Soft Tissue Therapy
Soft tissue therapy in Crouch End and across our four London and Henley clinics, led by Nick Mooney — Olympic, Commonwealth, and IAAF-championship soft-tissue lead — combining sports massage and deep-tissue work with scar work, orthopaedic soft tissue therapy, and post-event recovery.
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The short answer
What this treatment is
Areas treated
What's included
- Olympic, Commonwealth, IAAF, and European Games soft-tissue experience on every visit
- Scar-work specialism for post-surgical and post-trauma recovery
- Integrated with our physiotherapy team for cases that need both manual and rehab care
- Suitable for runners, cyclists, gym-goers, desk-based clients with chronic tension, and post-event recovery
- Same care across our four sites — Crouch End, Hampstead, UNTIL Marylebone, Henley
- Insurer-recognised across the major UK panels (Bupa, Cigna, Vitality, WPA, Simply Health)
Patient journey
What to expect
Consultation & preparation
Eat normally and stay hydrated before your appointment. Wear loose clothing that lets the area being treated be exposed. Tell us about any recent surgery, anticoagulant use, or unexplained pain before we start.
During treatment
Aftercare
Drink water, stay moving with light activity for the rest of the day, and avoid heavy training or alcohol for 24 hours after deep work. Mild post-treatment soreness for 24 to 48 hours is normal.
Transparent, all-in pricing
Written and medically reviewed by Tom Astley , Sports Physiotherapist & Clinical Director · BSc Physiotherapy (Coventry, 2008) · BSc Health, Exercise & Sport (UWIC, 2005) · Sports Massage Association (SMA) and Institute of Sport and Remedial Massage (ISRM).
FAQ
Common
questions
Is soft-tissue therapy the same as sports massage?
Soft-tissue therapy is the broader umbrella — it covers sports massage, remedial massage, scar work, orthopaedic soft tissue therapy, and trigger-point work. A sports massage is one specific application of the toolkit. At TA Physio we use the wider term because cases routinely need more than the classic deep-tissue 'sports massage' approach.
When should I have soft-tissue therapy?
For maintenance, every 2 to 4 weeks works well for most active people. For an acute issue, we typically schedule a focused course of 3 to 6 sessions in shorter intervals while we work on it, then drop back to maintenance. Post-event soft-tissue work (after a marathon, triathlon, or heavy training block) is usually 24 to 72 hours after the event — sooner if there is significant DOMS.
What is scar work?
Scar work is a specific layered set of soft-tissue techniques used on healed scars — typically post-surgical (Caesarean, abdominal, knee, shoulder) or post-trauma. The work restores mobility and slide between tissue layers that often becomes restricted during scar maturation. Scars need to be at least 6 to 8 weeks healed before any hands-on work; older scars often respond well even years later.
Will I be sore afterwards?
Some soreness for 24 to 48 hours after deep work is common — similar to post-exercise soreness. This is not the goal but it does happen, especially in the first few sessions of a course. Drink plenty of water, stay moving with light activity (walking, easy cycling), and avoid heavy training for the rest of the day. Anything sharper than DOMS-style soreness is worth telling us about.
Will my private health insurance cover sports massage?
Most major UK insurers cover soft-tissue therapy when it is delivered as part of a wider physiotherapy or osteopathy plan, but few cover stand-alone "sports massage". Check your policy first — Bupa, Cigna, Vitality, WPA, and Simply Health all have specific terms. We can issue receipts for self-funded claims either way.
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Tom Astley Physiotherapy • Park Road Pools & Fitness, Crouch End, London N8 8JN
BookAppointments typically available within 1–2 weeks