What You Need To Know: Corporate Chair Massage

So you've heard that your company has decided to invest into it's employee health. Everyone has been feeling stressed lately due to an increased workload and in many cases a more lean workforce. Sitting behind your desk all day in a hunched position has made your shoulders really tight. It doesn't help the situation that those tension headaches that you thought you left back in finals week of college amidst your organic chemistry and english grammar books have reared their ugly heads once again.

Luckily for you, your employer values you and the rest of the employees. You employer  wants to provide a service for you that allows you  and other employees to de-stress. He has contracted with the local corporate wellness program to have a massage therapist come on-site and do a chair massage.

Now before you begin thinking that you don't have the time during your day to take off and go get a chair massage, ask yourself how much you know about chair massage? In reality, it is the perfect, quick, and efficient stress release for the cubicle employee. Chair massage is a much more efficient way of relieving stress than going to comiserate with your co-worker across the way about how stressed you both are with your upcoming deadlines. Employee stress equals sickness not health!

Here is what you need to know about Chair Massage:

1) The chair massage therapist will bring a chair that you (the employee) will sit in. The front of your body is lying against the chair so that the therapist can work on your back. The chair also has resting places for your arms and legs.

2) You do not need to get undressed! Chair massage is done fully clothed, and any clothing is acceptable although it may be more comfortable for women to not wear skirts

3) There is no need to worry about being greasy from lotion from the chair massage. The chair massage therapist will normally not use lotion. If they do use it, it will only be used on the arms or on the back of the neck, and they will only use it after asking the employee whether or not they want it.

4) It usually takes from 5 – 15 minutes per chair massage and the therapist will work on the exact areas that you ask him to work on

5) Sometimes the company will cover the whole cost of the chair massage, other times they will pay for half and the employee will pay for half the massage. Usually a dollar a minute is charged, so if it is partially covered, a 10 minute massage would cost you 5 dollars. You deserve it!

6) It is not required, but it is proper etiquette for an employee to leave some gratuity for the massage therapist.

7) It is important to take time out of your day for you!

If your company brings in a massage therapist, it is because it believes in the wellness of its employees. Even though you might think that you do not have time, take some time for you. If you are able to relieve stress, you will have more energy and will be less likely to get sick. In addition, because you feel better you will be more productive and efficient with your time, which is the ultimate goal in time management.  Make a wise choice and try chair massage! Healthy employees mean a healthy company!