Massages touch whole community

By Krista Maier

kmaie0010@algonquincollege.com

Isabelle Lagendyk, 75, had such bad arthritis, it affected her daily routines.

“You can’t imagine the pain,” says Lagendyk. “I couldn’t stand to do my dishes.”

But since September 2008, Lagendyk has been receiving treatment to ease her debilitating back pain at the student massage clinic on campus.

And what a difference it has made.

“I don’t cry every second I take a step,” says Lagendyk. “I can’t praise them enough.”

She is one of several regular clients for whom the clinic makes a difference every day.

The clinic’s reach has extended off-campus and has given massage students the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of community members.

Beverley Richer has been coming to the clinic for almost five years. She heard about the service from co-workers at her workplace.

“I come every two weeks and don’t get migraines anymore,” says Richer who was a lifelong migraine sufferer. Richer enjoys the treatments from students and relaxes completely as tension is worked out of her neck. “The students are very, very good,” she says.

Students are given the chance to hone their craft, developing necessary workplace skills before they graduate: a jump start to future success.

The three-year advanced diploma program at Algonquin teaches students the skills necessary to give massages, deal with client intake and assess treatment. Treatment methods include the use of temperature such as thermal therapy massages. Hot and cold packs are used to treat inflammation and relieve patients of pain.

Massage students also teach clients smart, at-home methods of maintaining comfort, including: stretching to strengthen muscles, breathing exercises and taking hot baths.

Soreness and stiffness are common ailments, according to Marvin Mohring, co-ordinator of the massage therapy program. Over time he notes that neck, back, and postural differences can cause pain, discomfort, headaches and adnominal issues.

“[It’s] affordable, it’s in a student learning environment, people appreciate students and we still provide individualized care,” says Mohring.

Abbey Allen, a third-year massage therapy student said that her attraction to the course was her interest in health and desire to help people. Allen says that she treats two patients in her weekly four-hour clinical, giving her lots of hands-on experience.

After completing the course and banking practical experience before graduating, what can students expect from their hard work?

Jennifer Langlois, the head therapist of Apollo Chiropractic and Wellness Clinic in south-end Ottawa, says the massage therapy program at Algonquin helped her acquire great skills guiding her into the perfect job. The 2006 graduate, who has been a personal trainer for eight years, was looking for a job that would be seamless with her interest in well-being.

“The clinic at school is fantastic,” says Langlois. “Just as good of a massage that you’d get outside [campus].”

Langlois agrees long hours, clinic times and hard work weren’t missing components of the program. But what was missing was marketing and advertising which is part of building up a client base. She suggests that a more intense business related course be added.