Massage at the office Besides ensuring good ergonomic practice is used at work (in the workplace) and doing exercises in the office, it is also possible to employ basic massage techniques. Such a massage can be done to a dressed person, without any lubricating agents or specialist devices, and there is no need to prepare any additional room to perform this activity. Special armchairs for massaging can be used for this purpose, and it is also possible to sit next to a desk, if necessary, with the head rested on the desk top. The massage is performed within the head, neck and upper parts of arms. The techniques are intended to cause relaxation and remove the results of tiredness. A massage lasting for 10–15 minutes is as beneficial as a segmental therapeutic massage. The benefits include locally increased temperature, improved efficiency of the circulatory system, improved blood supply to the skin, subcutaneous and connective tissues and local muscles as well as a painkilling effect and improved physical and mental state. While performing the massage we should remember the contraindications for such a manipulation, which include: · Subfebrile and febrile states, · haemorrhage, · acute and subacute inflammatory states, · neoplastic disease, · aneurysm. In some countries a massage in the office is performed by specialists in massage or physiotherapy. However, a short massage does not require any specialist knowledge. It can be performed by office workers, but we should remember about the general guidelines for massage techniques, which include: painless performance, knowledge of contraindications, massage of the neck from the bottom to the top and the shoulders, and from the outside to the inside of the body. Besides techniques characteristic for relaxing and the classic massage, there are numerous devices commonly available designed for the massage of individual parts of the body. These are usually portable electric devices for massage as well as massaging rollers. Such devices can be used for different areas of the body, but they are commonly used for foot massages. Due to the small size, such a device can be used even while working, and the irregular shaped roller stimulates blood circulation in the lower limbs. There are also specialist armchairs which massage the person sitting on them. Regardless the method of massage we choose, it must be safe and it should bring relief during work. Prepared for the help service www.zdrowebiuro.pl
By Grzegorz Orlof from the help service www.aktywnaprzerwa.pl | 
