Jonathan’s Spirit of Inquiry Series

The Spirit of Inquiry is a rotating and expanding series of classes to satisfy inquiring minds everywhere. The full line-up is listed below and the currently running classes can be found on the “Current Workshops” page.

Head over Jonathan’s website to learn more about these classes and sign up for them here: absolutebodyworks.com.

The Ethics Of Bodywork: Ethics Through The Lens Of Neuroscience

Four Contact Hour CEs, NCBTMB Approved (also satisfies Ethics renewal requirements for the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists)

Ethics is a complex concept that is simultaneously an incredibly important concept. Nearly every day most of us in the field of bodywork and massage are faced with ethical concerns, Sometimes small.... sometimes not so small. Whether these ethical dilemmas arise between ourselves and the clients we are working with or, perhaps an employer that we are working for or, even the ethical issues that arise between peers or coworkers, they all deserve a deeper examination.

Taking a closer look at the complex structure of the Central and Peripheral Nervous System, as well as its development within each individual, and how trauma can affect the human nervous system will create a meaningful perspective on how each individual human interprets, processes, and reacts to the world that surrounds us. It is in this way we can better understand many of the ethical scenarios we face regularly and support ourselves and our clients in very crucial ways.

The decisions that we make that the actions that we engage in not only reflect our own personal and professional code of ethics, but also have a significant effect upon the industry of massage and bodywork as a whole. A strong and clear understanding of the ethical principles that guide each and everyone of us through our days is essential to support healthy work practices and professional relationships. Join Jonathan Primack BA~ LMT # 10789 as we look at the concept of ethics through the intricate and fascinating lens of neuroscience.

Students will be provided a detailed handout that will support the lecture and powerpoint presentation and will also be asked to participate in an exchange of intellectual discussion concerning the topics being presented. Specifics include: a working code of ethics, a look at some of the essential organs of the nervous system and how they play a role in the development of human behavior, comparisons between the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system, policies and practices that help support and ethical massage practice.

Understanding Pain

Four Contact Hour CEs, NCBTMB Approval Pending (also satisfies Ethics renewal requirements for the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists)

As bodyworkers… as massage therapists…. As health care professionals we encounter the issues of pain with every single client that we work with. Pain and how we manage it is more complicated than most of us actually realize. We as health care professionals have a very important role on the front line of pain management and the more we understand the complex nature of pain the better equipped we are to support our clients. Together we will take a look at the most up to date aspects of pain science and get a better, deeper, more accurate look at how pain is created and how to help our clients more effectively. Exploring the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems will give you a more nuanced understanding of the Biopsychosocial model of pain theory. This four hour class will also be taking a deeper look at the Inflammatory response as well as the specific phases of injury and recovery. Join Jonathan C. Primack BA-LMT for this in depth look at pain theory, its mechanisms and its impact on us as human beings. 

Students will be provided a detailed handout that will support the lecture and powerpoint presentation and will also be asked to participate in an exchange of intellectual discussion concerning the topics being presented. Specifics include: a look at some of the essential organs of the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems and how they play a role in the individual experience of pain, connections between perceptions of pain and overall state of being, and deeper looks at propioception’s contributions to pain.