The following article appeared in the Jacksonville Times Union newspaper:
The lights are dim, oriental music plays softly and Kimberly Tucker of
Middleburg appears to be in a trance as she swirls her hands around her client's
bare back.
"It's kind of like dancing. I like helping people. I like the body. It's very
interesting," said Tucker, one of more than 100 students in the nine-month
massage therapy program at the rapidly growing Everest University in Orange
Park.
Formerly called Florida Metropolitan University, Everest has 14 campuses in
Florida, offering one, two and four-year programs. It's also home to Clay County's only massage therapy program.
Students run a free massage clinic on Wednesdays and Fridays to get their required 30 hours of practice. Though they don't advertise it, appointments fill up quickly, said Susan Stevenson, director of the massage therapy program.
"We get bombarded," said Stevenson who said she pursued massage therapy so she could set her own schedule. "If you have a table, you can work."
In recent years, Stevenson said, chiropractors have been hiring masseuses, so the job market is good. During their schooling, students learn anatomy, physiology, reflexology, Asian philosophies and special techniques for massaging pregnant women, infants or geriatric patients.
"I'm a nurturer by nature and this fits my personality," said instructor Diane Adams. "It's very gratifying. People appreciate you. And teaching massage helps my arthritis."
"I want to help people relax and enjoy themselves," said student Derrick Woodard of Orange Park, who left the glass industry to pursue his massage license. "I like helping people. Glass wasn't something that I was passionate about."
Tucker, a 2001 Middleburg High School graduate, plans to open her own salon called Sweet Release on Fleming Island. Because she loves caring for people, she first considered nursing.
"But I don't like blood," she said. "People say I'm a natural for this."
The free clinic is open 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays. Call to make an appointment.
"My roommate told me about it. It's great," said Steve Flamio of Mandarin, whose roommate works at Everest University and told him about the free massage clinic and he signed up for one.
"It's wonderful, clinically set up. It's great."
"This is the only way I can afford to keep up my massage therapy," said a military wife and fibromyalgia sufferer who frequents the free clinic and wishes to remain anonymous.
"Massage is what keeps me moving."
