About

The Therapist

Fran Walker

Soft Tissue Therapist

I'm a member of the Sports Therapy Association (STA) and hold the BTEC Level 5 Diploma in Soft Tissue Therapy from the Institute of Sport and Remedial Massage, having studied at the well-respected Oxford School of Sports Massage (OSSM).

I have 15 years' experience working as an international professional dressage rider, during which time I represented Great Britain on a number of occasions.

I'm also a keen runner and enjoy taking part in the occasional 10k or half-marathon. Between dressage and running, I've experienced a few injuries over the years so can sympathise with the need to get treatment and recover as quickly as possible!

My combined love of sport and science, and the desire to help people led me to the decision to become a soft tissue therapist.

I enjoy treating a wide variety of people, from desk workers to keen sportspeople, with the main aim of regaining full function to get you back to doing what you love.

Education:

BTEC Level 5 Professional Diploma in Soft Tissue Therapy from the Institute of Sport and Remedial Massage

Certifications:

Myofascial Dry Cupping

Emergency First Aid at Work

What is Soft Tissue Therapy?

Soft tissue therapy is a person-centred approach to the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of minor and chronic musculoskeletal injuries and pain.

Treatment is suitable for all ages and levels of activity - you don't have to be sporty or physically active to have aches and pains! Many of us spend significant amounts of time sitting at a desk or in a car, something our bodies weren't designed for, and over time we start to feel the negative effects as those short-term niggles turn into long-term aches.

Soft Tissue Therapy can help to treat these issues by reducing pain and improving range of movement so you can get back to doing what you enjoy, free of pain and restriction. It can also be used as a preventative treatment or to help improve performance.

Treatment sessions involve a combination of massage and manual therapy, coupled with discussion around self-management strategies and rehab exercises so you can manage and improve the issue yourself at home.

Some examples of issues that soft tissue therapy can help with are:

Back pain and non-specific lower back pain
Neck and shoulder pain
Joint pain and arthritis-related pain
Tension headaches and migraines
Overloading injuries
Runners knee and ITB syndrome
Frozen shoulder
Tennis and golfers' elbow
ME, CFS, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain
Tendonitis and tendinopathy
Pulled muscles and muscle strains
Plantar fasciitis and foot pain
Depression and anxiety