Aaron VehlingUW-Eau Claire students and faculty wishing to escape the stresses of academia can find relief in Eau Claire’s Massage Therapy Center, located in the Crest Wellness Center on Upper Campus.
As an over-stressed student, senior Elizabeth Rodgers started to receive massages in 2001 when she needed to escape college pressures, both in and out of the class.
“I was looking for a way to relieve stress and relax,” Rodgers said.
She found her outlet for stress when she came across Eau Claire’s massage therapy program.
“I usually go about twice a semester, when times get really stressful,” Rodgers said. “I would recommend anyone to go to stay healthy.”
The program, which is offered through University Recreation, focuses on improving health through relaxation, said Eileen Sitter, one of the massage therapists on staff.
“A lot of people are looking for more relaxation and trying to get away from the stresses of the world,” Sitter said.
| Massage Therapy Students and faculty can call the center at 836-3377 to make an appointment for any time between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. any day of the week. |
Ranging from 30 to 90 minutes and focusing on everything from the neck to the full body, each session consists of a therapist using primarily Swedish and Deep Tissue massage techniques, Sitter said.
Soft music is played in the background and the lights are dimmed, Sitter said.
She also pointed out that the client is completely covered with blankets except for the area that is being massaged.
The program focuses not only on relaxation, but also on overall physical health, said Vicki Reed, associate director of intramural sports and one of the people responsible for implementing the program in January 2001.
“People didn’t have the understanding of the benefits of massage therapy back then,” Reed said.
Having undergone massage therapy in her graduate school days, Reed said she knew how valuable the program could be to Eau Claire faculty and students.
Reed teamed with William Harms, associate vice chancellor of Student Services, to bring the UW System’s first massage therapy program to Eau Claire.
“We thought it be a wonderful benefit to offer the members of the community,” Reed said.
Massage therapy helps everyone, she said, from athletes who want to enhance their health, to people who want to overcome daily stresses such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Sitter agreed, and listed health benefits for massage therapy that ranged from improved muscle tone to improved circulation.
Despite the multiple health benefits of massage, the center’s schedule has many openings and a small number of clients.
“Students are not aware that it is offered for an inexpensive price at the university,” Rodgers said.
Price ranges vary based on time, beginning at $18.50 for 30 minutes and running to $38.50 for 90 minutes.
After graduation, Rodgers said she plans to continue receiving massage therapy, but not as frequently because, “it’s more expensive in the real world.”
