Office Massage: The Smart Investment Employers Are Making (and 3 Reasons Why It Works)

Forget the ping pong tables, bean bags, Friday beers, and the “surprise! pizza in the kitchen” emails. Today’s employees are no longer impressed by surface-level perks. While those things are fun (and carbs are always welcome), they don’t do much for stress, back pain, or that creeping burnout everyone’s quietly battling.

And that's costly.

The HSE reported over 33.7 million working days were lost in 2023/2024. The leading causes? Stress, depression, and anxiety (49%), followed by musculoskeletal disorders (23%).

That’s why the smartest employers are shifting gears and investing in corporate massage therapy as a strategic way to boost wellbeing, sharpen focus, and keep their people happy. Office massages aren't just a perk: they're an evidence-based tool to drive performance (and they work!)

Why Office Massage Therapy?

1. Reduces Stress and Burnout

Massage therapy doesn't just feel good; it causes real biochemical changes in the body that support wellbeing and performance. After just one 15-20 minute chair massage:

• Cortisol (the body’s primary stress hormone) – decreased by an average of 31%, helping reduce anxiety, overwhelm, and burnout.

• Serotonin (the neurotransmitter linked to mood stability and a sense of wellbeing) increased by an average of 28%, boosting emotional balance and resilience.

• Stress was reduced by 33% and blood pressure significantly lowered in office workers who had a weekly treatment over just four weeks.

The result? Less burnout, fewer sick days, and a workplace culture where people feel supported and choose to stay. In fact, 79% of employees say they’d stay longer at a company that values their wellbeing.

2. Powers Up Performance, Productivity & Profits

Fatigue and physical tension are like Wi-Fi drops for your brain. Suddenly everything’s slower, glitchier, and mildly rage-inducing. But, office massage can help! The Touch Research Institute in Miami found immediate improvements in cognitive performance after just one chair massage treatment. Dopamine, linked to motivation, focus, and reward increased on average by 31% after just one 15-minute chair massage.

According to research by Oxford University, companies with high wellbeing scores:

• Outperform the S&P 500 by 20%

• Report higher productivity and lower turnover

• Enjoy 11% higher returns compared to low-wellbeing firms

A 15-minute office massage won’t just perk up your people, it can reboot their focus, lift engagement, and even impact your bottom line. When employees feel good, they do good. And when that happens, everyone wins (including profit margins!)

3. Prevents RSI's and MSK Absence

Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) and musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders are some of the most common, and costly, reasons for workplace absence. They’re also a major cause of ongoing discomfort, presenteeism, and decreased performance.

The good news? Massage therapy is a proven way to help prevent and manage these issues.

• A 2021 meta-review found that massage can effectively treat sub-acute low back pain, one of the most widespread MSK problems among office workers.

• Regular office massage has been shown to reduce tension in the neck, shoulder, and lower back, improve flexibility, and even lower blood pressure—all contributing to fewer days off and better focus on the job.

These are exactly the areas we can target with our expertly-tailored corporate massage treatments. Every client we work with gets a customised approach, ensuring they receive the most relevant and effective treatment. Whether it’s shoulder pain from bad desk setups or a tight neck from constant screen usage, we’ve got your back—literally.

Why Skyn Deep?

We deliver professional office massage therapy with modern business flexibility:

• Therapist-Led – With nearly a decade of hands-on experience, I know what a great treatment is. Skyn Deep isn’t a faceless, profit-first company run by marketers. We have heart. We care deeply, and we believe that massage therapy has the power to transform how people feel at work.

• Elite Therapists – Only 2.5% of applicants make the team. I personally interview and trade test every single therapist to ensure exceptional standards. All therapists are insured, DBS-checked, and experienced in corporate environments.

• Tailored To You – Whether you're after a one-off wellness day or ongoing sessions tailored to your goals and budget, we can help.

• Zero Admin Burden – We manage everything: bookings, logistics, and setup. All you need to do is... relax!

A Strategic, Evidence-Based Wellness Investment

Workplace stress and physical strain remain a widespread issue for employers in the UK.

While employers often attempt to reduce stressors, many employees still experience high levels of strain, which can manifest as anxiety, burnout, sleep disturbances, physical pain, and an increased risk of chronic illness.

Research has shown that massage therapy may help alleviate both psychological and physiological symptoms of stress, lowering blood pressure, reducing stress hormones, and improving overall well-being.

By supporting emotion-focused coping, massage can play a valuable role in workplace stress management, potentially boosting job satisfaction, morale, and productivity.

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Ready to bring evidence-based wellness into your workplace? 📩 Get In Touch