Thirty minutes · £55
Back, neck and shoulders massage, studio or mobile
A concentrated half hour on the area that carries most of the load, at the studio in NW6 or your door. No full body routine, just direct work where screen time and stress settle.
What it is
This is a focused 30 minute treatment on the upper back, shoulders, neck and the base of the skull. There is no full body sequence and no time spent on the legs or arms. The whole session goes on the region that takes the strain from screen work, driving and carrying stress in the shoulders.
The pressure is set to suit you, usually firm through the shoulders and more careful around the neck.
What it helps with
It suits tightness across the tops of the shoulders, stiffness turning the head, an aching upper back by the end of the day, and tension that gathers at the base of the skull. It is popular with people who work from home, with hotel guests between meetings, and as a standing lunchtime or early evening appointment.
It is a treatment for muscular tension and comfort. It does not treat medical conditions of the neck or spine. If you have pain that travels down an arm, pins and needles, or a recent neck injury, see a doctor before booking.
What happens during the treatment
Setup is quick, around ten minutes, and the treatment is on the table with professional draping. You lie face down to begin.
The first three or four minutes warm the upper back with broad strokes. The next twelve to fifteen minutes are the core of it: firm work across the shoulder blades and the tops of the shoulders, thumbs and forearms along the muscles beside the spine, and pressure held on the tightest points. Five minutes or so go to the neck, with slower, more careful strokes and gentle stretching, then the base of the skull. The last few minutes ease off with lighter strokes. If time allows, he finishes with the scalp.
Who it suits, and who it does not
It suits you if the problem is clearly in the upper body, if you are short on time, and if you want something you can book regularly without it taking half a day. It is the most practical option for a working day.
It is not enough if tension is spread through the whole body or sits mainly in the lower back, hips or legs. For that, book a 60 minute deep tissue or Swedish massage. If you want unhurried time and full coverage, the two-hour massage is the other end of the range.
How it differs from the other treatments
It uses the same techniques as deep tissue massage, but only on the upper body and in half the time. Swedish massage and the two-hour massage cover the whole body. Sports and recovery massage is built around training and weights the legs and hips more heavily.
How often to book it
It is designed to be booked often. Every one to two weeks keeps desk tension from building up. Many clients hold a standing weekly or fortnightly slot at the same time and day, and a fixed rate can be arranged for that.
What to expect afterwards
The shoulders and neck may feel slightly tender for a few hours to a day, and usually looser once that passes. Roll the shoulders gently now and then rather than sitting rigid, keep the area warm, and drink some water. If you sit at a screen straight afterwards, take a short break every half hour so the work lasts.
Price and duration
This treatment is available at the studio in NW6 for £45 and as a mobile visit for £55, for 30 minutes, including table and linens. Mobile visits are included within five miles of the studio. A standing weekly or fortnightly appointment can be set at a fixed rate; see the treatments page.
The whole session goes on the region that takes the strain.
Back, neck and shoulders questions
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