subject: Corporate Massage As Incentive [print this page] With stress in the workplace accounting for approximately $26 billion in medical and disability payments and nearly $100 billion in lost productivity annually, relieving stress in its employees has become one of the key issue for many businesses today. And one of the most effective means of relieving stress in the office is by offering office massage therapy.
What is corporate massage?
Also known as a chair massage, corporate massage therapy is a kind of seated massage concentrated on the back, shoulders, arms and neck area. The treatment session is typically short - just 10 to 15 minutes - and is done without having to remove clothes or the use of massage oil.
The therapy is usually done with the person to be massaged seated on a specially-designed chair, with the face laid on a cradle looking down on the floor and the arms resting on supports. Once the back and neck are completely relaxed, the massage therapist will ease muscle tension using standard Swedish massage techniques that don't require oil, such as compression, kneading and tapoment.
The service is usually offered in places where high stress is likely, such as in airport spas and trade shows, as it can effectively release muscle tension and prevent it into becoming a full-blown spasm. It is also increasingly being offered as free perks in the office, particularly during corporate parties and events.
There are even companies who hire therapists full-time to offer chair massages to employees. The cost is often paid in full by the company, split with the employees, or the employees pay for the message from their own pocket.
What are the benefits?
Probably the immediate benefit employees will receive from office service massage is relief from stress, and in turn, prevent stress related disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome as well as accidents due to stress and fatigue. Also, in a research published in the Journal of Neuroscience, massage therapy has been shown to boost the immune system, as well as increased alertness, speed and accuracy especially in computations.
Other benefits that are attributed to corporate massage include decreased migraines and headache pain, distress, sleep disturbances and insomnia.
Of course, by offering massage therapy as a company perk for employees will also boost morale among employees as well as make it easier to attract applicants. This is especially true for small companies and startups, as it gives the impression of culture and stability and that the higher-ups are concerned about the welfare of their workers.
