Load of study following back massage (6)
I believe the answer is:
burden
'load' is the definition.
('burden' can be a synonym of 'load')
'study following back massage' is the wordplay.
'study' becomes 'den' (I've seen this before).
'following' says to put letters next to each other.
'back' says the letters should be written backwards.
'massage' becomes 'rub' (I've seen this before).
'rub' written backwards gives 'bur'.
'den' put after 'bur' is 'BURDEN'.
'of' is the link.
(Other definitions for burden that I've seen before include "Onerous weight" , "Unwelcome load" , "Oppressive duty" , "Encumbrance" , "Weigh down - load" .)