Soft Tissue Therapy

Soft tissue therapy is the management, manipulation and rehabilitation of soft tissues of the body including muscles, tendons and ligaments. Don’t be put off by this very rigid definition as it is appropriate for everyone; the intention is to treat the individual in a way that will best meet their aims. Their aim could be anything form a holistic relaxation treatment to rehabilitation of an injury. Whatever the aims are, the most appropriate mode and type of massage will be applied, and more often than not combined, to gain the best results.

Soft tissue therapy is an umbrella term for working the soft tissues and applying a number of massage modalities to gain the best treatment outcome for the client. The therapists practice is only enhanced by the combination and application of different massage techniques from different styles and requires the therapist’s intuition when working with the client. There are very few cases where soft tissue therapy would not be appropriate as its breadth of practice is so wide. If you are unsure on whether it is appropriate for you, book a free consultation to find out more.​

Want to find out more about STT and what makes it so versatile, effective and beneficial then read my blog for a more detailed account.

Soft Tissue Therapy (STT) incorporates a wide range of massage modalities from Swedish to Myofascial. Combined with movement and exercise implementation this means there are extensive benefits. These include reducing stress, improving sleep, increasing range of movement and decreasing stiffness, reducing pain/discomfort, increasing awareness within your own body, reducing anxiety and depression, increasing well-being, strength, proprioception, confidence and promoting relaxation. The benefits can be global and/or specific to an area of treatment, all of which depends on the aim and objective of the appointment.

It is important to understand what will happen during your treatment so you can relax and feel you are in a safe environment to gain the most from the therapy.

You will be asked to complete a consultation form prior to attending your appointment. If you are unsure whether STT is for you, you can book a free consultation to discuss your needs. The consultation form includes a questionnaire to inform the therapist of any medical conditions that require consideration and information about the purpose of your visit. This will include details of any injuries.

During the appointment, any further questions (from the consultation form the therapist has) will be asked. If required, you may be asked to perform some movements or tests to further assess your function and movement.

Following this, the treatment will be explained and an opportunity will be given to ask any questions. At this point, informed consent will be gained to continue with the treatment. The therapist will explain the procedure for positioning on the couch to start the massage. The therapist will ask whether you are comfortable with them staying in the room during this process but, in cases of working with the opposite sex, they will leave the room if clothing has to be removed.

The treatment will start and consideration of your comfort will be given at all times. Treatments may require verbal feedback throughout to be able to apply the correct treatment to best effect.

After the treatment, the client will be left to get ready and then given a review of the treatment, water and aftercare advice on factors which will promote the benefit of their treatment/recovery. Payment will then be taken in either cash, card or bank transfer.

Prior to the treatment please:

• Refrain from alcohol and drugs 12 hours prior to the massage.

• If you are unwell, feeling ill, have a fever, vomiting or diarrhoea or covid symptoms massage is not advised and no treatment will be able to take place. Please contact if you are in doubt as soon as possible.

• Ensure you notify the therapist of all medical conditions and medication, or changes since the last treatment in the consultation, as this may affect the treatment.

Mobile Massage (required space)

• A treatment in your house or office requires a clear space within a warm, quiet room, ideally with soft lighting.

• For seated massage, the couch is a similar size to a chair and requires 1m around the couch.

• A home visit with a full folding couch requires approximately 2m by 3m of space for the couch and room to work around it.

• All materials and equipment required to create a relaxing environment, including towels, oils, lotions and music are supplied.

If you are unsure whether you have enough space, please get in contact.

Clothing

Please wear clothing that you feel comfortable in. During the appointment, depending on the purpose of the treatment, you may be asked to remove specific items of clothing but will never be asked to remove your underwear. Your modesty is of most importance and will be considered at all times with appropriate towel covering. For this reason, please ensure that you are wearing underwear.

Types of massage that are offered individually, or combined within an appointment, are as follows:

• Swedish – traditional therapeutic massage of the whole body focusing on fluid strokes to rejuvenate, uplift and restore wellbeing.

• Deep tissue - working deeper using a firmer pressure to manipulate the soft tissues of the body and focusing on areas of tension.

• Sports / Remedial – using deep, firm pressure but applying a number of specific techniques to aid the relaxation of muscles, increase range of movement and reduce feeling of pain and discomfort.

• Pre/post event massage - a branch of sports massage to either stimulate muscles and prepare them for activity or to aid in the immediate recovery post event.

• Hot Stone – applying the use of hot Basalt stones to either Swedish, sports or deep tissue massage. Adds an element of relaxation and works with the benefits that heat brings to improved range of movement and tissue compliance.

• Indian head – a traditional treatment for the upper back, neck, scalp and face using pressure points and gentle friction to help unblock natural flowing energy.

• Pregnancy massage – applying the above massage modalities within a safe context which is appropriate for pregnant individuals.

• Myofascial therapy – working with a more subtle intensions to work with the connective tissue that encapsulate and link the muscles, ligaments, tensons, nerves, blood vessels and surrounding tissues.

• Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilisation (IASTM) – is using a specially designed instrument to provide a mobilising effect to scar tissue and myofascial adhesions and is normally combined within sports/remedial, deep tissue or pre/post event treatments.

• Clothed massage – working with the above modalities but adapting them to work through a layer of clothes to reach the same outcomes. Seated massage is often performed in this way.

• Seated massage – the use of massage techniques applied through clothes to achieve the clients aims but could include Indian head, Swedish with elements of sports, deep tissue & Myofascial therapy.

• Taping – using different types of tape (kinesiology/zinc oxide/ EBA/ Cohesive) to provide short term support, enhanced proprioception and diffusion of swelling to aid recovery.