Massage at Work: A Superior Benefit for Employees in the UK

Massage at Work: A Superior Benefit for Employees in the UK Getting a massage at work is rapidly becoming a highly sought after employee benefit in the UK. For both employees and employers, massage therapy at work has important benefits that can increase productivity and help retain valued workers. Here's some information about office massage that you might find interesting.

How Getting A Massage in the Workplace is Different

Massage in the workplace is somewhat different from traditional massage. First, you don't have to undress. Second, it's performed in a special chair, not a table, as in traditional massage. Third, chair massage at work does not use any creams or oils. To get a massage in the office, the employee simply sits in the comfortable massage chair and leans forward, placing their head in the padded cradle. The cradle has a cover that's changed after every massage.

Benefits of Massage at Work

Since many massage therapists are specially trained for chair massage, you can expect benefits that are practically identical to traditional massage. The only exception is that chair massage focuses on the upper body, including the arms and hands. This makes workplace massage an ideal tool for helping to relieve and prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition that effects many office workers. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) symptoms include weakness, soreness and tenderness of the muscles of the middle finger, index finger and thumb due to pressure on a nerve in the wrist. It's thought that 3% of women and 2% of men will be diagnosed with CTS, so massage therapy in the office will help prevent and alleviate symptoms of CTS. Other benefits of massage at work include temporary relief of tension headaches, neck pain and back pain.

Testimonials - Successful Massage Programs in Successful Companies

There is a growing number of companies, big and small, that believe in the benefits of massage therapy at work and offer it to their employees on a regular basis. The list is impressive and includes companies like Eddie Bauer, one of the 100 best companies to work for, according to Fortune Magazine. These companies recognize that massages at work will help lower stress, improve productivity and reduce absenteeism. An article in the magazine American Psychologist, the official journal of the prestigious American Psychological Association, discussed the results of a study in which one group of employees were given a 15-minute rest and another group were given a 15-minute massage. The study found that the massage group "performed significantly better on complicated tasks like math problems".

Workplace Massage Is Both Flexible and Beneficial

Many companies in the UK utilise massage at work for special events like employee appreciation days or in-house health fairs. Massage in the workplace is also highly customisable and can include relaxing music and aromatherapy. Also, companies have learned that massage improves creative thinking and relieves fatigue. Workplace massage is a benefit that's well received by employees while remaining cost-effective for employers.