Why Soft Tissue Therapy Should Be on Prescription for Joint and Back Pain
Soft tissue therapy, including massage, can help rebalance muscle tension, easing pain fast.
Why Soft Tissue Therapy Should Be Available on Prescription
Let’s be honest: if you’ve ever gone to your GP complaining of joint pain, back pain, or a stiff shoulder, you probably walked out with a prescription—but not for what you really needed.
Nine times out of ten, it’s painkillers or nerve blockers. Maybe anti-inflammatories if you’re lucky.
And while that might ease your symptoms in the short term, it rarely gets to the root of the issue.
In fact, I believe strongly that soft tissue therapy should be available on prescription, because in many cases, it could solve the problem before it becomes a long-term injury.
Pain Is a Signal, Not a Nuisance
Your body isn’t trying to be difficult. Pain is how it communicates that something’s not right.
If your shoulder pinches when you raise your arm, or your knee hurts when you go upstairs, that’s not something to be silenced. That’s your body asking you to pay attention.
The problem is, when we use medication to numb the signal, we don’t stop the movement causing the issue—we just stop noticing it. The dysfunction continues quietly in the background until it escalates into something worse: tendinitis, bursitis, even muscle or tendon tears.
What If the Pain Is Actually a Muscle Imbalance?
Here’s the thing: many joint issues aren't actually joint problems. They’re caused by muscle imbalances.
Muscles that are too tight or too weak pull the joint out of alignment, creating friction, restricted movement, and yes, pain.
Now, to be fair, GPs do refer people to musculoskeletal specialists or physios, and this is a step in the right direction. But here’s the catch:
Are you actually getting hands-on therapy at those appointments?
In most cases, it’s an assessment, maybe a printout of exercises, and then you’re left to get on with it.
There’s often no manual therapy, no release work, no one physically helping the tissue move better. And without that, it’s much harder for your body to respond to exercise effectively—especially if the issue has been building for months or even years.
How Soft Tissue Therapy Helps (Quickly)
Imagine this instead: you’re referred to someone who actually gets hands-on. Someone like me.
I would:
Assess your movement
Identify tight or overworked muscles
Use targeted release work to restore space and freedom of movement
Give you tailored mobility or strength exercises to support lasting change
Talk through what lifestyle habits might be contributing to your pain
One session could make a noticeable difference. It’s not magic, it’s just working with the body in a way that makes sense.
When the area moves better, the exercises work better. Because you're no longer fighting against restriction and resistance.
Medication Has Its Place, But It’s Not a Long-Term Strategy
To be clear, I’m not anti-medication. It has its role, especially when pain is acute or unbearable.
But relying solely on pills while ignoring what your body is actually trying to tell you? That’s not healthcare. That’s symptom control.
Painkillers may take the edge off, but they don’t correct the underlying issue. And in the meantime, you risk turning a manageable issue into a bigger problem.
We Need a Smarter Approach to Pain
Let’s stop pretending that handing out the same pill for every pain is enough.
Wouldn’t it make more sense to treat the cause, restore proper movement, and give people the tools to stay pain-free?
If I had a prescription pad, I wouldn’t be writing scripts for painkillers. I’d be prescribing:
1x Soft tissue treatment
5x minutes of daily mobility
1x honest look at your daily movement habits
Sounds like a smarter plan, right?
Final Thoughts
Pain is not something to ignore or silence. It’s a message.
So if you’re tired of short-term fixes and you want real, lasting change—you need more than a pill. You need someone who actually looks at your body and helps it work better.
Soft tissue therapy should be the first line of defence, not the last resort. And yes, I truly believe it should be available on prescription. Book your soft tissue session now.
Sabrina is a movement specialist based in Worcester Park, helping people overcome pain, move better, and enjoy active, fulfilling lives. With expertise in sports and remedial massage, personal training, and the Emmett Technique, she works with clients to relieve pain, improve mobility, and build strength. Treatments and training sessions take place in her private home treatment and training room. If you would like to discuss your needs, book a Discovery Call.