.com/blog/the-dos-and-donts-of-managing-fibroids-taking-control-of-your-health (Accessed: 29 November 2023).

A young adult who's been struggling with epilepsy wakes up after a seizure and is completely paralyzed on their left side. What does this mean? What happens next? And how can we best serve our clients who live with epilepsy? Join host Ruth Werner for those questions and more on this episode of “I Have a Client Who . . .”   Sponsors:     Books of Discovery: www.booksofdiscovery.com     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.                                      Recent Articles by Ruth:          “Working with Invisible Pain,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, November/December 2022, page 36, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1481961-november-december-2022/38 “Unpacking the Long Haul,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, January/February 2022, page 35, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1439667-january-february-2022/36. “Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Massage Therapy,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, September/October 2021, page 33, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1402696-september-october-2021/34.           “Pharmacology Basics for Massage Therapists,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, July/August 2021, page 32, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1384577-july-august-2021/34.           Resources:    Pocket Pathology: https://www.abmp.com/abmp-pocket-pathology-app   Ep 113 – Seizures and Action Plans: “I Have a Client Who . . .” Pathology Conversations with Ruth Werner (2021) Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals. Available at: https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-113-seizures-and-action-plans-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner (Accessed: 12 November 2023).   Todd's Paralysis (no date) Epilepsy Foundation. Available at: https://www.epilepsy.com/connect/forum-archive/living-epilepsy-adults/todds-paralysis (Accessed: 12 November 2023).   Todd's Paralysis | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (no date). Available at: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/todds-paralysis (Accessed: 12 November 2023).   ‘Todd's paresis' (2023) Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Todd%27s_paresis&oldid=1170991936 (Accessed: 12 November 2023).  

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, offering unique perspectives on the intersection of manual therapy, anatomical specificity, and the human experience. (This conversation was the run-up to Ruth and Til's "Chronic Symptoms" interview at ABMP, which was featured in Thinking Practitioner Ep. 100) 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 Resources: Walt Fritz's site Ruth Werner's site Sponsor Offers: Books of Discovery: save 15% by entering "thinking" at checkout at 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/. 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.)    

Tucked away during rainy season in a tropical paradise, a mosquito-borne virus runs rampant. What does Dengue fever mean for massage—how does it spread, what does it do, how is it treated and what are the risks? Listen in to learn. Then get the bug spray.   Sponsors:     Books of Discovery: www.booksofdiscovery.com     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.                                      Recent Articles by Ruth:          “Working with Invisible Pain,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, November/December 2022, page 36, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1481961-november-december-2022/38   “Unpacking the Long Haul,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, January/February 2022, page 35, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1439667-january-february-2022/36. “Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Massage Therapy,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, September/October 2021, page 33, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1402696-september-october-2021/34.           “Pharmacology Basics for Massage Therapists,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, July/August 2021, page 32, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1384577-july-august-2021/34.           Resources:    Pocket Pathology: https://www.abmp.com/abmp-pocket-pathology-app   CDC (2023) Dengue Clinical Presentation | CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/healthcare-providers/clinical-presentation.html (Accessed: 29 October 2023).   Dengue and severe dengue (no date b). Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue (Accessed: 29 October 2023).   ‘Dengue: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology' (2023a). Available at: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/215840-overview#a3 (Accessed: 29 October 2023).   ‘Etymologia: dengue' (2006) Emerging Infectious Diseases, 12(6), p. 893. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1206.ET1206.   Saeed, O. and Asif, A. (2020) ‘Chapter 2 - Dengue virus disease; the origins', in A.I. Qureshi and O. Saeed (eds) Dengue Virus Disease. Academic Press, pp. 9–16. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818270-3.00002-3.    

A client with a 3-week-old pacemaker wants a relaxation massage. Her Facebook group of other pacemaker users encourages her to do it, but her massage therapist is hesitant. When exactly is it safe for this person to get on a massage table? Spoiler alert: No one knows for sure, but we can make some pretty confident choices, and we go over those choices on this episode of “I Have a Client Who . . .”   Sponsors:     Books of Discovery: www.booksofdiscovery.com       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.                                      Recent Articles by Ruth:          “Working with Invisible Pain,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, November/December 2022, page 36, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1481961-november-december-2022/38   “Unpacking the Long Haul,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, January/February 2022, page 35, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1439667-january-february-2022/36. “Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Massage Therapy,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, September/October 2021, page 33, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1402696-september-october-2021/34.           “Pharmacology Basics for Massage Therapists,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, July/August 2021, page 32, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1384577-july-august-2021/34.           Resources:    Pocket Pathology: https://www.abmp.com/abmp-pocket-pathology-app   Clients with Medical Implants (no date). Available at: https://www.abmp.com/textonlymags/article.php?article=790 (Accessed: 18 October 2023).   Digby, G.C. et al. (2009) ‘Physiotherapy and cardiac rhythm devices: a review of the current scope of practice', Europace: European Pacing, Arrhythmias, and Cardiac Electrophysiology: Journal of the Working Groups on Cardiac Pacing, Arrhythmias, and Cardiac Cellular Electrophysiology of the European Society of Cardiology, 11(7), pp. 850–859. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eup102.   Pacemaker (for the Heart): Surgery, Types & What It Is (no date) Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17360-permanent-pacemaker (Accessed: 18 October 2023).   Pacemaker Insertion (2021). Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/pacemaker-insertion (Accessed: 18 October 2023).   Pacemakers - Who Needs Them | NHLBI, NIH (2022). Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/pacemakers/who-needs (Accessed: 18 October 2023).   Q&A: Novel Therapy Holds Promise for Hypertension Treatment in Patients With Pacemakers (2023) AJMC. Available at: https://www.ajmc.com/view/q-a-novel-therapy-holds-promise-for-hypertension-treatment-in-patients-with-pacemakers (Accessed: 18 October 2023).   Sabin, G. and Schuster, P. (1982) ‘[Long-term observation of arterial blood pressure after pacemaker implantation (author's transl)]', Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift (1946), 107(15), pp. 575–578. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2008-1069979.      

Here is a situation where healthcare for illness and self-care for wellness intersected in an unexpected way for me. I started with one point of view, and came around to another one—or at least a new curiosity – by the time I was finished. Where will you land on the issue of IV infusions?   Sponsors:     Books of Discovery: www.booksofdiscovery.com       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.                                      Recent Articles by Ruth:          “Working with Invisible Pain,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, November/December 2022, page 36, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1481961-november-december-2022/38   “Unpacking the Long Haul,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, January/February 2022, page 35, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1439667-january-february-2022/36. “Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Massage Therapy,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, September/October 2021, page 33, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1402696-september-october-2021/34.           “Pharmacology Basics for Massage Therapists,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, July/August 2021, page 32, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1384577-july-august-2021/34.           Resources:    Pocket Pathology: https://www.abmp.com/abmp-pocket-pathology-app   IHACW Episode 288, Iron Infusions: https://ruthwerner.com/ep-288-iron-infusions/   IHACW Episode 317: Hemochromatosis: https://ruthwerner.com/ep-317-hemochromatosis/   Chelation for Coronary Heart Disease: What You Need To Know (no date) NCCIH. Available at: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/chelation-for-coronary-heart-disease-what-you-need-to-know (Accessed: 4 October 2023).   Chelation therapy: Can it treat heart disease? (no date) Mayo Clinic. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/expert-answers/chelation-therapy/faq-20157449 (Accessed: 4 October 2023).   Chelation Therapy: EDTA and Other Chemicals, Benefits, Side Effects (2018) Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/chelation-therapy (Accessed: 4 October 2023).   Chelation Therapy: Purpose, Procedure, and Side-Effects (no date). Available at: https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-is-chelation-therapy (Accessed: 3 October 2023).   Food with EDTA, What Is EDTA in Food - Foods that Contain EDTA (no date). Available at: https://www.irochelating.com/news/foods-that-contain-edta.html (Accessed: 4 October 2023).   IV therapy: Uses, benefits, risks, and more (2022). Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/iv-therapy (Accessed: 3 October 2023).   Kingson, J.A. (2021) Massage, facial, pedicure... intravenous drip?, Axios. Available at: https://www.axios.com/2021/12/01/intravenous-drip-therapy-nutrition-vitamin (Accessed: 4 October 2023).    

An elderly client has severe back and hip pain as she recovers from her second bout with COVID. Her doctor gave her a steroid shot, but her MT wonders if the pain is a post-viral form of myalgia. Join us in this episode of “I Have a Client Who . . .” as we look at some research about post-COVID musculoskeletal pain and the many mechanisms involved (and host Ruth Werner throws a short tantrum about a narrowly focused study that misses some important factors). Sponsors:     Books of Discovery: www.booksofdiscovery.com     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.                                      Recent Articles by Ruth:          “Working with Invisible Pain,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, November/December 2022, page 36, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1481961-november-december-2022/38   “Unpacking the Long Haul,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, January/February 2022, page 35, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1439667-january-february-2022/36. “Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Massage Therapy,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, September/October 2021, page 33, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1402696-september-october-2021/34.           “Pharmacology Basics for Massage Therapists,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, July/August 2021, page 32, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1384577-july-august-2021/34.           Resources:    Pocket Pathology: https://www.abmp.com/abmp-pocket-pathology-app   Alnamlah, O.S. and Almarwani, M.M. (2023) ‘Musculoskeletal pain post-COVID-19 in patients undergoing physical therapy in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study', BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 24, p. 507. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-023-06647-9.   Cevei, M. et al. (2022) ‘Rehabilitation of Post-COVID-19 Musculoskeletal Sequelae in Geriatric Patients: A Case Series Study', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(22), p. 15350. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215350.   Khoja, O. et al. (2022) ‘Clinical Characteristics and Mechanisms of Musculoskeletal Pain in Long COVID', Journal of Pain Research, 15, pp. 1729–1748. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S365026.   Tiwari, V. and Bergman, M.J. (2023) ‘Viral Arthritis', in StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK531507/ (Accessed: 18 September 2023).     My articles on COVID and massage:   Massage & Bodywork - JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2022 (no date). Available at: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1439667-january-february-2022/36? (Accessed: 20 September 2023).   Massage & Bodywork - SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2020 (no date). Available at: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1276187-september-october-2020/46? (Accessed: 20 September 2023).    

A contributor writes, “I said no to massage to a patient after fresh dialysis. When would it be OK to work on this person?” Seems like a simple question. But it's not. We know a fair amount about kidney disease and about dialysis. And here's a surprise: The interface between massage therapy and people using dialysis has sparked a lot of conversation in research and medical circles. What are people saying—and learning—about massage therapy for dialysis users? Better listen to this episode of I Have a Client Who . . .   Sponsors:     Books of Discovery: www.booksofdiscovery.com       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.                                      Recent Articles by Ruth:          “Working with Invisible Pain,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, November/December 2022, page 36, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1481961-november-december-2022/38   “Unpacking the Long Haul,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, January/February 2022, page 35, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1439667-january-february-2022/36. “Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Massage Therapy,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, September/October 2021, page 33, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1402696-september-october-2021/34.           “Pharmacology Basics for Massage Therapists,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, July/August 2021, page 32, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1384577-july-august-2021/34.           Resources:    Pocket Pathology: https://www.abmp.com/abmp-pocket-pathology-app   Çeçen, S. and Lafcı, D. (2021) ‘The effect of hand and foot massage on fatigue in hemodialysis patients: A randomized controlled trial', Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 43, p. 101344. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101344.   Dialysis: Types, How It Works, Procedure & Side Effects (no date). Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/14618-dialysis (Accessed: 6 September 2023).   Diane Mastnardo, B.S. et al. (2016) ‘Intradialytic Massage for Leg Cramps Among Hemodialysis Patients: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial', International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork: Research, Education, & Practice, 9(2), pp. 3–8. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3822/ijtmb.v9i2.305.   Habibzadeh, H. et al. (2020) ‘Effects of Foot Massage on Severity of Fatigue and Quality of Life in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial', International Journal of Community Based Nursing and Midwifery, 8(2), pp. 92–102. Available at: https://doi.org/10.30476/IJCBNM.2020.81662.0.   Hemodialysis - NIDDK (no date) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/kidney-failure/hemodialysis (Accessed: 6 September 2023).   I have a person who is on dialysis 3 times per week requesting massage therapy. We are taught that it is contraindicated in school. Is it safe for a person receiving dialysis to receive massage? (2014) National Kidney Foundation. Available at: https://www.kidney.org/blog/ask-doctor/i-have-person-who-dialysis-3-times-week-requesting-massage-therapy-we-are-taught-it (Accessed: 6 September 2023).   Kidney disease and massage - Ask Our Experts / Dr. John Agar, Nephrologist (2012a) Home Dialysis Central. Available at: https://forums.homedialysis.org/t/kidney-disease-and-massage/2745 (Accessed: 6 September 2023).   Kidney disease and massage - Ask Our Experts / Dr. John Agar, Nephrologist (2012b) Home Dialysis Central. Available at: https://forums.homedialysis.org/t/kidney-disease-and-massage/2745 (Accessed: 6 September 2023).   Kidney Disease Statistics for the United States - NIDDK (no date) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/kidney-disease (Accessed: 6 September 2023).   Lai, M.-Y. et al. (2006) ‘Fever with acute renal failure due to body massage-induced rhabdomyolysis', Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, 21(1), pp. 233–234. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/ndt/gfi158.   Lazarus, E.R. et al. (2020) ‘The effects of an olive-oil massage on hemodialysis patients suffering from fatigue at a hemodialysis unit in southern India - a randomized controlled trial', Journal of Complementary & Integrative Medicine, 18(2), pp. 397–403. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2019-0338.

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 Discovery: save 15% by entering "thinking" at checkout at 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/. 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.)

A client has an undiagnosed situation with the skin over their glute, and to the massage therapist it looks suspiciously like ringworm. What is ringworm? How do we get rid of it? And what is the risk to the massage therapist in this situation? Listen to this episode of I Have a Client Who… as Ruth Werner talks about one of her favorite topics: ringworm (RW).   Sponsors:     Books of Discovery: www.booksofdiscovery.com     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.                                      Recent Articles by Ruth:          “Working with Invisible Pain,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, November/December 2022, page 36, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1481961-november-december-2022/38   “Unpacking the Long Haul,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, January/February 2022, page 35, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1439667-january-february-2022/36. “Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Massage Therapy,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, September/October 2021, page 33, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1402696-september-october-2021/34.           “Pharmacology Basics for Massage Therapists,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, July/August 2021, page 32, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1384577-july-august-2021/34.           Resources:    Pocket Pathology: https://www.abmp.com/abmp-pocket-pathology-app   Mycoses Abounding (no date). Available at: https://www.abmp.com/textonlymags/article.php?article=2068 (Accessed: 23 August 2023).  

Ruth Werner has been dealing with a chronic cough for decades. She is now working with Til Luchau to determine what can be done. In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Ruth and Til discuss the process of dealing with this mysterious chronic cough and how massage may be able to help. 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.      Til Luchau is the author of Advanced Myofascial Techniques (Handspring Publishing), a Certified Advanced Rolfer, and a member of the AdvancedTrainings.com faculty, which offers online learning and in-person seminars throughout the United States and abroad. He and Whitney Lowe cohost the ABMP sponsored Thinking Practitioner podcast. He invites questions or comments via info@advanced-trainings. com and Advanced-Trainings' Facebook page.   Hosts:   Darren Buford is senior director of communications and editor-in-chief for ABMP. He is editor of Massage & Bodywork magazine and has worked for ABMP for 22 years, and been involved in journalism at the association, trade, and consumer levels for 24 years. He has served as board member and president of the Western Publishing Association, as well as board member for Association Media & Publishing. Contact him at editor@abmp.com. Kristin Coverly, LMT is a massage therapist, educator, and the director of professional education at ABMP. She loves creating continuing education courses, events, and resources to support massage therapists and bodyworkers as they enhance their lives and practices. Contact her at ce@abmp.com.     Sponsors:     Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com        Touch America: www.touchamerica.com       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: info@anatomytrains.com             Facebook: facebook.com/AnatomyTrains                       Instagram: www.instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA     TouchAmerica is a leading manufacturer of professional grade wellness furniture, bodywork tables, halotherapy suites, hydrotherapy equipment, sound bathing loungers, and other related products. At TouchAmerica, we believe in a future where good health and vitality are common in all aspects of living. Promoting the positive power of conscious touch is at the core of our vision. We hope our products help add a touch of functional elegance to your massage & spa work environment. ABMP members receive 20% off all standard products. Discounts do not apply to salt or special-order SKUs. Visit https://www.touchamerica.com/ or Call 800 67 TOUCH and use code touchABMP*. Reach out today and feel the TouchAmerica difference! ference!

A client reports having Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS)—a version of shingles that affects the facial nerve. Her massage therapist can't find any useful information to help guide their decisions. But they were able to establish that it isn't contagious, so they pulled on their gloves and got to work. Listen to this episode of I Have a Client Who . . . with host Ruth Werner to find out what happened, and why you might be seeing more about massage and RHS soon.   Sponsors:     Books of Discovery: www.booksofdiscovery.com     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.                    Recent Articles by Ruth:          “Working with Invisible Pain,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, November/December 2022, page 36, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1481961-november-december-2022/38   “Unpacking the Long Haul,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, January/February 2022, page 35, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1439667-january-february-2022/36. “Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Massage Therapy,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, September/October 2021, page 33, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1402696-september-october-2021/34.           “Pharmacology Basics for Massage Therapists,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, July/August 2021, page 32, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1384577-july-august-2021/34.         Resources:    Pocket Pathology: https://www.abmp.com/abmp-pocket-pathology-app   Crouch, A.E. et al. (2023) ‘Ramsay Hunt Syndrome', in StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557409/ (Accessed: 18 July 2023).   Facial Synkinesis | Otolaryngology | Loyola Medicine (no date). Available at: https://www.loyolamedicine.org/find-a-condition-or-service/otolaryngology-ent/otolaryngology-conditions/facial-synkinesis (Accessed: 18 July 2023).   https://www.facebook.com/verywell (no date) The Geniculate Ganglion: Taste, Tears, and Facial Expression, Verywell Health. Available at: https://www.verywellhealth.com/geniculate-ganglion-4802365 (Accessed: 18 July 2023).   Massage Therapy Foundation Case Report Hub: https://massagetherapyfoundation.org/education/case-report-hub/  

A potential client—we don't know how old, or how healthy—has sickle cell disease (SCD). There's very limited information about safe massage therapy in this context. What's an MT to do? One option is to reach out to an expert and hope you'll get a quick but thorough response—if you get one at all. Another option is to check your bookshelf: you might be pleasantly surprised. (And if you don't own a pathology book, maybe it's time to remedy that situation—see some options listed below.) SCD is a complicated and serious condition with lots of decision points for massage therapy: What are the complications, how is the person treating it, and what is their risk for infection? Listen on for a short primer on faulty hemoglobin, collapsing red blood cells, and implications for bodywork.   Sponsors:       Books of Discovery: www.booksofdiscovery.com       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.                                      Recent Articles by Ruth:          “Working with Invisible Pain,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, November/December 2022, page 36, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1481961-november-december-2022/38   “Unpacking the Long Haul,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, January/February 2022, page 35, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1439667-january-february-2022/36. “Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Massage Therapy,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, September/October 2021, page 33, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1402696-september-october-2021/34.           “Pharmacology Basics for Massage Therapists,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, July/August 2021, page 32, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1384577-july-august-2021/34.           Resources:    Pocket Pathology: https://www.abmp.com/abmp-pocket-pathology-app   Textbooks:   Cowen, V. Pathophysiology for Massage Therapists p. 183-184   Salvo, S. Mosby's Pathology for Massage Therapists p. 231-232   Walton, T. Medical Conditions and Massage Therapy p. 236-237   Werner, R. A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology p. 278-279    

Are you a manual therapist with joint mobility issues? Then this episode of “I Have a Client Who . . .” is for you. And if you have a client with joint mobility issues, you'll want to tune in too. My colleague Natalie Pendergrass recently reached out to me to share her experiences with being diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). EDS is a genetic disorder involving the formation of abnormal collagen. It occurs in 13 different identified subtypes, starting with hypermobility of joints and covering a wide spectrum of variations in connective tissue problems. Natalie shares what it's like to receive massage as a person with EDS, but also the special challenges of being a massage provider with EDS. She developed practices that allow her to do demanding work while protecting her joints. Natalie also recently started some contact points for people with EDS so MTs can get more of this important information. Check them out:   https://www.instagram.com/eds_biker_therapist/   https://www.facebook.com/sacredspiritbodyworks   Sponsors:       Books of Discovery: www.booksofdiscovery.com       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.                                      Recent Articles by Ruth:          “Working with Invisible Pain,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, November/December 2022, page 36, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1481961-november-december-2022/38   “Unpacking the Long Haul,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, January/February 2022, page 35, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1439667-january-february-2022/36. “Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Massage Therapy,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, September/October 2021, page 33, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1402696-september-october-2021/34.           “Pharmacology Basics for Massage Therapists,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, July/August 2021, page 32, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1384577-july-august-2021/34.           Resources:      Pocket Pathology: https://www.abmp.com/abmp-pocket-pathology-app      

I received a story in which body odor was a factor. I turned the question back to you . . . and got hundreds of responses! In this episode of “I Have a Client Who . . .” we discuss what kinds of body odor issues turn up in massage therapy settings, when it's appropriate to discuss it, and some strategies for how to make those conversations compassionate and supportive.   Sponsors:     Books of Discovery: www.booksofdiscovery.com     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.                                      Recent Articles by Ruth:          “Working with Invisible Pain,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, November/December 2022, page 36, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1481961-november-december-2022/38   “Unpacking the Long Haul,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, January/February 2022, page 35, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1439667-january-february-2022/36. “Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Massage Therapy,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, September/October 2021, page 33, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1402696-september-october-2021/34.           “Pharmacology Basics for Massage Therapists,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, July/August 2021, page 32, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1384577-july-august-2021/34.           Resources:    Pocket Pathology: https://www.abmp.com/abmp-pocket-pathology-app