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Research Perch

Massage Therapy Foundation

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Research Perch is a podcast designed to help you learn how to use massage therapy research in your practice. Each episode digs into a specific article from the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and unpacks it so you know how it applies to you. Grow your massage therapy practice and serve your clients better with the power of research!
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Hey momma, are you exhausted from putting your daily aches and pins aside to care for everyone else? Do you struggle to make time for regular physical therapy, chiropractic or massage appointments for yourself? I’ve been there. Hi. I’m Amanda, a mom of three littles and a working physical therapist. I had my first baby during the last year of graduate school. I was new to motherhood and overwhelmed with my career journey. I remember being on the bed with my laptop while nursing a baby, juggl ...
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Motherhood is demanding, and our bodies feel it—especially our shoulders, neck, and back from nursing, carrying, or even hours at a computer. In this final episode of our National Breastfeeding Month series, I’m sharing a quick, practical stretch break you can do anytime, anywhere to ease tension and bring a little relief. This episode is designed …
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This week, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing something close to my heart—my own breastfeeding journey with each of my three kids. From the challenges to the unexpected lessons, every experience was different, and each one shaped the way I support other moms today. I want to normalize these conversations, because whether you nursed for three …
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In this special interview, I’m joined by my Feeding Foundations co-author and lactation consultant, Krista Cassel, to dive deep into the essentials every breastfeeding mom should know. Krista walks us through her HEART Method for latch success, breaking down each step in a way that’s simple, supportive, and actually doable in real life. We talk abo…
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Breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt—and it definitely shouldn’t leave you with sore shoulders, aching wrists, or a stiff back. In this Milk Minute bonus episode, we’re walking you step-by-step through our brand-new Feeding Foundations Guide, created to help you and your baby feed in total comfort—anytime, anywhere. We’ll teach you our WHERE Heart Meets RE…
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If you’ve ever rushed into a feed without thinking about your own body, you’re not alone—and you’re probably feeling it in your neck, shoulders, or back. What if there was a simple way to pause and set yourself up for less pain and more ease… in under a minute? In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the REST acronym—a simple tool you can use to prep…
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August 1 | Breastfeeding Month Kickoff: Milk Minute Replay Have you ever nodded off mid-feed, only to wake up with your neck locked, shoulders screaming, or your back completely shot? You’re not alone—and no, it doesn’t have to be that way. In honor of National Breastfeeding Month, we’re replaying one of your favorite episodes: how to create a nurs…
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We talk a lot about the patient. But what about the person sitting beside them? Whether you’re the spouse pulling an all-nighter in the labor and delivery room, a NICU mama warrior watching over your tiny fighter, or a parent supporting your child through tubes, tonsils, or chronic illness—your body is in it, too. Hospital furniture wasn’t built fo…
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Listen in to Research Perch as we speak with Dr. Niki Munk and Sami Zabel about the MassageNet Special Session and activity held at the 2025 International Massage Therapy Research Conference in Alexandria, VA. The session provided the opportunity for MassageNet Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN) member massage therapists to share their ideas ab…
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You’ve probably been told that core strength is everything for moms—but what if the real game-changers aren’t your abs? In this episode of Everyday Ergonomics for Working Moms, we’re talking about two of the most overlooked (yet essential) muscle groups moms need to train: your shoulders and your back. ➡️ If you’ve ever: Felt that tight, aching tra…
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Tired of chasing your kid around just to keep them regulated? In this episode, I’m sharing how a simple twist on Simon Says can help kids stay calm and connected—without burning you out. You’ll learn why movements like jumping, balancing, and going upside down support emotional regulation, and how to use them in a game that’s fun, effective, and ea…
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Grocery shopping shouldn’t leave you with an aching back, sore shoulders, or total burnout—and yet, for many moms, it absolutely does. Whether you’ve got a toddler in tow, a baby in a carrier, or big kids asking for every snack on the shelf, today’s episode is packed with simple, real-life strategies to make your grocery run easier on your body and…
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If you’ve ever been told “you carry your stress in your shoulders,” you’re not alone. The upper trapezius (aka the “upper trap”) is one of the most overworked muscles in motherhood — from carrying kids to working at a computer to hauling groceries, it’s doing way more than it’s meant to. In this episode, we break down: What the upper trap is really…
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Bottle feeding isn’t just about the baby — it’s about you, too. In this eye-opening episode, we flip the script on the usual bottle-feeding talk to focus on your physical comfort and long-term well-being. Whether you’re exclusively bottle feeding or just doing a few feeds a day, this episode is packed with ergonomic tips and body-saving strategies …
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Do you have pain when you sit? Whether you’re working at a desk, nursing on the couch, commuting, or just trying to relax—chronic back pain doesn’t have to be part of your mom life. In this episode, I’m sharing simple and practical ways to tweak how and where you sit so you can feel more comfortable (without needing a fancy chair or a total setup o…
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Today we’re building on last week’s “Lift Like a Mom” episode with another simple tip: push, don’t pull—whenever you can. We’ll cover: Why pushing gives your body a mechanical advantage How pulling increases your risk for strain and injury A real-life example: stroller vs. wagon What to do when pulling is unavoidable—and how to do it safely So the …
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Do you lift your toddler more times a day than you can count — and feel it in your lower back by bedtime? In this episode, we’re talking about how to prevent back pain while lifting kids, car seats, laundry baskets, and toy bins — basically, everything moms carry on a daily basis. If you’ve ever wished someone would just teach you how to lift prope…
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🎧 Replay: The 4 E’s of Office Ergonomics | Quick Tips to Make Your Workspace Work for You Episode 4 (Replay Day 5 of our Top 5 Countdown to 1K!) If you spend hours on your laptop or desktop—whether you're working from home, running your business, or squeezing in admin during nap time—your workspace matters more than you think. In this fan-favorite …
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Originally aired: November 4, 2024 Replay date: May 30, 2025 Part of the “Greatest Hits (So Far): Top 5 on the Road to 1K” series In This Episode: Do you suffer from tech neck, forward head posture, or the dreaded “mom hump”? You're not alone—and you don’t need a full workout or fancy setup to start reversing it. In this highly practical episode, A…
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Originally aired: May 12, 2025 Replay date: May 29, 2025 Part of the "Greatest Hits (So Far): Top 5 on the Road to 1K" series In This Episode: If your elbows hurt after a day of typing, lifting your toddler, or carrying groceries like a pro—you might be dealing with tennis elbow. And nope, you don’t need to play tennis to earn that title. In this p…
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Ep. 19 (Re-air): The Top 2 Exercises for an Easier Pregnancy, Delivery, and Postpartum Part of the “Greatest Hits (So Far): Top 5 on the Road to 1K” series Original Air Date: March 3, 2025 Replay Date: [Insert current date here] In This Episode: Exercise during pregnancy isn’t just safe—it’s powerful. In this popular episode, Amanda breaks down: Th…
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Ep. 3 (Re-air): Pick Up Your Toddler AND Protect Your Back | Lifting Mechanics for Moms Part of the “Greatest Hits (So Far): Top 5 on the Road to 1K” series Original Air Date: November 11, 2024 Replay Date: May 27, 2025 In This Episode: We’re rewinding to one of the most-loved episodes of the show—and for good reason. If you’ve ever picked up your …
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Wearing your baby shouldn't wear you out. Whether you’re babywearing for five minutes or five hours, this episode is your go-to guide for choosing and using a baby carrier that supports both you and your little one. In this episode I dive into everything you need to know—from types of carriers to ergonomic tips—so you can move through your day with…
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Floor play is one of the best ways to connect with your kids—but let’s be real, it’s not always easy on your body. In this episode, we’re diving into practical, ergonomic strategies to help you get up and down from the floor with ease and stay comfortable while playing—so you can focus on connection, not discomfort. We’ll cover: Common pain points …
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If you’ve ever felt a sharp or nagging pain on the outside of your elbow after typing all day or lifting your child, you might be dealing with lateral epicondylitis—commonly known as tennis elbow. In this episode, we’re diving into what causes it, how to treat it, and—most importantly—how to prevent it in your everyday mom life. From posture tweaks…
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Long drives can wreak havoc on your posture—but a quick stretch break is all it takes to reset your body and your mood. In today’s episode, we’re sharing a simple, efficient stretch routine you can do while fueling up at the gas station. Perfect for working moms on the go, these movements are designed to counteract the aches and stiffness that come…
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Struggling to get comfy while sleeping, or just existing during pregnancy? You’re not alone! In this episode, we’re diving into the world of pregnancy pillows—what they are, how to use them, and whether you really need one. I’ll also share simple, budget-friendly ways to support your belly and body using what you already have at home. Whether you’r…
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If you have traveled with kids in the car for longer than 30 minutes you know the struggle. Constant reaching behind you, climbing thru the SUV and car contortions to meet everyone’s needs as your spouse drives blissfully with their headphones 😅 In this episode I am sharing all my tips to save your spine, shoulders and sanity as a roadtrip mom. Whe…
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In this episode, we're diving into the *mom hacks* that make life smoother, easier, and just a little more joyful. As a mom of three, I've picked up more than a few tricks along the way—and today, I’m spilling all my favorites. From managing meltdowns to staying one step ahead of the chaos, these are the hacks I wish I had known sooner. But that's …
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Mixing things up on this episode and discussing baby ergonomics! My pet peeve is seeing babies with a flopped over head in their car seats. Today I break down what torticollis is, flags to make you seek more help and treatment ideas if you are worried. Hope you find this enlightening and that it gives you joy! Until next time catch up with me in ou…
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If you are in your sport mom era, this episode is for you! I have gone from overwhelmed, exhausted and aching every Saturday morning to relaxed and comfortable over 4 years of my kid’s athletics. I want to save you some time and pain by sharing all the tips. In this episode I share 7 tips to make Sport Mom life easier. Hope you find this enlighteni…
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So many people, especially moms are working from home or from Computers for a large part of the work day. Prolonged sitting can do a number on the neck, shoulders, upper back and more. Break up the static sitting with a quick stretch break. Hope you find this enlightening and that it gives you joy! Until next time catch up with me in our free faceb…
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Sciatica… what the heck even is it? The sciatic nerve gets such a bad rep. She’s the scapegoat for all back and leg pain. So in this episode I am giving a quick and dirty explanation of what the sciatic nerve is, who sciatica typically affects and what to do about it. Hope you find this enlightening and that it gives you joy! Until next time catch …
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If you have kids, you have laundry…. And you’re probably doing it most days or you’re chronically behind. Doing laundry load after load can take a toll on our bodies. In this episode I am giving tips to reduce the physical load of every load of laundry. Hope you find this enlightening and that it gives you joy! Until next time catch up with me in o…
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You should be exercising regularly. Pregnant or not. Exercise is critical to health. But also, some exercises can help prep you for a smoother, safer delivery and an easier postpartum. In this episode I discuss why exercise is important in pregnancy, what flags to avoid during workouts in pregnancy and postpartum and I am sharing my top 2 exercises…
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The infant carrier. The carseat. The heaviest thing you can carry fresh out of the delivery room. This thing goes everywhere for the first 3-12 months with you and baby. You click and connect the seat in and out of the car repeatedly every day. And you carry it all over town into every appointment, activity and errand. The repetition of poor liftin…
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This is a super special episode that is a little outside my normal exercises and ergonomic tips. Toy organization and constant tidying can be a major source of physical and mental stress for moms. I have been there and let me tell you, there is another way. In this episode I am spilling all my organizational tips to make it easy to stay consistent …
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Do you dread vacuuming? Maybe you skip it completely. If you are a mom, vacuuming might not seem like an optional chore. Between the kids dropping crumbs, the pets shedding and the dirty shoes trekking through the house, vacuuming is a nonnegotiable. For so many women vacuuming can be a literal pain. Shoulder and back pain can take this simple task…
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Listen in to Research Perch as MTF President Adrienne F. Asta, BA, LMT, speaks with author and educator Ruth Werner, BCTMB, about the upcoming 2025 International Massage Therapy Research Conference (IMTRC) in Alexandria, VA. Learn how attending can benefit you and your clients, explore speakers and topics, and find out how IMTRC impacts research in…
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Do you roll or sprain your ankle often? Do you dread a misstep landing you back in urgent care or with a swollen ankle? Ankle sprains are one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries seen in emergency rooms. Ankle stability is crucial to preventing ankle sprains. In this episode I explain what an ankle sprain is and how to improve ankle stabilit…
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Is your wrist or thumb killing you when lifting your kiddos? Are you suffering from mommy wrist? Mommy Wrist/Mommy Thumb aka De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis is a common condition in new moms caused by repetitive motions causing strain on the tendons of the thumb. In this episode I explain what causes Mommy Wrist, what it is, how to treat it and how to …
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SIT UP! Fix your posture! Have you heard this before? If you have you might have looked into solutions and come across posture correctors and braces ranging $30-$200. They’re uncomfortable and pricey and are they worth it? I don’t recommend them. In this episode I am teaching you how to fix your posture without bracing. Meaning, we are fixing your …
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SIT UP! Fix your posture! Have you heard this before? If you have you might have looked into solutions and come across posture correctors and braces ranging $30-$200. They’re uncomfortable and pricey and are they worth it? I don’t recommend them. In this episode I am teaching you how to fix your posture without bracing. Meaning, we are fixing your …
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Headaches… we’ve all had them. This episode has all you need to know to determine what type of headaches you have, how to manage them and more. I brought in Dr. Arryn Gamble, PT, DPT, NCS, MSCS to talk all things headaches. Until next time catch up with me in our free facebook community! Interested in one-on-one ergonomic coaching? Book a call here…
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It’s that time of year! New Years Resolutions and goal setting season is in full swing and so many of you have probably set goals in health and fitness. I am fully supportive of improving your health this year but I want to point out some things all moms need to know when they are trying to “get in shape.” Here is the fitness episode you didn’t kno…
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We shop around for the best car for our unique needs, the best pillow for our sleeping preferences and the best workout programs for our goals but when it comes to healthcare providers we don’t. Often times people are told who to go to by their insurance for primary care providers. Not every provider is the same, you need to find the healthcare pro…
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Sitting is the new smoking…. We have all heard about the negative side effects of stagnant sitting, BUT is standing for work really the solution? Standing desks have been a major workforce trend. If you have jumped on this trend you may be feeling the discomfort that standing all day can cause. In this episode I am giving all the tips to make a sta…
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How many times have you passed out nursing your baby only to wake up with a major pain in the neck? Do you have pain between your shoulder blades ever since you brought this bundle of joy into the world? Do you wait anxiously for your sweet baby to finish feeding because you just want to get comfy? In this episode I am giving all the tips to how to…
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Do fall leaves leave you sore for days? This chore can be so irritating but today I am sharing 5 ways to take care of yourself while tidying up the leaves Hope you find this enlightening and that it gives you joy! Until next time catch up with me in our free facebook community! Interested in one-on-one ergonomic coaching? Book a call on Calendly he…
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Does your back get stiff and painful throughout the day? Do you notice an increase in pain with washing the dishes, doing laundry or working? You are not alone! At least 90% of Americans experience low back pain and many of them respond well to this exercise. In this episode I am telling you how to decrease back pain with one simple exercise. If yo…
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