By the team at St Albans Thai Massage · Last updated 12 November 2026
For a tight neck, shoulders and upper back, choose a treatment that spends most of its time there. Our head, neck and shoulder massage is the focused option, and deep tissue is best if the knots are stubborn.
Why these areas get so tight
Long hours at a desk, driving, looking down at a phone and carrying bags all ask the same muscles to hold the same position for hours. They rarely get the chance to lengthen, so they stiffen. It is the most common reason people book with us.
Which treatment to choose
- Head, neck and shoulder massage: all of the time goes on the upper body.
- Deep tissue: slow, firm pressure on specific knots.
- Thai Deep Mix: the whole body, with firmer work where you need it. A good choice when your lower back and hips are tight too.
- Traditional Thai: stretching as well as pressure, if you feel stiff all over.
What to tell your therapist
Say where it is tightest, what you do all day, and how firm you like the pressure. Mention anything you want avoided. You can ask for more or less pressure at any point.
60 or 90 minutes?
Sixty minutes is enough for focused upper-body work. Ninety minutes lets your therapist work on the neck and shoulders properly and still cover the rest of the body.
Between visits
Get up and move every hour, raise your screen to eye level, and stretch your chest and shoulders. Regular massage works best alongside those habits. See how often to come.
When to see a doctor first
Massage is not medical treatment. If your pain is severe, follows an injury, or comes with numbness, tingling, weakness or headaches, see your GP before booking.