So, what is it that I actually DO?

​I term myself a "Graduate Sports & Soft Tissue Therapist", but although these words may be familiar to you, do you actually know what they mean, and is it clear what I actually “do” in my treatment sessions? 

​I have written this short blog to help you learn more.
 

A ‘Graduate Sports Therapist’ is someone who had undertaken a BSc Hons Sports Therapy degree at University, studying the mechanism of injury, sport specific biomechanics, psychology of injury and manual therapy for 3-4 years.  The aim of a Sports Therapist is to “return an athlete to functional fitness as quickly and safely as possible”, meaning we aim to assess, diagnose, treat, & rehabilitate in a safe and effective time frame, so that you can return to doing what you love.

But what is soft tissue therapy?

​I often refer to what I do as soft tissue therapy, but you may be unfamiliar with exactly what this term is.  Essentially, soft tissue therapy, is probably what you consider to be “massage”, but it is SO much more.  Let me explain why.

Yes, it is true that your treatment will include massage, and as a treatment medium,  massage can be exceptionally effective at breaking down adhesions, softening areas of tension, releasing restrictions, calming the nervous and muscular system,  and allowing patients to access the healing benefit of touch. 

But a well experienced soft tissue therapist will call on so much more than massage alone when compiling a treatment plan to help.
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Soft Tissue Release (STR) / Myofascial Release (MFR), fascial work, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Massage (IASTM) and Muscle Energy Techniques (MET’s) also fall within the brackets of “soft Tissue therapy”.

What else ?

​Additionally to that, a Graduate Sports Therapist can ALSO call on rehabilitation exercise prescription, be it a few simple stretches or some strengthening or proprioceptive exercises, given as “home work”, to consolidate the hands-on treatment and ensure progressions and improvements are encouraged and maintained.
 
Therapists often also have further qualifications, I hold certificates in Medical Acupuncture, Kinesiology Taping, ScarWork and other further qualifications, but there is abundant further education out there for a keen therapist (such as me, the eternal student!). 

My Treatments, and who they help.

​My treatments,  therefore have strong emphasis on clincal reasoning, and come from a sound understanding of functional anatomy, dysfunction and the mechanism of injury. 
However, with my roots in holistic therapies (I trained in reflexology when I undertook my initial sports massage diploma training), I am uniquely able to bring an intuitive and holistic approach to sessions, in order to offer a fully-rounded treatment suitable to all populations, which brings me on to my next point; Who is soft tissue therapy for?
 
In todays' demanding lifestyle, with occupational, emotional and personal-life demands high,  both physical and emotional pressure is presented by and stored within the body.  Therefore, EVERYONE could benefit from a Sports therapy treatment, and unlike popular belief, it is not solely for the sporting or active person.  Your occupation could place repepitive physical demands that overload structures within the body (I have treated numerous trades men presenting with "tennis elbow" who have never touched a racket).  Desk work, parenting and prolonged stress states can lead to chronic musculoskeletal conditions, negative postural adaptations and strain on the body which may benefit from treatment.

Still unsure?  Away Pain Therapy are at the end of the phone, or email - get in touch for a no obligation chat or to have any questions answered.