Oxford School of Sports Massage

Do you have an anterior or a posterior pelvic tilt? 🤔

Or is your pelvis perfectly neutral?! 👏🏻

Everyone is different, and everyone’s pelvis is different. Having either a posteriorly or anteriorly tilted pelvis isn’t a diagnosis or even necessarily a problem in itself but it can become relevant as part of the bigger picture when it comes to assessing pain…

The position of the pelvis will influence the position of the sacrum and, with the sacrum forming the base of the spine, this can influence the position of the vertebrae - meaning pelvic till can absolutely be a factor in lower back pain along with many other hip and spine complaints.

In my opinion these tests are relevant but they do need to form a part of a wider assessment. Pelvic tilts can be a point of contention for many therapists so I would love to hear your thoughts on this below in the comments! 👇

Weekend 4 - BTEC Level 5 diploma in Soft Tissue Therapy

This past weekend was weekend 4 for the most recent cohort on our level 5 diploma in soft tissue therapy. They learned a lot! Including:
👉🏻 Assessment and treatment of the neck and spine
👉🏻 Core anatomy
👉🏻 Abdominal massage
👉🏻 Assessment and treatment of the Psoas major
👉🏻 Back pain - etiology and rehabilitation
And much, much more

Neck massage gladly received at the end of a fun but informative and educational weekend 🧑‍🎓

Tension headaches? Neck stiffness? 🤕💆‍♂️
Sub-occipital release using ischemic pressure is a powerful manual therapy technique designed to reduce muscle tension, improve mobility, and relieve pain at the base of the skull. By applying sustained pressure to trigger points in the suboccipital muscles, we can help restore movement and promote relaxation. 🙌

✨ Benefits of sub-occipital release:
✔️ Reduces neck pain & headaches
✔️ Improves cervical mobility
✔️ Releases trigger points
✔️ Promotes relaxation & posture support

Save this for your next recovery session and follow for more massage, sports therapy, and manual therapy tips 🔥

The side-lying position is a great option to open up the lower leg and foot 🦶 💆🏻‍♀️

The medial calf and plantar surface of the foot are well placed for treatment in this position and it also opens up the gap between medial malleolus and calcaneus, where lots of tendons for the toes can be found as well as retinaculum and other connective tissue that often gets neglected during treatment of this area 💪🏻

Foot massage tip 🦶 💆🏻‍♀️

For deeper strokes in foot massage it helps to understand the anatomy…

There are lots of muscles in the plantar surface of the foot but flexor Hallucis Longus and flexor digitorum Longus occupy a significant portion of that area and here is a technique that will open them up for treatment!

Strong hands start with a strong stance 💪✨

As a massage therapist, your posture is everything—not just for performance, but for longevity in your career. Stay mindful and protect your body while delivering great treatments 🙌

✔️ Create a wide, stable base with your legs for balance and control
✔️ Use the treatment couch—lean your body weight in, don’t overwork your hands
✔️ Keep your upper body upright and neutral to avoid strain
✔️ Let your body do the work, not just your muscles

Work smarter, not harder—and your future self will thank you 🧠💆‍♀️

Don’t skip this 🔑—your calves and Achilles are a team, not separate players.

When treating tight calves, the Achilles tendon plays a HUGE role in mobility, flexibility, and injury prevention. Ignoring it can slow progress and keep you stuck with stiffness or pain. By incorporating targeted Achilles massage, you improve circulation, reduce tension, and support better ankle movement 👣✨

Whether you’re an athlete, runner, or just dealing with tight lower legs, this simple addition can make a massive difference.

💡 Keywords: Achilles tendon massage, calf tightness relief, ankle mobility, sports recovery, injury prevention