Frequently asked questions
Who would benefit from treatments?
Soft tissue therapy is a brilliant treatment for everyone with muscle tension, muscles pain or restricted movement. Treatments can help athletes maintain performance and prevent injury. They can also help people suffering from a minor injury, chronic illness or long term pain. Soft tissue therapy can help manage symptoms and promote a speedy recovery.
What should I wear?
Some soft tissue therapy treatments can be given though clothing, however in most cases it will be necessary for you to uncover the area being treated. During treatments I will use towels to respect your privacy and to make you feel more comfortable. Loose fitting clothes are ideal and maybe bring some shorts if necessary. Wear suitable underwear and for women wanting a back treatment it is best to wear a bra that unfastens at the back.
Is soft tissue therapy OK for me?
Soft tissue therapy is suitable for the majority of people. If you are suffering from any of the following conditions your treatment may have to be modified. If you have any questions please feel free to call me to discuss before booking.
Acute inflammation
Open wounds
Bone fractures
Joint dislocations
Deep vein thrombosis
Varicose veins
Bleeding disorders
Contagious infections
Unstable hypertension/hypotension
Cardio-vascular conditions
Will the treatment be painful?
The treatments should not be painful. If you are recovering from an injury then some of the techniques may cause some discomfort. The treatments should feel like they are effective but not painful. The notion of “no pain no gain” is outdated and doesn't apply to soft tissue therapy. As you are being treated we will discuss the pressure which you are comfortable with as this is different for everybody.
How often should you have a treatment?
This will really depend on what you need treatment for. Factors such as training intensity, training frequency, whether you have chronic pain or a minor injury will determine the number of treatments you need. I will offer advice on stretching and exercises for you to do at home between treatment.
Are you able to diagnose conditions?
As I am not a medical practitioner I am not able to diagnose conditions. I can still assess and treat your movement, posture and soft tissues to mange pain and dysfunction in the musculoskeletal system.
What should I expect from an initial treatment?
During your initial treatment we will discuss briefly your medical, lifestyle and work history to help me understand why any potential problems may have occurred. I may also need to do some basic tests to check your range of movement and flexibility. Following this consultation I will deliver a hands-on treatment for the remainder of the session. The length of this hands-on treatment will depend on the complexity of your history.
What should I expect from a follow-up treatment?
During a follow-up appointment we will briefly discuss how you are feeling and any areas of concern. If exercises have been prescribed we will discuss how these are progressing and if you are finding them useful. Following this discussion I will deliver an hands-on treatment and discuss any additional stretching or exercises to be done.
Can you treat a chronic condition?
Of course! Soft tissue therapy can be a useful therapy for chronic and long term conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Emphysema, Diabetes, Fibromyalgia, Osteoarthritis, back pain, recovery from surgery and many others.