Managing stress in your office

Background Information

Stress is a prevalent component in today's fast-paced world which can negatively impact on an individual's health and well-being. Massage therapy has been shown to be a means by which stress can be reduced significantly on physical and psychological levels. While massage therapists know from experience that massage reduces stress, there is considerable research that validates our experience.

In a study on the effect of trigger point therapy¹, there was a significant decrease in heart rate, systolic blood pressure⁸, and diastolic blood pressure⁸. Measures of oxygen consumption, blood pressure, and salivary cortisol levels were all lower after a 10 to 15 minute chair massage in controlled studies^{2, 3, 4}. Changes in psychological states have been measured by physiological responses^{1, 3}, the Perceived Stress Scale⁵, the POMS Depression Scale^4,6, and the Anxiety State Scale⁴.

In the attached studies, all subjects in the massage group showed significant changes in emotional states and stress levels.

References

• Delaney, J.P., Leong, K.S., Watkins, A., & Brodie, D. (2002). The short-term effects of myofascial trigger point massage therapy on cardiac autonomic tone in healthy subjects. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 37, 364-71.
• Boone, T., Tanner, M., & Radosevich, A. (2001). Effects of a 10-minute back rub on cardiovascular responses in healthy subjects. American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 29, 47-52.
• Cady, S. H., & Jones, G. E. (1997). Massage therapy as a workplace intervention for reduction of stress. Perceptual & Motor Skills, 84, 157-158.
• Field, T., Ironson, G., Scafidi, F., Nawrocki, T., Goncalves, A., Burman, I., Pickens, J., Fox, N., Schanberg, S., & Kuhn, C. (1996). Massage therapy reduces anxiety and enhances EEG pattern of alertness and math computations.
• International Journal of Neuroscience, 86, 197-205.
• Brennan, M.K. & DeBate, R. (2004).The effect of chair massage on stress perception of hospital bedside nurses. Massage Therapy Journal 43, (1), 76-86.
• Field, T., Quintino, O., Henteleff, T., Wells-Keife, L., & Delvecchio-Feinberg, G. (1997). Job stress reduction therapies. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 3, (4), 54-56.
• MacDonald, G. (1998). Massage offers respite for primary care givers. The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care, Jan/Feb, 43-47.
• Cady, S. H. & Jones, G. E. (1997). Massage therapy as a workplace intervention for reduction of stress. Perceptual & Motor Skills, 84(1), 157-158.
• Disclaimer: Position statements of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) are approved by the AMTA House of Delegates and reflect the views and opinions of the association, based on current research. These statements are not expressions of legal opinion relative to scope of practice, medical diagnosis or medical advice, nor do they represent an endorsement of any product, company or specific massage therapy technique, modality or approach.

How to unlock productivity in your workplace with chair massage.

Welcome to 2019! What is on your “to do” list for this year? Could corporate chair massage be on that list? Now is the time to consider a corporate wellness program that gives back to you and your co-workers in your office. 

It’s early in the week and the to-do list growing. The weather is cold and the coffee is hot as we settle into the New Year and growing list of priorities and projects.

Sound familiar? This growing list is typically of a rather high frequency during the darker days of winter. The holidays are over as the tree and lights are taken down and packed away until they twinkle again later this year.

Offering a turn-key program allows for minimal stress with maximum results.  onsite massage therapists are licensed, certified and insured with an average of 7+ years of chair massage therapy.

Our therapists are professional in dress and in manner. With all supplies (the massage chair, lotion, music and face covers) handy, we are ready to create a serene atmosphere to allow for relaxation and minimal noise and conversation!

As you know, there are many benefits to having chair massages in your workplace. Employees typically list these associated benefits of on-site chair massage.

·   Improved accuracy in work projects

·   Improved sleep and relaxation

·   Reduced stress-induced illness(es)

·   Lowered anxiety

·   Decreased stress

As an employer, I would welcome reviews such as this one as it confirms the value of wellness in the work environment. As an employer, wouldn’t you like the same?

Pleasant Surprise
“A friend encouraged me to give this a try and now I’m wondering why I waited so long! My therapist did great work. She knows how to find those knots and work them out. She may have found a new regular customer here.”

How can YOUR office allow for such a great program with on-site chair massage? A simple call to me, Tanya Henderson, CEO of On-Site Massage, can start the process for a turn-key wellness program.

I’ve been working in and managing chair massage for the past 29 years. In that time, my massage therapists and I have helped hundreds, if not thousands, of people relax and experience pain relief, learn about their own bodies and how to better care for their muscles. Selfishly, I myself have also received chair massages. I love helping the people we work on becoming more aware of there bodies and where they hold and carry there stress and tension and give a recommendation of stretches and good posture positions. Especially in the high tech, computer desk job industry. shoulders, necks, and backs are sitting for hours in bad posture positions.

Since I am such a big fan of chair massage myself, I thought I’d list a few reasons why you might want to check a chair out massage for yourself. More and more, workplaces are bringing in companies like On-Site massage to their employees. It’s a great motivator, boosts productivity and sure beats sending your people out to the doctor for a muscle spasm that might have been prevented if they had regular massage.

• Is fast and easy-no need to take off your clothes or get oil on you!

• Can release muscle tension in your neck and shoulders, upper and lower back. Sitting in a massage chair angles your upper body in a way that is optimal for the massage therapist to address your neck and shoulder without a massage table in the way.

• Tends to cost less than table massage. I can buy 3 20-minute chair massages a month for the same price as one 1-hour table massage. So I get more attention to the areas that are sore more often.

• Allows you to sample a massage therapist’s work without a big time or money commitment.

• Provide work for massage therapists and chance to meet new clients.

• Can help relieve headache pain causes by tight muscles.

• Can help reduce muscle pain causes by overuse or repetitive motion activities (ahem, computer users work their upper backs and neck muscles all day).

• And lastly, it just feels good! I always feel better after a chair massage. The world seems brighter, my mode is lighter and I feel refreshed and relaxed and ready to face the next round of emailing and smart phoning!

 http://onsitemassage.com

Office chair massage reduces stress

— American Institute of Stress

Stiff Neck? Here’s How to Perform a Self-Massage

We all know that getting a massage feels great and if we could, most of us would probably get one every day! Unfortunately, due to financial reasons and time constraints, most of us don't get a massage nearly as often as we need. Massages have far more benefits than simply relaxing us though. This is especially true in the workplace due to the amount of time we have to remain in one position, workplace stresses. Massages can significantly improve performance and employee satisfaction and if your employer hasn't set up an in-office massage program yet, they should! Here's a few reasons why that should be an obvious choice for them, we’re sure you’ll agree with us!

Why You Should Get an On-Site Massage

• Reduces stress--by a whopping 85%!
• Decreases anxiety and depression--Reduces anxiety by 26% and depression scores also improve by 28% after the massage.
• Relieves muscle tension and pain--48% decrease in back pain and tension.
• Improves quality of sleep- Improvement in sleep quality by 28%.
• Relieves headaches- Headaches are decreased by an average of 48%.
• Lowers blood pressure- An average of a 6% drop in blood pressure.
• Prevents repetitive strain injuries- Reduces the occurrence of repetitive stress injuries by 37%.
• Increases immune function- Your body's cells perform 35% better at immune functions.
• Treats carpal tunnel and tendonitis- a decrease in pain and discomfort by 14%.
• Increases focus, energy and mental clarity- Increased alertness, speed and accuracy on math computations following treatment.

Help Yourself to a Better Today!

With all these benefits, it's important to make sure that you do get a regular massage. If a full body or in-office massage aren't possible then give yourself one! Here's a couple tricks and tips for relieving neck pain!

Start by locating a quiet place in your home or office. Begin by inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly. Signal your sympathetic nervous system that everything is okay and that you can relax by making your exhales slightly longer than your inhales. This breathing technique by itself is often successful at relieving a great deal of stress and tension from your body. From this relaxed state, try these massage exercises

• Place the palm of your left hand where you feel the most tension along the back of your neck. With your thumb parallel to your other fingers, gently squeeze your neck and rotate your head to the right. Hold this position for 1 full breath before returning to center and then turning your head to the left. Repeat as often, and you need until you feel relaxed. Only light pressure is necessary, this should feel good, not painful!
• If that wasn't enough to relax and ease your muscles, place the knuckles of the right index finger and middle finger just below your right ear (it helps to make a fist). Take a deep breath in, and as you exhale, slowly turn your head to the left. Hold for 1 breath, then return your head to center. Repeat 5-7 times on both sides There is no need to press hard with your knuckles. The muscles will massage themselves across your knuckles as you turn your head.

Get Better, Long-Term Relief!

If you're an employer looking to improve the lives and performance of your employees, call On-Site Massage, the chair massage therapist of Utah. We understand that it’s important to make sure each person is feeling their best. When they are feeling their best, they are putting their best efforts forward. We can help your company flourish. Let our corporate chair massage in Utah be the answer that you have been looking for to reward and show appreciation to yourself and those hard-working employees. Call On-Site Massage today!

5 Things Your Massage Therapist Sees

1. If You are Stressed

   If you’re a little more chatty than normal or are having a hard time focusing on relaxing, this is a good indication that you are uptight and are dealing with unhealthy levels of stress. Stress will make your body respond to a massage differently. Not all massage therapists believe that your body releases toxins during a massage, but those that do believe that sweating or bad breath is a good sign that it is the first time in a long time that you are able to relax. Give those employees of your a break from the stress and call us for one of the best chair massages in Utah County.

2. You Work at a Computer

   If you have a forward roll of the shoulders and your back is strained we can tell that you work full-time at a computer. Looking at the monitor all day and remaining fairly still for hours is not the greatest on your back. There are some exercises that may help with this. Tenser your shoulders up around your ears, squeeze for five to ten seconds, then drop and let gravity pull down your shoulders. You could also rotate your body in your chair like you are driving a car in reverse, hold it for ten seconds. This will make a big difference.

3. You Cross Your Legs Often

   Believe it or not crossing your legs is not good for you. Even if it is just a little and you only cross your legs at the heels. You put a lot of pressure on your hip flexors when you do this. Doing this will make the glue muscles shoot pain up to the lower back or down to the hamstrings and quads. It is all connected. Crossing your legs can also cause an unnatural bend in your pelvic area which prevents correct circulation. Keep away from crossing your legs!

4. You Are Dehydrated

   We can tell right away if you haven’t been drinking enough water. Trigger points in the upper back will be more tender when you are dehydrated. Getting enough water is so important for your body, especially during those times in the office when you are busy. Your body can’t afford to not get the hydration it needs.

5. You're a "Textaholic"

   Do you text a lot? We can tell. If we rub your shoulders and you tell us it hurts or it’s tight, we can tell you’ve perhaps been texting a little too much. When we look at our phone our head is in that downward position and it’s easy to forget that we may be doing this for long periods at a time. Be sure to look up and stretch every so often. If you don’t that prolonged posture will cost you dysfunction and imbalance in the shoulders.

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