This endorsed Diploma, recognised by the Sports Therapy Association, gives you the knowledge and hands-on skills required to work safely and effectively as a Soft Tissue Therapist. You’ll learn advanced assessment skills, clinical reasoning, soft tissue techniques, and how to support recovery with movement, lifestyle advice and exercise programming.
Whether you're starting a career in therapy or modernising existing knowledge, this is a comprehensive, modern and highly practical training pathway.
About The Course
The Level 4 Diploma in Soft Tissue Therapy is recognised across the UK as the professional standard for treating soft tissue injuries, muscular pain, and movement dysfunction.
You’ll learn a modern, evidence-based approach combining advanced assessment skills, remedial techniques, movement education and post-treatment care.
This course is ideal for those who want to:
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Start a new career in soft tissue therapy
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Expand an existing massage or fitness business
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Work confidently with athletes, active clients or those with pain
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Gain a nationally recognised clinical award
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Build strong hands-on skills supported by high-quality teaching
We provide a supportive, inclusive learning environment with small groups, detailed practical coaching and full assessor guidance throughout.
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.
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You do not need any prior massage qualification to enrol on the Level 4 Diploma. However, if you prefer to build your skills gradually, you may begin by completing the Level 3 Standards Pathway and upgrade into the full clinical diploma at a later date. This flexible route ensures everyone can train at a pace suitable for their needs.
What You'll Learn
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 Structure & Attendance
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16 training dates
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In-person, hands-on practical learning
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Tutor-led demonstrations and supervised practice
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Supported study, casework and assessment preparation
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Access to your Student Assessment Portfolio (SAP) throughout
Course Price
Full Level 4 Diploma cost is £1478.​
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£1,178
10 days attendance + partial assessment bundle.
You can later upgrade to full Level 4 by attending a further 10 days and paying the upgrade fee of £378, within 24 months.
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You can choose to pay a £125 deposit followed by 3, 6, 9 or 12 months payments. Monthly payments would start from the 10th of the month prior to the first attendance date.
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Full payment must be made prior to certification.
2026 Course Dates
Sixteen Wednesday's 9.30am - 2.30pm
14th, 28th January 2026
11th, 25th February 2026
11th, 25th March 2026
15th, 29th April 2026
13th, 20th May 2026
3rd, 17th June 2026
1st, 15th July 2026
2nd, 16th September 2026
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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 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
Apply Now
Please complete the form to apply to join our next course.
Level 3 Standards Pathway
Some students join the course wishing to focus initially on achieving the Level 3 minimum standards where they can work in a non-remedial capacity i.e. with healthy individuals with no injury, dysfunction or chronic pain.
This is not a separate award. Instead, students may complete the Level 3-standard components of the Level 4 course and have the option to upgrade later. Upon completion of the Level 3 Standards Pathway, you will receive a certificate showing you have completed these standards, gain associate membership with the Sports Therapy Association and begin working as a non-remedial soft tissue therapist.
If you wish to complete Level 3 standards only, you will:
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Attend 12 of the 16 training dates
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Complete selected assessments aligned with L3 standards
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Receive a Certificate of Level 3 Standards Achievement
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Be able to gain Associate membership with the Sports Therapy Association
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Work with healthy individuals offering soft tissue therapy treatments in the context of pre-event, post-event and maintenance/injury prevention only.
Future Upgrade Path
You can later return, with 24 months, to complete:
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4 additional training dates
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All Level 4–specific assessments
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Injury/remedial context reassessments to achieve the full Level 4 Diploma.