Our Blog

Midsummer 2025 News Rubdown

Corey Rivera keeps you up-to-date will all the latest massage therapy news. ...more

Podcast

July 24, 2025•1 min read

Getting Your Elbows Out: Why Licensing Matters to Massage Therapy

Regulation might sound like the least exciting topic in massage therapy, but it's actually the battleground where our professional identity and future are being decided. ...more

Podcast

June 05, 2025•1 min read

Rubdown News Alert: California State Licensing

California stands as one of only 5 states without proper massage therapy licensing, operating instead under a "voluntary certification" system run by the California Massage Therapy Council. ...more

Podcast

April 22, 2025•2 min read

Winter 2025 Rubdown

Corey Rivera keeps you up-to-date will all the latest massage therapy news. ...more

Podcast

March 09, 2025•1 min read

Profession-Wide Part 2: Risk Factors

Corey Rivera and Cal Cates address the alarming suicide rates among massage therapists by exploring underlying risk factors, including perfectionism, isolation, and occupational stress. By recognizing... ...more

Podcast

February 24, 2025•1 min read

A Profession-Wide Mental Health Crisis

The episode discusses the hidden mental health crisis within the massage therapy profession, spotlighting alarming suicide rates and the pressing need for open dialogue and community support. ...more

Podcast

January 28, 2025•1 min read

Massage Robots

Corey Rivera and Cal Cates explore the existence of rubbing robots and how (unsurprisingly?) they prompt a critical examination of what defines massage therapy. ...more

Podcast

December 28, 2024•1 min read

Fall 2024 Rubdown

Corey Rivera brings you the latest news and updates from the massage therapy profession from August 2024 ...more

Podcast

December 21, 2024•1 min read

Editorial: First-Hand Mental Health Crisis

Healwell believes it is important to talk about the hard things. In this short episode, with an introduction by Cal Cates, Corey Rivera talks about their recent experience. ...more

Podcast

November 20, 2024•1 min read

August 2024 Rubdown

Corey Rivera brings you the latest news and updates from the massage therapy profession from August 2024 ...more

Podcast

September 14, 2024•1 min read

A (Brief) Massage Therapist's Guide to AI

In this episode we break down the different types of AI. We'll explain how each AI type operates uniquely, with a focus on their current roles and limitations. And boy, do they have limitations. ...more

Podcast

August 21, 2024•1 min read

July 2024 News Update for the Massage Therapy Profession

July 2024 massage therapy industry update: Regulatory changes, school closures, research highlights, and upcoming events. Stay informed on the latest developments shaping the profession. ...more

Podcast

August 02, 2024•7 min read

Massage Tools

When is a tool a robot? Join your host, Corey Rivera, on the meandering development of tools used for massage (but not necessarily massage therapy). ...more

Podcast

July 10, 2024•1 min read

May Rubdown

Corey Rivera brings you the latest news and updates from the massage therapy profession from May 2024. ...more

Podcast

June 30, 2024•1 min read

Voices from the Crossroads of Identity

Welcome to an exploration of intersectional identities, featuring those who live at the crossroads of race, gender, sexuality, and disability. This episode is a departure from The Rub's usual style, a... ...more

Podcast

May 22, 2024•17 min read

April Rubdown

Corey Rivera brings you the latest news and updates from the massage therapy profession spanning from January 1st to April 30th, 2024. ...more

Podcast

May 01, 2024•1 min read

In-Person vs. Online: The Future of Massage Education

In this episode, Corey engages in insightful conversations with industry experts about the transformative shift in massage therapy education. ...more

Podcast

April 17, 2024•3 min read

Not What You Think It Means- Holistic

When it comes to medicine and healing, the tension between holism and reductionism has been a subject of debate for decades. The latest episode of our podcast delves into this intricate dance between ... ...more

Podcast

March 27, 2024•2 min read

Hypomania, Earworms, and Episode Delays

I'm a big fan of learning in public and talking about struggles, so this short note is to tell you that this week's episode will be a bit delayed. ...more

Podcast

March 12, 2024•2 min read

The Art of Conferencing

The Art of Conferencing ...more

Podcast

March 07, 2024•2 min read

Navigating the Depth of Touch

Professional massage therapy stands apart from a simple shoulder rub; it's an intricate dance between therapist and client that fosters trust, understanding, and ultimately, healing. ...more

Podcast

February 14, 2024•2 min read