Rick Johnson, a former golf professional turned massage therapist, chats with Ashley Owusu-Sampah while giving her a massage. Photo by Traci Brooks.

Traci J. Brooks

Director of Photography

Looking for a way to relax during finals? Almost 50 lucky students at Loudoun got a free massage to help relieve stress on Dec. 2.

Rick Johnson, one of the massage therapists, said he got into massage therapy because of his own injuries from being a professional golfer. He noted that massage therapy was “tremendous for circulation and stress relief,” and that it releases endorphins to ease pain.

Valerie Morgan, a former nurse who has been a massage therapist for 11 years, agrees with Johnson, noting that massage therapy is great for students. “They spend a lot of time at the computer hunched over, so they get a lot of tension in their shoulders and neck,” she commented.

And the students? This was Ashley Owusu-Sampah’s first time getting a massage. She said the massage was “awesome and ticklish.” Robert Olson, an engineering student, called the massage relaxing and “definitely rewarding.”

Robert Olson enjoys a massage in between classes. Photo by Traci Brooks.

Ashley Owusu-Sampah receives a complimentary massage to help relieve the stress of finals. Photo by Traci Brooks.

By: Traci J. Brooks

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