Take a Break with Convenient On-Campus Chair Massages - Duke Today

[mnews]

Published
September 24, 2024

If Deborah Stewart had the time and the money, she would get regular massages every two weeks. Her tight muscles, particularly around her shoulders and back, need that kind of release.

“I'm sitting more than I would like, and that has not been doing good things for my shoulders,” Stewart said. “But massage is very, very therapeutic and helpful.”

But about a year ago, Stewart discovered that LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke’s employee wellness program, offers chair massage twice per month at the Duke Clinic. She could book a 15-minute increment as a break from her role as a Complex Case Manager and find even more relaxation than she would during a simple walk or lunch break.

Chair massage is offered every other Thursday from noon to 4 p.m., through LIVE FOR LIFE, which arranges for licensed massage therapists to perform massages in 15-minute increments at a cost of $26 each session; multiple sessions can be booked in succession. Payment of cash, check or credit card is accepted, as well as LIVE FOR LIFE dollars at a rate of $260 LIVE FOR LIFE dollars per 15 minutes.

“We really try to make it easy, convenient and accessible for staff,” said LIVE FOR LIFE Health Promotion Manager Brian Zelanko.

Departmental requests for chair massages also are accepted, with a minimum of two hours at $104 per hour.

Benefits of massage​

Massage therapist Candy Pennington says that Duke employees she’s worked with are no different than many of her private clients: Too many spend too much time hunched over phones and computers.

She says a lot of her regulars are “desk jockeys” with a tight muscle band across the back of their shoulders that causes the shoulders to be internally rotated. The National Institutes of Health says that massage can relieve soreness, reduce stress and aid in general wellness.

Massage therapist Candy Pennington performs chair massage for LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke's employee wellness program. Photo by Travis Stanley

Pennington’s chair massages focus on the trapezius muscle, the upper shoulders and neck. In 15-30 minutes, it can be a “stop-gap” that provides some relief.

“It’s definitely not going to fix you 100%,” she said. “You could use chair massage to figure out what it is that you need to have your therapist focus on the next time you go to see them.”

Stewart says the massages she receives from Pennington are better than ones she’s had at chain massage facilities.

“I have so much muscle tension that I really need some digging – and somebody who can sense where that stress is and can actually relieve it,” she said.

Pennington emphasizes that just as helpful as the actual massage is the act of taking a break from your computer or work that might involve repetitive motions to attend the chair massage.

“It's just a good way to get up from your desk and go see another part of the campus or see other people and take time for yourself – because that's really important,” Pennington said.

How to book a chair massage​

Go to this webpage and click “Register Here” or call LIVE FOR LIFE at 919-684-3136 (option 1) to book an appointment.

Chair massages take place in the Duke Clinic (Orange Zone, sub-basement floor) in the fitness consult room.

Interested in organizing a departmental team builder that includes chair massages? Contact Brian Zelanko for details.

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