Midterms can be a stressful time for most students.
With midterms quickly approaching at Salt Lake Community College, the Center for Health and Counseling offers affordable services to help relieve a little tension, including massage therapy.
“A lot of students still don’t even know we exist, and it’s so much cheaper than out in the community for all aspects – counseling, medical and massage,” says Desiree Bosch, a SLCC student and medical assistant at the South City Campus center. “If you can get it cheaper, you might as well come here first.”
Massages have been known to improve an individual’s emotional and physical health. According to the Mayo Clinic, studies of the benefits of massage demonstrate it’s an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain and muscle tension.
Although more research is needed, some studies found massages to also be helpful for anxiety, digestive disorders, headaches, insomnia related to stress and sports injuries.
“Massage helps with several things like better circulation, it improves the mood, and overall happiness of your body,” says Sarah Jensen, a licensed massage therapist at the South City Campus and former SLCC student. “Fifteen seconds of consecutive touch releases endorphins in the brain that allows you to be happy and relax.”
Medical experts suggest consulting with a doctor before trying massage therapy for serious health conditions.
Massage therapy services are offered at the Taylorsville Redwood and South City campuses during the spring, summer and fall semesters. The Taylorsville campus offers massages Monday through Friday, located in the Student Center room 035 with appointments in the morning and afternoon. South City Campus offers appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays, located in room 1-143 with afternoon time slots only.
Hour-long massages cost $30 for students and $40 for staff and faculty. During that scheduled hour, 10 minutes are allotted for dressing and a consultation with the licensed therapist, with 50 minutes of massage.
Massages must be scheduled by appointment and on a first-come, first-serve basis. The center requires at least a 24-hour notice to reschedule or cancel an appointment and missed appointments will be charged.
“I was able to schedule an appointment in between classes and my therapist actually listened to my problem areas,” says Nellie Diaz, a SLCC sociology student and massage enthusiast. “It’s a great stress reliever when you’re feeling under pressure or just want to relax.”
Appointments can be made by calling 801-957-4268, and additional details on other services provided can be found online at the Center for Health and Counseling.
