As a nurse, have you ever considered how much stress you accumulate in your body from working long hours in a typically understaffed environment, having to stand on your feet for extended periods while caring for your patients? What you may not realize is the cost this lifestyle has on your health and well being. As a caregiver, you dedicate yourself to helping others, often at your own expense.  

What if you had a way to relieve some of that stress and feel relaxed? What if you could have more vibrant energy for your patients, and even some left over for you and your family at the end of a long day?

Well, one answer is through the age old healing techniques of therapeutic massage. Massage is a touch based therapy that helps unwind and relax tight muscles, free tight and stiff joints, and brings about a sense of well being. Research now proves that massage is a natural way to lower blood pressure, as well as a chemical free anti-depressant.

A recent Study conducted at 3M Corporation, in cooperation with the University of Texas Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, demonstrates that massage enhances one's overall well being and performance by:

  • Reducing stress
  • Increasing one's quality of sleep
  • Reducing the instances of common cold or flu symptoms
  • Decreasing the number of depressed mood incidences
  • Increasing concentration
  • Decreasing the instances of being overly tired or lacking energy
  • Decreasing the number of headaches
  • Making one feel less nervous or tense
  • Inducing muscular relaxation
  • Enhancing a secure sense of self

The type of massage that fits the hospital setting is called Chair Massage. This type of massage focuses on the body areas that often cause problems for people who sit at a desk, use a keyboard, or are attending patients during the day. Chair massage can help prevent or relieve carpal tunnel syndrome, tension headaches, neck pain, and back problems. This massage technique is performed in normal work attire and requires no oils. Instead of using a table, the massage takes place in a specially designed portable massage chair provided by the therapist. The chair allows you to relax completely with your head resting in a comfortable face cradle lined with a soft, disposable cloth cover. The therapist(s) will bring everything that they need, including massage equipment, supplies and music. Chair massage typically takes about 15 minutes, no longer than a coffee break, but is far more effective at reducing stress!

Various studies have been conducted on the relationship between nurse burnout, nurse staffing, and quality of patient care.  One study performed in 2006 suggests that patient safety outcomes are related to the quality of the nursing practice work environment and nursing leadership's role in changing the work environment to decrease nurse burnout.

Therapeutic Massage is one option to consider to help reduce your risk of nurse burnout and absenteeism, while improving your quality of life, and, in turn, the quality of care for your patients. 

Nurses, have any of you sought therapeutic massage as a means of relieving stress from a long shift, or a particularly difficult week?  Please leave a comment sharing your thoughts and experience.

About the Author: Ari Globerman is a therapist and educator, certified in the Rolf Method of Structural Integration, and is a Licensed Massage Therapist in the state of Florida.  Ari owns and operates Back to Life Healing Arts, based in South Florida.

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