Stiff neck and shoulders from a desk: what helps, and when massage is not enough

A stiff neck, tight shoulders, a headache at the end of the day. If you work at a desk, you know the combination. This article is about where it comes from, what a massage helps with, and when the question is not for a massage therapist at all.

Where it comes from

The head weighs about five kilos. When it leans forward towards a screen, the muscles of the neck and shoulders hold it all day - work they were not designed for. Add stress, which on its own lifts the shoulders towards the ears, and poor sleep on an awkward pillow.

The result is tension that builds up in the upper back, the neck and the base of the skull. That is often where the end-of-day headache comes from too.

What the massage does

The massage releases the muscles that have been holding the head for hours, improves circulation in the area, and signals to the nervous system that it can switch off. Most people feel their neck move more freely the same day.

The work is not only on the neck. Tension there often comes from the shoulders, the chest and the upper back, so the massage covers the whole area.

How long

For a neck and shoulders stiff from a desk, 60 minutes are usually enough - the most common choice with us. If the tension has been there for months and returns straight after a massage, 90 minutes or a myofascial massage give time to reach the cause.

What you can do between massages

Raise the screen to eye level. Get up every hour, even for a minute. When you notice your shoulders are up, let them drop. It sounds simple, but a massage helps more when the cause is not repeated eight hours a day.

When to see a doctor first

Numbness or weakness in the arm. Pain after a blow, a fall or an accident. A headache that is new, very strong, or comes with other symptoms - dizziness, nausea, disturbed vision. Pain that wakes you at night.

These are not cases for a massage therapist. Ask your doctor first - we will wait for the answer.

Frequently asked questions

Does massage help with headaches?

With tension headaches from the neck and shoulders, many people feel relief. A massage does not treat headaches and does not replace an examination if the headache is new or unusual.

How often should I come if I work at a desk?

With strong tension - a few sessions closer together, then once a month for upkeep.

Does it hurt when the neck is very tight?

It can feel tender, but it should not hurt badly. The pressure changes as soon as you say.

Where

The studio is inside Hotel Forum, 2 Sofiyski Geroy Str., Sofia. Open every day from 10:00 to 20:00, by appointment. English spoken.