WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J., March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Study after study has demonstrated massage therapy has an overall positive impact on patients undergoing treatment for cancer. In a unique partnership with Cortiva Institute Somerset School of Massage Therapy, students are offering massage to patients living with and undergoing treatment for cancer.

Raritan Bay Medical Center (RBMC) is an award winning, not for profit, teaching hospital that strives to provide integrative therapies to its patients. However positive these therapies can be, identifying funding sources can be daunting. Nonetheless, the demand for integrative therapies is evidenced by the American Hospital Association survey of September 2008 which indicated 37 percent of U.S. hospitals offer some form of complementary therapy, of which massage is most requested by both inpatients and outpatients.

"This is a wonderful collaboration that benefits both RBMC and Cortiva, but most importantly, it

The RBMC will offer massage therapy to patients through supervised student volunteers from Cortiva. Students meet their clinical requirements in a hospital environment and staff from both institutions will have an opportunity to collect data on the effects of massage on patients.

About Cortiva Institute

Cortiva Institute is a community of massage therapy schools with 11 locations nationwide, offering full and part-time massage therapy instruction, continuing education courses, student clinics that are open to the public and career services for graduates. Cortiva schools take a holistic and integrated approach to ensure that our graduates are prepared to work in clinics, hospitals, health clubs, spas, resorts, sports therapy clinics or start their own private practices. Go to www.Cortiva.com for more information.

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