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Guest Article
November 2002

Therapeutic Massage and Office Workers

Working enables us to survive in the society in which we live. Employment gives us the ability to feed, clothe, and shelter ourselves; often provides health benefit packages, and allows us the luxuries that we enjoy. However, there is a cost. All jobs have come with physical, mental, and emotional demands. Our ability to deal with these stress factors directly impacts on all aspects of our lives. When the demands on our energy overpower our coping mechanisms, our bodies begin sending out distress signals. Here are some common signs and symptoms of overload:

Physical Overload Emotional Overload
  • Pain
  • Muscle fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Muscle spasm
  • Loss of dexterity
  • Inflammation
  • Decreased range of motion
  • Frustration
  • Exhaustion
  • Feeling depressed
  • Feeling overwhelmed
  • Muscle spasm
  • Anxiety
  • Impatience
  • Moodiness
  • Headaches
  • Tension
  • Exhaustion
  • Frustration
  • Feeling depressed

    • These examples may be present individually or may develop into a condition, such as a tendonitis or depression. Obviously, many items are present in both lists, highlighting the need to address both the physical and psychological elements of wellness.

    Office work is widely variable in both the types and amounts of these demands on our energy; however there are a few things seem to be fairly common throughout. First of all, office workers tend to spend a lot of time doing computer work, and secondly an office setting usually involves a lot of interdependence with others. The first item is fairly easily understood; our bodies were not meant to sit for extended periods of time, and repetitive motions (typing, using a mouse) are very hard on our muscles and joints. The second refers to work related stress - the disorganized boss, the colleague that is hard to get along with, work deadlines, etc. - the factors that affect how we feel at work and about our jobs.

    Massage therapy has had a lot of success in the wellness of the office worker. There are two basic aspects: prevention, and rehabilitation. A massage client may experience either of these at any time, and may be working on both simultaneously. This may be illustrated more easily with an example:

    A client comes in for treatment of pain and stiffness across the backs of her shoulders and headaches. This person works in a large office with a lot of deadlines, and finds her supervisor to be unapproachable.

    In a 60-minute appointment, the massage therapist might:

    • Have the client fill out a health history and perform an interview and assessment to determine all aspects of the problem and possible approaches.
    • Have dim lights, soft music, and begin with long, slow, firm strokes in order to induce a relaxation in the client. This is a physiological response that helps to reduce anxiety.
    • Work on the problem area and all the areas surrounding it to relieve muscle spasm, tension and pain, and restore balance.
    • Provide a non-judgmental ear to allow the client to express their concerns (if they choose to do so), and to answer health related questions
    • Educate the client about self - care, and possibly suggest specific exercises or stretches to improve posture and strengthen weak areas. Discuss observations such as: when the client talks about work, she pulls her shoulders up towards her ears.
    • Refer to another health care provider if appropriate.

    This is a simple example of how a massage therapist may approach a particular problem, but there are many possible massage approaches. Massage therapy is not a "quick fix", and usually improvement is noticeable in approximately 3 - 6 sessions. Many office workers will come to a therapist for a specific problem, but continue treatments on a 4 - 6 week basis in order to maintain their wellness, since the factors that caused the problem initially are most likely still present. Massage is also very effective when used in combination with a physiotherapist, chiropractor, or prescribed medications. Many employers now recognize the benefits of massage therapy, are have included it in their extended benefit packages.

    Massage therapy is a caring, non - invasive, whole body/mind way of maintaining health, prevention, treating problems when they occur, and encouraging a healthy lifestyle.

    Ami Brodribb, R.M.T.
    Lendrum Health Centre
    5846 111th St.
    Edmonton, AB T6H 3G1
    (780) 433-1499

    **(Watch for another article in a couple of months on how working the muscles through therapeutic massage works to assist healing!)**




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