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Forward Head, Neck & Shoulder Strain
Computers, phones, driving, caregiving, trades, hair work, and repetitive arm use can keep the head and shoulders in similar positions for long periods.
What it may feel like
Upper trapezius tension, heaviness at the base of the neck, aching between the shoulder blades, headache, shoulder fatigue, or symptoms that build as the day goes on.
“Sue was very attentive and worked on my head, neck, shoulders, and upper back — she got directly to my trigger points. I usually get a splitting headache the day after a deep-tissue massage; this was the first time I didn't.”Verified client review
“I have been dealing with Wry Neck for a month due to overuse and positional issues associated with Zoom classes at school. I am so happy I decided to schedule a massage!”Verified client review
Posture plays a part
Forward-head and rounded-shoulder positions can increase the work demanded of the neck, upper back, chest, and shoulder muscles, especially when those positions are held for long periods or repeated all day.
What we care about
We care about how long you stay in a position, how often you repeat it, what your work or daily routine asks your body to do, and whether changing those demands changes your symptoms.
What an LMT may assess
We look at the larger shoulder-and-neck system.
Areas we may assess
Neck and thoracic movement, shoulder position and motion, scapular mechanics, chest and anterior-shoulder tension, upper-back and neck guarding, breathing and rib-cage movement when relevant, and the activities that repeatedly load the area.
How Clinical Massage may fit
Massage may decrease muscular guarding, improve comfort, and restore easier movement when soft-tissue restriction is part of the problem.
Treatment may include
Upper back, chest, shoulders, neck, arms, and connected tissues rather than repeatedly treating the loudest knot as if it were an independent organism.
Not sure where to start?
Start with the concern, not the technique. Clinical Massage is booked by time; we assess first and adapt the session around what you are experiencing.