What sitting does to the body
When we sit at a computer, the body slowly takes the shape of the chair and the screen. The head moves forward, the shoulders round and the chest muscles shorten. The muscles between the shoulder blades are left holding everything in a stretched position. Lower down, the hip flexors at the front of the hips stay short for hours, which can pull on the lower back when you stand up.
None of this happens in one day. It builds up over weeks and months, and many people only notice it when the neck will not turn properly or the lower back aches after a long meeting.
Typical complaints I see
- Rounded shoulders and a tight chest, often with a feeling that you cannot take a full breath
- A stiff neck and tension at the top of the shoulders, sometimes with headaches
- A burning or aching spot between the shoulder blades
- Lower back stiffness when standing up after sitting, linked to tight hip flexors and glutes
- Tired forearms and wrists from the mouse and keyboard
Which session to choose
My Shoulders Mobility session was designed for people who spend long hours sitting, especially with rounded shoulders. In one hour I work on the back, shoulder blades, chest muscles, diaphragm, rotator cuff and neck, to open the chest and help the shoulders move more freely.
If the problem goes further down, into the lower back, hips and legs, a sport massage lets me work on the whole body. Here I often use myofascial release on the chest and hips, where the tissue tends to feel stuck after long hours in one position. If you mostly need to switch off after a stressful week, a classic massage helps you relax and still eases tension in the neck, shoulders and back.
Small habits that help between sessions
The effect of massage lasts longer if you move a little during the day. Get up every 30 to 60 minutes, even just to walk to the kitchen. Roll your shoulders back and down a few times, gently turn your head from side to side, and stretch the front of your hips. Set your screen at eye level so your head does not have to lean forward.
If you also feel it in the back, read more about massage for back pain and neck and shoulder pain.
When to see a doctor first
Please see a doctor before booking if you have numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms, hands or legs, pain that wakes you at night, or pain that started after a fall or accident.