Conestoga College’s massage clinic gives message therapy students real-life experience

Students training to be registered massage therapists are seeing demand before going into the workforce. Colton Wiens explains.

The first cohort of Conestoga College’s registered massage therapist program is set to graduate in April.

To properly prepare students for their future careers, the school opened its own clinic offering both therapeutic and relaxation massages at a reduced cost to the public. It was set up in an administrative building on its Doon campus, which was renamed the Therapeutic Science Building.

“We are short of RMTs, and we’d really like to get more into the community,” explained Melanie Levesque, professor and program coordinator.

“I love the healing aspect of it,” said second-year student Marica Florea. “I do want to be a healer, and I want to integrate holistic healing.”

The clinic opened in September 2024 and students have welcomed the practical experience.

“It gives us an opportunity treat different issues and see a wide variety of different bodies,” Florea said. “Our very first week, we had a client who was hard of hearing and fully deaf. That was a hurdle to get over and something that you will see in a real practice. It gives us experience before we’re in the real world.”

“There is a lot more anatomy than I was expecting,” said second-year student Sierra Whitley. “We learn lots about the face, the skull and all the bones and muscles. Definitely to a higher degree than I was expecting when I first decided to get into the program.”

Experienced RMTs are also on hand to help supervise the appointments.

“Our students are equipped to assess and treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, from repetitive strain to perhaps a neurological condition, so individuals that may have been afflicted with a stroke or multiple sclerosis,” Levesque explained. “Our students have the theoretical knowledge, as well as the practical skills, to be able to treat those clients.”

The school said the clinic has seen 917 clients and booked more than 1,600 appointments since it opened in September.

An hour-long appointment with a second-year or third-year student costs $25 and employees at the college get a $10 discount. Clients cannot use their benefits for the appointments, however, as the students are not registered RMTs.

“They can expect a full assessment from us and a full health history interview, as well as a treatment based on what they are coming in for,” Florea explained.

“Students not only treat specific conditions, but they are also able to treat wellness,” added Levesque.

“I was wondering… what kind of quality we get,” Sheri Copplestone, a second-time client and Conestoga College employee, told CTV News Friday. “I must say, from what I’ve experienced, these guys are really highly qualified. I actually do feel like I’m in a proper massage practice.”

Appointments can be booked online.

Conestoga College launched its massage therapy program in 2022 and eventually hopes to offer an accelerated two-year program.