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 […]

The new year is right around the corner—meaning that massage therapy documents should be lined up, ready for entry into tax forms. Few LMTs would claim that taxes are fun—but they don’t have to be terrifying, if you have your materials organized well. Preparation is the name of the game here. Don’t put off gathering your documents until the last minute. Procrastination will only make tax preparation harder. To kick start tax season, we’ve gathered a few tax tips specifically for LMTs.

Tax Preparation Strategies for Licensed Massage Therapists

1. Figure Gross Receipts. Uber-prepared therapists keep a running record of their income for […]
   

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 […]

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. […]

We’re often told not to judge a book by its cover, yet it’s only human to do just that. We do make judgments based on physical appearance—and no wonder, given what a visual species we are! It’s not something that’s deeply discussed in every massage training school, but creating a visually welcoming space can do wonders for attracting a consistent client base. For those of you who are completing a massage therapist certification, now is the perfect time to plan how you’ll decorate your new workplace (i.e., your massage clinic). Read on for our tips on decorating a massage space.

5 Ways […]

You’re entering your massage therapist career. The education is done, you’ve passed state licensing, and your new massage space looks perfect. Now for actually getting a client in the door for a massage! Portland, OR is a haven for health nuts who love taking care of themselves with massage, so it’s not too tough to begin building a client base. Regardless of whether you’re in the Rose City, the following ten approaches will win you new massage clients.

1. Volunteer at Athletic Events. Post-run, post-triathalon, post-ride: Massage never feels better than after a long athletic event. Contact event organizers and inquire about […]
   

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 […]

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. […]

In our Portland massage therapy program, we teach students how to use their hands and arms to heal others. Little in this world is as gratifying as delivering relief to another human being through massage. However, without the proper self-care, a massage therapy career may be interrupted by any number of soft tissue injuries, often in the upper body. There are two types of common massage therapy injuries: 1) Tendon/muscle injuries and 2) Nerve impingement injuries.

Common Injuries & Health Issues Among Massage Therapists

Overuse Syndrome is the most commonly diagnosed injury among massage therapists. It is a slow onset of pain that […]