Chair massage, sometimes termed on-site or seated massage, typically occurs at the workplace or at any public occasion such as a convention, fair or sporting event; by a professionally certified massage therapist (CMT). This form of bodywork involves a ergonomically designed portable massage chair that could be adjusted for the personalized care that includes the head, neck, back, shoulders, arms and hands. A variety of techniques are used for a duration of anywhere between five to forty five minutes; although the norm is usually between fifteen to twenty minutes.

On-site massage is perfectly suited for the workplace. Nothing helps improve morale, loyalty, productivity and camaraderie in employees like a simple chair massage. It is convenient, efficient and mutually beneficial. Scientific research confirms the benefits of chair massage in the workplace. This is one of the rare "win - win" situations in which both employers and employees alike benefit

1. Saves the Company Money: As documented by scientific research, chair massage improves company profit by reducing sick days and healthcare cost while increasing productivity, as well as encouraging employee morale and loyalty.
2. Immediate Results: Unlike the lag time of other wellness programs between initiation and results; massage relaxes, invigorates and delivers benefit immediately. In fifteen minutes your employees can return to the job more energized, more creative, more motivated, more productive and with a heightened clarity of purpose.
3. Cost Effective: Massage is the perfect alternative to costly fitness centers which may not only be used by 20% of your employees, usually the ones who need it the least; and its more effective than stress reduction seminars which focus only on the mind and ignore the body.
4. High Participation: Most wellness programs, as stated above, appeal to a limited number of employees. However, when the company provides the service, participation rates are nearly 100%.
5. It's Easy: No programs to learn, no changes to make; just have a seat, relax and let us do our job.
6. Promotes Teamwork: Encourages productive collaborations among colleagues and co-workers who participate in this soothing, healing, nurturing activity.
7. Increases Company Loyalty and Morale: A chair massage program financed by the company demonstrates a commitment to the health and well being of its employees. It is also a cost effective way to pamper company clients/executives and reward hardworking employees.
8. Helps Change Behavior / Attitude: Massage heals the body and the mind; making it easier for employees to lose weight, quit smoking, exercise, concentrate, manage time more effectively and have a heightened sense of self awareness. Therefore, it contributes to an efficient and productive working environment.
9. Increases Mental Clarity, Productivity and Enhances Alertness: This is based on research done in 1993 by Touch Research Institute (TRI), University of Miami Medical School, on workers that received chair massage twice weekly for five weeks.
10. Reduces Stress, Fatigue, Anxiety and Repetitive / Overuse Syndromes: As scientific research has documented massage reduces, and in some cases eliminates, the aforementioned symptoms. This is especially significant since carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) and sciatica are all commonplace as products of the office environment.

Chi Nei Tsang-   Holistic approach to Massage, treating the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects.  Most of the bodywork is done on the abdomen, to optimize the functioning of the internal organs.
Book Resource:
Chi Nei Tsang: Internal Organ Chi Massage by Mantak Chia
Web Resources:
Chi Nei Tsang, Canada

Connective Tissue Massage/Bindgewebs massage- Developed by Elizabeth Dicke of Germany.  Technique consists of light strokes focusing on the superficial fascia between the skin and muscles. The tissue is hooked with the fingers of the therapist and dragged or pulled, stretching the skin.  No oil is used and the work often leaves a mark somewhat like an abrasion or burn.  Working in one area of the body causes a related effect at another area.

Continuum- Developed by Emile Conrad based on her background in movement and dance. Continuum has been successful in working with paralysis and spinal cord injuries.  Her system takes into account that the body is 80% water and has emerged from the undulating, watery environment of the embryo. From this she developed a method of movement based on the wave-like movement of the water flowing through our bodies. The method focuses on intrinsic felt movement, not imposed patterned movement. Using breath, movement, sound and meditation,  the participant is able to get in touch with their own cranial wave.
Web Resources:
Continuum

Cranio-sacral Therapy-  A technique developed by many (Upledger, Milne, Sutherland) to correct cerebral and spinal imbalances or blockages.  The treatment is  geared toward moving the soft tissue, correcting cerebral and spinal imbalances to improve the functioning of the central nervous system.  This system consists of working with the soft tissues, membranes, energy, and cerebral fluids surrounding the cranium, spine, and sacrum. Because of the creation and re-absorption of cerebral fluid there is a dynamic rhythm which radiates through out the body. The rate, amplitude, symmetry, and quality of this rhythm gives distinct information about the health and functioning of the entire body. By monitoring the cranio-sacral rhythm through palpation (subtle touch by the practitioner), the therapist can locate the part of the body which may be holding physical or emotional trauma. Once identified, further application (gentle compression and stretching) stimulates the body to make corrections and readjustments in the form of physical movements or emotional release.  Cranio-sacral therapy takes many years of practice and learning to be a qualified practitioner.  It is my personal opinion that theapists taking a weekend workshop are not qualified to call themselves a cranio-sacral practitioner.  True expertise comes with years of practice and learning.

Craniosacral Therapy one of the more gentle yet powerful therapies. A hands-on technique done with or without clothing, this modality uses gentle, fluid movements of the bones and tissues of the head, thorax, and hips, to enhance the flow of cerbrospinal fluid. This corrects imbalances in the central nervous system between the cranium and the sacrum, resetting the body’s natural healing potential. The benefits of treatment include improvement of nerve system function, reduction of stress, deep muscular relaxation, support of the immune system, and overall enhancement of body health. A greater sense of calmness, clarity, and connectedness is experienced after a Craniosacral session.

Key Benefits

While the validity of the cardiovascular and respiratory rhythms are undisputed today, for eons the very existence of these systems sparked debate in medical communities around the globe. Now for nearly 25 years, osteopathic physician and researcher John E. Upledger, D.O., O.M.M., has been a proponent of using the rhythm of another body system - the CranioSacral system - to enhance body functioning, and help alleviate pain and discomfort. The CranioSacral system consists of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. It extends from the bones of the skull, face and mouth, which make up the cranium, down to the sacrum, or tailbone area. Since this vital system influences the development and performance of the brain and spinal cord, an imbalance or restriction in it could potentially cause any number of sensory, motor or neurological disabilities. These problems could include chronic pain, eye difficulties, scoliosis, motor-coordination impairments, learning disabilities and other health challenges. CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle method of detection and correction that encourages your own natural healing mechanisms to dissipate the negative effects of stress on your central nervous system. You also benefit from better overall health and resistance to disease. Because of its positive effect on so many body functions, CranioSacral Therapy is practiced today by a wide variety of healthcare professionals.

How Is Cranio Sacral Therapy Performed?

The CranioSacral Therapy practitioner uses a light touch - generally no more than the weight of a nickel - to test for restrictions in the CranioSacral system. This is done by monitoring the rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid as it flows through the system. While experienced clinicians can detect that motion anywhere on your body, they can most easily feel it at the skull, sacrum and coccyx. These bones attach to the membranes that enclose the cerebrospinal fluid. The positive effects of CranioSacral Therapy rely to a large extent on your body's natural self-corrective activities, The therapist's light, hands-on approach simply assists the hydraulic forces inherent in the CranioSacral system to improve your body's internal environment - and strengthen its ability to heal itself.

Capabilities

CranioSacral Therapy strengthens your body's ability to take better care of you. It helps alleviate a range of illness, pain and dysfunction, including:

• Migraines and Headaches
• Chronic Neck and Back Pain
• Motor-Coordination Impairments
• Stress and Tension Related Problems
• Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
• Chronic Fatigue
• Scoliosis
• Central Nervous System Disorders
• Emotional Difficulties
• Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)
• Learning Disabilities
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• And Many Other Conditions

Book resources:
Books by Hugh Mile: Heart of Listening 1 2nd edition Vol 002 (September 1998)
North Atlantic Books; ISBN: 1556432801    Heart of Listening 2
Books by John Upledger: Craniosacral Therapy   Craniosacral Therapy II: Beyond the Dura
Web resources:
Milne Institute- Hugh Milne, Scottish osteopath
Upledger Institute- Craniosacral, visceral manipulation
Article from Positive Health