Benefits

Employees that have less stress are more likely to have higher productivity rates while at work.  Many companies are utilizing chair massages to improve the overall health and well-being of their employees.  During a corporate chair massage, a licensed massage therapist will come to the building and bring a portable massage chair.  The massage generally lasts about 20 minutes and reduces employees stress levels.  This type of massage is different from other massage types because employees can leave their clothes on and there is no use of oils.  The therapist also targets areas of the body that are prone to pain from sitting at a desk all day. 

Cost

There are several options for payment plans.  Some corporations include this as a benefit for employees, while other companies will pay for half.  Some don’t pay at all, but the option for an on-site massage therapist is there for employees.  Some studies have shown that illness is lower in the workplace at corporations that offer massage therapists on site.  With all the benefits of a massage, more and more places are expanding the offer to their own employees.  Massages decrease tension, anxiety, stress, and neck/back pain.  Employees who receive massages at work are less likely to become sick and more likely to be productive. 

Northwestern College

Northwestern College, located in Chicago, IL and several other suburban areas, offers an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science in Massage Therapy.  The program focuses on health-care and business related topics, as well as general education classes to provide a versatile curriculum.  You will gain a deeper understanding of massage methods and the physiological outcome of receiving a massage.  Some massage techniques you will learn include Swedish Massage, Scalp Massage, Reflexology, Chair Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Therapeutic Massage and many more.  The staff at Northwestern is dedicated to providing you with the best education about the massage industry to prepare you for your future career.  Also, there are several business classes that will teach you the protocols of business so you can learn how to run your own company. 

Careers and Accreditation

Massage therapy is growing rapidly throughout the nation, making the career in demand.  Massage therapists can find careers in sports medicine centers, rehabilitation centers, orthopedic clinics, fitness centers, spas, and physical therapy departments.  It is very common that massage therapists will start their own business and build a client base of their own.  Also, it’s common that massage therapists will work another job, or even work part-time hours.  Northwestern College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and belongs to the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. 

There are a variety of different massage tables available to massage therapist.  Some are portable while others are electronic and stationary.  Some of the popular massage tables ,such as earthlite, stronglite and inner strength, offer more durability than some of the off brand massage tables.  They also offer limited or extended warranties upon the original purchase date.  Each massage table also offers variations in color, material, padding and wood. 

Table features

Each massage brand will vary in what selections you can choose from.  Some massage tables are constructed with vinyl coverings or bonded leather materials, while other massage tables use only 100% leather.  Each massage table will give a full description of its standard features.  It will list everything that is included with purchase.  It will also list extras that can be purchased such as arms rests, head rests or massage carrying cases; and the massage table will also list a full specification of its overall dimensions.  The dimensions will list the maximum weight capacity, the height, weight of the massage table and the static weight.  This will further assist the massage therapist in choosing the right massage table for their needs.

Portable massage chairs

Massage therapists that run their own home based business or travel usually have a portable massage chair.  The portable massage chair can be very different than a standard massage chair.  Most of the portable massage chairs are structured differently than a standard massage chair.  Typically they only allow the massage therapist to work on the back of the client.  As most of the portable massage chairs are not flat, this doesn’t allow for the client to switch positions during the massage.  It’s important that you consider this before promising a specific massage to someone.  This may limit the types of massages you can do on location.  Itis important to communicate this with your client before you arrive to their location.

A chair massage is a great alternative to a regular massage at a massage therapy clinic or spa.  A chair massage offers the same benefits as any regular massage.  A chair massage is typically done at an office or on location.  This massage is administered while the client is comfortably sitting in their own chair or on a massage therapy chair or table. 

Convenience

The chair massage allows the massage therapist to visit the client at either their home or office.  For most people the time to see their massage therapist is limited.  This truly gives career women and men a better opportunity to fit in their massages.  They can choose to fit in a quick massage on their lunch or break.  Chair massages are can also be also offered at homes, special events, corporate get-togethers, conventions, or parties. 

Benefits

The benefits of on-site massages are endless.  It truly is a great stress reliever and energy enhancer.  People that suffer from back pain, migraines, sore muscles, and reduced flexibility get tremendous relief from receiving a chair or on-site massage.  From an employer’s perspective, it is a great way to offer perks to their employees.  It’s a great incentive or reward program for a job well done. 

Corporate and group discounts

Most companies that participate in the on-site massages find that their employees are less stressed and miss less days than employers who don’t offer the on-site massages.  Companies also like that the employee retention levels are higher and people seem to be happier in the workplace.  Overall this has given many companies great success with their current team.  Many companies will offer different group and corporate rates for different standard and specialty massages.  You can call ahead to check out rates and availability with each company.  Most massage on-site companies will offer better rates for larger groups or corporate events.  They may also throw in free lotions or perks as extra incentives. 

There are many different portable massage chair options available for a massage therapist.  A massage therapist can choose from a variety of different materials, colors, warranties and packages.  Each manufacturer generally also has a nice write up on what warranties are available. Some massage chair manufacturers may also offer a life-time warranty standard. 

Convenience

Portable massage chairs enable a massage therapist to offer massages to a client anywhere they choose.  Massage therapists can travel to the client’s home, office, vacation spot or work out center.  It allows the massage therapist a lot of flexibility as the portable massage chair can be compacted and lifted once the massage is completed.  Massage therapists can choose from a very basic model to a model that offers more options for the client.

Cost

Portable massage chairs can range anywhere from two hundred dollars up to a few thousand dollars.  Each massage chair will vary in price due to the material, manufacturer and extra features.  It’s important the massage therapist always have cleaner and face rest covers on hand, you can also purchase face rest covers that are disposable and washable.  This is imperative to the client and massage therapist as this will ensure that you are following sanitation procedures between each massage. You can also sanitize and change this right in front of your client to show that you are following the sanitary precautions.  

Variety of styles

Massage therapists can choose from a variety of different foams.  The foam layers can be one inch or more.  Some foams serve as multi layers which offer more support and comfort to the client.  Massage chairs are also offered in different materials.  Some massage chairs are offered in vinyl while others offer different grades of leather and color options.   If you are comparing manufacturers, you may also want to visit consumer reports.  They offer a great write up of the customer experience and manufacture qualifications.

A chair massage is shorter in duration than a traditional massage, with times typically ranging from five to thirty minutes. Unlike a typical massage in a salon or spa, these massages are performed outside the person’s clothing.

Benefits

A chair massage targets tension areas in the neck, shoulder, back and arms. Chair massages have been known to promote overall well being and performance by reducing stress, increasing concentration, lowering anxiety, increasing circulation, lowering blood pressure, and promoting muscular relaxation. Due to the effectiveness of chair massages, many corporations offer these services for their employees, and, since it is a shorter massage, people can get it done over a lunch break.  Many people are familiar with chair massages because they typically will see this type of massage performed in a shopping mall or in any other public arena.

Convenient

Chair massages are becoming increasingly common because they are easy to set up and convenient for a versatile group of people.  Since these massages are done in the public, the recipients are able to view the type of massage they will receive. People are able to view the masseuse working and are able to see exactly what he is doing. An added benefit of the chair massage is that it is performed outside of the recipients clothing. Some may feel that a traditional massage is uncomfortable for them because they do not want to get undressed. A chair massage is usually shorter in duration than a traditional massage, making it a convenient option for people to fit into their busy schedules. 

Many businesses are providing on-site chair massages to promote wellness programs to their employees.  Not only are on-site massages great for mental health, employers are using them as incentives to improve employee performances.  Studies show that people who receive massages have less anxiety and feel positive effects almost immediately.  Employees who receive massages during work are going to be more alert and productive.  On-site chair massages are a cost effective and safe program that everyone can use in any work environment.

Set-up 

An on-site chair massage can be used in any work station and does not require a private room setting.  The massage therapist may bring their own chair or they can use any chair in the office.  The program is convenient and caters to the needs of the recipient.  The massage will last between 10-15 minutes, but can go as long as the clients work break.  There are no oils used and the recipient is fully clothed.   Most of the techniques that the massage therapist uses focus on the shoulders, neck, back, and arms.  The onsite-chair massage is an effective way to promote wellness programs and keep employees feeling healthy and motivated during long work weeks.      

A growing and welcome trend among big business employee “perk” benefits is the offering of chair massage. Employees are, from time to time, offered opportunities to receive chair massage during lunch breaks or many companies will hire a group of massage therapists to be on site for an entire day, allowing almost all employees a chance at a ten minute relaxation session.

Techniques

A chair massage therapist has several techniques to offer a client that are slightly different from receiving a massage on a massage table. Since a client will remain fully clothed during a chair massage, no oil or lotion is used and generally a therapist will not massage with the typical massage strokes. Instead, through the clothes, the therapist will apply compression to the back, neck and arms using their forearms, knuckles and heels of their hands. Another technique is squeezing where the therapist squeezes large muscle groups between two contact points. This technique works best on the upper back and upper arms. Circular kneading will be applied during a chair massage as well as percussion and  friction work.

Benefits

The benefits of receiving a chair massage, especially during a work day, include a general lowering of stress, increased circulation which increases an individual’s attention and focus and decreased neck strain and backaches. It has also been reported that a company that offers chair massage to its employees from time to time have a decrease in injury-related absence.

References

www.ygoy.com

www.ezinearticles.com

The field of Massage Therapy offers a diverse array of massages.  Some Massage Therapists choose to master a few massage techniques while other Massage Therapists become proficient at many techniques.

Chair Massage

Chair Massage utilizes Acupressure methods and offers a more timely massage that can be delivered in a variety of geographic locations.  Chair Massage allows more flexibility because it can be practiced anywhere with a chair.  Often, Massage Therapists that practice Chair Massage visit patients in their homes or at work. 

Infant Massage

Infant Massage is used for women in the process of having children as well as their babies.  Infant Massage requires additional training since great care must be taken for infants and pregnant women. 

Myofascial Release Massage

Myofascial Release Massage focuses on releasing and stretching the muscle fascia to decrease pain and inflammation as well as increase range of motion.  Through Myofascial Release Massage, the muscles of the body are more capable of functioning as a cohesive unit. 

Reflexology Massage

Reflexology Massage is a core component of most Massage Therapy Schools and consists of putting forth pressure at various locations in the hands and feet that correspond to particular tissues and organs in the body. 

Shiatsu Massage

Finally, Shiatsu Massage consists of applying pressure to various points along the Energy Meridians of the body with the thumbs.  For further information on other Massage Therapy techniques, visit www.naturalhealers.com.[1]