Stiff neck? Tight shoulders? You're not alone if you’re spending long hours at a desk or hunched over a laptop. Many of us feel the strain of modern work life, especially in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. But you don’t need a standing desk or daily yoga class to feel better. Sometimes, a few minutes of targeted massage can make a difference.
Rally makes it easy to release tension, improve circulation, and support better posture with gentle, effective relief you can use right at your desk. Bonus: You can keep Rally on your desk without it being an eye sore.
What Is Tech Neck?
Tech neck is the tension and discomfort caused by spending too much time with your head tilted forward, think laptops, smartphones, tablets, and even long Zoom meetings. This head-forward posture puts extra strain on the muscles of your neck and upper back, often leading to:
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Neck stiffness
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Shoulder tightness
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Upper back pain
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Headaches
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Reduced mobility
Over time, tech neck can lead to chronic tension, poor posture, and fatigue. Fortunately, incorporating short massage sessions into your day can help break the cycle.
Common Tension Areas for Desk Workers
Whether you're working from home or logging hours at the office, there are a few key spots where tension tends to build up:
1. Neck (Sides and Back)
Muscles at the base of the skull and along the sides of the neck often hold the weight of your head, significantly when it’s tilted forward for hours.
2. Upper Trapezius (Shoulder Tops)
These muscles connect your neck to your shoulders and are notorious for storing stress, especially when typing or using a mouse all day.
3. Rhomboids and Upper Back
Between your shoulder blades lies a hotspot for stiffness, particularly when posture starts to slump forward.
4. Chest (Pecs)
Tight chest muscles can pull your shoulders forward, worsening upper back tension.
Targeting these areas with Rally can help restore balance and ease discomfort caused by long hours at your desk.
How to Use Rally on the Neck, Shoulders & Upper Body
Rally is reimagining the recovery space and the massage tools we use to recover from common challenges like DOMS. Unlike percussive massagers, which can be too harsh, Rally provides controlled, effective relief with a smooth, orbital motion. Here’s why it stands out:
Rally’s orbital motion is ideal for the delicate muscles of the neck and upper back. It’s smooth, controlled, and gentle enough for everyday use, without the jarring impact of traditional percussive massage guns. Here’s how to make the most of it:
Neck
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How: With Rally set to a lower speed, guide Rally slowly along the sides and back of your neck, using small circular motions. Avoid direct pressure on the spine.
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Why: This helps reduce stiffness, release muscle knots, and increase blood flow to the area, especially helpful after hours of looking down at a screen.
Shoulders
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How: Place Rally on top of each shoulder (upper traps) and let it glide from your neck outward toward your shoulder joint.
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Why: These muscles hold a lot of tension from desk work, stress, and static posture. A few minutes of massage can help your shoulders drop back and relax.
Upper Back
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How: Move Rally between the shoulder blades, working gently along the spine without applying direct pressure. You can do this seated with a backrest for support, or ask a partner for help if needed.
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Why: Loosening this area improves posture and reduces your back's heavy, “hunched” feeling.
Chest
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How: Apply Rally just above the armpit and along the upper chest muscles with light pressure.
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Why: Releasing tight pecs helps open up your shoulders and reduce the forward pull, which contributes to back and neck tension.
5 Massage Techniques for Tech Neck & Tight Shoulders
Try these quick techniques with Rally to counteract the effects of prolonged sitting and screen time:
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Neck Sweep – Move Rally gently down the side of your neck toward the collarbone to encourage lymphatic drainage and reduce swelling.
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Shoulder Rollout – Use slow, circular motions on the tops of your shoulders to soften stubborn knots.
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Scapular Glide – Slide your shoulder blades and spine to help relieve that "tight between the shoulder blades" feeling.
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Chest Opener – Use light pressure across the chest to relax shortened pec muscles and reset posture.
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Mini Midday Reset – Do a 5-minute neck, shoulders, and upper back routine to refresh your body and mind between meetings.
Bonus: Add deep breathing while using Rally to help your nervous system shift from “stress mode” to recovery.
Make Self-Care Part of Your Workday
You don’t need a full-body massage or an hour of stretching to feel better at work. With Rally, just a few minutes a day can relieve tension and improve circulation where you need it most. It’s compact, quiet, and easy to use, even between meetings or while catching up on emails.
Think of it as a reset button for your upper body, a way to unwind, recharge, and feel more like yourself, without leaving your desk.
Ready To Try It?
Explore how Rally’s orbital technology can relieve your everyday routine, especially if your workday includes a lot of sitting and typing.
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