A client stiffens up when the therapist touches her upper leg, but doesn’t know why. The therapist responds with compassion and sensitivity, and creates some amazing possibilities.

In this very special episode Ruth sits down with Pamela Fitch, author of Talking Body, Listening Hands, an expert in the role of massage therapy for people with histories of touch-related trauma to unpack why this situation worked out well, and what kinds of skills we need to provide the best care for our clients. And it concludes with a special bonus: Pam’s own IHACW story.

Sponsors: 

Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com  

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:       

“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

Resources for Pam Fitch

https://www.pamelafitch-rmt.com/

Talking Body Listening Hands - 2nd Ed. available here:

Algonquin College Press

Hard copies and e-texts

https://www.bookstore.algonquincollege.com/Item?item=9781999027308

MT Canada 6 part Webinar Series: More Than Our Hands

https://www.massagetherapycanada.com/morethanourhands/

Massage Therapy for Clients with a History of Trauma: 6 part webinar series

Massage Therapy Association of Manitoba

https://mtam.mb.ca/78/spotlight-on-upcoming-courses

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: instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial     

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA

Ep 196 – Trauma-Informed Care—Interview with Pamela Fitch: “I Have a Client Who . . .” Pathology Conversations with Ruth Werner

The ABMP Podcast | Speaking With the Massage & Bodywork Profession