Why the back, neck and shoulders get so tight
- Desk and laptop work: rounded shoulders and a forward head tighten the upper traps and the muscles between the shoulder blades
- Flights: hours in one position stiffen the neck and lower back; see our jet lag massage page
- Driving: gripping the wheel on winding Costa Rican roads loads the shoulders and forearms
- Phone neck: looking down for hours strains the back of the neck and the base of the skull
- Bags and children: one-sided loads pull one shoulder higher than the other
- Stress: many people hold tension in the shoulders without noticing until someone presses there
What the therapist does
A back, neck and shoulder session is our deep tissue massage with the time concentrated where you need it. The therapist warms the area with oil and broad strokes first, then works into the muscles with firm pressure, using thumbs, forearms and elbows along the spine, across the shoulder blades and up into the neck. Knots and trigger points are held and released slowly rather than forced.
You decide how firm. Deep does not have to mean painful: good deep tissue work feels intense but bearable, and you should be able to breathe normally throughout. Say the word and the pressure eases. Many clients find relief from the tightness and tension headaches that come with desk work, and a lighter feeling in the shoulders afterwards.
Which massage to choose
For a focused session on the upper body, book deep tissue massage: 60 minutes if the back and neck are the only concern, 90 if you also want the lower back and hips worked. If you like firm pressure but want the rest of the body covered too, the Best Combination adds relaxation strokes and Thai stretches that open the chest and shoulders. Thai massage on its own suits stiffness that feels more like tightness than knots. At the spa, 60 minutes of deep tissue is $55 / ₡25,000; at your hotel or home it is $90 / ₡45,000, travel included, nothing to add.
When massage is not the answer
Massage may help relieve muscle tension, but it does not treat injuries. If you have sharp or shooting pain, numbness or tingling in the arms or hands, pain after a fall or accident, or neck pain together with fever or a headache that worries you, please see a doctor first. Tell the therapist about any diagnosis, recent surgery or medication so the session can be adapted, and we will say so if we think a problem needs medical attention rather than a massage.