Massage a form of therapy
By Nicole Skalla
Kansan Correspondent
Midterms. That word alone has the ability to send shivers down the spines of most students.
To alleviate stress, soothing hands may hold the answer.
Therapeutic massages are a common tool in relieving tension in the body and the mind. Anna Lunaria, a massage therapist at Medicinal Massage, 729 1/2 Massachusetts St., described a therapeutic massage as "a relaxation massage where the work done is more specific because you apply pressure to specific areas to relieve pain instead of just rubbing."
These massages have several benefits, not only in decreasing muscle tension, but also in helping to improve the state of the mind. Lunaria said.
Joy deMaranville, massage therapist at Southwind Health Collective, 941 Kentucky St., said massages had medical benefits.
"It increases circulation, decreases muscle tension, helps with joint flexibility, range of motion, helps to relieve tension-related headaches and improves healing time for musculo-tendinous injuries," deMaranville said. "Mentally and emotionally, massages increase awareness of the connection between the mind and body, which decreases stress and anxiety and promotes a feeling of well-being."
Additionally, therapeutic massages can aid in recuperation from injuries, although they should riot be used before
traditional methods are attempted.
"Massages are rarely the initial therapy of choice," said Charles Yockey, chief of staff at Watkins Memorial Health Center. "It's really more for long standing problems. All forms of alternative therapy are basically for people who've been diagnosed and haven't responded to traditional methods."
Many students have felt the benefits.
"I got a massage because I was really tense, tired and stressed out, and sleeping or reading wasn't helping," said Sarah Kline, Cape Coral, Fla., sophomore. "My mom told me about it, and it helped. They used aromas and oils that help your mind calm down as well."
Finding a good massage therapist can be a confusing process. The best way find a good one is to ask how many hours of training they have had. Five hundred hours of training is considered good, although many providers of the service in Kansas City require 1,000 hours of training before allowing a massage therapist to hang a shingle. Lawrence has no requirements, so anyone can go into business.
Another determinant when searching for the right massage therapist is price Generally, the more a therapist charges, the better they are. Prices in Lawrence range from $25 an hour to $40 an hour.
"People who charge less aren't as qualified or are new in town," Lunaria said. "I usually use the analogy that you can get a J. Crew massage or a Wal-Mart massage. The J. Crew massage may cost you more, but it will stay with you longer."
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