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What if the biggest gains in manual therapy come from changing how we dose touch, not how hard we press? That question sits at the heart of this conversation with educator and former elite high jumper Jenny Mapes, who brings a coach’s eye to sports massage and recovery. We dig into her Quadrant of Intentional Treatment—a simple, visual framework that maps care across superficial to deep and global to specific—so you can choose inputs the nervous system is ready to accept and turn short sessions into lasting change.

Together we unpack why “deep” is about more than force; it’s also about time, attention, and sensory load. Jenny explains how superficial, global inputs can downshift tone and open access, and when to pivot toward specific work without tipping a client into threat. We explore keeping clients clothed and moving on the table, coupling touch with motion, and using tools like cups and tape to amplify proprioception rather than overwhelm it. You’ll hear practical examples—from cautious anterior neck work to rib-cage breath lifts with gliding cups—that show intention beats any tool.

We also talk shop on confidence with athletes, why weekend warriors deserve the same game-day respect as pros, and how to build a network across PTs, ATs, acupuncturists, and osteos without getting stuck in turf wars. The throughline is clear: outcomes improve when touch is information, movement is integrated, and clients feel safe enough to adapt in real time. If you’re ready to move beyond scripts and treat the nervous system first, this one will sharpen your eyes and your hands.

Subscribe for more sensory-forward conversations, share this with a colleague who loves blending movement and manual therapy, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway—what quadrant will you start in next session?

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