Most office workers endure long hours of discomfort, resulting in lingering pains and stiffness around the neck, shoulders, and lower back. If working too many hours hunched over your computer has left you with tense arms or neck, a professional massage for shoulder pain and neck stiffness can be beneficial.
Cumulative trauma and injuries in the muscles, joints and nervous system often cause pain. This can be brought about by repetitive movements, such as typing on your computer or going over paperwork with your back hunched over the desk. It can be due to awkward sitting positions that you sustain for a long time, which can hinder good circulation in your system. It can be due to overused or strained muscles from repetitive motions, injuries, forceful exertions, and other causes. A good massage for shoulder or neck pain can do a miracle if you are constantly tense.
Aside from the physical causes, mental and emotional factors can also contribute to body aches and discomfort. Stress, in many cases, has been seen to manifest in the form of debilitating back pain or that headache that’s been bugging you for so long.
The painful episodes can affect you for days, weeks, months – or, for some hardworking fellows, years. And yes, they can be caused by “merely” sitting at your desk or working on your computer for long periods. Over-the-counter painkillers or home remedies can help temporarily alleviate the discomfort. Still, for long-term relief, you must invest in the correct form of therapy, such as massage for shoulder pain, neck stiffness, or headache.
Massage for shoulder pain helps relieve muscular tension
Cases of upper body pain have continuously risen over the years, and the term “office worker syndrome” has been coined to describe the general disorders that affect chair-bound workers. Some of the conditions that affect the head, neck and shoulders may include one or a combination of the following:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Inflammation of the tendons and tendon sheaths in the shoulder, wrist and arm
- Pulled or strained muscles, tendons, ligaments
- Ruptured or slipped discs
- Swelling or irritation of the tissues around the shoulder joint
- Compressed nerves and blood vessels between the ribs and collarbone, and in the chest and shoulder muscles
- Compressed nerve roots in the neck
Ergonomics: Is it worth the investment?
Working on the computer for hours can be a pain, especially if the workstation is not ergonomically designed—that is, the heights of the tables, chairs, and other equipment used are not considerate of the employees’ size and position while working.
If these workstation implements are too high for a petite employee, it can place a lot of stress on her neck from holding a raised head position for a long time. There’s also tension in her legs because her feet are not planted firmly on the floor. If a person is too tall for their workstation, they’ll slouch the whole time, which is undoubtedly very tiring. A lot of tension knots can build up around the neck and lower back, and cause pain to radiate throughout the body.
Many top-notch companies are changing their employees’ workstations, but sadly, this is not enough. First, not all companies can afford ergonomic chairs, tables, and office designs. Second, most people naturally adjust to the uncomfortable spectrum of movements imposed by their jobs, so “physical maintenance” and well-being remain the personal responsibility of employees.
Lifestyle changes to minimise pain
Long hours of desk work can lead to debilitating pain, but there are some things you can do to minimise the possibility of discomfort. For starters, look for opportunities to move. Include a massage for shoulder pain and a regular exercise routine in your schedule. Take up a sport or hobby that gets you up and going. Opt for healthier choices every time (i.e., take the stairs instead of the elevator for the last few flights to your office).
Another tactic is always to be mindful of your daily activities – don’t get sucked into the numerous tasks you face to the point of forgetting to take breaks or even eat according to the proper schedule. The key is to work smarter, which doesn’t necessarily mean more complex. Remember to take a break to get up, take a short walk and do some stretching exercises. Break free from the prison of your desk.
Most importantly, learn how to listen to your body. If you feel pain, don’t keep ignoring it. The practice of just “grin and bear it” will have dire consequences in the future. Seek the help of a pain relief therapist who will help assess the painful areas in your body and your overall health and well-being. Setting a goal to excel in your job can be your primary motivation to take action. After all, optimal health and fitness are key to top-notch performance at work.
Massage for shoulder pain alleviates physical stiffness
Massage for shoulder pain is a worthy solution to undo or fight the effects of work’s daily physical discomforts. It’s relaxing and provides a bounty of health benefits. Deep tissue massage is particularly effective and highly recommended for office employees who sit in front of computers for long hours daily. It targets the build-up of tension knots that cause pain and stiffness, crushing them so muscles and joints relax and regain flexibility.
Massage for arm and neck pain: Why it matters
Studies show that such massage can set off molecular events in muscles that reverse the effects of incorrect posture while working. Likewise, it can dampen protein activity, which usually causes pain and inflammation.
Another highly recommended treatment for the same physical woes, this time caused by muscle overwork from sports, is sports massage. It brings relief from pain, hastens the body’s natural recovery from exercise, boosts the immune system, and most importantly, improves the body’s overall efficiency.
Massage is the best solution for neck and shoulder pain, as well as other discomforts caused by work or sports. But to ensure immediate relief and secure all the healing benefits of this non-toxic treatment, turn only to Massaggi’s customer-oriented, expert-designed massage therapy for shoulder pain.
