This class will give you the science and confidence you need to support your own critical thinking and session planning skills, along with the opportunity for hands-on practice with scar patients.
Scar tissue can cause pain.
Scars can lead to negative body image and body shame.
Scars tissue can limit function and inhibit range of motion.
Scars can have a negative impact on metal health and quality of life.
DATES/TIMES:
Saturday, September 26 - Sunday, September 27, 2026
8:30am – 4:00pm each day
LOCATION:
East West College of the Healing Arts
1515 Market Square Building
1515 SW 5th Ave, Ste 400
Portland, OR 97201
REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR THIS CLASS IS SEPTEMBER 1, 2026
(NOTE: Registration for this class is thorugh East West College. The button below will take you directly to their registration page.)
Scar tissue puts us back together after injury, surgery etc. Scars don't have to be problematic, but if the mechanisms that form scars go awry, the results can be painful and debilitating. What is going on in there and what can our hands do about it?
In this class, we will answer those questions. We will explore the process of wound healing and scar formation and dive into how massage therapy can influence better healing outcomes and facilitate productive changes after scars have formed.
Science/evidence is Cathy's jam, so there will be science …. and a healthy dose of heart, humour and hands on!
This course is designed for massage therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists and any healthcare provider who uses manual therapy in their practice.
Continuing Education Information:
To be eligible for CE credit, you must register with your f
ull name (as it appears on your professional license) and your license state and number.
This course is approved for massage therapists by NCBTMB for 14 CEs.
Approved for 14 contact/clock hours of continuing education credit by the Continuing Education Institute of Illinois for the following professions:
Please refer to https://ceupro.com/ for eligibility of CE credit for your profession in your state or contact your licensing board/credential provider for continuing education requirements. If you have questions, please contact [email protected].
Catherine Ryan is a CMTBC Reg. Massage Therapist dedicated to patient-centered care, evidence informed practices and life-long learning. Over her 30+ year career, Cathy has engaged in the profession in a variety of clinical, educational and leadership capacities. An established continuing education instructor and writer, Cathy has presented at conferences internationally (including the International Fascia Research Congress), in the areas of scar tissue management and myofascial pain and dysfunction, which also constitute her clinical practice focus.
As writer (and self-proclaimed science-nerd), Cathy is best known for her fascia enthusiasm – she has written numerous articles featured in various industry publications, co-authored Traumatic Scar Tissue Management – Massage Therapy Principles, Practice and Protocols (Handspring 2016) and contributed to: Fascia, Function and Medical Applications (Ch. 18), CRC Press/Taylor & Francis (2020) and Oncology Massage: An integrative approach to cancer care for manual therapists (Handspring 2020).
This 5-part series is designed to advance the therapist’s understanding of the structure and function of the fascial system and the consequences associated with injury and dysfunction.
Learn the anatomy, physiology, functions and dysfunctions of the Lymphatic System. Explore massage considerations for clients with compromised Lymphatic Systems.
Learn the three essential and common grave risk factors for clients affected by cancer.
