Training Pathway
Level 4 Sports Massage & Foundation Course

This pathway is tailored for qualified sports massage therapists who already hold a level 3 qualification or its equivalent. It’s not suitable for beginners without prior massage experience.

Before enrolling, you’ll need to have hands-on experience delivering basic sports massage treatments, along with a strong understanding of functional anatomy, joint movements, and muscle actions.

Still not sure? Schedule a call or send us a message.

This pathway is for therapists who want to build on their massage background and work at a more advanced level — blending hands-on techniques with clinical reasoning and the safe use of acupuncture and dry needling.

You’ll gain a clear understanding of musculoskeletal pain, improve your ability to assess and plan treatment, and leave with high-impact skills you can use straight away — both in private practice and in multidisciplinary settings.

It’s also a smart way to save on your training — with £176.90 off when you enrol on both courses at once, and the reassurance of learning with one of the UK’s most trusted providers.

This pathway combines two professional-level qualifications that work seamlessly together — giving you the skills, confidence, and credibility to work with more complex client needs.

Here’s what you’ll study:

• Level 4 Sports Massage Course: Start by building on your existing knowledge with deeper clinical reasoning, injury assessment, and advanced soft tissue techniques. You’ll learn how to plan and deliver more targeted treatment, refine your manual therapy skills, and support clients through recovery. It includes 3 in-person practical days, online modules, and expert tutor support.
• Foundation Acupuncture & Dry Needling Course: Finish with an industry-leading acupuncture course that gives you the skills and confidence to safely integrate needling techniques into your clinical approach. Covering key acupoints, musculoskeletal conditions, pain science, and traditional frameworks, this 3-day course blends practical workshops, online modules, and post-course learning — all supported by expert tutors and accredited by the FHT.

Together, these courses provide a practical, clinically focused skillset that broadens your scope and helps you get better outcomes for the people you treat.

This pathway is perfect for anyone looking to grow beyond massage and move into more advanced clinical work.

You might be a therapist who’s recently completed level 3 and wants to keep progressing. You might be working with active populations and want to offer a wider range of techniques. Or you might already be in a gym, clinic or wellness setting and looking to strengthen your professional edge.

Whatever your background, this pathway offers a clear, structured route forward — with practical skills, trusted qualifications, and a £193.80 saving when you enrol on both courses together.

This pathway helps you move beyond basic massage — giving you the clinical understanding, manual techniques, and needling skills to work confidently with more complex client needs.

By the end of the pathway, you’ll be able to:

• Plan and deliver tailored sports massage treatments – using advanced techniques to support pre-diagnosed injuries and performance goals
• Assess injury presentations with confidence – applying clinical reasoning and understanding of healing and dysfunction to inform your treatments
• Use techniques like METs and passive assisted stretching – to improve mobility, reduce pain, and enhance recovery
• Apply sports massage effectively across injury stages – including pre-event, post-event, rehab, and maintenance contexts
• Explain and use acupuncture and dry needling – for a range of conditions, including musculoskeletal complaints, with a clear understanding of how and why it works
• Locate and needle commonly used acupoints – with care, accuracy, and within your professional scope of practice
• Apply acupuncture safely and confidently – understanding contraindications, precautions, and how to manage potential side effects
• Reflect critically on your practice – using case studies, self-directed learning, and tutor feedback to keep improving

Whether you’re supporting recovery, aiding rehabilitation, or helping clients perform at their best — this pathway gives you the evidence-informed tools to do it, all backed by expert guidance at every stage.

Ready to take the next step? Here’s what to do:

• Get in touch – If you haven’t done so already, get in touch. We’re here to help you find the best fit and guide you through the process.
• Explore course info further – Take the time to explore the details of each course, including the level 4 sports massage options. This will also help identify the date and location that works best for you.
• Enrol and receive your welcome email – Once you’ve confirmed your course choice, go ahead and enrol! You’ll then receive a welcome email with all the information you need to access your level 4 course materials and prepare for your practical workshop.
• Confirm your course date and location – After enrolling, please confirm your preferred date and location for your level 4 course (if you’ve not done so already) to make sure everything’s locked in and ready to go.

As you progress through the pathway, you’ll have a recommended 4–6 months between each qualification to consolidate and apply your learning. The foundation course will be added to your dashboard as you move forward.

We’re here to support you every step of the way — let’s get started!