Medical Massage: Back & Neck + Cupping

The Medical Massage for Back and Neck with Cupping is a clinical-grade therapeutic treatment designed for guests experiencing genuine pain, chronic stiffness, or restricted mobility in the upper body. Unlike relaxation massages that prioritize comfort and calm, this treatment is results-oriented — focused on identifying and resolving the root causes of your discomfort.

The session begins with a brief assessment where our therapist evaluates your posture, range of motion, and areas of complaint. Based on this assessment, a targeted treatment plan is developed. The therapist uses a professional therapeutic cream or gel (often containing arnica, menthol, or anti-inflammatory botanicals) that enhances the therapeutic effect and allows for deeper, more precise work on affected tissues.

The massage technique combines elements of clinical deep tissue work, myofascial release, and trigger point therapy. The therapist works systematically through the muscles of the cervical spine (neck), the trapezius and levator scapulae (upper shoulders), the rhomboids and serratus muscles (between the shoulder blades), and the erector spinae (along the spine). Particular attention is given to identifying and deactivating trigger points — hyperirritable spots within taut bands of muscle fiber that refer pain to other areas.

Cupping therapy (hacamat in Turkish tradition) is integrated into the treatment. Silicone or glass cups are placed on the skin, creating a vacuum that lifts the superficial muscle layers and fascia. This negative pressure dramatically increases blood flow to the area, breaks up fascial adhesions, and releases deep-seated muscle tension that manual techniques alone cannot always reach. The cupping may leave temporary circular marks on the skin (usually fading within 3-7 days) — these are not bruises but evidence of stagnant blood and metabolic waste being drawn to the surface.

This 30-minute treatment is particularly effective for: chronic neck and shoulder pain, cervicogenic headaches (headaches originating from the neck), upper back pain between the shoulder blades, limited neck rotation, desk worker's syndrome (rounded shoulders, forward head posture), whiplash recovery, and stress-related muscle guarding.

We recommend this treatment for guests with specific pain complaints rather than general relaxation. For chronic conditions, a series of 3-4 sessions may be recommended. The combination of targeted manual therapy and cupping creates a powerful therapeutic intervention that many guests describe as dramatically more effective than standard massage.