The Rub: a podcast about massage therapy

Healwell
  • 4.8 (11)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Join Healwell in examining and bringing context to the world of massage therapy beyond the table. We have ideas. We have opinions. We want change, and that will only come with an understanding of who and what massage therapy truly is. A variety of topics are up for grabs: history, philosophy, development, and all the other shiny things that fascinate us.Healwell is a non-profit based out of the Washington DC area.  Check us out at www.healwell.org 

  1. JUL 24

    Midsummer News Rubdown

    Send us a text The massage therapy landscape is shifting with regulatory changes and developments across states, including the Interstate Massage Compact passing in five states and ongoing advancements in state licensing requirements. Recent months have seen significant changes including Vermont's increased registration fees, Idaho's elimination of continuing education requirements, and new regulations addressing human trafficking in multiple states. • Interstate Massage Compact has passed in five states, with two more needed for implementation • Vermont raised application and renewal fees for massage registration • Idaho eliminated continuing education requirements while extending renewal cycles to two years • Oregon increased massage therapy fees by 35% for budget rebalancing • Utah now requires massage establishment registration starting October 1st • Arkansas added massage businesses to those required to display human trafficking hotline information • AMTA highlighted new research supporting massage for anxiety and depression • Upcoming events include AMTA National Convention and Black Massage Therapist Conference • International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork June edition features various research studies ABMP Scholarship Sweepstakes Healwell Substack: More Than Hands Support the show Send us an email: podcast@healwell.org Leave us a voice message: 703-468-1799 Check out our interview-style podcast: Interdisciplinary You can support Healwell and the cool things we make by donating here! Ways join in: Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to our Substack: "More Than Hands" Check Healwell’s live and online classes Continue the conversation with a free 3-day trial of the Healwell Community Find a copy of Rebecca Sturgeon's book: "Oncology Massage: An Integrative Approach to Cancer Care" Thank you to ABMP and AMTA for sponsoring us! Healwell is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based out of the Washington DC area. Check us out at www.healwell.org

    12 min

  2. JUN 5

    Getting Your Elbows Out: Why Licensing Matters to Massage Therapy

    Send us a text Regulation might sound like the least exciting topic in massage therapy, but it's actually the battleground where our professional identity and future are being decided. Massage therapy regulation is far more than bureaucratic red tape; it's a dynamic system that establishes professional standards, protects the public, and helps define who controls the massage profession's territory. We break down the complex regulatory landscape, explaining how licensing affects practice rights and why it matters to every therapist. If you found this episode helpful, consider donating to Healwell at healwell.org/donate. Even small donations make a big difference in helping us continue these important conversations about the massage therapy profession. Support the show Send us an email: podcast@healwell.org Leave us a voice message: 703-468-1799 Check out our interview-style podcast: Interdisciplinary You can support Healwell and the cool things we make by donating here! Ways join in: Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to our Substack: "More Than Hands" Check Healwell’s live and online classes Continue the conversation with a free 3-day trial of the Healwell Community Find a copy of Rebecca Sturgeon's book: "Oncology Massage: An Integrative Approach to Cancer Care" Thank you to ABMP and AMTA for sponsoring us! Healwell is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based out of the Washington DC area. Check us out at www.healwell.org

    21 min

  3. APR 22

    Rubdown News Alert: California State Licensing

    Send us a text Read our blog post for more in-depth information on why CAMTC should be sunsetted. California is one of only five states without massage therapy licensing, operating instead under a questionable "voluntary certification" system run by the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC). This system requires minimal education, no continuing education, and no examination, while creating barriers for therapist mobility and failing to protect the public. • CAMTC is a private, non-profit corporation that has been criticized for lack of transparency and accountability • The CEO of CAMTC earns over half a million dollars while the organization collects $8 million in fees • CAMTC has arbitrarily denied certificates to qualified students and operates without due process requirements • Professional organizations including AMTA and ABMP support sunsetting CAMTC • A hearing on April 29th could determine whether CAMTC will be dissolved Show notes: ----> ABMP Template for Writing a Letter to California Legislators ---- ABMP Statement on California Licensing AMTA Statement on California Licensing FSMTB Model Massage Therapy Practice Act Special thanks to Laura Allen for fact-checking this episode. Read her blogs about CAMTC here. CAMTC Sunset Hearing Background Report 2022 CAMTC 990 tax document 2023 CAMTC 990 tax document Support the show Send us an email: podcast@healwell.org Leave us a voice message: 703-468-1799 Check out our interview-style podcast: Interdisciplinary You can support Healwell and the cool things we make by donating here! Ways join in: Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to our Substack: "More Than Hands" Check Healwell’s live and online classes Continue the conversation with a free 3-day trial of the Healwell Community Find a copy of Rebecca Sturgeon's book: "Oncology Massage: An Integrative Approach to Cancer Care" Thank you to ABMP and AMTA for sponsoring us! Healwell is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based out of the Washington DC area. Check us out at www.healwell.org

    11 min

  4. MAR 8

    2025 Winter Rubdown

    Send us a text Healwell's Glossary of the Massage Therapy Profession New Healwell Class: Cultural Competency for Bodyworkers and Healthcare Providers Healwell News 1:24 State and National News 2:13 Association News 8:13 Events 10:58 Davonna Willis Interview Beneficial Ownership Checklist COMTA Likes Us! ABMP Events AMTA Call for Speakers MTF Grants IMTRC Registration ABMP News AMTA News Support the show Send us an email: podcast@healwell.org Leave us a voice message: 703-468-1799 Check out our interview-style podcast: Interdisciplinary You can support Healwell and the cool things we make by donating here! Ways join in: Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to our Substack: "More Than Hands" Check Healwell’s live and online classes Continue the conversation with a free 3-day trial of the Healwell Community Find a copy of Rebecca Sturgeon's book: "Oncology Massage: An Integrative Approach to Cancer Care" Thank you to ABMP and AMTA for sponsoring us! Healwell is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based out of the Washington DC area. Check us out at www.healwell.org

    14 min

  5. FEB 24

    A Profession-Wide Mental Health Crisis: Risk Factors

    Send us a text Suicide hotline: call or text 988 International Suicide Hotlines Register for the Community Processing Event on February 25th Corey Rivera and Cal Cates address the alarming suicide rates among massage therapists by exploring underlying risk factors, including perfectionism, isolation, and occupational stress. By recognizing these nuances, the conversation encourages community engagement and accountability to promote better mental health outcomes. • Discussing general risk factors for suicide  • Understanding perfectionism and its types  • Examining isolation within the massage therapy profession  • Highlighting the economic instability faced by massage therapists  • Analyzing the impact of ACEs on mental health  • Exploring job demand and control dynamics  • Reflecting on the effects of COVID-19 on the workforce  • Emphasizing the need for community and support in the profession Healwell Blog; Worst. Game. Ever. CDC Article: Suicide Rates by Industry and Occupation Healwell Class: Empowering Individuals to Navigate Crisis Integrated Motivational Volitional Model of Suicidal Behavior Support the show Send us an email: podcast@healwell.org Leave us a voice message: 703-468-1799 Check out our interview-style podcast: Interdisciplinary You can support Healwell and the cool things we make by donating here! Ways join in: Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to our Substack: "More Than Hands" Check Healwell’s live and online classes Continue the conversation with a free 3-day trial of the Healwell Community Find a copy of Rebecca Sturgeon's book: "Oncology Massage: An Integrative Approach to Cancer Care" Thank you to ABMP and AMTA for sponsoring us! Healwell is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based out of the Washington DC area. Check us out at www.healwell.org

    59 min

  6. JAN 29

    A Profession-Wide Mental Health Crisis: The Report

    Send us a text The episode discusses the hidden mental health crisis within the massage therapy profession, spotlighting alarming suicide rates and the pressing need for open dialogue and community support. By exploring the complexity of suicidal ideation and the current model we use to understand suicide, we aim to equip listeners with tools to recognize and address these critical issues. Suicide hotline: call or text 988 International Suicide Hotlines Register for the Community Processing Event on February 25th CDC Article: Suicide Rates by Industry and Occupation Healwell Class: Empowering Individuals to Navigate Crisis Integrated Motivational Volitional Model of Suicidal Behavior Entrapment Scale Boring Books for Bedtime Podcast PBS Documentary: Facing Suicide When It Is Darkest: Why People Die by Suicide and What We Can Do to Prevent It Support the show Send us an email: podcast@healwell.org Leave us a voice message: 703-468-1799 Check out our interview-style podcast: Interdisciplinary You can support Healwell and the cool things we make by donating here! Ways join in: Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to our Substack: "More Than Hands" Check Healwell’s live and online classes Continue the conversation with a free 3-day trial of the Healwell Community Find a copy of Rebecca Sturgeon's book: "Oncology Massage: An Integrative Approach to Cancer Care" Thank you to ABMP and AMTA for sponsoring us! Healwell is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based out of the Washington DC area. Check us out at www.healwell.org

    26 min

  7. 12/28/2024

    Massage Robots

    Send us a text Corey Rivera and Cal Cates explore the existence of rubbing robots and how (unsurprisingly?) they prompt a critical examination of what defines massage therapy. This episode dives into what the robots can and cannot do, why they're happening now, and how you need a human to do massage therapy. Unreal Rubbing Robot Images Michael and Aubrey's Podcast Aescape Alex: Massage Robotics Phill the Nightstand 2023 ISPA U.S. Spa Industry Study 2024 ISPA U.S. Spa Industry Study Massage Cost Optimization Article Support the show Send us an email: podcast@healwell.org Leave us a voice message: 703-468-1799 Check out our interview-style podcast: Interdisciplinary You can support Healwell and the cool things we make by donating here! Ways join in: Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to our Substack: "More Than Hands" Check Healwell’s live and online classes Continue the conversation with a free 3-day trial of the Healwell Community Find a copy of Rebecca Sturgeon's book: "Oncology Massage: An Integrative Approach to Cancer Care" Thank you to ABMP and AMTA for sponsoring us! Healwell is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based out of the Washington DC area. Check us out at www.healwell.org

    48 min

  8. 12/21/2024

    Fall Rubdown

    Send us a text Topics: Healwell News 0:44State and National News 2:44Massage Envy Settlement  2:49Association News 7:20AMTA, MPPR, and Veteran's Affairs 9:58Upcoming Live and Online events 14:30Healwell's Glossary of the Massage Therapy Profession Opening to the Mystery with Cal Cates (21 CEUs for most healthcare) Department of Justice AMTA's Letter to Veteran's Affairs MTF Grants IMTRC Registration ABMP News AMTA News Support the show Send us an email: podcast@healwell.org Leave us a voice message: 703-468-1799 Check out our interview-style podcast: Interdisciplinary You can support Healwell and the cool things we make by donating here! Ways join in: Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to our Substack: "More Than Hands" Check Healwell’s live and online classes Continue the conversation with a free 3-day trial of the Healwell Community Find a copy of Rebecca Sturgeon's book: "Oncology Massage: An Integrative Approach to Cancer Care" Thank you to ABMP and AMTA for sponsoring us! Healwell is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based out of the Washington DC area. Check us out at www.healwell.org

    19 min
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4.8
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Join Healwell in examining and bringing context to the world of massage therapy beyond the table. We have ideas. We have opinions. We want change, and that will only come with an understanding of who and what massage therapy truly is. A variety of topics are up for grabs: history, philosophy, development, and all the other shiny things that fascinate us.Healwell is a non-profit based out of the Washington DC area.  Check us out at www.healwell.org 

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