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Til Luchau on the Choosing a Massage School Podcast: Select a School that Aligns with your Goals

2023-02-28T11:04:39-05:00February 28th, 2023|

The Choosing a Massage School Podcast is an excellent resource for anyone wondering how to become a massage therapist. Today we’re examining the episode featuring Til Luchau, a world-renowned therapist who in 2018 was named Massage Magazine’s first Massage All-Star. Aspiring LMTs can stand on the shoulders of this massage therapy giant by attending to his advice.

The Story of Til Luchau’s Career in Massage

Til Luchau pursued several career paths prior to massage therapy; he has been a foreign car mechanic, an Outward Bound instructor, and a high school teacher. He was first exposed […]

Whitney Lowe on the Choosing a Massage School Podcast: Treat your Massage School Search Like an Interview

2022-08-02T11:15:34-04:00August 2nd, 2022|

Selecting from therapeutic massage schools is no easy task, particularly when one is a newcomer to the massage therapy world. What distinguishes the best massage therapy schools? And how can one decide which schools to apply to? The Choosing a Massage School Podcast is a great resource for answering these questions and more. It features interviews with some of the most established figures in massage therapy. Because the interviews are rich with resources for the massage school aspirant, we’re examining each one in a separate post. Today’s featured speaker is Whitney Lowe.

With […]

Oregon Massage Therapy Licensure: How to Become an LMT in the Beaver State

2022-07-08T13:32:11-04:00July 8th, 2022|

The road to massage therapy licensure is rewarding, enlightening, and challenging. But for any Oregonian who wants to practice massage, Portland to John Day, the end goal is the same: successfully adding the letters “LMT” (Licensed Massage Therapist) to one’s name. If you’re researching massage therapy training in Oregon, it’s key to select programs that will empower you to gain licensure. 

To do that, you must understand what the state requires to become an LMT. It’s helpful to work backward from that audacious goal, so that every step you take in the journey leads in the direction of […]

Our COMTA Massage Therapy School Accreditation: What it Means and Why it Matters

2022-05-30T13:25:17-04:00May 30th, 2022|

From plumbing to engineering, established careers have special delegations to indicate experience and expertise. Professional organizations authenticate quality via specialized certifications. Massage therapy is no exception. For accredited massage schools, one designation stands head and shoulders above all others: COMTA accreditation.

Of course, if we’re looking at the individual level, massage therapist certification, or licensure, is the first thing to consider. LMT requirements vary from state to state. Here in Oregon, for instance, a therapist must pass a national exam (such as the MBLEX) as well as the Oregon jurisprudence (massage law) exam, pass a background check, pay a feel of […]

James Waslaski on the Choosing a Massage School Podcast: The Power of Positive Energy and Experienced Instructors

2022-04-04T15:37:19-04:00April 4th, 2022|

For fifty years, our Portland massage school has guided students to become LMTs. We know how challenging it can be to find the right massage school. So we’re thrilled to support the Choosing a Massage School Podcast, which features interviews with massage industry leaders whose decades of expertise deliver deep wisdom on the massage profession, and on how LMT-hopefuls can choose the ideal school of massage. Today we’re reviewing an episode featuring James Waslaski, a celebrated leader in Orthopedic Massage. 

James’ journey to massage therapy began thirty years ago, when he was working in medicine, and pursuing running […]

Massage Collective Models: Introducing this Breakthrough Business Model

2021-11-15T10:12:50-05:00November 15th, 2021|

Overwhelmed as an independent contractor/business owner? Or frustrated in your current position? A few years after you become a massage therapist, you may feel you have enough experience to try something new. The Massage Collective approach could be just what you need. Therapists across the country are forming collectives in which multiple practitioners work together in a community of mutual support and shared responsibility. Today we’re introducing this model and examining how a couple massage collectives work. We also list the benefits LMTs can see from joining a massage collective. Read on to learn more about this breakthrough massage business model.

Massage […]

Skin in the Sun: What to Know about Massage in the Summer

2021-08-03T09:37:23-04:00August 3rd, 2021|

Summertime, and the living is easy, right? Not for your skin. Heat and sunburn can turn the epidermis into the Sahara, and massage clients may show up with damage. Summer sun means unique contraindications and client needs. And while LMTs’ massage careers will include some events that cannot be anticipated (COVID shutdowns come to mind), summer skin care is an annual issue. Let’s take a big-picture view of how massage therapists can best assist clients during the summer months, with an eye toward skin care and hot-weather massage therapy.

Stay Cool: Keeping Massage Clients Comfortable during the Summer

Particularly with this summer’s heat […]

Massage Gel 101

2021-06-17T10:26:36-04:00June 21st, 2021|

In the past, we have written on the advantages and drawbacks of oil versus lotion for therapeutic massage. Today we’re looking at the new kid on the massage lubricants block: Massage Gel. What is it? Why consider using it? Read on to learn the answers to these questions and more. 

What is Massage Gel?
Massage gel is the new massage medium on the block. Like all lubricants, its purpose is to support a therapist’s healing touch by allowing for fluid, purposeful movements. Gels moisturize skin while offering excellent slide (initial slipperiness upon application) and […]

Celebrate Pride Month by Making Your Massage Practice LGBTQ-Friendly

2021-06-17T10:19:21-04:00June 17th, 2021|

As natural-born healers, massage therapists aim to make their practices accessible to all. A massage therapy career is rooted in caring for others. Yet unintentional discrimination may make potential clients feel uncomfortable. If you are straight and cis gender, you may be unaware of the stress and discrimination that LGBTQ individuals face daily massage practice lgbtq EWC. 

Research shows that LGBTQ persons are 2.5 times more likely to experience depression, substance misuse, and anxiety than their straight peers. Moreover, most LGBTQ people report healthcare discrimination, such as denial of care, harsh language, […]

The Psychological Power of Touch, and the Impact of the Coronavirus

2021-05-27T13:02:03-04:00May 27th, 2021|

The Coronavirus lockdowns have dramatically changed social engagement, not least of all how often we receive and give touch. Stuck with our roommates or family members for more than a year, the world of human contact shrunk as exponentially as the virus spread. For safety, we are still encouraged to keep a six-foot distance between ourselves and everyone outside of our immediate households, unless vaccination is complete. Our primary sense—touch—and our largest sensory organ—our skin—may be starved. How does this impact us psychologically? Are we affected by the lack of social touch, as handshakes, pats on the back and hugs have […]

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