Hands-on for health

The constraints placed on relaxation by a ‘time-poor’ workforce and the search for a market niche drove massage therapist Meg Watson out of her clinic and on the road.

In a significant change to her business plan, Ms Watson has been a ‘mobile practitioner’ for 18 months after nine years in a clinic situation.

“I have been a massage therapist for about nine years but after owning my own clinic I noticed more and more that people didn’t have time for waiting rooms,” Ms Watson said.

“People started asking if I’d go to workplaces, do home visits, holiday homes and hotels.”

In particular, corporate massage has become big business for the business, called hands on therapy, with employers increasingly realising the importance of relaxation and the impact it can have on productivity.

“About seven years ago corporate massage started popping up but back then it was more of a bonus or rewarding for a job well-done,” Ms Watson said. “But now it is an occupational health issue and is being considered a necessary thing.

“Your body holds a whole lot of stress, which it adjusts to, but five minutes of bliss can make such a difference.”

John Bowen, operations manager of rival player Health On The Move, said business was becoming more aware of the advantages of offering employees massages and other health-related services.

“It gives companies recruiting advantage and shows care and concern,” he said.

“It motivates workers, increases productivity and decreases absenteeism. But they still need constant reminders and proof of the positive effects it can have.”

Since she took her business mobile Ms Watson has gone from being a sole operator to employing 11 therapists and working seven days a week.

And adding to demand is the business’s patron therapy, which happens in three popular Perth pubs The Vic, Belgian Beer Café Westende and the Queens Tavern (all part of the AHL Group).

It involves a therapist offering five-minute massages to the pub patrons.

“It has created an incredible response and is a great way to market,” Ms Watson said.

“People get to meet us and feel what massage is like.”

Corporate or mobile massage is not a new concept, it seems to have taken off in Australia in the late 90s and hit the WA market shortly after.

However, it has continued to dominate workplaces and costs from $1 a minute.