Cambrian College Massage Therapy students take field trip to University of Guelph – July 7

SUDBURY, ON – College is all about hands-on learning, and that was certainly the case recently for 15 Massage Therapy students and two faculty members at Cambrian College.

They travelled to the University of Guelph for a very unique experience. They spent the day  in the Human Anatomy Laboratory, learning from the gift of whole body donors as part of the university’s Human Body Donation Program. Students explored the intricate relationships between muscles, bones, organs, joints, and other anatomical structures while connecting classroom theory to real-world clinical practice.

Throughout the session, students worked in small groups alongside Nina Andrejic, Human Anatomy Laboratory Technician and Program Coordinator, as well as student facilitators from Guelph’s Kinetics and Biomedical Science programs.  

“Attending the Human Anatomy Laboratory was one of the most incredible, surreal, and memorable learning experiences I’ve ever had,” says Massage Therapy student Emma Gauthier. “One of the highlights was seeing exactly where muscles originate and insert, which gave me a much clearer understanding of how the body moves and functions. It was fascinating to compare real-life anatomy to the diagrams that we’ve always studied in class. This workshop will absolutely have a lasting impact on my future career as a registered massage therapist. Having a clearer understanding of human anatomy will allow me to better visualize the structures beneath the skin during my assessments and treatments. Perhaps the most unforgettable moment was having the opportunity to hold a human brain. same It was an experience that made learning anatomy feel incredibly real and so meaningful at the time. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.”  

The hands-on experience directly supports the Massage Therapy program’s curriculum by reinforcing the students’ knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and neurology while strengthening their understanding of soft tissues.

“Being able to understand human anatomy in three dimensions, pulling back each layer of tissue and seeing what lay beneath, as well as physically seeing and comparing the size and depth of the muscles, and seeing how different structures relate to one another not only strengthens my knowledge of anatomy and makes me better at palpation, but also reinforces my understanding of why certain massage techniques are necessary and why they produce the results they do,” adds Massage Therapy student Catherine Norrie. “This learning experience will make me a stronger massage therapist in my future career.”

The field trip to Guelph was also a learning experience for the Cambrian faculty members who accompanied the students.

“This was my second opportunity to participate in this workshop alongside our graduating students, and it continues to be an incredible learning experience,” explains Cambrian faculty member Ali McKee. “It is always rewarding to watch students make meaningful connections between their classroom studies and the anatomy they see first-hand. As faculty, we are consistently impressed by the level of knowledge our students bring, and their enthusiasm to ask questions and apply their understanding of anatomy. This session is expertly organized and highly engaging, and we look forward to returning next year with another group of students.”

The educational experience was made possible through the support of Cambrian’s Development office, along with the generosity of patients at the college’s on-campus Massage Therapy Clinic. During a recent fundraising campaign, clinic patients had the option of directing their $25 appointment fee toward supporting student participation in the anatomy session.

“This is the second year we’ve brought our students to the University of Guelph and I want to thank Human Anatomy Laboratory Technician and Program Coordinator Nina Andrejic and her team of exceptional student facilitators for providing our students with this great, hands-on learning experience that is strengthening their preparation for careers as massage therapists,” adds Cambrian faculty member Heather Wiebe. “I also want to express our deepest gratitude for the Human Anatomy Lab donors and their families, whose contributions provide an invaluable educational resource for future health care professionals.”  

For more information about CambrianCollege’s Massage Therapy program, visit https://cambriancollege.ca/programs/massage-therapy.

For more information about Cambrian College’s community massage therapy clinic, including booking a 75-minute appointment for $25, visit https://cambriancollege.ca/supports-services/massage-therapy-clinichttps://cambriancollege.ca/.