The Thinking Practitioner

Brian Glotzbach has been working with high-performance athletes and professional teams for three decades. Whitney talks with Brian about the unique facets of working as a massage therapist in this environment. Things we cover include: How to get started and make connections Speaking the language of the athletic staff What is unique about working with these athletes What will make you successful in this environment. ...much more 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: Connect with Brian: bwglotz@gmail.com 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.)

Til Luchau and Whitney Lowe welcome back special guest Dr. Stuart McGill, a distinguished professor emeritus at the University of Waterloo and one of the world's leading experts in back pain and spine health. They discuss: • Common misconceptions about back pain  • Stiffness and mobility in back pain, and the role of bodywork  • Inflammatory factors in back pain • Traction and movement techniques to mechanically "vacuum" extruded nucleus and alleviate disc bulges • The McKenzie prone press-up exercise, and its potential effects on disc bulges and facet joints, • and more.  Overall, this episode sheds light on the complexities of back pain and offers valuable insights for manual therapists and bodywork practitioners. Watch the video and get the full transcript at Til or Whitney's sites:  Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.com  Whitney Lowe’s Academy of Clinical Massage Resources: Dr. McGill's previous Thinking Practitioner conversation: Episode 69: Back Pain, Stiffness & Fascia Dr. McGill's site: Backfit Pro Dr McGill’s patient models and teaching aids: Dynamic Disc Designs  Til Luchau's upcoming Boulder Colorado, Puerto Rico, and Camino de Santiago events 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.)

Sue Hitzmann and Aaron Alexander are curious about other people. So how do these two well-known interviewers exercise their curiosity and their "openness muscles?" And, how do they know when their openness is going too far? Listen in as we discuss what makes us feel each good, connecting our personal journeys to our professional work, and much more.  Watch the video and get the full transcript at Til or Whitney's sites:  Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.com  Whitney Lowe’s Academy of Clinical Massage Resources: Sue Hitzmann’s Costa Rican retreat    Sue’s website MELT Method Free trial of Aaron Alexander's Align Method online program Aaron's Instagram Aaron's Youtube Til's Boulder CO, Puerto Rico, and Camino de Santiago events 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.)

If we don’t learn, we’re doomed to the same results over and over. But sometimes, we get in the way of our own learning. Can we learn to be better learners? Til takes Whitney on an illustrated tour of some of his favorite obstacles to learning, and gets his help applying these to our work as hands-on practitioners.  Get the slideshow-handout, watch the video, and get the full transcript at Til or Whitney's sites:  Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.com  Whitney Lowe’s Academy of Clinical Massage Resources: Handout (self-assessment and key slides) Ken Robinson TED Talk 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.)

Til interviews Alicia Grayson, an expert practitioner and teacher of Contact Improvisation dance, about that form’s significance as an embodiment and movement practice. They explore its connection to other forms of movement and therapy, share their personal journeys, and discuss the similarities and differences between Contact Improv and hands-on bodywork, comparing methods and therapeutic goals. They also delve into topics such as the role of gravity, the benefits of touch sensitivity and human connection, as well as highlighting the joy and exploration involved in play. Check out the video (which includes visual examples of Contact Improv) or get the full transcript of their conversation at Til or Whitney's sites:  Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.com  Whitney Lowe’s Academy of Clinical Massage Resources: Alicia’s website and course schedule: aliciagrayson.com Contact Improvisation resources, worldwide: ciglobalcalendar.net Alicia and Til’s collaborative workshop: https://bit.ly/AMTContactImprovisation  Film credits (used in video version, by kind permission): "In An Old Fascian Way" directed and edited by Sasha Dodo camera: Samuel Iwassaki, Veronica Olariu dancers: Sasha Dodo and Dolores Dewhurst Marks https://towards.contact https://youtu.be/X1GPjqxbi-o Sponsor Offers: Books of Discovery: save 15% by entering "thinking" at checkout on booksofdiscovery.com. ABMP: save $24 on new membership at abmp.com/thinking.  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.)

Whitney talks with education specialist Patti Shank on what the current research tells us about the most effective methods of learning. In Episode 17 Til and Whitney talked about how massage and manual therapists chart their own path of learning, so here we talk to an education expert to help us figure out more about what makes a good learning experience. Things we cover include: Common myths around learning, such as "learning styles" What makes a good video lesson? What is best done online vs. in the classroom? How important is feedback in the learning process? Is text better than video or vice versa? ...much more 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: Follow Patti on Twitter: @pattishank website: pattishank.com Sponsor Offers: Books of Discovery: save 15% by entering "thinking" at checkout on booksofdiscovery.com. ABMP: save $24 on new membership at abmp.com/thinking.  Handspring Publishing: save 20% by entering “TTP” at checkout at handspringpublishing.com.  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 good question is said to be the first half of knowing, and can make the difference between understanding each other, or operating on our own assumptions. Til Luchau and Whitney Lowe compare notes on some of their favorite questions to ask clients, mentors, and themselves, as well as principles that will help practitioners craft their own good questions.  Resources mentioned: "Favorite question" Facebook post  Check out the video, show notes, and full transcript on Til or Whitney's sites:  Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.com  Whitney Lowe’s Academy of Clinical Massage Sponsor Offers: Books of Discovery: save 15% by entering "thinking" at checkout on booksofdiscovery.com. ABMP: save $24 on new membership at abmp.com/thinking.  Handspring Publishing: save 20% by entering “TTP” at checkout at handspringpublishing.com.  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.)

Employers are having a hard time finding therapists to hire. Like workers everywhere, massage and manual therapists' relationship to employment is different than it was a few years ago. Til and Whitney talk with independent clinic and spa owners Drew Freedman and Diane Matkowski about the trials, tribulations, and triumphs involved in this changing landscape, in a conversation that solo practitioners, employed therapists, and employers will all find stimulating and informative.  Check out the video, and full transcript on Til or Whitney's sites:  Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.com  Whitney Lowe’s Academy of Clinical Massage Resources: Drew Freedman's http://bostonbodyworker.com Diane Matkowski's  http://www.freedommassage.com Til's Facebook post mentioned in the episode Sponsor Offers: The Back Jam: 1 body part, 17 amazing teachers, 4 days. Live in May or by recording Books of Discovery: save 15% by entering "thinking" at checkout on booksofdiscovery.com. ABMP: save $24 on new membership at abmp.com/thinking.  Handspring Publishing: save 20% by entering “TTP” at checkout at handspringpublishing.com.  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.)

Back pain is incredibly common, and it can be incredibly puzzling. Whitney and Til discuss their respective views on causes, types, and effective manual therapy treatment strategies for turning down the volume on back pain. Check out the video, show notes, and full transcript on Til or Whitney's sites:  Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.com  Whitney Lowe’s Academy of Clinical Massage Sponsor Offers: The Back Jam: 1 body part, 17 amazing teachers, 4 days. Live in May or by recording.  Books of Discovery: save 15% by entering "thinking" at checkout on booksofdiscovery.com. ABMP: save $24 on new membership at abmp.com/thinking.  Handspring Publishing: save 20% by entering “TTP” at checkout at handspringpublishing.com.  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.)

What's the reality of combining learning with travel? Whitney talks with Til about his recent  educational retreat in Thailand, his teaching trip to Taiwan, and his upcoming professional continuing education retreats in Puerto Rico, on the Camino de Santiago in Spain, and around the USA.  Check out the video, and full transcript on Til or Whitney's sites:  Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.com  Whitney Lowe’s Academy of Clinical Massage Resources: Til's schedule of upcoming retreats and events Whitney's schedule of upcoming classes  Sponsor Offers: The Back Jam: 1 body part, 17 amazing teachers, 4 days. Live in May or by recording.  Books of Discovery: save 15% by entering "thinking" at checkout on booksofdiscovery.com. ABMP: save $24 on new membership at abmp.com/thinking.  Handspring Publishing: save 20% by entering “TTP” at checkout at handspringpublishing.com.  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.)