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Ep 512 – Touch as a Form of Communication with Doug Nelson
June 24, 2025 · 20 min

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Doug Nelson shares how touch, like language, is a powerful form of communication. From verbal and somatic expression to the importance of presence and responsiveness, Doug explains how touch can say just as much as your voice.

Host:

Douglas Nelson is Board Certified in Massage Therapy and Therapeutic Bodywork, beginning his career in massage therapy in 1977.  Seeing over 1,200 client visits annually for decades, he is also the owner of BodyWork Associates, a massage therapy clinic in Champaign, IL. with 21 therapists that was established in 1982.

He is the founder of NMT MidWest, Inc., providing training in Precision Neuromuscular Therapy™ across the USA. He has personally taught more than 13,000 hours of continuing education and is the author of three books. Doug is a past president of the Massage Therapy Foundation.

Sponsors:

 

Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com

 

Earthlite: www.earthlite.com

 

PMNT: www.pmnt.org

 

Won Institute of Graduate Studies: www.woninstitute.edu

 

Anatomy Trains is a global leader in online anatomy education and also provides in-classroom certification programs for structural integration in the US, Canada, Australia, Europe, Japan, and China, as well as fresh-tissue cadaver dissection labs and weekend courses. The work of Anatomy Trains originated with founder Tom Myers, who mapped the human body into 13 myofascial meridians in his original book, currently in its fourth edition and translated into 12 languages. The principles of Anatomy Trains are used by osteopaths, physical therapists, bodyworkers, massage therapists, personal trainers, yoga, Pilates, Gyrotonics, and other body-minded manual therapists and movement professionals. Anatomy Trains inspires these practitioners to work with holistic anatomy in treating system-wide patterns to provide improved client outcomes in terms of structure and function.    

                

Website: anatomytrains.com    

                  

Email: info@anatomytrains.com          

 

Facebook: facebook.com/AnatomyTrains

                    

Instagram: www.instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial

 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA

 

Precision Neuromuscular Therapy seminars (www.pnmt.org) have been teaching high-quality seminars for more than 20 years. Doug Nelson and the PNMT teaching staff help you to practice with the confidence and creativity that comes from deep understanding, rather than the adherence to one treatment approach or technique.

 

Find our seminar schedule at pnmt.org/seminar-schedule with over 60 weekends of seminars across the country.

 

Or meet us online in the PNMT Portal, our online gateway with access to over 500 videos, 37 NCBTMB CEs, our Discovery Series webinars, one-on-one mentoring, and much, much more! All for the low yearly cost of $167.50. Learn more at pnmt.thinkific.com/courses/pnmtportal

 

Follow us on social media: @precisionnmt on Instagram or at Precision Neuromuscular Therapy Seminars on Facebook.

 

 

Earthlite

Unlock an exclusive 20 percent discount on all Earthlite products, from portable tables and chairs to professional sheets and oils. Visit earthlite.com, create an account, and enter your ABMP member ID during registration. Plus, enjoy free ground shipping on orders over $75 and a flat rate of $395 for stationary or electric lift tables. (Prices subject to change at any time.) Significant savings on everything you need to enhance your practice. We are proud to assist you as the “World’s No. 1 Brand in Massage!”

 

Sign-up page:

https://www.earthlite.com/customer/account/login/referer/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZWFydGhsaXRlLmNvbS8~/

 

 

Won Institute of Graduate Studies

As a massage therapist, you understand the power of touch. Now, imagine offering a deeper level of holistic healing. At Won Institute of Graduate Studies, our Master of Acupuncture Studies program will equip you with the ancient wisdom and modern techniques of acupuncture. Enhance your ability to address the root causes of imbalance and provide comprehensive care. Learn more at woninstitute.edu. The final deadline of July 1 for fall 2025 is coming up. Enroll today!

Website: www.woninstitute.edu 

Degree: https://www.woninstitute.edu/academics/master-of-acupuncture-studies-degree/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woninstitute/