REC provides clinically referred massage

Boise State University student health insurance covers the cost

of clinical massage for students who visit the Health and Wellness

Center and receive a doctor’s referral.

The REC Center provides the massage by appointment coordinated

through the Health and Wellness Center. The patient pays a standard

$5 charge for use of the clinic.

Lisa Stuppy, assistant director of BSU Campus Recreation, said

many students are unaware that the REC provides clinically referred

massage.

Students should take advantage of it, but they must go see a

provider at the clinic first, Stuppy said. The Health and Wellness

Center also aids in scheduling the massage session before the

patient leaves the clinic. The staff phones the REC Center to

reserve a time and date suitable for the patient.

Normally patients with sore muscles, joint pain or those with

complaints about migraines, depression or anxiety receive massage

referrals. Colleen Roberson, administrative assistant to the Health

and Wellness Center, often recommends massage to patients with the

right ailments.

“We usually refer about five to 10 massages a week on

average,” Roberson said.

The REC Center offers five clinically referred massage

techniques to the patient based on the type of referral.

Ben Falter, a certified massage therapist with 15 years of

massage experience and almost two years working with BSU, provides

clinically referred massages. He encourages students to reap the

benefits of his services.

Most students who take advantage of the treatment return for

repeat sessions.

“It’s very hard to fix problems in one session. What

they have didn’t just happen overnight, is usually long-time

pain they are just getting around to. But they can keep coming back

and it’s free for them, more people should know about

it,” Falter said.

The REC Center also provides general massage for anyone

interested. Josie Palomo, a certified massage therapist and recent

graduate of massage school, usually provides this service. On

occasion, an extern, who will graduate from massage school in May,

performs the service.

Having massage school graduates and externs provide the services

allows the REC Center to keep their rates low, while offering

quality therapy.

Lisa Stuppy offered some creative ideas for purchasing

certificates. She said they can be bought by anyone who knows of

someone who might enjoy it, or if it is the end of the semester and

you want to bribe a professor.

 

 

 

Crystal Thomas, The Arbiter

Related Posts:

1. Boise State Nursing Program gets new look
2. Workshop sizzles and sooths
3. Get your flu shot
4. Never retreat. unless to look good
5. Raising awareness, taking action