鈥淢y instructors at East West helped me realize that I could still feel smart and capable while learning things that didn鈥檛 come easily to me. I might need to approach things differently, but I could do it 鈥� and that鈥檚 something I鈥檝e carried with me throughout my massage career.鈥�

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鈥攚ork that would allow her to build genuine relationships and make a positive difference in people鈥檚 lives.

As she explored massage therapy programs, East West stood out for its strong graduate outcomes and its thorough, accessible approach to the science of massage. Anne graduated at the end of 2015 and has been a massage therapist since 2016.

With a BA in Psychology and a background in office administration and data processing, Anne has always enjoyed blending the technical with the intuitive. At East West, she discovered that learning challenging subjects did not have to look only one way. She remembers being especially influenced by kinesiology instructor Amy Bennett, whose openness about her own nontraditional academic journey encouraged Anne to give herself more grace, study creatively, and recognize that she could remain capable even when something did not come easily.

The hands-on work brought a different kind of learning curve. Coming from years of desk work, coordinated movement did not always feel natural at first. But Anne began to see massage as a puzzle: her hands helped her gather information, while the techniques she learned gave her different ways to respond. She valued the program鈥檚 broad range of approaches, which gave her a strong foundation and showed her how many directions a massage career could take.

After graduation, Anne took time to navigate licensing and begin building her career. Her first massage role was at a Portland spa specializing in holistic foot treatments, where she worked alongside other therapists in a lively, communal setting. Watching their techniques and client interactions gave her a supportive introduction to professional practice before she moved into a more traditional massage spa environment.

As her experience grew, Anne became especially interested in working with older adults, which led her toward manual lymphatic drainage and further continuing education. Learning remained an important part of her career, allowing her to deepen her knowledge and continue expanding the tools she could bring to her clients.

In late 2021, Anne鈥檚 path brought her back to East West in an unexpected way. An opening in Alumni Services combined the administrative and data-processing skills from her earlier career with her experience as a massage therapist. The role felt uniquely suited to her background and offered a new way to support others in the profession.

Today, Anne helps students and graduates move from massage school into professional practice. Her work includes support with MBLEx preparation, licensing, resumes and cover letters, job searches, employment questions, and the early stages of starting a business. She continues to see a small number of massage clients, but most of her time is spent helping members of the East West community move forward with greater confidence and clarity.

Because Anne remembers how intimidating the next step can feel, she brings both practical guidance and reassurance to her role. She helps students and alumni break the process into manageable pieces, focus on what comes next, and trust that they do not have to figure everything out alone.

In many ways, Anne鈥檚 current role brings her journey full circle. The detail-oriented skills she developed before massage school now work alongside her experience as an LMT and her genuine care for the people she supports. What once seemed like two very different career paths now fit together naturally.

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 鈥� 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 a practical, hands-on way. Students explore trigger point work, muscle energy techniques, movement therapy, treatment planning, and the relationship between the central nervous system and the musculoskeletal system.

In this Q&A, Neuromuscular Therapy instructor Marta Lange shares what makes the work so useful, how students learn to connect technique with real-world client care, and how this elective can support both new massage therapists and practicing LMTs looking to refine their therapeutic skills.

Q: For someone brand new to Neuromuscular Therapy, how would you explain it?
A: I鈥檇 say Neuromuscular Therapy is a Western bodywork modality that focuses on pain relief, performance enhancement, and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. It鈥檚 a collaborative bodywork approach that focuses on current theories around the formation and treatment of trigger points.

It also uses muscle energy techniques to help engage and reset the relationship between the brain and the musculoskeletal system.

It can be a really powerful, efficient way to approach returning to normal function after an injury or surgery, and it can also help address chronic conditions effectively.

Q: What makes Neuromuscular Therapy different from other massage modalities?

A: To me, Neuromuscular Therapy brings several pieces together. It often includes trigger point work, muscle energy techniques, movement therapy, stretching, aftercare, strengthening, or mobility work. That鈥檚 one of the reasons I think it is used quite a bit in the physical therapy realm 鈥� because it includes that aftercare component. The goal is often to get clients doing self-care, looking at ergonomics, and understanding how they use their bodies outside the session.

We can bring awareness, and we can help build a client鈥檚 confidence back into their tissues, but they also need to be part of the process. To me, Neuromuscular Therapy captures the technique, the aftercare, and the client responsibility.

Q: Neuromuscular Therapy is sometimes confused with deep tissue massage. How would you describe the difference?

A: Deep tissue does not simply mean deep pressure. Ideally, it means working through the tissues in a deep, sequential way. A lot of deep tissue principles are relevant to Neuromuscular Therapy, but Neuromuscular Therapy also brings in the relationship between the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system. It often includes more active client participation, whether through movement, description, or the client鈥檚 ability to report what they are feeling.

In Neuromuscular Therapy, we really think through the layers. We address the skin and fascia in our initial assessment, and we take time to warm the tissue. We don鈥檛 just go deep quickly. Other approaches can be more passive, but Neuromuscular Therapy tends to be more collaborative.

Q: What might a client experience during a Neuromuscular Therapy session?

A: There is a lot of collaboration and client education in this work. For example, I had a client who was dealing with a chronic low back condition that had been exacerbated by a recent period of stress. She has a very physical job, and her SI joint kept going out. She would get it adjusted, get a massage, feel better for a little while, and then the pattern would come back.

She told me what her chiropractor had suggested in terms of strengthening, and I said, 鈥淟et鈥檚 try that out.鈥� So, I wove some of the self-care into the session and walked her through it again, helping her connect with sensation and breath.

She felt more empowered and had a more immediate understanding of the benefit of doing that work, rather than it just being a theory. That is a big part of Neuromuscular Therapy 鈥� helping clients connect with what is happening in their body and understand their role in the process.

Q: What foundational skills or concepts do students build in this elective?

A: This elective gives students an opportunity to refine and enhance what they have been learning around trigger point therapy, muscle energy techniques, movement therapy, and treatment planning.

That includes listening to a client鈥檚 health history, taking a deeper dive into how people use their bodies, and considering the different stressors they have in their lives so we can create relevant, informed treatment plans.

It鈥檚 also an applied kinesiology class. For students, this can be a great class to help prepare for the MBLEX because they are actively reviewing kinesiology. It is a really good way to round out their understanding and solidify what they have been learning.

For alumni and practicing LMTs, Neuromuscular Therapy can be an opportunity to improve treatment planning, strengthen collaborative approaches with clients, and have a structured way to review and refine kinesiology knowledge.

Q: What are some common 鈥渁ha鈥� moments students have in class?

A: One big aha moment is when students feel confident that they have found their first trigger point 鈥� and then it produces a referral pattern. They find the texture, the client reports the exact referral pattern, and suddenly the concept becomes real.

Another aha moment happens when students are able to reproduce a client complaint, such as a headache, through working with the muscles of the neck. The client might say, 鈥淥h, that鈥檚 the thing that bugs me,鈥� and the student can feel the pathway and the texture.
Students also have aha moments when they feel how isometrics work, or how a little bit of contract-relax can help them access tissue more effectively. Applying muscle energy in real time and feeling how effective it can be when done correctly is powerful.

And then there are moments when students feel structures like subscapularis or iliacus for the first time 鈥� when they really connect with those more hidden structures and start to understand how to work with them.

Q: Why is this elective valuable, even for students who do not plan to specialize in Neuromuscular Therapy?

A: East West prepares students really well. The reference materials are there, the tools are there, and Neuromuscular Therapy gives students an opportunity to bring those tools together. For students interested in sports massage or rehabilitative work, this elective is a natural fit. But even for students who want to offer relaxation massage or Swedish massage, Neuromuscular Therapy has something to offer.

It can help students develop a more diverse approach, build confidence, refine their skills, and understand how to apply anatomy and kinesiology in a practical way. Students are often actively applying the work with clients, thinking through treatment plans, and seeing how the skills translate into practice.

It can also complement other electives. For students interested in both Eastern and Western approaches, there is a lot of opportunity to bring different perspectives together. Tuina, for example, offers strong palpation and assessment skills that can support how students engage tissue. Structural Bodywork also overlaps with Neuromuscular Therapy in useful ways, especially around myofascial work and understanding patterns in the body.

Q: What do you love most about teaching this elective?

A: I love the aha moments. I really enjoy it when I have a group that is enthusiastic about putting the pieces together and putting the practices together. It is a delight to see how much can change over the course of a term. Students might initially feel a little confused about the theory or feel like they don鈥檛 have solid footing in the concepts, but by the end of the term, I usually see their confidence building.

I see students putting together cohesive treatment plans through their case study process and really connecting the dots. It is very satisfying to watch that evolution happen in one quarter 鈥� to see increased confidence and to see outcomes.

I also really enjoy watching students refine their body mechanics. For students and LMTs who want to develop different ways to approach the work and use their bodies more effectively, Neuromuscular Therapy can be a great place to grow.

Want to explore Neuromuscular Therapy at East West?

If you鈥檙e curious about how trigger points, movement patterns, and client participation can support more effective therapeutic work, Neuromuscular Therapy is a valuable elective to consider.

This course helps bring together many of the skills students build throughout their massage education 鈥� including kinesiology, treatment planning, trigger point therapy, muscle energy techniques, and client communication, and apply them in a practical, confidence-building way. For practicing LMTs, it offers a structured opportunity to refresh anatomy and kinesiology, strengthen clinical reasoning, and bring new clarity to the way you work with clients.

Browse elective options, and reach out to the East West College Admissions Team to learn when Neuromuscular Therapy is offered and whether it may be a good fit for your goals.

鈥淎yurveda taught me how to listen鈥攖o myself and to my clients in a deeper way.鈥�

For Kira, graduation wasn鈥檛 the end of her journey with East West鈥攊t 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鈥攖his 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 its holistic approach and its emphasis on honoring each individual. Rather than treating healing as a fixed set of rules, Kira came to see Ayurveda as an invitation to listen more closely鈥攖o the body, to daily rhythms, and to what each person truly needs.

What continues to resonate most is that Ayurveda extends beyond technique. It offers a framework for understanding balance, cultivating self-awareness, and recognizing how small, consistent choices shape long-term well-being. That perspective now informs both how Kira practices and how she teaches, grounding her work in something that feels both practical and deeply human.

As her career evolved, so did her relationship with East West. Returning for electives and continuing education reignited her love of learning and reaffirmed the impact the school had on her path. Over time, that connection鈥攁nd her growing experience鈥攏aturally opened the door to teaching.

Kira began instructing a range of classes, gradually developing her voice in the classroom. She eventually stepped into teaching the Ayurvedic 精东传媒 elective, a role that allowed her to fully integrate a long-standing passion into her work at East West.

Today, Kira approaches teaching with the same intention that guides her practice. She presents Ayurveda as accessible and relevant, not rigid or intimidating鈥攁n approach that helps students better understand the body, the nervous system, and the role of self-care in sustaining a career in massage. She encourages students to treat themselves with the same attention they offer clients, emphasizing the importance of slowing down, listening, and building habits that support longevity in the field.

Her journey also highlights the value of alumni returning to the classroom. For current students, instructors like Kira offer more than technical guidance鈥攖hey provide a real example of how a massage career can grow and evolve over time. Her path reflects that growth is not always linear; it deepens through experience, expands through learning, and sometimes leads back in meaningful and unexpected ways.

For Kira, returning to East West is more than a full-circle moment鈥攊t鈥檚 a continuation. With expanded experience, a deepened connection to Ayurveda, and a passion for teaching, she now helps guide the next generation of massage therapists as they begin shaping their own paths.

Ayurvedic 精东传媒 offers something many students and clients don鈥檛 realize they鈥檙e 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鈥攐ne that focuses less on chasing symptoms and more on restoring balance, building awareness, and trusting the body鈥檚 own intelligence.

Offered as an elective at East West College of the Healing Arts, Ayurvedic 精东传媒 introduces students to foundational Ayurvedic principles through Abhyanga, a gentle, choreographed warm-oil massage designed to calm the nervous system and support the body鈥檚 internal healing processes. In this Q&A, instructor Kira Rodenbush shares what makes Ayurveda so compelling, why this work feels especially relevant today, and what students often discover through the experience of learning it.

Q: For someone brand new to Ayurveda, how would you explain it?
A: Ayurveda is one of the ancient healing systems of India, and what鈥檚 always drawn me to it is how completely it treats the individual. To me, it goes way beyond bodywork. It鈥檚 really the science of life鈥攖he art of digestion, assimilation, and learning how we take in and process everything from food to emotions to experience.

What I love is that Ayurveda gives people a practical way to listen to their bodies. It asks: what鈥檚 nourishing you, what isn鈥檛, and how well are you using what supports you while releasing what doesn鈥檛? That makes it feel both deeply wise and very accessible.

Q: What makes Ayurveda such a valuable complement to modern holistic health care?
A: Ayurveda was one of the first healing systems I encountered that made me feel like the whole person was truly being considered. There鈥檚 something about its simplicity that I really appreciate. It can express something profound in a very clear, direct way.

I also think it resonates right now because it reminds us that so much of what supports healing is already around us鈥攁nd already within reach. It鈥檚 not always about finding the newest fix or looking outside ourselves. So much of this work is about learning how to support what the body is already trying to do.

Q: One of the core ideas in Ayurveda is restoring balance rather than chasing symptoms. How does that show up in bodywork?
A: One of the things I appreciate most about Ayurveda is that it doesn鈥檛 approach healing from a place of judgment. It doesn鈥檛 shame people for being out of balance. I think of it more like a roadmap鈥攊t shows you where you are and how to move toward where you want to go.

That changes how you approach bodywork. Instead of trying to 鈥渇ix鈥� one symptom, you start looking at patterns, rhythms, and what the system as a whole needs. It becomes much more empowering, because once you understand how your body works, you can begin making choices that actually support it.

Q: What is Abhyanga massage, and what makes it different from other modalities students may already know?
A: Abhyanga is a choreographed, rhythmic application of warm oil designed to calm the nervous system and activate the body鈥檚 internal healing system. It鈥檚 flowing, steady, and deeply nourishing.

What makes it different is that it鈥檚 not centered on waiting for a tissue response or focusing on one isolated complaint. Even if there鈥檚 some targeted work, the overall intention is broader than that. It鈥檚 about supporting the person as a whole, helping them settle into their body, and creating the conditions for healing from within.

Q: What do clients tend to notice most when they receive Ayurvedic 精东传媒?
A: I think many clients notice the whole-body feeling of it. Because it鈥檚 so rhythmic and flowing, it helps quiet mental chatter and gives the nervous system a chance to settle. People often start to feel more supported, more present, and more able to let go.

There鈥檚 something about the consistent, nourishing quality of the work that feels deeply regulating and helps people release. With every pass, the body is being invited to soften. It doesn鈥檛 feel aggressive or demanding鈥攊t feels supportive, and I think clients really respond to that.

Q: You mention that subtle shifts can be incredibly profound. Why does this kind of nervous system support feel especially important right now?
A: One of the beautiful things about Ayurveda is that it reminds us subtle shifts can be incredibly profound. In Ayurveda, subtle is not lesser鈥攕ubtle is often the deepest medicine.

That feels especially important right now because so many people are overstimulated, overextended, and disconnected from the rhythms that help them feel steady. The idea that you could start your day by tending to yourself with warm oil, attention, and care is actually pretty radical. It鈥檚 not indulgent鈥攊t鈥檚 supportive.

Q: Ayurveda places a lot of trust in the body鈥檚 natural ability to heal. How do those foundational principles shape the way you teach this class?
A: Students begin by learning how Ayurveda understands balance through rhythm, routine, and awareness. It really comes back to listening to the body and noticing what supports you and what doesn鈥檛.

That philosophy deeply shapes the way I teach. Ayurveda places a lot of trust in the body鈥檚 ability to heal itself, and I鈥檓 always trying to help students understand that so many of the answers they鈥檙e looking for are already in the container with them. For me, that also means emphasizing self-care as part of being an effective practitioner. If you鈥檙e exhausted, overwhelmed, or not feeling resourced enough to show up for your clients, then you need to treat yourself like a client. That鈥檚 not separate from the work. It is the work.

Q: You say Ayurveda can create meaningful change through very simple practices. What tends to surprise students most when they begin learning or receiving this work?
A: I think students are often surprised by how powerful simple things can be. We tend to think that big change has to come from something dramatic, but Ayurveda often works through small, foundational shifts.

Sometimes it鈥檚 something as basic as scraping the tongue, drinking warm water with lemon first thing in the morning, or changing the timing of meals and sleep. Students are often amazed by how much those small changes can affect how they feel. That鈥檚 one of my favorite things to witness鈥攚hen someone realizes that a small shift really matters.

Q: What do students take away from this class, and how can they begin integrating Ayurvedic 精东传媒 into the work they already do?
A: Students leave with the ability to perform a full Abhyanga massage, but beyond that, I hope they leave with a different relationship to care. They learn a flowing, nervous-system-centered approach that they can integrate into other sessions, and they also gain a practical introduction to Ayurvedic principles that can shape the way they think about healing more broadly.

Even in shorter or more focused sessions, the rhythm, the nervous system support, and the sense of whole-body care can translate beautifully. I want students to feel like they can take what works and leave the rest鈥攖hat they can find their own flow and bring it into their practice in a way that feels natural and authentic.

Q: You talk a lot about self-care. How does that piece deepen the Ayurvedic approach?
A: Self-care is one of the most important pieces for me. I really try to help students understand the importance of self-Abhyanga鈥攖he practice of applying warm oil to your own body. It can take five minutes or forty-five minutes, and it can be incredibly powerful.

That ritual helps people slow down, become more present, and build a stronger relationship with themselves. For me personally, it鈥檚 helped me with boundaries, grounding, and paying attention to what I truly need. I think when we care for ourselves in that way, we鈥檙e much more able to show up for others with the same presence, attention, and integrity we hope to bring to our work.

Q: For someone who feels drawn to Ayurveda but also a little intimidated by it, what would you want them to know?
A: I completely understand that feeling, because that was part of my own experience for a long time. I worried about whether Ayurveda was really for me as a Westerner, and I also felt intimidated by what seemed like a long list of rules and dos and don鈥檛s.

What I鈥檝e come to understand is that Ayurveda is not asking for perfection. It鈥檚 not an all-or-nothing system, and it鈥檚 not judging you. It offers rhythm, guidance, and practical ways to support yourself. You don鈥檛 have to do everything at once. You can begin with one small shift, and that matters.

Q: What do you hope students take away from this class?
A: More than anything, I hope students begin to trust that the answers they鈥檙e looking for are already in them. I hope they experience what it feels like to slow down, listen, and care for themselves with the same integrity they bring to caring for others.

I also hope they discover the power of self-Abhyanga for themselves. I think there鈥檚 something in that practice that many people are missing鈥攁 way of tending to themselves that is gentle, grounding, and deeply supportive.

Q: How has Ayurveda shaped your own path, and what do you love most about sharing this work with students?
A: Ayurveda has taught me how to be gentler with myself. It鈥檚 helped me move away from rigid thinking and more toward rhythm, awareness, and responsiveness. It鈥檚 also deepened my understanding that healing isn鈥檛 about forcing change鈥攊t鈥檚 about supporting the conditions that allow change to happen.

Teaching Ayurveda at East West feels deeply full-circle for me. I loved being a student there, and every time I came back, I felt that same sense of connection and growth. Returning to study Ayurveda there and then eventually being invited to teach it felt like coming home.

What I love most is being part of that experience for students鈥攚atching them connect with something that can support both their future practice and their own lives. There鈥檚 something really special about helping students discover work that feels both practical and meaningful.

Want to explore Ayurvedic 精东传媒 at East West?
If you鈥檙e curious about electives that support nervous system regulation, whole-person care, and a more grounded, nourishing approach to bodywork, Ayurvedic 精东传媒 is a beautiful place to begin.

Browse elective options and reach out to our Admissions Team to find out when Ayurvedic 精东传媒 is offered, learn more about the course, and whether it may be a good fit for your goals.

Craniosacral Therapy has a way of surprising people 鈥� 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.听听As one student put it: 鈥淲ow! I didn鈥檛 expect that to be so powerful.鈥�听

Offered as an elective at听East West College of the Healing Arts, Craniosacral is a favorite for students who want to deepen听presence, build confidence, and refine intuitive listening. In this Q&A, our Craniosacral Therapy instructor, Cyr Zeeberg-Foote, breaks down what it is, how听it鈥檚听different, and how the elective strengthens key skills students use across all modalities.听

Q: How do you explain Craniosacral Therapy to someone brand new鈥攊n one or two sentences?听

A:听Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle bodywork modality that works with the core of the body by supporting the nervous system. The nervous system has an incredible capacity to rebalance and recalibrate itself, and this work helps create听the conditions听for that to happen.听

In Craniosacral, we work with the cranium, the sacrum, and the spine. By going right to the nervous system, it can feel like 鈥渕assage from the inside out鈥濃�攕upporting not just the musculoskeletal system, but the whole body鈥檚 ability to settle, regulate, and restore. So,听we鈥檙e听going deep.听

Q: What makes Craniosacral different from other hands-on modalities people might be more familiar with?听

A:听One of the biggest differences is that we let the client鈥檚 body guide the session instead of directing it.听It鈥檚听much more true facilitation鈥攚e listen to the body and follow its cues, rather than deciding 鈥淚鈥檓 going to make this happen here.鈥�听

It also asks the practitioner to develop a deeper level of listening and presence. Many bodyworkers are already good listeners, but this work invites an even deeper attunement.听It鈥檚听client-led, and it can feel less like a sequence of steps and more like a fine-tuned dance. Most bodyworkers are used to listening to the feedback they get when they push too hard, or when a client tells them something鈥攂ut this is a different kind of listening.听

Q: What can a client expect in a typical session鈥攕etting, pace, touch?

A:听The first thing most people notice is how deeply relaxing it can be. Because听we鈥檙e听working directly with the nervous system, many clients drop into a calmer, more parasympathetic state听relatively quickly鈥攁ssuming it feels safe for their system to do so.听

A big part of Craniosacral is that听we鈥檙e听not challenging the body or prying for change. Because听we鈥檙e听not forcing anything, the body can soften in its own time. Sometimes something听that鈥檚听been guarded or held for a long time can begin to release simply because it听isn鈥檛听being pushed.听

There鈥檚听also something emotionally relieving about being in a space where you feel supported and not expected to perform. That lack of demand can be powerful鈥攍ike your body finally has permission to do what听it鈥檚听ready to do.听

Q:听What鈥檚听a surprising fact about Craniosacral that most people听don鈥檛听know?听

A:听One surprising part of this work is how much it teaches you about trust鈥攏ot just trusting your own听skills,听but听trusting the body鈥檚 intelligence. In my own learning, I realized I听didn鈥檛听need to 鈥渕ake鈥� something happen. I needed to trust that the body has real healing capacity and will show you what it needs when you know how to listen.听

That鈥檚听one of the most humbling parts of Craniosacral:听it鈥檚听quiet work, but it can reveal how wise the body truly is.听

Q: What are the most common reasons clients听seek听Craniosacral鈥攚hat are they hoping for?听

A:听People often come in looking for support around headaches, vertigo, stress, trauma, and PTSD, as well as those in post-concussion or traumatic brain injury recovery.听

Craniosacral can also be supportive for people dealing with low back pain, disc-related pain, or chronic pain鈥攅specially when the nervous system is on high alert.听And for clients who need a lighter touch for any reason, this can be a really good fit.听It can also be a great听option听for kids听and infants.听听

Q: What benefits do clients typically notice right after a session?听

A:听Many people are surprised by how quickly they feel deeply relaxed. Sometimes the biggest 鈥渂enefit鈥� is that they realize how far away from relaxation听they鈥檝e听been鈥攈ow much stress听they鈥檝e听been coping with without even noticing. It can be like finally coming down from a constant听background听intensity and settling back into your body. Even when that balance is temporary, it can be an enlightening experience.听听

Q: What surprises people听most the听first time they receive Craniosacral?听

A:听Sometimes the biggest surprise is when something significant shifts quickly.听I鈥檝e听worked with people whose vertigo was so disruptive they听couldn鈥檛听work鈥攖hen within a session or two, it resolved. Or someone with long-term back pain realizes, 鈥淥h my God鈥攎y back feels better.鈥�

And then, very often,听it鈥檚听the depth of relaxation鈥攁nd the realization of how 鈥渨ound up鈥� their system has been. Some people also notice a shift in perspective: a little more space, a little more clarity, a听sense of being more grounded in themselves. And occasionally, people experience the work in ways that feel harder to describe鈥攕ubtle sensations, imagery, or a sense of expanded awareness. Not everyone experiences that, but it can happen.听

A common theme is people being surprised by 鈥渓ess is more.鈥� Both clients and students often realize that small, precise, patient contact can have a meaningful effect.听

Q: Why is Craniosacral a valuable elective for massage therapy students鈥攅ven if they听don鈥檛听plan to specialize?听

A:听It develops your ability to listen and attune at听a very high听level鈥攁nd that skill transfers to every modality听you鈥檒l听ever practice. You learn to wait, to notice, to trust the timing of a client鈥檚 body, and to work with听what鈥檚听happening rather than pushing toward an outcome.听

For a lot of students, it also strengthens intuition鈥攏ot in a mystical way, but as a refined internal sense of timing, rhythm, and responsiveness. It can feel like 鈥渃oming home鈥� to that part of yourself.听听

Q:听What鈥檚听your favorite part of teaching this elective?听

A:听Honestly, one of my favorite parts is hearing students鈥� reflections and the realizations that come through as the class unfolds. People have some really beautiful 鈥榓ha鈥� moments鈥攐ften in a very quiet, simple setting鈥攚here they鈥檙e barely doing anything, but something听clicks,听and you can see it light them up.

I also love the compassion that comes out听in听the room.听There鈥檚听so much empathy鈥攕tudents for each other, and听students听learning compassion for themselves.听It can feel like a really tender, loving environment, and that energy is honestly part of what keeps me coming back to teach it.

Q: How does it complement other work a therapist may already be doing?听

A:听You can integrate elements of Craniosacral into many sessions鈥攊t just depends on the time you have and what the client wants. If听you鈥檙e听doing more thorough head work, you often need to commit enough time to work with the cranial bones (and sometimes the facial bones), so it may become a dedicated听portion听of the session. For example, you might do 15鈥�20 minutes of Swedish or deeper work face down, then flip the client over and transition into Craniosacral.

Other times听it鈥檚听smaller 鈥減ieces鈥� you weave听in:听a diaphragmatic hold, a listening station, a synchro release, or a sacral hold/sacral decompression can be powerful鈥攅ven inside a more traditional massage. Those still moments matter. Many bodyworkers feel pressure to听be moving听every minute, but the body often welcomes stillness. Integration is not wasted time鈥攊t鈥檚听where a lot of the work settles in.听

Q: What would you want a student to know before choosing this elective?

A:听It helps to have some openness to听slowing听down. If speed is your comfort zone, this work may feel challenging at first.听It鈥檚听also important to听know听this is a fine-art kind of skill. It often takes time. The work is subtle, and the learning process is also slower. If you can be patient with that, it can be incredibly rewarding.

Q:听What鈥檚听a common 鈥榓ha鈥� moment students have in class?

A:听鈥淟ess is more鈥� is a big one. Students are often surprised by how little they need to do鈥攁nd how much can happen when they stop trying to find the answer and instead let it come to them.听

Want to explore Craniosacral at East West?

If听you鈥檙e听curious about electives that build deep listening, nervous system awareness, and a more client-led approach, Craniosacral Therapy is a powerful place to start.听

Browse elective options听and听reach out to听our听Admissions听Team to confirm when the Craniosacral Therapy elective is offered, what the course includes, and whether it鈥檚 a good fit for your goals.听

听

精东传媒 therapy training requirements vary state to state. Here in Oregon, massage schools must provide hundreds of hours of classes to each student, and those hours must fit into different categories of knowledge. As one of several massage schools in the Portland, Oregon area, we are careful to ensure our program meets the state鈥檚 requirements for becoming an LMT. If you鈥檙e looking into massage therapy training, it鈥檚 necessary to understand Oregon requirements for body workers in massage.

Portland, OR 精东传媒 School on State 精东传媒 Therapy Licensure Requirements

Here are the critical components of earning your massage therapy license in Oregon.

1. Complete a Qualified 精东传媒 Therapy Training Program.

The Oregon Board of 精东传媒 Therapy requires 625 hours (25 quarter credits/15.74 semester credits) of education from an accredited massage school. The education hours must include:

鈥�精东传媒 Health Sciences classes including Anatomy and Physiology, Pathology, and Kinesiology must comprise at least 200 hours (8 quarter credits/5.34 semester credits).听听

鈥�精东传媒 Theory and Practical Application classes including Clinical Practice, Business Development, Sanitation, Communication and Ethics must comprise at least 300 hours (12 quarter credits/8 semester credits).听

鈥揂苍 Additional 125 hours may be in any of the subject areas listed above.

Are LMT aspirants done once they鈥檝e finished with classes at their massage schools? Portland, OR to Seattle, WA, the answer is no. You must also pass several massage exams.

2. Pass a National Examination approved by the Oregon State Board of 精东传媒 Therapists.听听

While the currently lists approved exams as the MBLEX , the NCBTMB, and the CESI, the vast majority of applicants will take the MBLEX.听

The NCBTMB no longer exists, as the National Certification Board for Therapeutic 精东传媒 & Bodywork no longer offers an entry level exam. Instead, they now offer certification in a higher standard, the . The CESI (Certification Exam for Structural Integration) is for a subset of bodyworkers, namely those specializing in Rolfing techniques.听

The MBLEX is therefore the only option for those seeking to become licensed massage therapists in Oregon. Management of this exam is the primary raison d鈥檈tre for The Federation of State 精东传媒 Therapy Boards, a national non-profit organization that regulates the massage profession. Learn more and sign up for the exam at . Note: To be accepted by the state of Oregon, your MBLEX results must come from the test provider.听

After passing this exam, you can .听

3. Pass the Oregon state exam on massage law and ethics.

The Oregon jurisprudence exam for licensing massage therapists is an open book test with 25 questions. Upon receiving your LMT application, the state will send you an email with login information for the jurisprudence exam.

There are a handful of additional components required on the journey to becoming a licensed massage therapist in the state of Oregon. The application process requires fingerprinting, three references, a current Basic Life Support certification, transcripts, and a 2鈥� by 2鈥� passport-sized color photograph taken within the last 12 months.

Here are the fees you can expect to pay during the Oregon massage therapy application process:

• MBLEX exam fee: $265 per attempt
• Oregon LMT application fee: $135
• Fingerprint processing fee: $47.25
• Initial Oregon 精东传媒 Therapy License Fee: $135-270 (This is based on your renewal date; if it is in less than 12 months, the fee will be $135. If your initial license will renew in more than 12 months, the initial fee will be $270.)

If you鈥檙e interested in learning more about the massage therapy training program at our school of massage in Portland, OR, please reach out to our LMT admissions office online or call us at 503-223-6500. We would be delighted to speak with you about our classes, our instructors, and the experiences of our alumni.

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Exposure to frightening, shocking, and/or dangerous events such as combat, abuse, or disasters can result in the experience of trauma and development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). At any given time, about 24.4 million people are struggling with PTSD (McCafferty, 2016). While trauma is a universal experience, those with PTSD experience ongoing trauma reactions, leaving them feeling out of control and perpetually unsafe. Today we鈥檙e reviewing how individuals who have experienced trauma and PTSD can benefit from massage therapy.

How might the experience of trauma manifest in the mind/body? Here are a few common symptoms of PTSD:

Hypervigilance may show up as holding one鈥檚 breath or clenching fingers. Or a person may be overly aware of environmental stimuli and potential threats.

Hyperarousal can manifest as anxiety, difficulty sleeping, a quick startle response, and low pain tolerance.

Shame and Guilt are emotions often associated with PTSD. Individuals may blame themselves for stressful events. Feelings of unworthiness and humiliation are also common.

Dissociation and Intrusive Thoughts are common mental experiences of those who have experienced trauma and PTSD. The mind may switch between alarming reliving of the traumatic experience and distancing from reality as a protective measure.

Three Ways 精东传媒 Therapy can 听Can Support People Living with Trauma or PTSD

1. By decreasing stress and promoting sensations of physical safety. Trauma can lead to physical and emotional stress. Researchers have found that massage can help by decreasing bodily tension and pain, while also lessening depression, anxiety, and irritability (Collinge, Kahn, & Soltysik, 2012).
2. By connecting emotional experiences to physical sensations. Cynthia Price鈥檚 2005 study in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine found that Body Oriented Therapy with psychotherapy helped appreciate how certain emotions manifested in their bodies.In her research into how massage therapy compliments other treatments, Deborah Sue Frank interviewed massage therapists with experience working with clients who suffered PTSD. One LMT in this study explained that massage treatment for PTSD was a 鈥渕utual process of observation, understanding, and discovery鈥� (2013, p. 28). She said, 鈥淚 observe the body to see, to help them understand where they are holding the stress of that trauma. And, once they discover that area, then I can help them get in touch with that story.鈥�
3. By decreasing the biochemicals associated with hyperarousal and hypervigilance. Van der Kolk and others have shown how trauma can lead people to get stuck in a state of hyperarousal. Disorders such as PTSD occur when there is no way to release stress. For instance, a soldier may be unable to flee a traumatic moment. The body鈥檚 natural tools to combat trauma (fight, flight, flee, and connect) are thwarted, and the individual becomes trapped in the never-ending stress response (Van der Kolk, 2014). During moments of hypervigilance and hyperarousal, cortisol floods the system, triggering the individual to re-experience intense stress over and over again. Tense muscles and associated muscular pain are side effects of this 鈥渟tuck鈥� stress response.

While top-down techniques such as talk therapy help individuals with PTSD identify and understand their hyperarousal, bottom-up approaches including manual therapies can reduce cortisol levels while also increasing feel-good neurochemicals such as serotonin and dopamine.

For all these reasons, massage is a good component to include in a trauma treatment plan. It is a great tool to have alongside talk therapy. Clients who aim to complement talk therapy and other anti-PTSD treatments with massage therapy should select LMTs who are trauma-informed, and therefore use grounding communication techniques such as gaining consent before starting treatment. This can help clients feel in control of the treatment session, preventing recurrence of emotional experiences associated with PTSD.

If you鈥檙e an LMT, you鈥檙e likely to encounter clients with symptoms of trauma and PTSD at some point in your massage therapy career. Or you may feel drawn to cater your services especially to this client population. In both circumstances, your massage therapy school may not have offered information on this topic. As such, massage therapy continuing education classes are a great resource for deepening your expertise in PTSD massage techniques.

精东传媒 therapists who yearn to support trauma healing can expand their healing toolbox through relevant continuing education. East West College offers several courses that can contribute to your trauma-informed massage therapy practice, helping you build greater skill, confidence, and sensitivity in the treatment room. Through our massage therapy continuing education site, , LMTs can explore courses that support thoughtful, client-centered bodywork rooted in communication, consent, and care. Visit to learn more about upcoming continuing education opportunities for massage therapists.

Resources:
Collinge, W., Kahn, J., & Soltysik, R. (2012). Promoting reintegration of national guard veterans and their partners using a self-directed program of integrative therapies: A pilot study. Military Medicine, 177, 1477-1485.

Frank, D. S. (2013). The well-embodied professional: Attitudes around integrating massage therapy & psychotherapy when treating trauma. Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers. Paper 177. http://sophia.stkate.edu/msw_papers/177

McCafferty, I. (2016, May 24). In safe hands: 精东传媒 & PTSD. AMTA.

Price, C. (2005). Body-oriented therapy in recovery from child sexual abuse: An efficacy study. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 11, 46-57.

Van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking.

During the initial courses at a massage therapy school like ours in Portland, Oregon, students focus on gaining the baseline knowledge and technical prowess to deliver a delightful massage. Once they learn the basics of giving relaxing treatments, our students begin to explore why massage therapy is so effective for pain regulation. Let鈥檚 examine two prevalent theories on how the brain perceives pain, and why massage helps reduce pain.

The Gate Theory of Pain Perception

This theory posits that the brain processes pain only if the nerve gate in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord is open. Imagine a gate – there are two options, open and closed. If the pain gate is open, the message of pain is relayed to the brain via the spinal cord, and the person experiences pain. If the gate is closed, no message is relayed, and the person does not experience pain.

What opens and closes the gate? Descending signals from the brain, such as the release of endorphins, and activation of different nerve fibers called primary afferent axons. These nerve fibers connect to different receptors in the muscles, internal organs, and skin. There are four types of primary afferent axons:

A-alpha nerve fibers have the largest diameter, so they are the fastest communicators with the brain, sending messages at over 200 miles per hour! They convey information about proprioception, or muscle-sense.听

A-beta nerve fibers are the second largest in diameter; they transmit information about touch.

A-delta nerve fibers have the third largest diameter and relay information about temperature and pain. They communicate sharp pain when an injury occurs.

C-nerve fibers are the thinnest, as they are not myelinated. (A fatty myelin sheath insulates some neurons, protecting them and accelerating processing speed.) C-nerve fibers deliver information about pain, heat/cold, and itch. Because they are not myelinated, and have the thinnest diameter, they are the slowest at sending messages to the brain, at a speed of about 2.2 miles per hour. They transmit dull, longer-lasting pain.

When pain occurs, first order neurons carry the signal to the spinal column, where the message is passed on to second order neurons, who then pass it up the spinal column to third order neurons in the brain. The gate theory states that the nerve gate is situated where the handoff between first and second order neurons occurs, in the substantia gelatinosa of the dorsal horn. There, additional sensory inputs from the area, such as rubbing and temperature changes, conveyed by A-beta fiber, can inhibit the transmission of the pain message to the second order neurons.

This theory was developed by Ronald Melzack and Patrick Wall. They published their theory in the November, 1965 edition of Science magazine.听

What鈥檚 the takeaway for massage therapists? Rubbing may inhibit pain because the nerve fibers that convey touch work faster than those that communicate pain. This is one way massage may work to decrease pain.

The Vagal Theory of Pain Perception

精东传媒 researchers and suggest there may be a secondary system mediating the pain gate. While researching infant and prenatal massage, they propose the involvement of the vagal response. The vagus nerve is part of the body鈥檚 autonomic nervous system. It activates the so-called 鈥渞est and digest鈥� setting via the parasympathetic nervous system. Field writes that vagal activity increases following massage, probably because baroreceptors in the skin are activated by rubbing. These pressure receptors connect to vagal afferent fibers, which then communicate with the emotional center in the brain, the limbic system. There, the hypothalamus is stimulated to regulate the stress hormone cortisol, and deactivate the stress response of the sympathetic nervous system.

Field and Diego have shown that medium pressure massage (not light-pressure) stimulates the vagal activity in people of all ages, from infants through adults.听

Further research is needed to clarify if and how the pain gate and parasympathetic response work together. Still, the utility of massage therapy for pain management is clear, regardless of whether you agree with one or both of the pain theories. Those in the pain gate camp point out that rubbing activates the faster A-beta nerve fibers to effectively cut off slower A-delta nerve fibers, closing the pain gate. Those who prefer the vagal theory of pain management point out that massage coaxes the nervous system into a relaxed, anti-stress setting, reducing the perception of pain.

If the prospect of reducing others鈥� pain through healing touch is calling you, we encourage you to check out massage schools. In Portland, massage therapy aspirants can tour our school in the education district, check out our on-campus massage clinic, and even sign up for a massage to experience how budding LMTs get the chance to practice their craft. Applying for massage therapy school could be your first step toward a life in service, helping to alleviate others鈥� pain. To take that next step, call our friendly admissions office at 503-233-6500, or visit our massage school admissions website.

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精东传媒 is known to increase neurochemicals associated with improved mood, such as . So it shouldn鈥檛 be surprising that it can help alleviate depression. Today we鈥檙e examining this healing relationship between massage and depression for one special group: mothers.

In two previous blog posts, we examined the benefits of receiving prenatal massage and postpartum massage. Today we鈥檙e diving deeper into one major benefit of massage: Decreased likelihood of maternal anxiety and depression. As we鈥檒l see, this also leads to improved health outcomes for infants.

The Importance of Maternal Mental Health

Before birth, depression and anxiety can be deadly; the notes that 鈥渕ental health conditions are the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths.鈥� Prenatal anxiety and depression result in lower infant birth weights, according to a . After birth, the quality of infant care is linked to maternal health, the World Health Organization tells us.

The AHA reports that about 20% of people experience mental health conditions during prenatal and postpartum periods. 精东传媒 therapy is a powerful tool for maternal mental health. Reduction of anxiety and depression is one of the most significant outcomes of massage therapy, according to a . Let鈥檚 dive deeper into the research on massage and perinatal health.

Research on Perinatal 精东传媒 and Improved Mental Health

An article in highlights two studies on perinatal massage and depression. The first compared outcomes for 84 pregnant women who were split into three groups: A massage group, a group that practiced progressive relaxation, and a control group that received standard prenatal care and nothing more. Those in the massage group received two, twenty-minute massages per week.

At the end of the sixteen-week study, the women in the massage group reported decreased depression and anxiety, as well as less leg and back pain. Researchers also found the massage group women had higher levels of the feel-good neurochemicals serotonin and dopamine, and lower levels of stress chemicals including cortisol and norepinephrine when compared to the other two groups. Moreover, the women in the massage group were less likely to deliver prematurely, and they delivered babies with higher birth weights.

The corroborated findings on the neurological impact of maternal massage. The researchers in this study examined multiple alternative healing modalities, and reported that massage decreased perinatal depression while boosting serotonin and dopamine and decreasing cortisol levels.

An article in confirms the above positive outcomes for maternal health, and reflects on how the reduced depression from massage extended beyond birth into the neonatal period. Why were the new mothers who had received massages less depressed? The author suggests that going into new parenthood with less depression could boost mother/infant bonding. Additionally, as the infants of the mothers who receive massage are less likely to be born prematurely, they are more interactive, further improving mother/infant bonding. The author concludes by comparing premature birth rates in America (14%) and China (1%). She notes that 鈥渢ouch rooms鈥� are standard in Chinese hospitals. Here, couples can take massage therapy classes to learn prenatal massage techniques as well as massage for infants.

Continuing Education for Perinatal 精东传媒

Accredited massage schools across the country offer courses for prenatal and postpartum massage. Here in Portland, massage therapists can sign up for a four-day Pre- and Perinatal 精东传媒 Therapy Workshop at East West College, to be held in March of 2025. Teacher Michelle Holland will share more than 80 advanced massage techniques for the childbearing year. To register, , or call 503-233-6500.

A desire to help others is a common reason to become a massage therapist, and giving healing touch to cancer patients is certainly one way to help. During chemotherapy, cancer patients are dealing with physical, emotional, and mental challenges, from loss of taste and appetite to gastrointestinal challenges such as vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea, not to mention the bone-deep fatigue following an infusion. Even a few minutes of comfort can make all the difference in a cancer patient鈥檚 day and well-being. 精东传媒 therapists can have a hugely positive impact on cancer patients by providing this comfort. To safely deliver caring massage therapy, LMTs must be aware of the unique benefits, training requirements, and massage techniques for oncology patients.

Benefits of Receiving 精东传媒 During Chemotherapy & Other Cancer Treatments

Reduced Pain. According to , A 2003 study of cancer patients from the University of Minnesota found that massage reduced the need for pain medications. The researchers found that any light healing touch will reduce anxiety and pain, but only massage was found to actually reduce the need for pain medications.

Increased Relaxation and Less Stress. An article on the reflects on how allopathic medical providers are hyper-focused on killing cancer cells in their segment of the body, and less aware of the holistic healing cancer patients need. 精东传媒 can contribute many whole-body benefits, including stress reduction and general relaxation.听

Energy Boost. Fatigue is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy, as the body must work hard to process the intense drugs of a chemo regimen. 精东传媒 can help cancer patients feel more energized.

Anxiety Relief. BreastCancer.org also describes a five-week University of Miami study comparing massage and progressive muscle relaxation therapy. While both groups of patients reported reduced anxiety, the patients receiving massage also reported reduced depression.听

The biochemical aspect of this research is fascinating. Among the massage recipients, researchers found increased dopamine as well as higher levels of white blood cells. This last finding is especially important among cancer patients, who are in an immune-compromised state due to chemotherapy treatment.

Cancer patients receiving massage also report improved sleep and diminished nausea.听

No research has found that massage causes cancer to spread. In other words, studies suggest it is safe for cancer patients to receive massage during chemotherapy treatments.

精东传媒 During Chemo Treatments: Specialized Training Requirements听

Before providing care, LMTs should educate themselves thoroughly on oncology massage. In-depth training programs cover a multitude of topics, including the following principles for providing massage to cancer patients.

1. Work with Medical Providers. Gayle MacDonald, author of Medicine Hands: 精东传媒 Therapy for People with Cancer, consulting with the patient鈥檚 doctor prior to massage treatment, particularly for patients who are in active treatment. (She typically doesn鈥檛 take this step for those who have been in remission for more than a year.) She may ask for a doctor鈥檚 note if consultation is not possible. Finally, MacDonald provides a note to doctors explaining that the massage is simply for rest and relaxation.
2. Work around ports and post-surgery inflammation. A port is a piece of medical equipment that simplifies chemotherapy infusions by providing an easy way to deliver intravenous drugs without the need to put in a new IV line before each treatment. It is often surgically installed in the chest, with a line going straight into the heart. 精东传媒 therapists must understand how to safely work around ports.
   
   Chemotherapy patients may also be healing from surgery. Knowing how to massage around swollen areas is key for LMTs.
3. Use light pressure. Deep massage methods are contraindicated for cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. Chemo treatments cause a decrease in red and white blood cells, such that bruising is more likely. Moreover, if cancer has spread to a patient鈥檚 bones, heavy pressure is dangerous. For patients in active treatment, light touch is best. As such, Swedish massage may not be ideal. Craniosacral, reiki, and polarity work are good choices.
4. Positioning considerations post-surgery. Depending on the type of cancer, patients may need to stay in a prone position after surgery. Following breast cancer surgery, for instance, patients must await a green light from their doctor before lying belly-down. Ask the patient about any areas that should be avoided. For instance, if a lymph node has been removed as part of breast cancer surgery, it may be best to avoid the underarm area.
5. Lymphedema considerations. If a patient has lymphedema following surgery, use lymphatic drainage massage. This massage modality can also serve patients who hope to avoid lymphedema by encouraging good lymphatic flow.

In September 2026, we’re offering . This hands-on workshop explores the foundational principles, protocols, and adaptations needed to safely and effectively support clients living with cancer and the side effects of treatment. The course culminates in a Sunday Oncology 精东传媒 Clinic, where participants will practice comfort-oriented, client-centered oncology massage from intake through treatment planning and session delivery. To learn more and register, visit .

Continuing education gives massage therapists the opportunity to expand their skills, explore new approaches, and stay engaged throughout their careers. East West College offers a variety of CE courses designed to support both licensure requirements and ongoing professional development. Visit , our continuing education website, to explore current classes and discover new ways to deepen and expand your practice.

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