On May 15, students from Niagara College’s Massage Therapy Program participated in a hands-on learning experience by providing complimentary massages to employees at Airbus Helicopters in Fort Erie as part of their Mental Health Week initiatives.
“The community collaboration with Airbus Helicopters was a great opportunity for our students to gain first-hand experience interacting with clients while practicing their massage techniques,” said Jacqueline Quinn, RMT Placement Officer, School of Allied Health. “Our students were able to assess where each person is experiencing stress, strain and weakness and then provide a treatment to help them function better, giving them valuable real-world experience treating various client needs.”
Massage therapy offers numerous benefits including reduced stress, reduced muscle tension, improved circulation and also promotes positive mental health – something that can often be overlooked.
“Massage therapy is often thought of as something that helps reduce pain or tension but there is evidence that regular massages have additional benefits including reduced anxiety and depression, improved moods, more energy and an overall increased feeling of wellness,” said Quinn.
“It was a pleasure to have Massage Therapy students from Niagara College join us during Mental Health Week,” said Dwayne Charette, President, Airbus Helicopters Canada. “Their professionalism and commitment to ensuring each person received personalized care was amazing and we look forward to working with NC on future collaborations.”
For Massage Therapy student Welly Hanenberg, the opportunity to visit Airbus Helicopters deepened her understanding of the positive impact of massage.
“My experience treating employees from Airbus Helicopters allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of mental wellness in relation to massage therapy,” said Hanenberg. “While massage is all about healing the physical body, it can also play a supportive role in mental wellbeing.”
In total, 13 second year students participated in this community collaboration which will count towards the 330 hands-on hours they must complete before graduation. Throughout their time at NC, students will work with various organizations throughout the Niagara Region such as Niagara Health, Hospice Niagara, the Brock Functional Inclusive Training Centre, and NCSAC to practice their skills while becoming confident when interacting with clients.
“I chose to enroll in the Massage Therapy program because I’ve always wanted to make a real difference in people’s lives,” said Hanenberg. “After participating in Airbus Helicopters’ Mental Health Week and treating people from various departments including manufacturing, engineering and administration, I know that I’ve made an impact and helped them feel their best.”
