Neck, Shoulders & Back Massage
The desk worker's massage. Targeted protocol for IT professionals, video editors, digital nomads, and anyone who lives in a chair. Based on the classical Vasichkin methodology for the cervical-collar zone.
First visit discount applied automatically · Includes consultation & herbal tea
What This Massage Does
Neck, shoulders and back massage is a targeted therapeutic protocol for the back of the body — from the lumbar region up through the shoulders, neck, and base of the skull. It addresses the specific muscle patterns that build up from long hours in a seated position: forward head posture, rounded shoulders, lower back compression, that tight band of tension across the upper traps.
At Namm Massage we follow the classical Vasichkin protocol for the cervical-collar zone — the standard taught in Russian sports medicine, combined with Biryukov techniques for the back muscles. The session works systematically through five main muscle groups: trapezius, levator scapulae, rhomboids, paraspinal muscles, and lumbar erectors. Effleurage to warm up, then friction and kneading, with focused trigger point work on the dense knots that build up at the base of the neck.
A 2020 study in Journal of Physical Therapy Science showed that tilting your head just 15° forward to look at a phone or laptop increases the effective weight on your cervical spine from 5 kg to 12 kg. Multiply that by 8 hours a day. The muscles holding you up don't get a break — they need help releasing.
What It Is Not
This is not a generic relaxation back massage. A standard back massage spreads attention evenly across the whole back. Neck, shoulders and back massage spends the bulk of the time exactly where the desk-work load accumulates — the cervical-collar zone, between the shoulder blades, and the upper trapezius.
It is also not a chiropractic adjustment or manual therapy. We do not crack joints or perform spinal manipulations. The work is exclusively on muscle and connective tissue, using classical massage techniques.
Pressure goes deep — you will feel it — but a properly performed session never causes sharp pain or bruising. Trigger point work on tight knots may feel intense for 5–10 seconds, then releases. At Namm you choose the pressure on a 5-level scale, and you can adjust it during the session at any time.
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IT Professionals & Developers
10+ hours a day in front of code. Trapezius locked, mid-back stiff, that nagging tension between the shoulder blades. Our most-booked massage among Phuket digital nomads working from Boat Avenue.
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Video Editors & Content Creators
Color grading sessions, long export waits, that hunched-over editing posture. This massage releases the exact pattern editors build up — right shoulder forward (mouse), neck rotated, lower back compressed.
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Tech Neck & Phone Posture
Hours scrolling on a phone create a specific neck strain — straight cervical, tight suboccipitals, headaches at the base of the skull. The protocol includes targeted work on these structures.
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Long-Haul Flight Recovery
12+ hours sitting in a plane seat. Same problem as desk work, compressed into one day. The full 90-minute session works the entire back chain back to normal tone.
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Drivers, Designers, Students, Gamers
Anyone whose body stays in roughly the same position for 4+ hours a day. Long-distance drivers, graphic designers at tablets, students prepping for exams, gamers in marathon sessions — same muscle pattern, same solution.
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Not Sure Which Length?
Tell us your work setup and where you feel it most — neck, shoulders, lower back, between shoulder blades — and we'll recommend the right session length. Ask via WhatsApp
The Protocol — From Lumbar to Occipital
Every session begins with a brief consultation. We ask your work setup — laptop, multiple monitors, phone use, driving — and where you feel it most. The protocol adapts to your tension map. Then a private treatment room: fresh linen, soft light, strict silence.
Stage 1 — Effleurage (warm-up). Light gliding strokes along the whole back, from sacrum to base of skull. Wakes up the receptors, prepares the tissues, settles the nervous system.
Stage 2 — Friction on the paraspinal lines. Circular and linear work along both sides of the spine, from lumbar erectors up through thoracic, to suboccipitals. Warms the deep layers, prepares for the main work.
Stage 3 — Kneading the back muscles. The main technique. Systematic capture, lift, and squeeze through the trapezius, rhomboids, levator scapulae, and lower back. Each muscle group worked longitudinally (along the fibres) and transversely (across them).
Stage 4 — Cervical-collar zone focus. The Vasichkin protocol's signature work. Targeted attention on the upper trapezius (the dense band across the top of the shoulders), the base of the neck, and the area between shoulder blades — where desk work accumulates most.
Stage 5 — Trigger point release. Sustained pressure on the dense knots that build up in the traps and rhomboids — 5 to 10 seconds, then released. This is the "ah, that's the spot" moment most guests report.
Stage 6 — Neck and suboccipital work. Gentle traction, lateral neck strokes, friction at the base of the skull. Releases tech-neck strain and pre-headache tension.
Stage 7 — Shoulder mobilization (90 and 120 min sessions). Passive shoulder rotations and stretches to restore full range of motion.
The session closes with finishing effleurage and shaking strokes to settle everything down. After — hot Thai herbal tea, cold water, and personalized posture and stretching guidance.
What's Included
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Pre-session consultation
Brief talk about your work setup and tension map to tailor the protocol.
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Private, air-conditioned room
Fresh linen for every guest. Strict silence policy. 5-level adjustable pressure.
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Certified therapist
Trained in the classical Vasichkin and Biryukov protocols for the cervical-collar zone.
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Premium massage oil
Light oil that supports deep work without leaving residue.
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Hot Thai herbal tea after
Time to rest before stepping back into your day.
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Posture & stretching tips
Simple desk-side exercises to extend the effect between sessions.
Office syndrome is the collection of musculoskeletal problems caused by long hours in a seated position — neck tension, shoulder pain, mid-back stiffness, lower back discomfort, headaches. According to Journal of Physical Therapy Science research, tilting your head 15° forward to look at a phone or laptop increases the load on your cervical spine from 5 kg to 12 kg. This massage targets exactly the muscle groups that take this load — trapezius, levator scapulae, rhomboids, paraspinal muscles — using the classical Vasichkin protocol for the cervical-collar zone.
No. A regular back massage covers the back as one area. This massage specifically addresses the patterns that develop from sedentary work — forward head posture, rounded shoulders, lumbar compression. The protocol works from lumbar to occipital region in a specific sequence, with targeted work on the cervical-collar zone (the area between shoulder blades, neck base, and shoulders that takes most of the desk-work load).
IT professionals and developers, video editors and content creators, designers, accountants, lawyers, students, gamers, anyone who works from a laptop, drivers on long routes, parents who carry small children, and digital nomads in Phuket coworking spaces. Basically: if your body is in roughly the same position for 4+ hours a day, this is your massage.
60 minutes — focused work on neck, shoulders and upper back, ideal for first visit or weekly maintenance. 90 minutes — full back protocol from lumbar to occipital, the most popular choice and what we recommend if you want lasting effect. 120 minutes — extended session with additional head massage, shoulder mobilization, and full lumbar work, ideal after a heavy work week or before a long flight.
Pressure adapts to your level (5 levels at Namm — you choose, not the therapist). For dense, chronic tension in the trapezius, the work goes deep and you'll feel it — but it should never be sharp pain. Trigger point work on knots may feel intense for 5-10 seconds, then releases. If you've never had a deep back massage before, we recommend starting at pressure 3 and going up only if comfortable.
For active prevention — once every 2 weeks. For existing chronic tension — once a week for 4-6 weeks gives the best result. For acute discomfort — 2-3 sessions in the first week, then weekly. Many digital nomads in Phuket book a weekly recurring slot at Namm during their stay.
Yes, but it's better to give yourself 1-2 hours to let the body settle. The session is deeply relaxing as well as therapeutic — many guests feel sleepy afterward. Drink plenty of water, and try to avoid the laptop posture for at least an hour to let the muscles reset.
Walk-in massage is welcome every day from 10:00 to 22:00. However, we recommend messaging us via WhatsApp at least a few hours ahead to guarantee your preferred time — especially evenings (after-work peak hours).
