Podcast

A new massage therapist has a client who presents some special challenges: she has chronic pain, uses a lot of medications to manage it, wants deep work, and no matter what the MT does, seems to want more. The MT feels out of their depth and at a loss for how to help this client improve.

In this special episode, we talk about those feelings of inadequacy with our clients who seem to be especially demanding, and what we can do to help ourselves stay present and positively engaged.

Do you have advice for this therapist? I’d love to hear it. Contact me at ihaveaclientwho@abmp.com

Full show notes available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-278-imposter-syndrome-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner

A client is a bodybuilder. He tells his massage therapist that he has started using anabolic steroids to help him achieve his goals. What does this mean? Are there risks for massage—for the client? For the therapist? How much of this is really our business as MTs, and what does it mean in relation to other possible drug use among our clients?

It’s a sticky topic, with few solid answers, so let’s delve into it.

Full show notes available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-275-anabolic-steroids-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner

A client who is a nurse from the Philippines has a positive tuberculosis test. “It’s latent,” she claims. “Everyone in the Philippines tests positive for TB.” Could this be true? Is she infectious? Is it safe for her to receive massage? Tuberculosis, an infection with a long, deep impact on our history and culture, is not a disease of the past; it is very much all around us. Is this something we should be worried about? Listen on for more.

Full show notes available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-273-tuberculosis-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner

Til Luchau of Advanced Trainings joined me in real space, and we took advantage of that opportunity to record an I Have a Client Who story regarding a person (Til’s wife, in fact) who has chronic sciatic pain that has never fully resolved, despite receiving the finest manual therapy available.

We discuss what happens when all our best skills don’t get the results we hope for, and what it means to redefine goals for chronic pain conditions to improve levels of function and quality of life.

Full show notes available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-270-sciatic-pain-til-luchau-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner

Diane Matkowski, from Massage Mentor Institute, came for a visit, so we took the opportunity to do an in-person IHACW podcast. Diane describes a reluctant client who really didn’t want to be there. What’s more, the client had a condition that was a bit intimidating: frozen shoulder. But with patience, great touch and sensitivity, Diane resolved the situation, winning over a client who became an enthusiastic promoter of Diane’s business.

About Diane Matkowski and Massage Mentor Institute:

The Institute is a space for practicing massage therapists to learn different approaches and varying philosophies on what works for bodywork. Not only that, but you will also find business classes and mentoring to further guide you on your journey.

Full show notes available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-268-frozen-shoulder-diane-matkowski-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner

A client is sore and has joint pain in multiple locations. She is easily triggered into painful spasms. And . . . she has an unusual form of spina bifida.

What is spina bifida? What makes this person’s experience of it unique? And what opportunities are here for massage therapy to be helpful?

Full show notes available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-265-spina-bifida-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner