Research on why is it lucrative to implement regular massages at the office?

The Effects of Stress

 

 Research reveals that the major cause of most type of illnesses is stress related. When we are stressed, we breathe shallow and our bodies build up Co2 and thus acidity. An acidic body is much more prone to illness. The body also releases the stress hormone Adrenalin. Adrenalin is the fight and flight hormone, which keeps our bodies on constant alert for danger. The physiological effects of Adrenalin are as follows:

  • Blood constriction to all internal organs that keep the body from functioning at optimum levels.
  • Impaired visceral function leads to poor digestion and thus poor absorption of nutrients.
  • Poor functioning of liver and kidneys causes toxic buildup in the body.
  • Lack of oxygen and blood causes buildup of CO2 in the organs and tissue.
  • Impaired ability to transport waste materials from the cells to the lymph nodes for elimination.
  • Cells are surrounded by there own waste products which leads to impaired functioning.
  • Build up of CO2 leads production of lactic acid, which gets stored in the tissues and muscles.
  • Lactic acid in the muscles causes micro tears in the striated fibre, which over time can cause sore and inflamed muscles, painful nodules and eventually can cause tissue damage.
  • An acidic body is much more susceptible to viral and bacterial infection leading to illness.
  • The constant release of adrenalin impairs the proper function of the endocrine system, leading to high levels of toxicity in the body.
  • The brain is constantly over stimulated and active, making it difficult to relax which can lead insomnia.
  • The nerves are constantly firing the muscles for action, induced by adrenaline which causes huge tension.
  • Constant stress makes the brain tired, impairing the ability to concentrate and make conscious decisions.
  • Hunching of shoulders can lead to major postural problems and pain.

How does Stress affect your Company?

It is medically proven that stress is the major contributing factor in Illness.

The Lekana Specialized Consulting team, led by Dr Brad Beira has developed a comprehensive database on South African short term sick leave information. This database is called Perspectiva.

Perspectiva has 478 179 employees under review. 62% took 2 304 450 days sick leave.

The minimum financial cost of that study was calculated to be R 117 768 826.80.

Benefits of corporate massage for Your Company

  • saves your company money by increasing productivity and motivation through energized and happy staff
  • saves your company money by reducing sick leave and  employee absence
  • saves your company money by attracting and retaining key talent whilst boosting morale
  • saves your company money by reducing the costs associated with stress related illness and repetitive strain claims
  • improve the mental and physical health of your employees
  • tax deductible on-site health benefit
  • become an employer of choice
  • shows your employees that you care

Benefits for your employees:

  • reduces stress, fatigue and anxiety
  • relieves the common muscle tension in neck, shoulders, arms and wrists from repetitive use of the computer keyboard and mouse
  • improves mental focus and concentration
  • relieves headaches and migraines
  • relieves back pain and improves posture
  • calms the nervous system
  • relieves symptoms of RSI/OOS
  • stimulates and increases blood circulation
  • boosts morale
  • Encourages staff to take a proactive role in their health and well-being by making them more aware of their physical state. This promotes a more health conscious workforce.
  • Drastically speeds up muscle recovery time
  • Reduces CO2 in cells
  • Increased blood flow, causing aeration of cells thus increases health levels
  • Active removal of waste products
  • The massaged areas had 30% more PGC-1alpha, a gene that helps cells build mitochondria, the engines that turn cells food into energy.
  • Massaged cells had 3 times less NFkB, which turns on genes associated with inflammation.
  • Relaxes the mind and calms nerves and makes one feel good
  • Improves the mood
  • Increases vitality and concentration Levels
  • Improves overall functioning of the body and hence your health level 
  • Harmonic Touch offers a well developed stress release treatment ranging between 15-40 minutes in the office.
  • We work with the client fully clothed or with oils on the biggest problem areas; namely back, head, neck, shoulders and feet.
  • It is catered for individual needs and the effects are noticeable.
  • We focus on stress release points, stretching and opening tense muscles.
  • A weekly massage will keep the effects of stress at bay and keep the employee in a more positive and relaxed working mode.
  • Massage will help increase productivity

Daniel Hofinger

084 788 3833

Corporate Massage Research

Job Stress
Field, T., Ironson, G., Scafidi, F., Nawrocki, T., Goncalves, A., Burman, I., Pickens, J., Fox, N., Schanberg, S., and Kuhn, C. Massage therapy reduces anxiety and enhances EEG pattern of alertness and math computations. International Journal of Neuroscience 86(3-4), 197-205. 9-1996.
Ref Type: Journal

Abstract:
Twenty-six adults were given a chair massage and 24 control group adults were asked to relax in the massage chair for 15 minutes, two times per week for five weeks. On the first and last days of the study they were monitored for EEG, before, during and after the sessions. In addition, before and after the sessions they performed math computations, they completed POMS Depression and State Anxiety Scales and they provided a saliva sample for cortisol. At the beginning of the sessions they completed Life Events, Job Stress and Chronic POMS Depression Scales. Group by repeated measures and post hoc analyses revealed the following:
1) frontal delta power increased for both groups, suggesting relaxation;
2) the massage group showed decreased frontal alpha and beta power (suggesting enhanced alertness); while the control group showed increased alpha and beta power;
3) the massage group showed increased speed and accuracy on math computations while the control group did not change;
4) anxiety levels were lower following the massage but not the control sessions, although mood state was less depressed following both the massage and control sessions;
5) salivary cortisol levels were lower following the massage but not the control sessions but only on the first day; and
6) at the end of the 5 week period depression scores were lower for both groups but job stress score were lower only for the massage group

Cady, S. H. and Jones, G. E. Massage therapy as a workplace intervention for reduction of stress. Perceptual & Motor Skills 84(1), 157-158. 2-1997.
Ref Type: Journal

Abstract:
This study evaluated the effectiveness of a 15-min. on-site massage while seated in a chair on reducing stress as indicated by blood pressure. 52 employed participants’ blood pressures were measured before and after a 15-min. massage at work. Analysis showed a significant reduction in participants’ systolic and diastolic blood pressure after receiving the massage although there was no control group.

Katz, J., Wowk, A., Culp, D., & Wakeling, H. (1999). Pain and tension are reduced among hospital nurses after on-site massage treatments: a pilot study. Journal of Perianesthesia Nursing, 14, 128-133.

METHOD: The aims of this pilot study were (1) to evaluate the feasibility of carrying out a series of eight 15-minute workplace-based massage treatments, and (2) to determine whether massage therapy reduced pain and stress experienced by nursing staff at a large teaching hospital. Twelve hospital staff (10 registered nurses and 2 nonmedical ward staff) working in a large tertiary care center volunteered to participate. Participants received up to eight, workplace-based, 15-minute Swedish massage treatments provided by registered massage therapists. Pain, tension, relaxation, and the Profile of Mood States were measured before and after each massage session. RESULTS: Pain intensity and tension levels were significantly lower after massage. In addition, relaxation levels and overall mood state improved significantly after treatments.

Aust J Adv Nurs. 2006 Jun-Aug;23(4):28-33.
The effectiveness o in reducing physical and psychological stress in nurses.f a 15 minute weekly massage
Bost N, Wallis M.  Griffith University Research Centre for Clinical Practice Innovation, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of massage therapy in reducing physiological and psychological indicators of stress in nurses employed in an acute care hospital.
DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial.
SETTING: Acute care hospital in Queensland.
SUBJECTS: Sixty nurses were recruited to the five week study and randomly assigned to two groups.
INTERVENTION: A 15 minute back massage once a week. The control group did not receive any therapy.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic information, a life events questionnaire and a brief medical history of all participants was completed at enrolment. Physiological stress was measured at weeks one, three and five by urinary cortisol and blood pressure readings. Psychological stress levels were measured at weeks one and five with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).
RESULTS: Differences in the change in urinary cortisol and blood pressure between the two groups did not reach statistical significance. However, STAI scores decreased over the five weeks for those participants who received a weekly massage. The STAI scores of the control group increased over the five week period. These differences between the groups were statistically significant.
CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that massage therapy is a beneficial tool for the health of nurses as it may reduce psychological stress levels. It is recommended that further large studies be conducted to measure the symptoms of stress rather than the physiological signs of stress in nurses.

Boone, T., Tanner, M., & Radosevich, A. (2001). Effects of a 10-minute back rub on cardiovascular responses in healthy subjects. American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 29, 47-52

METHODS: This study determined the cardiovascular responses to a 10-minute back rub. Twelve healthy, college-age males and females volunteered to participate as subjects. The subjects were assessed for 10 minutes on a massage table lying on one side. During the treatment period, a back rub was administered. Oxygen consumption and cardiac output were measured. RESULTS: The central and peripheral components of oxygen consumption were changed and cardiac output decreased. These results indicate that the back rub was effective in inducing relaxation.

Delaney, J.P., Leong, K.S., Watkins, A., & Brodie, D. (2002). The short-term effects of myofascial trigger point massage therapy on cardiac autonomic tone in healthy subjects. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 37, 364-71.

METHOD: This study investigated the effects of myofascial trigger-point massage therapy to the head, neck and shoulder areas on cardiac autonomic tone. A 5-minute cardiac interbeat interval recording, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and subjective self-evaluations of muscle tension and emotional state were taken before and after intervention. RESULTS: Following myofascial trigger-point massage therapy there was a significant decrease in heart rate, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Analysis of heart rate variability revealed a significant increase in parasympathetic activity following myofascial trigger-point massage therapy. Additionally both muscle tension and emotional state showed significant improvement.

Quinn, C., Chandler, C., & Moraska, A. (2002). Massage therapy and frequency of chronic tension headaches. American Journal of Public Health, 92, 1657-1661.

METHOD: This study examined the effects of massage therapy on chronic, nonmigraine headache. Four chronic tension headache sufferers (aged 18-55 yrs) received structured massage therapy treatment directed toward the neck and shoulder muscles during a 4-wk period. RESULTS: Massage therapy reduced the number of weekly headaches. Headache frequency was significantly reduced within the initial week of massage treatment, and continued for the remainder of the study. A trend toward reduction in average duration of each headache event between the baseline period and the treatment period was also observed.
Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Krasnegor, J., Theakston, H., Hossain, Z., & Burman, I. (2000). High blood pressure and associated symptoms were reduced by massage therapy. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 4, 31-38.

METHOD: High blood pressure is associated with elevated anxiety, stress and stress hormones, hostility, depression and catecholamine. Massage therapy and progressive muscle relaxation were evaluated as treatments for reducing blood pressure and associated symptoms. Adults who had been diagnosed as hypertensive received ten 30-minute massage sessions over five weeks or they were given progressive muscle relaxation instructions (control group). RESULTS: Sitting diastolic blood pressure decreased after the first and last massage therapy sessions and reclining diastolic blood pressure decreased from the first to the last day of the study. Although both groups reported less anxiety, only the massage therapy group reported less depression and hostility and showed decreased urinary and salivary hormone levels (cortisol). Massage therapy may be effective in reducing diastolic blood pressure and symptoms associated with hypertension.

Verhoef, M.J., & Page, S.A. (1998). Physicians’ perspectives on massage therapy. Canadian Family Physician, 44, 1018-40.

METHOD: The purpose of this study was to examine the knowledge, opinions, and referral behavior of family physicians with respect to massage therapy and to explore factors associated with referral. Three hundred family physicians were mailed a survey containing questions about sociodemographic and practice characteristics, perceived knowledge of massage therapy, opinions about the usefulness and legislation (government regulations) of massage therapy, and referral behavior. RESULTS: Fifty-four percent of physicians completed the questionnaire. Sixty-eight percent of respondents indicated they had minimal or no knowledge. Of the remaining, most (83%) believed massage therapy was a useful adjunct to their own practice. Moreover, 71% had referred patients to massage therapists and most (72%) perceived increasing demand from their patients for massage therapy. Approximately half of the physicians surveyed supported government regulation of massage therapy. Thus, the physicians demonstrated a discrepancy between their knowledge of massage therapy and their opinions of, and referrals to, the profession. Physicians who referred patients to massage therapists generally held more positive opinions and had more knowledge of the discipline.