What’s the return on your investment in reflexology?
This is a serious question for those considering the business of reflexology. ROI is an acronym for “Return on Investment,” a term commonly used in business to reflect the return realized from the money spent.
In other words if you invest in a single reflexology session or a series of reflexology what is your return on the amount of money you spent. Is investing in a staff reflexologist worth it? Is it worth building a reflexology path for your employees? Would a reflexology gym make sense economically?
When it comes to reflexology, the ROI includes monetary and non-monetary results. First, let’s consider monetary return. Reflexology as an employee benefit has been demonstrated to have a high rate of return on investment.
When Shisiedo built a reflexology path they also measured the return on their investment. They found there was greater employee productivity. Other studies have backed this up.
But there are less tangible returns that also impact the bottom line.
For individuals the results include:
Less time off work for "malaise" or undefined illness
Less stress
Better sense of satisfaction with the work.
Less sick time.
For businesses,
Better employee morale
Less absenteeism
Better productivity
Better work environment
For the health care system,
Cut costs
Less demand on the system
Better satisfaction with the services offered
Opportunties to offer citizens low cost but very effective services
Cut down on the amount of money spent on needless drugs and surgery
Opportunities for Businesses: Reflexology in the Workplace
Numerous studies have found the availability of reflexology in the workplace to be economically advantageous to a business. Six Danish studies document the financial and health benefits when employees are offered reflexology services.
Four of the studies found that absenteeism was reduced with companies experiencing: savings of $35,000 over a 6-month period; from 11.4 to 8.5 days per person per year, with a savings of more than $US162,000; 66% less absenteeism; and a savings of US$3,300 a month in fewer sick days.
Four studies noted improvement in physical ailments: “97.5% (of the employees) had positive effects on their primary ailments. 77.5% on secondary problems. Medicine intake was reduced with 27.5%;” “235 employees were treated for a variety of health problems. 170 reported a good effect;” “79% (of 143 employees over 6 months) were either cured or helped with their primary health problem. 57% were helped with secondary problems. 30% became more satisfied with their jobs and 92% wanted to continue reflexology;” “156 employees (over a two-year period) who experienced positive effects on back pains, th
Opportunities for Government: Reflexology Public Works
As government and the economic times create interest in employment opportunities and health seeking potential, reflexology provides some answers. To cut costs of health care and to address employment for the unemployed, under-employed and the blind, reflexology training is a part of jobs programs in Malaysia, the Philippines and China. Then there’s the idea of reflexology paths in parks. Walking the reflexology path has long been a part of self health care in both in China and Germany. The Chinese government is encouraging the activity as a form of moderate exercise. Called Tap Shek (stepping stone), reflexology path walking is made easy by the presence of the cobblestoned paths in parks throughout China. In Germany, “barfusspad” (barefoot path) enthusiasts write instructions about how to get one’s municipality to fund the construction of paths in parks. A landmark study from Oregon Research Institute validates the activity as health producing, cost-cutting, quality of life improvement. In addition, those who participate find it to be a likeable experience and a unique exercising opportunity that they enjoy and, thus, will do.
A psychological effect is noted when reflexology services are available in the workplace. “There is a much better atmosphere in the department, because the employees feel there is something being done about their problems... Before we used to stay at home when ill, now we see the staff go to work anyway because they know they can get a treatment and feel better.”
I thiknk that everyone that reads this will know to one extent or another the potential health ROI of reflexology, however compeltely agree that the other 'feel good' elements are often easily overlooked.
ReplyDeleteAs reflexologists we need to be getting this information into the hands of Corporations. Every coproporation wants to be improving their bottom line and what better way to do it.
ReplyDeleteWhere can we find the studies you mention here? Would love to have those for reference when talking with business owners and/or corporate leaders who may be influential on bringing reflexology services to their employees.
ReplyDelete