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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 189 blog entries.

Insurance Reimbursement: Risks & Benefits for Massage Therapists

2014-12-05T17:01:48-08:00December 5th, 2014|

As the new year dawns, many massage therapists are thinking about how to boost business in 2015. Some may be brainstorming new marketing tactics. Others may aim to increase bookings among current clients. However, many LMTs overlook an entire segment of massage clients. We’re talking about insurance reimbursement, in which therapists’ massage services are offset by clients’ insurance benefits.

As one of the leading massage schools in Oregon, we’ve heard all the reasons why LMTs avoid taking on insurance reimbursement. Many say it’s too much of a hassle. Others worry that they’ll lose their independence by cowing to insurance providers’ demands.

Yet the […]

Massage College Preview Promo Post

2014-11-30T17:00:37-08:00November 30th, 2014|

Psychology research has shown that people who engage in a variety of experiences are happier overall. Following your personal interests to new experiences is a great way to increase happiness. If you’ve always been curious about massage therapy, our massage certification program has a new, mood-boosting event for you: Our Monthly Massage College Preview.

This month, our Massage College Preview event will be held on Wednesday, December 10th from 6:00 to 7:30pm. Join us on campus for a Q&A session about massage therapy. An East West College admissions representative will be on hand to answer questions about our school. If […]

Medical Massage: Growing in Popularity in American Hospitals

2014-11-23T16:59:13-08:00November 23rd, 2014|

CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) is on the rise in hospitals across the US, and massage is a big part of that growth. The 2010 Complimentary and Alternative Medicine Survey of Hospitals took a look at 714 hospitals across the US. It found that 42% offered CAM services, an increase of 5% since 2007. Urban hospitals are the most likely to offer CAM healing, and massage therapy was found to be the most popular CAM therapy for outpatient healing, at 64%. Let’s take a look at how therapeutic massage schools prepare students for work in hospitals.

Medical Massage Work in Hospitals


Medical […]

Sports Massage: Symptoms of 3 Common Injuries in Athletics

2014-11-21T16:55:27-08:00November 21st, 2014|

During a career in massage, any given therapist will almost certainly encounter clients with sprained muscles. In today’s post, we’re taking a look at how sprains feel, where they often occur for athletes, and how these ubiquitous injuries may be healed through massage.

At some point or another, most active individuals have experienced a sprained muscle. Sports massage therapists are especially likely to work on sprains. As students learn in our massage training school, a sprain typically feels like a “popping” sensation, followed by a severe, sudden pain. After the sprain occurs, the area feels tender, with bruising.

Strains occur when muscle is […]

Curious about Massage as a Career? Join us for our massage college preview event

2014-10-22T16:52:10-07:00October 22nd, 2014|

If you’re looking for information on Portland massage schools, we invite you to join us on November 15th for our Massage College Preview Event. On that Saturday, from mid-morning to mid-afternoon, massage professionals, admission representatives, and teachers will gather to answer your questions about kicking off a massage therapist career.

From 10:00am to Noon, our admission representative will partner with a local professional massage therapist to answer your questions. How can I pay for massage school? What does it take to get a massage therapist certification or license? Can I complete a massage program while working a full-time job? Bring these and […]

Benefits of Myofascial Massage for Athletes

2014-10-18T16:50:44-07:00October 18th, 2014|

Fascia, or connective tissue, is a stabilizing substance. Acting like cables in a tension bridge, it stabilizes bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. This thick, elastic tissue is rich in nerve endings, so it transmits messages from the brain quickly, and assists with proprioception (awareness of where the body is in space).  Fascia wraps around every muscle, every muscle fiber, and every joint. It supports every organ, pads every vertebra (discs are considered a part of the fascial system) and protects bones. When fascia is healthy, it allows us to move gracefully, as it helps control and coordinate our movements. It […]

Expressions of Gratitude: What East West College Teachers & Students are Thankful for This Holiday Season

2014-10-16T16:53:43-07:00October 16th, 2014|

Just before Thanksgiving, we wandered the massage school, asking students and instructors what they were thankful for about our Oregon school of massage therapy training. Here’s what fills our teachers, staff, and students with gratitude:

Belief in Bodywork in a Safe and Productive Learning Environment
“Without a doubt I am most thankful for [East West College owners] Edie Moll & David Slawson. These two people do so much that none of us are even aware of in order to provide each and every one of us with so many opportunities. Their belief in bodywork, their support to make this institution as high caliber as […]

Avoiding Burnout: How to Enjoy a Long Career in Massage Therapy

2014-10-09T16:49:42-07:00October 9th, 2014|

Any compassion-based career has the potential for burnout. Teachers, counselors, doctors, and massage therapists who do not dedicate time to self-care may find themselves exhausted and lethargic—too tired and stressed out to help others. In extreme cases, a thoroughly burnt out therapist may even consider abandoning his or her practice due to excess stress. Today, we’re taking a look at how massage therapists can avoid burnout through self-care.

Massage schools do not consistently track their graduates’ career paths, so no comprehensive burnout statistics are available. However, various boards have researched attrition and concluded that burnout is a real threat for massage therapists. […]

Massage Career Opportunities in Spas

2014-10-05T16:47:57-07:00October 5th, 2014|

According to The International SPA Association Foundation, today’s spas are looking to hire more massage therapists. Indeed, in SPA: a Comprehensive Introduction, the association states that spas currently have 24,000 positions open for those with a massage certificate or license. This labor shortage bodes well for those looking into careers in massage therapy. Overall, Massage Bodywork tells us, the spa industry is the fastest growing work environment in the massage sector.

An education from our massage school in Portland enables graduates to work in a wide range of fields, from literal playing fields (in sports massage therapy) to hospitals (as medical […]

Join us on 10/18 for our Massage College Preview Event!

2014-09-19T16:46:45-07:00September 19th, 2014|

There are countless reasons for choosing a career in massage. Most of our students say their number one motivation is their sincere desire to help and heal others. But earning your massage license comes with other perks too: The freedom of setting your own schedule (assuming you choose to set up an independent practice); not feeling trapped in an office cubicle, and the joy of working with your hands, to name a few.

With that said, it’s not always easy to leave the stable job you currently have for the new career you crave. And even those who are kicking off their […]

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