Students can now pay for a caring touch at the Office of Campus Recreation.

Shiatsu, a new service offered by the Office of Campus Recreation this fall, is a form of acupressure that deals not only with the body, but with emotions, mind and spirit, said Sopheap Long, an intern at the Rec Center. Acupressure is different from acupuncture, which involves needles.

Acupressure helps eliminate insomnia, anxiety, depression, muscular tension and headaches. It also helps digestive disturbances, menstrual dysfunction, backache, sprains and strains, among other things.

“I recommend it for different reasons,” Long said. “It really depends on the individual. I think it helps to promote overall wellness by reducing tension in the muscles and anxiety levels for students, especially around midterms and finals.”

Massage therapy is also a service offered through the Rec Center that has been available for more than five years. Massage therapy benefits are physical, mental and emotional.

Brett Muhlan, a graduate student at NIU, has received massages at the Rec.

“Getting a massage is very relaxing,” Muhlan said. “It allows you to escape from everything going on. It’s a great de-stressor!”

The physical benefits include relieving muscle tension and stress. Massages also relieve muscle spasms, improve blood circulation and strengthen the immune system. The mental benefits of massage therapy include a relaxed state of alertness, as well as reduced mental stress and enhanced personal creativity.

Costs for these services range from $20 to $25 for half an hour, depending on student status or Rec Center membership, and $40 to $45 for a full hour. Seated chair massages are available for $15 for 15 minutes.

A variety of students, faculty and staff use the Shiatsu and message therapy, Long said. Gift certificates are available for both therapies.

The Rec isn’t the only place in town that offers massages.

Rice Chiropractic Life Center, 229 E. Hillcrest Drive in DeKalb, offers massage therapy for $30 an hour. The center charges $20 for a half hour.

Therapeutic Massage Center, 650C Peace Road in DeKalb, also offers massages for $60 an hour and $35 for a half hour.