Soft Tissue Therapy
Clinical soft tissue intervention.
Assessment-led, anatomy-based, and targeted at dysfunction, pain and movement restriction.
What to Expect from Clinical Soft Tissue Therapy
Clinical assessment
Every session begins with a clinical assessment, not a preset treatment.
I assess your posture, joint ranges, and functional movement to understand how your body naturally holds itself and how it moves under load. This helps identify areas of restriction, imbalance, or altered mechanics that may be contributing to pain, tension, or reduced function.
I also take a thorough case history, including:
day-to-day activities, work demands, hobbies and sport
relevant medical history
previous injuries or surgeries
any treatment you have received from other healthcare professionals or therapists
Taken together, this allows me to build a clear picture of what may be happening at an anatomical and biomechanical level. The assessment directly informs the treatment plan, ensuring that hands-on work is targeted, appropriate, and clinically reasoned rather than generic.
Treatment
Treatment is selected and adapted in real time, based on clinical findings and how your tissues respond on the day. There is no routine or one-size-fits-all approach.
Techniques may include:
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Myofascial release works with the connective tissue system that surrounds and links muscles, joints, and organs. Restrictions within fascia can alter movement, load distribution, and pain patterns across the body.
MFR involves sustained, controlled pressure to restore glide and elasticity within the tissue. This can feel intense at times, particularly in areas of long-standing restriction, but it is applied purposefully and with clinical intent rather than force.
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STR combines precise manual pressure with active or assisted movement. As the tissue is placed under tension, specific restrictions are addressed while the muscle is lengthening.
This approach is particularly effective for improving range of motion, reducing protective guarding, and restoring more efficient movement patterns.
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NMT focuses on areas of altered muscle tone and trigger points that may be contributing to pain, dysfunction, or referred symptoms.
The aim is to normalise communication between the nervous system and the muscle tissue, reducing inappropriate tension and improving coordination and load tolerance.
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METs use gentle, controlled muscle contractions performed by the client against resistance.
These include:
Post-Isometric Relaxation (PIR), used to reduce excessive muscle tone and improve length
Reciprocal Inhibition (RI), used to facilitate relaxation through opposing muscle groups
METs are highly specific and allow precise changes in joint position, muscle tone, and range without aggressive force.
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These techniques involve placing the body or a specific tissue into a position of comfort to reduce protective reflex activity within the nervous system.
They are particularly useful for highly sensitive or reactive tissues, acute pain presentations, or when deeper techniques are not clinically appropriate.
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“Deep tissue” massage is one technique, not a treatment approach.
When clinically indicated, deeper pressure can be extremely effective. However, applying deep pressure indiscriminately can aggravate tissues, increase guarding, or slow recovery.
Soft Tissue Therapists are trained to assess when deeper techniques are appropriate and when alternative methods will achieve better results with less strain on the body.
Homework, rehab and reconditioning
Long-term improvement does not come from treatment alone. It comes from addressing the factors that created the problem in the first place.
I do not give generic exercise lists or unrealistic programmes. Instead, I work collaboratively with each client to agree on practical, achievable changes that fit into real life.
This may include:
Ergonomic adjustments
Small changes to desk setup, seating, or driving position can significantly reduce unnecessary load on the body and prevent recurring irritation.
Proprioceptive work
Proprioception is your body’s ability to sense position, movement, and load. It is often neglected, yet it plays a critical role in coordination, stability, and injury prevention.
Where appropriate, I include simple proprioceptive exercises to improve control and resilience, particularly following injury or persistent pain.
Functional exercises and targeted stretching
These are usually limited to one or two specific exercises, often strength-based rather than excessive stretching.
Exercises are only prescribed when:
they directly support your recovery
you understand how and why they help
they feel realistic and achievable within your schedule
The goal is effectiveness, not compliance for compliance’s sake.
Progression & long-term outcomes
Soft Tissue Therapy can be remarkably effective as a standalone intervention, but its greatest long-term impact comes from the full process, including assessment, treatment, and the changes made outside the clinic.
Many pain patterns are driven or reinforced by lifestyle factors that seem insignificant at first glance. Subtle habits such as repeatedly reaching for a mouse, favouring one side at a desk, or consistently turning the head in one direction can create cumulative strain over time.
Each session builds on the last. Progress is reviewed, treatment is adjusted, and strategies are refined to support lasting change as well as short-term relief.
Book an Appointment
If you have any questions regarding your treatment or how Soft Tissue Therapy can help you, please get in touch.
07523 707 807
rebecca@arden.clinic
“Rebecca didn’t just treat my pain, she worked out why it was there. The session felt focused, purposeful, and very different from anything I’d had before.”
Marie, Arden Client