Plagued by aching neck and shoulders, Christen Pears tries a new deep tissue massage.

AS a journalist, I spend hours hunched over a computer keyboard. I also have a seemingly incurable habit of gripping the phone between my left shoulder and ear while jotting down notes with the my right hand.

It's all very bad for my neck and shoulders and recently, I've been experiencing a lot of shoulder pain. I'd sprayed on so much Deep Heat I was starting to smell like the changing room after a hard rugby match, but all to no avail. So I jumped at the chance to try Saks' new remedial massage.

Saks is best known for its health and beauty treatments but has recently developed this new treatment - a deep tissue massage that bridges the gap between an invigorating massage and physiotherapy.

Practised by hand-picked therapists who are trained at the Saks Academy in Darlington, it's ideal for dealing with old sports injuries or postural problems but it also boosts circulation, detoxifies and helps break down cellulite.

Kirsty Jobson, who has a background in sports massage, was one of the therapists who researched and developed the treatment.

She says: "Saks is now in the David Lloyd Leisure Clubs and we realised that deep tissue massage was an area that was missing from our massages. Wellbeing massage is lovely but it's more relaxing. This really gets to the root of the tension."

Prior to treatment, the therapist carries out a thorough consultation to determine what problems you need tackling, and then develops a tailor-made massage for each client.

Kirsty begins my session with dry body brushing and a few relaxing strokes before applying more sustained pressure, using her own body weight to work the deeper muscles. She constantly checks with me to make sure she's getting the pressure right.

She works my entire body, right from my feet to my neck and although I expected my shoulders to be problem areas, I'm surprised by how much tension there is in the rest of my body.

This is definitely not a relaxing massage; in fact, I would say it's distinctly uncomfortable at times, but once it's over, I feel noticeably better. The knots in my shoulders have melted away and all my muscles feel lengthened and relaxed.

This massage gives your body a real work-out, so much so that you may ache the following day. I have to confess, I was a bit stiff but all clients are given a complimentary sachet of Elemis Musclease Bath Synergie

to use the day after their treatment.

Kirsty says: "You really don't realise how much tension you're holding in your body. We wouldn't recommend it for anyone who is stressed and wants to relax but it's brilliant for anyone who wants a really deep tension-relieving massage."

* The Saks Remedial Massage is now available at Saks salons nationwide

with prices starting from £55. Call 0845 600 59 59 for your nearest salon.