Massaging Stress Away

By Katie Devery

DOYLESTOWN- Del Val students are back to school and this means class work, pre-season soreness, runny noses, and dwindling bank accounts. There is an affordable, effective way to reduce back to school blues and it could be as simple as getting a massage.

Marie Holland, a massage therapist at the Pennsylvania Institute of Massage Therapy said students and athletes especially benefit from massage by reducing stress level and helping muscle tone.

The main issue that deters people from a massage is de-robing. When asked if clients have an option of keeping clothes on, Holland said, “Absolutely. We tell clients as long as they are comfortable, that is the most effective way of getting the benefits of massage”.

Holland also said the only part of the body uncovered from the sheet is the part the therapist is massaging.

Massage isn’t just something for women or couples on their honeymoon. It is becoming more accepted as a muscle therapy for both men and women. The Philadelphia Eagles go to The Body Bank, a local business located in Hellertown, during their preseason training. Athletes benefit from massage because it can help to prevent injuries and improve on field performance.

Brittany Battinieri, a junior basketball player at DVC, said she never had a massage but always wanted one because she believes it would help her sore muscles and playing ability.

Sports massage is only one of many different types of massage techniques. Massage is also a stress reducer and immunity booster. Stress is one of the main causes of low immunity. Several studies have measured the stress hormone called cortisol in a persons’ saliva before and after massage sessions, and found dramatic decreases. Cortisol, which is produced when you are stressed, kills immunity boosting cells (newsweek.com).

Massage at a spa is probably out of range for most students where they charge $80 and or more for one hour. Most people are unaware that you can go to a local massage school, health club, or chiropractor and pay less than half of what you would pay at a spa. Samantha Kuzniar, a teacher in the Pottsgrove school district said she would get a massage everyday if it wasn’t so expensive. After learning her gym offers massage she sighed with relief and said, “The school year is looking less stressful already”.

Everyone practicing massage therapy in Pennsylvania must be certified and licensed. A massage student goes through training in anatomy, pathology, and physiology and they are required to complete a certain amount of student clinical hours APPROXIMATELY HOW MANY. The only difference between a spa and health club may be the fancy massage titles or spa-like atmosphere. It should be known that like a dental hygienist or hair dresser, every massage therapist has their own technique. “Everyone has a different level of pain tolerance so we go by what a muscle feels like and what our clients tell us,” Holland said. “A massage should never hurt”.