Ben Benjamin

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Darren speaks with Dr. Ben Benjamin about whether there is referred pain in the knee, some of the most common types of knee injuries, if arthritis is common in the knee, and how practitioners know whether they can help with a knee injury or not. Dr. Ben E. Benjamin has done much pioneering work in the areas of ethics, communication, and sexual assault prevention, writing articles on professional, sexual, and business ethics. He is the co-author of The Ethics of Touch, a textbook used in schools throughout North America to teach ethics and boundaries to massage therapists as well as other hands-on health-care professionals. He has been an expert witness in cases of sexual assault in the massage and bodywork field since 2004. In 1974 Dr. Benjamin founded the Muscular Therapy Institute, a school he owned and nurtured for over 30 years. In the 1980s he developed a 150-hour curriculum in ethics and communication skills for therapists in training. He has taught courses in ethics, boundaries, sexuality, and communication to somatic therapists for over 30 years.  Additionally, Dr. Benjamin earned a PhD in Sports Medicine and has dedicated his life to helping people cope with and overcome the pain and stress caused by injury to the body in his muscular therapy sports injury private practice since 1963. Host: Darren Buford is senior director of communications and editor-in-chief for ABMP. He is editor of Massage & Bodywork magazine and has worked for ABMP for 22 years, and been involved in journalism at the association, trade, and consumer levels for 24 years. He has served as board member and president of the Western Publishing Association, as well as board member for Association Media & Publishing. Contact him at editor@abmp.com. Sponsors: Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com Pain in the App: https://appadvice.com/app/pain-in-the-app/1473476636 Fascia Research Society: www.fasciaresearchsociety.org 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 Fascia Research Society (FRS) was established as a membership organization to facilitate, encourage, and support the dialogue and collaboration between clinicians, researchers, and academicians, in order to further our understanding of the properties and functions of fascia. Every three years, FRS hosts the International Fascia Research Congress (IFRC). Beginning in 2007 with the first IFRC, and triennially since, the IFRC has been the premier fascia congress in the world. No other fascia congress brings together the very latest in fascial discovery and the diversity of the leaders in fascia. Registration closes August 31, 2022—don’t miss out! For more information on FRS, or to register for the 2022 IFRC, please visit us at www.fasciaresearchsociety.org. Questions about either FRS or IFRC? Email us at info@fasciaresearchsociety.org.

Cultivating sensitivity and trust is essential to keeping clients safe – especially as we are aware that many women and men have experienced physical or sexual trauma. In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Kristin and Darren speak with Dr. Ben Benjamin about how to avoid violating client boundaries, understanding the patient is in charge of the session, why it’s important for the therapist to understand the power differential, and whether maintaining boundaries are a shared responsibility between client and therapist. Dr. Ben E. Benjamin has done much pioneering work in the areas of ethics, communication, and sexual assault prevention, writing articles on professional, sexual and business ethics. He is the co-author of The Ethics of Touch, a textbook used in schools throughout North America to teach ethics and boundaries to massage therapists as well as other hands-on health care professionals. He has been an expert witness in cases of sexual assault in the massage and bodywork field since 2004. In 1974 Dr. Benjamin founded the Muscular Therapy Institute, a school he owned and nurtured for over 30 years. In the 1980s he developed a 150-hour curriculum in ethics and communication skills for therapists in training. He has taught courses in ethics, boundaries, sexuality and communication to somatic therapists for over 30 years.  Additionally, Dr. Benjamin earned a Ph.D. in Sports Medicine and has dedicated his life to helping people cope with and overcome the pain and stress caused by injury to the body in his muscular therapy sports injury private practice since 1963. Related Article in Massage & Bodywork magazine: “Keeping Clients Safe, Part Two,” by Dr. Ben Benjamin, Massage & Bodywork magazine. July/August 2021, page 70. “Keeping Clients Safe, Part One,” by Dr. Ben Benjamin, Massage & Bodywork magazine. May/June 2021, page 64. Sponsors: Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com Universal Companies: https://www.universalcompanies.com/ Handspring Publishing: https://www.handspringpublishing.com/ Pain in the App:  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 Universal Companies has everything the spa professional needs for success, including massage tables and accessories, linens, tools, pain relief products like arnica, and a range of lotions, oils, and gels. The products we offer help the independent practitioner save on their everyday expenses, as well as provide the convenience of shopping across broad categories. Recognized as the “Favorite Distributor” in the American Spa Professional’s Choice Awards for the past 17 years, we see this as a continuous challenge to provide the best products that pros trust the most. Beyond our extensive selection of spa products, equipment, and tools, we have an education and marketing site for our customers to develop their skills and promote their business. The UCo Learning Network offers CEU courses, marketing kits, and business tools. Universal Companies website https://www.universalcompanies.com/ Universal Companies on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/universalcompaniesinc Universal Companies on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/universalcos/ Universal Companies on Twitter https://twitter.com/Universalcos Universal Companies on Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/universalcos/_shop/ Universal Companies on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/universal-companies/mycompany/ About Handspring Publishing Handspring Publishing specializes in professional-level books for massage therapists, osteopaths, yoga and Pilates teachers, physiotherapists, and other professionals who use touch or movement to help patients achieve wellness. Handspring Publishing’s books are written and produced to serve the professional and educational needs of health and medical professionals, musculoskeletal therapists, and movement teachers. Its list includes bestsellers like Fascial Stretch Therapy by Chris and Ann Frederick, Fascia: What It Is and Why It Matters by David Lesondak, and Musculoskeletal Pain: Assessment, Prediction and Treatment, A Pragmatic Approach by David Walton and James Elliott and the recently published Myofascial Induction™ – An Anatomical Approach to the Treatment of Fascial Dysfunction, Volume 1: The Upper Body by Andrzej Pilat. Handspring’s books combine attractive and accessible presentations with an evidence-based approach to writing, including referencing the latest research findings. Authors are drawn from the ranks of highly respected teachers and experts in their area of specialization including Jim McCormick, Cathy Ryan, Til Luchau, Robert Schleip, Graham Scarr, Gayle MacDonald, and Carolyn Tague among others. ABMP members save 20% off regular list prices. Visit handspringpublishing.com and use discount code abmp20 to order. Shipping is free to all addresses in the United States and the United Kingdom. Website: https://www.handspringpublishing.com/ Email: info@handspringpublishing.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handspringpublishing/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/HandspringLtd Facebook: handspringpublishing YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiD4TybAPVTbCL_xvCrwNOQ

In this episode, Dr. Ben Benjamin discusses the three phases of frozen shoulder, how resisted stretching is used to increase range of motion and decrease pain, why friction therapy is a great method for massage therapists to use during a session, and how being a thorough communicator during assessments is key to understanding a patient’s treatment options. Ben Benjamin, PhD in sports medicine, has been practicing massage since 1963 and has been nationally recognized for his contributions to massage therapy, receiving an induction into the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame in 2010. With his years of experience as a therapist, educator, and author, Dr. Benjamin has been regarded as a voice of authority in the muscular therapy field. He was the founder and president of the Muscular Therapy Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which began in 1974. Shortly after the Muscular Therapy Institute opened, Dr. Benjamin enhanced his practice by studying under Dr. James Cyriax, widely known for his pioneering work in orthopedic medicine. He has also integrated Aaron Mattes’s Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) techniques into his therapy. With a passion for helping individuals cope with and overcome pain, Dr. Benjamin has been lecturing internationally for more than four decades and written countless articles in publications such as Massage & Bodywork magazine. Dr. Benjamin is also the author of several works referenced by educators and students in the field, such as Listen to Your Pain, Are You Tense?, and Exercise Without Injury, and is co-author of The Ethics of Touch and Conversation Transformation. For more information, visit benjamininstitute.com. Sponsors:   Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com Pain in the App: https://appadvice.com/app/pain-in-the-app/1473476636 CBD Clinic: www.cbdclinic.co Elements Massage: www.elementsmassage.com Advanced-Trainings: Advanced-Trainings.com 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 CBD Clinic products are the first nonprescription, over-the-counter topical medications that combine authorized active pharmaceutical ingredients and CBD enriching emollients such as hemp extract. Visit cbdclinic.co to get a sample and start feeling the difference for yourself today. Join our private Facebook group and connect with other massage therapists and HCPs using CBD Clinic products already.     Website: www.cbdclinic.co Email: info@cbdclinic.co Phone: 303-223-0863         Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/CBDCLINIC Instagram: www.instagram.com/officialcbdclinic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA Founded by a massage therapist for massage therapists, the Elements Massage® brand is a network of independently owned and operated studios dedicated to changing lives--including yours!  The Elements Massage brand believes massage therapists deserve a supportive team, business and marketing resources, and the chance to learn as much as they want, so many Elements Massage studios offer and reimburse continuing education on an ongoing basis. It's no surprise Elements Massage therapist and client satisfaction leads the industry. That's because from day one, the brand has kept an unmatched commitment to deliver the best therapeutic massage experiences possible for both clients and massage therapists. Elements Massage studios expects the best. So should you. If this sounds like a fit, reach out. Studios are hiring!  Visit ElementsMassage.com/ABMP for more information. Website: elementsmassage.com/ABMP Facebook: www.facebook.com/elementsmassage Instagram: www.instagram.com/elementsmassage Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXLHkAYMgmA6_MJ8DSEZm-A Disclaimer: Each Elements Massage® studio is independently owned and operated. Franchise owners (or their designated hiring managers) are solely responsible for all employment and personnel decisions and matters regarding their independently owned and operated studios, including hiring, direction, training, supervision, discipline, discharge, compensation (e.g., wage practices and tax withholding and reporting requirements), and termination of employment. Elements Therapeutic Massage, LLC (ETM) is not involved in, and is not responsible for, employment and personnel matters and decisions made by any franchise owner. All individuals hired by franchise owners’ studios are their employees, not those of ETM. Benefits vary by independently owned and operated Elements Massage® studios. Elements Massage® and Elements Massage + design are registered trademarks owned by ETM. About Til Luchau and Advanced-Trainings: As a Certified Advanced Rolfer™, Til was on the faculty of the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute® for 20 years, where he served as Coordinator and Faculty Chair of the Foundations of Rolfing Structural Integration program. The author of the Advanced Myofascial Techniques textbook series (which has been translated into 6 languages), his regular Myofascial Techniques and Somatic Edge columns have been featured in Massage & Bodywork magazine since 2009. He is the Director of Advanced-Trainings.com which since 1985 has offered short, credit-approved professional trainings and certification for manual therapists of all types, online and in-person. Website: Advanced-Trainings.com Email:  info@advanced-trainings.com Facebook:  facebook.com/Advanced.Trainings1/ Instagram: instagram.com/tilluchau YouTube: youtube.com/user/AdvancedTrainings

Low-back pain is certainly one of the, if not the most, pressing issues practitioners will face when working with clientele. More than 70 million people visit doctors each year with low-back pain, so as an MT, knowing the what and how of working with this population can be valuable. Dr. Ben Benjamin joins the podcast to talk about his personal experience with low-back pain, common myths and misconceptions surrounding this injury, the most common causes, how to prevent low-back pain through exercise and diet, and knowing when hands-on treatment is appropriate. Dr. Benjamin relays the value of a health history intake, hands-on tests for assessment, and when to refer out. Ben Benjamin, PhD in sports medicine, has been practicing massage since 1963 and has been nationally recognized for his contributions to massage therapy, receiving an induction into the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame in 2010. With his years of experience as a therapist, educator, and author, Dr. Benjamin has been regarded as a voice of authority in the muscular therapy field. He was the founder and president of the Muscular Therapy Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which began in 1974. Shortly after the Muscular Therapy Institute opened, Dr. Benjamin enhanced his practice by studying under Dr. James Cyriax, widely known for his pioneering work in orthopedic medicine. He has also integrated Aaron Mattes’ Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) techniques into his therapy. With a passion for helping individuals cope with and overcome pain, Dr. Benjamin has been lecturing internationally for more than four decades and written countless articles in publications such as Massage & Bodywork magazine. Dr. Benjamin is also the author of several works referenced by those educators and students in the field, such as Listen to Your Pain, Are You Tense?, Exercise Without Injury, and co-author of The Ethics of Touch and Conversation Transformation. For more information, visit benjamininstitute.com. Resources from the author: “Keeping Clients Safe, Part One: How to Avoid Client Injuries,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, May/June 2021, page 64.  “Clients Crossing Boundaries in the Treatment Room,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, March/April 2020, page 54.  Sponsors:   Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com CBD Clinic: www.cbdclinic.co Handspring Publishing: www.handspringpublishing.com Pain the App: https://appadvice.com/app/pain-in-the-app/1473476636 (se) Connect: https://network.structuralelements.com 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: Instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA CBD Clinic products are the first nonprescription, over-the-counter topical medications that combine authorized active pharmaceutical ingredients and CBD enriching emollients such as hemp extract. Visit cbdclinic.co to get a sample and start feeling the difference for yourself today. Join our private Facebook group and connect with other massage therapists and HCPs using CBD Clinic products already.            Website: www.cbdclinic.co Email: info@cbdclinic.co Phone: 303-223-0863          Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/CBDCLINIC Instagram: @officialcbdclinic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA Handspring Publishing specializes in professional-level books for massage therapists, osteopaths, yoga and Pilates teachers, physiotherapists, and other professionals who use touch or movement to help patients achieve wellness. Handspring Publishing’s books are written and produced to serve the professional and educational needs of health and medical professionals, musculoskeletal therapists, and movement teachers. Its list includes bestsellers like Fascial Stretch Therapy by Chris and Ann Frederick, Fascia: What It Is and Why It Matters by David Lesondak, and the just-published third edition of Pre- and Perinatal Massage Therapy by Carole Osborne, Michele Kolakowski, and David M. Lobenstine. Handspring’s books combine attractive and accessible presentations with an evidence-based approach to writing, including referencing the latest research findings. Authors are drawn from the ranks of highly respected teachers and experts in their area of specialization, including Kelly Bowers, Til Luchau, Robert Schleip, Graham Scarr, Gayle MacDonald, and Carolyn Tague, among others. ABMP members save 20% on regular list prices. Visit handspringpublishing.com and use discount code abmp20 to order. Shipping is free to all addresses in the United States and the United Kingdom.  Website: handspringpublishing.com Email: info@handspringpublishing.com Instagram: instagram.com/handspringpublishing Twitter: twitter.com/HandspringLtd Facebook: facebook.com/handspringpublishing YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCiD4TybAPVTbCL_xvCrwNOQ At Structural Elements, we view ourselves as Body Engineers. We evaluate the human body according to its structural integrity and establish proper balance between compression and tension elements. Through identifying patterns in the body, we are able to locate areas of compensation to treat the cause of the imbalance, not the site of pain. Our patients achieve lasting results as we reduce structural imbalances, improve connective tissue health, and re-educate movement patterns. Now, we have taken our education, operations, and communications infrastructure from our franchise company and made it available to the industry through (se) Connect.                      (se) Connect is the only interdisciplinary knowledge sharing platform that exists in the wellness industry. Participants gain access to treatment tools, business tools, and the ability to connect with other professionals in a variety of modalities. Through our community, massage therapists, physical therapists, chiropractors, athletic trainers, acupuncturists, and others all learn to look at the body through the same lense, which allows for rich discussions on patient care and treatment options. Our training staff brings decades of experience in massage, manual therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic, and business, and we look forward to sharing that with you.          Website: https://network.structuralelements.com/connect Email: team@structuralelements.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/structural.elements Instagram: www.instagram.com/structuralelements/ Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/structural-elements         

Dr. Ben Benjamin offers his inspirational path toward massage therapy and beyond—a career driven by his consistent curiosity. From his early dance career, Benjamin became curious about the healing power of touch when working with a local manual therapist. This led to him developing his own techniques and opening practices in New York City and San Francisco. From there, Benjamin opened his own massage therapy school, emphasizing the same one-on-one supervision he was privy to in his training. Today, Benjamin’s work includes communication skills and boundaries, combined in his influential book The Ethics of Touch, and occasionally serving as an expert witness in cases of client and practitioner impropriety.  This episode sponsored by Pain in the App. Ben Benjamin, PhD in sports medicine, has been practicing massage since 1963 and has been nationally recognized for his contributions to massage therapy, receiving an induction into the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame in 2010. With his years of experience as a therapist, educator, and author, Dr. Benjamin has been regarded as a voice of authority in the muscular therapy ­field. He was the founder and president of the Muscular Therapy Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which began in 1974. Shortly after the Muscular Therapy Institute opened, Dr. Benjamin enhanced his practice by studying under Dr. James Cyriax, widely known for his pioneering work in orthopedic medicine. He has also integrated Aaron Mattes’ Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) techniques into his therapy. With a passion for helping individuals cope with and overcome pain, Dr. Benjamin has been lecturing internationally for more than four decades and written countless articles in publications such as Massage & Bodywork magazine. Dr. Benjamin is also the author of several works referenced by those educators and students in the field, such as Listen to Your Pain, Are You Tense?, Exercise Without Injury, and co-author of The Ethics of Touch and Conversation Transformation. Resources: “Clients Crossing Boundaries in the Treatment Room,” Massage & Bodywork, March/April 2020, page 54,

Ben! He's back from Alabama...and he loves In-N-Out now! 

This week I am bringing in Dr. Ben Benjamin to talk about being an expert witness in massage court cases. I have been curious about how massage therapists and massage businesses get sued and why for a long time now and when I think about it there is always a twinge of fear. I think mostly that fear comes from not knowing how often it actually happens, and worrying that because I am not completely informed on the topic, that I am more at risk. Anyway, for those of you who know me, if I have fear or anxiety around a subject then it won’t be too long before I find a way to have a public conversation about it. So here we are, and I thought it would be good to bring in Ben to talk about the topic because he has extensive experience in the massage room, the classroom, and the courtroom.Ben has been in the field for over 3 decades now. He regularly called upon to be an expert witness for massage legal cases, and I have been searching for quite some time to find someone in his position to interview about this subject. I am grateful for his honesty and forthcoming nature, as I have had several individuals tell me that they don’t want to be on the record for this subject matter. So I really appreciated his candor, and it helps me remember that it takes some resolve and a degree of risk to be willing to put your opinions out into the public sphere.

Ben E. Benjamin holds a doctorate in sports medicine and education. He studied under orthopedic medicine pioneer Dr. James Cyriax.  Benjamin has taught for more than 30 years and has been in practice for more than 45 years.  He has dedicated his life to helping people cope with and overcome the pain and stress caused by injury to the body. His therapeutic techniques help reduce and eliminate pain produced by adhesive scar tissue formed from soft tissue injury. In sports medicine/muscular therapy private practice since 1963, Dr. Benjamin is the founder of the Muscular Therapy Institute in Cambridge, MA. As an educator and author, he has conducted seminars and workshops across the country, served as an instructor and trainer in a variety of settings, and written several books and countless articles. His books include: Listen to Your Pain: The Active Person’s Guide to Understanding, Identifying, and Treating Pain and Injury; Are You Tense?: The Benjamin System of Muscular Therapy; and Exercise Without Injury. Links mentioned during podcast: www.benbenjamin.comThe post Episode 32 – Interview with Dr. Ben Benjamin first appeared on Massage Podcast.