6 min read
5 Top Reasons of Backache & Home Physiotherapy Exercises
Struggling with low back pain? Find out the five most common causes, backed by recent research, and how home physiotherapy exercises can ease your pain.
By Nasir ShaikhRead article
Hands-on therapy
Soft-tissue release at home in Glasgow's West End
Clinical deep-tissue work to free stiff, loaded muscles.
45–60 min one-to-oneUrgent appointments available within 48 hours
Red sandstone tenements, PartickhillPhoto: Jim Smillie, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
About this service
Soft-tissue release
Soft-tissue release is a group of hands-on techniques physiotherapists use to work on muscles, tendons and the connective tissue around them. It can help ease tension and stiffness and make movement feel more comfortable, which is useful when tight, overworked muscles are part of a back, neck, shoulder or sports-related problem.
It isn't a generic massage. Nasir assesses you first, so treatment is aimed at the tissues relevant to your complaint and is combined with exercise and advice that address why they became tight in the first place. Having it done at home also means you can rest afterwards instead of heading straight back out into traffic.
What's included in every visit
- Targeted to a specific complaint, not a generic rub-down
- Combined with exercise so results last
- Great for runners, cyclists, desk-bound neck & back
Who this helps
- Desk workers with neck, shoulder or upper-back tension
- Runners, cyclists and hill walkers with tight calves, hamstrings or hips
- People with low back pain where protective muscle tension is part of the picture
- Those with stiffness that limits how far they can turn, reach or bend
- Anyone whose muscles feel overloaded after a change in training or workload
What happens on a visit
- 1
Assessment first
We check posture, movement, strength and the tissues involved, and ask about health conditions and medication, including blood thinners, to make sure hands-on work is appropriate for you.
- 2
Targeted hands-on techniques
Depending on what's found, treatment may use myofascial release, trigger-point pressure or deeper soft-tissue work. Pressure is adjusted to your comfort, and you can ask to stop at any time.
- 3
Exercise to back it up
Stretches, mobility drills and strengthening exercises are added so that the effects of hands-on treatment are supported between sessions.
- 4
Review and adjust
At follow-ups we check how you responded and shift the balance between hands-on work and exercise as you improve.
Questions about soft-tissue release
Will it hurt?
Some techniques feel firm or briefly uncomfortable, and you may be a little sore for a day or so afterwards. It should never be more than you can tolerate — say so and the pressure will be adjusted.
Is soft-tissue release suitable for everyone?
Not always. It may be unsuitable, or need modifying, over a suspected blood clot, broken skin, an infection or a recent fracture, or if you take blood-thinning medication. That's why the assessment comes first.
How should I prepare for the visit?
Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows access to the area being treated, and clear a little space beside a bed, sofa or other firm surface. Nasir will explain what he's doing throughout.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have sudden or severe symptoms, call NHS 24 on 111, or 999 in an emergency. More answers on our FAQ page.
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Book soft-tissue release at home
Call 07393 312 774 or send an enquiry — urgent appointments available within 48 hours.
- Chartered & HCPC registered
- Urgent appointments within 48 hours
- Clear written plan every visit
- Receipts for private insurance
