In this reflective episode of The ABMP Podcast, Doug Nelson shares a powerful moment sparked by a client’s compliment and dives deep into the mystery of intuitive touch. Doug explores the concept of unconscious competence and why it's crucial to bring these instincts into conscious awareness, especially for those teaching or leading in the field.

Host:

Douglas Nelson is Board Certified in Massage Therapy and Therapeutic Bodywork, beginning his career in massage therapy in 1977. Seeing over 1,200 client visits annually for decades, he is also the owner of BodyWork Associates, a massage therapy clinic in Champaign, IL. with 21 therapists that was established in 1982.

He is the founder of NMT MidWest, Inc., providing training in Precision Neuromuscular Therapy™ across the USA. He has personally taught more than 13,000 hours of continuing education and is the author of three books. Doug is a past president of the Massage Therapy Foundation.

Sponsors:

Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com 

American Massage Conference: www.massagetherapymedia/conferences

Earthlite: www.earthlite.com

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: www.instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial

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

American Massage Conference

Get ready to immerse yourself in the excitement as the American Massage Conference (AMC) arrives to Disney Springs near Orlando, Florida (May 16^th-18^th, 2025)! With a legacy of 17 successful years in Ontario, Canada, this premier event, proudly hosted by ONE Concept Conferences and expertly produced by Massage Therapy Media (MTM), boasts a lineup of presenters from across the nation and around the globe.

The American Massage Conference began in Atlanta in 2011 and has been hosted through the years in San Diego, Chicago, and Virginia Beach.

The conference provides educational opportunities with engaging one-, two-, three- and four-hour class formats, networking opportunities, masterminds, MTM Talks, demonstrations, and an extensive exhibitor tradeshow.  

Mark your calendars for an unforgettable experience filled with education, networking, and the celebration of massage therapy excellence! ABMP members receive a special discount to attend this in-person conference—log in to your ABMP account to access the discount code and register today.

Website: https://www.massagetherapymedia.com/conferences

Earthlite

Unlock an exclusive 20 percent discount on all Earthlite products, from portable tables and chairs to professional sheets and oils. Visit earthlite.com, create an account, and enter your ABMP member ID during registration. Plus, enjoy free ground shipping on orders over $75 and a flat rate of $395 for stationary or electric lift tables. (Prices subject to change at any time.) Significant savings on everything you need to enhance your practice. We are proud to assist you as the “World’s No. 1 Brand in Massage!”

Sign-up page:

https://www.earthlite.com/customer/account/login/referer/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZWFydGhsaXRlLmNvbS8~/

Ep 502 – Articulation: Turning Unconscious Skill into Teachable Practice with Doug Nelson

The ABMP Podcast | Speaking With the Massage & Bodywork Profession

Ep 502 – Articulation: Turning Unconscious Skill into Teachable Practice with Doug Nelson