Never Wear Flip Flops: Not just a school policy

The temperature is rising.  Maybe not as quickly as we’d like, but it’s rising.  And with that rise brings a change of wardrobe.  Cast aside are the sweaters and woolen socks of only last month, and stowed away are the mittens and scarves.  Time to don those ironic t-shirts, throw on some shorts, and feel the breeze through your toes as you flip flop around the city.

Or will that kill you?

Probably not, but you could do yourself a great deal of harm by wearing flip flops all summer long.  These simple drugstore purchases have become summertime staples, and even though it feels nice to take those dogs for a walk, you could be doing yourself a great deal of harm.

Let’s start with simple arch support.  There is none.  This is fine for bumming around by the pool, or maybe a short walk, but if flip flops are all your wearing all day long, then you are putting a great deal of stress onto the bottom of your foot.  The arch of your foot could potentially cave in, leaving your body with no shock absorption when you walk.  That means your first line of defense against the impact with the ground is gone, and that force will then be transferred up through your knees, your hips, your SI joints and your spine.  And if you already have flat feet or low arches, these will only serve to exacerbate the problem.  Not to mention that all the stress put into the plantar fascia can, of course, lead to plantar fasciitis, which causes severe pain into the bottom of your foot, and in extreme conditions, will form bone spurs on the anterior portion of your heel bone.

That’s right, flip flops will make your feet stab themselves.

Wearing flip flops by the pool so you don’t burn your feet on the hot cement if fine.  Wearing flip flops to go for a hike or play football is no good.  Stubbed toes, broken toes, broken nails, cuts and bruises all are much more likely when your feet are left unprotected from trauma.  And if you are a diabetic with peripheral neuropathy, where you might not know you’ve injured your toe, then you should never wear flip flops.

Yes, wearing flip flops in a public shower can decrease your chances of getting athletes foot.  But wearing them while you traipse around the city?  You’ve all seen what people do on these sidewalks.  You’ve all seen what dogs do on these sidewalks.  You’ve seen the city wildlife, now imagine what they do on the sidewalks.  Now imagine Wrigleyville after a Cubs game, and imagine what all those bros do on the sidewalks.  Now imagine all that getting trapped between the soul of your foot and a thin piece of rubber that slaps and splatters the bottom of your foot with each step, like a bellows to a campfire.  Whoosh goes the fungi, the viruses, the bacteria, the dirt and bugs and parasites.

Don’t forget the sunscreen on top of your feet, either.

And whatever you do don’t drive while wearing flip flops.  They have been known to get stuck on the gas pedal, giving the driver no easy access to the brake pedal, leading to 3,000 pounds worth of heavy machinery careening through the streets with no means of stopping.

But at least you can show off your pedicure.

Massage For Low Back Pain

Low-Back Pain? Massage can Help!
According to a February 2014 study in the Scientific World Journal, massage therapy has a positive effect on patients suffering from chronic low-back pain. This is great news for those of us looking for alternative methods of treatment, preferring not to load up on pain killers and other prescription medications. The use of massage therapy showed similar results as anti-inflammatory drugs did on patients suffering from the same condition.

Americans spent about $50 billion last year on low-back pain—most commonly caused by job-related disabilities—according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Not only is massage therapy cheaper than medical doctors, it can be as effective. In the 2014 study, the pain level was significantly reduced in the patients receiving regular massage treatment.

If you’ve ever considered a career in the healthcare industry and have a sincere desire to help others, massage therapy could be a good profession for you. If you’d like more information about The Soma Institute’s 11 and 15-month course, give an admissions representative a call at 1-800-694-5314.

Massage Therapy To Improve Back Pain

Massage Therapy To Improve Back Pain

Can Massage Therapy Improve Back Pain?

As more and more people turn to alternative methods to treat chronic back pain, massage therapy is more widely accepted in the medical community as an effective treatment. Some of the potential health benefits from massage therapy include: increased circulation and blood flow, decreased tension in the muscles, and increased endorphins in the brain—all of which can reduce pain and speed recovery from chronic back problems.

If you’re interested in learning more about how massage therapy can improve back problems, and if you want to become part of the solution, The Soma Institute is the right place for you. Soma offers an intensive Clinical Massage Therapy program that prepares students to “massage with a purpose”-- doing more than just traditional massage therapists.

You will learn about the specific types of back pain—and how massage therapy can alleviate it. Massage therapy is non-invasive and has been shown to help increase production of ‘feel good’ hormones in the body which is hugely helpful for people with acute back problems or pain. Soma offers an 11-month and 15-month Clinical Massage Therapy program preparing students to have a rewarding career as a massage therapist. We cover the major methods of massage therapy, including: hydrotherapy, bodywork, and sports massage.

Call Soma today to find out more about a career in Massage Therapy and how you can become part of the solution. To speak to a knowledgeable Admissions Representative, give us a call at 1-800-694-5314.

Multiple Sclerosis And Massage

By Amber Mills.

Statistics show that around 350,000 to 500,000 people in the United States have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. It is more common in women and Caucasians and is usually diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 to 50.

The symptoms of MS can vary person to person but the common symptoms tend to be weakness, spasticity, balance problems, vision loss, numbness, tremors and fatigue. People that have MS may have times where they experience symptoms daily and then they may go into remission and have little to no symptoms at all. (more…)

Massage Therapy Treats Anxiety

Recent studies tout the benefits of massage therapy for the relief of depression and anxiety for people with a variety of health problems. Regular massage shows to improve mood and lead to better sleep and increased energy. Immediate benefits from massage include reduced anxiety and increased serotonin values—all of which improve a person’s overall well-being and health.

If you’re interested in learning more about massage therapy and its overwhelming benefits, a career in massage could be the right fit for you. The Soma Institute in Chicago, Illinois provides the hands-on training and support to start a gratifying career in massage therapy.

Besides training in hydrotherapy, bodywork, and sports massage, students have the opportunity to work with NCAA Division I athletes at Loyola University, providing students with invaluable real-world experience. Graduates are prepared to launch a professional massage therapy career in many fields, including: private practice, spas & gyms, health-care clinics, or with sports teams and athletes.

If you’d like to explore more about this rewarding field, and want to know more about a career in Clinical Massage Therapy and how it can help others, call The Soma Institute to speak to a knowledgeable Admissions Representative, at 1-800-694-5314.