Chicago, IL - November 14, 2008 – For the past 25 years, the faculty, students and graduates of Cortiva Institute - Chicago have been a fixture of comfort at the annual Chicago Marathon. The Cortiva team celebrated this quarter century of support on Oct. 12, providing more than 1,000 massages in less than five hours at the 2008 Chicago Marathon.
"We count on the Cortiva massage therapists extensively," said George Chiampas, Chicago Marathon Medical Director. "Along with volunteer physicians and nurses, they provide the runners with overall care."
In a 9,600-square-foot tent in Grant Park, near Chicago's famous Buckingham Fountain, more than 200 students, teachers and alumni of Cortiva Institute - Chicago were on hand to soothe sore racers.
"We have a highly skilled faculty and alumni group that guides the team," said Susan Barney, Cortiva Institute - Chicago Career Services and Alumni Relations Director. "There are two massage therapists at every table to care for each athlete."
Runners present with conditions ranging from cramps and common strain symptoms to plantar fasciitis and hypertonicity. The Cortiva team aims to enhance circulation to muscle tissue, alleviating pain and fatigue.
"When you put your body through 26 miles of exertion, you're going to see some issues," Chiampas said. "Every year, we have a large number of runners cramping up."
According to Barney, the runners are openly grateful for the massage, and the Cortiva team is glad to provide it.
"The massage therapists get a chance to watch their work positively affect an athlete's body," she said. "To see an athlete come into the tent cramping and feeling sore, and then leave the tent feeling relief is very satisfying."
In addition to providing massage on marathon day, the Cortiva team also works with runners before and after the race, at the school's massage clinic in downtown Chicago.
What began in 1983 with 55 massage therapists has turned into a highly anticipated annual tradition. Cortiva alumni, staff and students look forward to supporting this major Chicago event and the athletes who make it happen.
"Every year we have been at the finish line," said Bob King, co-founder of Cortiva Institute - Chicago. "We are known for the expertise and impact we provide in pre- and post-event massage."
For more information about Cortiva Institute, visit www.cortiva.com 
or call 1-866-CORTIVA.
About Cortiva Institute
Cortiva Institute is a national community of Massage Therapy Schools with 10 locations nationwide, offering full and part-time massage therapy instruction, continuing education courses, student clinics that are open to the public, and job placement services for graduates.
For more information about Cortiva Institute, visit www.cortiva.com .
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Press Contact: Fernando Lopez
Company Name: Cortiva Institute
Email: flopez@cortiva.com 
Phone: 201-215-6314
Website: www.cortiva.com
