Where Are They Now? Helping Graduates Take the Next Step

2026-07-13T18:07:43-07:00July 13th, 2026|

“My instructors at East West helped me realize that I could still feel smart and capable while learning things that didn’t come easily to me. I might need to approach things differently, but I could do it — and that’s something I’ve carried with me throughout my massage career.”

For Anne Nutwell, massage therapy offered the kind of career she had been looking for. After nearly a decade in data entry and office administration, she wanted work that felt more active, connected, and meaningful—work that would allow her to build genuine relationships and make a positive difference in people’s lives.

As she explored […]

Neuromuscular Therapy: The Art of Targeted Bodywork

2026-07-13T17:50:59-07:00July 13th, 2026|

Neuromuscular Therapy offers students a way to work with greater focus, precision, and curiosity. Instead of looking only at where discomfort shows up, this approach helps students consider the larger patterns that may be contributing to it — from trigger points and referral patterns to movement habits, muscle function, and client participation. It is targeted work, but it is also collaborative work, asking both practitioner and client to pay attention to what the body is communicating.

Offered as an elective at East West College of the Healing Arts, Neuromuscular Therapy brings together anatomy, palpation, movement, client communication, and applied kinesiology in […]

Where Are They Now? Kira’s Full-Circle Journey Back to East West

2026-05-27T07:09:52-07:00April 20th, 2026|

“Ayurveda taught me how to listen—to myself and to my clients in a deeper way.”

For Kira, graduation wasn’t the end of her journey with East West—it was the beginning of something deeper. After completing the program, she continued to grow as a practitioner, following her curiosity, refining her skills, and discovering new layers within her work. Over time, that growth led her back to East West—this time as an instructor.

In the years after graduation, Kira developed both her practice and her perspective. One thread remained constant throughout that evolution: Ayurveda. She found herself returning to it again and again, drawn to […]

Ayurvedic Massage: A Nourishing Approach to Balance

2026-04-18T20:46:33-07:00April 18th, 2026|

Ayurvedic Massage offers something many students and clients don’t realize they’re craving until they experience it: warmth, rhythm, nervous system support, and a more connected way of caring for the body. Rooted in Ayurveda, the ancient healing system of India, this work invites a different perspective—one that focuses less on chasing symptoms and more on restoring balance, building awareness, and trusting the body’s own intelligence.

Offered as an elective at East West College of the Healing Arts, Ayurvedic Massage introduces students to foundational Ayurvedic principles through Abhyanga, a gentle, choreographed warm-oil massage designed to calm the nervous system and support the […]

Reflexology: Intro to this Massage Modality

2026-03-27T07:38:52-07:00March 23rd, 2026|

Updated March, 2026

Reflexology is a manual healing method in which points on the feet, hands, and/or ears are compressed to alleviate pain and treat medical problems. Although the mechanisms for how reflexology works in the body are not well established, this practice has been relieving pain and other stress-related conditions for decades. As with other CAM therapies, many accredited massage schools offer reflexology courses because this healing modality has brought relief to patients across the globe.

Massage therapists who add reflexology to their repertoire may serve spa clients or anyone looking to relax. This approach is […]

Craniosacral Therapy: The Power of Subtle Work

2026-04-18T19:58:46-07:00February 22nd, 2026|

Craniosacral Therapy has a way of surprising people — in the best way. Many students are amazed by how much can happen when they slow down, tune in, and bring focused attention to the nervous system.  As one student put it: “Wow! I didn’t expect that to be so powerful.” 

Offered as an elective at East West College of the Healing Arts, Craniosacral is a favorite for students who want to deepen presence, build confidence, and refine intuitive listening. In this Q&A, our Craniosacral Therapy instructor, Cyr Zeeberg-Foote, breaks down what it is, how it’s different, and how the elective strengthens […]

How to Apply for Massage Therapy Licensure in Oregon

2026-03-06T10:19:07-08:00September 2nd, 2022|

UpUEditEdited 3/6/2026 to include updated information.

While we have posted on the educational and assessment requirements for becoming a massage therapist in the state of Oregon, we’ve never discussed the actual process of applying for a license, which is complex. As this step is crucial in any Oregon massage therapy career, we encourage those working toward LMT status to bookmark this page for easy reference.

What is the process for applying for a massage therapy license in Oregon?

As in most government procedures, there are multiple steps to follow. A helpful frame […]

The Great Resignation is Driving People to Launch Massage Therapy Careers

2022-02-25T10:13:31-08:00February 25th, 2022|

Certain portals in history change how we think, live, and act. A world war, for instance, changes everyone who lived through it. COVID may be our era’s catalytic event. Looking back over the last two years, it is clear that many of us will never be the same. The pandemic has altered nearly every aspect of life, and the workforce is no exception. Let’s examine how the Great Resignation of 2021 has pushed many people to leave their positions, and why massage careers are attracting many to shift gears. 

What is the Great Resignation?
In 2021, millions of people […]

Introducing the Choosing a Massage School Podcast

2022-02-04T16:26:14-08:00February 4th, 2022|

Massage therapy is a transformative modality that empowers people to discover profound healing. Yet choosing your ideal massage therapy school can be a challenging process. Where should you begin to look? How will you know which schools are superior? What massage therapy classes should you look for? And what should you prioritize in a school? To help with this process, we recommend listening to the Choosing a Massage School Podcast. 

The podcast features interviews with leading educators and practitioners from across the massage world, from Florida to Oregon. Massage school advice from industry experts– that’s what the podcast […]

Best Massage Apps to Make Life Easier for Students and LMTs

2022-01-11T10:59:28-08:00January 11th, 2022|

Getting your massage career started after graduating from massage school isn’t easy. And even if you’ve been out of massage therapist school for years, keeping up with laundry, marketing, professional requirements, and other aspects of LMT life can be challenging. Particularly as the new year approaches, it’s a good time to take stock of where you could be “working smarter” instead of “working harder.”  Let’s take a look at what apps could help you streamline your massage work this year. We include two sections: apps for students who are currently in massage schools in Oregon and elsewhere, and apps […]

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