Massage

Neck pain at work: causes and treatment

Neck pain at work: causes and treatment

 Sometimes neck pain seems to come on so suddenly (bad movement, posture or whiplash), but in other cases, it could start as a dull pain that just creeps up on you, and it is hard to know what caused it.

It doesn’t matter how it comes on, the fact is that when you have it, you’ll want to know the cause and how to relieve it quickly and effectively to continue with your daily activities.

Background

 The human head weighs approximately 10 or 11 pounds.  that’s  about 8% of your total body weight. It’s only 2 or 3 pounds lighter than a tenpin bowling ball!

That’s quite an object to balance on your neck. However, when you watch a young child first learning to sit upright their heads seem so beautifully balanced. It’s an indication that the bad postural habits you adopt as you grow older can take their toll.

Unfortunately, neck pain is more common in people who spend much of their working day at a desk with a ‘bent-forward’ posture. It is very common too. 

Two out of three people are thought to experience neck pain in their adult lives, and after the age of 45, about 1 in 5 people are thought to have neck pain problems at any given moment.

What are the causes of back pain?

The bones, ligaments, and muscles of your neck support your head and allow it for motion. If there is any abnormality, inflammation or injury, it can cause neck pain or stiffness.

some common causes are:

  • Whiplash as a result of vehicular accidents or other types of bad and involuntary movements.
  • Bad posture at work is a major factor in causing neck pain. 
  • Inadequate support for the neck while sleeping or sleeping with the neck at an awkward position.
  • Emotional and psychological stresses.
  • Non-specific neck pain. When it is hard to know the cause.
  • Falling or sudden impact that pushes the head to the side, such as sports injuries.
  • Turning the head side to side repeatedly during an activity, for example while swimming.
  • “Text neck” poor posture while using your computer (monitor) or looking down at your mobile phone for long periods of time (as we usually do).
  • Experiencing excessive stress or anxiety, which can lead to tension in the neck.
  • Holding the neck in an abnormal position for a long period, such as cradling a phone between the neck and shoulder (again, poor posture).

What are the symptoms?

Neck pain can vary in intensity, for example:

  •  annoying discomfort
  • extremely painful,
  • sharp, and limiting. 

Usually, the movement is more limited (stiffness) and pain is harder when you try to turn your neck to a particular side or direction. This can affect your activities on different levels (work, studies or daily routine). 

How can I avoid or relieve neck pain at work?

 Firstly, consider how you are set up at your office desk. There are a number of things you need to get right, but here are some of the most vital:

  • Make sure your seat is adjusted so that your feet are flat on the floor and your knees are level with your hips. 
  • Also, make sure you have plenty of support for your lower back because poor lower back posture starts a chain reaction to the neck. 
  • Make sure that your mouse is kept close to you, that you are square on to the keyboard and computer terminal.
  • Your screen must be at the right height for your natural eye line.
  •  Stand up and move at regular intervals. There is even an app for that.
  • Stretch your body, especially your neck and shoulders.
  • Try chair massage.

Why is it important to stretch my neck while working?

 Clearly, it is going to be beneficial to stretch the neck itself. The following link illustrates three simple neck stretches

In addition to stretching the neck, you should look to open up the chest by doing pectoral muscle stretches. Also, particularly in times of stress, the trapezius muscles can get very tight. This can put a lot of strain on the neck and create pain. Massage is a great way to relieve that type of tension (try chair massage, it is done in your own office).

How can Chair massage help me to get rid of neck pain?

  • It is the best option if you want a quick massage that focuses on your neck, shoulders, and back. 
  • A chair massage can also be a way to introduce you to massage if you’ve never had one before.
  •  Chair massage also helps to relieve stress and promote relaxation and could be done at your own office. This type of massage uses light to medium pressure.

What to expect during a chair massage?

During the massage, you’ll remain fully clothed and sit in a specially designed chair. You’ll straddle the chair so that your chest pushes into the back of the chair, allowing the massage therapist to have access to your back.

Undoubtedly, there is a minimum disruption to the working day.

It is a treatment that emphasises on your back, neck, shoulders, arms, and scalp. It is both therapeutic and highly relaxing.

It doesn’t take more than 30 minutes.

A final word

Remember  to check in with your emotions. Ironically, your neck pain could be due to psychological, not physiological factors. We recommend researching basic meditation or mindfulness as a possible remedy.

We hope this information is useful for you. If you have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us 3 mins away from Angel station in Islington. If you like this blog, please share!

We are always happy to help.

References

https://www.healthline.com/health/neck-pain#treatment

https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/neck-pain/treatment-stiff-neck

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How to improve mental and physical health of your employees

How to improve mental and physical health of your employees

Chair massage: the perfect option to improve the general wellbeing of your employees.

It’s Christmas season plus a new Coronavirus variant (Omicron), so obviously, stress and anxiety are the protagonists of the season. Your employees may feel exhausted, confused or overwhelmed, but one of the solutions to their problems can be just a few steps away from their work stations. This solution is a regular chair massage! Many people see massages as a luxury or as a treat, something you only “allow” once per year. Stiffness and pains in muscles and joints due to stress are one of the most common reasons people book our in office chair massage service. Don´t look at it as a luxury, think about it as a treatment for your employees.

In addition, you should know that having regular chair massages is important for the mental health of your employees. Many people are not aware of how massage can help them at emotional levels. Having massages regularly has a positive influence on the physical and mental health of your employees. If you don’t have the luxury of going to a clinic for some reason, you can check out our chair massage packages.

Professional massage therapists are great listeners and they can help your employees to relax body and mind. In other words,  massage means to be kind with themselves and is a good investment for their mind and body health. On the other hand, you shouldn’t feel guilty to include massages in your budget and having them regularly. On the contrary, as chair massage promotes the general wellbeing of your employees, they will also have better outcomes for the company. So, don’t think about chair massage as an expense, think about it as an investment.

 What are the benefits of chair massages?

You may think massage is just for relaxing and comfort, but they are also therapeutic. Regular massages help to improve good health and wellness, but most importantly, they can help you change mental states, improving the performance of your employees.

How can massage help your mental health symptoms?

  • Aid to balance emotions
  • Help to relieve symptoms of anxiety
  • Massages clearly reduce the level of stress hormones giving you an amazing sensation of wellbeing.
  • Assist to relieve symptoms of depression.
  • Help with insomnia.

How do stress hormones work in the body?

This season makes your employees more anxious, stressed or depressed. As a result, their bodies pump even more quantities of cortisol adrenaline and norepinephrine (stress hormones) fueling their stress levels and causing them to rise. Massages reduce these hormones by releasing endorphins. 

When they receive a massage their bodies and minds relax and relieve muscle tension too. Most importantly massage can help improve mental health.

Massages are a temporary relief (but not the cure). 

How can insomnia affect the physical health of my employees?

Part of having a good night’s rest is having that relaxing sensation and off course not being stressed. All of us need to have a good quality sleep to function properly and for our wellbeing in general. Experts confirm that insufficient sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases, some examples are: obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and depression.

How can massages help my employees with my insomnia?

Massages help their bodies produce serotonin, this is essential for the production of melatonin. But what is it? Melatonin is a hormone that is produced by the pineal gland in the brain. It helps control their inner clock allowing their body function properly during the day and sleep properly at night. Proper rest means better performance, for instance, better outcomes for the company.

For many people, the melatonin levels start to go up about two hours before going to sleep, but for those who can’t, they should have other options. Some people use melatonin pills or seek doctor’s advice. On the other hand, having massages is a natural way to increase the melatonin levels of your employees. In addition, it is the perfect free alternative for people who struggle with this condition.

In conclusion, massage isn’t a luxury or a treat, it can be beneficial to treat pain injuries or just to help your employees with their stress and anxiety. If your staff is suffering from stress, anxiety or sleeping issues, consider that massage therapy is a natural alternative to deal with their mental health symptoms. Click here for other effective ways to improve mental health.

We hope this information is useful for you. If you need advice or have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us 3 mins away from Angel station in Islington. We are always happy to help. If you like this blog, please share!

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Benefits of regular chair massage for your employees

Benefits of regular chair massage for your employees

Avoid absenteeism!

Regular chair massage comes with a host of potential benefits for your employees, but many people only have massages sporadically, especially if they spend all the time at the office.

Work stress is one of the most common causes of muscular tension. After muscular tension comes pain. Muscular tension and pain are two of the main causes of staff absenteeism. The most common complaints at the office are: neck, shoulders and back pain. So, why don’t you avoid staff absenteeism due these issues by preventing them with regular chair massage?

But few people consider receiving treatments on a regular basis. For that reason, you can think in advance and give your employees the care they need. You won’t regret it!

After starting regular chair massage sessions you will notice all the benefits it brings to your employees and business. In this blog, we take a closer look at the benefits of factoring in a treatment on a regular basis.

 Regular chair massage has numerous health benefits

Massage is about more than just pampering your employees or avoiding injuries. Although, of course, it can suffice very well in either of those instances.

Let’s take, for example, the fact that massage can help to boost their immune and endocrine systems. This isn’t just hocus pocus or wishful thinking but is backed up by scientific evidence.

In this large-scale study it was apparent that hands-on intervention can have significant benefits. Of particular interest was the fact that massage can positively change the number of lymphocytes in the body. These, in turn, have an important role in defending the body from disease. As a result, there will be less absenteeism.

Another area in which regular massage can help your employees is in improving the quality of their sleep. The chemistry of sleep is relevant in relation to massage because it directly influences the body’s production of serotonin, which is essential for the production of melatonin. Melatonin, in turn, plays an important role in helping to regulate sleep.

And increasingly, it is becoming apparent that sleep deprivation can have an adverse effect on health. So anything that can promote regular and deep sleep has to be beneficial.

There are also believed to be positive mental health benefits associated with massage. In the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, massage therapy was believed to help to ease depression.

In addition, massage can help to reduce stress and anxiety and elevate overall mood. This is partly due to the increase in the feel-good hormone dopamine that plays an important role in learning, memory,  and positive emotions. When employees feel good, they have better outcomes for themselves and for the company.

Other benefits of regular chair massage are:

  • Relieves muscle pain 
  • Relieves headaches
  • Increases circulation
  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Increases flexibility and mobility
  • Enhances overall health and wellbeing
  • Your employees feel valued and pampered

A company-paid chair massage leaves employees and guests feeling energized, rejuvenated, valued and relaxed. Massage positively affects the body, mind and the sense of well-being and happiness of your employees.

Of course, it is an investment. But it is an investment into one of the most important things, which is the health and general well-being of your employees.

We hope this information is useful for you. If you need advice or have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us 3 mins away from Angel station in Islington. We are always happy to help.

If you like this blog, please share!

 

 

 

 

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Keeping your employees happy with chair massage!

Keeping your employees happy with chair massage!

What is a chair massage?

Chair massage is the type of massage which is performed with you being in a seated position on a special massage chair. The chairs are usually designed for you to get into a position similar to the one of foetus where your knees and hips are bent and you are comfortably resting on the chair with your back, neck and shoulders exposed to the therapist. We perform the massage over the clothing and does not require oil. During the massage, a therapist is applying pressure to the most affected areas of your back.

Does chair massage help to increase creativity and productivity of the employees?

Just as a regular table massage, chair massage has very similar health benefits. It helps to alleviate tension, ache and pain accumulated in the back, neck and shoulders; improves circulation; relieves stress; helps to reduce anxiety; and improves sleep. All these benefits can have a positive impact on employees psychological and physical health which generally, can make them happier as a person. Hence, if an employee is feeling happy and looked after, it may have a positive influence on one’s creativity and productivity which is beneficial for the company and for the employee, as then, an employee is more likely to achieve the set targets and potentially get a raise or a promotion as well as have a larger contribution to the overall performance of the company.

Does chair massage enhance the analytical abilities of an employee?

In short, yes it can. Benefits of chair massage listed above allows employees to feel more relaxed which can result in a worker having a clearer mind. If one’s mind is clear and a person is feeling relaxed, one can enhance the focus on a presented problem which might help with finding solutions.

Can this type of massage impact the number of sick days?

Pampering your employees with a regular chair massage can reduce the overall number of sick days taken per annum. This could be a result of employees feeling appreciated and looked after in the workplace.

Can chair massage impact the staff turnover?

Happy employee is the employee who is more likely to stay in the company longer. As discussed earlier, looking after your workers will make them feel appreciated. This combined with the health benefits of massage has a good chance in reducing the staff turnover rates which places less strain on the recruitment team and saves the precious time you need to train each new employee.

Can chair massage influence attendance during COVID-19 pandemic?

Setting up regular chair massage sessions in the office might increase employees’ confidence and drive to go and work from the office as they will be aware that attending will result in them being taken care of. This might not necessarily apply to every employee as some of us have been affected by the pandemic more than others. 

Can chair massage increase the quality of service?

If an employee is happy and feels that he or she is being looked after well, it can improve the quality of service. This can have a major impact on companies’ clients as people tend to stay with a company that delivers better customer service.

Can chair massage have an impact on the relationship between the colleagues?

As mentioned above, chair massage can help to reduce anxiety and stress. Hence, people who are less stressed or anxious generally are being kinder and more polite to one another. This may strengthen the relationship between the team, increasing the overall productivity of the team.

A final word

We hope this information is useful for you. If you need advice or have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us 3 mins away from Angel station in Islington. We are always happy to help. If you like this blog, please share!

References:

file:///C:/Users/modes/Desktop/HandAugust2019CJON.pdf 

file:///C:/Users/modes/Desktop/The_Impact_of_Communication_Effectivenes20161224-19392-boh0vd-with-cover-page-v2.pdf 

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3 treatments for insomnia, stress and anxiety

3 treatments for insomnia, stress and anxiety

Insomnia : causes and treatments

Covid-19 left us losses, diseases and worries. Many people changed their sleeping habits during the pandemic. During lock down, most people felt constant worry of Covid-19 death rates, their health, job security, family issues, changes in social life, daily routine and the uncertainty of the future. In other words, all these facts put great amounts of stress and anxiety on people’s lives. Also, insomnia became a big part of their lives. As a result, patients with this condition may have knock-on effects on their physical and mental health. But do not worry, there are many ways to improve your sleep patterns (treatments for insomnia).

One of the first things you should do is to identify the cause of your insomnia, then find the treatment that suits you best. After that, you should make changes in your lifestyle. You can try reflexology, Indian head massage and relaxing massage. Try one or all of them, we assure you will sleep better and you will also improve your general wellbeing.

Why don’t we start with the basis…

What is insomnia?

It is a sleeping disorder or sleep loss. It keeps you awake when you want to sleep, therefore, in a sleepy state when you need to be awake. People who suffer from insomnia often complain of some of the following symptoms:

  • Difficulty falling asleep.
  • Difficulty staying asleep (they wake up several times a night).
  • Early awakenings in the morning.
  • Feeling of not sleeping well.

As a result, during the day, you may have or feel:

  • Be tired or sleepy.
  • Anxiety, stress or depression.
  • Memory disorders or reduced attention.
  • Irritability or nervousness.

What are the causes of insomnia?

There are several causes that can lead to insomnia, specially during the pandemic, some of them are:

  • Psychiatric illnesses such as depression.
  • High anxiety, in most cases it is related to coronavirus issues. That is to say, workers who are more exposed to the public, people with children, people who feel lonely, etc.
  • Stress.
  • Bad habits before sleeping (long napping, consuming caffeine or alcohol, vigorous physical activity before sleeping, irregular bedtime/waking times, staying many hours in bed, engaging in intellectual activities before sleeping, etc.).
  • Chronic diseases that present pain or shortness of breath (rheumatic diseases, fibromyalgia, asthma, heart failure, gastroesophageal reflux, gastric/duodenal ulcer).
  • Diseases that occur during sleep (sleep apnea syndrome, restless legs syndrome, Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), etc.).
  • Medications (stimulants, antidepressants, suppressing sedatives, or hypnotics).
  • Irregular sleep pattern, rotating work schedules or jet lag.
  • Idiopathic (without apparent cause).

What does statistics say?

  • 31% of women complain about having sleep loss during pandemic.
  • 16.5% of men had insomnia during pandemic.
  • 95% of the adult population has had some episode of transitory insomnia in their life.
  • Chronic forms of insomnia ( it lasts at least 6 months) only suffer from it between 8 and 18% of people.
  • Despite being a common problem, only 5% visit their doctor.

How much time do we need to sleep per night?

  • Young adults need 7-8 hours.
  • Teenagers need 9 hours.
  • Children need 9-10 hours.

Who is most at risk of having insomnia?

  • Divorced, widows, unemployed.
  • Those with digestive, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
  • Anxious and depressed people.
  • Sedentary population.
  • People with irregular bedtime and wake-up times.
  • People who consume alcohol before going to sleep.
  • Smokers.
  • People who drink caffeine late at night.
  • People exposed to ambient noise.

How can I treat insomnia?

There are different treatments that may help you to relieve symptoms of insomnia. Also, these treatments will help you relax and sleep better and you can have them in your own working place with Perea mobile services. Some of them are:

1. Treatments for insomnia: Indian Head massage

The main focus of Indian head massage is to relieve the tension in the head, face, neck and shoulders area. Besides, it has many physical and psychological benefits.

It alleviates symptoms of migraines and tension headaches. Indian head massage is very effective in alleviating neck and shoulder tension, pains and aches. It enhances brain function (particularly when it comes to memory and focus). In addition, it helps to manage anxiety and depression, allowing your body to relax and sleep better.

It promotes relaxation by calming ambient alongside soothing, but the therapist uses firm techniques on your head, face, neck and shoulders. To treat anxiety or depression (triggers of insomnia), you might want to have weekly treatments for 4 – 8 weeks until you feel better.

2. treatments for insomnia: Massage

Massage encourages blood and lymph circulation throughout the body. Which in turn can help to reduce stress and anxiety. Massage can also help to relax nervous tension, leading to a better sleep. In addition, it helps to release serotonin and dopamine, as a result, you will have a feeling of calm relaxation that makes chronic stress and anxiety much easier to overcome. We recommend you 1 or 2 sessions per week. 

3. Treatments for insomnia: Reflexology

Reflexology involves applying pressure on specific reflex areas in the feet, or hand using thumb, finger and hand techniques. In short, it stimulates nerve terminals that are connected with different organs, glands and other body parts.

Reflexology is a non-intrusive complementary health therapy whose aim is to help the body to restore its natural balance and functioning. By stimulating the head and adrenal reflex points, it  helps the body balance itself, restoring harmony in all processes (physical, mental and emotional). Reflexology busts  your energy levels helping you to sleep better and calm.  We recommend you 1 or 2 sessions per week.

As a final word

We hope this information is useful for you, in our next blog we will show you what you can do at home to improve your sleeping habits. If you need advice or have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us 3 mins away from Angel station in Islington. We are always happy to help. If you like this blog, please share!

References:

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58148044

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/news/2020/08/sleeploss-lockdown.page

https://www.mayoclinic.org/es-es/diseases-conditions/insomnia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355167

https://www.cancer.org/es/noticias-recientes/10-consejos-para-dormir-mas.html

https://www.mayoclinic.org/es-es/diseases-conditions/insomnia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355167

https://www.hospitalaleman.org.ar/mujeres/insomnio-causas-y-tratamiento/

 

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