ON-SITE MASSAGE
By Amanda Brooks, DARM,DIR,OSM,SMTO
of Corporate On-Site Services
DEFINITION OF ON-SITE MASSAGE
On-Site Massage is performed through the clothes on a specially
designed chair. It lasts for 15-20 minutes and is aimed
at the corporate environment. Its aims are to first of all
relax the client, de-stressing and relieving general muscular
tension, and then to rejuvenate and re-vitalise, ready to
go back to work.
On-Site Massage is an innovative way for a company to improve
the productivity of their employees. Many companies have
also found a decline in absenteeism.
The Touch Research Institute in Florida has a published
study on the benefits of On-Site Massage. The results are
as follows:-
- Decreased EEG Alpha and Beta Waves and increased delta
activity, consistent with enhanced alertness.
- Mathematical problems were completed in significantly
less time with significantly fewer errors after massage.
- Anxiety and job stress levels were lower at the end
of the one-month period.
Ref: Fields, T, Ironson, G, Scafidi, F, Nawrocki, T, Goncalves,
A, Burman, I, Pickens, J, Fox, N, Schanberg, S and Kuhn,
C (1996) International Journal of Neuroscience, 86
Introduction
'Mr Black' is a 35-year-old man, suffering from stress.
His company provides On-Site Massage as a benefit to all
employees. The company has never implemented it as part
of their stress management program but has decided to test
it for this case.
Mr Black has been with the company for seven years and
his productivity within the company within the last four
months has dwindled. This has been shown in both his standards
of work and the time it takes to complete tasks. The last
four projects were not completed until after the official
deadline.
Mr Black has also been irritable and snappy towards other
employees, creating hostility within the workplace.
The Company Doctor has prescribed anti-depressants, which
only appear to have slowed him down further, and made him
withdraw.
Mr Black has been a valuable asset to the company over
the years, helping to secure numerous multi-million pound
contracts for the company. The managing directors, thus,
have chosen to try and rectify the situation, if possible,
rather than opting for dismissal of Mr Black.
They have given a one-month deadline to see substantial
changes; otherwise extreme measures will have to be made.
Consultation
Mr Black begins with being reluctant to give too many details
about his general health and lifestyle. He sees being sent
for treatment as a threat, rather than a lifeline.
Mr Black is in denial that his problems are threatening
his job and security.
Through completing the Indemnity Form provided it is revealed
that he is having frequent headaches and sleeping problems.
It also recognises that he is not only on anti-depressants
but also sleeping pills, both in relatively high dosages.
No other recent illnesses, operations, fractures or general
medical details are noted.
Discussion is turned to other factors that may affect his
general well-being, this uncovers that he has been having
problems with his wife recently, due to working long hours
and not giving an appropriate amount of time to both her
and their children. This is clearly a factor contributing
to the hostility he is presenting, especially as he feels
he is working hard so that he can gain a good salary to
give his family a good standard of living that he did not
have as a child.
Dietary factors are also included, where he describes drinking
between ten and fifteen cups of coffee per day! Again this
high level of caffeine will be contributing to his irritability.
He also tends to eat fast/convenience foods that he eats
while he works, without taking any proper breaks during
the day. His main meal is taken late at night, sometimes
well after 10pm. This not only will contribute to his sleeping
problem but the lack of nutrition, through a poor diet,
will not help his general health.
As the consultation progresses he begins to relax and recognise
that he has problems that need to be addressed.
Additional information provided by the Occupational Health
Department are the results on his stress levels and blood
pressure that are both substantially higher than they should
be. The tests will be repeated at the end of the treatment
program to help measure progress.
Treatment plan
The company has put a timescale on rectifying the situation
of only one month. This is not a great deal of time considering
that the initial problems began over one year ago, with
severe productivity and irritability over the last four
months.
Discussion is made with Mr Black into the course of action;
this is done to make sure he feels involved in 'taking charge'
of his life, rather than someone doing it for him, that
is never as effective as people can become dependant on
the treatment.
The treatment plan chosen is to have two On-Site Massages
per week, one on Monday, and the other on Thursday, for
the duration of the month. Mr Black is also going to try
and drink more water, and if he needs to drink coffee he
is going to try a de-caffeinated blend. He is also going
to try and eat a more nutritious diet, possibly bringing
in fresh soup or salads from home for lunch. Proper breaks
for mealtimes and structure, same time each day, to them
are also to be implemented.
On-site massage treatment
The first 20-minute On-Site Massage uncovers that Mr Black
is holding a lot of tension in his neck and shoulders. He
also found it very difficult to relax during the massage,
talking constantly. During the stretches, where breathing
exercises are incorporated, he was reluctant to 'let go'
and take proper deep breaths.
Mr Black did feel slightly easier and less tense after
the initial session, especially in his shoulder area.
Advice on posture was given as he has a tendency to slouch,
particularly while working on his PC. The company was also
providing assistance in looking at the ergonomics of his
workstation.
On the day of the second session Mr Black arrived looking
less pale and withdrawn. He commented on his sleeping pattern
improving slightly and awaking more refreshed, rather than
waking up feeling like he had been 'run over by a bus' as
previously described.
During the massage he talked less and began to relax. His
response to the treatment improved, allowing the stretches
to be done more effectively, concentrating on breathing
more. At the end of the session he felt 'refreshed'.
Time management was discussed at the end of the session
briefly, as planning his time more efficiently will not
only improve his job productivity but also may help reduce
his working hours which will help his home life.
The following four treatments, over two weeks, changes
were noticeably seen. Mr Black appeared more cheerful and
less like he was carrying the weight of the world on his
shoulders.
He stopped his medication by the end of the second week,
as agreed by his GP. His sleeping pattern is almost completely
back to normal, and he does not feel as 'down'.
He has taken control of his workload, and the planning
of his day has allowed him to finish the day between 6 and
7pm, instead of 9 or 10pm as done previously. He also feels
himself that his standard of work has begun to improve.
Through reducing his caffeine and relaxing more through
the On-Site Massage, he not only feels, but is also noticeably,
less irritable. He also mentions plans to go out for a drink
at the end of the week with colleagues, something he has
not done for over nine months. This shows his communication
skills returning, and the ability to socialise.
The seventh, penultimate, session shows Mr Black is no
longer the pale, highly-strung, withdrawn person initially
met. He is friendly, outgoing and relaxed. His determination
to strive in his work has returned. He has taken control
of his life.
Mr Black acknowledges the changes he feels and how he had
not noticed how difficult a situation he had got himself
into. He also recognised how close he got to not only losing
his job, and his security, but feels he was on the brink
of a breakdown.
Discussion is made into maintaining these changes - how
to relax on a regular basis - relaxing hot baths, regular
massage or even reading a book, not work-related. Also ensuring
proper time off, it has been mentioned he has not taken
a day off in over six months.
Assessments are made by the Company's Occupational Health
Department prior to the final session. The tests show that
his blood pressure and stress levels are back to normal,
if not slightly low.
The Managing Directors and Occupational Health Department
are overwhelmed by the dramatic change that has occurred
with Mr Black, especially to his work.
The final session is done as an extra, rather than being
essential. It is decided that Mr Black will continue to
have an On-Site Massage once per month, as offered by the
company to the employees already. This will be to assist
in maintenance to the changes Mr Black has made.
Conclusion
Mr Black made dramatic progress over the month of treatment.
Stress levels were reduced, as was blood pressure, by helping
Mr Black relax. He regained control and took charge of his
life. The On-Site Massage helped him to feel more alert
and re-vitalised which enabled him to be more effective
in his workplace.
The company was pleased to have a valuable member of their
team back. His immediate superior was astonished at the
improvement of the standard of his work. He was receiving
completed work early rather than late. Mr Black was also
back to being involved with other colleagues, liaising with
them rather than trying to do everything on his own. His
aggressive, confrontational manner was also a thing of the
past.
The Managing Directors and Occupational Health Department
also decided to implement On-Site Massage as part of their
Stress Management program, rather than just being an added
bonus for staff to enjoy, as it had been seen previously.
About the Author
Amanda Brooks, DARM,DIR,OSM,SMTO
This study was done by Amanda Brooks who practises from
the Brooks-Carter Clinic in Aberdeen as an Advanced Remedial,
Sports and On-Site Massage Therapist and Reflexologist.
Amanda is the Practise Manager as well as Course Co-ordinator
for the Scottish Massage Schools. She runs courses in Aberdeen,
Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness in various therapies. She
also tutors for the courses in Basic Swedish Massage, Remedial/Sports
Massage, Reflexology and On-Site Massage, which she is also
Head of Studies.
She is a member of the SMTO (Scottish Massage Therapists
Organisation) and is their Events Co-ordinator.
Amanda began COSS (Corporate On-Site Services) at the beginning
of 2000. Her aim was to supply On-Site Massage to companies
on a national basis. Primarily On-Site Massage is implemented
into the corporate environment but other therapies, like
Reflexology and Sports Massage, have been used, particularly
for Health Promotions done within the company.
Amanda has presented talks and workshops, nationally, on
'Back Care and Posture at Work', 'Stress Management' and
'RSI'.
Information on introducing On-Site Massage into the workplace
can be gained from:-
CORPORATE ON-SITE SERVICES
Tel. 01224 822956
Email smto@ifb.co.uk
This service is available nationally in the UK.
For courses run by the Scottish Massage Therapists' Organisation
Contact
Scottish Massage Therapists' Organisation (SMTO)
70 Lochside Road
Denmore Park
Bridge of Don
Aberdeen
AB23 8QW
Tel: 01224 822 956
Email: smto@ifb.co.uk
For Further information visit the website
www.scotmass.co.uk
