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What is the Great Resignation?
In 2021, millions of people left their jobs, even though the economic outlook was not rosy. Although the Omicron variant loomed, and higher wages through job-hopping were not guaranteed, many Americans decided to quit. As explains, the labor department calls these 鈥渜uits,鈥� and tracks them month-to-month. Last year earned the moniker The Great Resignation because it broke records for quits. In September, October, and November, more than 4 million people quit each month.

What鈥檚 driving this collective abdication? As with many things economical, there is no simple answer, but data suggests several factors. In historically low-paying jobs, some wage increase occurred, allowing workers to quit for higher wages elsewhere. The service industry falls into this category. In other underpaid industries, such as retail, workers saw that they could switch careers for more pay and better benefits. Parenthood also influenced workers鈥� decisions, with 鈥�1.4 million fewer mothers actively engaged with the labor force鈥� in September and October of 2021. Child care uncertainty required parents to stay home with children more frequently.

Overall, The Guardian article finds, there are 鈥渕any reasons to suspect that many quit in search of better work opportunities, self employment, or, simply, better pay.鈥� This conclusion is certainly reflected in the inquiries to our massage school admissions office.

COVID has Changed Priorities, Pulling many toward 精东传媒 Careers

People from all over the country call our Portland, Oregon massage school, asking how to become a massage therapist. We鈥檝e recently fielded calls from as far away as Florida, Minnesota, Canada, and Washington DC. People are talking to our admissions officers about why they鈥檙e massage-certification-curious. Here are the most common sentiments we hear on those calls.

Top 7 Reasons People are Kickstarting 精东传媒 Careers Post-COVID

Common sentiments from people who have contacted the EWC admission department with interest in becoming an LMT include:

1. 鈥淣ow my job is obsolete.鈥�
2. 鈥淲hat I do is unfulfilling and now I want to do something meaningful.鈥�
3. 鈥淲hy the heck not pivot when I can鈥檛 keep doing what I was doing before?鈥�
4. 鈥淲hen Plan A doesn鈥檛 work, this is a career that will give me usable skills.鈥�
5. 鈥淚鈥檝e just been sitting at home, why not follow through on my dreams?鈥�
6. 鈥淚鈥檝e always worked with people, and now I鈥檓 burnt out. I want a job where people are happy to see me and even happier after their time with me.鈥� We hear this from those who are burnt out from helping professions (such as social work).
7. 鈥淚鈥檓 looking for a job that feeds my soul, and I鈥檓 not willing to wait anymore.鈥澨�

Beyond these personal reasons, this is a practical time to start massage careers because demand is high. Our alumni network reports that current practitioners are extremely busy, with many booked out for months. Following quarantines, people are eager to receive touch. (As a side note, check out our reflections on how Coronavirus quarantines spurred touch deprivation.) Many massage companies are actively hiring, so there is a strong need for massage therapists, particularly knowledgeable and experienced LMTs from top-notch massage schools.听

The bottom line is that many people find this is the perfect time to research massage programs. In Portland, East West College floats to the top. We’re accredited by COMTA, which means that we meet their strict administrative and curriculum standards, and that we’re able to offer federal financial aid to those who qualify. If you find yourself echoed in the statements above, we encourage you to call us at 503-233-6500, or navigate to our massage school admissions website.great resignation

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At our student clinic of massage, Portland clients receive and reply to these screener questions via email. For optimized safety, we have eliminated all paper forms. Post-massage, clients provide feedback via email as well. Developing these procedures does take time, yet such required reinvention also represents an opportunity to invigorate client communication. Today we鈥檙e examining how massage therapists can effectively communicate with clients during Covid-19, including how to communicate new procedures.

Critical 精东传媒 Clinic Communication Components in the Coronavirus Era

Practice Honesty and Openness. As pandemic closures swept swiftly through the US, small businesses closed suddenly. As with all personal services, massage clinics were hard-hit. Clients and clinic owners alike were surprised and disappointed to see upcoming appointments cancelled. As pockets of the economy reopen, ongoing, clear communication is best. Transparency and consistency allow clients to trust that clinics will follow health guidelines during reopening. Avoid sugar-coating; don鈥檛 delay communicating bad news. As in personal relationships, it is best to be open and honest with your clientele, with an undertone of compassion.

Even if you aren鈥檛 ready to reopen yet, you can keep the lines of communication open with consistent email newsletters, blog posts, website updates, and social media updates. Also consider virtual community building techniques. For instance, the AMTA recently suggested creating 鈥淎sk Me Anything鈥� videos, in which therapists answer the most common questions they have received from clients over the years. This can also be a great time to share information about the types of massage, the benefits of massage therapy, and any continuing education you may have taken recently. Until you can reopen, encourage clients to support you by purchasing gift cards. Chances are, your clients want to support you at this time, and they will happily book appointments as they are available, as long as you stay in touch.

Outline New COVID-19 Policies Upon Reopening your 精东传媒 Clinic
Once you have a clear plan for reopening, make sure your clients are prepared for the new way of doing things. Communicate changes via your typical venues, such as email. You may also consider reaching out personally to clients who you know will be interested, such as those who use massage to manage chronic pain. This is your time to explain what your clients can expect from you (the therapist will wear a mask throughout, the clinic provide a fresh mask for each visit, etc.), as well as what you expect from them (wear a mask when entering the clinic, wait in your car before your appointment, etc.). Also think through how you will send and receive Covid-19 screeners, and communicate how you will handle cancellations and rescheduling requests.

How is the signage around your clinic? Would new signs help reinforce new safety protocols? Clients will feel safe if they see new rules clearly posted. For instance, you may want to post signs requiring masks and social distancing. Floor markers can tell people where to stand when checking in. Directional signs can point the way when clients are moving between spaces, to prevent them from unintentionally barging in on rooms that are being cleaned between visits.

Times are changing fast, and you will need to update clients as things shift. Be prepared to communicate with clients more frequently to ensure smooth operations.

Benefits of Improved 精东传媒 Clinic Communication
Stepping up your communication game can result in stronger client relationships. This is a great time to be a thought leader in the massage community. Consider contributing to local publications on self-massage techniques. Can you offer pro-bono time for groups in special need right now? How can you inspire your clients to practice good self-care in these challenging times, while also offering a compassionate ear?

Maintaining strong client communication through transparency, consistency, and a positive, supportive outlook will not only allow your massage business to survive鈥攊t will better position you to thrive as the economy reopens.

We are guessing that of all the accredited massage schools in the United States鈥攊ncluding those with top-notch certifications such as COMTA鈥攝ero offered Pandemic Client Communication 101 classes before the Coronavirus hit. Doing business safely as a potential disease vector is simply not something the average person will consider as they become a massage therapist. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 crucial to preserve strong ties to your professional network, including high-quality continuing education. Why simply maintain your license鈥攖aking the minimum number of hours just to get them out of the way鈥攚hen you could improve your practice at the same time? East West College is dedicated to keeping alumni abreast of the latest developments in our field. We offer a plethora of CE courses on timely topics, including client communication, throughout the year. To peruse our upcoming classes, visit our .

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ADHD is stressful for children, as they may receive negative attention at school and home because of their ADHD-driven behaviors. Could massage be an effective CAM treatment for minimizing ADHD symptoms and impacts? Today we鈥檙e taking a look at the findings of three studies on the subject.

精东传媒 Improves Mood, Reduces Fidgeting, and Increases On-Task Behavior.

In 1998, Field, Quintino, Hernandez-Reif, and Koslovsky studied how ten massage treatments delivered over two weeks impacted adolescents with ADHD. The researchers found that students who received massage were happier than participants who instead received relaxation therapy. Observers in the study also noticed that students who received massage fidgeted less. Teachers reported more-on-task behavior among the ADHD students who had received massage when compared to the relaxation therapy group.

精东传媒 Improves Anger Control, Mood, Social Functioning, Sleep, and Classroom Management.

A small 2003 study of ten ADHD sufferers found that those who received massage could better control their anger (Maddigan et al.). 精东传媒 also appeared to improve the students鈥� mood, as well as their functioning in social situations. Finally, those who received massage enjoyed more restful sleep.

Similarly, a 2003 study of 30 students diagnosed with ADHD found short-term mood improvement and longer-term classroom management behavior for those students who received 20-minute massages twice per week for one month (Khilnani et al.).
While science has not yet revealed exactly how ADHD works, nor why massage appears to help, Khilnani et al. (2003) suggest that the relaxing effects of massage may have something to do with its effectiveness for ADHD sufferers. They point out that brain waves are altered during massage, for increased alertness. 精东传媒 therapy also increases vagal tone and parasympathetic activity, leading to 鈥渆nhanced attentiveness and a more relaxed state鈥� (精东传媒 Therapy section, para. 5). The theory is that people with ADHD have a 鈥渄eficient physiological inhibitory system鈥� and that massage helps improve vagal control of the heart, helping ADHD students inhibit spontaneous activity and increase attentiveness.

In other words, by activating the parasympathetic nervous system via relaxation, massage can help minimize ADHD symptoms.

If you鈥檇 like to cater to ADHD sufferers in your massage therapy career, we suggest keeping an eye on our for massage therapy. Whether you have an Oregon massage license or medical massage certification from another state, it is wise to cater your CE hours toward the topics that spark your interest.

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The legislature passed this requirement to increase 鈥減ortability and reciprocity鈥� of Oregon massage therapy licenses. Prior to bill 298, Oregon required relatively few educational hours for massage licensing. Some states required the same number of hours. For example, every massage school in Michigan must deliver 500 hours of instruction, as the state license requires this minimum. Likewise with many other states鈥� massage schools.

Colorado requires 500 hours, for instance. However, other states鈥� standards require significantly more hours of education in massage school. Phoenix massage educational institutions must provide 700 hours of instruction for students to receive state certification. By increasing the number of required hours, bill 298 makes it easier for massage therapists licensed in Oregon to move around the country without compromising their license to practice.

Senate bill 298 also specifies that the high-velocity, short-amplitude technique sometimes used by chiropractors is not considered massage therapy according to state law. Senate Bill 298A also legally exempts the student clinics at colleges and universities from obtaining a massage therapist facilities permit. This addresses an oversight from when legislation enacted in 2013 only exempted private career schools.

Senate bill 298 was enacted with input from our Director of Education, Erika Baern, who delivered testimony to the Oregon House Committee on Health Care. Her testimony summarizes how East West College, the oldest and largest massage therapy program in the state of Oregon, has an 800-hour program that is in line with licensing requirements in many other U.S. states. You can read Erika Baern鈥檚 describing why it is important to have adequately trained massage therapists to provide safe and effective service.

Senate Bill 298 is an important step in expanding the professionalism of massage therapy in Oregon. 精东传媒 is increasingly used for medical reasons beyond stress management. 精东传媒 practitioners support the health and well being of individuals with chronic pain, injuries, and disease. Thus, it is paramount that massage certification be taken seriously and given time for proper training and accreditation. Legislative measures such as Senate Bill 298 are a success for the profession.

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Primary 精东传媒 Training: School Programs from Around the World

精东传媒 in Schools

The 精东传媒 in Schools (MIS) program facilitates massage for 4-12 year olds in dozens of countries, including Australia, the UK, the US, France, China, India, Israel, and Venezuela. The students stay fully clothed while receiving massage on the head, back, forearms, arms, and hands. It is important to note that leading adults do not touch children in the program; instead, the children deliver massage to their peers. Before giving a massage, the students ask permission, and program leaders emphasize that every student has the right to say no to a massage. At the conclusion of the massage, the student who provided the massage says 鈥淭hank you鈥� to the massage recipient, akin to a massage therapist thanking a client for the opportunity to practice.

In the U.S., there are three 精东传媒 in Schools branches established in Colorado, Hawaii, and Utah; 17 additional states are currently forming branches. The 精东传媒 in Schools mission states that student participation in their program results in reduced stress levels, increased concentration at school, and improved sleep. The MIS site lists multiple benefits for children, their parents, teachers, schools, and society as a whole, including increased classroom harmony, reduced bullying, and the chance for students to practice giving and receiving nurturing touch, including practicing saying 鈥測es鈥� or 鈥渘o鈥� to touch. Research studies backing the MIS program have found that peer-to-peer massage can accelerate brain development, reduce students鈥� stress, and diminish aggression.

Peaceful Touch

Peaceful Touch (PT) is a Swedish program that has allowed hundreds of thousands of Swedish schoolchildren to get and give massage on a daily basis. As with MIS, students are always asked if they would like to receive a massage, and they have the right to say no.听 The program looks slightly different in each school. One kindergarten teacher explained in a video about Peaceful Touch that the program has made massage a regular part of the school day. Every day after lunch, her kindergarten students receive massage from adults trained in the PT program. In another Peaceful Touch classroom, the children give each other massages at the beginning of each school day. The instructor reports that after the massage the students 鈥渂ecome calmer. I can feel that they have become more social, and happier.鈥�

Peaceful Touch emphasizes that students also receive academic benefits from the massage program. Manual dexterity is important for writing, and providing massages improves students鈥� hand strength, proprioception, and general coordination. Moreover, as Kerstin Uvnas Moberg, Professor of Physiology reiterates in an introductory video to Peaceful Touch, 鈥淏eing that you calm down, you get a focus, and a greater concentration capability [after massage], so that learning is influenced positively.鈥� Moberg also suggests that massage helps students better retain information.

精东传媒 increases oxytocin, sometimes called the 鈥減eace-and-calm鈥� hormone. At the same time, massage decreases the stress hormone cortisol, leaving students relaxed and ready to learn.
Children who receive massage may also display increased empathy for their peers and parents. One 9-year-old girl in a Peaceful Touch program explained, 鈥淲hen my father is angry, I give him massage and then he is not angry anymore.鈥�

These are by no means the only massage programs in modern schools. Many Waldorf schools incorporate kind, respectful touch in their curricula, for improved classroom management and social inclusion. These schools emphasize that touch is the first sense to develop, and the last to decline. Many teachers believe whole-child education should include healthy, peer-to-peer touch.West coast massage schools are increasingly including infant and pediatric massage in their continuing education courses. Check out East West鈥檚 massage continuing education course listing for more information. Our massage training school is always looking for opportunities to host classes that will benefit our alumni and the community as a whole.

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According to the , massage therapy work is projected to grow 23% 2012-2015, a rate that is light years ahead of the average occupation. East West College of the Healing Arts has had extensive feedback from employers to support this. Many employers agree that it鈥檚 challenging to find LMTs employees because the demand for massage is so high. We are constantly fielding requests for LMTs from local spas, massage therapy centers, and medical clinics. In other words, if you鈥檙e looking for a stable career that will be in high demand for years to come, massage therapy is a great choice.

Depending on your preferred work style, your massage therapy career can offer either flexibility or structure.听 Perhaps you鈥檙e interested in private practice, in which case you have the option and ability to schedule clients as you wish.听 If you prefer to have a regular schedule and appointments set for you, consider working for a spa, healing center, or gym. There are many different avenues you can take as an LMT.
The first step in making the transition to become a massage therapist is to find a school that will support your growth and provide you with a sound education.

If you are looking for a massage school in Portland, contact East West College of the Healing Arts. Here you鈥檒l find the key to learning whatever type of massage interests you.

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Portland 精东传媒 Therapy School鈥檚 Top Benefits of Volunteering:

Volunteering Zaps Stagnation.

Every profession includes boredom from time to time. If you feel stuck in a rut in your massage practice, sign up for a volunteer event. It will give you a new perspective and leave you feeling fresh and energized.

Volunteering Leads to Networking.

Volunteering gives you the chance to connect with other massage therapists as well as potential new clients. Moreover, you may have the chance to connect with professionals in other fields who may be willing to partner with you on new projects and referrals.

Volunteering is Good for Your Health.

As explains, volunteering can keep you healthy. It wards off depression and loneliness. Regular volunteers often report getting more out of the volunteer experience than what they put into it. A Carnegie Mellon study even found that volunteering can improve your physical health, finding that those who volunteered more than 200 hours per year had lower blood pressure than those who did not.

Volunteering Promotes 精东传媒 as a Healing Modality.

When you volunteer your massage therapy services, you expose new people to the wonders of massage. You are helping to promote the profession as a whole by giving massage to the uninitiated鈥攑eople who probably wouldn鈥檛 pay for a massage normally. After just a few minutes of healing touch, those individuals are more likely to make a massage appointment in the future.

Volunteering Opens New Professional Pathways.

Volunteering is an excellent way to break into a new style of massage. Let鈥檚 say Swedish massage is old hat for you, but you鈥檇 like to break into sports massage therapy. Volunteering your time for sports massage can give you a chance to build confidence in this new healing modality.

Looking for an engaging, fun volunteer opportunity? How about the Portland Dragon Boat races? On September 12th and 13th, East West College will be participating in the famous by facilitating on-site sports massage. We are currently looking for East West alumni LMTs and advanced students (terms 3, 4, and 5) to volunteer their services at this memorable event. Please contact Dara Bryant at dbryant@eastwestcollege.edu or 503-233-6500 ext. 225 to sign up for a volunteer shift.

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