L i s te n to T h e A B M P Po d c a s t a t a b m p.co m /p o d c a s t s o r w h e reve r yo u a cce s s yo u r favo r i te p o d c a s t s 45
KEY POINTS
• Our goal is to tap into placebo pathways to
help clients manage pain and feel better.
• Warmth, competence, rituals, and good
listening skills in the massage room will help
you harness placebo pathways.
PLACEBO PLACEBO
I made my niece, Tricia, a strong-tasting
cup of coffee. Thirty minutes later, she
said, "That was one powerful cup of
coffee. I'm bouncing off the walls!" But
here's the thing: It was decaf. She was
experiencing a placebo effect.
Once I told her, Tricia's face turned
red, and I couldn't convince her that
experiencing a placebo effect isn't a bad
thing. Unfortunately, negative feelings
around placebos prevent most people
from seeing the value of a positive placebo
effect.
Don't be one of those people. Massage
therapists can tap into a client's placebo
pathway to improve therapeutic outcomes
and client expectations.
