Scottish Manual Therapists Organisation

Scottish Manual Therapists Organisation Based in Edinburgh, the Scottish Manual Therapists Organisation (SMTO) exists to provide a service

Based in Edinburgh, the Scottish Massage Therapists Organisation (SMTO) exists to provide a service to the public, the Massage Therapist & the profession, & works with the GCMT and CNHC in developing & maintaining standards.

🩹 FIRST AID TRAINING FOR THERAPISTS 🩹If you need to update and renew your First Aid training, or you are attending for t...
18/04/2026

🩹 FIRST AID TRAINING FOR THERAPISTS 🩹
If you need to update and renew your First Aid training, or you are attending for the first time, here are the SMTO dates for 2026.
👉 Cost is only £75

📍 Glasgow
📅 Sunday 31 May 2026, 10.30 to 15.00
🏢 The Wellbeing Hub, 14 Rogart Street, Bridgeton, G40 2AA
📍 Edinburgh
📅 Saturday 11 July 2026, 10.30 to 15.00
🏢 Active X, 10 Atholl Place, Haymarket, Edinburgh, EH3 8HP
📍 Ellon
📅 Sunday 26 July 2026, 10.30 to 15.00
🏢 The Studio, New Inn Hotel Courtyard, Market Street, Ellon, AB41 9JD
📍 Glasgow
📅 Sunday 30 August 2026, 10.30 to 15.00
🏢 The Wellbeing Hub, 14 Rogart Street, Bridgeton, G40 2AA
📍 Elgin
📅 Sunday 18 October 2026, 10.30 to 15.00
🏢 1st Elgin Scout Hall, Wards Road, Elgin, IV30 6AA
📍 Glasgow
📅 Sunday 8 November 2026, 10.30 to 15.00
🏢 The Wellbeing Hub, 14 Rogart Street, Bridgeton, G40 2AA
📍 Edinburgh
📅 Sunday 29 November 2026, 10.30 to 15.00
🏢 Active X, 10 Atholl Place, Haymarket, Edinburgh, EH3 8HP
✅ To book:
Click the link below, choose your preferred date and venue, complete the form, then arrange payment by BACS. Payment details will appear once the form has been submitted. Please also look out for your confirmation email.
🔗 https://smto.co.uk/first-aid/

🔎 Research SpotlightA 2025 randomised controlled trial explored the immediate effects of two different 30 minute massage...
17/04/2026

🔎 Research Spotlight

A 2025 randomised controlled trial explored the immediate effects of two different 30 minute massage approaches on relaxation and early sleep responses during daytime naps in people who reported poor sleep. The study found improvements in relaxation scores and some changes in arousal and early sleep measures following massage. However, the sample size was very small, with only 15 participants, and the research only examined short term responses in a daytime nap context.

Open access link: https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12906-025-05022-6

Takeaway for therapists, this study supports discussing massage as a way to encourage relaxation and help clients feel more settled before rest. It does not provide evidence that massage treats insomnia or offers a reliable long term solution for persistent sleep difficulties. ✅

You do not need to fix everything in one session. Sometimes the most useful thing you can offer is a calm space, careful...
16/04/2026

You do not need to fix everything in one session. Sometimes the most useful thing you can offer is a calm space, careful listening, and a sensible plan. Good practice is often about doing what fits best, not doing more. ✨🤝

🤲 Sometimes the technique stays, but the explanation has to go.Long strokes up a limb may feel soothing, connected, and ...
15/04/2026

🤲 Sometimes the technique stays, but the explanation has to go.

Long strokes up a limb may feel soothing, connected, and rhythmical. That is a fair reason to use them.

Saying they must always go ‘towards the heart’ to move blood around the body is a much bigger claim, and one that does not stand up as well as many of us were taught.

Read more here:
https://smto.co.uk/does-massage-need-to-go-towards-the-heart/

GCMT The General Council for Manual Therapies

Client Care Share 🧭🤝A good session includes a plan, even if it is a simple one. I will tell you what we are focusing on ...
14/04/2026

Client Care Share 🧭🤝

A good session includes a plan, even if it is a simple one. I will tell you what we are focusing on today, how we will check progress, and what the next step might be.

You can ask, ‘What is the focus today’, ‘How will we judge if this helps’, ‘What should I do if symptoms flare’, and ‘When would you suggest medical advice’.

Pro Practice Prompt ✨Reflect.After your last session, what did you do well, what will you repeat, and what one thing wil...
13/04/2026

Pro Practice Prompt ✨

Reflect.
After your last session, what did you do well, what will you repeat, and what one thing will you refine next time.

You do not need to know every technique to be a good therapist. Clear thinking, safe practice, and the ability to adapt ...
11/04/2026

You do not need to know every technique to be a good therapist. Clear thinking, safe practice, and the ability to adapt well will take you further than collecting endless methods. Keep learning, keep questioning, and let your skills build steadily. 🌿🤲

🔎 Research SpotlightA 2024 randomised controlled trial looked at shoulder massage after laparoscopic gallbladder surgery...
10/04/2026

🔎 Research Spotlight

A 2024 randomised controlled trial looked at shoulder massage after laparoscopic gallbladder surgery in 60 patients. The massage group had lower shoulder pain 30 minutes after treatment and better sleep quality than the control group. By 6 hours, pain levels were similar between groups, so the effect looked short term rather than lasting.

Open access link: https://bmcnurs.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12912-024-02264-6

Takeaway for therapists, this supports massage as a short term supportive option in postoperative care, where appropriate and within setting specific guidance. It does not show that massage changes recovery in a broad or long term way, and it should never be framed as a replacement for medical care. ✅

Congratulations to Lori Smith at BodyLogic and Grampian Massage School for being nominated and winning the Nic Carter Me...
09/04/2026

Congratulations to Lori Smith at BodyLogic and Grampian Massage School for being nominated and winning the Nic Carter Memorial Salver for Services to the Massage Industry and congratulations also to Gail Selbie for winning the Amanda Brooks Rose Bowl for providing outstanding charitable services to the community.

Gail finally got her award presented to her by Maggie. Lori joined them all for a little party at the Brooks Carter clinic to celebrate their achievements.

Brooks-Carter Clinic Ltd Grampian School of Massage Scottish Massage Schools GCMT The General Council for Manual Therapies.

Client Care Share 🔐🤝Your information should be treated with respect. I will explain what notes I keep, why I keep them, ...
09/04/2026

Client Care Share 🔐🤝

Your information should be treated with respect. I will explain what notes I keep, why I keep them, and how your information is stored and protected.

You can ask what I record, who can see it, how long it is kept, and whether you can access your notes.

🫀 Does massage really need to go towards the heart?Many of us were taught that strokes should always move from the feet ...
08/04/2026

🫀 Does massage really need to go towards the heart?

Many of us were taught that strokes should always move from the feet to the hips, or from the hands to the shoulders, to ‘help circulation’. But the science is not nearly as tidy as that old story suggests.

Massage can still feel great, calm the system, and create a lovely sense of flow, but that is not the same as saying we are manually pushing blood around the body.

Read more here:
https://smto.co.uk/does-massage-need-to-go-towards-the-heart/

GCMT The General Council for Manual Therapies

Address

27 Craigs Avenue
Edinburgh
EH128HS

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 9pm
Tuesday 10am - 9pm
Wednesday 10am - 9pm
Thursday 10am - 9pm
Friday 10am - 3pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm
Sunday 10am - 3pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Scottish Manual Therapists Organisation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category