Massage Therapy Journal Winter 2025

Winter 2025 • 47

While these techniques extend beyond traditional massage, they can significantly amplify the results of massage therapy by addressing underlying causes of tech neck, such as chronic stress, screen dependency and poor ergonomic habits. At the same time, the massage therapist’s role and embodiment of these principles also matters. Advanced practitioner knowledge includes recognizing where physical and emotional symptoms intersect and using that awareness to guide clients with greater confidence and compassion. By practicing some of these tools themselves, massage therapists gain valuable insight into what truly helps, making it easier to suggest specific and realistic resources clients are more likely to use. Even simple recommendations—like joining a mindful movement class, creating a bedtime ritual or listening to a brief meditation before sleep—can help clients extend their progress off the massage table. By guiding clients toward integrated habits that support both body and mind, massage therapists foster a more holistic experience and create a positive feedback loop that reinforces long-term healing. Hands-On Therapeutic Techniques for Tech Neck Syndrome It’s essential to acknowledge that some manual techniques—especially those involving direct manipulation of the neck—are best learned in person under professional supervision. This protocol provides a general treatment plan for tech neck syndrome, but you can experiment with various types of strokes and pressure levels to find what works best for you and your unique clients. As you create massage session plans, remember the lower body’s role and focus on muscle groups that contribute to controlling this syndrome. Work should focus specifically on improving posture, stability and mobility in the lower spine, hips and core, as these areas play a crucial role in supporting spinal alignment and posture. By addressing them, we can help clients achieve lasting relief from tech neck symptoms and promote long-term health and well-being.

Self-care practices like meditation support relaxation and postural awareness.

By practicing some of these tools themselves, massage therapists gain valuable insight into what truly helps, making it easier to suggest specific and realistic resources clients are more likely to use.

The posterior chain (lower back, glutes, hamstrings, calves and IT band) plays a vital role in supporting spinal alignment and relieving tech neck symptoms. By targeting these areas, you can help your clients release tension and promote better posture, which reduces strain on the neck and upper body. Lumbar and Gluteal Work Compression and forearm strokes. Begin by applying gentle compression along the lumbar spine. Gradually increase pressure with your palms or forearms as you move toward the glutes. This initial phase should be slow and controlled to allow the muscles to relax and prepare for deeper work. Start with lighter pressure, gradually increasing as you assess the client’s comfort level. For clients with significant muscle tightness or discomfort, always check in with them to ensure they’re relaxed. At first, aim for a balance between enough pressure to release tension but not enough to overwhelm the muscles. Focus on the quadratus lumborum (QL) and glutes. These areas are often particularly tight in clients suffering from tech neck symptoms due to prolonged sitting or poor posture. To treat the QL, apply deep compression with thumbs or knuckles along the muscle fibers, targeting tension points along the spine and lower back. You can use a

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