The Growing Popularity Of Workplace Massage

Posted by Eoin Finn on January 22nd, 2020

Modern workplaces are changing. Progressive employers are investing in employee benefits such as workplace massage to encourage loyalty as well as maintaining an enthusiastic and positive workforce. More Irish companies are prioritising their staff’s wellbeing and seeing the benefits directly through their ability to attract and retain talent. Employees too are looking beyond financial gains for job satisfaction and are choosing to work in companies that encourage a better work-life balance as well as providing workplace benefits that support physical and mental wellness.

People want to feel appreciated, cared for and respected by their employer.

Massage was once seen as a service offered by beauty salons and health clubs, but huge demand has created what is now called the wellness industry where the various services and treatments share one theme: a holistic approach to treatment, looking at the whole person including all aspects of his/her being - physical, emotional, mental, spiritual and social. It’s no surprise that professional and amateur sports organisation have for decades relied on massage treatments to boost performance. The same kind of thinking has now entered the workplace. As stress levels among Irish workers grow, many companies have recognised that providing massages for employees can improve the working environment.

Corporate massage programs are likely gaining popularity simply because they support the wellbeing of employees, which leads to indirect effects such as higher productivity. Many employees, especially those in office roles, live sedentary lifestyles that can lead to excess tension, aches, and other physical problems in the body. A massage during the day can result in better circulation and help alleviate these issues. Some studies have seen a single 20-minute massage session reduce stress by as much as 85% while also lowering anxiety and depression.

Massage can significantly reduce back pain and tension, improve sleep quality, and reduce the duration and intensity of headaches. It can have a measurable impact on lowering blood pressure and boosting immune function while lowering the occurrence of repetitive stress injuries. People with specific conditions such as carpal tunnel and tendonitis can benefit from massage therapy. Implementing a workplace massage programme could have benefits for recruitment outcomes job satisfaction, employee wellbeing, and team morale. Massages at work have been reported to result in less time off for work-related injuries, less compensation claims, and less doctor’s visits. All of this translates to higher ROI for the company.

When it comes to workplace wellness programmes, employers can choose from a wide range of benefits including mindfulness classes, yoga, healthy snacks, dental and vision assessments, as well as offering gym membership or exercise classes at lunchtime. A major reason for the increased interest in workplace massage could be that it’s so very easy for companies to implement a workplace massage programme. With chair-based massage, no special equipment is needed other than a massage chair and a small space. Corporate massage programmes in the workplace are so simple and easy to implement just name the day or days that you require to book. Some massage companies even take that a step further and manage scheduling for you. This kind of programme makes it easier to implement workplace massage by taking all the administrative work out of it for you.

There’s no time like the present to boost your company’s wellness program.

Eoin Finn is the author of this article. To know more about wellness program for companies please visit our Website Workatreat.ie