Massage answer to violence?

Press, 15 September 1988, Page 4

Massage answer to violence?

Giving prisoners regular treatment with a muscle massage unit could reduce violence in the penal system, a Christchurch businessman told members of the Committee of Inquiry into Prison Systems yesterday.

Mr John Cosic, the Christchurch sales manager of Niagara Therapy, said in a submission that the company’s mechanical masseurs would relax inmates’ muscles and reduce tension among the prisoners. Mr Cosic, who demonstrated the device on each. of the panel members during his testimony, said the machine relaxed muscles of patients within 20 minutes — even if the treatment

was involuntary. “It is a purely mechanical action. When applied to the body, it relaxes the body — even if the body doesn’t want to,” Mr Cosic said.

However, one panel member said she was not certain how effective the technique would be. “My reservation is that you are actually treating the stress rather than addressing the causes of it,” said Ms Kathy Dunstall, of Christchurch. Mr Cosic conceded that the machines would be only a partial solution but said they could help. “By relaxing muscles, it helps people calm down and think clearly,” he said.