Anyone who has ever been pregnant knows prenatal massage can be a lifesaver. But what about after labor? In the six weeks following giving birth, the body is adjusting to parenthood while also returning to its pre-pregnancy size. Many new parents experience pain in the hips, low back, shoulders, neck, and wrists, among other challenges. To inform both LMTs and patients, we’re listing the benefits and contraindications of postpartum massage.

Benefits of Postnatal Massage

Relaxation and Stress Reduction. New caregivers will appreciate the relief that massage delivers to all clients. By reducing muscle tension, massage can decrease stress hormone […]

After many months of study and clinical work, massage therapy students may see graduation from their school of massage as the finish line. Yet several more boxes must be ticked to earn massage certification. For those attending massage schools in Oregon, passing a national therapy exam, such as the MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination), is a key step in licensure. (You’ll find our guide to getting licensed in massage therapy in Oregon here.) Most LMTs (in 46 out of 49 regulated jurisdictions) need to pass the MBLEx.

Considering that the current fee […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]