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What happens when the clinical application doesn't match the research results? Musculoskeletal specialist Ben Cormack joins us to explore this critical question and offers his invaluable insights into the world of therapeutic presence in clinical practice. We promise you'll uncover the gap between statistical effectiveness in studies and the real-world outcomes in practice. Dive into the exploration of randomized control trials, the magic of natural recovery, and the often-overlooked contextual effects that shape patient outcomes. Plus, we discuss the fascinating phenomena of placebo effects—sometimes dismissed as mere ‘happy accidents’—and consider how to harness their potential to elevate patient care.

Our conversation takes a closer look at the powerful mechanisms activated through treatments such as exercise and manual therapy, and how these can mimic each other by engaging similar pathways in the brain. We rethink the traditional views on inhibition and examine how placebo effects, driven by context and belief, can be as active as any other treatment component. Insights from expert Luana Coloca highlight the surprising potential of placebos when properly understood and applied. We also emphasize the importance of transcending traditional patient interviews, advocating for meaningful clinical conversations that truly consider the lifestyle and goals of each client, all while employing the biopsychosocial model for holistic care.

Communication stands at the heart of effective therapy, and this episode sheds light on enhancing these skills to foster genuine connections and maintain essential boundaries. Through personal anecdotes and expert perspectives, we stress the significance of professional growth and self-preservation for balanced therapeutic practice. We explore the benefits and challenges of interdisciplinary approaches in medicine, weighing the roles of generalists versus specialists. Whether you're seeking to improve your clinical practice or just interested in thought-provoking discussions about enhancing therapeutic alliances, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice.

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What happens when a therapist loses their way? Dr. Jesse Reynolds, a respected practitioner in acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine, faced this very dilemma. After adopting the persona of "Dr. Jess" to meet external expectations, he found himself burnt out and questioning his path. Together, we navigate his inspiring journey back to authenticity and how redefining therapeutic presence can prevent the emotional toll of burnout.

Our conversation unfolds with a focus on the softer skills that truly define successful therapeutic practice. While many practitioners relentlessly pursue technical expertise, we share compelling insights from a survey of over 3000 professionals that highlight the underestimated power of empathy, self-awareness, and effective communication. We explore practical strategies for maintaining professional boundaries and personal well-being, offering actionable advice for therapists who are eager to cultivate a more meaningful connection with their clients.

Finally, we shine a light on the importance of embracing one's unique approach to therapy. By sharing personal stories and experiences, we underscore how authenticity and individuation not only prevent exhaustion but also attract clients who resonate with your genuine presence. Join us as we unravel the complexities and rewards of being true to oneself in the therapy room, and discover how a heartfelt approach can transform both the practitioner's and the client's experience.

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Can touch actually alleviate pain? Discover the groundbreaking insights from Pavel Goldstein, head of the Integrative Pain Laboratory at the University of Haifa's School of Public Health, as he unpacks the profound power of touch in pain management. Inspired by his personal experience during his wife's labor, Goldstein's research reveals how empathetic touch from partners can provide significant pain relief. Join us as we explore his compelling study with romantic couples, where simply holding hands demonstrated remarkable analgesic effects.

Touch is more than just a physical sensation; it's a powerful tool for communication. In this episode, we delve into a fascinating study on empathetic touch and its neurophysiological impacts. Learn why the initial research focused on female subjects in pain and their male partners, and how empathetic touch enhances brain synchronization and physiological harmony. We also touch on the broader implications for therapeutic practices, shining a light on how intentional touch can bridge emotional and physical gaps.

Finally, we navigate the complexities of chronic pain and its distinction from acute pain. Chronic pain, often misunderstood, requires innovative approaches like Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and rethinking the role of placebos in pain management. Hear compelling case studies that illustrate pain as an alarm system that sometimes misfires, and the evolutionary perspectives that frame pain as vital for survival. Pavel Goldstein's insights offer a fresh and hopeful perspective on understanding and managing pain, encouraging listeners to be attentive to their bodies and the messages pain conveys.

For more information on Pavel Goldstein and his work visit: iPainLab and to share your stories please go to PainStory.Science

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Unlock the potential of placebo effects in clinical care with insights from our special guest, Guillaume Leonard, a leading physiotherapist and researcher. This episode promises a deep dive into how integrating placebos, especially within manual therapy and pain management, can enhance treatment outcomes when combined with active components. Guillaume discusses the ethical conundrums and the balancing act of setting realistic expectations without fostering false hopes, all while navigating the intricate landscape of pain diagnosis and treatment.

Explore the critical distinction between diagnosis and prognosis through compelling real-world cases. Guillaume and I dissect the psychological ramifications of diagnoses like fibromyalgia, emphasizing careful communication to prevent nocebo effects. We also highlight the transformative power of effective patient education and the nuanced role of language in shaping patient perceptions and recovery trajectories.

Discover the comparative benefits of massage therapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for chronic low back pain, backed by evidence from a guideline study by the Ottawa panel. We tackle the challenges of translating research into practical clinical applications and underscore the importance of maintaining hope and positive conditioning. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in merging evidence-based medicine with patient-centered care to optimize pain relief and improve quality of life.

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Can a simple therapeutic interaction release powerful chemicals in your brain like endorphins and oxytocin? Discover how the relationship between a therapist and client can turn an ordinary manual therapy session into a powerful healing experience. Join us as we sit down with Luana Colloca, professor at the University of Maryland and director of the Placebo Beyond Opinion Center, to unravel the profound effects of placebos in manual therapy. Luana takes us through the myriad ways trust, warmth, and competence in the therapist-client relationship can significantly enhance therapeutic outcomes.

Ever wondered how your expectations can shape your recovery? We dive deep into the impact of patient expectations and expectancy on therapeutic success. Learn how managing expectations through honest dialogue and realistic goal-setting can prevent disappointment and bolster treatment efficacy. Luana shares compelling insights into the subconscious mechanisms of expectancy and how therapists can utilize cognitive-behavioral techniques to harness these for better patient outcomes. We also uncover fascinating studies on post-operative pain management, illustrating how patient awareness of treatment can dramatically influence its effectiveness.

In our exploration of subtle cues and future directions, we touch on everything from the influence of environmental factors in therapy to the revolutionary concept of open-label placebos. Luana recounts her journey from skepticism to belief in the placebo effect, inspired by groundbreaking research. Look ahead to the future of placebo therapy as we discuss reversing impaired inner pharmacy mechanisms and personalizing treatment plans. Whether you're a therapist or simply curious about the mind-body connection, this episode promises to expand your understanding of the powerful interplay between psychology and treatment outcomes.

Please download her free manual on Placebo Effects Through the Lens of Translational Research: https://academic.oup.com/book/54240

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Unlock the mysterious efficacy of placebos and their role in pain management as we host neuroscience professor and esteemed author Serge Marchand. Together, we unravel the power of patient-practitioner interactions, where empathy and positive reinforcement can significantly alter a patient's pain experience. Listen to how even the most seasoned professionals must navigate the fine line between science and empathy, and how this dance can redefine healing approaches across healthcare.

This episode isn't just about the sugar pill effect; it's an expedition into the heart of expectation and its profound impact on treatment success. Serge Marchand gifts us with insights from his latest research, sharing personal stories that illustrate the interplay between the psychological and physical realms of pain. We tackle the controversial pendulum swing in pain neuroeducation, revealing the importance of balancing biomechanics with psychological factors in pain perception. We also probe into the ethical conundrums that arise when deploying placebos, emphasizing the delicate balance required to maintain patient trust while maximizing treatment efficacy.

Wrap up your understanding of the placebo's role in therapy with a discussion on the brain-body nexus and its implications for manual therapy. We consider how even non-efficacious treatments can sometimes yield surprising benefits, and ponder the potential of emerging research techniques like hypnosis and transcranial stimulation. The episode culminates with a forward-looking anticipation of future discussions, promising to shed even more light on the enigmatic workings of the nervous system. Join us for a journey that is as much about the science of healing as it is about the healing power of belief.

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Join us for a riveting journey through the landscape of trauma and healing, where Bethany Ranes Ph.D. and I navigate the mind's labyrinth following traumatic experiences. As a cognitive neuroscience research scientist with notable tenures at United Health Group and the US Army, Ranes lends her profound insights into the ways trauma shapes our physiological and psychological wellbeing. From the subtleties of microaggressions to the roar of chronic pain, our dialogue offers a fresh perspective on how small-scale stressors accumulated over time can manifest into significant psychological hurdles.

This episode paints a vivid tableau of the body's response to trauma, elucidating how evolutionary mechanisms and sensory cues influence our reactions to stress. The discussion spotlights the transformative potential of therapeutic touch, dissecting the dance between trauma responses during massage therapy and the human immune system. Delving into the art of creating a safe space for clients, we discuss the critical importance of empowerment and control in fostering a healing environment. Dr. Ranes's expertise demystifies the complex interplay of the body's alarm systems, offering practical strategies for managing trauma responses with mindfulness and kinesthetic awareness.

Concluding with a teaser of her "Firing and Wiring" blog series, we explore the interface of neuroscience and daily life, promising insights into how to navigate the brain's intricate circuits to enhance our daily experiences. Whether it's the psychological barriers to pain management or the soothing cadence of ASMR principles in massage therapy, our conversation encapsulates a treasure trove of wisdom that promises to empower listeners in their own journeys toward understanding and overcoming trauma.

Find out more about Dr. Bethany Ranes here: https://interoceptlabs.com/

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Have you ever considered the profound impact that trauma has on the body and the mind, and how manual therapists can provide a beacon of hope for those struggling in its aftermath? We're honored to have Brian Trzaskos join us to shed light on the transformative power of trauma-informed care within manual therapy. Our discussion transcends the traditional view of trauma by focusing on the body’s nervous system and its response to both catastrophic and minor stressors, which can accumulate and deeply affect an individual's sense of self. Learn how therapists are redefining their approach to care, ensuring they not only soothe physical ailments but also support the journey towards emotional and psychological healing.

Embarking on conversations about trauma can be like navigating a minefield, but this episode is a must-listen for healthcare professionals seeking to bridge the gap between knowledge and empathy, providing the necessary tools to engage with patients about their trauma histories constructively. Our commitment to fostering empathetic dialogue is unwavering, as we strive to enhance patient care through understanding and open communication.

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In this episode I have the wonderful fortune of interviewing Hillary Allen, an endurance athlete and former client of mine. We talk about her experience surviving a near-fatal 150-foot fall while trail running. We discuss her road to recovery both physically and mentally, insights gained about being a process-driven versus performance-driven athlete, the value of community support, using writing and storytelling as therapy, and principles of resilience that helped her not only get back to elite competition but become an even stronger person.

Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay

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In this podcast we explore Mark and Amanda's origin stories and how they got into massage therapy. Did Mark fall into massage therapy after a drunken dare, was Amanda really convinced into it. Listen to find out. 

We also explore the evolution of massage therapy and education, public perception and acceptance of massage therapy, the future of massage therapy and what keeps them motivated and inspired!

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