Frequently Asked Questions

If you are still not sure if our service is right for you, here are some answers to your questions.

What does a Soft Tissue Therapist actually do?

The Soft Tissue Therapist brings together muscle release techniques from all other therapies and together they form the mainstay of our treatment approach. This may range from various facilitated stretching and active release techniques through to acupuncture and kinesiotaping… with every kind of massage and muscle release method in between. At RESTORE our emphasis is placed upon motor control and movement patterns. We look at how reflexes and brain dictated compensations are strategising your movements.

What are the 'Soft Tissues?' Do you 'crack' my joints?

Soft tissue refers to everything in the body that is not a bone! As soft tissue therapists we focus on the assessment and treatment of these soft tissues. Soft tissues include ligament, tendon, muscle, fascia (connective tissues), skin and the viscera (organs). Your Soft Tissue Therapist may use joint articulation techniques. Cracks and pops will happen incidentally if the body or joint is very 'wound' up.

Is Sports Massage just for sports people?

No. The term ‘Sports massage’ was used historically to define the application of massage to athletes in a sports specific environment before its application and style became popular for everybody. Everyone loves a deep massage, right? As the profession developed and improved so too did the diversity of people benefiting from it. Therapists who developed with the advancement of the profession have since taken on the new official title of Soft Tissue Therapist with true ‘sports massage’ once again becoming a specialty within a broader context. While the term sports massage still hangs on the therapy is now far more comprehensive and relevant to anyone who cares to give it a try.

COVID-19 FAQ's

  • I would like to book in but I am worried about COVID-19. How are you minimising the risk?

    We are managing the situation in line with Government and and Governing body guidelines in the following ways: 


    Additional to daily clinic cleaning routines at the start and end of each day; all floors, surfaces, door handles, window latches, card machine and light switches etc… will be disinfected between every patient additional to the treatment bench, consultation chairs, your therapists face visor and any tools that have been used.


    Any consumables will be safely disposed of and replaced between patients.


    The clinic will be relatively empty with all Kinesiotape, acupuncture needles and any other treatment tools stored away in sealed boxes and only opened when needed.


    All towels, treatment gowns and bench covers will be removed (see below). We can also reassure our customers that despite no legal requirement to do so we have conducted a full risk assessment.


    ADDITIONAL MEASURES:


    Strict timings

    15min between appointments to allow for cleaning, airing and disinfecting.


    Please be on time for your appointment rather than early as guidelines require us to prevent patients from having contact with each-other. Please also ensure that you leave the clinic room on time after your appointment is done.


    As per our standard clinic policies; If you are late, the session still falls within the scheduled appointment time. You will still need to leave on time to allow for a reasonable gap.


    Hand Sanitising 

    PREMISES Client and Therapist shall sanitise hands and should don face coverings.


    Temperature screen

    When you arrive we will meet you at the front door/waiting area and take your temperature with a laser thermometer. Please be assured that each day prior to attending the clinic your therapist is required to do the same.


    Pre-treatment screening questionaire

    As per guidelines issued by the Government and our registering body the ISRM, we are required to ask you to complete and sign the attached COVID-19 screening questionnaire and the updated data protection form on page 2 for every appointment you attend.


    Please print off and fill out the form attached to the automatically generated email prior to attending your appointment. It will be added to your notes and re-signed with every visit.


    Alternatively, the form can be electronically filled, signed and returned by email and we will print it for you. This will minimise time spent in close contact performing paperwork tasks on the day.

     


    ON THE DAY:


    Paperwork

    For current patients we will simply need to re-sign the ‘COVID-19 screening questionnaire’ each time you attend.


    For new patients, a full consultation with the associated paperwork will be required as normal.

    New treatment programmes are modelled on the standard Chiropractic or Osteopathic format of first consultations proceeded by follow ups for treatment.


    Masks

    Patients are advised to attend their appointment wearing their own masks and to take them away afterwards. Your therapist will also be wearing a mask for the duration.


    Government guidelines for “close contact workers” stipulate that masks must be worn by both parties throughout the appointment.


    We will have a supply of masks in stock should you find yourself short and we do ask that you take any mask away with you for safe disposal at the end of the session.



    Towels, treatment gowns, clothing and couch covers

    Please attend dressed in suitable sports clothing, leggings or loose trousers and normal exercise tops.


    Couch paper will be used as normal but we will not use couch covers. We are opting to wipe down the bench with disinfectant between each patient instead.



    Toilet and water

    The facilities will be available as normal but we ask that you bring your own drinks if required. We cannot supply you with water.


    Payment

    No cash please. Payments can be made by contactless card, our Paypal-me link or BACS if you have not already paid online via the booking system.


    Late cancellations for feeling unwell

    No cancellation fee will be charged.


    Chaperones

    Due to COVID-19 restrictions we can no longer allow partners or chaperones to attend the clinic. Please arrive alone for your treatment. This means we can no longer treat under 16’s.

  • I have previously had COVID-19. Can I book in?

    If you have previously had COVID-19 and have now recovered; treatment may proceed, unless:

    • You were hospitalised
    • You are still taking medication following the illness
  • I may have mild symptoms but I am desperate for treatment, can I book in?

    IF YOU ARE EXHIBITING ANY SYMPTOMS PLEASE DO NOT BOOK IN. CONTACT YOUR GP OR 111.


    Most people with coronavirus have at least one of these symptoms:

    • high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
    • new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
    • loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
  • Neither myself or my household have or have had COVID-19, can I book in?

    If “the patient and household are COVID-19 SYMPTOM FREE & NOT in the High Risk Group” you are welcome to go ahead and book your appointment in the diary below as normal.


    On completing your booking you will receive 2 emails. The regular confirmation PLUS another email with a COVID-19 pre-screening questionnaire and visiting protocols document attached.


    You will be required fill and sign this questionnaire and read the attendance protocols carefully prior to your attendance.

  • Can I bring a chaperone?

    Yes, no problem! 

Talk to us today!

GENERAL FAQ

  • Where is the clinic?

    RESTORE is located at Severn Business Centre, 15 Severn Farm Enterprise Park, Welshpool, SY21 7DF

    Click to view map or check out the video directions here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Va0lhnnq04


    DIRECTIONS

    1. Coming from Shrewsbury when you arrive at the roundabout at the end of the Welshpool road (A458) just after Buttington turn left and continue along the A483 to the next roundabout.
    2. Go straight over taking the second exit towards the train station passing the The Old Station Shopping centre on your left (A4381)
    3. Go straight on over the mini roundabout to follow the road curving up to the left over the bridge. When you have come over the bridge, take your first right (opposite Phil’s Tool hire) as you approach TG Builders Merchants.
    4. Continue down this small road, passing Tanners wines and various wood yards until you see C E F ahead of you. Take this left turn, the clinic will now be straight ahead of you.
  • Is there any parking?

    There is ample FREE parking right alongside the clinic. Please let yourself into the waiting area after sanitising your hands or wait outside if you prefer.


    You will be greeted and invited through at the time of your appointment. Please be patient if we are running slightly late, we know you have arrived.


    If you would like to arrive early there are plenty of pretty walks nearby including the Severn Farm Pond and the Lyn Coed-y-Dinas nature reserves but please be aware we are operating a strict timing schedule in line with COVID guidelines to avoid patients having to meet each other.

  • How much does is cost?

    Please visit the information section here for prices

  • How many sessions do you need?

    This is determined by how we (you and your therapist)  feel you respond to some experimental treatment in your first consultation.


    We do recommend:


    At least a couple of check-ups a year for moderately active people.


    Regular monthly check ups for very active people and labourers (or anyone who principally works with their body).


    Weekly to fortnightly for people in training, people who have been recommended a specific treatment or rehabilitation  programme, OR for people trying to resolve or manage  any chronic injury or pain condition.

    For these people, once the initial issues have been overcome, maybe through a combination of soft tissue therapy and other rehabilitative therapies such as physio and chiropractic or even surgery, they will be able to reduce to monthly or even annual check-ups.

  • Do I receive treatment at my first consultation?

    For new patients, a full consultation with the associated paperwork will be required as normal. Depending on the complexity of your consultation and initial assessments we can no do not guarantee that there will be a significant degree of treatment performed on that same day. However in most cases we do have time for some preliminary treatment sufficient enough to gauge how we may proceed and what our expected outcomes may be. 


    New treatment programmes are modelled on the standard Chiropractic or Osteopathic format of first consultations proceeded by follow ups for treatment.

  • What about the risks and consent?

    Before you embark upon a course of treatment with us, we need to inform you of any possible adverse side effects you might sustain from your treatment here. Whilst such adverse effects are rare, we nevertheless need to request that you sign an intake document before your first appiointment to indicate that you have been duly informed of any possible side effects of the therapies you may receive at this practice. 


    If you are attending for UPPER NECK or HEADACHES, please read and discuss this with your Osteopath.  


    • There have been a few occasions, following manipulation of the neck, where stroke-like symptoms and, in extremely rare cases , severe injury or death has resulted. 

    • If the vertebral artery has already been damaged (Vertebral Artery Dissection or VAD) by a previous injury or, if it already has some inherited weakness, it can be at risk as it winds around the atlas (the top cervical vertebra, located just below the head).

    To put this into context, this graph represents the current figures for absolute risk of a serious adverse event following a high neck manipulation. 



    The grey circle represents 100,000 people and the 6 black dots represent the number of cases of risk per 100,000 



    (Figures taken from Boyle E, Cote P, Grier A. R. Examining vertebrobasilar artery stroke in two Canadian provinces. J Manipulative Physiol. Therapy 2009; 32:S194-200)  


    In these cases, the artery may be stretched, or tear a previously weakened lining (this causes sudden, extremely severe ‘thunderclap’ headaches or neck pain). If this occurs, a thrombus (small blood clot) can then form in the injured artery wall, which may lead to a stroke or T.I.A.


    Occasionally, a milder and temporary reaction, called a transient neurological adverse event can occur. It is important to note that these events can also occur in the population at large who have never had manipulation.


    There are 194 events per 1000 people who have manipulation


    There are 99 events per 1000 people who have never had any manipulation


    (Figures taken from Carlesso L.C., Gross A.R., Santaguida P.L., et al. Adverse events associated with the use of cervical manipulation and mobilisation for the treatment of neck pain in adults: a systemic review. Manual Therapy 2010; 15(5): 434-444)  


    These activities have also been known to cause a TIA or stroke: 


    • Ceiling painting 
    • Nose blowing 
    • Sneezing 
    • Coughing 
    • Judo 
    • Tennis 
    • Minor neck trauma 
    • Yoga 
    • Visit to the hairdressers 
    • Reversing the car 
    • Certain medical factors can increase your chances of damaging the vertebral artery
    • High blood pressure 
    • More common in females: Oral contraceptive use
    • Chronic headaches
    • Vascular pathology 
    • Migraine 
    • Smoking 
    • Anticoagulants  



  • What do I wear?

    Patients are advised to wear normal loose clothing or sports kit. 


    Sports lycra is ideal and can be advantageous to treatment. 


    Conversely, jeans, skirts, or stiff clothing can be a hindrance. 


    It is rarely necessary to be in a state of undress unless specific observations need to be made, such as visually checking spinal posture, rib cage malalignments or spinal movements of your lower back for example, and this will likely be brief. 


    If you need to get changed your therapist will leave the room until you indicate you are ready. 


    All patients are requested to come suitably equipped with a pair of sports shorts, leggings or running/cycling tights and appropriate sports tops or normal upper body clothing. 


    Gowns and sports shorts are available on request and may be advised in some cases. 



  • Who should try it?

    Everyone who has experienced musculoskeletal pain, niggles, chronic immobility or post trauma rehabilitation issues should consider a focused soft tissue approach.  This is the most overlooked element of many other therapies and yet potentially so helpful. It can be utilised as an adjunct to current treatments or an alternative. There are a number of people who turn to soft tissue therapy as a last resort and find it to have been the missing piece of the puzzle all along.

  • How is it different from Physiotherapy?

    This is not Physiotherapy and your Soft Tissue Therapist is not a ‘Physiotherapist‘.

    Soft Tissue Therapy is a discipline in its own right, bringing together long established soft tissue techniques from all fields of practice, combining them with the latest developments in manual therapy reseach, neurophysiology concepts and fascia science. Remedial Soft Tissue Therapy & Sports Massage is not a replacement for other specialist treatments but may be a good alternative depending on the needs and feelings of the individual patient. Remedial Soft Tissue Therapy may work exceptionally well when used alongside other specialist treatments such as physiotherapy, chiropractic or osteopathy and may therefore be an excellent addition to any rehab programme or treatment protocol unless specifically stated otherwise.


    Your therapist should display an open and enthusiastic attitude toward any other treatment you may be receiving and be more than willing to liase with your GP, Physiotherapist, Chiropractor, Osteopath or any other health care practitioner, complementary or otherwise. Referrals to other specialists are always made where necessary and you can rely on your therapist to refer you to a relevant and high standard practitioner where needed. RESTORE will only refer to the very best practitioners available based on their reputation (which must be outstanding) and our experience regarding their handling of past referrals.

  • Insurance claims: Are you HCPC or BUPA registered?

    No, sorry. Only Healthshield or Westfield Health will pay out for Soft Tissue Therapy and Sports Massage. Allthough some individuals’ private company health cover will sometimes accept an invoice from us. Always worth a try. 

  • Chaperones


    Are welcome, encouraged and often very useful! 


  • Data protection policy

    Data Protection Policy

    (Link within your 1st appt welcome email for your signature)


    Under the Data Protection (1998) Act, we are required to advise our patient(s) on our Data Protection Policy. As part of the Patient Record, this Clinic is required to retain information for the purpose of consultation for treatment, recording subsequent treatments, and for use by third party medical practitioners or governing bodies/insurers only, at the request of the patient in writing, the insurer or governing body. Upon completion of the Patient Consultation Form, Data Protection and consent Form, all paper files, digital images/videos and information therein may be electronically scanned and stored on computer file for as long as the patient remains a patient of the Clinic, and thereafter for a period of 7 years. Alternatively, paper records will be retained for the same period. All information provided will be treated as confidential, and will not be given to any other person(s)/organisation(s) without the consent of the patient concerned unless required to do so by the governing body or insurer in the case of a complaint or investigation. Information will be held both manually and electronically in files accessible only by staff of the Clinic who are directly involved in the data entry and processing of patient records. I the undersigned (or authorised Guardian)* 'acknowledge that I have read the Data Protection Policy (above) and do hereby give consent to Paul Martin RESTORE Sports Massage Ltd to maintain records for the purposes outlined within the policy.


  • What will your Osteopath do? What about Consent?

    The Osteopathic Practice Patient Charter:


    Osteopathy is a very ‘hands on’ therapy. This means that your Osteopath will need to touch and examine the area of your pain and other significant areas, depending on the tissues involved. 


    Some of the treatment techniques will require that your Osteopath get very close in order to control the mobility or to focus a manipulation. 


    It is important to understand that you remain in control of your treatment at all times. You can remove your consent to treatment, or any part of the treatment at any time. 


    If you decide that you are not comfortable with any technique, please tell your Osteopath and they can discuss alternative techniques or treatments to achieve the same or similar improvement. 


    You can choose to have a chaperone with you during your treatment. If you are nervous, please bring a spouse, partner or friend who can sit in with you during your treatment. This can be helpful, as your Osteopath may give you a lot of information and advice at your first appointment, and it sometimes helps to have another pair of ears to take it all in. 


    Children under 16 must have a parent or legal guardian with them at all times during a treatment. 


    If you have any concerns, or don’t understand what is happening during your treatment, please ask. 

    We understand that, what to us is a normal everyday occurrence, is something completely new and unknown to you. Please ask if you wish to have any part of your treatment explained, or if there are alternative techniques available if you are uncomfortable with what is being done. 



    At your first consultation and treatment you can expect: 


    To be asked a detailed history of your problem and a brief review of the information you have provided here.


    Your Osteopath may ask questions of a personal nature such as bowel habit or urinary function. 


    They may ask women about any difficulty with menstruation, pregnancy or labour if this could be relevant to a low back or pelvic condition. These questions are needed to eliminate possible medical conditions that can mimic musculoskeletal pain, but which need medical, rather than osteopathic treatment. 


    Examination of the area(s) of your pain and any associated regions of the body: 


    Your Osteopath may need to examine you in your underwear (depending on the area of the problem) and will need access to certain areas of the spine or limbs to facilitate treatment. 


    You can ask to be covered with a towel or to partially re-clothe if you are cold or would feel more at ease covered. 


    Please bring shorts and a vest or camisole, if you do not wish to undress to your underwear. There are also gowns and shorts available in clinic. 


    An initial diagnosis and an explanation of your proposed treatment plan, including any advice or exercises:


    These should include any alternatives to Osteopathy, if we believe that you would benefit from this. 


    If you have any concerns about your treatment: 

    Contact the clinic manager - Paul Martin - restoresports@outlook.com 


    If you feel you need to make a formal complaint about any Osteopath: 

    Contact the osteopathic governing body, The General Osteopathic Council. Email: regulation@osteopathy.org.uk 


    We believe that every patient has the right to feel safe and respected at all times. Each patient is a valued individual who we sincerely want to help. If you’re unsure about any of the information here, please ask your Osteopath to go through it with you.  

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