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East West College of the Healing Arts

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So far East West College of the Healing Arts has created 181 blog entries.

When Receiving Massage: Do’s and Dont’s

2015-03-06T21:42:46-05:00March 6th, 2015|

Have you ever daydreamed about an upcoming massage only to be let down by how it turned out? Or perhaps you’ve never had a professional massage and you’re nervous about what to do during your first session. Even those who have received dozens of massages at our Oregon school of massage can learn something new about how to maximize the effects of a massage session. Read on to discover our pointers on what to do and what not to do when receiving a massage.

DO take care of your basic needs. Allow yourself a light snack before your massage and be sure […]

Benefits of Prenatal Massage

2015-02-27T19:47:52-05:00February 27th, 2015|

After earning a massage therapist certification or license, how does a massage therapist go about creating a strong practice? Specializing in a certain niche can guarantee more work, both from private clients and from massage businesses. Prenatal massage is an enjoyable and fruitful specialization. Prenatal clients are happy to spend time nurturing themselves. And may spas pay LMTs more if they have additional prenatal massage training beyond a basic massage therapy license. When working with prenatal clients, massage therapists should emphasize the many benefits of prenatal massage.

Prenatal massages do more than just relax the a pregnant woman’s aching muscles Given the […]

Massage Cream & Massage Oil: Inventive Ideas for 2015

2015-02-20T19:46:40-05:00February 20th, 2015|

Successful massage therapists are always innovating fresh new ways to keep clients booking appointments. Today we’re offering suggestions on how therapists can revive their approach to massage cream and facial oil. Although this single aspect of your massage practice may seem to be a small fraction of your overall work, paying attention to such details is what will set you apart in your clients’ minds, fueling your thriving career in massage. Oils and lotions are a great opportunity to transform an ordinary message into an extraordinary experience.

Fresh Massage Lotion and Oil Ideas for 2015

  • 1. Customize the oil and massage experience.

People appreciate […]

Introducing the Lymphatic System, and How Massage Improves Lymphatic Health

2015-02-13T19:45:17-05:00February 13th, 2015|

The best massage school courses change the way learners think about health. Even very young children know that the heart pumps blood throughout the body. And the link between proper blood circulation and overall health is often a given among students at our massage school. Portland’s a pretty health-conscious place—it consistently lands near the top of  “healthiest cities” lists. Yet even Rose City residents are often unaware of how the lymphatic system—a part of the body’s circulatory system—influences health. Today we’re introducing the lymphatic system. We’ll review its anatomy, functions, and why getting […]

Sports Massage: Tips for Landing a Gig with a Professional Sports Team

2015-02-06T19:39:55-05:00February 6th, 2015|

Molly Verschinegel, of Northwest Sports Massage, is an experienced LMT specializing in Portland-area sports massage for teams and individuals. We asked her to provide insight into how sports massage therapy enthusiasts can land a job working with a professional sports team. Her first response was to alert LMTs that such jobs are scarce, for several reasons.

First, many athletes and organizations are accustomed to receiving massage on a volunteer basis. They may expect therapists to provide free massage as a way to beef up their LMT resumes. She reflects, “Working at an event or with […]

Funding your Massage Therapy Education through Financial Aid and Scholarships

2021-09-14T09:44:30-04:00January 25th, 2015|

When it comes to financing your massage therapist schooling, it pays to be prompt. Get the financial aid ball rolling early, to prevent headaches later on. In today’s post, we’re reviewing several funding avenues for attending accredited massage schools such as East West College. Read on to learn how to apply for financial aid.

Financial Aid Process for East West College of the Healing Arts

  1. Complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The first step when seeking financial aid is to fill out a FAFSA. Before filling out a FAFSA, you will need to apply for your student aid […]

Tips on How to Retain Massage Therapy Clients

2015-01-21T17:14:13-05:00January 21st, 2015|

Retaining clients is crucial for a successful massage therapy career. For one thing, it’s far more cost effective to book additional appointments with current clients than it is to earning new clients. This is true across all industries. Client loyalty expert Fred Reichheld estimates that a 5% boost in customer retention will increase profits by 25%, and overall growth by 100% across all businesses.

Moreover, return clients can create a reliable base income. Think about a regular client in the long term. If he or she gets two massages a month, at $60 per massage, that’s $120 per year, or $1440 […]

Massage Therapy Modalities: Introducing Thai Massage

2015-01-12T17:11:48-05:00January 12th, 2015|

Thai massage, known as Nuad Bo Rarn or “ancient massage” in Thai, is a unique massage modality that has only been available in the United States for about fifteen years. However, its rich history in Thailand stretches back over 2,000 years. In a traditional Thai massage, the client lies on a mat on the floor, while the therapist uses his or her knees, feet, elbows, and hands to create compression and stretching. Some say receiving a Thai massage is like going to a massage therapist, chiropractor, and yoga class all in one.

The father of Thai massage was Dr. Shivago Kormarpaj, an […]

Insurance Billing for Massage Therapists: Accepting Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Payments

2015-01-05T17:09:23-05:00January 5th, 2015|

All LMTs who attended an Oregon massage school should be aware of PIP (Personal Injury Protection) payments. Last month we covered the basics of insurance billing for massage therapists. In this post we discuss one particular form of insurance billing, mandated by Oregon law for those who have been in a car accident.

Introduction to PIP Billing for Massage Therapists
Oregon legislation requires automobile insurance companies to cover treatment following an accident. Personal Injury Protection covers wage loss and medical treatments for all occupants of involved automobiles. It also covers cyclists and pedestrians. (If the cyclist or pedestrian does not have auto insurance, […]

Professional Boundaries: Practical Applications for Preventing Compassion Fatigue

2014-12-30T17:06:02-05:00December 30th, 2014|

Boundaries may not be the first thing you think about when visiting a Portland, Oregon massage clinic. Nor are boundaries at top of mind when aspiring LMTs apply to massage therapy schools. Yet in order to earn a massage license with the state of Oregon, therapists must pass a jurisprudence exam on the legal boundaries set by the state. Massage therapists must follow professional boundaries to earn and maintain their licensure.

Beyond the legal aspect of ethics, therapists rely on boundaries to avoid compassion fatigue. Without strong boundaries, massage therapists may find themselves taking on their clients’ problems. Let’s take a look […]

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