How Massage, Neuroscience, and Trauma Intersect: My Conversation on The Thinking Practitioner Podcast

I recently had the honor of joining The Thinking Practitioner podcast with Til Luchau and Whitney Lowe—and what an incredible conversation it turned out to be!

Together, we explored the fascinating and often surprising intersections between neuroscience, trauma, and massage therapy. As a neuroscientist and massage practitioner, this topic is close to my heart—and I was thrilled to dive deep into the science and soul of what we do in the treatment room.

Here’s a quick look at what we unpacked:

• How massage therapy interacts with descending modulation—the brain’s way of turning the volume up or down on pain.

• Why pain isn’t always about tissue damage—and how shifting our focus to perceived danger can radically transform how we approach client care.

• The powerful role of touch in engaging the limbic system, promoting not just relief but deeper emotional regulation and safety.

• Ways to integrate a biopsychosocial lens into massage therapy for more holistic and effective outcomes.

We also looked at the nuanced relationship between trauma and chronic pain, questioned long-standing beliefs about posture and nociception, and talked about how environment and interpersonal dynamics influence the healing process.

Whether you’re a therapist, educator, or simply passionate about the mind-body connection, this episode is packed with insights that can help you deepen your practice and reframe your understanding of pain, trauma, and healing.