What is a back and shoulders massage?

This popular massage style targets the upper body and is loosely based around the technique used in Swedish massage. At around 30 to 40 minutes, a back, neck and shoulders massage is a shorter treatment than a full body massage. These are normally between 50 and 90 minutes and include arms, legs, hands and occasionally even your face, scalp and feet.

Concentrated on the back, neck and shoulder area, specific oils are used to release tension and help soothe tight, sore muscles, which result from wear and tear or incorrect posture. This massage applies pressure to muscles, in order to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from stressed areas.

What is involved?

In a back and shoulders massage, sometimes the back, arms and legs are smoothed prior to the body massage using a ‘body brush’, rough mitt or exfoliating scrub to slough off dead skin cells on the skin surface and to stimulate lymph circulation to help the body’s natural detoxifying process.
Usually, your spa therapist will ask what type of pressure you like, then set to task on a stiff lower back, or loosening any muscular knots, commonly located between the shoulder blades and tops of the shoulders. This treatment also sometimes incorporates a soothing head massage, which will really chill you out.

How much pressure is applied? 

The pressure used in a back, neck and shoulders massage may vary, although the therapist tends to use a light to medium touch, unless you request a deeper pressure. A good spa therapist will be willing to adapt a massage to suit your individual preference. Variants of the classic back, neck and shoulder technique include the back, neck and scalp (or head) massage and the Chinese-based Daoyin Tao face, neck and shoulder massage treatment.

What are the benefits? 

• The release of endorphins, which are the hormones that make you feel good 

• Enhanced feeling of relaxation and contentment 

• A general sense of health and well-being 

• Relief from pain, e.g. headaches and back pain and from stress and tension 

• Improved blood and lymph circulation 

• Increased energy levels and feels of vitality 

• Injury recovery 

For more information about back and shoulders massages or to get a free no obligation quote, please feel free to get in touch with our friendly team of experts today by calling or emailing and they’ll try to help you as much as they can