Meaningful Massage by Tawnia, LMT

06/03/2026

TECH NECK - EVER HEARD OF IT??🤔

The majority of people of today's day in age is in front of a screen or on their smartphones over 5 hours a day and holding their head and bodies in an unnatural position that leads to a chronic affliction called tech neck or text neck.

THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS
Simply put, hunching forward with rounded shoulders for extended periods of time over a handheld device while sitting in a kitchen chair, couch or even while in bed puts a lot of stress in the back, spine, shoulders arms and even legs.

Desktop users are not exempt from this phenomenon either. Holding your head unnaturally far forward to stare at a screen also results in tech neck.(1)

This unnatual pattern of posture, over time, can cause repetitive strain and even cause injury that presents as neck pain, shoulder pain, upper back pain, chronic headaches, and increased curvature of the cervical spine. The soreness can range from chronic, nagging discomfort to sharp, stabbing, localized pain. (2)
The average human head weighs 10-12 lbs. The neck muscles and normal curvature of your spine are equipped to hold your head upright; however, the demands on the neck muscles increase significantly with every 15 degrees you flex your neck forward. Here is a bit of perspective:

• With just a slight glance down, your head becomes the equivalent of a 27-pound weight.
• At a 30-degree neck tilt, your head feels like 40 pounds.
• Dip your head significantly forward to read a phone held near your lap and you may put upwards of 60 pounds of force on your neck.
At the same time, your shoulders round as you hunch forward to improve your view of the screen. This puts added pressure on your entire upper frame.
Put this all together and you’ve got a recipe for musculoskeletal misfortune. (3)

SYMPTOMS OF TECH NECK:
Stiffness, soreness or sharp pain in your neck and shoulders are signs that you’re spending too much time hunched over your phone. Over time, this sort of persistent strain can contribute to arthritis.

Tech neck may also cause symptoms like:
• Headaches and nausea
• Numbness and tingling in your arm, hand and fingers from nerve irritation
• Degenerative disk disease
• Fatigue, in part due to decreased lung capacity from being hunched over
Tech time may lead to other issues, too, like:
• Eye strain related to staring at a screen too long
• Finger and thumb pain from tapping and scrolling
• Elbow aches from holding devices in a fixed position for long periods(3)

Best solution for this is to spend less time on your desktop computer and hand held devices. Summer is around the corner, so give your head, neck and upper back a break and get involved in other activities or enjoy other hobbies that don't requirw you to look down for long periods of time as well as create more healthy habits that help your body, not hurt it.

Tech neck giving you problems? Book a 60-minute massage with me and lets work on those neck, head and upper back muscles.💆💆‍♀️💪🫶

References
1. AMTA November 2021, A Real Pain In The Neck
2. Neupane S, Ifthikar Ali UT, Mathew A. "Text-Neck Syndrome-Systemic review." Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research 2017;3(7):141-148.
3. Cleveland Science November 19, 2025, TECH NECK: A MODERN-DAY PAIN

06/01/2026

Summer is around the corner and it is the perfect time to take some time off from your busy life and enjoy the outdoors with your friends and family. 🏕🏖🏜🏞⛳️

Of course, all of that fun may leave you sore in more ways than one! If you’re experiencing tightness in your muscles or just want to relax after a long day, consider adding massage therapy to your plans! 💆‍♀️💆‍♂️Not only will it help keep you healthy and happy, but it may also have some surprising mental health benefits as well.

Here are the top three reasons why it’s important to get a massage this summer.

1) Relieve Muscle Tension
For many of us, summertime means increased activity levels. Whether we’re trying to get in shape for swimsuit season or simply enjoying the warmer weather - we tend to move our bodies more, and with all that extra activity comes muscle tension. A massage can help relieve that tension and ease those aches and pains.

You might be surprised to find out how many people are benefiting from massage. If you’re someone who sits at a desk all day👩‍💻👨‍💻, getting up and moving around isn’t as easy as it sounds, which can add stress to your body and make tension worse. And if you’re exercising regularly or participating in sports or other activities🧗‍♂️🏌🏊‍♂️⛹️🏋🤸🚴 where overuse is common, muscle tension can also be common. But even if you’re not feeling stressed or active, there are plenty of reasons to get a massage!

2) Increase Circulation
As the weather gets warmer, our circulation naturally increases. This is because we are more active and our blood vessels dilate in response to the heat. However, this can also lead to increased swelling and inflammation. Massage helps reduce inflammation and swelling by increasing blood circulation. If you’re planning on being outside in warmer weather or have any skin conditions that may flare up, like eczema or psoriasis, a regular massage can help prevent these symptoms. In addition, it improves lymphatic drainage by stimulating lymph nodes through gentle pressure on various parts of your body.

3) Relax Your Mind
A massage can do more than just relax your body – it can also help reduce stress levels by reducing the amount of cortisol in your system. Cortisol is a hormone that is released in response to stress, and it can have a number of negative effects on your body if it is present in high levels. A massage can help to reduce cortisol levels and alleviate some of the negative effects of stress. As a result, you’ll experience a better mood and relaxation🧘💆 and better sleep😴🛌!

So, if you struggle with stress regularly, a massage may be exactly what you need.🤗

Now is the perfect time to get a massage!! The weather is warm, the days are long, and there’s no better way to relax after a long day in the sun than with a massage. Be sure to book your summer massage today with me @ Meaningful Massage by Tawnia, LMT Call or text..(970-644-1022).

05/16/2026

Your moment of calm is just one appointment away 💆‍♂️💆‍♀️🌿

Step into a space where stress fades, muscles relax, and you come first.

🗓 Ready to feel like yourself again? Call or text to book a Nepali Auyervedic session today! 970-644-1022

05/13/2026

What better way to end the day than with a massage 💆‍♂️ 💆‍♀️

On your feet all day? Book a Foot Reflexology session and leave the rest to me.

Foot Reflexology is a 60-minute session ($55) that includes a 5 to 10 minute Epsom Salt and Essential oil foot soak.

The session focuses on the feet and lower legs. It is very relaxing, and your feet will thank you - I promise ❤️

04/23/2026

I will be back in my office starting April 28th, two days a week. The office hours will be as follows until further noted:

Tuesday - 10 am to 5 pm
Wednesday - 10 am to 5 pm

Call and get on my calendar ASAP!!

02/23/2026

Starting March 9th, the office will be closed for a short period of time. I will be out recovering from surgery and should be back mid-April.

***correction - it will be the end of April or beginning of May when I return.

Be on the lookout out for some Spring specials.😊

02/03/2026

A few myths about massage...

01/30/2026

Yep!!

01/26/2026

01/25/2026

These recommendations are based off individual needs and responses to massage.

I always say to listen to your body and go from there.