The Power of Touch

Yesterday, our clinic clients made several of our graduating students cry.  But these were tears of joy.  For our students were reminded why they chose massage therapy in the first place.

As their next-to-last clinic, we took our students on a field trip to a nearby retired living facility.  Wednesdays are normally “outing” days for the residents there, but they agreed to stay in this day to get massaged.  And for 3 hours, that’s exactly what our students did – experiencing some very powerful stories along the way.

There was the woman who had undergone back surgery, was about to have foot surgery, and suffered from Parkinson’s.  After her massage, she told our student, “You gave circulation back to my legs.”

Then there was Leo, 98-years-old.  He hadn’t left his room in 2 months.  But massage brought him out.  Feeling so good afterwards, he said he might even venture out of his room more often.

Students practiced the gentle, caring touch that many seniors need.  One woman cried as she told her therapist, “I haven’t been touched in so long.”

Several students said they received the most meaningful, heartfelt client feedback they had ever gotten.  As they graduate next week, career and money are foremost on their minds.  But at the heart of it all is the power massage has to help people.