This episode of the Treatment Room Secrets Podcast features a captivating conversation with David Lobenstine LMT, a renowned massage therapist and educator based in Burlington, Vermont. Host and David bridge the geographical distance to dive deep into the nuances of a sustainable and impactful career in massage therapy.David introduces his new continuing education course, "Give a Great Massage Again," addressing the core challenge faced by many therapists: maintaining passion and physical well-being in a profession defined by repetition. He candidly shares how easy it is for therapists to mentally check out during sessions, even after years of practice, leading to diminished quality of work and ultimately, burnout. This "good enough" approach, while sometimes undetected by clients, takes a heavy toll on the therapist, both physically and mentally, often shortening careers prematurely.00:01 Introduction to David Lobenstine02:19 Challenges in Massage Therapy08:55 Understanding Burnout in the Profession12:51 The Need for Structural Change in Massage Therapy14:21 Reflections on the Evolution of Massage Therapy18:17 Advice for Aspiring Massage Therapists20:49 The Importance of Communication in Massage Therapy24:18 Integrating Breath Work into Practice25:50 Understanding the Mechanics of Breathing31:13 The Impact of Breath on the Nervous System37:45 Client Engagement and Self-Awareness in Massage41:31 The Importance of Client Engagement43:41 Observations on Client Transformations49:18 The Power of Breath Work56:49 Philosophical Insights from Therapy59:52 Shifting Perspectives on Change1:02:47 Balancing Self-Care and Care for Others1:04:44 Sharing Knowledge and Resources1:06:47 Valuable Insights for Massage Therapists

Full episodes are available on all podcast platforms. https://nielasher.com/podcast

For more information about NAT online courses, please visit https://nielasher.com/

Dr. Carl Rothschild is the founder, researcher, and owner of Trifecta Light™ Technologies, Inc., the industry leader in the LED Infrared/Red Light therapeutic heating light lamp modality. Beginning in 1979, Carl Rothschild, DC applied his deep desire to help his patients find their path to health in his successful chiropractic practice. A true lover of learning, ‘Dr. Carl’ continually researched many healing therapies and initially landed on LED. He developed numerous LED products for various companies. Further research led him to find ways to harness the power that lies in LED Infrared/Red Light.

Dr. Carl recounts the “aha” moment that pulled him out of traditional practice and into decades of bench research, then breaks down the newest hardware breakthroughs, the three distinct infrared wavelengths (and why they matter), and the cellular cascade that lets light jump-start tissue healing, fat metabolism, and skin regeneration. We explore how the pandemic accelerated at-home adoption, hear case studies ranging from post-surgical recovery to mental-health support, and tackle the economics: why preventive, light-based care could slash long-term costs for patients and healthcare systems alike.

00:00 Introduction05:43 Discovery of Red Light Therapy 10:04 Advancements in Red Light Therapy11:48 Impact of COVID-19 on Therapy Practices15:45 Mainstream Healthcare and Red Light Therapy 17:37 Red Light Accessibility 28:07 Understanding Infrared Light Types33:12 Benefits of Red Light Therapy38:42 The Healing Mechanism of Red Light Therapy44:42 Real Life Case Studies49:44 Mental Health Care53:09 The Cost-Effectiveness of Preventative Healthcare 54:40 Skin Conditions 57:10 The Economics of Healthcare1:01:32 Resources for Red Light Therapy 1:03:38 Conclusion Full episodes are available on all podcast platforms. https://nielasher.com/podcastFor more information about NAT online courses, please visit https://nielasher.com/

Dr. Mark Olson, Ph.D., LMT is that rare bridge between the treatment table and the neuroscience lab. With an M.A. in Education and a Ph.D. in Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience from the University of Illinois, he has spent two decades studying how memory, attention, eye movements—and even our sense of beauty—are wired into the brain. Outside the lab, Mark is an aquatic therapist, a certified NARM® practitioner, and a licensed massage therapist who translates cutting-edge research into hands-on, trauma-informed care. His recent publications on chronic pain and nervous-system regulation have become go-to resources for clinicians, and the multidisciplinary courses he teaches attract helping professionals—and curious laypeople—who want the “why” behind the “how” of healing.

In this episode, Dr. Mark Olson reframes massage therapy through a modern neuroscience lens, moving beyond the old “muscle-knot” narrative to explain pain as a brain-generated protective signal that can be recalibrated through skillful touch, sensory-rich inputs, and trauma-informed communication. We unpack how stress heightens nociception, why “deep-tissue” requests are often a search for safer sensory data—not brute force—and how breath work, tempo, and therapist presence modulate the autonomic loop. Mark also explores posture as “stored story,” the psychological impact of chronic pain, and practical ways manual therapists can employ theory-of-mind skills, graded exposure, and narrative reframing to help clients rewrite their pain experience and foster true healing.

00:00 Introduction

02:15 The Psychology Behind Massage

10:36 Debunking Massage Therapy Myths

15:37 Rethinking Pain and Its Relationship to Tissue

18:15 Communicating the True Nature of Massage Therapy

20:39 Exploring the Connection Between Stress and Pain

26:08 Engaging with the Nervous System

30:19 The Power of Sensory Activation in Therapy

34:01 Navigating Pain Requests in Therapy

38:37 The Complexity of Pain Perception

42:38 The Importance of Pain as a Signal

44:34 The Psychological Impact of Chronic Pain

47:51 The Role of Massage Therapy in Healing

49:52 Understanding Emotional Responses in Massage Therapy

51:54 Posture as a Psychological Expression

54:54 Trauma and Its Impact 1:00:55 Changing Perspectives

1:07:09 Exploring Chronic Pain and Its Causes

1:09:43 Expanding the Role of Massage Therapy

1:11:32 Theory of Mind

Full episodes are available on all podcast platforms and on https://nielasher.com/podcast

For more information about NAT online courses, please visit https://nielasher.com/