Massage Clinic

Sep 2012

After dealing with debilitating chronic pain and migraines for several years, I was willing to try anything. My rheumotologist and neurologist both suggested I try acupuncture to see if it could offer any relief. Let's be clear - being poked with long needles is not my idea of a good time. I had no idea how this treatment could be relaxing or helpful, but I'd heard so many good stories so I decided to give it a try. After asking around, several people suggested I head to the massage therapy clinic at the Algonquin College gym. What? Algonquin College has a massage therapy clinic that isn't run by students (they do have a student-run one as well, but that's for another review)? Yes, yes they do. It's tucked away underneath the massive staircase that leads up to the gym. Anyway, after making an appointment with Dar Blue (yep, that's her real name!), I anxiously awaited my appointment. Dar was friendly and calming and explained the procedure to me, making ti very clear that acupuncture doesn't work for everyone, but that is can affect some people quite dramatically. She mentioned I might feel dizzy or ill afterwards. Yeah, I was terrified. She started with a relaxation massage, and I honestly didn't even notice when she started to insert the needles. It was totally painless. I had no adverse reactions, just relaxation and a zen-like feeling (no, I'm not a hippie). Afterwards Dar helped me with a lot of stretching techniques and told me that if I felt any effects it would be within the next 24-48 hours. I felt a lot better - less pain for sure. I'd recommend giving acupuncture a try if you suffer from any kind of chronic pain, and Dar is a great place to start.