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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.

Updates & Support for Massage Therapists in the Age of Coronavirus

2020-03-24T17:39:56-04:00March 24th, 2020|

Life in the era of the novel coronavirus would have been unrecognizable ten days ago. Day by day, we are witnessing enormous shifts, from how we greet others to employment prospects. To date, almost 400,000 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed across the globe, with nearly 16,500 deaths. To “flatten the curve,” i.e. slow the rate of infection, many leaders are limiting interactions through social distancing measures. Here in Oregon, the governor has just announced a “Stay Home” executive order which closes all gyms, day spas, fitness studios, and “non-medical massage therapy services.” Clearly, life is changing rapidly […]

Proactive Massage: PNF, Range of Motion and Client Engagement During Massage

2020-03-18T16:03:39-04:00March 18th, 2020|

Ask the average person why they get massage, and they might answer “for stress relief” or “to feel good!” It is unlikely that the first words out of their mouth would be “To improve communication between my nervous system and my muscles.” Yet mind/body proprioceptive learning is at the heart of proactive massage techniques. In proactive massage, the client participates through stretching, awareness of sensation, and mindful breathing. By improving the connection between brain and body, these unique massage approaches can successfully decrease pain, increase range of motion, and empower clients to become aware of their own muscular holding patterns. Let’s […]

Research Review: The Efficacy of CBD Massage

2020-03-18T15:57:43-04:00February 18th, 2020|

CBD is a buzzword the modern massage industry. Indeed, as cannabis is legalized in more states, multiple trades are considering how the addition of CBD and cannabis products can add value.  Is CBD massage a novelty that will soon fade? Or can today’s LMTs expect CBD massage to become commonplace? Today we’re reviewing the current research on CBD, particularly on how CBD can reduce inflammation. Our hope is to keep LMTs and massage clients informed on why CBD massage is appealing, how it works, and why you might want to consider adding it to your next massage session. We begin with […]

Massage Therapist Self-Care Questions to Assess Injury Risk

2020-03-18T15:50:02-04:00February 1st, 2020|

Did you know that three out of four therapists have experienced work-related pain or discomfort in the past two years? It’s true, according to a survey on injury among 601 American massage therapists. The same survey found that 64% of LMTs have sought medical treatment for their injuries. To enjoy a long, successful massage therapy career, therapists must cultivate good self-care habits, including injury prevention. Today we’re examining workplace injuries for massage therapists. We also include a list of questions therapists can ask themselves to understand their risk.

Let’s begin with a review of injury in the massage profession. Massage […]

Massage Modalities: Lymphatic Drainage Massage

2020-03-18T15:38:41-04:00January 18th, 2020|

The world of massage is not monotone. There are multitudes of massage modalities, several of which we have covered in previous articles. While completing massage therapy training at East West College, our students can take specialized classes in different massage techniques. Today we’re reviewing Lymphatic Drainage Massage. We will provide a basic definition, as well as listing benefits, techniques, and contraindications.

First, let’s review how the lymphatic system works. This portion of the circulatory system has two big jobs: 1. Removing waste and excess fluid, and 2. Fighting off infections. The lymphatic system exists throughout the body, and includes vessels, […]

Stretch Mark Massage

2020-01-14T17:30:09-05:00January 2nd, 2020|

Did you know that most babies are born in August? In fall and winter months, new mothers may be thinking about self-care, and wondering about stretch marks. Of course, stretch marks are not exclusive to mothers. What are stretch marks? What kind of treatment helps rebuild stretched tissue? Read on to discover answers to these questions, and more.

What are Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks occur as the body expands to accommodate changing dimensions, such as during pregnancy. A stretch mark appears where connective tissue breaks down. The epidermis, dermis, and superficial fascia of the skin is stretched more quickly than the epithelial tissue […]

Massage School Education and Regulation, by the Numbers

2020-01-14T17:26:47-05:00December 28th, 2019|

“Massage Therapy Industry Fact Sheet,” a recent release from the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), is a treasure trove of information about the massage therapy profession. We have examined this document for information on what the modern therapist is paid, how much they work, and what common characteristics many of them share. We’ve also provided a portrait of the modern massage therapist, according to the average statistics from the AMTA. Today we’re taking a different view by reviewing what the AMTA has discovered about massage education. If you are researching how to become a massage therapist, read on for a bird’s […]

Who are Today’s Massage Therapists?

2020-01-14T17:18:31-05:00December 21st, 2019|

Massage is a strong and growing industry, as shown by recent numbers from the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). If you’re considering working toward your massage certification or license (according to state requirements), it may behoove you to read the following facts about the average massage therapist, according to the AMTA’s Massage Therapy Industry Fact Sheet.

Massage Therapy: A Strong Industry

The massage therapy trade took in $18 billion in 2018. Between 19% and 28% of the American adult population had at least one massage from July 2017 to July 2018. Growth in the massage therapy industry is expected to grow 1.9% […]

Self-Care: Tips to Unwind and Reset between Massage Therapy Sessions

2020-01-14T17:09:35-05:00December 14th, 2019|

For most therapists, earning a massage certificate or license means they are finally ready to provide excellent care to others. However, the truth is that therapists must take good care of themselves if they wish to heal others effectively. You can maximize the sustainability of your massage career though self-awareness and self-care.

Too often, “self-care” is equated with yet more work. It’s not unusual to feel frustrated when self-care is just another item on your to-do list. But even a moment or two of sincere self-awareness and compassion can turn a day around. As you become more practiced in self-care, you will […]

Massage Modalities: Lomi Lomi Hawaiian Massage

2019-11-14T17:06:51-05:00November 14th, 2019|

Even if you’ve never been to Hawaii, you’ve probably heard the word “Aloha,” meaning both hello and goodbye. Yet within these three syllables are many other meanings: honor, respect, unconditional love, and sacredness in all things. The Hawaiian form of massage therapy, Lomi Lomi, perfectly reflects this Aloha approach to life. And as with the term “Aloha,” while Lomi Lomi may seem simple—long, relaxing strokes to release tension and rejuvenate the client—with more experience, the deep beauty of this massage modality becomes apparent.

Continuing our tradition of examining different types of massage, today we’re introducing the Lomi Lomi massage modality. Students at […]

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