Attention All Students!

Korrin B.

November 2, 2010 - 4:30 PM

Why I waited until my fifth year to do this, I will never understand. I hope that every undergraduate reads this blog post and takes me up on this advice - set up an appointment to get a massage at the UO Student Health Center.

I had always heard this myth that the Health Center provided massage services, but maybe I never really believed something so fabulous and convenient could also be so true. Then, the other week when I attended the Healthy Campus Initiative's Fun Run and Walk with the President, the myth became a clear reality. A little teaser massage at the physical therapy booth had me convinced that I needed to set up an appointment. Today was the day that it finally happened.

I started my day on campus lying on a cozy, heated bed with mellow, relaxing music playing and the scent of essential oils in the air. I can't remember a better start to a day on campus before this day. I explained where I was tense and where in my head I frequently felt my headaches and the masseuse worked on each of the parts I mentioned. She hit all of the pressure points that would relate to my areas of tension. It felt so wonderful to have a full 45 minutes of my life dedicated to simply relaxing. All I had to do was lie there. I didn't think about a thing. It was wonderful. I had arrived with a mild tension headache and left without one.

I think that it is so important that students take the time to relax. Students often have so much going on and they carry it all in their muscles. Multiple jobs, applications, classes, studying, and the list goes on - all of these weigh on a person after a while. Especially during midterms, I think it is such a great idea for students to find ways to truly relax for a bit.

It is wonderful that the UO has such a fully equipped Student Health Center full of talented staff. It is convenient and affordable. I found the beauty of the Health Center in my earlier years here at the UO, but I do wish I had found the massage service earlier. I have decided that I want to go in once a month for a massage now. Relaxation is vital to health and I am certainly going into a busy time of the year. I will need these moments to just relax and breathe.

I highly recommend both the Student Health Center in general and the massage service offered at the Health Center to all students. Take advantage of this great service your student fees provide!