The workplace can be a major contributor to muscular aches and pains, affecting job performance and decreasing overall productivity. A 2010 The Bureau of Labor Statistics report states over 346,000 cases of musculoskeletal disorders exist, causing an average of 11 missed workdays per person.

On site chair massage is an effective employee perk many companies provide to counter workday aches and pains.What is a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD)? You might know it as a repetitive stress injury or repetitive motion injury, muscle and/or joint pain caused by a repetitive action (typing, holding the mouse, lifting boxes, etc.) or a prolonged, static position (sitting at a desk for hours).

Common MSDs include:

Carpal tunnel syndrome
Low back pain
Neck soreness and stiffness
Symptoms include headaches, numbness, tingling, loss of energy, and decreased strength.

3 Healing Benefits of Chair Massage

Benefits Are Immediate – Chair massage techniques effectively address areas of tension and pain by increasing local blood flow and relaxing the nervous system. Most employees report feeling less pain and increased range of motion immediately following a chair massage session.

Proven Treatment for Common MSDs- Research shows massage reduces the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome*. Also, a Consumer Reports survey showed massage is a preferred hands-on treatment for low back pain.

Impacts The Bottom Line- Regular chair massage treatments help to protect against MSDs, thereby, reducing employee absenteeism and improving productivity.

If absenteeism, lower productivity and general tension affect your workplace in the Philadelphia area, consider on-site chair massage from Relax ‘N Go Massage.

* The Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 2004