Summer 2025
Technique
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The Importance of the Metatarsophalangeal Joint of the Big Toe
The metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe is often overlooked with regard to proper and improper function. That said, it is important to consider as part of the possible kinematics of a client's condition.
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Common Dance Injuries and How Massage Therapy Can Support Recovery
Due to immense physical demands, dancers commonly experience a variety of ankle and foot injuries. Massage can be used to provide physical and mental benefits during recovery.
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Treating Nerve Injuries with Massage, Part 2
Massage therapy can play a significant role in treating nerve pain. But learning those various types of pain is key to understanding how massage can help.
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What the Stretch?
Exercise and stretching might be what the doctor ordered, but pandiculation could be a combo to help clients go a little further, and with your assistance.
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Embracing Mystery
Because you amass a wealth of knowledge in your profession does not mean you'll have answers to questions ready at hand. It does mean, however, all that knowledge can teach you to keep your mind open for more.
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How to Turn Ticklish Feet into Happy Feet
Instead of avoiding ticklish feet, there are ways to collaborate with clients so a full-body message is exactly that—a full-body massage.
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Approaching the Feet of Elderly Clients
Being prepared with compassion, a little learning, and talking points for conversation with your elderly client is all it takes to help ease concerns regarding massage for the feet.
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What Side Are You On?
By Nathan FaySidelying not only offers technical benefits, like allowing therapists to easily mobilize joints, access lateral areas of the body, and perform movement-based approaches, but it can also be safer for some clients.
Critical Thinking and Essentials
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The Wandering Womb? Not Quite
Explore the signs, symptoms, and conditions associated with endometriosis, get familiar with treatment options, and consider how massage therapy can help.
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Self-Defense for Massage Therapists
Self-defense skills can help MTs feel safer and more confident in the treatment room.
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Non-Sleep Deep Rest
Non-sleep deep rest encompasses mindful practices like yoga nidra, meditation, breathwork, and guided imagery.
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Web Exclusive: ABMP Celebrates Massage Is for EveryBody Week
Join Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP) in celebrating Massage Is for EveryBody Week, July 20-26, 2025.
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The Sciatic Nerve
Ongoing research suggests the sciatic nerve's healthy functioning depends on its fascial connections.
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Undertreatment Is Its Own Harm
Simply going through the motions with a client rather than providing what they really need and deserve isn't fair to them and isn't effective.
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3 Business Retention Strategies to Boost Your Income
Instead of fretting about finding new clients, focus on the ones you already have.
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Future-Proof Your Feet
Walking, moving, curling, rolling, and stretching parts of the feet can not only help with flexibility and stability, but it can also help ensure better future foot health.
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How to Build a Local Professional Support Group
Support groups can not only help you personally, they can also help you grow professionally.
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How to Get the Best Client Referrals—for Free
Word of mouth is one of the most powerful forms of marketing on the planet. Knowing how to make referrals happen consistently—without feeling weird about it—is the key.
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Personal Questions
Avoid asking personal questions that aren't relevant to the work you're doing, and avoid answering invasive questions about your personal life by turning the focus back to the client.
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Solo Practitioner Exemption: What Is It?
Practicing as a solo massage therapist is very different from practicing in a larger business or franchise and should warrant certain exemptions.
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Faces of Bodywork: Debbie Pennington
Debbie Pennington is an LMT who owns her own practice in West Virginia. Learn about her background and work in our Faces of Bodywork column.