Relax! It's massage time
Michael Salerno
Issue date: 4/9/08 Section: Features
If you're looking for stress relief and relaxation within your means, look no further than DBC's student massage clinic.
The Massage Therapy program's student-run clinic will be offering full-body Swedish massages every Thursday from now until May 1. Massages are given for a $15 donation, cash or check made payable to Daytona Beach College.
Tassa Simmons, Assistant Professor and Assistant Chair of DBC's Massage Therapy program, aims for the student-run massage clinic to give students an opportunity to expand their vocational skills.
"It gives the students an excellent hands-on experience," Simmons says. "They get to practice professional skills and build on skills they're learning in the class."
She attributes the clinic's success to its offer of quality massages at an affordable price. It has received a lot of positive feedback from its clients, with many complimenting the service as better than other practices. With a high demand for massages but available only at limited times, some hope it will operate on other days of the week besides Thursdays in the future.
Customers can expect a tranquil atmosphere like a professional health spa. The establishment is dimly lit and quiet except for the background of relaxing, gentle music. The tables are set up in private areas sealed by curtains to ensure the recipients' privacy and make them feel as comfortable as possible.
To guarantee clients will receive quality massages, experience is highly stressed by the Massage Therapy program. Students are expected to complete 225 hours of clinical practice during their enrollment, as consistent skills improvement is crucial to their prospective employer's expectations in the real world.
"Make sure this is your number one priority because this takes up a lot of time," recommends Heather Wholly, a student in the program. "If you're passionate about massage, go for it."
Massage students should also anticipate being enlightened and well rounded, as their tasks at the clinic change by the week; a student can be a massage therapist one week, an environmental attendant the next and a receptionist the week after. Throughout the course of their study, students are introduced to various modalities (styles of massage) including Swedish massage, sports massage, infant massage and Oriental therapy, to name a few.
Chelsea Cox is appreciative of the campus's student-run clinic, as it has helped her and other students gain career experience and connect with the public at the same time.
"The public clinic is a good idea, we get to interact with the community and it prepares us for the workforce," Cox adds. "I've found it's relaxing to give a massage as well as receive it."
Appointments are available at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Clients are given the option to bring with them two twin sheets (preferably one fitted and one flat), one pillowcase and one large beach towel, or pay a $5 fee for disposable linens. The clinic is located in Bldg. 320, Rm. 129 (a.m. appointments) and Rm. 107 (p.m. appointments) on the Daytona campus.
The Massage Therapy program's student-run clinic will be offering full-body Swedish massages every Thursday from now until May 1. Massages are given for a $15 donation, cash or check made payable to Daytona Beach College.
Tassa Simmons, Assistant Professor and Assistant Chair of DBC's Massage Therapy program, aims for the student-run massage clinic to give students an opportunity to expand their vocational skills.
"It gives the students an excellent hands-on experience," Simmons says. "They get to practice professional skills and build on skills they're learning in the class."
She attributes the clinic's success to its offer of quality massages at an affordable price. It has received a lot of positive feedback from its clients, with many complimenting the service as better than other practices. With a high demand for massages but available only at limited times, some hope it will operate on other days of the week besides Thursdays in the future.
Customers can expect a tranquil atmosphere like a professional health spa. The establishment is dimly lit and quiet except for the background of relaxing, gentle music. The tables are set up in private areas sealed by curtains to ensure the recipients' privacy and make them feel as comfortable as possible.
To guarantee clients will receive quality massages, experience is highly stressed by the Massage Therapy program. Students are expected to complete 225 hours of clinical practice during their enrollment, as consistent skills improvement is crucial to their prospective employer's expectations in the real world.
"Make sure this is your number one priority because this takes up a lot of time," recommends Heather Wholly, a student in the program. "If you're passionate about massage, go for it."
Massage students should also anticipate being enlightened and well rounded, as their tasks at the clinic change by the week; a student can be a massage therapist one week, an environmental attendant the next and a receptionist the week after. Throughout the course of their study, students are introduced to various modalities (styles of massage) including Swedish massage, sports massage, infant massage and Oriental therapy, to name a few.
Chelsea Cox is appreciative of the campus's student-run clinic, as it has helped her and other students gain career experience and connect with the public at the same time.
"The public clinic is a good idea, we get to interact with the community and it prepares us for the workforce," Cox adds. "I've found it's relaxing to give a massage as well as receive it."
Appointments are available at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Clients are given the option to bring with them two twin sheets (preferably one fitted and one flat), one pillowcase and one large beach towel, or pay a $5 fee for disposable linens. The clinic is located in Bldg. 320, Rm. 129 (a.m. appointments) and Rm. 107 (p.m. appointments) on the Daytona campus.
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