Parker College students bring relief to patients at Children’s Medical Center

August 4, 2010 — The Parker School of Massage Therapy recently began a medical massage internship program at the Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.

To contribute to their advanced training, each student enrolled in the medical massage program participates. Working alongside current Children’s Medical Center massage therapists, the students are assigned to patients in the pain management center in an effort to provide relief.

Students enrolled in the medical massage program are currently licensed massage therapists obtaining additional training. “It’s such a privilege for Children’s Medical Center to open their doors for our students,” said, Kathy Gilkey, massage therapy instructor. “They learn hands-on experience that can’t be taught in the classrooms.”

Medial massage is a specialized concentration that focuses on the anatomy and physiology of the body and requires practitioners to have more extensive knowledge of muscular and skeletal conditions. Medical massage therapists provide care based upon soft tissue and joint exam findings and various other assessment procedures, such as history taking, observation, manipulation, neurological testing, and muscle testing. This level of advanced training prepares massage therapists to work alongside other health care professionals in order to deliver the most comprehensive care to their patients.

“The internship program is instrumental in providing our students with a strong foundation of knowledge regarding safe, effective, and appropriate medical massage techniques,” said Dr. Drew Riffe, director of Parker School of Massage Therapy.

Because many of Children’s Medical Center patients remain at the center for long periods of time, they often build bonding relationships with the students. “We feel honored to be a part of the childrens’ care and are glad to be making a difference in their lives,” said Gilkey. “It’s great to see smiles on the faces of the children as well as their parents when we help relieve any pain or anxiety they might be feeling.”

Studies show that approximately 30 percent of Americans are currently using massage therapy for medical purposes, including injury recovery, pain reduction, headache control, and for their overall health and wellness.

There are numerous benefits in receiving a medical massage including decreasing muscle pain and inflammation, releasing tight and sore muscles, relieving pressure on the nerves, deactivates myofascial trigger points, which have been shown to be responsible for as much as 74 percent of everyday pain, alleviates stress, aids in digestion, increases flexibility and range of motion, and more.

For more information or to apply, visit www.parkermassageschool.com or call 214-902-3485.

Source: Parker College of Chiropractic, www.parkercc.edu