3 Tips to Growing Your Massage Practice Creating your own business is an exciting venture—but maintaining its success can be more daunting than originally imagined. The American Massage Therapy Association has put together some tips for those wishing t…

5 Benefits of Massage Top 5 Surprising Benefits of Massage Therapy Massage therapy is no longer considered a luxury for the wealthy. It is now recognized as an essential component to one’s health regimen—like exercise or diet. Recently, the publication Med…

A Career Helping Others: Massage Therapy Many people spend their lives looking for a rewarding and inspiring career—a career that allows them to help people in a meaningful way. A career in massage therapy is one occupation that offers its practitioners a…

A Career in Sports Massage Therapy The role of sports massage therapy has evolved in the past 20 years becoming a significant component in athletic recovery. Providing a tremendous therapeutic contribution, sports massage therapy can alter both the physical…

A Variety of Settings for Clinical Massage Therapists Now that you’ve decided to become a professional massage therapist, you are probably discovering all the varieties of settings this rewarding career offers. Trained therapists can practice in a h…

Alternate Methods of Therapy The medical community has teamed up with colleagues specializing in alternative methods of therapy. This helps the affordability of treatment for these clients and patients. One example is the chiropractic field. Historically,…

Alternative Healing Upwards of 75% of all U.S. healthcare costs are attributed to chronic disease and illness. With this trend, medical professionals are turning to alternative therapies to help combat illness and promote overall health. One of these…

Alternative therapies can augment treatment in resistant depression A recent article from the Family Practice News says there are many other treatment options for people suffering from depression than just drugs. “Massage can effectively improve…

February: American Heart Month President Obama declared February as American Heart Month —a time to recognize heart disease as the number one killer among Americans.  As with most things, knowledge is power and nothing is truer when it comes to your he…

AMTA 2016 Annual Convention Attendees of this year’s American Massage Therapy Association’s 2016 National Convention were pleased to welcome keynote speaker Robin Roberts. Known as Good Morning America’s esteemed anchor, Roberts also has a history as an…

AMTA Spreading the Word The American Massage Therapy Association has worked tirelessly to strengthen and expand their relationships with healthcare associates in an effort to promote the science and practice of therapeutic massage therapy. AMTA’s p…

AMTA Welcomes the World’s Top Athletes Just this week, a group of elite athletes attended the American Massage Therapy Association’s 2016 National Convention to share their wisdom, strength and advise with attendees. Included in this illustrious gro…

AMTA: Promoting Efficacy of Massage Therapy In an ongoing effort to promote the science and practice of massage therapy , the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) has made significant progress in promoting the efficacy of massage therapy to consumers….

Applying for Financial Aid 5 Tips for Applying for Financial Aid Whether you are launching your first career or embarking on a mid-life career change, going to school can be a financial burden for anyone.  The Soma Institute is dedicated to providing …

Aromatherapy And Massage A Powerful Duo! By Amber Mills. Aromatherapy healing uses fragrances emitted by essential oils (natural oils without chemicals or artificial ingredients) that get inhaled through our nose and cause the limbic system region…

Athletes Turn to Massage Therapy Athletes at any level can testify to the positive effects of sports massage therapy when it comes to pain reduction and recovery time—especially after intensive exercise. Now there’s scientific evidence to back it up….

Athletes: Don’t Settle for Slow Recovery T With conclusive evidence that massage therapy has positive effects on athletes, many professional teams have gone as far as having massage practitioners on their payroll indefinitely. Many studies endorse t…

Become a Healer? If you feel stuck at your desk job and dream of working with people, you may want to consider starting your own massage therapy business. Many people believe human touch is the best form of therapy, and massage therapy is becoming more…

Within the next eight years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the massage therapy occupation will add over 36,000 professionals to this booming field. Because more and more medical professionals endorse massage therapy as a significant option…

Benefits of Massage for Arthritis Massage therapy is no longer considered just a luxury—it is often touted as a natural treatment for a variety of health ailments—including arthritis.  The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of M…

Benefits of Massage Therapy Besides being relaxing and rejuvenating, massage therapy can also provide many other health benefits as well. It is considered a natural remedy for many common ailments people deal with every day. The Soma Institute has compiled…

Benefits of Massage Therapy for Serious Weightlifters Now that Sports Massage Therapy has been widely recognized for its numerous benefits for professional and amateur athletes, many other physical endurance sports are turning to massage for the same…

Body Image: Massage Creates Healthy Self-Connection According to a recent article in Massage Magazine, popular media is tearing apart our self esteem. “The belief that we are not good enough is beginning at an increasingly younger age: More than…

Breast Cancer and Massage Benefits One in eight women in the United States will get breast cancer.  October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month—a chance to raise awareness about one of the deadliest diseases among women today.  The good news is …

Careers in Sports Massage Therapy Have you ever considered entering the field of sports massage therapy? If so, you are not alone: this profession has grown significantly in recent times due to increased demand—as well as the recognition of its many b…

Clinical Massage Therapy Program & Certification in Chicago “Attending The Soma Institute not only provided me with a new career, but a completely new, empowering and fulfilling approach to life.” Soma Graduate, Beth Mingledorff After a 2…

CNN: Massage Therapy Complements Western Medicine An interesting new article published by CNN Travel aggregates the already-existing research of a variety of publications regarding complementary and alternative medical modalities and their effectiveness….

Deep Tissue & Trigger Point Massage: Great for Runners If you’re confused about the varying types of massage therapy programs – you’re not alone. There are so many massage modalities it often leaves the client feeling overwhelmed with choices. You…

Discover Clinical Massage Therapy at The Soma Institute The career of massage therapist has gained traction in the wellness industry as more and more medical professionals turn to massage as a complement to traditional health care. The Soma Institute…

Do You Have What it Takes? As you research massage therapist programs in Illinois, also take the time to consider what it takes to become a successful qualified massage therapist. Do you have the skills and attributes required for this career choice?…

Duties of a Massage Therapist A career as a massage therapist entails using a variety of methods to treat clients through touch. By manipulating muscles and other soft tissues, massage therapists can relieve pain in their clients, improve circulation,…

Easier Than You Think Don’t let the daunting idea of applying for financial aid deter you from potentially following the career of your dreams. If you feel overwhelmed by the prospect of researching financial aide terms—or if you’re not even sure if yo…

Efficacy of Massage Therapy for Pain Massage therapy is being used as a non-pharmacologic approach to pain relief specifically for patients suffering from MS. According to the American Massage Therapy Association, massage therapy can ease a variety…

Exercise with Massage Treatment Exercise: Better with Massage Massage therapy has become an increasing part of an athlete’s training routine. In order to stay in peak condition and enhance their performance, many athletes have used massage therapy t…

Making Sense of Medicine: Exploring the benefits of medical massage from the Newbury Port News This sounds kind of like what we do! “Massage has been used as a medical treatment at least as far back as China 5,000 years ago. And as recently as…

Facts about Massage Therapy The American Massage Therapy Association has compiled some national career statistics for aspiring massage therapists. Armed with these facts, massage therapy students can feel more prepared for their future career. Nationally,…

Five Ways to Better Client Communication Ask Questions: Before each session, encourage your clients to be specific about their expectations. Perhaps they’re dealing with pain or particular body issues. Their answers to these questions will enable y…

Follow Your Dream: Become a Massage Therapist Professional clinical massage therapists often comment that they feel fortunate to have finally found a career they love—a career that allows them to contribute to people’s well-being and health. Finding a c…

Four Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage From Massage Magazine: 1. Deep tissue massage offers stress relief When a client feels stressed out due to demands at work, home or both, deep tissue massage can help ease this stress in a healthy manner….

Geriatric Massage A Growing Trend By Amber Mills. We know that the baby boomers make up a huge portion of our population and as the years keep passing by, the baby boomers are aging. According to the National Institute on Aging, in 2020 one in five Americans will be over 65 years of age. If you haven’t had additional training in geriatric massage, it is something you should strongly consider. As the geriatric population grows, so could your massage practice.

Give Mom the Gift of Massage this Mother’s Day Mother’s Day is just around the corner. This year, why not give mom the gift of health and wellness? Massage therapy is a unique and perfect gift for mothers of all ages. According to a 2016 consumer sur…

Giving Back this Holiday Season If you’re looking for a way to spread wellness and health this holiday season, practicing massage therapy can do wonders to enforce a healthy community.  Massage therapy can be beneficial to the immune system—improving bloo…

Gloria Vanderbilt Loves Massage When asked by New York Magazine how she would spend $4,562.04, she responded that a nice little chunk of that would go to her favorite Shiatsu massage therapist: “I don’t like facials—I always feel like my face is b…

Good News for Aspiring Massage Therapists Massage practitioners continue to see an increase in opportunities within the medical and healthcare profession as the integration of massage therapy and patient care continues to advance. According to the American…

Healing Power Of Massage Robin Roberts, Good Morning America anchor: The Power of Massage At this year’s annual American Massage Therapy Association 2016 National Convention, one of the keynote speakers is Robin Roberts, a cancer survivor a…

Health Coach Career Health Coaching on the Rise! Careers in health & wellness coaching have grown as of late—offering a natural, holistic alternative to medical doctors. On a local level, doctors are often overworked and have very limited time t…

Health Coach Certification Today, with the growing epidemic of nation-wide obesity, depression, disease, and general discontent, there is an increasing demand for the all-encompassing Health Coach Professional. The Soma Institute in Chicago tackles…

Health Coach Health Benefits The 15-week Health & Wellness Coach Training Program at The Soma Institute trains students on how to establish goals with their clients, to maintain motivation, and to come up with concrete strategies to help their clients…

Health Coach Training Careers in Health & Wellness Coaching are needed today more than ever with the nation’s growing trends of obesity, depression, and disease. The Soma Institute in Chicago tackles this increasing demand in the healthcare system b…

Health Coach Trend Health Coaching is a growing trend. More and more medical professionals recognize the importance of Health Coaches these days. Health and Wellness Coaching is seen as a crucial part of creating healthy—and lasting—lifestyle changes. Wit…

Help me, help you… I’m sure you remember the famous adage from Jerry Maguire’s character—urging his client to follow his advice in order to succeed. Well, as a Health & Wellness Coach, you are in a similar situation—getting your clients to change…

Helping Others: A Career in Massage Therapy Many people yearn for a career path that allows them to help people in a meaningful way. A career in massage therapy is one occupation that offers its practitioners an opportunity to express their values in…

HISTORY OF MASSAGE A Very Brief History of Massage Massage therapy has a long and storied past. It has been evolving along with the rest of society for nearly 5,000 years, and whether you are entering Soma as a new student, leaving as a new graduate…

How to Reframe Your Stress and Anxiety Into Productivity A new article on lifehacker.com suggests that maybe stress isn’t such a bad thing, but rather how we look at stress. “But what if there were ways to rewire our brain to use stress to our…

How to Write a Business Plan – Massage Therapy Business Successful businesses don’t happen overnight. They are created through careful and prudent planning. Writing a thorough and succinct business plan is your first effort towards a successful venture. I…

Integrative Medicine is Changing Healthcare Complementary and alternative health-related treatments encourage the natural healing of the body without the use of pharmaceuticals. One such treatment often touted as an effective alternative treatment to…

Job Opportunities After Graduation The Soma Institute in Chicago offers a 600-hour Clinical Massage Therapy Diploma Program for students interested in pursuing a career in massage therapy. But it is not just during the program that students are supported…

Learn Massage Therapy “Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.” -Franklin D. Roosevelt Many of our graduates describe the life-changing moment when they realized they could no longer engage in a job that brought them…

Life at The Soma Institute Situated in heart of the third-largest city in the U.S., The Soma Institute has become a haven for students and professionals in downtown Chicago. The academic and cultural corridor of the central Loop neighborhood proves…

Making a Difference with Massage Therapy Massage therapy is considered one of the oldest healing arts in the world. It dates all the way back to 2700 BC as an ancient traditional Chinese therapeutic technique. Today, massage therapy has become a mainstay…

Marketing 101: Growing your Massage Practice Creating and starting your own business is an exciting venture—full of promise and expectations… and fear! With all of the unknown that go into planning a new business, it is important to be as fully p…

Massage & Ethics Becoming a massage therapist requires upholding and maintaining an ethical practice for your clients. Many issues may arise in massage practice that don’t surface in other careers. Knowing how to handle these issues in an ethical m…

Massage & PTSD Roughly 24 million people are afflicted with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. The disorder typically develops in people who have experienced a shocking or dangerous event, often combat related or violent abuse. Although nearly…

Massage a la Carte Massage, as it permeates mainstream, has also become more accessible to more people—not just because prices have dropped but because it is no longer viewed as a time constraint. According to the International Spa Association, 75 p…

Massage Aids in Postoperative Treatment Many medical professionals are increasingly opting for natural methods of treatment for their postoperative patients. There are often many complications for patients after a significant operation; these complications…

Massage and Fibromyalgia Characterized by widespread muscle pain and tenderness, Fibromyalgia affects more than 3 million Americans every year. It is a chronic condition causing tension headaches, fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, and even cognitive…

Massage & Migraine For migraine sufferers searching for alternative options to treat their pain, a recent study by Montefiore Headache Center in New York suggests massage therapy—along with other healthy habits—as an effective treatment. The eff…

Massage and Thyroid Health January is National Thyroid Awareness Month —a time for massage practitioners to learn how clients with the disorder might benefit from clinical massage therapy . About 10 million Americans suffer from some type of hypothyroid c…

Massage Beneficial for Marathon Runners Hitting the pavement for intense training in preparation for a big race can wreak havoc on your body. To help reduce pain and discomfort while also aiding in recovery time, research supports incorporating massage…

Massage Benefits Fox Sports: Surprising Benefits of Massage Therapy You’ve probably heard of massage therapy helping clients with a variety of ailments: sore muscles, back pain, injuries, and more. But apparently, according to Fox Sports, massage t…

Massage for an Aging Population By Amber Mills. As the population begins to age, more people are becoming aware of the benefits massage can bring to senior citizens. The Touch Research Institute has conducted studies that show massage therapy can provide emotional benefits to Alzheimer’s patients, because it can facilitate relaxation and communication. For seniors with arthritis, massage can greatly help in decreasing pain, increasing range of motion, and improving circulation to increase natural joint lubrication.

Massage for Anxiety and Depression Good news for advocates of alternative, holistic approaches to health care: massage therapy has been documented to show markedly improved results in patients dealing with anxiety, depression, and other health issues….

Massage for Health and Wellness Massage with a Purpose Many massage therapists choose their professions because they have an innate desire to help others. Spreading health and wellness by massage is one way to do that. The Soma Institute is renowned…

Massage for Military Veterans New research released in Military Medicine suggests that massage therapy has significant benefits for military veterans suffering from a variety of symptoms. These symptoms include anxiety, worry, depression, and physical…

Massage for Seniors The number of people aged 65 or older is expected to double within the next ten years according to the National Center for Health Statistics. This leaves a large population particularly susceptible to illness and injury. And as the…

Massage: Fountain of Youth You’re seeing them pop-up everywhere these days: in malls, airports, spas—even work environments. It’s massage therapy—and there’s a good reason why. According to NewBeauty Magazine online, massage is considered the numbe…

Massage Helps Athletes Everyone is pushing their physical limits with activities like running, competitive sports, triathlons, cycling tours, and more. These over-worked bodies need repair and professional help to relieve their sore or injured muscles….

Massage is Good Medicine The Soma Institute in Chicago, Illinois is considered a leader in the nation’s massage movement. Massage therapy has been increasingly recognized by the medical establishment as an effective alternative therapy—in effect esc…

Massage Makes Me Happy Initiative Hundreds of cultures around the world have relied on the tradition of touch for healing. Early Chinese medicine used massage therapy for a variety of healing remedies because massage was considered to create happiness….

Massage Therapist Career Change With a new year comes new resolutions. This is the time many people resolve to make big changes in their lives. Taking the initiative to make a bold change is often scary—but almost always rewarding, especially if it i…

Massage Therapist Schooling Nationwide, the number of careers in massage therapy have increased significantly. Perhaps, as people turn to more alternative modes of healthcare, massage therapy has seen a boost. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,…

Massage Therapists Can Play an Important Role in Early Skin Cancer Detection from Digital Journal “Annie Powell was just 16 when she had several moles removed on her body as a precautionary measure. A few years later, at 20, Powell was diagnosed…

Massage Therapists – National Shortage Like many professions, massage therapists have benefited from a strong economy. The growing demand for these professionals, however, has left a national shortage of trained massage therapists—there simply aren’t enoug…

Massage Therapy = Longer Life? A recent study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine confirms that massage therapy for adults can add as many as 6 years to your life. This is great news for regular massage aficionados and beginners…

Massage Therapy and Multiple Sclerosis According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, many patients living with the disease have used massage for relief and prevention of some of the common symptoms associated with the disease. A 1998 study cited…

Massage Therapy as an Alternative to Opioids Reports released by the Centers for Disease Control show that deaths from prescribed opioids—such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, and methadone—have more than quadrupled since 1999. These opioids carry significant ris…

Massage Therapy Beneficial for Cancer Patients Pain is the number one symptom associated with patients suffering from cancer. According to a 2007 meta-analysis, the prevalence of pain was found in about 59% of patients undergoing cancer treatment. Several…

Massage Therapy Beneficial for Caregiver Stress Syndrome Caregivers are among the most stressed groups in the country. Also known as caregiver stress syndrome, the condition can feel every bit as debilitating as other serious conditions. One of the…

Massage Therapy Beneficial for Depression Seasonal depression has been considered a disorder affecting millions of people every year. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, almost 20% of people have been affected by SAD at some point…

Massage Therapy Career I. Summary & Future of Massage Therapy Massage therapists use touch to treat their clients’ bodies, manipulating soft-tissue to relieve pain, improve circulation, increase relaxation, rehabilitate injuries, and aid i…

Massage Therapy Diploma With an increasing demand for massage therapists comes an increasing demand for quality Massage Therapy Diploma Training. At The Soma Institute in Chicago, Illinois, we are dedicated to providing expert quality training to help…

Massage Therapy Education Requirements Education programs for massage therapists are typically found in postsecondary institutions with a requirement of a high school diploma to enroll. Typical programs include both hands-on practice and classroom study…

Massage Therapy = A Healthy Habit for Summer The American Massage Therapy Association recently published suggestions for creating healthy habits for the summer. It’s a great time to take advantage of the longer days and integrate life affirming habits i…

Massage Therapy for Athletes Whether it’s biking to work, playing tennis, or simply throwing on the trainers and hitting the pavement, participation in exercise has surged with the Chicago Marathon fast approaching. In anticipation of the big race, S…

Massage Therapy for Back Pain Chicago Daily Herald: Massage Therapy for Back Pain Massage therapy is increasingly recognized for the numerous health benefits it offers its clients. Now, according to the Chicago Daily Herald, massage is considered…

Massage Therapy for Children Although massage therapy has typically been used as a treatment for adults, it is also become increasingly used to treat children. New studies reveal that pediatric massage can benefit children in a number of ways—especially c…

Massage Therapy for Drug Treatment Massage Therapy: Therapeutic for Drug Addicts On the other side of the planet, drug addicts are fighting their disease with alternative methods of care—proving to be quite effective. According to a recent article b…

Massage Therapy For Heart Health Valentine’s Day = Healthy Heart Valentine’s Day is all about the heart, right? In echoing that sentiment, President Obama and the American Heart Association have joined forces declaring February as American Hearth Mon…

Massage Therapy For Migraines By Amber Mills. A severe, throbbing head, nausea, vomiting, extreme sensitivity to light and sound are just a few of the signs/symptoms that migraine sufferers can experience. Some migraines creep up with no warning. Others will give a days notice that they are on their way. According to the American Migraine Foundation, about 12% of the population suffers from migraines. Migraine sufferers are more at risk for developing anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and fatigue.[1]

Massage Therapy for Olympians An Olympic speed-skating champion touts massage therapy as a key ingredient in her training regimen. Bonnie Blair, one of the most decorated Olympians of all time, explained to AMTA that injury is a part of training for…

Massage Therapy for Pain: New Research Co-Authored by Dr. Cambron From the National University of Health Sciences: “Massage Therapy is proving to be a powerful tool in managing pain. Jerrilyn Cambron, DC, MPH, PhD, LMT, research professor at National…

Massage Therapy For The Caregiver Massage Therapy = Self-care for the Care-giver As a massage therapist, you spend your days caring for your clients—and most likely your evenings caring for your loved ones. As a caregiver you may be feeling stressed o…

Massage Therapy Improves Circulation As a clinical massage therapist, health and wellness expert, and research scientist I’ve always sought to understand the real mechanism(s) behind the therapeutic actions of massage therapy. Simple proclamations of its benefits have never worked for me, even during my tenure as a student at The Soma Institute.

Massage Therapy in Hospitals With the rise in popularity of complementary and alternative medical practices, as well as cutbacks for health-related funding, there is a tremendous growth in the demand for massage therapy. One setting that has seen a…

Massage Therapy in Times of Illness: USA Today Massage therapy has shown to have a profound impact on the body’s chemistry during times of illness, according to USA Today . With numerous studies boasting the health benefits of massage, people are i…

Massage Therapy Practice 5 Tips to a Lasting Massage Therapy Practice 1. Personal Health Massage therapists have a physically demanding job and many worry about the potential length of their career. The physical demands of performing massage…

Massage Therapy Professionals: Overwhelmingly Satisfied The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards released their findings from the 2017 Job Task Analysis—a comprehensive survey conducted among thousands of massage therapy professionals currently i…

Massage Therapy School The Soma Institute in Chicago, Illinois is dedicated to providing training and launching new and rewarding careers in massage therapy. Our Massage Therapist School offers varying methods and modalities in massage training—as w…

Massage Therapy School in Chicago The Soma Institute in Chicago, Illinois is leading the charge in training massage therapy as an alternative and complementary method of healthcare. Massage therapy is being increasingly used to treat a myriad of ailments,…

Massage Therapy – Antidote for Pain Research suggests that massage therapy is uniquely positioned to help alleviate pain in patients. A meta-analysis study on massage therapy for pain directed by the Samueli Institute found that massage significantly i…

Massage Therapy: A Great Gift Consider a healthy approach to your gift-giving plan this holiday season with Massage Therapy gift certificates. Besides fitting perfectly as a stocking stuffer, massage gift-cards offer a multitude of health benefits…

Massage Therapy: Alternative to Opioids Deaths and overdoses from prescription opioids—like oxycodone and hydrocodone—have quadrupled since 1999 according to the Centers for Disease Control. These drugs are often prescribed by doctors following sur…

Massage Therapy: Beneficial to Arthritis Patients Arthritis affects 50 million Americans today with life altering results. The disease can make simple tasks a struggle and can make daily routines a battle. Fortunately, there are natural ways to combat…

Massage Therapy: Biological Changes We are all aware that massage feels good. But now there is evidence that it also causes profound biological changes. According to a Cedars Sinai Medical Center study on the effects of deep tissue massage therapy,…

Massage Therapy: Fills the Gap Population growth and the expansion of insurance due to health care reform will be major contributing factors to the shortage of primary care physicians over the coming decade. According to the Manhattan Institute for…

Massage Therapy: Healing Affects for Athletes Athletes who push themselves to the limit of their endurance, often find themselves either injured or exercised to exhaustion. With injury comes inflammation and pain which can severely impact an athlete’s t…

Massage Therapy: Treatment for Chronic Back Pain Chronic low back pain is one of the most common neurological ailments in the U.S., and a growing number of studies support massage therapy as the preferred approach to treatment. The American Massage…

Massage To Relieve Stress Overworked & Overwhelmed? Get a Massage If you’re like most Americans, you probably feel over-worked, over-planned, and overwhelmed. With full-time jobs, families, children, and various engagements to keep up on, life c…

Massage: Good for the Elderly Getting older often means dealing with—and discovering—a host of age-related challenges as yet not experienced. Unfortunately, it’s part of aging. Luckily, there is a natural alternative to the more…

Massage: Improving Quality of Life As we age, we unfortunately become familiar with a myriad of health ailments otherwise unknown. Whether it’s arthritis, Alzheimer’s or heart disease, sometimes age brings unforeseen health issues. Fortunately for old…

Massage: Treatment for Back Pain Try massage before pills. That’s the suggestion from The American College of Physicians released in a recent medical study. The study included new guidelines for patients suffering from acute or chronic lower back p…

Massage Treatment for the Winter Blues Winter Blues? Try Massage Therapy If the colder days and darker nights have you wishing for sunnier climes, consider booking a massage with a clinical massage therapist. Studies show that massage therapy offers…

Mayo Clinic: Massage Beneficial to Health From Swedish massage and trigger point therapy, to myofascial and sports massage, massage therapy has gained recognition as the leading complementary and alternative treatment for a large variety of medical…

Mayo Clinic: Massage’s Many Benefits There are many benefits of massage therapy. As a complementary or alternative component to healthcare, it can be a powerful tool to increase health and wellness, as well as to treat a wide range of medical conditions. According t…

Medical Massage Are you looking for a career in Clinical Massage Therapy? The Soma Institute in Chicago, Illinois is offering a specialized course in sports and medical massage training. Take advantage of this opportunity to advance your career and…

According to a recent study published in Pain Medicine, massage therapy has been touted as being an effective treatment for patients suffering from surgical pain. Because it is relatively safe and has infrequent adverse events, massage can provide its…

MLD Massage The lymphatic system plays an important role in the body’s immune system—protecting against disease, infection, and other health conditions. Many in the medical field have recommended a technique called manual lymphatic drainage, or MLD…

Multitasking Drains Your Brain Neuroscientists say multitasking literally drains the energy reserves of your brain From Quartz: “When we attempt to multitask, we don’t actually do more than one activity at once, but quickly switch between them. A…

NCCHWC: National Consortium for Credentialing Health & Wellness Coaches The Soma Institute is excited to announce that our Health and Wellness Program has met the criteria for approval during the National Consortium for Credentialing Health &…

Navigate the Game of Life Finding a balance between traditional and alternative health care is the growing philosophy of many in the medical field these days. Medical professionals increasingly recognize the beneficial role that a holistic approach…

2016 New Year’s Resolutions: Avoid sugar Get more sleep Become a massage therapist! Have you listed “career-change to massage therapy ” on your 2016 New Year’s resolutions? If so, you’ve come to the right place.  Now is the time to take the …

No Higher Education Needed A popular website, Simply Hired, is profiling job opportunities for those without a college degree. Whether you have a family to support or you prefer not to spend years in school, a bachelor’s degree isn’t for everyone. Tha…

On Demand Massage Apps Thriving The era of scheduling massage appointments with a 1 to 2 week wait-time is over. No more leaving voice mails to various salons or being put on hold: these days it takes just a couple clicks on your iPhone and voila: an…

Oncology Massage Benefits According to the American Cancer Society, half of all men and one-third of all women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes. Besides the devastating news a cancer diagnosis brings, it also brings a variety…

Pain Perception & Management Traditional treatments for pain do not always adequately address a patient’s need – and sometimes these treatments can create additional problems such as drug dependency. New evidence points to complementary approaches to …

Pediatric Massage Touch is one of the very first senses that humans develop and is widely known to be essential to our physical and emotional health. This is especially true in children, including infants. Although massage therapy has been previously…

Pediatric Massage Therapy Massage therapy is typically considered a treatment for adults. However, children can benefit from massage therapy in a number of ways. Pediatric massage has shown to be especially beneficial to children undergoing treatment…

Planks for Pain Relief Plank You Very Much For the Pain Relief By Jason VonGerichten. Most of us will suffer some sort of back pain at some point. Is yours a deep achiness in your low back that no amount of stretching seems to cure? This pain might be caused by a postural deviation known as hyperlordosis. All of our spines are curved. If they weren’t the simple impact from walking would rapidly destroy our vertebrae. It’s when your low back has an excessive curve, going from a normal lordotic curve, to an abnormal hyper lordotic curve, problems may arise. (Sorry, Kim Kardashian; that’s not healthy).

Post Marathon Massage About 45,000 runners descended on Chicago recently for the 2015 Bank of America Chicago Marathon; and many are left sore and injured. There is good reason why massage has become part of an elite runner’s repertoire. But preparing t…

Pregnancy Massage Take your massage practice to the next level by enrolling in the Pregnancy Massage and Women’s Health Course today. The Soma Institute in Chicago, Illinois is offering a specialized prenatal massage therapy course covering all aspects o…

PsychCentral.com: 5 Hidden Benefits of a Good Massage Besides the fact that a deep tissue massage feels good, it can also benefit the body in many long-lasting ways. The Soma Institute would like to share PsychCentral.com’s recently released five h…

Recovery Techniques for Athletes From Rolfing to acupuncture, athletes are focusing on healing as well as training from the Wall Street Journal Anne Williams, a massage therapist and director of education for the Associated Bodywork & Massage…

Runners Block: 5 Reasons to Get a Massage Before the Chicago Marathon Are you too sore to squeeze one more hour of training before the big day? Or perhaps you’re nursing a minor injury that’s kept you from your training plan? If you are one of the…

Runners Turn to Sports Massage Therapy Athletes of every kind and every level have discovered the benefits of sports massage therapy. The specific type of sports massage is typically geared towards the athlete’s sport of choice. Avid runners seem t…

Scheduled Self-Care Most people spend much of their time caring for others: whether it’s their families, their jobs and coworkers, or their homes and pets. How much time do these same people set aside for self-care? Medical professionals agree that s…

Self-Care Techniques Besides the mental strain of running a business and career, massage therapists are also faced with the physical stress from the job. Creating and maintaining a self-care plan should be priority-number-one if you want to continue…

6 Tips to Starting Your Own Massage Therapy Business One of the many benefits of choosing a career as a massage therapist is the freedom to define your own practice however you choose. Massage therapists can truly design their business to suit their…

Sleep Better with Massage Therapy With the onset of daylight savings and the winter months approaching, many people feel off kilter which in turn can cause their sleep patterns to suffer. One way to combat the effects of sleep problems in winter months…

Soma: A Proven Launching Pad for Success The Soma Institute in Chicago provides exemplary training in the many techniques and forms of massage therapy. Students from around the world have traveled to participate in Soma’s programs which advance the l…

Soma’s Commitment to the Military Community Congratulations to The Soma Institute of Chicago, Illinois for being awarded the Top 25 2016 Military Friendly ® Vocational Schools designation.   Of the thousands of institutions that were eva…

Sports Massage There is now a specialized niche of professionals who have been able to meld their love of sports and passion for massage into a thriving career. These enthusiasts have been able to practice massage therapy in a sports setting—albeit o…

Sports Massage Have you ever dreamed of working in sports massage? The Soma Institute in Chicago, Illinois is offering a specialized Clinical Massage Therapy program dedicated to helping you fulfill your dream. We prepare you to do more than just traditional…

Sports Massage Massage therapy is making significant headway in the area of preventative medicine specifically for athletes looking to minimize their chances of injury during training and performance. The promising research, conducted by McMaster University,…

Sports Massage for Athletes of All Kinds Most professional athletic teams keep massage therapists on payroll as staff members to regularly treat their star athletes. Coaches and experts recognize the conclusive evidence that massage therapy has a variety…

Sports Massage Therapy Elite professional athletes have long relied on massage therapy in upping their game on the track or field. But athletes of all levels can receive benefits from regular sports massage therapy. The U.S. Department of Health and…

Sports Massage Therapy for Athletes Sports massage therapy has grown into a popular specialization within the massage therapy profession. The goal of the sports massage therapist is to contribute to the overall health and physical maintenance of the…

Increasing research supports sports massage therapy as a significant aide in helping to reduce injuries. It has become a fast-growing career path for many who wish to work in sports massage—whether for sports teams or dedicated athletes. Besides improving a…

Soma Launches New Entrepreneurship Program: Starting and Growing your Massage Therapy Business By Joan Hannant, Founder & CEO of The Soma Institute   With surveys suggesting that over 95% of our student body hope to own their own business …

AMTA: State of Massage Therapy The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) released its annual summary research on the state of the massage therapy profession. The report indicates that trends of recent years are continuing—with an influx in c…

Stress Awareness Month: Turn to Massage Therapy With only a couple weeks left of April, take time to recognize and make the most of Stress Awareness Month. Every April for the past 25 years, thousands have celebrated and promoted effective techniques…

10 Best Jobs that don’t require a College Degree We can all agree that a 4 year college degree is not for everyone—whether you have a family to support or prefer not to rack-up school debt, sometimes a bachelor’s degree is not an option. However, it se…

The 100 Best Jobs of 2017 U.S. News & World Report recently published the 100 Best Jobs of 2017. In it, they’ve confirmed the growing consensus that massage therapy has evolved into one of the best healthcare support professions in the industry. According t…

The Benefits of Pediatric Massage Therapy More and more hospitals are offering massage therapy as a complementary treatment for a variety of medical conditions—including pediatric issues. Children often experience fear and anxiety surrounding medical p…

Efficacy of Massage Therapy for Pain According to the American Massage Therapy Association, massage therapy is being used as a non-pharmacologic approach to pain relief. Studies reveal that massage therapy can ease a variety of types of pain. In addition…

The Global Wellness Institute: 2016 Global Wellness Economy Monitor Even while the global economy shrank by almost 4% from 2013 to 2015, the wellness industry grew by 10.6%– standing out as one of the industry’s most resilient markets. The U.S. i…

Healing Power of Touch In a recent study, over a third of the people said they were not touched enough in their romantic relationship. These same people rated touch as very or extremely important to them. With this data, The Touch Initiative survey…

The many benefits of massage therapy From the Spectrum: “Humans thrive on touch. It is part of who we are. Knowing that, the fact that massage therapy has been around for centuries is hardly surprising.  References to massage appear in writings …

The Medical Community Supports Health & Wellness Coach Personalized coaching has recently provided the healthcare community a holistic approach to preventative medical care. Besides being more interactive than traditional medical appointments with doctors,…

The New Yorker : Power of Touch One of the very first senses to develop in infants is touch – and it remains one of the most emotionally charged senses throughout a person’s life. As such, it’s no surprise that research continues to uncover the many …

Robin Roberts, Good Morning America anchor: The Power of Massage At this year’s annual American Massage Therapy Association 2016 National Convention, one of the keynote speakers is Robin Roberts, a cancer survivor and anchor of ABC’s Good Morning Ame…

The Science of Affection: How a Rebel Researcher Pioneered the Study of Love in the 1950s and Illuminated How Parents Shape Children’s Emotional Patterns “Who we are and who we become depends, in part, on whom we love,” psychologists Thomas Lewis, Fari …

The Soma Cares Initiative: A Model for Student Support & Success The Soma Institute in Chicago is committed to the personal and professional growth of its students. The renowned education center is continually promoting innovative ways to support students…

The Soma Institute: A Career in Massage Therapy The Soma Institute in Chicago offers one of the most comprehensive massage therapy training programs in the country. As a leader in massage therapy education for decades, Soma is continually fine tuning…

The Soma Institute: Massage Therapy Professionals Have you considered a career in massage therapy but don’t know where to start? Don’t let your fear of the unknown get in the way of embarking on a life-changing experience. The Soma Institute in dow…

The Top Health Care Support Jobs: Massage Therapy For those looking for a career helping others, massage therapy is a promising option. According to U.S. News and World Report, the career of massage therapy is the number five best healthcare support…

The Wall Street Journal: Massage as Medicine A recent report released by The Wall Street Journal found that massage therapy has a large number of health benefits. Besides the assumed positive aspects of massage therapy like relaxation and stress-reduction,…

The Wellness Industry on the Rise Even with the global economy dipping by almost 4% from 2013-2015, certain industries have set themselves apart for their resilience and double-digit growth. According to a report released by the New Global Wellness…

Therapeutic Massage Therapy The Soma Institute in Chicago is comprised of a veteran group of massage professionals committed to helping aspiring massage therapists achieve their goal of a career in therapeutic massage therapy. We teach natural methods…

Therapeutic Massage Therapy on the Rise According to the American Massage Therapy Association, 52% of consumers sought their last massage for medical or health benefits. That increasing percentage has contributed to the fact that massage therapists…

Therapeutic Sports Massage Just like deep tissue massage, therapeutic sports massage focuses on treating the soft tissue and the areas most associated with aches and pains related to recreational activities. This type of massage can significantly…

Times of San Diego: UCSD Says Massage Beneficial to Metabolic Profile Along with meditation and yoga, massage therapy can significantly decrease cardiovascular disease risk, cholesterol problems, and illnesses associated with inflammation. This is according…

Times of San Diego: UCSD Says Massage Beneficial to Metabolic Profile Along with meditation and yoga, massage therapy can significantly decrease cardiovascular disease risk, cholesterol problems, and illnesses associated with inflammation. This is…

Tips for Balancing Work & School Working full-time, maintaining friends & family, and making time for yourself can be a daunting task for anyone.  Try adding going back to school on top of that and you really have your hands full.  Since most o…

Tips for Going Back to School If you find yourself contemplating a career change, you’re not alone.  A career that seemed like a good fit in your 20s or 30s may no longer be inspiring or challenging.  That’s okay. If you feel despondent or apathetic in yo…

Tips to fulfilling your New Year’s Resolutions Don’t let your dream become another unfulfilled New Year’s resolution on your list this year. According to British psychologist Richard Wiseman, typically every year only a mere 12% of people actually…

Top 10 Reasons to Become a Massage Therapist When you’re passionate about what you do, it doesn’t feel like work. Your positive energy comes through in everything you do. For those considering a career as a massage therapist, a desire to help others is …

Top 24 Reasons to Get a Massage A growing body of research touts the many positive effects of massage therapy. These include benefits on health conditions like stress, chronic low-back pain, fibromyalgia, and more. These studies have prompted the medical…

Top 5 Benefits of Massage Therapy for Patients in Medical Recovery Medical treatments have varying side effects from person to person, inevitably leaving patients depleted and desperate for relief. The medical community has reported massage therapy…

Touch and Massage for the Family The healing powers of touch for people in crisis—whether emotionally or physically—has been evidenced by countless studies. The Arizona based nonprofit, Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK), along with Banner Children’s Hospi…

Types of Massage for Athletes Athletes looking to improve their performance, conditioning, and recovery-time from injuries, turn to massage therapy on a regular basis as preventative maintenance. This can be an essential weapon in an athlete’s training a…

Veteran Massage Therapy Veteran massage therapy is a growing field among massage therapists looking to serve veterans in this unique and rewarding way. Our country’s veterans spend years risking their physical and emotional health for our general s…

Wellness Coach Program If you want to be a mentor who helps clients reach and achieve their health and wellness goals, The Soma Institute in Chicago, Illinois can help you achieve that goal.  The Soma Institute offers a comprehensive 15-week Health …

Why Americans Get Massages The American Massage Therapy Association recently released their findings in the 20th Annual Consumer Survey. Instead of booking a massage for reasons of relaxation, people are increasingly turning to clinical massage therapy…

World’s Happiest Man: How to be Happy He says all it takes is 15 minutes a day. Stop thinking “me, me, me” To Ricard, the answer comes down to altruism. The reason is because thinking about yourself, and how to make things better for yourself…

Your Health: The power of different massages From our friends across the pond: “Experts estimate that about 90 per cent of disease is stress related and perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress. While eliminating…