Back and Shoulder Massage

What makes this ritual special, according to Joana

Joana Santos, Mandalay Spa Therapist, performs this Back and Shoulder Massage at Mandalay Spa Royal Óbidos with particular attention to the areas most heavily used during golf. Designed for hotel guests and players who feel tension after the game, this treatment combines sports massage and stretching in a localised, practical and focused approach.

Recommended for anyone who…

• Plays golf and feels tension in the back, shoulders or neck.
• Is looking for a short, localised and focused massage.
• Wants to recover comfort after a round or prepare the body for another game.
• Values an approach inspired by sports massage and stretching.

Joana Santos’s perspective

Anyone who plays golf knows that the movement appears fluid but demands a great deal from the back, shoulders and neck. Swings, putts, time spent standing and even journeys in the golf cart can create silent tension that accumulates throughout the day. During this massage, I begin by understanding whether the client has just played, wants to prepare the body for another round or feels that a particular area is especially restricted.

Based on this initial listening, I adapt the work to the areas that need the most attention. The focus is primarily on the upper body, using sports-inspired techniques and stretches that help restore a greater sense of mobility and lightness. Pressure is adjusted to the body’s response because not every form of tension requires intense force; it often requires precision.

This treatment is short but highly purposeful. It is not intended to replace a full-body ritual, but to respond to a specific need: releasing accumulated heaviness in the back, shoulders and neck area.

At the end, I want the client to feel looser, more comfortable and better prepared to enjoy the rest of the day, on or off the course.