The Healing Touch: How Holistic Care Revives the Journalistic Spirit
- Karen Brittingham-Edmond
- 23 hours ago
- 3 min read
March 26, 2026
By Echo Staff
Healthcare
Monmouth County NJ - In the fast-paced, often grueling world of independent journalism, the weight of the "hard truth" can become a physical burden. For those of us at the Echo, New Jersey’s oldest Black-owned publication, reporting isn’t just a career—it is a mission to give voice to the voiceless. But recently, that mission led me into a darkness that nearly silenced my pen.
Two weeks ago, I found myself paralyzed by a profound sense of disappointment and depression. The catalyst was a series of harrowing reports regarding the foster care system on the East Coast. The statistics are staggering: for every one to three children currently missing in America, one is a Black child. Nationally, approximately 20,000 American Black children who were originally placed in the foster care system cannot be located. https://www.echonewstv.com/post/displaced-and-unprotected-how-housing-instability-and-systemic-failures-endanger-black-children
As a writer and a free thinker, reviewing the evidence of human trafficking and the systemic displacement of our youth felt like staring into an abyss. I saw a direct line between the over-saturation of insourced populations into already crowded Black communities—bypassing affluent, less-populated areas like Holmdel or Fair Haven—and the resulting gentrification and homelessness that pushes our children into the system. The realization that our children are being lost to "coyotes" and modern-day slave traders left me in a state of total despair. I stopped writing. My "writer’s block" wasn’t a lack of ideas; it was a soul-crushing fatigue.
That was when my daughter, Ariel, a trainee at the Brookdale Community College Massage Therapy program, stepped in. When she suggested a massage, I was skeptical. "A massage?" I asked. "What is that going to do for this kind of pain?"
Ariel explained the science of serenity. She shared how massage reduces cortisol (the stress hormone) while boosting serotonin and dopamine—the brain’s natural mood stabilizers. She spoke of how physical touch alleviates the manifestations of anxiety: the chronic tension in the shoulders, the headaches, and the heavy heart. I took her advice and secured a slot for a full one-hour session at the Brookdale clinical lab. From the moment I entered, the environment was a sanctuary—calming, professional, and meticulously clean. The student clinic operates like a "teaching hospital," where a diverse group of dedicated men and women transition from theory to real-world healing.
After an hour of focused relaxation techniques, I felt something I hadn’t felt in weeks: human. The professional and friendly staff at Brookdale didn't just rub away muscle knots; they helped break the mental chains of my depression. The technician reminded me that regular, consistent sessions are vital for mental wellness and healthy circulation. That hour of self-care provided the clarity I needed to refocus. It reminded me that while we must address the "obvious wrongs" and the selfish goals of political lobbyists, we cannot do so if we are broken.
The Echo highly recommends the Brookdale Community College Massage Therapy Team. Their professionalism and diversity reflect the best of our community. Thanks to them, I have my strength back. I am back at my desk, faithful to the truth, because telling the truth is the only way we overcome the travesties of our lives.
About the Brookdale Community College Massage Therapy Training
If you are looking for a career in healing or simply want to support this wonderful program, Brookdale offers a comprehensive 700-hour curriculum (552 lecture/lab hours and 100 clinical hours). The program prepares students for the national MBLEX exam and NJ state licensure.
Areas of Study Include:
Swedish Massage & Trigger Point Therapy
Myofascial Release & Neuromuscular Therapy
Prenatal, Reflexology, and Sports Massage
Anatomy, Physiology, and Ethics
Upcoming Session: Classes are held in-person at the Lincroft Campus.
Schedule: Monday through Friday
Requirements: 18+ years old, High School Diploma/GED, background check, and interview.
Self-care is not a luxury; it is a necessity for those who fight the good fight. Visit Brookdale and rediscover your strength.
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