Are you tired of the “fixer” trap? Most massage therapists are taught that their value lies solely in their hands—that if they just learn one more modality or take one more certification, they’ll finally have the “magic bullet” for their patients’ pain. But this cycle often leads to two things: patients who remain passive and therapists who end up burnt out.
Welcome to The New Generation Massage Therapist Podcast.
Hosted by Jamie Johnston—massage therapist, firefighter, and educator—this show is dedicated to shifting the industry standard from passive “tissue manipulation” to evidence-informed, biopsychosocial care. We challenge industry norms and dive deep into the topics that many in our profession have long avoided: pain science, mental health, and the therapeutic power of movement.
Each week, we explore how to:
Shift your identity from a “fixer” to a facilitator of change.
Master human skills like mindful communication and crisis intervention to build a stronger therapeutic alliance.
Incorporate movement (without needing a gym) to prove to your patients that they aren’t “broken.”
Retrain the nervous system to help patients with persistent pain find lasting results.
Whether you are a seasoned RMT/LMT or a student just starting out, this podcast provides the practical, research-backed tools you need to build a more effective practice and a more fulfilling, sustainable career.
It’s time to stop chasing certifications and start building resilience.
Education, education, education. We constantly promote a better education for Massage Therapists and as those who teach continuing education courses we have a lot of responsibility to keep current with new evidence and research. And so do our associations. Our associations wield some great power in what can and is offered to their perspective memberships for continuing education. But are they all handling their responsibility well? If not, their members should demand better. REGISTER HEREAnd as always, check out our websites.www.themtdc.comwww.ericpurves.com and our emails: jamie@themtdc.comhello@ericpurves.com
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https://themtdc.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Massage-Therapist-Development-Initiative.jpg6871037Jamie Johnstonhttp://themtdc.com/wp-content/uploads/logo.svgJamie Johnston2026-05-25 22:11:232026-05-25 23:02:18Episode #28 With Great Educational Power, Comes Great Educational Responsibility
As massage therapists, we often rely on learning new modalities or rely on many of the ones we learned in college as a way to help our patients.But does it really matter which modality we use? There are so many other factors that contribute to better outcomes when people come to see us, the modality we use while the person receives treatment matters less than we’ve been lead to believe. Let’s start to worry less about learning new ways to touch people and start focusing on what we can do to get them back to doing the activities that are […]
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https://themtdc.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Massage-Therapist-Development-Initiative.jpg6871037Jamie Johnstonhttp://themtdc.com/wp-content/uploads/logo.svgJamie Johnston2026-05-25 22:11:232026-05-25 23:38:06Episode #27 Myofascial Release And CLB, What Does The Evidence Say?
In this episode we discuss some of the advances, changes, and recommendations that have taken place since the biopsychosocial framework was introduced 40 years ago. This is one of the many things we discuss in our upcoming courses along with therapeutic movement and rehab. These courses can be taken in person, or online so please click the link below and join us in October! REGISTER HERE And as always, check out our websites.www.themtdc.comwww.ericpurves.com and our emails: jamie@themtdc.comhello@ericpurves.comReferenced paper: Nicholas, Michael K.. The biopsychosocial model of pain 40 years on: time for a reappraisal?. PAIN: April 19, 2022 – Volume – Issue – 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002654doi: […]
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https://themtdc.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Massage-Therapist-Development-Initiative.jpg6871037Jamie Johnstonhttp://themtdc.com/wp-content/uploads/logo.svgJamie Johnston2026-05-25 22:11:232026-05-25 23:38:30Episode #26 The Biopsychosocial 40 Years Later
In this episode we discuss the buzzwords circling around our continuing education and how you can interpret and decide whether the course you’re taking is evidence based. And as always, check out our websites.www.themtdc.comwww.ericpurves.com and our emails: jamie@themtdc.comhello@ericpurves.com
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http://themtdc.com/wp-content/uploads/logo.svg00Jamie Johnstonhttp://themtdc.com/wp-content/uploads/logo.svgJamie Johnston2026-05-25 22:11:232026-05-25 22:59:18Episode #25 Making Sure Your Continuing Education is Evidence Based
In this episode we discuss the updated education requirements from our college in BC. While some take this update to think they don’t have to take continuing education anymore, we argue that it is our responsibility as healthcare professionals to do so. And as always, check out our websites.www.themtdc.comwww.ericpurves.com and our emails: jamie@themtdc.comhello@ericpurves.com
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http://themtdc.com/wp-content/uploads/logo.svg00Jamie Johnstonhttp://themtdc.com/wp-content/uploads/logo.svgJamie Johnston2026-05-25 22:11:232026-05-25 22:59:18Episode #24 Maintaining Professionalism When Given The Benefit Of The Doubt
In this episode we discuss some papers that challenge some of the available pain models of understanding. While there are some good challenges on language, the overall message remains the same; treat the person in front of you. And as always, check out our websites.www.themtdc.comwww.ericpurves.com and our emails: jamie@themtdc.comhello@ericpurves.com
https://themtdc.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Massage-Therapist-Development-Initiative.jpg6871037Jamie Johnstonhttp://themtdc.com/wp-content/uploads/logo.svgJamie Johnston2026-05-25 22:11:242026-05-25 22:59:18Episode #23 Challenge Your Bias, But Still Remain Patient Centred
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