In this episode, we sit down with Josh Williams, LMT, a practitioner whose unique journey bridges the worlds of human and equine therapy. Based in Oregon, Josh has spent decades refining his work—first as a massage therapist for people, and later extending his practice to horses, blending intuition with biomechanics.

Josh shares how his early years in a rural farm town eventually led him to massage school in Hawaii, and how a chance encounter with a meditation retreat center helped shape the depth and presence he brings into every treatment session.

We also discuss his podcast, My Horse Journey, where he explores the incredible connection between people and horses—and what these animals can teach us about healing, patience, and presence.

Whether you’re a manual therapist, animal lover, or just someone curious about alternative healing paths, this episode offers a truly unique perspective.

This episode of the Treatment Room Secrets Podcast features a captivating conversation with David Lobenstine LMT, a renowned massage therapist and educator based in Burlington, Vermont. Host and David bridge the geographical distance to dive deep into the nuances of a sustainable and impactful career in massage therapy.

David introduces his new continuing education course, "Give a Great Massage Again," addressing the core challenge faced by many therapists: maintaining passion and physical well-being in a profession defined by repetition. He candidly shares how easy it is for therapists to mentally check out during sessions, even after years of practice, leading to diminished quality of work and ultimately, burnout. This "good enough" approach, while sometimes undetected by clients, takes a heavy toll on the therapist, both physically and mentally, often shortening careers prematurely.

00:01 Introduction to David Lobenstine

02:19 Challenges in Massage Therapy

08:55 Understanding Burnout in the Profession

12:51 The Need for Structural Change in Massage Therapy

14:21 Reflections on the Evolution of Massage Therapy

18:17 Advice for Aspiring Massage Therapists

20:49 The Importance of Communication in Massage Therapy

24:18 Integrating Breath Work into Practice

25:50 Understanding the Mechanics of Breathing

31:13 The Impact of Breath on the Nervous System

37:45 Client Engagement and Self-Awareness in Massage

41:31 The Importance of Client Engagement

43:41 Observations on Client Transformations

49:18 The Power of Breath Work

56:49 Philosophical Insights from Therapy

59:52 Shifting Perspectives on Change

1:02:47 Balancing Self-Care and Care for Others

1:04:44 Sharing Knowledge and Resources

1:06:47 Valuable Insights for Massage Therapists

Full episodes are available on all podcast platforms. https://nielasher.com/podcast

For more information about NAT online courses, please visit https://nielasher.com/

Dr. Carl Rothschild is the founder, researcher, and owner of Trifecta Light™ Technologies, Inc., the industry leader in the LED Infrared/Red Light therapeutic heating light lamp modality. Beginning in 1979, Carl Rothschild, DC applied his deep desire to help his patients find their path to health in his successful chiropractic practice. A true lover of learning, ‘Dr. Carl’ continually researched many healing therapies and initially landed on LED. He developed numerous LED products for various companies. Further research led him to find ways to harness the power that lies in LED Infrared/Red Light.

Dr. Carl recounts the “aha” moment that pulled him out of traditional practice and into decades of bench research, then breaks down the newest hardware breakthroughs, the three distinct infrared wavelengths (and why they matter), and the cellular cascade that lets light jump-start tissue healing, fat metabolism, and skin regeneration. We explore how the pandemic accelerated at-home adoption, hear case studies ranging from post-surgical recovery to mental-health support, and tackle the economics: why preventive, light-based care could slash long-term costs for patients and healthcare systems alike.

00:00 Introduction05:43 Discovery of Red Light Therapy 10:04 Advancements in Red Light Therapy11:48 Impact of COVID-19 on Therapy Practices15:45 Mainstream Healthcare and Red Light Therapy 17:37 Red Light Accessibility 28:07 Understanding Infrared Light Types33:12 Benefits of Red Light Therapy38:42 The Healing Mechanism of Red Light Therapy44:42 Real Life Case Studies49:44 Mental Health Care53:09 The Cost-Effectiveness of Preventative Healthcare 54:40 Skin Conditions 57:10 The Economics of Healthcare1:01:32 Resources for Red Light Therapy 1:03:38 Conclusion Full episodes are available on all podcast platforms. https://nielasher.com/podcastFor more information about NAT online courses, please visit https://nielasher.com/