Therapeutic Massage

Phone: 706-542-8634

Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm

Location: Massage Therapy is located within the Physical Therapy Department on the first floor of the University Health Center.

Accessing Services

Massage Therapy is available by appointment on a daily basis. Appointments may be scheduled by calling 706-542-8634 or online using OpenCommunicator.

No prescription or referral is needed for massage therapy, and gift certificates may be purchased for yourself, other students, spouses, or faculty at the UHC Business Office (706-542-8621).

Contact our department for information on massage therapy presentations for the student community.

What is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy is a general term for health and healing practices involving touch and movement. It is a profession in which the practitioner applies manual techniques, and may apply adjunctive therapies, with the intention of positively affecting the health and well-being of the client.

What to Expect

The massage therapist will review your symptoms and needs and will ask you questions about your problem and condition. A variety of massage techniques are used to reduce tension and pain, improve blood flow, relax muscles, and provide a sense of well being and relaxation.

Privacy: Before your session, you will be asked to enter the room, undress (as much as you are comfortable with: most people undress down to their underwear), lay on the massage table, and lay a sheet over the top of your body. The therapist will use a sheet to drape you during the session to provide coverage and ensure that modesty is respected. After the session is over, you will be provided privacy while getting dressed.

How to Get the Most From Your Massage

• Don't eat just before a massage session. Your body should have time to digest your meal first.
• Be on time. It is quite difficult to relax if you arrive in a rushed state.
• Try to be open-minded and receptive to the massage therapist and session.
• Let the massage therapist know your expectations and reasons for the massage.
• If you have a preference, communicate with the therapist if you like to talk or prefer to remain silent during your massage.
• Provide feedback to the massage therapist advising on the amount of pressure you desire, report any discomfort or distractions from the technique, music, temperature, etc.
• Breathing properly helps us relax, so try to breathe normally.
• Relax.
• Drink plenty of water after your massage, this helps to flush away any toxins released from your soft tissue.
• Take your time when getting up from a massage. Try to take in how you feel, the effects of the session, and make sure you are not dizzy or light-headed.
• Therapeutic effects of massage are cumulative. If you are getting a massage to help with chronic pain or tension, be open and prepared to schedule follow up massage sessions.

University Health Center Massage Policies

Cancellation of appointments:
Massage appointments are reserved for a specific client. We request the courtesy fo a 24-hour cancellation notice. No shows or cancellations of less than 24 hours are subject to a $15 fee.

Late Arrivals:
Late arrivals will not receive an extension of scheduled services unless schedule permits. Late arrivals will be responsible for full-service costs.

Brochures (pdf)

How to Carry Your Backpack to Reduce Neck and Joint Pain/Injury
Repetitive Stress Injury / Proper Work Station
How to Take Care of Your Back

Useful Links

American Massage Therapy Association
www.amtamassage.org

American Physical Therapy Association
www.apta.org

WebMD
www.webmd.com

Our Massage Therapy Staff

Gaiea Goldberg, Massage Therapist
Rene Guimaraes, Massage Therapist
Elizabeth Sheppard, Massage Therapist

Reduce Stress With Massage Therapy! $50 for a 55 minute massage $30 for a 25 minute massage for fees-paid students (For non-fees paid students and faculty/staff: $60/55 minutes, $40/25 minutes hour) Package Pricing: Three 55 minute massage sessions: ($140 FP)/$170 Five 55 minute massage sessions: ($235 FP)/$285 Ten 55 minute massage sessions: ($425 FP)/$525 Three 25 minute massage sessions: ($85 FP)/$115 Five 25 minute massage sessions: ($140 FP)/$190 Ten 25 minute massage sessions: ($260 FP)/$360 For massage gift certificates, parents, friends, students, & faculty may contact the Business Office at 706-542-8621.

List of Services

Prices are listed for each service.
UGA students who have paid their Health Fee pay the Fees-Paid rate (FP) noted in parentheses.

UHC Signature Massage:

A combination of swedish, deep tissue, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, myoskeletal alignment, and reflexology.

25 minutes: ($30 FP)/$40 - 55 minutes: ($50 FP)/$60 - 80 minutes: ($75 FP)/$90

Swedish/Relaxation Massage:

Used to relieve muscle tension, reduce stress, increase circulation, release toxins, and improve skin and muscle tone. A system of long strokes, kneading and friction techniques on the more superficial layers of the muscles, combined with active and passive movements of the joints.

25 minutes: ($30 FP)/$40 - 55 minutes: ($50 FP)/$60 - 80 minutes: ($75)/$90

Deep Tissue Massage and Myofascial Release:

Used to release patterns of tension in the body through slower and stretching strokes as well as more deep finger pressure on contracted areas in muscle, tendons, and fascia.

25 minutes: ($35 FP)/$45 - 55 minutes: ($55 FP)/$65 - 80 minutes: ($80)/$95

Prenatal and Pregnancy Massage:

Used to relieve both physical and emotional discomforts of pregnancy. In the session, clients will be comfortably supported with pillows and cushions. Used to reduce swelling in the hands and lower legs, alleviate pain, and improve skin elasticity to help reduce stretch marks. (For women in 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy only).

Schedule with Massage Therapist Elizabeth Sheppard only.
25 minutes: ($35 FP)/$45 - 55 minutes: ($55 FP)/$65 - 80 minutes: ($80 FP)/$95

Reiki Energy Healing Therapy:

Reiki is a healing practice that originated in Japan. During a Reiki session, the practitioner places their hands lightly on or just above the person receiving treatment, with the goal of facilitating the person's own healing response. In the United States, Reiki is part of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). It is used to promote overall health and well-being. Reiki creates a very peaceful state of mind, and may commonly be used for chronic pain and insomnia.

Schedule with Massage Therapist Renildo Guimaraes only.
45 minutes: ($45 FP)/$55

Package Pricing:

Three 55 minute massage sessions: ($140 FP)/$170
Five 55 minute massage sessions: ($235 FP)/$285
Ten 55 minute massage sessions: ($425 FP)/$525

Three 25 minute massage sessions: ($85 FP)/$115
Five 25 minute massage sessions: ($140 FP)/$190
Ten 25 minute massage sessions: ($260 FP)/$360

Gift Certificates are available for purchase at the Cashier's desk or by calling 706-542-8621.