Join us for a riveting journey through the landscape of trauma and healing, where Bethany Ranes Ph.D. and I navigate the mind's labyrinth following traumatic experiences. As a cognitive neuroscience research scientist with notable tenures at United Health Group and the US Army, Ranes lends her profound insights into the ways trauma shapes our physiological and psychological wellbeing. From the subtleties of microaggressions to the roar of chronic pain, our dialogue offers a fresh perspective...

Have you ever considered the profound impact that trauma has on the body and the mind, and how manual therapists can provide a beacon of hope for those struggling in its aftermath? We're honored to have Brian Trzaskos join us to shed light on the transformative power of trauma-informed care within manual therapy. Our discussion transcends the traditional view of trauma by focusing on the body’s nervous system and its response to both catastrophic and minor stressors, which can accumulate and...

In this episode I have the wonderful fortune of interviewing Hillary Allen, an endurance athlete and former client of mine. We talk about her experience surviving a near-fatal 150-foot fall while trail running. We discuss her road to recovery both physically and mentally, insights gained about being a process-driven versus performance-driven athlete, the value of community support, using writing and storytelling as therapy, and principles of resilience that helped her not only get back to...

In this podcast we explore Mark and Amanda's origin stories and how they got into massage therapy. Did Mark fall into massage therapy after a drunken dare, was Amanda really convinced into it. Listen to find out.  We also explore the evolution of massage therapy and education, public perception and acceptance of massage therapy, the future of massage therapy and what keeps them motivated and inspired! Support the show

In this episode of the Sensory Approach to Manual Therap Jon Zahourek and I discuss pain, evolution, belonging and learning.  Jon Z. has an incredible mind that floats from topic to topic with ease but is always profoundly intersting and captivating to listen to. Support the show

In this latest podcast with Michael Hamm, from Integrative Bodywork we dive once more into the conversation of 'Defining Massage Therapy'.  I always love speaking with Michael. His heart felt communication and  genuine love and passion for language make him an amazing guest. His insight into the converging/diverging nature of science was an absolute bullseye in our talk.  I hope that podcast blooms like a flower in the back of your heart.  Support the show

In this episode with Doug Nelson we get a little person in exploring his passion and discovery of massage therapy. We explore some of the difficulties of research within the massage therapy community and try to understand what it is that makes massage special.  I hope you enjoy listening. Doug has been a very influential therapist, researcher and educator in the massage community for a long time and even if you don't know it, you have likely heard some of his wisdom passed on to you through...

In this podcast with ABK, we delve into the idea of defining massage therapy and if that is something our industry is struggling with or needs.  Ann Blair Kennedy has been a long time member of many influential massage organizations. You may not have known her before this podcast but if you are a massage therapist you have likely been influenced or impact day some of her research in our industry. She is a warm, open hearted human with a thirst for understanding and knowledge that has made her...

Amanda Rocheleau is a recovering over achiever people pleaser. She has created a wonderful community of support and sharing for those experiencing burnout and compassion fatigue.  I have known Amanda since our mid-teens and what she is doing with her work at https://www.amandarocheleau.com/ is some of the most important work I have come across in my 20 years of practice massage. If you have not had a chance to listen to her, take it now.  Support the show

In this episode I speak with Benny Vaughn about what it's like to be in the industry for over 45 years now, how he has dealt with burn-out and what he does to stay motivated! Benny opens up and speaks about some of his past mental health struggles, how he has over come them, and what it's like being an interracially married African American man living in Texas. I am so grateful to Benny for his candour and willingness to share and be vulnerable with me and with us.  Support the show

In this hour long interview with Rebecca she opens up about her fatigue levels during this past mountain bike season as well as her feels during the Tokyo games. We discuss how she maintains her mental and physical health as well as what role purpose has for her in her pursuit to be on top of the mountain bike world.  This was a wonderful interview and I love speaking with Bec. She has been a wonderful person and influence in my live for the past 10 years and I am thankful she joined me for...

This is a discussion that Dr. Giulia Poerio and Troy Lavigne have around what ASMR is and how it is effected by touch and massage therapy. We discuss the idea of integrating ASMR techniques into massage therapy treatments and if it would be effective. Enjoy. The awesome as well as the awful: Heightened sensory sensitivity predicts the presence and intensity of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) (Link at the bottom of the page) Support the show

Self-organization is a rule that is incredibly valuable to therapists as it relates to hands-on care and  has significant benefits when addressed with exercise behaviour. Self-organizing collagen can become a patients best friend or worst enemy. When assessing injury repair, be it acute, sub-acute, chronic or rehabilitative, continuing to address the self-organizing cellular structures in the body becomes a vital aspect of care.  Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/troylavigne)

In this episode we go over the conversation that Dr. Giulia Poerio and I had about massage therapy and ASMR. I had to opportunity to discuss the potential relationship between ASMR and tactical stimulus as it relates to massage therapy. ASMR is a growing field of study and there are many possibilities for manual therapists to begin exploring touch and ASMR. I am excited to hear peoples feedback about this concept and any inspirations you get from it! Support the show...

In this podcast we discuss the inflammation and repair process from acute to chronic pain. We also look at the tissue resilience in each phase and how manual therapy should be adjusted to reflect the tissue strength. I hope you all enjoy. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/troylavigne)

Posture equals pain! Or does it? The idea that posture is one of the major driving forces behind chronic pain is very popular and trendy. It is an idea that the majority of practitioners still place a large degree of importance on. In this podcast we look into some of the research that is questioning this idea and its importance to chronic pain.  Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/troylavigne)

Learning to be pain free from chronic pain.

Updates on the Pain Gate Theory and long term potentiation.

Fascia is a complex, evolving and often times frustrating tissue. How do massage therapists reconcile the struggle between the information available and the treatments being offered?

Can the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems be effected by therapeutic touch?

Chronic pain and our understanding of it is often outdated and poorly understood

Is the skin important to massage therapists?