Join us as we sit down with Richard Hawes, a Registered Massage Therapist who has had over 30 years of experience as an RMT and now works with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Richard's path is anything but ordinary—starting off as an aspiring soccer player, pivoting to a police officer in Hong Kong, and ultimately finding his passion in massage therapy in Vancouver. Richard opens up about his personal battle with cancer and how this life-altering experience reignited his passion for massage the...
Forrest and Monica, two therapists from the town of Nelson, BC, join me to discuss the manual therapies like osteopathy, massage, and acupuncture. They share their journey from education to practice. With their stories, we have a look into the art of listening and communicating, and how these skills contribute to effective patient care.Our discussion explores the evidence and anecdotes behind manual therapies, as we consider the challenges of marrying traditional techniques with m...
We welcome Anna Maria Mazzieri, a soft tissue therapist and educator from the UK. We share our stories and insights that hope to reshape the landscape of manual therapy. Together, we dismantle the problems of outdated therapeutic models so we can build a new framework where evidence-based practice is the core of clinical success. Anna Maria's expertise, cultivated at the Soft Tissue School in the UK, offers a refreshing perspective on the significance of integrating communication, reassurance...
Meet Dave Cordoviz, a new Registered Massage Therapist, in Vancouver, BC. Dave discusses the invaluable lessons he'd learn while juggling work at multiple clinics while working at his family's Filipino restaurant. This episode shares insights from Dave's journey towards establishing a successful RMT practice.Navigating the labyrinth of healthcare education can be complex. We dissect the heart of massage therapy education itself—contrasting the atmosphere of RMT school settings with that of un...
Ever wondered if everything you've heard about scar tissue and massage therapy is consistent with the evidence? Prepare to have your beliefs challenged as we're joined by Susan Shipton RMT from Toronto, Ontario. In this episode we discuss the myths and realities of scar tissue management in massage therapy, particularly following surgery. We've all heard the tales of aggressive massage techniques "breaking down" scar tissue, but Susan and I, draw from some current research and our shared expe...
In this episode I have a great conversation with Ashley Brzezicki, an RMT and death doula, whose personal narrative and cultural insights bridge the gap between massage therapy and end-of-life care. Exploring this tender intersection, we shine a light on the human touch in healthcare—a touch that offers solace to those grappling with terminal illnesses and envelops their loved ones in the warm embrace of empathy and understanding. Ashley's tapestry of narratives threads through our conve...
In my conversation with Pam Fitch, a respected RMT and author, we explore the past and future of massage therapy to reveal its ethical and communicative core. Pam and I explore the delicate balance between physical relief and psychological comfort, and the potential held within our profession.We all carry our life stories, and it's through understanding this narrative that wellness begins. Pam and I share personal anecdotes that underscore the significance of recognizing each clie...
In this episode we welcome Nadine Hawryluk to discuss her academic and professional journey while exploring what the CMTBCs new standard of practice for evidence-based massage therapy could mean for the future of our profession, both in schools as well as in practice. As a recent master's graduate and an RMT from Courtenay, BC, Nadine brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the discussion. Nadine details her journey from body worker to registered massage therapist, unveiling the pivota...
Massage therapy in BC is changing with the recent announcement of a new practice standard for RMTs, evidence-based practice. With the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) charting a bold new direction, I discuss how the adoption of this new standard come January 2024 could transform the professional landscape for therapists. With an enhanced focus on patient-centered care and focusing on the use of relevant research evidence, this should allow for a staunch rejection of p...
It's been a great journey since the podcast's inception, and your support has catapulted us across 15 countries with a burgeoning community of listeners. This special New Year episode is a toast to you, as we reflect on the strides we've made and the ground we're set to break. Your voices are the backbone of this platform, so consider this your invitation to shape our future episodes with your insights and curiosity.This episode isn't just a retrospective glance; it's a discussion of the path...
In this episode we navigate the challenges and joys of working in an unregulated province with experienced massage therapists, Michelle Smith and Monty Churchman. From the ins and outs of insurance battles to the complexities of labor mobility, Michelle and Monty shed light on the lesser-known aspects of this profession and how it's shaped by the absence of regulation. They candidly share their personal experiences, including Monty's disappointment over the Olympics hurdle, adding a personal ...
The status quo in the world of musculoskeletal healthcare needs to change. Bridging the gap between outdated norms, current practice standards and evidence-based care is what Marcus Blumensaat is working hard to do. In this episode we welcome Marcus, a registered massage therapist and continuing education provider, who shares his journey as a clinician, family man and a CE instructor. Also, Marcus shares his peculiar interest in watches!Venturing beyond the traditional scope, we shed light on...
This is another episode on the new RMT experience with a deeper dive into healthcare entrepreneurship. I have a really interesting and enlightening chat with Carlos Grouchy, a Registered Massage Therapist who's working hard to make change in the wellness industry. Carlos has a unique, fun and evidence-based approach to massage therapy and wellness and he isn't afraid to question the status quo.In our discussion, we address some of the unhelpful topics in the massage therapy field, as well as ...
Today, we're thrilled to introduce you to Susan Dupuis, an RMT and educator from Manitoba. She's here to engage us in a poignant dialogue about cultural safety and reconciliation. Our conversation kicks off with a symbolic offering of tobacco, setting the stage for a respectful and open discussion. Get an insight into Susan's captivating presentation titled, "10 Things for RMTs to Learn about Reconciliation" and explore her background, and her educational journey.Listen closely as Susan revea...
Welcome Christian Lacsamana to Purves Versus and to the profession of massage therapy. Christian is a new RMT in Vancouver, BC. He was previously a kinesiologist who decided he wanted to pursue a career in massage therapy so he could offer additional benefits to his clients rather than just exercise and movement.Our conversation focuses on his experiences in school and what his first year of practice has been like. Christian shares what he enjoyed and what he felt could be improved upon in th...
This is the second episode in my series on new RMTs. Today we have Courtney, who is an RMT in Halifax, Nova Scotia. We had a great conversation about the need to adapt RMT entry to practice curriculum to make it consistent with current evidence and how the industry and more importantly the public would benefit from a shift in thinking from fixing people to providing more meaningful support and management. At the time of this recording she was just finishing her studies in RMT school. Cou...
This is the first of my series on new RMTs. This episode features Tempo Sabatier. They are a new RMT in Vancouver, BC who practices at https://papercranemassagetherapy.com/. We have a really engaging discussion on their expectations prior to entering massage therapy school and how this differed from the reality of their experience. Tempo shares their thoughts on what would have made the education better; adding more time for critical thinking, philosophy and ethics. We also have an impor...
This is a rare solo episode. No guest interviews, just me sharing my thoughts about the current state of our continuing education industry, and how I am trying to make a difference through my Course Creator's Mastermind group.The best way I know to make meaningful change in the profession and to deliver better quality care to the public is through our industry's continuing education requirements.In 2022 I launched the first intake for my Course Creator's group with the goal of creating a supp...
In this episode Walt tells us about his clinical and educational experiences and how he made the transition from being heavily invested as an MFR focused therapist into being an evidence-based clinician.We discuss the importance of finding an acceptable balance in our understanding, our communication and how we teach continuing education. Our treatment interventions aren’t always just about one tissue or a special technique, they are more complex than that and the outcomes people experience a...
In this episode I welcome Whitney Lowe who is a massage therapist from Sisters Oregon. He has been a leader in high quality massage therapy education in the US for almost 30 years. In this episode we focus on the importance of providing effective massage therapy education at both the entry to practice level as well as for experienced clinicians through continuing education.We both are realistic with the difficulties of providing evidence-based education that differs from the mainstream modali...