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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 187 blog entries.

Anatomy & Physiology: The Backbone of a Strong Massage Program

2014-06-12T11:49:18-07:00June 12th, 2014|

If you’re shopping west coast massage schools, we recommend checking out each institution’s anatomy and physiology classes. These courses are the backbone of any strong massage certification program. Together, Anatomy and Physiology inform therapists on how the body is structured (anatomy), and how it functions (physiology). When working as a massage therapist, Anatomy and Physiology is a must-have. Otherwise you can’t have a good map of the body, nor an understanding of how different parts work together.

One reason why we’re consistently chosen as the best massage school in Oregon—and one of the top schools in the nation—is that our anatomy and […]

Interviewing Tips for Landing a Massage Therapy Job

2014-06-05T11:47:36-07:00June 5th, 2014|

When it comes to job openings, East West grads often find their applications at the top of the pile, since our school has a reputation for academic excellence. We have even heard of students getting jobs on the East West College name alone. We’re a top Oregon massage school, and many feel ours is one of the top massage therapy programs in the country.

So if you’re an alum of our school, you can feel confident entering a massage therapy interview. Your East West College classes and clinic experience is excellent preparation to become a massage therapist. Even so, you should prepare […]

Massage Career Preview Event on 6/21

2014-05-20T11:38:16-07:00May 20th, 2014|

Do you find yourself browsing the web for information about massage therapy careers? If so, there’s a good chance that you could have a future in massage. We are a leading Northwest massage school—indeed, we’re one of only 4 schools on the West Coast to have COMTA Accreditation. And we’d love to help you explore potential careers in massage therapy. Our Massage Career Preview events are intended to give you the answers and perspectives you need to decide whether earning massage therapy licensure is the right path for you.

At our Massage Career Preview, you can also check out our school’s […]

Oil vs. Lotion: Which is better for massage?

2014-05-12T11:35:50-07:00May 12th, 2014|

It’s a question you hear in the clinics of all massage schools, Portland, OR to Portland Maine: Do you prefer lotion or oil? If you visit our massage clinic, you will definitely be asked this question. So today we’re taking some time to explore the pros and cons of each.

From the perspective of skin health, oil and lotion each offer benefits—assuming that your therapist selects lotions free of petroleum products and other noxious chemicals, that is. Many of us love our over-the-counter creams and lotions to create soft, touchable skin. But here’s the rub: Many of those trusted lotion brands […]

The Benefits of Touch across the Human Lifespan

2014-05-09T11:32:29-07:00May 9th, 2014|

Michelangelo said, “To touch is to give life.” Today we’re exploring how science proves him right. We’ll explore findings from researchers like UC Berkeley professor Dacher Kelter, who has overseen experiments on how well humans can convey emotions to each other through touch alone (about half of the time, it turns out.) Beyond expression of compassion and other emotions, we’ll find that touch can improve health and activate brain centers for reward and compassion.

Primates spend 10-20% of their waking time grooming each other—that’s time spent touching family members and peers. Yet many people in the West go days on end without […]

A Look inside the Craniosacral System & How Massage Therapy Helps

2014-05-05T11:30:36-07:00May 5th, 2014|

Craniosacral therapy, sometimes called cranial osteopathy, is massage that focuses on the skull and sacrum. It is rooted in the idea that the health of the craniosacral system is central to our overall health.

To understand this type of therapy, it’s helpful to have a basic grasp on how the craniosacral system works. Basically, this system provides a healthy environment for the central nervous system. The craniosacral (CS) system is composed of membranes and fluid that protects the brain and the spine. The membranes of the craniosacral system stretch from the bones of the skull and face down the spine to the […]

Communication Tips for Massage Therapists

2014-04-25T11:27:26-07:00April 25th, 2014|

From intake to conclusion, a good massage requires more than a pair of healing hands. Communication is also key, to ensure that clients’ needs are being met in a respectful way. In this blog, we reflect on why communication matters in massage. We also provide communication tips for massage therapists.

The Importance of Communication in Massage
—Establishing trust. To help clients relax their muscles and allow healing massage, therapists must use verbal and body language that conveys safety and peace. A soft tone of voice, calm demeanor, and clear style can help clients sink quickly into a good state for receiving massage.
—In-Session Feedback. […]

Massage Career Preview Events in 2014: Ask Questions & Get Hands-On Experience

2014-04-17T11:22:48-07:00April 17th, 2014|

Every month, we hold a Massage Career Preview event to give prospective students the chance to ask questions, see the college, and get some hands-on experience. In May, our Massage Career Preview event will be held on 5/17. If you’ve been considering a career in massage, we encourage you to come to an East West College Massage Career Preview for more in-depth information about our program, our accreditation, and other logistical considerations, including financial aid. Choosing from massage schools in Portland is a visceral process; attending a Massage Career Preview can help you get a good “gut feeling” for whether East […]

COMTA: What it is, and Why it Matters for Massage Therapists & Their Clients

2021-07-21T12:43:33-07:00April 12th, 2014|

Certification is an important consideration when choosing an Oregon/Washington massage school. Each massage therapy training program carries its own set of certifications, some from state massage boards, and others from industry groups.

East West College is licensed through the Oregon Department of Education. Our program is also approved by the Washington Board of Massage, the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists, and the Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Division. Today we’re focusing on our COMTA accreditation, as it conveys a level of excellence that distinguishes East West College. About 85 schools are currently certified in COMTA. East West College is the only COMTA-accredited program in […]

Posture, Massage, and the Brain: How Massage can Improve Help Improve Posture and Brain Functioning

2014-03-27T18:04:43-07:00March 27th, 2014|

Most people who choose massage careers are enthusiastic healers, passionate about relieving others’ pain through healing touch. But in addition to changing a person’s physical experience, did you know that massage therapy can also change the way the brain works? Fascinating new research from across the country shows that physical posture has a direct impact on brain functioning. Let’s review some of the research:

A Straight Spine Brings a Positive Outlook and Increased Confidence. San Francisco State University professor Erik Pepper has found that people can more easily think of positive thoughts and memories when they are sitting up straight.

A Ohio State […]

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