"I have two uncles who are hardworking first responders – a paramedic and a firefighter. Both have told me about the difference massage therapy makes when it comes to performing the physical and mental tasks that come with their jobs.

Knowing how much they benefit makes me proud to participate in the first responders' massage therapy clinic at MacEwan. It feels really good to help the people who do so much to keep our communities safe. 

I hope the police, fire, EMS and military first responders who come to the clinic feel a difference, both mentally and physically. It’s easy to ignore stress and push through the aches and pains, but it’s so important to take time to relax, repair and rejuvenate. As Massage Therapy students, we spend a lot of time learning how our bodies function and how to improve and repair them through therapeutic touch, stretching and strengthening. We are looking forward to sharing exercises and tips that our first responder clients can use in their everyday lives. 

This clinic will probably be the first time some of our first responder clients have tried massage therapy. I hope they see how important it is to take care of themselves, that they enjoy the clinic, and that they will come back next year!"

–Hannah Cruthers, second-year Massage Therapy student