131: Mindfulness, Hands-On Therapy, and Pain (with Bronnie Lennox Thompson)

In this episode Til Luchau interviews Bronnie Lennox Thompson, a pain management expert from the University of Otago in New Zealand. Bronnie shares insights on supporting people with chronic pain to live well, emphasizing pain’s complexity as a personal, multi-dimensional experience. They discuss the value of hands-on therapy, discussing both physical benefits and its comforting, human connection.

The conversation highlights mindfulness as a tool for managing chronic pain, extending beyond meditation to include simple, everyday practices. Bronnie and Til explain how mindfulness helps people observe pain without reacting, fostering a healthier relationship with their bodies. Bronnie also shares her personal approach to mindfulness through activities like walking and savoring positive moments. This episode offers practical advice for both therapists and anyone seeking a mindful, compassionate approach to managing pain.

Key Topics:

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview
00:16 Sponsorship and Special Offers
02:04 Guest Introduction: Dr. Bronnie Lennox Thompson
02:15 Exploring Pain and Mindfulness
05:40 Personal Journey with Pain
08:59 The Role of Hands-On Therapy
19:16 Mindfulness in Clinical Practice
25:13 History and Science of Mindfulness
39:17 Responding vs. Reacting: The Power of Mindfulness
40:12 Practical Applications for Manual Therapists
41:08 Guiding Clients Through Sensory Awareness
42:11 Exploring Sensations and Descriptions
43:38 The Role of Curiosity in Therapy
44:40 Hands-On Techniques and Client Interaction
47:17 Movement and Awareness in Therapy
48:52 Changing Pain Perception Through Attention
51:51 The Therapeutic Session: Beyond Touch
01:00:07 Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Life
01:06:38 Final Thoughts and Resources

Get the full transcript at Til or Whitney's sites! 

• Whitney Lowe’s site: AcademyOfClinicalMassage.com 
• Til Luchau’s site: Advanced-Trainings.com 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• University of Otago Postgrad Programmes in Pain
• Bronnie Lennox Thompson: Healthskills blog bronwyn.thompson@otago.ac.nz 

Sponsor Offers: 

• Books of Discovery: save 15% by entering "thinking" at checkout on booksofdiscovery.com. 
• ABMP: save $24 on new membership at abmp.com/thinking. 
• Advanced-Trainings: try a month of the amazing A-T Subscription free by entering “thinking” at checkout at a-t.tv/subscriptions/,.
• Academy of Clinical Massage: Grab Whitney's valuable Assessment Cheat Sheet for free at: academyofclinicalmassage.com/cheatsheet

About Whitney Lowe  | About Til Luchau  |  Email Us: info@thethinkingpractitioner.com

(The Thinking Practitioner Podcast is intended for professional practitioners of manual and movement therapies: bodywork, massage therapy, structural integration, chiropractic, myofascial and myotherapy, orthopedic, sports massage, physical therapy, osteopathy, yoga, strength and conditioning, and similar professions. It is not medical or treatment advice.)