Corporate Massage
"The evidence is mounting that wellness activities do significantly impact the health and well being of employees as well as the company's bottom line." ~ American Management Association
 According to the Washington Business
Group on Health, the most serious employee benefit problem facing
employers today is the unrelenting
increase in health care costs—up
50% in the past 5 years—with no
apparent end in sight.
Employers are becoming increasingly aware that worker health influences worker productivity, and that productivity has a positive impact on organizational performance and competitiveness. Moreover, employers are recognizing the importance of their role in better promoting the health and productivity of their workers. For some American businesses, a focus on health and productivity has given rise to a new way of thinking about workers as resources rather than line item expenses. Business leaders are increasingly concerned about their ability to attract and retain intellectual capital, with the health and well-being of their workers being considered a critical success factor. Many current Fortune 500© companies such as Google, Charles Schwab, IBM, American Express and Ford Motor Company either employ in-house massage therapists or schedule regular sessions for their respective workforces.
With this in mind, Holistic Health & Bodywork© is proud to offer corporate massages. This treatment involves the use of a specially designed massage chair in which the client sits comfortably. The technique is centuries-old, with some Japanese block prints illustrating people having just emerged from a nearby bath, receiving massage while seated on a low stool. Seated massage includes bodywork and somatic techniques, such as Amma and Swedish massage, provided to the fully clothed client in a business setting. A typical session lasts 15 minutes and is designed for pain management as well as treating repetitive strain syndromes of the wrist, elbow, shoulder, neck and lower back.
Why should my company offer workplace chair massages for our employees?
There are many reasons, including but not limited to :
- Increase in employee morale. Massage is known to increase serotonin levels, which helps reduce overall feelings of anxiety, aggression and/or depression-related disorders.
- Employees will eagerly anticipate their turn in the massage rotation. Even employees who choose not to participate will acknowledge it is a nice and valuable amenity being offered (and after a limited time many of these people will choose to participate after observing the program in action). Your employees will soon start to brag to friends and family about the enhanced benefits package and special perks you provide them.
- Research has shown that in quantitative tasks (such as typing and filing) an employee's production increases and fewer mistakes are made following a 15 minute chair massage. Due to increased dopamine levels, your employees will feel refreshed and motivated to continue working at a high level..
- It has been reported that one million people call in sick each day due to stress-related disorders, which ultimately costs U.S. businesses more than $300 billion a year. As more and more scientific research continues to validate the many benefits of therapeutic massage, providing workplace chair massages will be a major corporate benefit provided to employees in the 21st century. Those at the forefront of any new trend tend to reap the greatest rewards.
What are the physiological benefits for a person receiving a chair massage?
A chair massage reduces stress, is physically, mentally and emotionally relaxing, addresses muscle soreness/stiffness, increases circulation and helps rejuvenate the body for further activity (this is why runners/cyclists often receive a chair massage prior to a race).
We have a small company, what is the minimum session length?
The minimum session length is only one hour, so as long as you have 4 employees you can schedule a session.
Our company is so large; how would I choose only 12 people for a three hour session?
Employees can receive a massage on a rotating basis, so they understand they may not receive a massage every session. To attract only "serious" participants some companies have initiated a $5 or $10 employee co-pay, which can be used either to offset the cost jof the massage session or be thrown into an office "pizza fund". Some companies elect to allow employees to receive a workplace chair massage, however at the employee's expense, which can easily be arranged.
How frequently should we schedule a session?
This is the only real decision you have to make. Packages are available anywhere from weekly sessions to covering the peak times of the year. Experience has shown that for an employee to consider it part of your Benefits Package, either weekly or every other week sessions are optimum. Monthly sessions and the All-Year package are viewed as fantastic perks. Chair massages are also a great addition to add to your special events held periodically throughout the year.
Are there any other ways my company could benefit from this program?
There are many creative ways companies have benefited from this service, including providing chair massages at conferences/conventions to help draw people to your booth, and having it set up at a hole at golf outings. Also many companies are finding that old ways of generating new business and rewarding existing clients (i.e. tickets to sporting events, golf outings, etc) aren't being accepted either due to people's busy lifestyles or company policies forbidding individuals from accepting gifts. As a result, some aggressive businesses are proactively purchasing Chair Massage sessions as holiday gifts or "Thank You's" for the company of current or potential clients, and are receiving a tremendous response in return.
How much will this cost?
Many of our corporate clients pay the full cost or subsidize a portion of the on-site massage fees. We'll gladly provide more specific information on how we can help you meet your company's budget. Call us now at (631) 943-2202 to see how we can begin to improve your company's wellness program today!
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