Why the back gets tight
Back pain rarely starts in the back alone. Long hours at a desk shorten the hip flexors and round the upper back. Heavy lifting, running or cycling load the lower back and glutes. Stress makes us hold tension in the neck and between the shoulder blades. Over time the muscles become stiff, sore and tired, and the pain can spread or move around.
Because the cause is different for everyone, I start each session by asking where it hurts, when it started and what makes it better or worse. Then I check how your back, hips and shoulders move, and plan the session around that.
How massage can help
- Releases muscle tension in the lower back, between the shoulder blades and along the spine
- Improves mobility, so bending, turning and lifting feel easier
- Works on the surrounding areas — glutes, hips, chest and neck — that often keep the back under strain
- Helps you relax, which matters, because stress and poor sleep make pain feel worse
What a session looks like
For back pain I usually use sport massage as the base: deep tissue work, myofascial release, compressions and stretching, and, where useful, cupping or trigger point work. If deep pressure is not what you need right now, a classic massage is a gentler option.
Massage should not be painful. Some deep work can feel intense, but you can always ask me to change the pressure, and I will check in with you during the session.
If your back gets tight from sitting, it also helps to look at the front of the body. A shoulder mobility session opens the chest and upper back, which often takes load off the area between the shoulder blades.
When to see a doctor first
Massage is for muscle-related pain. Please see a doctor before booking if your back pain:
- started after a fall or accident
- comes with numbness, tingling or weakness in the legs
- comes with fever, unexplained weight loss or problems with the bladder or bowel
- is severe at night or does not change with movement or rest
If you are recovering from an injury or surgery, let me know when you book, and bring any advice from your doctor or physiotherapist.