Initial Consultation
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Soft-Tissue Therapy Treatment
Soft Tissue Therapy - What to expect
Soft Tissue Therapy goes beyond just massage. It is targeted, clinical work designed to treat pain, injury, and movement dysfunction. It is not about following a standard routine. Unlike a spa massage, this isn’t about dividing time equally between arms, legs, and back. It’s about focusing where your body truly needs it.
This is qualified hands-on therapy for the soft tissues of your body. Though the name can be misleading, this is not a “soft” massage. Sometimes treatment will involve what people think of as deep tissue massage, but unlike some sports massage approaches, “no pain no gain” is not the aim. In fact, digging in with elbows and creating wince-inducing discomfort can often be counterproductive, especially when tissues are already sensitive or dysfunctional.
There is a close relationship between musculoskeletal dysfunction, pain, and the nervous system. As a Level 5 qualified Soft Tissue Therapist with the Institute of Sport & Remedial Massage (ISRM), I’m trained to notice and respond to the subtle changes in your tissues and your body’s reactions throughout treatment. Techniques adapt in real time, working not only with the affected area but also with your nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic), respiratory system, and both the conscious and subconscious feedback your body provides.
Level 5 Soft Tissue Therapy training is equivalent to the second year of a university degree and goes far beyond Swedish or Level 3 sports massage. At Level 3, therapists are trained to deliver massage for general wellbeing on healthy bodies. At Level 5, the training is clinical. It equips therapists to assess, treat, and rehabilitate injuries, identify contributing postural or occupational factors, and safely adapt techniques for people with complex or chronic pain. This depth of knowledge means treatment is evidence-informed, responsive, and much more effective for lasting results.
Your session begins with assessment — I’ll evaluate your posture, movement, and listen to your description of any areas of pain or restriction. Soft Tissue Therapy is about treating the whole person, not just the obvious area of pain. That might mean working with compensations elsewhere in the body or uncovering lifestyle factors that are contributing to the problem.
During treatment, I’ll draw on a wide range of advanced techniques, including Soft Tissue and Neuromuscular Release, Muscle Energy Techniques, Myofascial Release, mobilisation, and positional work. These are applied where they are most clinically effective, not according to a set routine.
I’ll always work within your comfort boundaries. The aim is not just to leave you feeling freer, more functional, and in less pain, but also to shape the outcome you want — whether that’s relaxation and calm, focus and clarity, or a sense of being energised and refreshed.
Soft Tissue Therapy is more than short-term relief. It is about meaningful, lasting change, and a deeper understanding of how your body works and how you can best support it.
Your first appointment …and why it’s different
Your initial session includes far more than hands-on treatment - and for good reason. It’s the beginning of a tailored plan that takes your unique body, history and goals into account. Before I get to work, we’ll start with a detailed consultation to explore what’s brought you to me. I’ll carry out a thorough postural assessment and movement screening. This helps me understand how your body is functioning as a whole, where it might be compensating, and what could be contributing to your symptoms. We’ll also go through your health history, lifestyle factors, and any relevant injuries or concerns - so I can build a picture that’s accurate, informed, and entirely personal to you.
This is not a quick once-over. It’s a clinical process designed to identify root causes, not just chase symptoms, and it shapes every treatment that follows.
From there, I’ll use a range of evidence-informed techniques to address pain, restriction, or dysfunction in your soft tissues. This session includes time for hands-on treatment, as well as guidance on aftercare, self-management or rehab if needed.
Whether you’re visiting with an injury, chronic pain, or simply feel that your body isn’t moving as it should, this session lays the foundation for everything that follows.
Treatment may include:
Soft-Tissue Release (STR) to free restricted structures
Muscle Energy Techniques (MET) to restore joint range and muscular balance
Neuromuscular Techniques (NMT) to reduce trigger points and referral pain
Myofascial Release to ease tension across fascial layers
Positional Release to calm overactive tissues and reduce pain sensitivity
Massage techniques to encourage circulation, drainage, and tissue health
Because of the time and depth involved, your first appointment is priced higher than standard follow-ups. It’s an investment in getting things right from the start, and in helping you move forward with clarity, confidence, and a plan that actually makes sense for your body.
Choose Your Atmosphere
Your session is yours to shape. Every add-on is included in the price of treatment, so you can enhance the experience however you like - without worrying about additional fees.
A typical appointment runs for around an hour and is tailored to what your body needs on the day. The focus may be on resolving pain and dysfunction, or on creating a deeply restorative, whole-body experience. Either way, the add-ons below are available to help set the right atmosphere:
Optional Add-Ons (all included in your treatment)
Hot Stone Integration - smooth basalt stones release deep warmth into tense muscle fibres, encouraging relaxation and easier tissue release.
Heated Couch Topper - gentle, even warmth across the body that helps soften tension and makes it easier to let go.
Targeted Aromatherapy - essential oils chosen to calm, focus or refresh, depending on what you’d like from the session.
Therapeutic Soundscape - from subtle natural sounds to grounding ambient tones, the right backdrop can help settle the nervous system.
Adaptive Lighting - the space can shift from bright and clinical to soft and calming, so the environment feels just right for you.
Some people prefer the treatment stripped back and clinical. Others enjoy a more sensory, immersive feel. The choice is entirely yours - you can mix and match until the session feels exactly the way you want it to.