At Level 4, a Soft Tissue Massage Therapist practitioners role includes planning, providing and evaluating massage therapy treatments to seek to correct common patterns of dysfunction, and/or pre-diagnosed injuries, using a range of basic and advanced assessment and massage and manual therapy techniques.
About The Course
This course enhances your ability to assess and address injuries, dysfunction, and pain more effectively through advanced assessment techniques and consultation skills, allowing you to create tailored treatment plans.
This recognised qualification enables you to obtain insurance as a sports massage therapist and apply for membership with professional bodies such as The Sports Therapy Association.
The Level 4 Diploma in Soft Tissue Massage Therapy is an interactive course that includes remote studying, case studies, and in-person attendance on specified dates for practical workshops and assessments. To gain practical experience, it is essential to practice alongside your studies with real clients, such as family members or friends.
The upcoming course runs from March 2025 to October 2025, with attendance to ten Wednesdays and six Fridays, excluding school holidays. Full attendance is mandatory to qualify for the final exams. If attendance falls below 100%, a transfer fee of £125 is required to move to the next course.
What Will You Learn
At Telford Soft Tissue Therapy School, we take a modern approach to soft tissue therapy. Thoughts about massage therapy have changed considerably over the years and it is now understood that the effects of massage is largely due to neurological responses via our contact with receptors in the skin rather than actually stretching and lengthening soft tissue.
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You'll not only learn how to provide massage treatments during this course. You'll learn general clinical skills, critical thinking and invaluable communication skills to support clients wellbeing and participation in physical activity and sport.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must be at least 16 years old, be fit enough to perform massage, have a passion for helping people, good communication skills, IT skills, an interest in learning about the body and the motivation to learn and practice outside of course dates.
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For those enrolling on this course who already have a current, recognised Level 3 Sports or Performance Massage qualification, you can apply for accredited prior learning (APL) where you may be able to receive exemption from completing certain assessments and dates on the course, and consequently receive a proportionate discount on the course fee.
Units, Topics & Assessments
1
Anatomy and Physiology for Soft Tissue Massage Therapy
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Structural organisation of the human body
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Structure and function of the skin, lymphatic system, urinary system, musculoskeletal system
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Anatomy & physiology of the major joints of the body
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Understand anatomical terminology
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Classification, structure and function of bones and joints including bone growth and development
Classification, structure and function of the muscular system including types and properties of muscle tissue, characteristics of muscle fibre types and types and properties of muscular contraction
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Classification, structure and function of the cardiovascular and respiratory system including mechanism and control of breathing
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Classification, structure and function of the endocrine system including major glands and hormones
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Classification, structure and function the digestive system and energy systems
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The interrelationship between the anatomical and physiological systems including the body's movement systems, fuelling systems and response systems
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Lifespan changes which affect the body system, health and wellbeing including young people (13-18), antenatal and postnatal period and older adults (50+)
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ASSESSMENTS
Multiple Choice Exam
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Presentation
2
Soft Tissue Therapy Professional Practice
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Legislation required in massage including scope of practice, cautions, contraindications and professional standards
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Standards relevant to the massage profession
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Principles of professional practice in massage
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Producing, maintaining and storing client records
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ASSESSMENTS
Question and answer worksheet questions
3
Advanced Soft Tissue Techniques for the Treatment of Injuries, Dysfunction and Chronic Pain
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Soft tissue injury and dysfunction including mechanism of injury, causes and signs and symptoms
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Causes of soft tissue damage and dysfunction
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How biomechanical dysfunction/ faulty movement patterns can result in injury
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Types of soft tissue damage
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Pain science focusing on the mechanisms of pain, types of pain, the biopsychosocial model and how therapists can incorporate pain science into practice
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Soft tissue repair process
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Soft tissue techniques to support soft tissue repair
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Fundamentals of sports massage treatments including basic massage techniques
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Further soft tissue techniques including soft tissue release, frictions, trigger points, and muscle energy techniques
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Massage equipment, mediums and massage therapy contra-actions
Use of cryotherapy and heat treatments during soft tissue repair including physiological and neurological effects and contraindications
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Treatment of oedema relating to injury
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ASSESSMENTS
Client information resource task
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Identification and treatment of injuries and dysfunctions written task
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Role of a soft tissue therapist presentation
4
Advanced Client Assessment and Treatment Planning
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Types of sports massage therapy treatments​​
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Establishing treatment goals through subjective and objective assessment and communication including palpation, range of movement tests, posture analysis, functional tests and special tests
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Conducting client assessments​​
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Devising and agreeing sports massage treatment plans
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ASSESSMENTS
​Treatment observations
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Treatment log​s and evaluations
5
Conducting Client Treatments and Post-Treatment Care​
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Preparing and performing sports massage therapy treatment in a clinic, outside
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Client and therapist positioning and comfort
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Evaluating sports massage therapy treatments
Principles for any lifestyle advice given to support post-treatment care
Importance of healthy eating
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Principles of post-treatment care and advice
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Methods used in post-treatment care
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ASSESSMENTS
Question and answer worksheet
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Treatment observations
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Treatment log and evaluations​
6
Exercise Programme Design and Delivery for Soft Tissue Therapists
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Effects of exercise on the body
Components of fitness and skill-related fitness (balance, agility, power, speed, reaction time and coordination)
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F.I.T.T and principles of training including progression, overload, specificity and reversibility
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Health benefits of physical activity​
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Contraindications for exercise and key safety guidelines for special populations
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Methods of exercise progression and regression.
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Barriers to exercise and SMART goal setting
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Intro to behavioural change and motivational interviewing
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Structure and design exercise sessions
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Deliver and instruct exercise sessions
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ASSESSMENTS
​Multiple choice exam
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Exercise session plan and delivery
7
Business and Marketing Skills for Soft Tissue Therapists
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Developing a small business plan for a soft tissue therapy business
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Create a marketing strategy for a soft tissue therapy business
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ASSESSMENTS
Business and marketing plan
Course Price
Full course cost is £1478.
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You can choose to pay a £125 deposit followed by 3, 6, 9 or 12 months payments.
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Full payment must be made prior to certification.
2025 Course Dates
Wednesday's and Friday's
21st, 26th March,
4th, 9th April,
2nd, 7th, 16th May,
4th, 13th, 18th, 27th June,
16th July,
5th, 10th, 24th September
8th October​
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Already have a Level 3 qualification?
If you already have a recognised Level 3 massage therapy qualification, you may qualify for exemption from attending some of the Friday dates and some of the assessments. This decision is made on a case-by-case dependant on what qualification you have and how long ago you completed it. Any exemption will be eligible for a discount on the course price.
Course Location
Address
Telford Soft Tissue Therapy School
Randlay Community Centre
Randlay Avenue
Telford
Shropshire
TF3 2LH
Course Hours
Wed
Fri
9:30am - 2:30pm
9.30am - 12.30pm
Apply Now
Please complete the form to apply to join our next course.