Benefits of Chair Massage for Employees

Chair Massage Santa Barbara, Goleta, Riktr PRO Massage
Chair massage is a fully clothed massage performed by a therapist in a chair specifically designed for massage. As the benefits of massage are realized, more businesses are offering chair massage in the workplace as an employee incentive and health maintenance resource. According to American Massage Therapy Association, companies such as Boeing and Google offer massage to their employees as part of their wellness programs. Workplace massage can help reduce employee stress while improving overall job satisfaction.
Massage is often used to reduce tension headaches and treat and even prevent chronic migraines. And a single 15-minute chair massage can promote increased blood circulation, lower blood pressure, and a strengthened immune system—benefits that you’ll experience for days or even weeks after your treatment.
- Lowers anxiety.
- Increases circulation.
- Boosts immune system.
- Lowers blood pressure.
- Relieves muscle pains and headaches.
- Decreases stress.
- Improves sleep quality.
- Generates more flexibility.
- Research indicates that a 15-minute chair massage results in decreased job stress increased alertness and increased speed & accuracy on math computations.
- Office workers massaged regularly were more alert, performed better, and were less stressed than those who weren’t massaged.
What is a seated chair massage?
Onsite chair massages are done while you’re seated fully clothed in a portable, specially designed chair. They usually involve a massage of your neck, shoulders, back, arms, and hands.
Anxiety Reduction
Margaret Hodge, Ed.D., R.N., and colleagues note that stress at work can “result in low morale, increased anxiety and depression, as well as other health-related concerns.” A 1996 study conducted by Shulman and Jones of the Touch Research Institute in Miami, Florida, found that massage in the workplace helped reduce anxiety. The study indicated that 15 minutes of chair massage was more effective than a 15-minute break to reduce anxiety.
Increase in Overall Feelings of Wellbeing
Massage at work can help improve general feelings of contentment and health. A study conducted by Margaret Hodge, Ed.D. R.N. and colleagues in 2000, found that acupressure performed at the job site improved overall feelings of well-being among workers. Those receiving the massage reported feeling an increase in general well-being, less depression and anxiety symptoms, an increased ability to control their emotions, and an increase in sleep. The general finding of the study was that the employees receiving massage maintained their job satisfaction whereas those not receiving massage had a decrease in job satisfaction.
Improved Job Performance
Chair massage can improve job performance. A 1996 study by Tiffany Field and colleagues of the Touch Research Institute, showed 15 minutes of chair massage twice a week improved brain performance. Those receiving chair massage had an increase in speed and accuracy in completing math equations. The brain’s ability to function more effectively combined with a decrease in anxiety and an increase in feelings of contentment and well-being can result in improved job performance.

*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader. These statements are not expressions of legal opinion relative to the 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. All trademarks, registered trademarks, brand names, registered brand names, logos, and company logos referenced in this post are the property of their owners.