March 20, 2022, was "Global Massage Makes Me Happy Day." The Hocking College Massage Therapy Program is an Ambassador School for this event. To celebrate, the college dedicated the week of March 20 through March 26 to educate people in the community about the health benefits of massage and the career options available for massage therapists.
The Global Wellness Institute is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote wellness and educate the public about the benefits of massage. The institute began the "Massage Makes Me Happy" initiative in 2018 to promote awareness of the healing properties of touch therapies.
According to research, massage therapy is proven to reduce stress, relieve pain, reduce inflammation, improve circulation, reduce tension in muscles, reduce blood pressure, and increase the function of the immune system. It helps many disorders or diseases, including arthritis, asthma, ADHD, autism, diabetes, fibromyalgia, migraines, multiple sclerosis, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Students in the Massage Therapy Program submitted essays and 20-second videos answering how "Massage Makes You Happy and Healthy" to the Global Institute's "Massage Makes Me Happy" Alex Fuchs' Legacy Essay Contest. Misti Malfe, a massage therapy student at Hocking College, won the contest, winning $1,000 in cash and massage therapy prizes.
Massage Therapy students also opened the lab to the other students, faculty, and staff for 20-minute upper body massages, allowing students hands-on practice and helping them destress.
Hocking College offers an Associate Degree program in Massage Therapy, as well as a Certificate track which prepares students to earn a Massage Therapy License in the state of Ohio in only three semesters. To learn more about the Massage Therapy Programs at Hocking College, go to www.hocking.edu/massage-therapy.
