Soft Tissue Release (STR) — Targeted Work for Stubborn Tension
Soft tissue release is one of the more targeted techniques I bring into [sports massage and deep tissue](/-sports-massage-/-deep-tissue) sessions, aimed specifically at areas that feel "stuck" like a knot that doesn't shift with general kneading, or a muscle that's tight along its whole length rather than in one spot.
How it works
I start by locating the tension through palpation — feeling along the muscle to find exactly where it's tight or restricted. I then apply precise pressure to "lock" that point in place, and either you or I actively or passively stretch the muscle through and past that locked point. It's more deliberate and localised than general kneading, and it's particularly effective on tension that's been sitting for a while rather than tightness from a single day.Who it helps
STR is useful for muscle strains, chronic tightness that hasn't responded to general massage, sports injuries, recovery after surgery, and repetitive strain from work or training. If you've got a specific spot that always seems to come back tight no matter how often you're massaged, this is usually what I'll reach for.