Workplace Massage - How Both Employer and Employee Can Benefit

Workplace massage is gaining in popularity due to the benefits it can bring to both employee and employer. Stress can negatively affect workplace productivity so the smart manager knows that providing this health benefit for employees is a sound investment. Happy and healthy employees make productive employees with the result that the employer loses fewer days due to ill health. Workplace massage can not only help to relieve employees' work-related stress and tension, but it can also help to improve office morale: knowing that an employer is investing in the health of its workforce can go a long way to make staff feel valued and appreciated.

The term workplace massage usually generates a mixed response from workers. Some people are intrigued by the idea, while others are a little concerned that they'll have to de-robe for the experience. But workplace massage requires little more from an employee than an ounce or two of his or her willingness.

The Benefits to the Employee Workplace massage is usually carried out in a portable massage chair. The massage therapist comes to the workplace and sets the chair up in a small area of the building that's been arranged so as to provide adequate privacy for the treatment. The massage chair is fully adjustable and designed to allow the employee to adopt a comfortable and relaxing position while at the same time enabling the therapist to treat the back, shoulders, arms, and hands. No oils or lotions are necessary. The treatment usually lasts between 10 and 20 minutes and is generally aimed towards relieving stress and tension and/or preventing or treating repetitive strain injuries. The additional benefits workplace massage can provide include boosting the immune system, improving circulation, reducing muscle pain, relieving headaches, improving mental capabilities, lowering blood pressure, and enhancing flexibility. After the workplace massage employees are left refreshed and ready to return to work immediately.

The Benefits to the Employer A 1996 study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience found that a 15-minute chair massage administered twice a week over a period of five weeks reduced anxiety, improved alertness, and even produced an increase in speed and accuracy in mathematical computations. Add to this the fact that workplace absences cost British businesses 瞿10.2 billion in 1998, according to a survey carried out by the Confederation of British Industry, and it's perhaps not difficult to see why an increasing number of employers are adding office massage to their list of employee benefits.

While its primary objective is to relieve the stress and tension suffered by workers, there are preventative benefits to be gained from workplace massage. So even if you feel that your workforce is functioning perfectly well at the moment with little absenteeism, you may want to consider workplace massage as a preventative measure in order to help keep your workers fit and healthy and employee morale buoyant. And compared to other employee benefits, many employers are finding that workplace massage is relatively inexpensive, especially when both employee and employer get to reap the benefits.

Who Pays? When it comes to how an employer meets the cost of office massage, there are a number of options available. An employer may pay the entire cost of the treatment, or the employer and employee may meet the cost on a 50/50 basis, or the employee may pay for the cost of the treatment with the employer providing the necessary space in the office to accommodate the massage and allowing workers time away from their desks to be treated.

For very small companies, it may be impractical or even impossible for them to provide on site chair massage due to limited space. Those companies that find themselves in this position are choosing desk massage as this requires no additional equipment and still allows employees to receive the full benefits of workplace massage.

For more information on how Office Retreat can benefit your business visit Workplace Massage

Massage Therapy's Benefits For Patients With Parkinson's Disease

When dealing with a progressive disease like Parkinson's it's good to explore all options of treatments as medicines such as dopamine agonists and Levodopa gradually wear off and symptoms become more pronounced and debilitating. One form of treatment that can supplement the treatment of Parkinson's disease is massage therapy. Recent research has shown that regular massage can help patients suffering from Parkinson's disease improve in their daily functions, sleeping abilities, self-confidence, walking, and well-being, as well as decrease their overall stress levels.

Symptoms of Parkinson's disease (rigidity, depression, fatigue, etc.) are conditions that massage has been proven to relieve. The disease is a central nervous system disorder, where dopamine is not produced or received correctly. This failure of dopamine transmission leads to rigidity of muscles, poor balance, and fatigue. Collectively these symptoms can lead to depression, isolation, and low-self esteem. As I have written in previous articles massage can help relieve many of these symptoms in all patients, whether they have Parkinson's or not.

It should therefore come as no surprise that massage therapy has been shown to help lessen these symptoms in patients that do have Parkinson's disease. In one study performed in 2002, adults with Parkinson's disease were given either muscle relaxation classes or massage therapy twice a week for the course of five weeks. While both groups of patients showed improvement, the group that received massage therapy showed higher levels of improvement in performing their daily activities and in their sleeping abilities. This was recorded in observations by the researchers as well as in assessments by the patients themselves. Urine samples of these patients also showed a significant decrease in the amount of stress hormones that were registered at the beginning of the study.

A separate study performed in 2005 showed that massage helped boost the self-confidence, well-being, walking abilities and performance of daily living activities in a group of seven patients suffering from Parkinson's disease who were monitored while receiving eight one-hour, full body massage therapy sessions over the course of eight weeks. These positive results were once again registered by the researchers performing the study as well as from assessments conducted by the participants of the study themselves. This suggests that while massage leads to measureable biological and chemical improvements in the condition of patients suffering from Parkinson's disease, the patients themselves can actually feel this difference tangibly in their everyday life.

With more than 500,000 people currently suffering from Parkinson's disease and its symptoms - and 50,000 new people contracting Parkinson's disease annually - further exploration of massage as a complementary way to treat the symptoms of the disease should be taken up by researchers - and by the patients themselves.

How to Become a Holistic Massage and Beauty Therapist

If you're tired of your existing job, and are looking for a change in direction to your current career, have you thought about becoming a beauty, and holistic massage therapist instead? There are lots of ways into the holistic therapy industry including working in spas, hotels, or simply on your own, but in order to gain the right skills, it's important that you have proper training. Also, having a recognised diploma or other therapist qualifications will make it easier to find work too. Unless you opt for a full-time college degree, or a HND course, learning to become a qualified therapist can be very flexible. You can book one day Indian head massage courses, or join a fast-track beauty course at the weekend. It might take a bit longer to cover the many different techniques but you'll still be able to work in your normal day job while you train.

Many people turn to natural therapies to help them relax, or to recover from a specific injury, and there are many different types of massage therapies to choose from today. If you've always enjoyed beauty therapy, and alternative massage treatments yourself, then it's a perfect choice for a new career. But how do you go about becoming a trained and qualified therapist? There are many different companies that offer a wide range of beauty and massage training courses. From reflexology, hot stone therapy, Thai foot massage courses, to Indian head massage courses, you can choose diploma courses in every style of massage possible.

It's also very useful to study a bit of biology and anatomy too. It's essential if you're hoping to offer sports massage therapy, or reflexology, specifically to help long-term injuries. The holistic massage therapy and beauty therapy market has grown enormously over the past decade, and now top hotels all offer in-house spas that include beauty treatments such as manicure and pedicures, anti-aging facials, waxing, as well as all sorts of massage too. The employment opportunities, once you're trained, are fantastic.

10 Ways A Massage Helps The Elderly

When I massaged my seventy-three year old father's feet he said, "I need this everyday for the rest of my life!" Seniors everywhere can benefit greatly from Geriatric Massage Therapy. The upsides to seniors getting massage are endless but below are many of the more commonly known and observed benefits.

1. Increased circulation of Blood and Lymph. Massage already has the wonderful benefit of increasing the circulation of blood and lymph on a regular person, imagine how it can help a senior who may be less active or physically limited.

2. Stronger Immune System. Massage has been shown to improve and strengthen the immune system. Many seniors can be vulnerable due to weaker immune systems and therapeutic touch has been shown to be very effective.

3. Muscle Stiffness. As you age, the muscles become stiffer and need to constantly be stretched out. Massage helps with stiffness and painful conditions due to aging. Keeping muscles more limber helps to prevent injury

4. Less Inflammation in Joints. Massage helps to reduce the inflammation in joints due to the increased circulation of lymph. Lymph fluid carries away the products of inflammation and other toxic debris out of the body.

5. Reduces Anxiety and Depression. Seniors respond very well to massage as it helps to fulfill the need for caring human touch. Getting massage on a regular basis can greatly reduce and get symptoms of anxiety and depression under control.

6. Improved Range of Motion. Seniors can improve their range of motion when getting massage that incorporates passive stretching and range of motion. The passive movements help seniors to get a better stretch than they can get on their own.

7. Better Attitude. There's nothing like healing touch to perk up someone that needs a little lift. Seniors who get massage on a regular basis have a better outlook on life than those who have no physical contact with others.

8. Improved Alzheimer's and Dementia Symptoms. Therapeutic massage has been shown to improve symptoms of both Alzheimer's and Dementia by reducing agitation and quieting some the symptoms related to both.

9. Greatly Improved Balance and Agility. Therapeutic massage helps to bring awareness to the body of the elderly helping to improve balance, coordination and agility.

10. Controls Blood Pressure and Heart Rate. Since massage helps to lower blood pressure through accessing the Autonomic Nervous System, It's a great alternate way to control the heart rate. Regular massage helps with this by reducing stress levels in seniors.

Seniors love to be touched and many are starved for regular caring touch. If you've ever considered giving geriatric massage, I can tell you that you'll have a very enthusiastic audience. Anyone still in massage school should consider giving senior massages as a wonderful and rewarding student project. Also, this would be a very special and unique area of focus for someone to practice in.

2012 Job Outlook For Careers In Massage Therapy

After being named one of the Top Jobs for 2012 by U.S. News and World Report, massage therapy is looking like a better and better option for budding professionals. Spas that offer massage services and dedicated massage clinics are increasing in number on a regular basis around the country. Massage therapy is considered a legitimate medicinal practice in the West like never before, and many people are jumping on the bandwagon once they see the benefits, leading to a continued increase in demand. Once you consider the facts, you might just decide to switch gears and pursue this rewarding career path.

The most impressive facts about the job outlook for careers in massage therapy come from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. The bureau predicts 20 percent employment growth in this field between 2010 and 2020, which translates to an additional 30,000 jobs. It looks like the industry is well on its way to making these projections come true.

As far as salary goes, there is a great deal of potential for massage therapists to do quite well for themselves. The median annual salary for a massage therapist was a respectable $34,900 in 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but the top 10 percent of therapists working in the massage field make closer to $70,000 per year.

Getting into this field can be somewhat difficult, but for those who are passionate about their work in holistic medicine, the journey is well worth any such difficulties. Requirements vary by state, but some general requirements include the completion of a formal training program and somewhere in the neighborhood of 500 practice hours. There are also different areas of specialization that require additional training. Having more areas of expertise helps increase the chances of having a successful career in this field, though, so it's worth the extra time for the personal and financial rewards that should follow.

There are jobs available in hospitals, malls, private offices and spas, and some massage therapists even work from their homes, the clients' homes or the clients' places of work. Although the job outlook for massage therapists is very good right now, it's still important for massage therapists to set themselves apart from the competition. Many people are entering the job market and offering a variety of massage services, so it's important to find a way to get ahead of the pack.

Massage Therapy in the Workplace

Many corporate offices are beginning to incorporate and offer massage as a means to benefit and enhance productivity. Corporate entities have begun to utilize chair massage techniques in the workplace which has slowly gained popularity and has become a staple in most work environments. Long hours in front of computer result in back pains and other physical restraints. In addition, a high stress area as is within a workplace can negatively impact a worker's body and mind. It is important to have several activities and aids in place which lessen the stress and workload. Reducing fatigue and anxiety will result in a better work atmosphere.

Massage therapy has thus become a very valuable asset for the corporate community with many offices installing products and offering services which bring about productivity and wellness. Whether it be as an incentive or as a regular benefits package, massage therapy in the workplace will become an asset for any employee.

On site massage therapy will positively affect employees in the following ways:

- It increases productivity and morale. Fortune magazine commented on corporate massage and how greatly it worked at benefiting the employees of over 100 companies. As summarized by the Gallup poll "employee attitudes correlate strongly with higher profits."

- It relieves fatigue and stress. On-site massages are able to energize the mind and body by relaxing muscles and soothing the spirit. A survey by Time Magazine stated that workers preferred massages over coffee breaks.

- It is able to increase brain power and also sharpens the senses. In Florida, a test was administered where workers who were massaged finished a math test faster and with fewer errors than others.

- On-site massages are able to free the body from emotional stress or reduce the body from the damaging effects of stress. It also helps to relieve pain, muscle spasms, headaches, backaches, is able to improve circulation and reduce blood pressure.

Corporate massage therapy does not occur the same way it would at a massage parlour or spa. Massages are administered within 10-20 minutes and is performed while a worker is fully clothed. These massages are aimed at the back, arms, neck and shoulders. The massage therapist provides a specially designed chair, relaxing music, aromas and other such products.

Appointments are made by the company in advance and time is set aside for the massage. Many businesses also help to remind their workers of upcoming massage dates so as to have them working efficiently and productively. Payment varies, where some companies may pay the full amount while others may split the cost. Some make the service available for those employees who would like a massage and would like to pay for it themselves. Most therapists take all forms of payments such as cash, checks or credit cards.

There are also several other benefits to on-site corporate massage. For one, massage is tax deductible as it is seen as a medical expense. Massages in the workplace are also flexible as workers or employers can pay from a spending account. Some large companies also offer further wellness aids such as exercise programs and other similar activities.

Top Five Areas to Massage For Stress Relief

Who couldn't use a little stress relief now and then? Some believe stress is a major contributor to 80% of all illness. Massage has always been a good way to relieve stress but here are the top five parts of your body that will guarantee to take you to the ultimate state of relaxation and stress relief.

1. Your feet. Massage on the feet can be the ultra-relaxation zone for many people. There are hundreds of nerve endings on the feet and an entire massage modality was made just for feet. Reflexology is based on the theory that the body has 10 zones, ending on the bottom of the feet and hands. These zones correspond to different parts and organs in the body. By pressing and massaging these zones on the feet in a particular order, they affect other parts of the body within that zone.

2. Your hands. These two appendages are the hardest working area of our body. Everything in our world requires busy hands. During your next massage ask for the palms of your hands to be opened and stretched. This will be extra tight for those people who work with their hands a lot and are contracted into finger flexion. Over time the muscles that run through the palms of your hands can become shortened from repetitive overuse. It's always beneficial to stretch these hypertonic muscles. Plus, receiving massage on the palms of the hands is surprisingly relaxing.

3. Your neck. Lots of muscle tissue covers the anterior, lateral, and posterior neck. This area holds tension and stress maybe more than you realize. The lateral or side of the neck is as commonly massaged as the posterior or back of the neck. The area that gets left out, due mostly to uneducated fingers is the anterior or front of the neck. Many massage therapists are taught to stay away from the front of the neck because of the arteries and nerves that run through the area. Find a therapist with an educated touch because the scalenes and sternocleidomastoid are anterior neck muscles that when released can cure headaches, thoracic outlet syndrome, and numbness down the arms or in the fingers. The back and sides of the neck have equally important muscles that shouldn't be left out. On the posterior neck lie the suboccipital muscles which are the primary trouble makers for tension headaches.

4. Your scalp. The scalp may be the single most overlooked holding area of stress. The three main muscles that cover the scalp are temporalis, frontalis, and occipitalis. Massaging the temporalis and occipitalis can help headaches. The frontalis is the busy muscle of your forehead that when massaged is very sedating to the nervous system. Try massaging your own scalp next time you need a pick-me-up in the middle of your day. Hook your fingertips in with enough pressure to move the skin over the underlying bone.

5. Your face. Did you know there are over 30 pairs of muscles in the face alone? Muscles that make us smile, frown, move our eyebrows, squint our eyes, purse our lips, the list goes on and on. Also on the face are some sinus pressure points and the ever overworked muscle of the jaw, the masseter. This muscle is the strongest muscle of our body relative to its size. The masseter is contracted when people grind their teeth during times of stress. Notice next time you're late and sitting in traffic if you are clenching your jaw. This masseter muscle is surprisingly tender on many people during a massage. It lies over the hinge of the jaw where we open and close our mouth. TMJ syndrome is commonly treated by massaging this muscle and others. Two sinus pressure points are at the bridge of the nose and just below the midpoint of the cheekbones. Try a press, hold and release combination 10 times next time your sinuses are bothering you. You can also try rhythmic circles at the temples next headache you have.

We all have some degree of stress in our life. This is normal; it's how you deal with the stress that shows how conscious you are of your bodies' needs. A professional massage is an ideal way to relieve stress and tension. Plus, now your own hands can massage these 5 areas in between your professional sessions. Happy relaxation!