Ruth Werner

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Rianne Chavez

Practical Pathology: Real Questions, Real Answers Full Series

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10 TOPICS. 10 OPPORTUNITIES TO THINK MORE DEEPLY ABOUT PATHOLOGY.

2027 PRACTICAL PATHOLOGY SERIES

JANUARY 21
Revving Up or Slowing Down: Thyroid Disease & Massage Therapy
Explore hyper- and hypothyroidism, common treatments, signs and symptoms, and clinical considerations for massage therapists.

FEBRUARY 18
Be Heart Smart: Heart Attacks & Massage Therapy
Understand heart attacks, risk factors, treatment, recovery, and important considerations for massage therapy.

MARCH 18
Calm Within Chaos: Multiple Sclerosis & Massage Therapy
Understand MS, its symptoms and treatments, and how to apply clinical reasoning when working with clients.

APRIL 15
Movers and Shakers: Parkinson’s Disease & Massage Therapy
Explore Parkinson’s disease, common symptoms and treatments, and practical considerations for massage therapy.

MAY 20
No Bones About It: Osteoporosis & Massage Therapy
Learn about osteoporosis, fracture risk, treatment options, and how to make informed massage therapy decisions.

JUNE 17
Head Games: Massage Therapy & Headaches
Explore common types of headaches and migraines, contributing factors, treatment options, and massage therapy considerations.

AUGUST 19
Back to ABCs: Hepatitis & Massage Therapy
Understand hepatitis A, B, and C, including transmission, treatment, and what massage therapists need to know.

SEPTEMBER 16
The Pain Puzzle: Chronic Pain & Massage Therapy
Explore pain science and practical ways to apply critical thinking when working with clients experiencing chronic pain.

OCTOBER 21
Power Surges & Emotional Tsunamis: Menopause & Massage Therapy
Learn about perimenopause and menopause, common symptoms, management options, and massage therapy considerations.

NOVEMBER 18
Sweet Success: Diabetes & Massage Therapy
Understand diabetes, its complications and treatments, and how to make informed decisions about massage therapy

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Pathology doesn’t always come neatly packaged in a textbook.

Your clients bring real health histories, complicated questions, unexpected symptoms, medications, diagnoses, and situations that require you to think beyond a checklist.

Practical Pathology: Real Questions, Real Answers gives you the opportunity to explore those questions directly with Ruth Werner in a small-group, interactive learning environment.

Across 10 live 90-minute webinars, you’ll explore conditions and health topics that massage therapists encounter in real-world practice—and learn how to apply pathology knowledge to clinical decision-making.

This Isn’t Just a Lecture.

Each session begins with a focused presentation from Ruth Werner covering the essential pathology, signs and symptoms, treatment approaches, and considerations for massage therapy.

Then the conversation opens up.

Bring your questions. Bring your challenging cases. Bring the things you’ve always wondered about.

Ruth incorporates participant questions into the presentation, creating an interactive experience where your questions can become part of the learning for the entire group.

With 20 participants per session, you’ll have meaningful opportunities to participate, ask questions, and learn from the experiences and perspectives of other massage therapists.

Participants will be able to…

  • Identify and describe the definition, demographics, pathophysiology, signs and symptoms and common treatment options for each of the conditions under discussion
  • Discern the variables that inform clinical decision-making for massage therapy for each of the conditions under discussion
  • Describe risks and benefits of massage therapy for each of the conditions under discussion

Enroll Now in 2:30pm PT Cohort
Enroll Now in 5:00pm PT Cohort

Ep 594 – Deeper than the Skin: “I Have a Client Who . . .” Pathology Conversations with Ruth Werner

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An unusual tattoo triggers a strong reaction in a massage therapist, leaving the practitioner unsure whether they can work with the client again. What is a specific phobia, and how can it affect our work? And what happens when the reaction isn’t tied to a traditional phobia but to other triggering symbols?

Ethics meets pathology in this edition of IHACW.

Full show notes and resources available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-594-deeper-skin-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner

Ep 586 – Interview with Dr. Armpit, Part 2: “I Have a Client Who . . .” Pathology Conversations with Ruth Werner

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In Part 2 of this conversation, Dr. Callewaert shares what he learned while visiting the Yanomami people of Brazil, including surprising observations about body odor and skin cancer. We also explore his work developing products to rebalance the armpit microbiome, the science of foot odor, and the potential benefits of walking barefoot in the grass.

The big takeaway: Body odor is a problem that can often be addressed, but the stigma surrounding it can make conversations difficult. Massage therapists may be uniquely positioned to help destigmatize the topic and start those conversations.

Full show notes and resources available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-586-interview-dr-armpit-part-2-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner

Ep 580 – Interview with Dr. Armpit, Part 1: “I Have a Client Who . . .” Pathology Conversations with Ruth Werner

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Ruth interviews Dr. Chris Callewaert, also known as Dr. Armpit, about his research into the microbiomes that contribute to body odor (BO). Although his work focuses on the skin of the armpits, his findings also apply to foot odor and even bad breath.

In Part 1, we meet Dr. Callewaert and learn what led him to this career—spoiler alert: it involved a sleepover. We discuss the differences between “good” and “bad” body odor, how BO is classified, why it is a concern, and how it can affect a person’s quality of life. We also explore the skin-gut axis and how processes in the digestive tract influence the composition of our sweat and, in the case of SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), even the color of the tongue.

Full show notes and resources available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-580-interview-dr-armpit-part-1-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner

Ep 577 – Transdermal Transference: “I Have a Client Who . ..” Pathology Conversations with Ruth Werner

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A massage therapist notices that more clients are reporting their use of topical hormone medications. Somehow, this never came up in massage school. Is the massage therapist at risk for being dosed? It’s possible, but it’s nuanced. Listen for more information!

Full show notes and resources available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-577-transdermal-transference-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner

Ep 571 – Functional Neurological Syndrome: “I Have a Client Who . . .” Pathology Conversations with Ruth Werner

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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, Ruth explores Sarah’s journey, the realities of FND, and the role massage therapy may play in supporting those navigating complex neurological challenges. 

Full show notes and resources available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-571-functional-neurological-syndrome-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner