Neuroscience & Massage Therapy: My Conversation on the Treatment Room Secrets Podcast
In this episode of Treatment Room Secrets with host Dani Marks, I explore how massage therapy can be understood through a modern neuroscience lens, moving away from simplistic explanations of pain toward a deeper understanding of its complexity—especially in chronic cases. I discuss how stress heightens nociception, the psychological impact of ongoing pain, and how posture can reflect layers of personal history rather than just mechanical alignment. The conversation highlights how more sophisticated models of pain and posture can expand what manual therapy offers, both conceptually and in practice.
Author
Dr. Mark Olson holds an M.A. in Education and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Illinois, specializing in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuropsychology and Neuroanatomy. His research focused on memory, attention, eye movements, and aesthetic preferences. Dr. Olson is also a NARM® practitioner, aquatic therapist, and published author on chronic pain and trauma-informed care. He offers a variety of courses at Dr-Olson.com that provide neuroscientific insights into the human experience and relational skill training for professionals and curious laypersons.