While preparing for new massage careers, aspirant LMTs consider work settings, including spas, private practices, and hospitals/clinics with medical massage. Licensure for massage in Oregon requires LMTs to study practical application classes covering this information. Today we鈥檙e focusing on massage as part of integrative care, a burgeoning medical model that includes alternative healing approaches.

What is Integrative Care?

Healthcare in the United States is transforming from a biomedical approach to a biopsychosocial model. While traditional biomedical medicine solely addresses physical disease, biopsychosocial treatment also emphasizes the emotional, mental, and cultural facets of healthcare (AMTA, 2017). Integrative care is a form of biopsychosocial treatment that focuses on the whole person, rather than just the pathology of their disease(s).

Also known as Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), integrative care may include massage, yoga, acupuncture and other therapies to enhance (not replace) traditional medicine. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 36% of Americans use CAM services (Managed Healthcare Executive, 2020). That represents an 18% growth in the past two decades. Among alternative practices, massage is one of the fastest growing integrative care components, particularly for pain management (National Institutes of Health, 2024).

How 精东传媒 Factors into Integrative Care

In integrative models, teams of professionals collaborate to optimize patient health. Under this team-based model, a physician may prescribe visits with different professionals, each working in their specialties to improve health outcomes (AMTA, 2018).

As an example, an oncologist may oversee a patient鈥檚 treatment team of radiologists, surgeons, massage therapists, nutritionists, and social workers. 精东传媒 therapy is one step along a patient鈥檚 healing journey.听

Common Medical Problems 精东传媒 Therapy can Address in Integrative Care

精东传媒 therapists with a medical massage focus may work on teams addressing:

Behavioral Health challenges, including depression, PTSD, anxiety, and substance abuse recovery.

Rehabilitation and Physical Training, including rehab following cardiac treatment; joint replacement surgery, work-related injuries, and scar management.

Acute Medical Treatment for cancer, pain following surgery, lifestyle diseases, and postpartum maternity care.

Chronic Pain Management for headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and pain in the neck, shoulder, and back, as well as hospice care.

Overall, medical-related issues are the most common reason clients give for getting a massage (AMTA, 2018, p. 6).

Increased Demand for Integrative Care 精东传媒 Therapists

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, massage therapist employment is predicted to grow 15% through 2034. This rate of growth far outpaces job outlook in other professions. Integrative care massage is a key driver of this rosy job outlook, as more and more people appreciate how massage assists with pain management, chronic conditions, and more.

Exploring a Career in Integrative Care 精东传媒听

Do you dream of helping others heal? Our massage therapy classes empower graduates to work in all settings, including medical locations. Our alumni are noted for their depth of knowledge in anatomy and physiology as well as their ability to听 collaborate with medical professionals. Our admissions team would be delighted to discuss your options for massage therapy education. Contact us today at 503-233-6500, or visit our admissions team online at .

Sources

American 精东传媒 Therapy Association. (2017). 精东传媒 as a component of integrative healthcare. 听

American 精东传媒 Therapy Association (2018). 精东传媒 Therapy in integrative care & pain management. 听听

Managed Healthcare Executive. (2020). Higher percentages of Americans use alternative medicine. 听

National Institutes of Health. (2024, January 31). NIH analysis reveals a significant rise in use of complementary health approaches, especially for pain management.

United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, April 19). 精东传媒 Therapists. Occupational outlook handbook.

Post-exercise recovery is critical for athletes at all levels. Sports massage is a powerful tool for athletic recovery, as professional and amateur athletes know well. Dozens of as a critical component of their recovery regime. Many athletes report increased muscular flexibility and agility post-massage. Recovering from hard workouts is another commonly-cited reason to include massage in recovery rituals. But what is the science behind sports massage and muscular revival? Today we鈥檙e taking a look at research on how massage therapy works to support athletic recovery.听

Sports 精东传媒: Common Misconceptions

If you asked the average gym rat, they might say that massage helps with athletic recovery in two ways: 1. By increasing circulation for improved muscular performance, and 2. By clearing a toxin, specifically lactic acid, from taxed muscles. The common thinking goes like this: I鈥檓 sore after a workout, and massage helps by clearing the biochemicals that make me sore.听

However, as a recent explains, researchers have known since the 1980s that performance-limiting post workout soreness, or DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness), is actually caused by small muscle tears ripped during intense or new exercise. The body does use lactic acid during anaerobic exercise, but the lactic acid is burned away in that process. That means no lactic acid remains to cause the sensation of soreness.听

As for blood flow, athletes generally enjoy excellent circulation regardless of massage. Concerns about pushing blood out of the extremities is mainly a concern for sedentary individuals.听

Sports 精东传媒 Mechanisms: What Research Does Show听

As athletes and LMT report, muscle feels different after a massage, suggesting that sports massage can improve recovery by relieving muscular tension. This change, while important, is hard for researchers to measure.听

Pain relief is another helpful outcome of massage for athletes. While the Gate Theory is used to explain how touch can reduce pain, a has proposed that vibration (such as from a massage) actually works by activating neural structures that register touch and modulate pain.听

All in all, the main mechanism for massage therapy appears to be stress release. Multiple researchers have found that massage therapy improves athletic performance by reducing stress. A literature review of 114 studies concluded that sports massage keeps athletes relaxed (Daki膰 et al., 2023).听

Additionally, Harvard scientists have found that massage promotes cellular healing in the muscles of mice (Brownell, 2021). After delivering precise compressions to the muscles of mice, scientists discovered treated muscles recovered faster and stronger than non-treated muscles. Examining the mechanism of muscle recovery, researchers hypothesized that repetitive pressure (which they called 鈥渕echanical loading鈥�) helps clear muscle tissue of neutrophils, a type of cell which initially triggers inflammation and muscle regeneration. However, if neutrophils remain in muscle tissue too long, they can delay recovery. Mechanically applied pressure appears to squeeze neutrophils out of muscle tissue, increasing the rate of recovery.

While we are in the early days of research on the cellular mechanisms of massage, it appears the old misconception that massage 鈥減ushes toxins out鈥� of tissue wasn鈥檛 totally wrong; it just misidentified the biochemical. It鈥檚 not lactic acid that鈥檚 to blame for lingering inflammation, but rather cytokines including neutrophils. It will be interesting to keep an eye on scientific journals as they continue to publish new research on the mechanisms of massage.听

Our 精东传媒 School鈥檚 Resources for Sports 精东传媒

Overall, athletes find multiple benefits of sports massage therapy, regardless of what formal research says. If you鈥檙e interested in becoming a sports massage therapist, we recommend getting in touch with our Portland massage school鈥檚 admissions team. Our friendly admissions officers would be happy to give you a tour and answer any questions you may have. For local athletes looking for a relaxing way to effectively recover from training, is an affordable local recovery resource.

Sources

Aschwanden, C. (2025, April 9). 精东传媒 can help after a workout, but not for the reason you think. The New York Times.

Brownell, L. (2021, October 6). 精东传媒 helps injured muscles heal faster and stronger. The Harvard Gazette.

Daki膰, M., Toski膰, L., Ili膰, V., 膼uri膰, S., Dopsaj, M., & 艩imenko, J. (2023). The effects of massage therapy on sports and exercise performance: A systematic review. Sports (Basel, Switzerland), 11(6), 110. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports11060110

Have you ever complained to your massage therapist about a knot, only to have them reply with words like adhesion or triggerpoint? Are all three words truly synonymous? Understanding such definitions can help us appreciate how these stuck spots are formed in the body, namely through muscular overload. Muscles can be overloaded through acute, sustained, and repetitive movements. After a primer on each, we鈥檒l explore how massage therapy can provide relief, and invite you to experience tension release at our .

Muscular Adhesions, Knots, and Trigger Points: Starting Definitions

Let鈥檚 begin with the simplest term, adhesion. Originally from the Latin word adhaesio meaning to stick to or to cling to, an adhesion occurs when muscles begin to stick together. Normally, muscle tissue glides smoothly against other tissues. Due to a variety of factors鈥攊njury, repetitive use, or sustained immobilization鈥攖he body forms scar tissue in the muscle fascia, leading to stiffness, decreased range of motion, and pain. Sometimes, muscle adhesions can worsen and become trigger points (John Hopkins Medicine, n.d.).

A trigger point is 鈥渁 focus of hyperirritability in a tissue that, when compressed, is locally tender and, if sufficiently hypersensitive, gives rise to referred pain and tenderness鈥� (Henderson, 1984, p. 6). It is a tender, spasming muscle that may feel knotty. It could be causing pain elsewhere in the body. For instance, if a person鈥檚 bicep is extremely tight, it may cause excess strain on the inner elbow joint, leading to referred pain in the inner elbow. (Bond, 2015).

For those taking classes at our Portland, Oregon school of massage, it鈥檚 worthwhile to study how sarcomeres (units of muscle fiber) contract repeatedly to transform knots into trigger points. For the average client, however, an analogy may prove more helpful. Imagine a one-foot rope being tied into multiple knots, shortening it into a length of just ten inches. Seeing this rope as a muscle, we can understand how trigger points can cause surrounding muscles to overstretch. The resulting structural imbalance can lead to trigger points and painful conditions such as sciatica.听

With this more refined understanding of how adhesions (AKA knots) can eventually form trigger points, let鈥檚 review what types of movement can cause scar tissue formation in the first place.

3 types of Muscle Overload

Researchers agree that scar tissue and resulting trigger point formation can stem from two things: 鈥渕uscle overuse鈥� and 鈥渄irect trauma鈥� (Bron & Dommerholt, 2012, para. 1). It may be helpful to categorize the following three types of muscle overload: acute, sustained, and repetitive.

1. Acute. Injuries and surgeries would fit into this category, alongside direct trauma. Acute muscle use can also look like lifting too much, often in an awkward position so that one muscle group must do all the work and becomes strained.
   2. Sustained. Postural imbalances are often present in long-held postures, such as sitting at a desk. Over time, scar tissue can form around the muscles that must work harder to hold such positions.
   3. Repetitive. Even small movements can cause adhesion if they are done repetitively.听

How 精东传媒 Therapy Relieves Muscular Adhesions and Trigger Points

精东传媒 therapists can help relieve adhesions and trigger points by understanding relationships between muscles. It鈥檚 key to identify which muscles must first be released in order to target connecting muscles. A LMT with a strong anatomy education can follow the pain through muscles, insertion points, and ligaments to ultimately find the trigger point.

Once there, the therapist can provide pressure to the spasming muscle until it softens. Different techniques such as deep tissue massage and myofascial massage can be helpful. After maintaining digital pressure on the trigger point from 30-90 seconds, the therapist should feel a change in the muscle tissue, and then release slowly. Last, the therapist can deliver integrating techniques such as petrissage and effleurage to further break down adhesed tissue, increase blood flow, and enhance relaxation.

Portland, Oregon School of 精东传媒 Student Clinic for Muscular Relief

Trigger points are involved in myriad painful conditions, including plantar fasciitis, frozen shoulder, and more. Even without a specific diagnosis, it is common to have trigger points and muscular adhesions. Such 鈥渒nots鈥� can be relieved through massage, movement, and stretching. We听 invite you to enjoy the benefits of regular treatment with affordable Portland massage at Our 精东传媒 Clinic. Make an appointment today to address any stiffness or pain you鈥檝e been experiencing lately.

Resources:

(see background section)

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.

精东传媒 therapy: We all know it鈥檚 relaxing, but did you know it can also boost your immunity? As cold and flu season drags on, we鈥檙e reviewing research on how receiving regular massage (such as through our Oregon massage school鈥檚 student clinic) can protect you against getting sick.
精东传媒 Therapy and Immunity

精东传媒 impacts immunity in several ways.

Pain Relief. Researchers have uncovered a connection between pain and immune suppression. While more research is needed in how this connection works, it鈥檚 suspected that massage may increase immune system functioning by decreasing pain (Citroner, 2020).

Increased Circulation. By boosting circulation in lymph and vascular systems, massage therapy helps immune cells more effectively protect all areas of the body (Citroner, 2020).

Lowered Stress. During a stress response, the body deprioritizes immunity. While this helped our ancestors escape danger, it challenges recovery from modern daily stressors such as email and social media. By relieving stress, massage therapy activates immunity via the parasympathetic response. (Bellocchi, 2022).

Regular 精东传媒 and Immunity Markers

Our Oregon massage school鈥檚 last blog on immunity and massage examined how massage has been shown to increase immunity markers such as natural killer (NK) white blood cells, lymphocyte immunity cells, as well as feel-good neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. Several studies on the biochemical link between massage therapy and improved community have been published since that blog, including one we鈥檇 like to focus on today.

The American 精东传媒 Therapy Association (AMTA) highlighted how regular massage impacts health (Brown Menard, 2019). The article published on the AMTA鈥檚 website reviewed a study on neuroendocrine and immune effects of Swedish massage versus a light-touch intervention. In this study, fifty-three participants were placed in one of four groups: 45-minute massage sessions once or twice a week, or 45-minute light-touch sessions once or twice a week. The light-touch subjects are the control groups in this study.

While some previous studies on immunity and massage were limited in sample size and quality, the researchers conducting this study were careful to create strong research parameters. 精东传媒 sessions were conducted between 3 and 7pm, with those in the light-touch groups receiving the same protocol delivered lightly with the back of the hand. Participants were excluded from the study due to use of nicotine, illicit drugs, and excess alcohol; pregnancy; shift work; dieting; regular medication use; and active medical problems. In other words, this research shows the immunity impact of regular massage for healthy individuals. That鈥檚 critical because previous studies had examined how massage impacted specific groups, such as individuals with HIV.

The results of the study found that those in both massage groups had 鈥渋ncreased circulation of lymphocyte markers and decreased cytokine production鈥� (Brown Menard, 2019, para. 8). Lymphocytes are white blood cells that fight infections, produce antibodies, regulate the immune response, and protect against cancer. Lowered cytokine production is preferred because in excess, cytokine production can damage healthy tissue via excessive inflammation. You may have heard of deadly cytokine storms during the days of the COVID pandemic.

However, only those in the group that received massage therapy twice per week saw significant changes in HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) function. The HPA axis assists with managing the body鈥檚 stress response. The researchers concluded that twice-weekly massage is better for neuroendocrine outcomes, i.e. stress relief.

精东传媒 Training School Clinics: A Win-Win for Immunity & Learning

Increasingly, researchers are uncovering a link between regular massage and positive health outcomes. How can you make weekly or semiweekly massage therapy a healthy habit in your life? We recommend making appointments at our Oregon massage school student massage clinic in Portland鈥檚 education district. You’ll receive a 40-minute massage from a student in our massage therapy program who is supervised by a skilled licensed massage therapist. It鈥檚 a win-win situation because you can enjoy regular, affordable massage while your student therapist prepares for their career. We invite you to make an appointment for student massage therapy today at .

Sources
Bellocchi, C. (2022, March 7). The autonomic nervous system and interaction with immunity. Scholarly Community Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/20226

Brown Menard, M. (2019, August 1). Research: Cumulative effects of regular massage. American 精东传媒 Therapy Association. https://www.amtamassage.org/publications/massage-therapy-journal/cumulative-effects-of-massage/

Citroner, G. (2020, April 8). 精东传媒 and immune system: Building Healthier Practices. 精东传媒 Magazine. https://www.massagemag.com/this-is-how-massage-helps-build-a-healthy-immune-system-122365/

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.

Resources

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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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While society seems to have moved on from COVID, some patients still battle with it. These 鈥渓ong-haulers鈥� face a unique set of symptoms. According to medical journal The Lancet, long-haul COVID symptoms usually last for more than seven months. Let鈥檚 define long-haul COVID (formally known as post-COVID syndrome), examine common symptoms, and review how massage therapy can help. We鈥檒l also include suggestions for therapists hoping to serve clients with long-haul COVID.

What is long-haul Covid or Post-COVID Syndrome?

According to the September 2021 Journal of the American Medical Association, about 10% of those who are infected with COVID will become long-haulers. That number could be even higher鈥攁 found that 30% of COVID sufferers experience long-term symptoms and 鈥渨orse health and quality of life.鈥� Moreover, 8% of respondents in that study reported that they were no longer able to do everyday tasks, such as 鈥渓ift heavy objects, or stand or walk unassisted for more than a short period of time.鈥� In contrast with most who contract the disease, those with long-haul COVID (AKA 鈥渓ong-haulers鈥�) suffer symptoms for months or even years. Some studies suggest up to half of all those who catch COVID will experience at least one long-term symptom. As published in , 91% of online respondents who suffer post-COVID syndrome require more than 35 weeks to recover. Let鈥檚 take a look at their most common symptoms.

Common Symptoms of 精东传媒 Clients with long-haul Covid
While the range of symptoms among long-haulers is broad, long-term inflammation, memory loss/brain fog, and decreased physical ability are typical. Secondary mental health complications鈥攕uch as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and panic attacks鈥攎ay follow.

Additionally, those with long COVID are likely to present on the massage table with:

• Extreme fatigue
• Inability to engage in activities such as exercise
• Short-windedness, breathlessness
• Pain in joints and muscles
• Insomnia
• Digestion/GI tract issues
• Heart palpitations
• Mood changes
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Loss of smell and taste that won鈥檛 resolve听
• Coughing

These are only the most common symptoms of long-haul COVID. Chronic pain is a predominant symptom for long-haulers; some may find it impossible at times to get out of bed as a result.听

How 精东传媒 Therapy can Help those with long-haul Covid
In many ways, long-haul COVID remains a mystery to researchers, who are still unsure why some people experience mild, lingering symptoms such as headaches and muscle/joint pain, while others have more debilitating symptoms. Writing for , LMT David Weintraub relays his experience treating 40 massage clients with long-term COVID. He has found that massage therapy can ease headaches and muscle/joint pain in this population. He speculates that massage therapy can also ameliorate respiratory, digestive, and cognitive symptoms by 鈥渞eteaching the client鈥檚 nervous system鈥� to release its protective response against COVID.听

Further, Mr. Weintraub points out that massage therapy can provide quick relief for functional symptoms such as coughing stemming from tight sternocleidomastoid muscles. However, physical therapy or other specialist treatment may be required before massage therapy can help with structural symptoms, such as headaches due to neurological degeneration. He focuses particularly on efficient breathing following COVID infection, as the disease often causes the body to rely on secondary breathing muscles. 精东传媒 therapists can help clients return to efficient, diaphragmatic breathing by gently compressing abdominal muscles, assuming the client鈥檚 body and mind are relaxed enough to avoid a stress response.

Tips for 精东传媒 Therapists on how to best serve clients with Long-Haul Covid

Your massage therapy training probably didn鈥檛 include information on how to assist clients with long-haul COVID, but at this point it鈥檚 likely you鈥檒l treat someone meeting this description. Here are a few ways to cater your treatment to long-haulers.

• Include relevant questions in your intake form. Among conditions, you may choose to include a tick box for long-haul COVID, as its varying symptoms can make it tricky to detect. Strong client communication is key, as so many different symptoms fall under the umbrella of post-COVID syndrome.
• Don鈥檛 over-treat. Recall that long-haul COVID can cause exhaustion, even following everyday activities. While a client may feel all right during treatment, they may be tired that evening or the next day, and this weariness may be accompanied by an outburst of other symptoms. Prevent exhaustion and symptom flare-ups by going slowly in your massage therapy treatment. Limit intensity, duration, frequency and treatment type, gradually increasing these metrics over time. Leave days between treatments.听 Remember that the pain of long-haul COVID has different mechanisms than typical muscular-skeletal pain.
  
• Activate a Parasympathetic Response. Even clients who never contracted COVID may display symptoms of being stuck in a stress response. After all, we all lived through a frightening time of uncertainty during the pandemic. Long-haulers are likewise prone to these stress response symptoms, which are similar to those who have suffered PTSD, and include muscular hypertension, digestive problems, brain fog, and headaches. Effective massage techniques for releasing an overactive stress response will help relax muscles, increase circulation, and signal safety to the nervous system.听 More advanced techniques may target the diaphragm, psoas, and ancillary breathing muscles.听

If you鈥檙e an LMT, think back to your graduation from massage school. At that time, could you have anticipated the changes the COVID pandemic would bring to the massage industry? Probably not. Ours is an ever-changing field, so consistent, up-to-date massage therapy training is critical. East West College of the Healing Arts offers a range of CE courses each semester for professionals in massage. Portland鈥檚 education district is our home, making classes conveniently accessible by multiple public transit lines or by car. You鈥檙e sure to find something to pique your interest among our massage therapy training options. To review our current CE offerings, please visit our website at , or call us at 503-233-6500.

精东传媒 therapy images typically show clients on their backs or bellies, but a side-lying position provides many unique advantages. For instance, those who suffer back or neck pain may find the side lying position to be the most comfortable option for massage treatment. After reviewing the benefits of this underutilized massage treatment position, we suggest practical tips for LMTs who would like to offer side-lying positioning to clients.

6 Benefits of Side-Lying Position for 精东传媒 Therapy

1. Client Comfort. Many clients, particularly those with back pain and/or large, sensitive breasts will feel most comfortable lying on their sides. Offering carefully positioned bolsters and pillows can help increase comfort even further in a side-lying position.

Those with respiratory challenges may also find side-lying more comfortable.听 Breathing discomfort can arise from prone and supine postures. The too-familiar sounds of sniffling and snorting are signs that clients鈥� sinuses are backing up due to traditional massage positioning. The side-lying position allows for increased respiration, increasing the efficacy of massage treatment. Overall, side-lying is excellent for those with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, allergies, or colds.

2. Safe Prenatal 精东传媒. Pregnant people are classic candidates for side-lying massage, as their growing bellies do not allow prone positioning, and supine postures are not safe for fetal circulation. Moreover, downward pressure in a prone position may actually exacerbate the ligament pain many pregnant individuals experience. Just as gestating individuals are advised to sleep on their sides, the side-lying position is best for receiving massage therapy.

3. Ease for Elderly, Frail, and Medically-Affected Clients. Older clients, as well as those who are frail, are more likely to be comfortable in a side-lying position because it causes less table pressure on sensitive skin and joints. Additionally, those with implanted medical devices, or who are recovering from surgery, may be best treated when lying on their sides. Click here for more tips on massaging elderly clients.

4. Increased Therapist Comfort. The side-lying position allows the therapist to move close to the edge of the table, providing better leverage and access. With one whole side of the client鈥檚 body facing toward you, it is easier to maintain a neutrally upright posture. It may also be easier to keep your wrists straight, for less strain in the long run.

5. Easier to Reach Some Muscles. Muscles that run laterally are much easier to access in a side-lying position. For long, broad strokes, the therapist can use their forearms to treat these muscles, giving the hands and wrists a break.

6. Emotional Comfort. Pain is often intertwined with negative emotions and stress. More than any other position, side-lying imitates the fetal position, which many people find naturally soothing. Side-lying clients may be more likely to relax,听 boosting treatment efficacy.

Now that we鈥檝e explored some of the benefits of treating clients in the side-lying posture, let鈥檚 discuss logistical concerns of doing so.

Tips for 精东传媒 Therapists on How to Provide Side-Lying Treatment

Adjust the table height. In side-lying treatment, the direction of pressure is more downward, particularly when working on the client鈥檚 hip or pelvis. In such situations, a lower height is helpful. When switching to providing more lateral pressure, such as when targeting the lower erector spinae muscles, a lift mechanism allows the therapist to easily raise the table height.听 If you have an adjustable table without a lift mechanism, you can set up for appointments by having the table at a height somewhere between your wrist and your knuckles when your arms are hanging at your sides.听

Client Positioning. For access, avoid having your client lie in the middle of the table, and especially avoid having them on the side farthest from you. It鈥檚 best for them to be near the side of the table where you鈥檒l be standing. To encourage that, you can line up cushions with the rear side of the table, so they鈥檙e set up to lie in the middle of the cushions, nearest you.听

Weight Shifting. Maintain a more upright position by leaning into your back leg, and minimizing weight in your front leg. Then, lean your weight into your working hand/tool and into the client. This will allow you to use your body weight to create momentum.

Adjust your Gaze. Many therapists are accustomed to having their eyes in line with the client鈥檚 spine, because this is often the case when the client is in a prone position. When providing a side-lying treatment, the therapist is often inclined to tilt their head to one side to align with the spine. This can create tension in the neck and lumbar, so it鈥檚 key to keep your torso and head erect. Over time, this side-lying view of the spine will become more natural.

Table Supports. To make clients comfortable, have bolsters and pillows at the ready. Larger bellies will need underlying support. Many clients will find pillows between the legs comfortable, so that the foot, leg, and hip are all parallel to the ceiling. Additional pillows under the rib cage, arm, and lumbar spine may also be helpful, but remember every client will have their own preferences. As such, having flexible propping options鈥揺.g., towels鈥搃s a good idea.

精东传媒 Therapy Continuing Education for Side-Lying Treatments
Wherever you provide services, from Paris to Portland, massage therapy results are only as good as your training and experience. That鈥檚 why access to high-quality continuing education classes is crucial. Here in Portland, LMTs can stay up-to-date and hone their skills through East West College of the Healing Arts. At any given time, we offer a plethora of courses to pique your professional curiosity. Currently, we have an upcoming CE course on Thai massage techniques which includes options for side-lying treatment. Of course, we like to keep things fresh with new classes every quarter. Check out and sign up for upcoming classes at the .

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East West College CE website