“Stress in the workplace has been labeled the number one health problem in the United States, with costs to American industry estimated at billions of dollars”, said Paul Rosch, clinical professor of medicine and psychiatry at New York Medical College and President of the American Institute of Stress in Yonkers, NY.

What exactly is stress? The dictionary defines stress as “great pressure or force, strain”. In today’s world we refer to stress as the result of too much pressure laid upon us by life. The environments ability to affect any individual stressfully is more often than not determined by the individuals attitude of mind.

Of all the modern day ailments that seem to affect us, none is more pervasive than stress. It seems that everywhere we turn there are many factors that redirect us from a state of happiness to the feelings of stress. Today with pending layoffs and little to no pay raises, the work place is a major  factor in adding to our everyday stress.

Stress can manifest itself in our bodies in many ways, such as tight neck and shoulders, headaches, and nervous stomach. Too much stress in our lives causes constant muscular tension. This tension or tightness reduces the flow of blood and oxygen, nerve and lymph supply, or the more subtle energy, life force or chi. Reducing this flow leads to feelings of fatigue, and reduces flexibility and range of motion increasing the likelihood of injury and build up of toxins in the body. Generally blocked energy is felt as aches and pains but can eventually lead to a wide range of more serious problems. When we get stressed our immune systems begin to break down and become weakened making us more susceptible to illness.

What can Corporate America do to combat this problem? Regular massage is the ideal remedy to help relieve the stress of our everyday lives. More and more companies are offering massage to their employees right at the workplace. These companies report seeing great results such as reduced absenteeism. decreased health care costs, increased morale and reductions in repetitive injuries to name just a few. Improved health benefits both the employer and the employee making on-site massage a win win situation.

Massage can help the mind and body to deal with stress on a day to day basis and promote a feeling of well-being. When we hurt ourselves it is instinctive to rub ourselves where we are hurt. We have always used touch to reassure and calm ourselves and others. Massage makes us aware of how and where stress manifests itself in the form of tension in our bodies. First you might experience relief from massage by loosening tense muscle, but there are so many more benefits.

Massage will increase blood and lymph circulation, which helps your body to receive essential nutrients, dispose of waste products, and defend against disease by improving the immune system. Massage can restore suppleness and strength to your muscles improving flexibility and range of motion. It helps to release toxins, such as lactic acid, as well as relieving tight or sore muscles. Massage also improves sleep allowing your body that important time it needs to heal.

As you can see, massage offers more benefits than you may have imagined. Companies that utilize on-site massage therapy see amazing results in the overall health of their employees. It is good to know that something that feels so great can contribute to your long-term health as well.