Massage does the body good

BY BILL BRADLEY

Everyone could use a massage-for health purposes such as alleviating the trauma from cancer treatment and general peace of mind.

That was the theme of an  open house at College Boreal Saturday.

Thirty minute massages were given for the discount price of $15 to the public. Proceeds were given to the Regional Cancer Program of the Sudbury Regional Hospital.

Mike Frost, Big Daddy weekend events host, said he felt good at the hands of Leslie Grzelak, a third year massage student from Azilda.

He should. Grzelak, though only 22 years old, has had a lot of practise.

"I was giving my parents foot massages when I was 10 years old and even younger," said Grzelak.

Frost and others can continue to get a good deal on massages every semester over two days for a discounted price, said Grzelak. She is looking forward to working in private practice when she graduates. Eventually she would like to expand her skills to naturopathy, she said.

Currently there are 30 students in the three-year massage therapy program at College Boreal, said Julie Levac-Rancourt course cordinator.

Private colleges offer a two-year program but it is more intense and accelerated, she said. College Boreal offers the only francophone massage therapy course in Ontario.

Levac-Rancourt expects enrollment to increase because of the popularity of the treatment.

"Massage therapy is good for many ailments such as relieving stress, sports injuries, chronic and acute pain, scar treatments, lymphatic drainage to help with promoting circulation, and neurological damage. It decreases anxiety and depression,"  she said.

"Many of these ailments are suffered by cancer patients."

A good massage is also good for general stress relief, said students.

You don't really know how much your muscles are tensed up until you get a massage, said Dean Huffman, a first year message therapy student.

"If you feel tensed up in your neck, I would recommend coming in for a massage every two weeks.

"The hour session from a registered massage therapist can cost $65-$70 dollars  and $40-$45 per half hour, but you sure will feel better afterwards," said Levac-Rancourt.

"Here at the college the students are not yet registered so the price for customers is lower - $25 for an hour."

The oil used to massage tired muscles is a blend of coconut oil, safflower oil, apricot kernel oil, Vitamin E and herbs like arnica, said Levac-Rancourt.

"We use this oil because it is light and does not stain the sheets. We go through a lot of laundry here with all the clients we have."

Other oils used in a message clinic are grapeseed or sweet almond she said.
For more information, phone 521-6021.