And
here�s the evidence :
RESEARCH:
Two
studies by the Touch
Institute at the University of
Miami (1996 & 1997) found
that after five weeks a group of
employees who had twice-weekly 15
minute complementary therapies
(reflexology/massage etc) in the
office fared better than a control
group of employees who were just
told to close their eyes and relax
in a chair for 15 minutes
twice-weekly. The
massaged group experienced reduced
stress and improved performance,
while the control group did not.
According
to this research, office workers
massaged regularly were more
alert, performed better and were
less stressed than those who
weren't massaged. The massaged
group also reported lower anxiety
levels, reduced headaches,
improved sleep, lower blood
pressure and increased
problem-solving ability.
The
researchers used
electroencephalograms (machine
which measures brain activity) on
the first and last days of the
research to measure alpha and beta
waves in both groups, and found
massage recipients more alert.
Stress
hormones in the saliva of the
massaged group were lower than the
control group.
The
massaged workers completed maths
problems in half the time as
normal and with half the number of
errors they had before they were
massaged at each session. The
maths skills of the control group
did not improve. The massage
recipients also reported feeling
less fatigued and more clear
headed.
A
further study looked at the
effectiveness of 15-minute on site
therapies in reducing stress
through measuring blood pressure.
The participant's blood pressure
was recorded before and after
massage and analysis showed a
significant reduction in patient's
systolic and diastolic blood
pressure after receiving the
massage.
|
Companies
in the UK are now beginning to
follow suit by offering
reflexology & other
complementary therapies to their
staff. These include both public
& private sector
organisations such as large
supermarket chains, a number of
major city council, major
banks, multi-national companies,
schools,
hospitals and many small
businesses.
CASE
STUDIES from Denmark:
|
Odense
Post Office has employed a
full-time Reflexologist
since 1990 and reports
saving at least
�100,000 per annum
due to a 13.3% reduction
in sickness and
absenteeism. |
|
|
Ishoj
Municipal Health
Department recorded 2,499
fewer sick hours over a 6
month period in which
employees received
reflexology, giving a
saving of �21,490.
|
|
|
SAS
Cargo estimated a
financial saving of
� 2,000 a month
when employees were
receiving reflexology.
|
|
|
Fonss
and Hove Solicitors found
that employees receiving
complementary therapies
showed greater motivation
and enhanced working
ability.
|
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