Sports Massage and Mental Focus

Sports Massage: Focusing on The Task At Hand
There are many theories as to why athletes seem to have improved performances and faster recovery times after receiving massage. Unfortunately we’re still lacking in evidence. Nobody really knows the physical mechanisms that occur when we lay hands on an athlete. Are we improving their circulation, allowing for more oxygen-rich blood chock full of nutrients to reach starved muscles? Are we reducing edema and thereby speeding up recovery following an injury? Are we, with the use of proper stretching, resetting the muscles to their correct lengths for proper functioning?

We’ll give you a solid maybe on all of those.

We’d like to propose that those may not even be the most important things that sports massage can accomplish.

We’d like to propose, in fact, that the mental stimulation given to athletes pre-event can be monumentally more profound than any actual compressions or stretches.

Sound a little new age-y to you? Well, we’ll give you a solid maybe on that, too.

But consider this, during your activities of daily living, when do you perform your best? Let’s use your commute to work as an example. You’re in your car, stuck in traffic, and you need to be at work ten minutes ago. The left lane is going to end soon, and everyone knows that, but for some reason people keep zipping past you, like they didn’t know two miles ago this lane was going to end, like they don’t know what taking cuts means. You’re listening to the news, and it’s not good news, it’s never good news. You could have made that light, but someone on a bicycle cut you off, even though bicycles are vehicles and need to obey all the same laws as you do. And now you’re not in time for the early-bird parking so it’s going to cost you an extra ten bucks just to go to work. You’re already worked up into an angry frothy lather and you haven’t even gotten to your desk yet. Do you think you’re going to be performing at your peak the rest of the morning? Or will you be dwelling on all the insignificant incidences that got in the way of your commute?

Now consider this alternate commute option. What if you had your morning cup of coffee, said goodbye to your loved ones, walked out your front door, and then stepped into a helicopter that would fly you over top of all the traffic? What if the entire ride (which would be considerably shorter than driving, of course) you didn’t listen to the depressing news, but the pilot had just received his copy of Eighties Power Ballads, and you blared that the entire flight? You could see the congestion below, but it no longer affects you, and you find yourself smiling at the banality of it all. You arrive at work with a skip in your step and a song in your heart. Won’t you be more productive if you arrive to work that way?

We don’t offer this as an actual alternative to your morning commute (although, how rad would that be?). We offer this as a metaphor. We believe a pre-event sports massage can be that helicopter ride. Many athletes will tell you that “being in the zone” is just as important, if not more important, than being physically ready for an event. If you’re busy worrying about the economy or some little argument you had with your wife that morning, then your head is not in the game and it will affect your performance. But if you can push all of that nonsense out of your thoughts, if you can concentrate on the task at hand, and if not only are you thinking you’re a big winner but you have a therapist who is telling you that you are a big winner, then that’s going to make a huge impact on your performance.

Sports massage, at its essence, is a way for athletes to reconnect with their bodies, to put aside all other worries, and simply focus on being their best. Whether any actual physical benefits come from massage is yet to be proven (but it will be proven), but it is very clear to anyone who has ever played a sport, run a race, or even just played darts in a bar, that if your mind is distracted, you will not be as competitive. Sports massage is a wonderful way to bring your focus back to the task at hand.

Jason VonGerichten – Instructor

“I love working with students who come from all walks of life, and I love that they have come together with one common goal: to learn how to make a profound impact on the lives of others. I very much believe that only Soma can fully prepare them for that. Here at Soma we delve deeply into the methods needed to work in a clinical setting, where real change can take place. We also teach students how to use their clinical tools and techniques in a therapeutic setting, where change can take place, too. I’m very happy to be a part of this process, and I hope whatever positive influence I have over my students gets paid forward in some small way, from me to my students to their clients and onward.”

Careers in Massage Therapy

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 in the overall wellness of their clients. Although it was originally considered a luxury for wealthier clients, massage therapy has more recently evolved into the mainstream and is increasingly associated with the healthcare industry. More and more healthcare professionals recognize the benefits of massage as these services become part of medical practitioners’ treatment plans.

In recognition, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects massage therapy employment will grow 23 percent from 2012 to 2022—adding close to 30,000 more professionals to this field, more than any other occupational growth. A participating factor in this jump in demand is the baby-boom generation who seek massage as a way to maintain their health as they age. In addition, sports teams and athletes are relying on massage therapy to help rehabilitate injuries and reduce pain. Lastly, the inception of the massage franchise has made massage more affordable and mainstream, opening services to a wider range of customers.

Working Environments & Opportunities: Massage therapists work in a variety of settings

With the increasing demand for massage services, massage therapists have more career options than ever. Besides working in traditional spas & resorts—who offer massage as a form of comfort and relaxation, massage practitioners are now transitioning into private practice. In 2012, 46 percent of massage therapists were self-employed, either traveling to clients’ homes or offices, or opening their own offices. In addition, sports teams and fitness centers are relying on massage therapy to treat their clients.

Expected Pay & Education Required

Massage therapy certification and educational programs usually include classroom and hands-on practice of massage techniques. Depending on the state requirements, educational programs require anywhere from 500 to 1,000 hours to complete certification. Most programs train students through clinical applications of massage techniques, including: hydrotherapy, sports massage, trigger point therapy and lymphatic drainage. Some programs also offer industry support or job placement. In 2012, the average massage therapist could expect to make $35,970 per year working part-time, or about $17.29 per hour.

Health and Wellness Coach Week

Health & Wellness Coach Week

Capitol Hill:

Of the $4 trillion spent on health care in the US, only 2% goes towards prevention. That’s a pretty paltry percentage considering upwards of 75% of all health care costs go toward chronic disease. Capitol Hill took the first step this week towards addressing this crisis by announcing the Health & Wellness Coach Week nationwide.

A group of bipartisan lawmakers introduced the Health and Wellness Coach Resolution in an effort to bring awareness and education to the country. The resolution supports and recognizes health and wellness coaches nationwide and their work in combating the global health crisis.

“Now more than ever, we need to recognize the contributions of health and wellness coaches and lend them support as they continue to inspire positive behavior changes that will dramatically lower our nation’s health care costs,” Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr., D-N.J., said in a statement.

The Soma Institute in Chicago is dedicated to educating the community about smarter lifestyle choices. As a Health & Wellness Coach, you become part of the solution—helping clients establish goals, remain accountable, maintain motivation, and focus on making lasting changes. If you’ve ever considered a career in the health and wellness field, this is the best time to join forces with the capitol and embark on the career of your dreams.

If you’d like more information about Soma’s 15-week Health & Wellness Coaching course, give an Admissions Representative a call at 1-800-694-5314. A rewarding career is waiting for you. Or if you’d like to read more about Health & Wellness Coach Week, see Roll Call’s article.

Health and Wellness Coaching Certificate Program

Health and Wellness Coaching Certificate Program

As the country deals with the consequences of epidemic levels of chronic disease and obesity, The Soma Institute in Chicago is determined to be part of the solution. The Health & Wellness Coaching Certificate program at Soma is considered an innovative approach to addressing the health challenges the nation faces.  Through hands-on training and industry support, Soma prepares its students to come up with strategies for coaching people with health challenges and enabling them to make lasting changes.

Besides motivational techniques, disease prevention, and habits for weight loss, students also learn ethics in coaching, self-care strategies, and practical business approaches to turning coaching into a successful and rewarding career.  Most of Soma’s students are working or have families, so classes run just two nights a week and can be completed in 15 weeks.

Students move on to careers in private practices, health clubs, spas, medical offices, corporations, and more.  According to Hewitt Associates, 67% of American companies have or plan to have coaching programs to help boost worker health. That’s great news for the country—and for those interested in pursuing a career in health coaching!

If you’d like more information about Soma’s 15-week Health & Wellness Coaching course, give an Admissions Representative a call at 1-800-694-5314. A rewarding career is waiting for you.

I Go Walking

If one of your New Years resolutions was to get back in shape, but you don’t think gym life is for you, I’d like to make an argument for a very simple exercise you already know how to do.  Walking.

Two Reasons I Walk

Walking is good exercise.

It’s not great exercise, but it’s pretty darn good.  At a three mile per hour pace it burns about 100 calories per mile (of course this is different depending on your weight, height and speed), and it also gets you places while you do it.  If you walk five extra miles you just walked off a pretty decent chunk of calories.

Studies have shown again and again that walking, aka low-grade cardio, is the only proven method of staving off cognitive decline.  That means people who walk more stay younger longer and don’t suffer from chronic diseases (Alzheimer’s, Congestive Heart Failure, Diabetes, etc) as much.  Simply walking an extra hour a day has been shown to add years to your life.  And you have to get places anyway, right?

Park the car a little further away.  Get off the train a stop or two sooner than normal.  Don’t turn on the TV when you get home, go for a walk.

Walking calms the mind.

The stressors of life often wreak havoc on our bodies which aren’t built to cope with the emotional stressors we face on a daily basis:  mortgages, taxes, the ozone layer, work, spouses.  We’re equipped to fight a problem or run away from a problem.  When we’re forced to sit and anguish over a problem, our cells get bathed in corrosive chemicals that can eventually lead to some very serious health problems.  Walking helps with this.

Meditation helps, too.  But if sitting in a dark room alone with your thoughts is something you don’t think you can do, try a walking mediation instead.  There are several online instructions, books and apps that can guide you through this, but here’s the simple way I do it.  I put in my headphones but I don’t turn on the music.  I just want people to leave me alone, and they’re more likely to do that if they think I’m jamming out.  Location helps but is not crucial.  I’m lucky enough to work in downtown Chicago (one of the most stressed out cities in the country, btw), so after work I can sometimes walk home along the lakefront.  The more nature the better, but I used to walk home right through the center of downtown, and it still left me feeling pretty at ease, despite the traffic, bikers, and the other, slower people.  Being close to nature has some sort of calming effect on the mind, and you won’t even realize it until you get home and your thoughts sound like whispers.

And then just walk.  Walk at the fastest pace you can walk without feeling like you’re forcing yourself along.  I’m 6’4”, and most of that is leg, so I walk at a pretty good clip.  Try to clear your mind of debris as you walk.  Most mindfulness practices will tell you to acknowledge thoughts as they arise, and then let them go.  Acknowledge, move on.  I realize this is not always as easy as it sounds.  Life’s problems have a way of reaching their grubby little fingers into the crevices in our brains and snuffing out all our peaceful intentions.  Acknowledge this, too.  Just try not to dwell on stuff.

Breathe deep into your abdomen, let the sunshine cover your face, clear your mind, and enjoy the view as the world moves slowly past you one step at a time.

Jason VonGerichten – Instructor

“I love working with students who come from all walks of life, and I love that they have come together with one common goal: to learn how to make a profound impact on the lives of others. I very much believe that only Soma can fully prepare them for that. Here at Soma we delve deeply into the methods needed to work in a clinical setting, where real change can take place. We also teach students how to use their clinical tools and techniques in a therapeutic setting, where change can take place, too. I’m very happy to be a part of this process, and I hope whatever positive influence I have over my students gets paid forward in some small way, from me to my students to their clients and onward.”