Greenfield Community College

Massage clinic helps students to learn and practice their trade

Original publication date: 2008-02-15 10:52:26

Anyone who has ever had a massage knows how wonderful you feel when you are done. The Stillpoint Massage Therapy Certificate Program at Greenfield Community College requires its students to have practical experience before going out into the job world. That means the program offers student-led massage clinics regularly during the spring semester so students can practice on members of the community. The clinic also serves a second purpose of offering a therapeutic benefit that is often times financially out of reach for some people. The stipend of $15 per massage funds a scholarship to help a student set up a practice after they graduate.

There is a group of local senior citizens who take advantage of the program’s clinics as often as they can. Call them the regulars.

Chester Martin, 84, of Greenfield and his companion Josephine Szklewicki, receive massages at the clinic at least once a month and will often fill in for other clients who miss their appointments. “They are so relaxing,” he said. “I feel like a million dollars when they are through.” Martin said massage is wonderful for his circulation and enjoys knowing that he is helping students. The college is a real credit to the area and programs like this are just one example of that. He and Szlewicki have taken advantage of other programs and services offered by GCC, and when they heard about the massage clinic, they decided to give it a shot. They haven’t regretted it.

Szklewicki, 77, said “After a session is done, we’re good for couple of weeks and we wish we could go back again.”

George Farber, 81, of Colrain has been going to the massage clinic for several years. “You couldn’t feel any better than when you get through a massage,” he said. “On top of that, the women and men are learning a skill, so it’s a two-way street so to speak.” “There are a lot of aches and pains associated with aging and the frequent massages have been a great help to him,” Farber said.

Patricia Wachter, the coordinator for the Stillpoint program, and who designed the clinical program, said that providing students clinical skills is a requirement of any professional massage therapy program. But, what makes this program unique is that the students get to practice setting up and running the clinics from start to finish in addition to performing the massages. The students are graded in the course on professional behavior, skills in assessing and evaluating the clients’ health history and how they implement a treatment plan.

“I particularly enjoy teaching this course. I know how important massage is for health and well-being,” Wachter said. “And because some of the general public often cannot afford private sessions. This clinic course allows people who otherwise would not go to a private massage therapist to do so.”

Wachter said while massage benefits people of all ages, for example to improve sleep patterns and reduce fatigue, it is particularly beneficial for the elderly because it can soothe arthritic joints to improve movement, relieve constipation, and elevate endorphins to improve their mood. She said many elderly people experience touch deprivation, especially if they have become widowed, and a massage can have benefits for them that go beyond what a younger person may experience.

“It helps them enjoy the activities of daily living better — things like gardening and housework. It helps them move more efficiently and work better,” Wachter said. “Their quality of life is enhanced because they feel better.”

The massage clinics begin Monday, February 11 and run through Wednesday, June 4. To schedule a clinic appointment or for more information about the Stillpoint Massage Therapy Certificate Program call (413) 775-1621.