The main reason for confusion among clients appears when trying to determine the difference between Soft Tissue Therapy (STT) and other massage therapies. The simplest explanation is that STT uses a variety of treatments, one of which being massage. It is better to see that massage is simply a part of the larger spectrum of STT.

So, is Soft Tissue Therapy Soft as in gentle?

No. The “Soft” in the title is reference to all of bodies structures that are not hard, like bones. Soft tissues include: skin, fibrous tissues, nerves and blood vessels, all levels of muscle (from superficial to deep), tendons, ligaments and fascia.

What can STT help me with?

The treatment and/or alleviation of general musculoskeletal pain, chronic and acute tension, sports and non-sports injuries and aiding in improving body flexibility, strength and wellness. This also has the added benefit of improving your mental wellbeing too.

Soft Tissue Therapists are not permitted to diagnose conditions so if you need a medical diagnosis or feel you have a complex issue you may need to consult a physiotherapist or Osteopath.

Here are some examples of a range of issues I have successfully been able to help with:

• Tension Headaches
• Upper back pain and tension
• Postural issues associated with desk-based occupations
• Shoulder pain
• Restricted range of motion.
• ITB Syndrome
• Achilles tendonopathy
• Tennis elbow
• Golfers elbow
• Neck pain and stiffness
• Lower back pain
• Osteoarthritis

Which techniques are used in Soft Tissue Therapy?

Trigger Point Therapy:

A trigger point is likely an area that you may have been referring to as a ‘knot’.

TPT is not particularly relaxing, but it is very effective. A trigger point is a point of extreme tightness that when pressed, causes pain either on that spot or sometimes can refer pain to somewhere else, for instance, a trigger point on your shoulder may transfer pain up your neck and into your head.

Good for: Any areas of acute tightness.

Method: I will apply specific and direct pressure on to your trigger point with my thumb/elbow or a tool.

Reduces: Pain & tightness.

Muscle Energy Technique (MET):

Good for: Tight hamstrings & glutes which can contribute to back pain. Rotator cuff muscles & upper traps to improve shoulder mobility.

Method: Involves passively stretching your muscles to the point at which you just about start to feel it. I will ask you to mildly contract the muscles against my resistance for 8-10 seconds then relax. I will be able to increase the stretch with no pain to the next point of slight resistance – we will repeat this process two to four times more until the muscles are restored to normal length and any pain is resolved.

Reduces: Pain & increases muscle length and therefore range of motion.

Soft Tissue Release (STR):

Good for: decreasing muscle tightness in areas like calves, biceps, forearms, triceps.

Method: I will shorten the affected muscles, apply specific pressure on your muscle, creating a temporary attachment point, then I’ll passively or actively move your muscle into a pain-free stretch. The process is repeated along the length of the affected muscle until no pain or tightness remains.

Reduces: pain, restores normal muscle length.

Works because: STR targets specific areas of tension within a muscle, making it useful for targeting muscles that are difficult to stretch yourself and for isolating a tight muscle within a group of muscles that you would normally stretch together.

Myofascial Release (MFR):

Fascia is the connective tissue that wraps around and in between every structure in our body, including our muscles – it is very thin, elastic, but tough with it’s own communication system. It’s similar to the thin, stretchy white- looking skin that you might find on a chicken breast.

Method: I will apply a sustained and gentle pressure into the problem fascia or sometimes I may roll the skin. This can take several minutes on one area alone.

Reduces: fascial tension and pain.

There are more techniques that can be utilised, but the one that most of my clients love, of course, is general, relaxing, deep

MASSAGE!

The main reason I believe that massage works in reducing your pain, or speeding up your recovery, is because it feels so GOOD! It helps to calm your nervous system and induces relaxation.

I have come to realise over my years as a hands on therapist just how valuable making time in our busy schedules to get some help with those nagging aches & pains really is.

Allowing time for self care enables you to better take care of yourself those around you.. One cannot pour from an empty cup!