Massage for Back & Neck Pain in Salt Lake City
Focused deep tissue and myofascial work for tight, achy backs, necks, and shoulders.
Utah Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) · Massage is not a substitute for medical care
Massage for Back & Neck Pain in Salt Lake City, UT
Massage for back pain is one of the most common reasons people in Salt Lake City book with us. Maybe it's a lower back that stiffens after a day at your desk, a neck that aches after a long drive, shoulders that creep up toward your ears, or a hip-and-back combination that flares after a round of golf or a ski day. At Salt Lake Deep Tissue Massage, Timi, a Utah Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) trained in deep tissue, myofascial, and rehabilitative massage, builds focused sessions around the muscles that commonly contribute to back and neck discomfort.
An important note first: massage therapists don't diagnose or treat medical conditions. Massage may help relieve muscle tension and the discomfort that comes with it. It isn't a replacement for evaluation by a physician, physical therapist, or chiropractor, especially for new, severe, or worsening pain.
See a Medical Provider First If You Have…
Please seek medical care, not massage, if you have:
- Back or neck pain after a fall, car accident, or other trauma
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms or legs that is new or worsening
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Pain with fever, unexplained weight loss, or a history of cancer
- Severe pain that doesn't change with position or rest
- A sudden, severe headache unlike any you've had before
Once a provider has ruled out anything serious, massage can be a helpful complement to their plan. Share their guidance on your intake form.
How Massage May Help Muscle-Related Back & Neck Discomfort
Much everyday back and neck discomfort involves muscle tension: muscles that are overworked, held in one position too long, or compensating for another area. Massage may help by:
- Relieving muscle tension in the back, neck, shoulders, and hips
- Easing stiffness and improving how freely you move
- Addressing surrounding areas, like the hips, glutes, and chest, that often contribute to how the back feels
- Promoting relaxation, since stress and tension often go hand in hand
Everyone's body responds differently, and results aren't guaranteed. Many clients find that regular sessions help them feel more comfortable and mobile.
Common Areas We Focus On
Lower back tension
Lower back tightness rarely lives in the lower back alone. Timi works the muscles along the spine, plus the glutes, hip rotators, hip flexors, and the muscles on the sides of the torso. Tightness in any of them can change how your lower back feels. See deep tissue massage for more on this approach.
Neck and shoulder tension
Desk work, phones, and driving pull the head forward and round the shoulders. Sessions often focus on the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, the muscles at the base of the skull, the chest, and the upper back.
Tension-type headaches
Some headaches are associated with tight neck and shoulder muscles. Massage of the neck, shoulders, scalp, and base of the skull may help relieve the muscle tension that often accompanies them. If you have migraines or frequent or severe headaches, please consult your physician.
Sciatic-type discomfort
"Sciatica" describes symptoms along the sciatic nerve, and it has several possible causes, some of which need medical care. If a provider has evaluated you, massage of the glutes, deep hip rotators (including the piriformis), hamstrings, and lower back may help relieve associated muscle tightness. Never book massage in place of a medical evaluation for new radiating leg pain, numbness, or weakness.
Mid-back and rib-cage tightness
Common in cyclists, rowers, and anyone who sits for long periods, this area responds well to myofascial release and slow deep tissue work.
Who Books Back & Neck Sessions
- Desk workers and remote professionals who sit for eight-plus hours a day
- Commuters and frequent travelers who spend hours in cars and planes
- Golfers whose rotation loads the lower back and hips (golf & ski massage)
- Skiers and cyclists who spend long hours in flexed postures
- Parents lifting kids, car seats, and everything else
- Tradespeople and anyone who lifts, bends, and carries for a living
What to Expect
Intake
Your online intake asks about your discomfort: where it is, how long you've had it, what makes it better or worse, and whether a provider has evaluated it. Please list medications and recent procedures.
Consultation and positioning
Timi asks follow-up questions and may check your posture and how you move. If lying face-down is uncomfortable, she'll use side-lying positions or bolsters.
Focused work
Sessions for back and neck discomfort are targeted. Rather than an evenly paced full-body massage, most of the time goes to the back, neck, shoulders, and hips, using deep tissue and myofascial techniques at a pressure that feels productive, never sharp. You're professionally draped at all times.
Aftercare
You may feel looser right away and mildly sore for a day or two. Drink water, move gently, and avoid heavy lifting right after deep work. Timi may suggest simple ways to reduce desk strain, but she won't prescribe exercises. Your physical therapist or physician is the right person for that.
Session Length & Pricing
- 60 minutes ($120): focused on the back and neck, or the lower back and hips.
- 90 minutes ($180): recommended when both the upper and lower back need attention, or when hips and shoulders are involved too.
Can I Use HSA/FSA Funds?
Some HSA and FSA plans reimburse massage with a letter of medical necessity from your physician. Check with your plan administrator. We don't bill insurance. Payment is by cash or Venmo.
Why Choose Salt Lake Deep Tissue Massage
- Trained in deep tissue, myofascial, and rehabilitative massage at the Myotherapy College of Utah
- Utah-licensed: Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), licensed by the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL)
- Honest about what massage can and can't do. We'll tell you when to see a medical provider.
- Focused sessions instead of one-size-fits-all routines
- Private, by-appointment studio convenient to Salt Lake City, Millcreek, Murray, and Holladay
Professional Standards
This is a therapeutic, non-sexual practice. Professional draping is used at all times. Any sexual request, comment, or behavior ends the session immediately, is charged in full, and may be reported to law enforcement. Professional Boundaries Policy.
Back & Neck Pain Massage FAQ
Can massage fix my back pain?
Massage can't diagnose, treat, or cure back conditions. It may help relieve muscle tension and associated discomfort, and many people find it a helpful part of their overall self-care alongside guidance from their medical provider.
Is deep tissue massage good for lower back pain?
Many people with muscle-related lower back tension prefer deep tissue massage. Pressure should feel productive, never sharp, and it should be adjusted for how your back feels that day.
Should I get a massage if I have sciatica?
Only after a medical provider has evaluated your symptoms. If massage is appropriate, working the glutes, hips, and hamstrings may help relieve associated muscle tightness.
Can massage help with tension headaches?
Massage of the neck, shoulders, and base of the skull may help relieve the muscle tension that often accompanies tension-type headaches. See a physician for frequent, severe, or unusual headaches.
How often should I book for back tension?
Many clients start with sessions every one to two weeks for a few visits, then move to every three to four weeks for maintenance.
Do you work with chiropractors or physical therapists?
We're happy to work within guidance from your provider. Share it on your intake form.
Tired of carrying tension in your back and neck? Book a focused session in Salt Lake City online. Book Online · Existing clients: (801) 609-6002