-- The appointment book filled within months of opening. Clients traveled from across South London seeking relief that eluded them elsewhere. Word spread through running clubs and gym communities about a clinic where therapists didn't just knead muscles but conducted assessments, tracked progress, and built rehabilitation plans. At CORE Dulwich, joint founder Sam Hoban established a standard that diverges sharply from conventional massage practices. Every therapist holds full sports massage qualifications for each treatment offered. The approach reflects a broader tension within the wellness industry between therapeutic legitimacy and commercial accessibility.
Photo courtesy of CORE Soft Tissue Therapy
Britain's massage therapy sector generated £900 million in revenue during 2024, according to industry analysis from IBISWorld. Growth projections suggest the market will expand by 4.2 percent annually through 2028 as demand intensifies for non-pharmaceutical pain management solutions. Yet regulatory gaps persist. Anyone can legally practice massage therapy without formal training or certification. The contrast between unregulated practitioners and clinically trained therapists creates confusion among consumers seeking genuine therapeutic outcomes rather than temporary relaxation.
Sam & Nok launched CORE Soft Tissue Therapy in September 2024 with a conviction that professional standards would distinguish their clinic from competitors. The business reached it’s target revenue in its first year of revenue and maintains a fully booked schedule on most days. Client retention stems largely from referrals, with hundreds traveling from locations across South London including Peckham, Herne Hill, Forest Hill, and Sydenham for treatment. The clinic's Google rating holds steady at five stars across dozens of reviews. These metrics suggest market appetite exists for evidence-based soft tissue intervention delivered by qualified specialists.
Professionalizing an Unregulated Field
The massage industry's accessibility has created a credibility problem. Practitioners with minimal training operate alongside university-educated sports therapists who complete comprehensive anatomy, physiology, and pathology coursework. Clients often cannot discern the difference until treatment proves ineffective. Sam observed this pattern throughout his career and designed CORE Soft Tissue Therapy to address the knowledge gap.
"We're making massage more professional by ensuring therapists hold qualifications for every therapy they deliver," Sam explained. "Many clinics offer standard massage without the clinical framework needed to identify root causes of dysfunction. Our therapists perform detailed assessments before treatment begins. They track measurable progress and adjust rehabilitation plans accordingly. This level of care requires extensive education and practical experience."
The qualification requirement extends beyond initial credentials. CORE Soft Tissue Therapy therapists integrate manual therapy with corrective movement strategies, combining hands-on treatment with education about posture, biomechanics, and injury prevention. Clients receive tailored exercise protocols designed to sustain improvements between appointments. The methodology addresses a common frustration among those seeking lasting relief rather than temporary symptom management.
Research published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies during 2023 examined outcomes across massage therapy interventions. Studies demonstrated that treatment combining manual techniques with movement education produced superior long-term results compared to massage alone. Patient satisfaction increased when therapists explained underlying mechanical issues and provided strategies for self-management. The findings validate Hoban's insistence on comprehensive training that equips therapists to educate clients alongside delivering manual therapy.
The Economics of Quality Standards
Maintaining high qualification standards creates operational challenges. Recruiting fully certified sports massage therapists limits the talent pool compared to hiring practitioners with basic massage certificates. Training investments increase when therapists must demonstrate competency across multiple modalities. Appointment costs necessarily rise to reflect the expertise level clients receive. These factors test whether consumers will pay premium rates for therapeutic legitimacy.
CORE Soft Tissue Therapy's growth suggests they will. The clinic attracts a diverse clientele ranging from office workers managing chronic tension to athletes recovering from injuries. Many arrive after exhausting conventional options without achieving lasting improvement. The common thread involves frustration with temporary fixes that fail to address underlying dysfunction. Sam positions his clinic as the solution for cases where standard massage proves insufficient.
"Clients come to us after trying other therapies without success," Nok said. "They're dealing with chronic pain, limited mobility, and postural problems. We specialize in identifying root causes rather than just treating symptoms. That requires clinical assessment skills and knowledge of functional anatomy. These aren't luxuries. They're necessities for delivering measurable outcomes."
The economic model challenges conventional wisdom about wellness industry profitability. Rapid appointment turnover drives revenue at many massage establishments. Therapists see multiple clients hourly with minimal time allocated for assessment or follow-up planning. CORE Soft Tissue Therapy inverts this approach by prioritizing thoroughness over volume. Appointments allow time for evaluation, treatment, and movement education. The strategy depends on client retention and referrals rather than constant new customer acquisition.
Industry observers note the tension between accessibility and professionalization. Dr. Emma Rothwell, a physiotherapy researcher at King's College London, questions whether rigid qualification requirements might restrict access to beneficial treatments. "Massage therapy helps millions of people manage stress and tension," Rothwell observed. "Creating barriers to entry could reduce availability, particularly in underserved communities where cost sensitivity limits options. We must balance professional standards against practical accessibility."
Long-Term Vision for Movement Health
Sam envisions expanding beyond the current Dulwich location while maintaining quality standards. Plans include partnerships with gyms and wellness studios throughout South London, positioning CORE Soft Tissue Therapy as an authority in functional movement and injury prevention. The medium-term objective involves broadening the client base while deepening relationships with local communities and sports clubs. Long-term ambitions extend to multiple locations offering expanded therapeutic services.
The growth strategy aligns with broader shifts in healthcare delivery. National Health Service pressures have intensified demand for private complementary treatments that address musculoskeletal complaints. Waiting times for physiotherapy referrals stretched beyond 18 weeks at many NHS trusts during 2024, according to data from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Patients increasingly seek private alternatives offering immediate access to qualified practitioners. CORE Soft Tissue Therapy positions itself within this landscape as a clinically credible option for those willing to invest in preventive care.
Technological integration remains minimal at the clinic despite industry trends toward digital assessment tools and AI-driven treatment planning. Nok emphasizes human expertise over automated solutions, arguing that manual palpation skills and clinical reasoning cannot yet be replicated by algorithms. The stance reflects skepticism about whether technology enhances or dilutes therapeutic relationships. Future expansion plans prioritize recruiting additional qualified therapists rather than implementing digital platforms.
The client-first philosophy extends to treatment duration and frequency recommendations. Unlike subscription models that encourage unlimited appointments, CORE Soft Tissue Therapy aims to reduce client dependence through education and corrective exercise. Success involves graduating clients to self-management rather than perpetuating ongoing treatment needs. The approach challenges revenue maximization logic prevalent throughout the wellness industry.
"Our goal is long-term improvement," Nok reflected. "We're building something sustainable by focusing on results that last beyond each appointment. Professional standards aren't barriers. They're the foundation for earning trust in a field where trust has eroded. Clients deserve therapists who understand anatomy, recognize pathology, and can deliver evidence-based care. That's what qualification requirements protect. That's what we're committed to maintaining as we grow."
Contact Info:
Name: Sam Hoban
Email: Send Email
Organization: CORE Soft Tissue Therapy
Website: http://www.coredulwich.co.uk
Release ID: 89180961
Google
RSS