In this episode, Nikki and Janet chat with licensed massage therapists and educators Richard Polishuk and Lauren Christman about the roles of bodywork and movement when helping people decrease pain and improve performance.

They cover:

• What makes good posture and how to integrate the idea of posture into movement where it becomes more fluid
• How our experiences in life can be reflected in how we move and feel or if we have pain
• How often you should get a massage or bodywork
• How to identify the difference between a muscular and a fascial restriction and how to address it through bodywork
• When going deeper isn’t always better and why no pain no gain won’t necessarily get you the best result or lasting change
• How to use assessments to maximize a bodywork session
• The difference between moving to notice how we feel and moving for the sake of performance
• When symmetry in the body isn’t necessarily for function
• A brief discussion of how to use self-care techniques (foam rolling, stretching, ect) to maintain that changes that you get in a massage and what structures you’re actually changing in your structure when you foam roll

Links Mentioned:

Lauren and Richard's website (craftedtouch.com)
Crafted Touch Facebook Page
Integrative Pain Management Book

About Lauren M. Christman, LMP, CBSI/KMI, CCST

After 21 years in practice, Lauren's work focuses on methods based on osteopathic principles, including structural integration, craniosacral, and visceral manipulation. Taken together, these methods aim to balance the alignment and mobility of the muscles, bones and organs, and create greater client awareness of health and well-being. Depending on the needs of each client, Lauren adapt the methods she uses to create lasting changes; her work is more oriented to problem-solving and client education than to on-going maintenance or relaxation massage.

Current Certifications/Professional Associations

• Licensed Massage Practitioner (LMP), Washington State, since 1994.
• KMI-Structural Integration, with Tom Myers, Kinesis, 2004.
• Certified Craniosacral Therapist, with Ursula Popp, Natural Health Resources Center, 2005.
• Certified Teacher of Kinesis, teaching short courses and within KMI certification program in the U.S. and Europe, 2005-2013.
• National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), certified continuing education providers, since 2005.
• International Association of Structural Integrators (IASI), member, 2003; continuing education provider, since 2009.
• American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), member since 1994.
• Certification Board of Structural Integrators (CBSI), certified practitioner, since 2009.

About Richard M. Polishuk, LMP, Aston-Patterner

Richard has been practicing since receiving his massage license in 1986. His initial interests were in orthopedic and structural work, and he pursued those interests in depth with Ben Benjamin, Joseph Heller, Paul St. John, Rich Phaigh and others. Working with Judith Aston and certifying in Aston-Patterning in the 90's was the icing on the cake. Richard has been teaching since the late 80's.

Current Certifications/Professional Associations

• • Licensed Massage Practitioner (LMP), Washington State, 1986.
  • Intraoral Endorsement, Washington State, 2007.
  • Aston-Patterning Practitioner, 1998.
  • National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), certified continuing education providers, 2005.
  • American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), member since 1986.

Previously certified in Hellerwork, Onsen/MET, Cyriax-style Injury Treatment/Ben Benjamin and Trager.