News Archives - East West College

Reflexology: Intro to this ��ý Modality

East West College of the Healing Arts — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 03:24:07 +0000

Updated March, 2026

Reflexology is a manual healing method in which points on the feet, hands, and/or ears are compressed to alleviate pain and treat medical problems. Although the mechanisms for how reflexology works in the body are not well established, this practice has been relieving pain and other stress-related conditions for decades. As with other CAM therapies, many accredited massage schools offer reflexology courses because this healing modality has brought relief to patients across the globe.

��ý therapists who add reflexology to their repertoire may serve spa clients or anyone looking to relax. This approach is less common in massage careers, so those with reflexology training tend to receive client referrals for their unique skill. Let’s take a look at the history of reflexology, and how it works.

Introducing Reflexology

Ancient healers in Egypt, India, and China worked with energy points in feet and hands to improve health. Egyptian hieroglyphics suggest foot treatments were part of Egyptian society as far back as 2330 BC. The idea of treating illness through massaging the hands was widespread in Europe by the late 1300s.��

In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, healers such as William Fitzgerald and Eunice Ingham developed reflexology as we know it. William Fitzgerald encountered reflex therapy while traveling in the early 1900s. (The term “reflexology” was actually coined by Russian neurologist and psychologist Vladimir Bekhterev in the early 1800s.) In 1913, Fitzgerald introduced his zone therapy to the West. He mapped ten vertical zones in the body where pressure could alleviate pain in corresponding areas.��

Twenty years later, Eunice Ingham was working with physiotherapist Dr. Joe Shelby Riley, who had mapped zones on the feet and hands. Ingham realized that the feet were highly sensitive. She developed detailed foot charts, and referred to her therapy as “reflexology,” distinguishing it from zone therapy. Her 1938 book, Stories the Feet Can Tell, popularized reflexology to the general public.

Reflexology ��ý Therapy: Basic Practices

During a reflexology session, the therapist applies pressure to parts of the feet, hands, and ears with the intention of improving health in referring organs. Reflexology identifies these areas as microcosms for the whole body. Applying pressure to specific points enables communication with any system in the body. (Shirley, 2023). For instance, if a patient is complaining of urinary problems, the reflexology practitioner might refer to his or her foot map, find the bladder point within the foot’s arch, and apply pressure there.

The foot, hand, and ear charts used in reflexology do not directly correspond with the Meridian lines found in other forms of Eastern medicine. Rather, Reflexology is a unique system.

How Reflexology Works: Biological Mechanisms

Research has not established exactly how Reflexology works in the body. However, as Whatley et. al (2022) conclude, the mechanisms for this and other CAM therapies are likely to be complex, and some combination of:

Therapeutic touch, environmental cues to relax, and the placebo effect;
Mechanotransduction, or the conversion of mechanical pressure into biochemical changes, potentially via the body’s matrix of connective tissue; and
Lymphatic flow changes through mechanotransduction.��

Benefits of Reflexology

While the mechanisms of Reflexology have yet to be uncovered, clients often report the following advantages:

–Pain relief (Kandemir, 2022).
–Improved Emotional Well-Being (Malone, 2025).
–Improved sleep (Whatley, 2022)

Researchers have found physiological changes following Reflexology sessions in a variety of circumstances, including:

Patients about to receive a stressful situation (a colonoscopy) experienced reduced anxiety and physiological changes including lowered systolic blood pressure and lowered heart rate (Golitaleb et. al, 2025).
Among Leukemia patients, foot reflexology was found to be helpful for�� “managing procedural pain and anxiety” (Mehri et. al, 2025).

For more complete research into the benefits of reflexology, we recommend .

If you’re interested in adding Reflexology to your massage offerings, consider learning about it through .��

Upcoming CE ��ý Classes related to Reflexology

At our massage school in Portland, Oregon we offer exceptional instruction from experienced instructors specializing in a wide array of approaches. Here are a few upcoming courses related to reflexology:

Reflexology I
Instructor: Shantika Bernard, LMT
Dates: June 27 – 28, 2026
Schedule: Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (1 hour lunch break);
Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (1 hour lunch break)
In this two-day course you’ll learn reflexology techniques, methods for discovering affected areas, and a systemic approach to providing effective treatment while preventing overuse of your thumbs and joints. There will be plenty of time for discussion and practicing application as well.��

Sources:

Embong, N. H., Soh, Y. C., Ming, L. C., & Wong, T. W. (2015). Revisiting reflexology: Concept, evidence, current practice, and practitioner training. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 5(4), 197–206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2015.08.008

Golitaleb, M., Safdari, A., Rafiei, F., Yaghoobzadeh, N., & Mokhtari, R. (2025). Comparing the impact of foot and hand reflexology on anxiety and�� physiological indices in colonoscopy candidates: A randomized clinical trial. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 44(April).

Kandemir, D., Abdullayev, A., Seyhan Ak, E., Altun Uğraş, G., & Kanan, N. (2022). The effect of reflexology on low back pain in operating room nurses. Holistic nursing practice, 36(2), 112–118.

Malone, D. (2025, May 1). Beyond the physical: ��ý therapy for emotional health. American ��ý Therapy Association. ��

Mehri, M. & Golitaleb, M., Safdari, A., & Madadi, S., Rafiee, F., Shahbazi, H., Mokhtari, R., & Nejat, N. (2025). Effect of foot reflexology on pain, anxiety, and physiological indices in leukemia patients undergoing bone marrow aspiration: A Randomized Clinical Trial Study. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 44(4).�� DOI:

Shirley, C. (2023). How does reflexology work? ��ý Magazine. ��

Whatley, J., Perkins, J. & Samuel, C. (2022). Reflexology: Exploring the mechanism of action. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 48.

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Maintaining Strong COVID-19 Practices: Tips for Keeping Up Safety Precautions

East West College of the Healing Arts — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 18:28:10 +0000

Corona fatigue is hitting many Americans, and who can blame them? With nearly a full year of lock-downs and quarantines, it is normal to feel sick of mask wearing, social distancing, and other safety precautions. Throw in the fact that many still await vaccines, and it’s no surprise that people are tempted to relax pandemic boundaries. Yet health officials tell us the virus rages on, with nearly , and . The bottom line? It’s still not time to let down your guards protecting your clinic, your clients, and LMTs. Let’s examine how to stay strong in your COVID-19 practices this spring. Read on for a review of massage therapy Coronavirus safety protocols, including cleaning and sanitizing, requiring and wearing masks, signage and communication, and patience.

��ý Therapy in�� Oregon: Extended State of Emergency, Slow Reopening in Portland

through May 2nd, and many counties in the state still face extensive restrictions. Multnomah County, home of our massage school in Portland, OR, recently moved from “Extreme Risk” to “High Risk” to “Moderate Risk.” For Portlanders, this means that indoor dining and gyms are open at 50% occupancy or 100 people, whichever is smaller. However, the step down in the risk category does not change the need to wear masks, wash hands, and social distance, particularly with many unknowns about COVID variants. Oregon massage therapists and other personal service providers remain under strict operation conditions.

Other areas in Oregon, including Benton, Jefferson, Josephine, and Coos counties, are still in the “Extreme Risk” category, with the most intense lockdown measures in place. As we grapple with the exhaustion of COVID restrictions, it’s good to remember that the virus is still present in our communities. As Governor Brown reminded during a recent press conference, when she first instituted a statewide emergency in March of 2020, there were 14 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the state. As of March 1st, there are about .

Safely Providing Oregon ��ý Therapy during the Coronavirus Pandemic
The state continues to require strict safety guidelines for massage therapy services, including:

Screening Clients and Keeping Records of ��ý Appointments. Client screening questionnaires prevent infected individuals from entering clinics, thereby reducing exposure. In the case of infections, records of massage services will help with contact tracing. LMTs and clinic workers with symptoms are not allowed to work.

Wearing Masks Throughout the Visit. Masks are required from the minute the client steps into your establishment to after they walk out your door. To reopen to the public, therapy providers must have masks available for clients. The LMT Therapists must also wear a mask throughout treatment.

In our Portland, Oregon massage clinic, we also provide an extra layer of protection in the form of a pillowcase-like cloth bag underneath the face cradle, as well as a second mask to wear when the client is facing up.

Social Distancing is another Coronavirus safety protocol that must be followed in massage therapy facilities. While it is impossible for the therapist to stay six feet away from the client while providing massage, it is possible to avoid close contact at other moments. For instance, clients can wait in their cars to be called in for their appointment if lobby areas are too tight to allow proper social distancing. At least six feet of distance should be maintained between clients at all times.

One LMT per Client. Prior to the pandemic, a spa might move clients from one therapist to another during a series of treatments. This arrangement is not permitted during the Coronavirus crisis. Instead, each client should see only one client per visit.

Prepare Client-Facing Areas. All unnecessary items should be removed from waiting areas. For instance, snacks and magazines should not be present, to prevent clients from handling shared materials. Additionally, service providers must hang informational signage on Covid symptoms and best practices.

Clean and Disinfect all treatment room surfaces regularly. High-touch hard surfaces, such as door handles and countertops, should also be cleaned and disinfected routinely.

These are the main requirements for personal services providers who wish to operate during ongoing Covid restrictions. However, there are many more stipulations required by the state, as outlined in .

There is some positive news for massage therapists in the Beaver State. Until the State of Emergency is rescinded, the Oregon Board of ��ý Therapists has relaxed requirements for Oregon massage license renewal during the COVID crisis. What’s more, as they are listed in Phase 1a,�� massage therapists are now eligible to receive COVID vaccines. (To get started with your vaccine .)

While pandemic protocols were almost certainly not something most prospective LMT dreamed of when contemplating how to become a massage therapist, today’s massage therapy students are deeply aware of safe operation standards. If you are in need of healing touch during the pandemic, you can feel safe making an appointment with . And if the pandemic has shifted your professional plans, we encourage you to consider massage therapy as a flexible, rewarding career. Get in touch with our Admissions Team to learn more about earning your massage therapy licensure through East West College of the Healing Arts.

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Updates & Support for ��ý Therapists in the Age of Coronavirus

East West College of the Healing Arts — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 22:39:56 +0000

Life in the era of the novel coronavirus would have been unrecognizable ten days ago. Day by day, we are witnessing enormous shifts, from how we greet others to employment prospects. To date, almost have been confirmed across the globe, with nearly 16,500 deaths. To “flatten the curve,” i.e. slow the rate of infection, many leaders are limiting interactions through social distancing measures. Here in Oregon, the governor has just announced a which .” Clearly, life is changing rapidly for all Americans, and particularly for massage therapists, who now find themselves out of work.

As a Portland massage therapist school, we have always put people first; the well-being of our students, alumni, and clients is our top priority. To that end, we are providing this massage-centric update on COVID-19. Stay tuned to this blog for ongoing updates and support.

Financial Relief Resources for COVID-19

Unemployment Insurance
The federal government has allowed states to change their unemployment insurance benefits in the face of the novel Coronavirus. , closures, and unemployment insurance benefits states that workers do not have to meet the typical requirement of looking for another job, assuming their employer expects to reopen. When filing an , you can bypass the work search section by marking the temporary layoff option. The state advises you to keep a log of your job search efforts in case it is needed later.

Find unemployment information in other states .

Small Business Loans
The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest loans to small businesses who have suffered economic damages from declared disasters. Oregon’s COVID-19 disaster declaration was announced on January 31^st, so Oregon-based businesses of massage, Portland to Astoria, are eligible to . Expect slow site operation; there is a high demand for assistance and high traffic rates. If you can’t get through during normal business hours, the SBA advises that you try non-peak hours, from 7:00pm-7:00am Eastern time, or 4:00pm-4:00am Pacific time.

For massage small businesses located in other states, the same general procedure applies; first, check the to see if your area has been included in COVID-19 disaster declarations, then apply for a loan, and finally continue logging into the SBA’s site to check on your loan’s status.

National ��ý Exams Cancelled
For those currently enrolled in massage therapist school, the novel coronavirus has drastically altered their scheduling expectations, including signing up for national massage exams. Both MBLEx and NCBTMB exams scheduled for this spring have been cancelled.

MBLEx Exams
The Federation of State ��ý Therapy Boards has stopped issuing testing authorizations, and all testing centers are currently closed. When the centers reopen, candidates who had already been authorized for testing will have 90-days to reschedule their appointment. No fees will be charged for rescheduling, and a price increase will NOT go into effect on April 1^st, as planned. Find more information on the .

NCTMB Exams
All NCTMB test centers in the US and Canada have been closed from March 18-April 15. Those who were scheduled to take the exam during this period should have already received an email notification to reschedule, typically 45 days into the future, at no fee. Prometric, who implements the NCTMB exam, may extend the closure date if needed. Find more information from .

Reliable COVID-19 Health Information is best obtained through the Centers for and the .
For more information on each state during the coronavirus, check out the AMTA’s , including a link to the , here.

We wish all of you peace and comfort in these challenging times. Take care of yourself and your family and get plenty of rest. For the health of our staff, students, alumni, and the extended community, our campus store and massage clinic are currently closed.�� Our staff is working remotely through March 31^st, and may be contacted via email or phone. Stay tuned to this page for ongoing updates catered specifically for the massage community.

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East West College’s New Location in Downtown Portland: Opening on July 1st, 2019

East West College of the Healing Arts — Tue, 21 May 2019 18:27:06 +0000

We’re moving! This July, East West College is starting a new chapter in the education district of downtown Portland, Oregon. Our new building will be at 1515 SW Fifth Avenue, in Suite 400.

��ý school students and clients will be happy to know that our new home is easy to access via public transit, with multiple options for MAX light rail, bus, and streetcar routes. To facilitate a smooth transition, we are providing each student with a transit pass for the month of July, upon request.

Additional amenities at our new location include:

30,000 square feet of totally remodeled space with energy-efficient lighting.
Round-the-clock building security, 24/7.
An attached parking garage.
A multitude of cafes, restaurants, stores, and parks within walking distance.
A brand-new HVAC system.
Naturally-lit, open areas where students can gather.
Covered bicycle parking.
A café in the building.

As our president David Slawson notes, “We have been looking for some time for a space to better serve the wants and needs of our students. Our goal is to provide an accessible, beautiful, safe environment in which to nurture the healers of the future.”

If you take classes or receive massage at our Portland school of massage, you’ll want to make note of the following important dates:

June 21^st, 2019 – Final day of classes at 525 NE Oregon Street location
July 2^nd, 2019 – Sneak Peek Open House for new and current students
July 8^th, 2019 – First day of classes at our new location, 1515 SW Fifth Avenue, Fourth Floor

Our phone number (503-233-6500) and website address (eastwestcollege.edu) will remain the same.

Finally, we will continue to offer exceptional massage therapy training continuing education. Nationally-known and locally sought-after instructors will teach CE courses at our NE Oregon street location through June, and in our new downtown location starting in July. For more information on upcoming classes, visit . Our new location will continue to sell massage therapy supplies, such as oils, and lotions.

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We are excited to announce our new Continuing Education Coordinator, Tori Gomez, LMT#23897

East West College of the Healing Arts — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 19:07:28 +0000

Tori graduated from East West College of the Healing Arts in September 2017. She worked in our Alumni Clinic as an Licensed ��ý Therapist up until July of this year when she accepted the position of Continuing Education Coordinator. Tori is now in charge of scheduling and supporting over 100 Continuing Education classes a year. Tori is a great fit for this role and are happy she is continuing to be part of our team!

We interviewed Tori about accepting the new position. Read on…

What drew you to apply for the CE Coordinator position?

It wasn’t any one specific thing, but more of a feeling. When I heard that the position had opened up, I just felt really drawn to it. Having trained at East West College to become an LMT, I have learned to trust my intuition as much as my knowledge and the idea of being able to help people while still challenging myself was an opportunity that I didn’t want to pass up on.

How are you settling into your new space and job duties?

Tina did an amazing job trying to get me up to speed and I value her insights and strategies in keeping on top of things. I’m still adjusting, but I feel more confident each day because of the support from all of my coworkers. I think that has helped me finally find a bit of my rhythm.

Even though you are new to the position, is there anything that stands out that you are really enjoying so far?

I am actually enjoying a few things. I find peace in organizing things and I love to learn; lucky for me these things seem to be a big part of the job. I also love people, so getting to know everyone at the school better has been wonderful. There are so many smart, funny, and talented people here and I love that I can be inspired by them.

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Celebrate Global ��ý Makes Me Happy Day

East West College of the Healing Arts — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 00:45:41 +0000

In celebration of this day, East West College will be offering 50% off future student massage appointments booked on Tuesday, March 20th, 2018.

In support of Global ��ý Makes Me Happy Day on March 20th, 2018, East West College of the Healing Arts will be offering a special promotion for their massage clinic. Future student massages booked on the day of March 20th will be 50% off – regularly $30, now just $15!

of the aims to celebrate the healing powers of massage therapy and promote its benefits through research and education, advocacy and global awareness.

This offer is limited to one student massage per customer and cannot be combined with other discounts. Available appointments for this offer are between April 11th and June 18th only. To book an appointment call 503-233-6500 during the hours of 9:00am and 6:30pm on Tuesday, March 20th, 2018 and speak to an East West College representative. Enjoy your massage!

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East West College Celebrates Global ��ý Makes Me Happy Day Through Donation

East West College of the Healing Arts — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 21:20:34 +0000

The world will celebrate the positive impact of massage therapy on Tuesday, March 20th, 2018.��, in partnership with the��, aims to celebrate the healing powers of massage therapy and promote its benefits through research, education, advocacy and global awareness. March 20th is also recognized by the United Nations as the International Day of Happiness.

One of the ways��East West College��will be celebrating this day��is by donating a massage table to��, a domestic violence agency dedicated to ending intimate partner violence for good.��Sarah Stivers, a��licensed massage therapist in Portland, volunteers her��services at��Raphael House. She��had been working with a broken massage chair for some time and we are happy to donate this table to this worthy organization.

Celebrate ��ý Makes Me Happy Day by thanking your massage therapist, sharing your story of massage with others or simply by booking a massage for yourself.

Raphael House has been proudly serving individuals and families of all backgrounds, cultures, ages, abilities, gender identities, and sexual orientations since 1977.��Want to donate or volunteer at��too? They are accepting donations Thursday, April 5th from 11am to 1pm at SE Uplift located at 3534 SE Main Street, Portland. For additional information contact Teena Soto Smith at tsmith@raphaelhouse.com or 503-222-6507 x143.

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��ý & Self-Care: Marketing the Necessity of De-Stressing during the Holiday Season

East West College of the Healing Arts — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 19:39:34 +0000

Holiday stress: It’s so ubiquitous, it’s practically cliché. Yet few people actually fit in an extra wintertime massage or day at the spa. How can Portland massage therapists come to the rescue? By effectively marketing their offerings during this darkest, and often busiest, part of the year.

We all know that the holidays are a time of stress. Consider a Healthline study which found that 56% of Gen X-ers, 61% of millennials, and 62% of Baby Boomers feel stress during the holidays.

Yet few people actually set aside time to destress. The 2016 American Time Use Study found that, on average, a woman with children spends just 11 minutes per day on self-care activities such as exercise or recreation. Married men spend just 15 minutes per day on such self-care. The bottom line? Americans aren’t prioritizing self-care. And we’re betting that tendency is exacerbated during the holiday season. Yet this “most wonderful” (read: busiest) time of the year is exactly when we most need self-care to help us deal with skyrocketing stress levels.

��ý: An Enjoyable Antidote to Holiday Stress
Is massage a luxury? Or self-indulgent? Absolutely not! Holiday stress can rob us of sleep, increase our blood pressure, and leave our hearts and minds racing. Not to mention the nosedive our best dietary intentions take at this time of year! With all these stressors, our minds and bodies are not operating optimally. ��ý battles stress in multiple ways, allowing us to better enjoy the holidays while cruising through the season’s challenges.

How ��ý Helps Offset Stress

Feel-Good Hormones. During this time of the year, many people slack on their exercise routines. Who feels like working out when it’s dark and icy outside? ��ý can help! ��ý produces many of the same soothing “happy chemicals” one gets from a good run, such as serotonin and dopamine.

Improved Sleep. Indulgent parties, crammed schedules, holiday change to routines: It all makes regular sleep challenging. Again, massage to the rescue! As the , multiple studies suggest that regular massage improves sleep. Consistent ZZZs can help zap holiday stress, as well as seasonal anxiety and depression.

Soothe the Sympathetic Nervous System. From a medical perspective, stress is “up-regulation,” when the body turns on the fight/fight/freeze response in the face of external stimuli. Up-regulation is performed by the sympathetic nervous system. We experience stress when the body is “stuck” in a sympathetic response. The other half of the autonomic nervous system is the parasympathetic side—its job is to help release the stress of upregulation. As discussed in , massage helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, turning off the fight/flight/freeze response and helping the recipient feel less stressed.

Target Acupressure Points. , , and other styles of Eastern-influenced massage therapy increase energy by alleviating blockages along energy lines, or meridians. By focusing on acupressure points throughout the body, massage therapists can decrease stress. A ; acupressure uses the same energetic principals without requiring needles.

Holiday Marketing Tips for Therapists

Fight the good fight against holiday stress! Entice clients to your door with these marketing approaches.

Say “Thank You” (and “Hello” to new customers) with Gift Certificates. Acknowledge your most loyal clients by giving them each a complimentary massage gift certificate. Here’s the catch: They must spread the joy of the season by passing on the certificate to a friend. It’s a win-win for massage careers and massage-seekers alike: You get a new referral, your customers feel appreciated, and new clients find your exceptional services.If full gift certificates are too much, offer your clients free add-on treatments, such as an extra 10 minutes of massage, or aromatherapy. Sending hand-written holiday cards to your top 25 clients, and emailing 50 more clients, is another excellent way to celebrate your success while growing customer loyalty. Throw in a New Year’s special and watch your appointment book fill.
Use Social Media to Inform and Entice. Twitter, Facebook, and your blogging platform are excellent tools for connecting with holiday customers, but the “hard sale” rarely works. Certainly, posting your holiday specials is wise—but this sort of promotional material should make up no more than 20% of your overall social media content. With these messages, include a call to action, such as “Give the Gift of Health! Purchase one gift certificate and get a massage for yourself at half off.” Throw in a link to your online store. The other 80% of your messages should be conversational in tone. For instance, you can post tips for holiday self-care, such as and ask how your followers are committing to their own health this holiday season. As the conversation unfolds, you will likely have an opportunity to mention your services.
Promote Gift Cards Early and Often. Portland massage therapy gift cards make great gifts, particularly when they are for individual therapists. For would-be massage recipients, a massage gift card is more than an enjoyable present: It’s also a time-saver, since they don’t have to spend weeks searching for a talented therapist. For dazzling holiday season sales, start early: Set up events for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. Place gift card displays in your practice space. Have your online store setup by September. Plan ahead for the best results.

Of course, Portland massage therapists are just as susceptible to holiday stress as everyone else. So to conclude, we’d like to encourage all our alumni and students to set aside time for themselves this holiday season. Arrange a trade or set up an appointment in . Just as an hour of blissful body work can help your clients sail through the season, so can massage help you maximize your appreciation of the wonder of the holidays.

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��ý Chairs: ��ý Marketing Tools for Booking Table Sessions

East West College of the Healing Arts — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 18:01:45 +0000

What would you consider your most important massage marketing tool? Social media? Word of mouth? A massage chair?

Photo from touchpro.com/story-of-the-first-massage-chair/

Yes, a piece of furniture can serve a critical role in massage marketing. While completing their massage therapist schooling at East West College, our students have the opportunity to envision the next five years. They think about where they want to go next, after spending months gathering the right skills, tools, and knowledge to thrive as LMTs. A massage chair is incredibly helpful in building a robust massage business.

��ý chairs may seem innocuous, but they are exceptional for marketing massage services. Let’s examine

how savvy use of massage chairs can help push forward massage careers.

��4 Ways to Use ��ý Chairs to Market ��ý Services

Maximize Portability by Providing Chair ��ý at Events.

When David Palmer introduced the first massage chair in 1986, massage instructors and experienced LMTs almost immediately recognized its potential for growing massage therapy as a whole. ��ý chairs are easily transported. They’re easy to assemble and take down, and their sleek designs fit almost anywhere. This is the main advantage of having a massage chair for your business: you can set up at various events, including:

Conferences
Offices
Athletic Events
Airports
Festivals

��ý chairs are light enough to tote almost anywhere; one of the most popular massage chairs clocks in at just 18 pounds. Yet this lightweight chair can support clients up to 300 pounds in weight.

Clients who would be hesitant to book a table massage are far more comfortable slipping into a massage chair in a familiar location. Coffee shops, stores, and corporate settings are a few more locations where chair massage may be offered. After enjoying a chair massage session, potential clients are far more likely to book a follow up table session. That’s why it’s key to have your scheduler and a stack of business cards at hand when providing chair massage.

Connect with “Warm Leads”—H.R. Directors, Event Sponsors, Etc.

While providing chair massage at events, look to make connections with individuals who would be likely to contract with you for future chair work. If someone mentions that they work in HR, suggest that you could offer chair massage for their office.

Let the referral process work both ways. In your table massage space, post a sign reading, “Ask me about chair massage in your workplace.” This will spark conversations and deliver “warm leads,” i.e. connections that are far easier to convert into table massage contracts than a cold, out-of-the-blue marketing contact would be.

Volunteer at Like-Minded Events.

Sports,��festivals, benefit yoga events, and employee wellness events— these are all excellent opportunities to market your massage services. While volunteering to provide short chair massages won’t immediately bring you income, it is a great way to make connections with future clients. Regular clients being the lifeblood of a sustainable massage practice, earning just one or two new regulars per volunteer event can make a huge difference in your business’ long-term success.

Contract with Event Planners.

Reach out to conference and event planners. Ask for the opportunity to provide on-site chair massage for agreed-upon blocks of time. This will put attendees at ease while burnishing the event’s reputation. Work with each planner to arrive at a good hourly price for your services. If the second party isn’t willing to pay, consider offering small chunks of service at affordable rates. After walking on a concrete expo floor for hours, conference attendees will see $10 for ten minutes of massage as downright generous.

When you promote table massage to chair massage clients, you build a stronger, more flexible massage business. As you gain more massage chair clients, you’ll find some crossover in the other direction, as chair massage customers book table sessions.

Marketing is all about getting your services in front of a wider audience. A massage chair greatly increases the locations where you can demonstrate your massage skills. Consider adding a massage chair to your business assets. The East West College bookstore employees would be happy to review different chair features and options, just stop by during business hours, or call us at 503-233-6500.

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��ý for Drug Addiction: A Primer for ��ý Therapists

East West College of the Healing Arts — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 20:52:49 +0000

According to a survey by the , about 24.6 million Americans, or 9.4% of the population, used an illicit drug in the past month. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has stated that addiction impacts nearly half of American families. Illegal drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes cost the U.S. over half a trillion dollars annually, in the form of health care costs, accidents, criminal activity, and education special services. Clearly, addiction is an issue worthy of our national attention, and a worthwhile focus for any healthcare professional, including massage therapists.

Ultimately, all addictive behaviors share brain pathways. From binge eating to manic shopping to gambling and sex, all addictive behaviors are in response to the same neurotransmitter: dopamine. Addicts respond to the flood of dopamine that hits their brains’ reward centers whenever they take a hit or a drink. By minimizing stress chemicals and maximizing feel-good neuro-chemicals, massage can help assuage the symptoms of addiction.

��ý for Drug Addiction: Part of a Mind/Body/Spirit Approach

Some integrated health centers are now including massage as part of their treatment for drug addiction. The Wellness Spot, part of the Florida House Experience rehab center, provides about 200 massages per week. Along with additional alternative medicine therapies, including yoga, nutritional counseling, acupuncture, and meditation, massage helps clients “feel what it’s like to be present in their own bodies,” according to Wellness Spot director Jennifer Broadwell, DOM. In this way, massage therapy can help addicts work through disassociation.

Disassociation occurs when addicts disconnect from their bodies. During this time, addicts are unaware of what they are feeling or experiencing. Therapists hypothesize that this disassociation is rooted in addiction behavior. In order to continue taking drugs, addicts must ignore their bodily reactions. The healing process must therefore include some time for addicts to adjust to actually experiencing life in the moment, in a body-centered way.

While patients may be too intimidated to open up in talk therapy, massage therapy meets them where they are. While receiving massage, patients need not explain how they feel, nor why. They can simply relax while the therapist explores and loosens stress points in the body.

The relaxation that comes on the massage table changes the addict’s brain and body chemistry. As Tiffany Field, director of the University of Miami’s Touch Research Institute, explains, “The body releases fewer stress hormones when massaged.” Cortisol and other stress hormones can cause the weakened immunity and physical pain that addicts experience. ��ý can help break the cycle of stress by allowing addicts to experience relaxation and relief. During a great massage, levels of serotonin, dopamine, and other enjoyable neurotransmitters increase, helping addicts experience their own bodies’ natural pleasure pathways, rather than relying on a substance or behavior.

Finally, massage helps activate parasympathetic vagal pathways by stimulating pressure receptors. Vagal activation is correlated with better sleep and less anxiety. Overall, addiction patients “just feel better” after a massage. They may leave the session saying, “Oh! That’s what relaxation feels like,” or, “I didn’t know I was so happy/sad.” ��ý helps addicts feel and heal through touch. This includes opioid addicts. Given the prevalence of opioid addiction in this country, we would like to write a future post specifically on massage and opioid addicts. Stay tuned. For now, let’s consider a few tips for massage therapists who would like to specialize in drug addiction.

��ý Therapy Careers: Specializing in Drug Addiction

Treat lightly. Recognize that addiction is often rooted in childhood trauma, including the violation of personal boundaries. Therefore, work carefully, asking for plenty of client feedback. Also maintain clear professional boundaries, as addictive behavior may include crossing professional/personal limitations.
Don’t take it personally. The addict’s journey is his or her own. You can’t force someone to stay on the path. If they relapse, and you become angry in response, they may feel their boundaries have been violated. Provide healing, and then let it go.
Be willing to provide references. If you don’t feel a certain client is within your area of expertise, be willing to refer to a more experienced practitioner.

��ý therapists who specialize in addiction may find long-term work in clinics, wellness centers, and in private practice. If you’d like to work in this niche, and you haven’t yet attended a school of massage, maintain this focus throughout your massage therapy classes. Look for opportunities to get involved in clinics and wellness centers that provide massage services for addicts. If you are already an LMT, look for opportunities on this topic. At East West College, we offer multiple classes that would be helpful for working with addiction. Therapist self-care, ethics of massage, and many other East West classes can help you hone skills for working with addicts.

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