Today’s episode is the Season 5 Finale. Thank you to everyone that continues to support the podcast. I am going to take some time off to recharge. Enjoy the holiday season with your family and friends. 

During today’s episode I discuss abdominal massage as a first line of defence for abdominal pain.

I talk about the relevant research and the most commonly suffered from abdominal symptom being constipation. This is a topic that isn’t discussed enough and very common in the general population. Many people do not know that manual therapy can serve as part of symptom management. Furthermore, while certain areas of manual therapy struggle to have research to measure outcomes, abdominal massage seems to be one with plenty of research published on the topic.  

We also discuss the importance of diagnosis and evaluation of abdominal pain, when abdominal massage should not be used, as well as common life style and behaviour modifications that are often suggested as a management tool to improve symptoms.

Have you used abdominal massage to manage symptoms of abdominal discomfort? Comment below. 

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*Episode Resources*

Gul Dogan I, Cursen C, Akbayrak T et al. Abdominal Massage in Functional Chronic Constipation: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. Phys Ther. 2022;102(7):pzac058. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzac058.

During this episode I learn more about Relative energy deficiency in sport and take you along for the ride.  

REDs is a condition relating to energy in vs energy out. It’s often talked about in the context of elite level sport, training and its potential negative health and performance effects on athletes and individuals. 

During this episode I talk about common topics being discussed surrounding REDs, clinical guidelines that are available to help practitioners better understand REDs, as well the topic of sport culture’s influence on athletes perception of body weight, body fat, body composition and weight management. 

*Episode Resources*

Mountjoy M et al. International Olympic Committee's (IOC) consensus statement on Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs). Br J Sports Med. 2023;57(17):1073-1097. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2023-106994

la Torre ME et al. The Potential Role of Nutrition in Overtraining Syndrome: A Narrative Review. Nutrients. 2023;15(23):4916. doi: 10.3390/nu15234916.

🎙Episode link in bio.👆EPISODE #166 ASK ME ANYTHING👆

During this episode I answer your questions.

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From career regrets, to whether or not, I actually use research in my practice, I answer the questions you ask.

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Thank you to everyone that helped create this episode.

During this episode I had the pleasure of chatting with Matt Banks.

Matt is Massage Therapist and coach practicing in Halifax, Nov Scotia in Canada.

Matt is a long time friend and colleague. My intent for this conversation turned out much different than I originally had planned. Much of our conversation centred around goal setting and trying to unpack what is mean to be well. 

Matt outlines some of things he finds important when tackling the topics of movement, pain, wellness and maybe most importantly goal setting. I’ve always valued goal setting but I think this conversation has made me see it in a new light, for many of the reason Matt outlines during this conversation. 

What does wellness mean to you? Comment below.

During this episode I had the pleasure of chatting with Robert Lee.

Robert is Massage Therapist and Osteopath practicing in Toronto, Ontario in Canada.

During this conversation we discuss Robert’s, over decade long career, in high performance athletics. Robert has travelled the world and has been an integral part of Canada’s core medical team in several major games, including the Paris Olympic Games. 

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Robert takes us through the evolution of his career, how he made the most of his opportunities, as well provides advice for those interested in working in high performance sport. I enjoyeded this conversation catching up with an old friend and hope do you as well. 

During this episode I discuss blood pressure. 

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High blood pressure is one of the leading cause of disease and death worldwide. Many of the symptoms of high blood pressure are transient and take time to catch. 

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During this episode I talk about what blood pressure, the methods used and common typea of finding.  I also discuss how I navigate blood pressure within my practice. 

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Do you take your blood pressure regularly? Comment below!

***Episode Resources***

Schutte AE, Kollias A & Stergiou GS. Blood pressure and its variability: classic and novel measurement techniques. Nat Rev Cardiol. 2022. 19(10):643-654. doi: 10.1038/s41569-022-00690-0. 

During this episode I discuss neck pain. Neck pain is a major cause for visits to both doctor’s and therapists.

Thought today’s episode outline both differences and similarities, in my approach to both managing traumatic and atraumatic neck pain.

I also take time to talk about the treatment methods and exercise plans I lean on most when trying to help people with neck pain. 

What have you found most helpful when trying to reduce neck pain? Comment below!

During this episode I had the pleasure of having a discussion with Jana Veltheim. 

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Jana is a Massage Therapist, multi-clinic owner & entrepreneur from Ottawa, Ontario in Canada. 

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During this episode we talk about Jana’s career in therapy and business.

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We dive into how Jana’s unique business model the career she has created for herself and others through licensing her Massage Therapy brand to aspiring clinic owners. 

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Jana provides insight into how to build a career and business that will allow you to thrive as a manual therapist, so listen up!

During this episode I had the pleasure of having a discussion with Ruth Werner. 

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Ruth is a Massage Therapy educator, podcast host and author of, “A Massage Therapist’s Guide to Pathology: Critical Thinking and Practical Application”, now in it’s seventh edition. 

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During this episode Ruth provides a great deal of information about how to navigate the world of manual therapy and pathology.

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Ruth provides tips on how to navigate uncertainty, how to communicate with physicians, how to modify treatments with confidence, as well as Ruth outlines the process of critical thinking in the context of a clinical visit. 

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There is so much value in this episode. I hope you enjoy it. 

During this episode I discuss cubital tunnel syndrome. Cubital tunnel syndrome is second most common nerve compression injury in the upper limb. 

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Cubital tunnel syndrome can create complications in cases where there is a lag between symptom onset and diagnosis. 

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Throughout the episode I outline clinical presentation, assessment tools I use, conservative and non-conservative treatments methods that are common, as well as how I approach these cases in the clinic. 

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What has helped you manage cubital tunnel syndrome? Comment below. 

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*Episode Resources*