Hunched in front of a computer but short on time? A seated massage in your office could be the perfect stress buster.

Ever increasing workloads means many of us sit for long periods at desks with little time for a break. But this means our posture is suffering, potentially causing pain and affecting concentration.

Massage benefits

That’s why Urban Massage can offer a seated massage service. A therapist will come into your workplace and provide 15-minute sessions to employees to help alleviate back, neck and shoulder tension.

‘I see a lot of round shoulders due to slouching at a desk and forward head posture, caused by looking down at phones or iPad screens,’ says massage therapist Pauline.

A seated massage takes place on a special chair that you sit backwards on, resting your chest on the back of the chair, head forwards on the headrest, with arms resting in front, legs tucked behind on the rests below. This massage is carried out with your clothes on, so it’s fast and convenient if you’re short on time.

What happens in a session?

The therapist may work on your shoulders first, slowly squeezing and kneading the shoulder muscles, before working down each shoulder towards the arm and back up towards the neck again.

For the neck, thumbs are used in a circular motion to apply gentle pressure up the back of neck on either side of the spine. ‘Common areas for tight muscles include the top of the neck, just below the hairline, so a therapist should pay particular attention here,’ says Pauline.

‘When it comes to the back, percussion – a tapping technique using the sides or heels of the hands – is effective for these larger muscles in the upper and mid area,’ says Pauline.  ‘I would also place my hands on troublesome areas of the back and lean into them, to add pressure.’

Aside from physical benefits, research has found seated massage is effective for reducing stress, too. So why not give it a go? It could be the best lunch break you’ve ever spent.