Soma Massage Blog

One Of Our Hardworking Evening/Weekend Classes

Sometimes we forget to talk about these guys.  That's because they're commonly the ones quietly working hard and not bothering anyone.  Over the course of 15 months they work their 40 hours/week day jobs, or they raise their families, and they still find time to train and study for a rewarding new career in Clinical Massage Therapy.

These are not the squeaky wheels, so we sometimes forget they are there.  But they are there, and they're working every bit as hard as the day groups, often even harder.  So we're dedicating this week's newsletter to the evening/weekend students, and all the time and energy they commit to our program with minimal complaints and maximum results.

Here are some pics we snuck of 1608E hard at work doing DDD treatments.

 

(Above: Diana and Amelia focused on the task at hand, so to speak.)

(Above: Ronae shows off her muscles.  Literally!)

(Above: Rose prepares to lengthen his client's neck.)

(Above: Sally can't ignore the camera.)

(Above: Ronae puts those muscles to good use.)

(Above: Amelia threatens to maim whoever takes her picture.)

(Above: Jeremy wonders how relaxed will be too relaxed?)

(Above: Marek's beard itches, but he can't scratch it for the next 25 minutes.)

 

Massage for Knee Arthritis

From Massage Magazine

Within the massage for arthritis group, the intervention resulted in significant immediate changes, such as an increase in internal rotation ROM on the first day of the study; an increase in standing flexion ROM on the last day of the study; and an increase in supine flexion ROM on both the first and last days of the study.

The research also revealed that external rotation pain decreased in the massage group and increased in the wait-list control group over the four-week study period.

Internal rotation ROM increased in the massage group throughout the intervention period as well. Internal rotation pain decreased in the massage group during the four-week period and increased in the wait-list control group. Both standing flexion ROM and supine flexion ROM increased for the massage group throughout the intervention period.

As far as performance, as measured by the adapted Short Physical Performance Battery, the data suggested that the massage group, as opposed to the wait-list control group, experienced decreased sitting pain, reduced time walking an eight-foot distance, and decreased standing-on-one-leg pain.

Standing-on-one-leg pain actually increased in the wait-list control group.

On the self-report measures, the massage group versus the wait-list control group had a decreased WOMAC pain score, a decreased WOMAC activity score, a decreased WOMAC total score and a decreased sleep disturbance global score.

Read the rest here.

Massage and Autoimmune Disease

From Massage Magazine

A massage therapist needs to be mindful of the waxing-and-waning effects within a client’s body in accordance with any autoimmune condition. Generally, full-body circulatory massage is not recommended, as this circulates white blood cells more rapidly, thereby increasing their efficiency. This greater efficiency can exacerbate the client’s condition.

The following is a list of recommendations regarding massage therapy for autoimmune disease to alleviate body systems, yet not increase circulation significantly:

1. Abdominal massage to affect organs will greatly improve organ efficiency. A form of abdominal massage called chi nei tsang, presented in many Chinese-medicine-related programs, can be a welcome addition to one’s practice in this regard.
2. Stretching allows a client to receive myofascial benefit with minimal circulatory impact. Great stress relief comes from longer myofascial tissue.
3. Myofascial release is a gentle means to freeing restrictions within the myofascial network of the body. This approach may be more easily received by a client, especially during flare-ups.
4. Thai massage and shiatsu are practices that combine stretching with focused intention upon certain muscle regions and musculotendon pathways. These modalities can easily be more or less intense depending on the client’s state on any given date.

Final considerations involve procedures with treatment planning. Be flexible with session timing, for example. Sessions may need to be shorter in duration and may need to be skipped when a client is having flare-ups.

Read the rest here.

Boomers & beyond: Therapist brings the benefits of massage to seniors

From American Press

For Deborah Faul, it’s about connection.

Her senior-focused massage therapy service, she says, provides clients with respite from the pains of aging and some much-needed human touch.

“These are people who don’t always receive the validation, dignity and respect they deserve,” Faul said. “These moments I spend with them, they’re sacred moments.”

Faul operates True Balance & Tranquility, LLC, from the wellness center at The Verandah, Graywood’s assisted living facility. She meets with private clients, too, who range from bedridden to physically active.

Read the rest here.

Massage School Can Be Hard, And We’re Trying To Help

There are many reasons to attend massage school.  Maybe you’re fresh out of high school and looking for a meaningful direction in life.  Maybe you just lost your job and you’re looking for a new direction for a second career.  Maybe all the kids have left the house and you’ve been dreaming of enrolling for years.  Maybe you have other reasons all your own.

Why do we bring this up?

Maybe it’s just to say that we understand.

We understand, and we want to help you make the transition from your former life into your new massage therapist life as painless as possible.

We understand that not every student was created the same.  Some students have a college background and soak up all the new information like a sponge, whereas others may have never studied in their prior academic career.  Some students excel in large group settings, whereas others may fall behind out of fear or shyness.  Some students have excellent communication skills and know how to behave in a professional manner, and some students have never had to behave in that way before.

If you’re falling behind, we have free tutoring sessions available Monday through Thursday after school.  We asked one of our tutors to write a little piece about being a tutor.  Here's what he wrote.

The American Massage Therapy Association is partnering up with Soma to help ease your burden in many ways, too.  Free student membership to all current students, which includes free access to all the Trail Guide flashcards.  On top of that, the AMTA is offering $1,000 scholarships to Soma students four times a year.  Monikka was our latest recipient.  See more pics here.

 

And if you’re feeling financially stressed as a student, Soma has also partnered with Food For Thought to provide part time employment for our students.  With flexible schedules that can fit around your classes, Food For Thought might be the perfect way to earn some extra income while preparing for your new career.  Here we see a representative from Food For Thought handing out applications to Soma students.

 

On top of all that we have career services, which includes our Job Board for graduates and resume reviews by the president herself.

We have free massages for students and graduates in our clinic.

We have monthly MBLEx review classes hosted by Julio to make sure you get licensed.

We understand you’re looking for more than just a massage school.  You’re looking for a community.  We hope you’ve found it with us.