Why are my shoulders and neck always tense?
There is almost never a single cause. It is usually the sum of hours seated, a low screen that pushes the head forward, few breaks and repetitive movements. The muscles that hold up the head and arms, above all the trapezius, work without rest and become stiff. In many people there is no injury behind it. If the tension comes with numbness, loss of strength or pain running down the arm, it is advisable to talk to a doctor.
What are muscle knots in the back?
They are very sensitive points within an area of tense muscle, which hurt when pressed and sometimes radiate to the sides. The exact explanation is still debated among researchers, and so there should be no promise that they dissolve. What is known is that massage may bring relief and reduce stiffness in the area, especially in the trapezius, but the studies are small and the effect varies from person to person. If a point hurts intensely or persistently, ask for an assessment.
Trapezius and neck pain: where does it come from?
The trapezius is the broad muscle that runs from the base of the skull to the shoulders and upper back. It is always at work holding the head up and lifting the arms, which is why it aches in people who spend hours at a keyboard, behind the wheel or carrying weight on one side. The pain may come from the muscle alone, but also from the neck, and only a doctor's assessment can tell the causes apart when there is numbness, tingling or pain running down the arm.
Why does it hurt between the shoulder blades?
In this area you often feel the fatigue of someone who spends the day leaning forward: the muscles that hold the shoulder blades are stretched, and the pain between them may also come from the neck or shoulders. Pain in the thoracic spine is common in people who work, and is linked to workload and sustained positions. But pain between the shoulder blades that appears suddenly, with shortness of breath, chest pain or sweating is an emergency and should not be left waiting.
Back pain from working seated: does massage help?
It can relieve tension and give comfort in the short term, and that is how it should be judged. Scientific reviews find benefit for low back pain mainly in the short term, with little confidence in the results. To keep the improvement, what you do day to day matters more: moving, varying your position, taking breaks and some exercise. Massage complements these measures, and does not replace them. If the low back pain lasts weeks or runs down the leg, talk to a doctor.
Stiff neck in the morning: what could it be?
Often it is the position you slept in, with a high or low pillow, or on your stomach with your neck turned, and it eases during the morning. It can also come from a previous day of many hours at the computer. If the stiffness is intense, lasts more than a few days, comes with fever, a severe headache or numbness in the arm, do not wait: talk to a doctor before thinking about massage.
Relaxing massage or deep massage: which to choose?
It depends on the pressure you prefer and what you are looking for. Toque Relax uses gentle to moderate pressure, with long movements that calm the body, and is a good starting point if you have never had a massage. Relax Profundo uses firmer pressure and slower manoeuvres, for the layers where stiffness builds up. If the discomfort is mainly in the back, shoulders and neck, Toque Dorsal focuses on that area. When booking, the team helps you choose.
What is deep tissue massage?
It is a massage that works the deeper layers of the muscle, with firm pressure and slow movements, and at Luxmed it corresponds to Toque Relax Profundo. It is not a synonym for pain: there should be tolerable discomfort and the pressure can and should be adjusted during the session. It is not the most suitable for everyone: if you have osteoporosis, take anticoagulants, have a known herniated disc or have had recent surgery, talk to the doctor first.
Does a back massage hurt?
It should not hurt to the point of making you tense up. With gentle pressure there is no pain, and with firm pressure you may feel a tolerable discomfort over the hardest points, similar to stretching a tired muscle. The intensity is adjusted to each person's sensitivity and you can say at any time if you want more or less pressure. Some tenderness the next day is possible, but if the pain increases a lot or lasts several days, talk to a doctor.
Is massage good for the back?
For relief of tension and discomfort in the short term, there are studies with favourable results, but the quality of the evidence is limited. For neck pain, the Cochrane review concludes that massage may make little difference to pain compared with placebo, with more benefit in series of sessions of at least 30 minutes. That is why we present massage as a wellbeing treatment, which does not treat diseases, and which works best combined with movement.
How many sessions do I need and how often?
There is no number that is the same for everyone, and we will not promise a result. Tension that comes from daily habits tends to return as long as the routine stays the same, and some people have a massage from time to time, while others prefer a more regular frequency. The studies that show most benefit used a series of sessions, but that cannot simply be transferred to each person. The team will talk to you when you book, and the duration and price are explained at that point.
When should I see a doctor first instead of booking a massage?
Before a massage, see a doctor if you have sudden, intense pain, a recent fall or blow, numbness or tingling in an arm or leg, loss of strength, pain running down the limb, fever, unexplained weight loss or night pain that keeps getting worse. The same applies if you have a recent injury, inflamed skin, suspected thrombosis, or conditions such as osteoporosis, anticoagulants or a herniated disc. Chest pain, pain in the left arm or with shortness of breath: call 112 or SNS 24, 808 24 24 24.
Can I book the massage directly or do I need a consultation?
You can book Toque Relax, Relax Profundo, Dorsal and Corpo Inteiro directly, without a prior consultation, with the team at Clínica Luxmed in Algés (Oeiras). Drainage massages are different: they are only carried out with a medical referral, after an assessment consultation with Dr Michelle Campagnoli. When booking, say which area needs the most attention and whether you have any health condition, a recent injury or allergies, so that the team can choose safely.
What should I bring and what should I tell the massage therapist?
Come in comfortable clothes and, if you can, without rushing. Say where you feel the tension, for how long, what you do during the day, and whether any position makes it worse. Tell us about recent injuries, surgery, medication such as anticoagulants, osteoporosis, allergies to oils or scents, and whether you are pregnant or might be. During the session, always say if you want more or less pressure, or if you would rather leave an area alone.
