16/08/2026
š³ āWHAT ARE THOSE MARKS?!ā
They can look pretty dramatic, but the marks left after muscle scraping often look far worse than they actually feel.
The red and purple colouring is caused by tiny superficial blood vessels responding to the mechanical pressure and friction created by my scraping tool. This can produce petechiae and some superficial bruising.
š» This particular client is desk based, so we spent a lot of time working through the upper back, traps and around the shoulder blades.
Hours spent sitting, typing and working at a screen can expose these areas to repetitive and prolonged mechanical stress. The muscles around the neck, shoulders and shoulder blades can be working for long periods in relatively static positions, which can contribute to:
ā¢ Muscle fatigue and sensitivity
ā¢ Neck and shoulder tension
ā¢ Upper-back stiffness
ā¢ Reduced movement from staying in one position
ā¢ Overworked areas around the traps and shoulder blades
Tissue thickness, skin characteristics and how easily someoneās superficial capillaries respond can also make a big difference.
Most of all, the aim of muscle scraping isnāt to create these marks. Theyāre simply a temporary response that can occur during treatment. Everyone is different!
So although this back looks like itās been through a battle š, the marks themselves arenāt the goal.
WHAT IS THE GOAL? ā½ļø
Improved movement, reducing discomfort and helping overloaded areas better tolerate the mechanical demands being placed on them. šŖ
Grit Therapy
