Massage Therapy Clinic

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Welcome

Welcome to the Massage Therapy Clinic at Stark State College.  

Our massage therapy students and highly qualified licensed massage therapist staff provide massage to the public. Our students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills by working directly with the public in a supervised setting. 

Appointments are required. Please call 330-494-6170 ext. 4725. We only accept phone calls for appointments. Please, no walk-ins. 

Cost for a 50-minute massage

  • $25 for the public. 
  • $15 for Stark State College and Kent State University-Stark students, faculty and staff. 
  • $15 for individuals aged 65 or older.  
  • Veterans: One (1) free monthly visit, then $15 for every subsequent appointment that month. 
  • Cash or check only. Gift certificates are available. 
Massage Therapy Clinic intake form

Location  

Stark State College
6200 Frank Ave. NW,
North Canton, OH 44720  

Health Sciences Building (J110)

Directions 

Enter from Mega Street to the parking lot on the right with free parking spaces reserved for clinic patients only, as well as an exterior door for client entry. Handicap accessible.

Clinic policies and ethics

  • Massage sessions are available by appointment only. 
  • Payment is due at the time of the massage appointment. Payment must be in cash or check. Credit cards are not accepted. 
  • Massage sessions are typically up to 50 minutes in length. 
  • All massage therapy clinic patients will be required to wear underwear at all times during their massage. Women can remove their bras during their massage but must keep their underwear on. Stark State College is a student-oriented educational facility. We implemented this policy to protect our students. 
  • For the safety and security of our students, the curtains between massage tables will be clipped closed when you are undressing and redressing. During the massage, a small gap will be maintained. 
  • Appointments are reserved for the time slot chosen. Patients arriving late for their appointments will receive the remainder of their time. Patients who are late by more than 15 minutes must reschedule their massage. 
  • Inappropriate or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Suggestive comments, sexual innuendos, touching of a massage student in an inappropriate way, being aggressive toward the student or faculty, or causing disruption will result in the termination of the massage session. Stark State Security will be contacted, and the patient will not be allowed to return for further massages. 
  • Clinic policy forbids the Clinic Supervisor or student from giving out a massage student’s phone number or contact information to any patient. Likewise, social media contact is not permitted between students and patients. 
  • Patients are not permitted to request a particular massage student; however, gender preferences will be respected at the discretion of the Clinic supervisor. 
  • Please arrive at the massage clinic approximately 15 minutes prior to your first session to fill out a brief medical form. Patients may wish to download the intake form from our site, fill it out and bring it with them to their initial appointment. 
  • Patient records are kept secure and confidential (see Privacy Policy below). 
  • Patients are expected to exhibit good hygiene by showering before appointments and are asked to minimize the use of perfume, cologne and heavily scented personal products. 
  • The use of cell phones is not allowed in the massage clinic or during the massage session. Please silence or turn off cell phones prior to entering the clinic. 
  • This clinic follows the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the American Massage Therapy Association (www.amtamassage.org).  
  • Since Stark State massage students are not licensed, tipping is not allowed. All tips will be submitted to a scholarship fund for students enrolled in the massage therapy program. 
  • Since there is only a curtain separating each massage area, we ask that you keep talking to a minimum, so that everyone may enjoy their experience. 
  • A minor (under 18) can receive a massage with written parental permission and parental attendance at the massage clinic during the massage session. 
  • While last-minute cancellations do occur, excessive cancellations or no-shows will not be tolerated. If a patient no-shows or has last-minute cancelations for three successive appointments, they will not be welcomed back by the massage clinic.

Your massage therapy records are kept in the strictest confidence by this clinic. All patient records are kept in a secure place, and only those who need to see a patient’s file for legitimate business or professional purposes have access to them. Your records will not be released to third parties, including healthcare providers and insurance companies, without your written consent. Records may be surrendered if required by law. 

This code of ethics is a summary statement of the standards by which massage therapists agree to conduct their practices and is a declaration of the general principles of acceptable, ethical, professional behavior. 

Massage therapists shall:

  1. Demonstrate commitment to provide the highest quality massage therapy/bodywork to those who seek their professional service. 
  2. Acknowledge the inherent worth and individuality of each person by not discriminating or behaving in any prejudicial manner with clients and/or colleagues. 
  3. Demonstrate professional excellence through regular self-assessment of strengths, limitations and effectiveness by continued education and training. 
  4. Acknowledge the confidential nature of the professional relationship with clients and respect each client’s right to privacy. 
  5. Conduct all business and professional activities within their scope of practice, the law of the land and project a professional image. 
  6. Refrain from engaging in any sexual conduct or sexual activities involving their clients. 
  7. Accept responsibility to do no harm to the physical, mental and emotional well-being of self, clients and associates. 
AMTA standars of practice

10 Tips to get the most from your massage

  1. Be as receptive and open to the massage process as possible. 
  2. Don’t eat just before a massage session. Let your body digest your meal first. 
  3. Be on time. If you arrive in a frenzied, rushed state, it may take longer to relax. 
  4. Take off only as much clothing as you are comfortable removing. If you don’t want to remove your clothing, wear clothing that will be comfortable during the massage and will allow the massage therapist to touch and move the areas of your body you expect will need to be massaged.  
    • Privacy – The therapist will either leave the room or otherwise provide privacy while you undress. A sheet or towel is provided for draping during the massage, and the therapist will uncover only the part of your body being massaged, ensuring that modesty is respected at all times. After the massage is finished, you will be provided with privacy while dressing. 
  5. Communicate with your massage therapist. 
    • Before the session, give accurate health information and let the massage therapist know your expectations and reasons for the massage. 
    • Allergies to oils, lotions, powders. The therapist may use oil, lotion or powders to reduce friction on your skin. If you are allergic to any oils, lotions or powders, tell your massage therapist, who can choose a substitute. 
    • Some massage therapists play recorded music during the massage session. Others find music distracting. If it’s provided, let your massage therapist know if you have any music preferences or if you would prefer them to turn off the music. 
    • Some people like to talk during a massage, while others remain silent. Tell your massage therapist what you prefer. 
    • During the massage session, report any discomfort, whether it’s from the massage or due to any problems or distractions related to the environment (e.g., room temperature, music volume, lighting, etc.). 
    • Give feedback to the massage therapist during the massage on the amount of pressure, speed of hand movement, etc. If anything happens that you dislike or seems improper, you have the right to ask the massage therapist to stop. If necessary, you also have the right to end the session. 
    • Don’t be afraid to discuss any apprehensions or concerns. It’s important that you be as comfortable as possible during your massage. Your massage therapist is a professional dedicated to doing their best to help you feel at ease. 
  6. Remember to breathe normally. Breathing helps facilitate relaxation. People often stop or limit their breathing when they feel anxious or a sensitive area is massaged. 
  7. Relax your muscles and your mind. Tightening up by contracting or hardening your muscles during the massage is counterproductive. Let your massage therapist know if this is happening. They may need to adjust the massage technique they use and may also be able to help you relax the affected area. If you find your thoughts race during the massage, one way to be more body-centered and to quiet your mind is to follow the hands of the massage therapist and focus on how the touch feels. 
  8. Drink extra water after your massage. 
  9. Don’t get up too quickly and do allow for some open, quiet time after your massage session. If you’re dizzy or lightheaded after the massage, do not get off the table too fast. It also may take a little time to integrate or absorb the results of the massage session. 
  10. Be prepared to schedule several massage sessions. Massage has its greatest benefits over time. The therapeutic effects of massage are cumulative, so the more often you get a massage, the better you will feel and the more quickly your body will respond. From one session to the next, relaxation deepens as the chronic patterns of stress in the body are affected and released. If you’re getting massage to address chronic muscular tension or recovery from a soft tissue injury, more than one session is usually needed. 

Contact the Clinic

location_on

Massage Therapy Clinic
Health Sciences Building (J110)
Stark State College
6200 Frank Ave. NW,
North Canton, OH 44720

Kimberly Faust-Younkin
Massage Therapy Clinic Supervisor

phone

330-494-6170 ext. 4725

mail

kyounkin@starkstate.edu

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