Phoenix Holistic & Complementary Therapy Training

10/01/2026

Connective Tissue Release - CTR (aka Myofascial Release MFR) is all about fascia.

It is just one of the advanced techniques we explore during our Deep Tissue Masterclass.

We have 2 types of fascia in our body

🌷 deep - which surrounds muscle fibres to make a compartment and crimps at the ends to make tendons
🌷 superficial - which is like a spider-web all over our body

Superficial fascia aids smooth movement, cushions and insulates, prevents friction and acts as a pathway for blood and lymph vessels and nerves.

It can become dehydrated and sometimes gets ‘stuck’ which can impede functional movement.

So, sometimes it’s not tight muscles causing the restriction but stuck fascia.

CTR techniques are done ‘dry’ and mostly rely on the 3 T’s - tension, torque, twist.

They are easy to perform, feel good for your client and get results.

Work smarter - not harder

https://phoenixhbnt.co.uk/deep-tissue-massage/

09/01/2026

MET - muscle energy technique

So, let’s explain…..

Muscles contract and relax - that’s it! (Hence they pull not push).

Through injury, RSI, occupational posture defects etc muscles can remain tight, shortened and contracted which may lead to pain, muscle imbalances and different biomechanics.

The nervous system is constantly talking to muscles and will adjust to the shortened length of the muscle as its new normal, making it so much harder to release the tension. .

MET is an easy way to encourage the fibres to let go of tension and return to the original length.

🌷No stress / pressure on therapists’ joints
🌷 No ‘go as deep as you can’

Just measurable results easily achieved.

What’s not to love?

Just one of the techniques explored on our Deep Tissue Massage cpd

https://phoenixhbnt.co.uk/deep-tissue-massage/

08/01/2026

Soft Tissue Release: The Secret to “Oh Wow, That’s Exactly What I Needed”
Learn how to release tension without “digging”, “prodding”, or hoping for the best!

By stretching the whole length of the muscle and not just the attachment ends, you can gently release long held tension.

get more info and to book - https://phoenixhbnt.co.uk/deep-tissue-massage/

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# EssexMassage

08/01/2026

Soft Tissue Release: The Secret to “Oh Wow, That’s Exactly What I Needed”
Learn how to release tension without “digging”, “prodding”, or hoping for the best.
Soft Tissue Release offers precise, targeted relief that makes you feel like you know exactly what you’re doing — because you will.
Want techniques your clients rave about?

🔗 Find out more and book - https://phoenixhbnt.co.uk/deep-tissue-massage/

​​
# EssexMassage

08/01/2026

JANUARY - the month of ‘detox’!

Following on from other posts, let’s look at what 1 of our detoxing organs do!

Linda Liver has over 500 functions (a multi-tasking miracle - that’s why she’s a women!) acting as the body's filter and processing centre:

Linda

🌷 detoxifies blood
🌷 converts nutrients from food into energy
🌷produces essential proteins (like clotting factors and albumin) and bile (for fat digestion)
🌷 stores vitamins/minerals/sugar (glycogen)
🌷 helps fight infections by removing bacteria and viruses from the bloodstream

Essentially, Linda manages metabolism, detoxification, and nutrient balance.

Interestingly, Linda is the only organ that can regenerate too!

So, your clients DO NOT need any detoxify treatments- just a gentle re-set of their natural rhythm of eating, drinking and exercise and they will regain their mojo!

Let’s gently educate our clients that their bodies are amazing left to their own devices with the right input from us.

07/01/2026

Calling Essex Holistic & Complementary Therapists
If you’re a holistic or complementary therapist based in Essex, we’d love to invite you into a friendly, supportive online community created just for you.
The Essex Holistic Therapist Community is a relaxed, welcoming space where local therapists come together to connect, learn, and grow — without the noise, pressure, or competition.
It’s a place to talk openly about running a practice, share experiences, ask questions, and learn from others who understand the realities of therapy work. Whether you’re newly qualified or well established, you’re very welcome.
Alongside the online community, we also meet in person every 6–8 weeks for:
• treatment swap days
• professional discussion and shared learning
• networking with other local therapists
These meet-ups are a great way to learn from each other, experience different approaches, and build genuine local connections. A CPD point certificate is provided for each session.
This community is for therapists working with massage, reflexology, Reiki, aromatherapy, energy work, Indian head massage, bodywork, coaching, nutrition, counselling skills, and other holistic or complementary therapies.
The group is gently supported by the Phoenix Therapy Business mentors, with a focus on collaboration, professional integrity, and ongoing development.

Join our Community Hub and receive The Holistic Therapist’s Business Checklist: 21 Things Every Thriving Holistic Therapy Business Should Have in Place - https://bit.ly/4snVoVL

06/01/2026

The January detox month!

Let’s ‘rebrand’ this misleading advertising hook.

Wellness should be nourishment NOT punishment!

Now, that’s a positive, encouraging message we should be using!

05/01/2026

When Your Qualification Gave You the Basics… But Not the Confidence

Many newly-qualified massage therapists feel unsure when a client needs more complex work.
This in-person day gives you the chance to practise on real clients and learn advanced skills with guidance every step of the way.
Build confidence, clarity and skill — all in one day.
🔗 Find out more and book - https://phoenixhbnt.co.uk/deep-tissue-massage/

05/01/2026

Are you a ‘sensitive soul’?

Do you read the energy of a room, hear the echos in an open space or feel your clients’ mood? Does that affect you?

If you want to work with vulnerable clients (either physically or emotionally) you need to protect your own energies.

There are lots of different ways to do it and it’s one issue we work through on our course, ‘Supporting your client’s cancer journey’

Available as an online, stand-alone module or including a practical day, you will learn this and lots more, including skin hunger and, for the practical day, a brand new way of working the feet for this vulnerable demographic.

Click the link to learn more

https://phoenixhbnt.co.uk/reflexology-to-support-those-living-with-cancer-and-other-ll-conditions/

04/01/2026

Boosts circulation?

‘BOOSTS CIRCULATION’ Do you use this statement in your advertising?

We often see Reflexologists (and, indeed massage therapists) advertise that their treatments ‘boost circulation’. Especially in the ‘detox’ month of January!

I have a problem with that. I believe it to be misleading to our clients. They may think that they will have a treatment, relaxing, laying on a couch, instead of working hard and sweating at the gym.

We need to choose our words carefully. ‘Boosts circulation’ may have a very different meaning to our clients than the message we are trying to send.

The heart is the organ that boosts circulation (by beating quicker, pushing blood through pipes quicker). We get this effect by exercising, shivering, hot showers, coughing, laughing, etc, etc NOT by laying on a couch relaxing for an hour!

So, what is actually happening?

It’s all to do with the fabulous PSNS! In rest/digest/heal/seal mode our heart rate LOWERS, (so cannot do a ‘boost’) and we deeply relax. Digestive and urinary output increases and all muscle tissue releases tension. (Releases tension = 1/5 magic things we can say about reflexology). As all our pipes (arteries, veins, GI tract) have smooth muscle involvement that too relaxes and releases tension. So, blood flow is eased as the pipe is wider as the muscle component has relaxed.

So, rather a long explanation of why I believe it to be misleading. Maybe the ‘boost’ needs to be replaced by ‘eases’.

Do you use this phrase on your socials?

04/01/2026

‘BOOSTS CIRCULATION’ Do you use this statement in your advertising?

We often see Reflexologists (and, indeed massage therapists) advertise that their treatments ‘boost circulation’. Especially in the ‘detox’ month of January!

I have a problem with that. I believe it to be misleading to our clients. They may think that they will have a treatment, relaxing, laying on a couch, instead of working hard and sweating at the gym.

We need to choose our words carefully. ‘Boosts circulation’ may have a very different meaning to our clients than the message we are trying to send.

The heart is the organ that boosts circulation (by beating quicker, pushing blood through pipes quicker). We get this effect by exercising, shivering, hot showers, coughing, laughing, etc, etc NOT by laying on a couch relaxing for an hour!

So, what is actually happening?

It’s all to do with the fabulous PSNS! In rest/digest/heal/seal mode our heart rate LOWERS, (so cannot do a ‘boost’) and we deeply relax. Digestive and urinary output increases and all muscle tissue releases tension. (Releases tension = 1/5 magic things we can say about reflexology). As all our pipes (arteries, veins, GI tract) have smooth muscle involvement that too relaxes and releases tension. So, blood flow is eased as the pipe is wider as the muscle component has relaxed.

So, rather a long explanation of why I believe it to be misleading. Maybe the ‘boost’ needs to be replaced by ‘eases’.

Do you use this phrase on your socials?

04/01/2026

Now our thoughts are returning to work after the festivities are you planning your yearly cpd?

Or, maybe you leave it right until the last minute once you get your insurance renewal, and panic buy any old course just to get your points.

We get you! We got you!

We have an easy way of getting your brownie points right from your kitchen table.

No travelling, no lost revenue, no stress, no last minute rush! Just monthly modules you work through at your own pace that are enriching, thought-provoking, interesting and doable.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1YhuBSWzQd/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Could be the best thing you do for your business this year!