WHAT IS SOFT TISSUE THERAPY?

Soft Tissue Therapy is the manipulation, management and rehabilitation of the soft tissues of the body and is inclusive of methods such as Sports Massage, Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Therapy and Acupuncture.

The techniques used by Soft Tissue Therapists have been developed to ensure effective and efficient results are gained from each treatment given.  Some benefits of Soft Tissue THerapy include:

• Reduce pain

• Improve circulation & lymphatic flow

• Improved injury rehabilitation

• Returning to full range of movement

• Assist in the removal of metabolic waste

• Increase or decrease muscle tone and length

• Remodel scar tissue

• Assist in mental preparation for sporting participation

To benefit from soft tissue therapy or sports massage you do not need to be an athlete. The benefits above can also help relieve many day to day problems experienced by people in all walks of life. By ensuring you use an accredited and qualified practitioner, you ensure that you will be receiving an individually tailored, high quality treatment.  Depending on the type and timing of activity these benefits can be achieved for anyone.

If you are a sports performer, of any level, a sports specific treatment can be beneficial at various stages of participation.  For example:

• The conditioning / training phase

• Pre, inter and post competition

• Post travel

• Injury prevention and recovery

Regardless of your experiences in sport or exercise or whether you exercise socially or compete to an international level – soft tissue therapy and sports massage could have something to offer you.

Members of the Sports Massage Association will be able to identify anyone for whom sports massage would be ill-advised or detrimental to their short or long-term well being.  They will assess each individual and provide the appropriate massage techniques, and advise on alternative action if required.