WORKPLACE

Why Massage in the Workplace?

Workplace MassageToday, stress is a "fact of life".  The workplace is no exception. Deadlines, rapidly changing technology, and unavoidable interpersonal conflicts are just a few of the stresses workers cope with on a daily basis. The American Medical Association has noted that stress is the basic cause of more than 60% of all human diseases, it has enormous negative mental and physical effects, and yet we often forget how stressful our lives are. The cumulative effects of stress have shown to lead to everything from anger and anxiety to physical and emotional exhaustion, also known as "burn-out". Click here for signs and symptoms of stress.

Companies big and small have discovered the benefits of wellness in the workplace, and they’re using massage as a way to attract and keep employees, while also keeping them healthier and productive.

Boeing features an “Industrial Athlete Program” that offers massage to help improve employees’ physical and mental resilience.

Eddie Bauer offers massage as part of a wellness program that includes mammograms, a wellness room and a personal trainer at the company’s on-site gym.

Google has its own “Massage Program Manager,” who boasts on a YouTube video that the company has “massage going in multiple massage rooms eight hours a day, five days a week.”

What is Workplace Massage? 
Workplace MassageWorkplace massage is a short 10-30 minute massage given to employees at the workplace. The massages generally covers such areas as the head, neck, shoulder, back, arms, and hands, and can be adapted to special needs. The massages are given by licensed, medically trained massage therapists while employees sit in a specially designed chair built for comfort and support. They remain fully clothed and no oils or lotions are used. Massage not only leaves you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, it can have positive health implications as well. In just 10 minutes, your blood pressure and heart rate decrease

How Does Workplace Massage Work?
Normally massages take place in an empty office, conference or break room. Prior to massage day, a sign up list should be started so employees wishing to receive massages can sign-up.  The sign-up sheet should have a 5 minute buffer between each massage to allow time for change over. Example: If employees are to receive 10 minute massages, the schedule should be every 15 minutes on the signup sheet.

How Does Your Company Benefit?
The benefits are priceless because studies show employees commonly share the feelings of being overworked and underappreciated.

Massages not only leaves them feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, it can have positive health implications as well. In just 10 minutes, your blood pressure and heart rate decreases, causing a state of calmness. Plus massage in the workplace...

  • Increases employee morale by showing them that you care.
  • Decreases absenteeism
  • Lowers employee turn-over
  • Increases productivity
  • Decreases healthcare costs
  • It's tax deductible.

Will employees be too relaxed to work after massage?
No, just the opposite, short chair massages refreshes and rejuvenates.

According to Dr. Tiffany Field, University of Miami School of Medicine
“Any One Who Needs to Stay Alert and Focused...Should Get a "Massage – Quick!"
Field, Ironson, Pickens et al. (1996).International Journal of Neuroscience 86, 197-205

Controlled studies, conducted at University of Miami School of Medicine, Duke and Georgetown Universities. Groups of subjects received 15-minute chair massages ,while other groups rested for the same period of time. EEG results showed that subjects who received chair massages, had an increase in delta brain waves, suggesting they were more relaxed than the rested group and a decrease in alpha and beta brain waves (indicating greater alertness). The massaged subjects also worked math computations faster and more accurately than the groups who only rested for the same periods of time. So, if you want your employees alert and focused, bring massage into your workplace.

 Dr. Tiffany Field told "More" magazine. Any type of massage, including chair massage, can reduce stress, improve sleep, help sore and tight muscles and enhance immunity.

Chair massage offered at the workplace can improve productivity and reduce stress. A study published in the "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine" in 2011 found that twice a week chair massages decreased musculoskeletal aching and pain and increased range of motion after one month. "Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice" in 2012 reported a study showing that offering 15-minute chair massages to nurses during work hours significantly reduced their stress. When employees aren't hurting and aren't stressed, they're more able to focus on job-related tasks.

Who pays for the massage, the company or the employees? Most companies pay for employees to receive massage, some share the cost with employees, while others let employees foot the entire bill. Either way bringing massage therapy to the workplace is a win-win for any company and it's employees.

How much does it cost?
Each office and event is different, so simply get a quote for your office or contact us to discuss your needs. We welcome the opportunity to be of service and strive to form a long term relationship with each of our clients. Whether its once a year or once a week, each clients and their satisfaction is very important to us. We want to be your massage provider. Contact us today about bringing massage to your workplace.