Part A focuses on healthy function, while Part B explores the energetic workings of the body from the standpoint of disharmony or pathology. Specifically, we try to understand how and why both physical and psycho-emotional signs and symptoms arise and to view their manifestation as unique to individual organs. In Chinese medicine, disease is primarily identified by a constellation of symptoms known as an organ pattern.

Foam rolling is an effective way to stretch and even strengthen muscles, soften fascial adhesions and scarred areas or increase ROM. This class is comprised of five hour-long facilitated foam rolling sessions where students learn to place and manipulate foam rollers to address specific pain, hypertonicity, trigger points and other needs.

Foam rolling is an effective way to stretch and even strengthen muscles, soften fascial adhesions and scarred areas or increase ROM. This class is comprised of five hour-long facilitated foam rolling sessions where students learn to place and manipulate foam rollers to address specific pain, hypertonicity, trigger points and other needs. A foam roller is included with this class. YOU WILL NEED TO PICK UP FROM THE OSM BOOKSTORE.

Chronic pain has its own unique physiology and symptom picture. Treatment goals aim to reduce problematic symptoms and improve quality of life. Once goals are identified, optimum treatment techniques, hydrotherapy and homework/self-care can be prescribed to follow clear critical thinking guidelines. Massage therapists who complete this class will able to understand chronic pain. Armed with solid information and together with patient input, therapists are prepared to figure out what will be most helpful for their individual clients.

Identify responses on physical and emotional levels related to strains from use of computers, phones, desk-work, etc and ways to consider countering the stacked tensions created by our work patterns. Treatments will include standard and hydrotherapy methods of care.

This Ethics course provides a conceptual and physical foundation for working with the ethics of touch. The class is designed to strengthen the massage therapist’s physical and mental resources, and provide clear strategies to build confidence and capability to deal with confusing and murky issues. It includes an overview and short practice of a variety of skill building techniques plus mindful movement exercises that strengthen practitioner boundaries and protect against harmful social/ environmental influences on massage and bodywork while connecting to one’s inner wisdom.

Deepen your understanding of aromatherapy as we explore the chemistry of essential oils. Create blends and design treatments which incorporate this knowledge. Learn about the healing potential of vegetable oils used for massage. Five more essential oils will be added to your tool chest. Help create an infused oil and a salve. (NCBTMB Approved)

In the era of Covid, understanding our clients' stress response is more important than ever. In this 4-hour course, you will learn what Polyvagal Theory is, how to identify the three types of threat response, and discover how to recalibrate the nervous system during times of high stress. This class pays particular attention to the relationship between chronic stress and sociological factors like class, race and gender.

This class will cover causes of injuries, bodywork and other useful therapist, tools for helping clients with emotional concerns that arise with debilitating injury and how to help clients stay motivated while pursuing rehabilitation.

Refresh and build on your knowledge of the cardiovascular system in a dynamic course that will involve massage practice. We will examine symptoms of, angina, congestive heart failure and hypertension, and look closely at edema from different etiologies as well. There also will be a review of medications your patients may be taking and recommendations on how to utilize this information in a massage session. This course will help bolster your confidence when deciding how much pressure to use, how to attune yourself to symptoms of shortness of breath, how to deal with edema, and how to promote relaxation from stress or recent illness. It will also show how massage can be a tool for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. You will leave the course with greater knowledge of the circulatory system, and it will broaden the scope of your potential clientele.

This movement discipline strengthens and enhances vitality in many dimensions by opening the joints and clearing the channels of energy. Dao-Yin Stretch will also increase mobility, strength and resilience, improving your coordination, balance and endurance. Dao-Yin helps the student develop body awareness and understand the principles of alignment for practicing Shiatsu in an efficient manner.

This class will cover bookkeeping and record keeping for self-employed therapists and technicians. Included will be specific requirements for income tax reporting and information on new regulations. Participants will learn how to account for the usual deductions (e.g., auto and educational expenses) and other "highly audited" but fully allowable deductions. Time will be devoted to both technical concepts and practical application. New tax law changes will be covered.(NCBTMB Approved)

Craniosacral Massage is a gentle yet powerful form of bodywork developed by osteopathic physicians. Through freeing restrictions in the movements of the cranial bones and sacrum, CSM directly influences the central nervous system and the fascia. In this class, you will learn a protocol of techniques for releasing restrictions in the sutures of the skull as well as review how to feel for the Cranial Wave.

How a body behaves when it is threatened is different than how it behaves when it is secure, and those behavioral patterns are predictable. Side dominance is a key signature to assessing neurological pattern development, providing a pathway to developing efficient, effective protocols including touch and verbal technique.

This movement discipline strengthens and enhances vitality in many dimensions by opening the joints and clearing the channels of energy. Dao-Yin Stretch will also increase mobility, strength and resilience, improving your coordination, balance and endurance. Dao-Yin helps the student develop body awareness and understand the principles of alignment for practicing Shiatsu in an efficient manner.

Lymphatic Detox Massage maximizes the therapeutic effects of bodywork and is especially effective for reducing inflammation and swelling, relieving acute and chronic pain, and detoxifying the body. Although extremely gentle and subtle the effects are potent on a physical level. This class focuses on rejuvenating and detoxifying the Upper Body, including the face, neck, chest, arms and hands. In this class, students review the protocol for the neck presented in the Lymphatic Detox Intro and continue on with additional lymphatic massage techniques for the neck as well as lymphatic detox of the face, chest, arms and hands. A simple protocol to drain the neck and upper extremities of toxins is taught and students are reminded of self-care practices to enhance detoxification and speed healing - moving, stretching and breathing and the application of cold and heat therapy.

It’s the temple of our creative energy and the root of our spine, yet we often feel disconnected or experience pelvic pain and instability. Learn to palpate the pelvic bones, ligaments, and muscles and practice techniques to enhance mobility and comfort to the sacro-iliac joint, hips, free the sacrum or “sacred bone” and work with deep pelvic floor muscles external bony attachments. These techniques are useful for your male clients as well, but we will be focused specifically on female clients and their concerns. We'll be working in supine, prone or sidelying positions.

A focused belly session can be even more relaxing and potent than a full body massage, but it requires attention, intention, and slow careful listening to allow the layers of protection to dissolve. In this class you will learn abdominal work for women that encourages deep relaxation and healthy digestion. We use techniques that support peristalsis, reduce heartburn and constipation, nourish the kidneys, free the respiratory diaphragm, reduce scar tissue, and help clients regain connection to their Center of energy. As the layers release, we can move in even more deeply to palpate uterus and ovaries, round ligament, and other pelvic structures and apply deep and subtle abdominal techniques to mobilize the womb, increase circulation, and reduce adhesions, menstrual cramps, pelvic pain, and mild organ prolapse. These techniques are applicable to men as well, but the focus of this course is on women’s health.

Oregon School of Massage is committed to providing holistic education that integrates the body, mind, heart and spirit. The 640-hour massage training program qualifies for Oregon and Washington licensure, as well as National Certification. Locations in Portland and Salem offer a flexible schedule, designed to suit adult students who want to individualize their learning program. Most students can complete training in 6-8 terms.

For more information, please call to speak with an

Admissions Coordinator or attend a free Training Preview.

Licensing, training and career opportunities are discussed during the presentation.