ADVANCED ASSESSMENT & SOFT TISSUE TECHNIQUES FOR THE LOWER LIMB
Stop chasing symptoms and spot the real cause.
Assessment can feel like a maze of tests, results, and possibilities and far too often, therapists end up treating what they see – without uncovering the true driver.
Our brand new two-day workshop helps you cut through the noise. We’ll show you how to sharpen your assessment skills, make sense of what you find, and turn that knowledge into hands-on treatments you can use straight away with your clients.
Turn assessment into effective treatment. Knowing how to run a test is one thing; knowing what to do with the results is another. Using real case studies, you’ll learn about functional assessments and special tests such as the Small Knee Bend and Anterior Draw Test, explore common injury presentations, and practice linking assessment findings directly to treatment solutions.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll walk away with new confidence in diagnosing and treating lower limb conditions. We’ll give you tips, techniques, and clinical reasoning skills to help you think outside the box and get better client outcomes. Plus, you’ll receive a certificate of attendance and up to 14 CPD points.
COURSE SNAPSHOT
- Tottenham, North London
- Next Date: 22nd Feb & 22nd March 2026
- £320 for both days/£180 for single day
COURSE BREAKDOWN
DAY ONE: KNEE
The knee impacts the whole chain.
In this workshop, you will gain a deeper insight and add to your treatment by exploring the knee’s functional and surface anatomy, learn how to recognise common pathological conditions that affect performance and mobility, and understand how dysfunction here can trigger compensations throughout the body. With this insight, you’ll stop chasing isolated issues and start treating movement as an integrated system.
Through real case studies, you’ll develop hypotheses and build treatment plans that link directly to what you see in clinic. You’ll also refine your assessment skills by working through both functional tests, like the Y Balance and Small Knee Bend, and we will also discuss some special tests special tests such as the Anterior Draw and McConnell’s. All of which are backed up with online learning support via a video library for you to refer to.
By the end of the day, you’ll be more confident in using assessments not just to diagnose dysfunction, but to guide treatment solutions that make a real difference.
Learning Objectives for the Knee
- Develop confident assessment skills for restoring knee mobility
- Learn active, passive, and resisted range of motion testing
- Understand the difference between normal and restricted movement
- Explore common injuries / conditions to guide treatment decisions
- Learn how to apply soft tissue therapy techniques tailored to individual patients
- Practical strategies to improve knee function in clinic and at home
- Use key special tests with confidence: anterior drawer, MCL, PCL
- Discuss real patient cases to see assessment and treatment in practice
Schedule: click here for full breakdown of the day
- 09:30 - Welcome and settling in
- 10:00 - Session Starts: Anatomy & biomechanics of the knee
- 10:45 - Assessing the knee - Lecture/demo & practical
- 11:45 - Tea break
- 12:00 - Functional tests for the knee - lecture & practical
- 13:00 - Lunch break
- 13:45 - Special tests for the knee - lecture & practical
- 15:15 - Formulating a hypothesis, case studies & treatment plan
- 16:00 - Practical techniques and ideas to treat the knee
- 17:00 - Finish
DAY TWO: FOOT & ANKLE
Strong foundations, stronger movement.
Many persistent client issues start at the foot and ankle. From recurring ankle sprains and plantar fasciitis, to knee, hip, or even back pain that stems from poor mechanics below. Yet this area often feels tricky to assess with confidence.
In this workshop, we’ll cut through the complexity and give you practical tools to understand what’s really going on.
You’ll learn an array of functional and special tests and when to use these to confidently gather meaningful information without overcomplicating your assessments, and how to turn those findings into treatment plans that actually work.
By the end of the day, you’ll walk away with the clarity and confidence to handle foot and ankle cases that might once have left you second-guessing.
Learning Objectives for Foot & Ankle
- Link your findings to effective, hands-on treatment
- Identify key conditions and injuries, understand their causes, and learn how to approach them effectively
- Improve your ability to palpate soft tissue and bony landmarks with accuracy.
- Learn to apply special tests and functional assessments in a way that provides meaningful, actionable information.
- Gain the confidence to interpret your findings and structure a treatment plan.
- Use key functional tests with confidence: knee to wall and Y balance
- Appreciation of contraindications and understand when to refer
ONLINE RESOURCES
Included with both days are a range of extensive online resources, packed with demonstration videos, lecture slides and handouts that you can refer to before, during and after the workshops. You’ll have access to these resources for one year from date of purchase.
- Access to high quality videos of each assessment test
- 70+ Powerpoint slides with indepth notes
- Self assessment quiz to review what you have learnt
- Substantial handouts + notes to support your learning
- Presented in an efficient and easy to use format
- Unlimited access to the material
- Certificate of attendance
Who is this course for?
- Massage Therapists with a minimum of a Level 3 Qualification in Massage Therapy i.e. OCN, BTEC, ITEC
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Physiotherapists
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Osteopaths
- Strength and Conditioning coaches
- This is an advanced massage course, the prerequisite is you have a relevant hands-on therapy qualification or massage experience and are aged 18+
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
- 2 x Practical Workshop Days
- Worth up to 14 CPD Points
- Extensive online resources including videos, lectures and handouts
- Certificate of attendance (electronic)
Dates AND LOCATION
This two-day CPD workshop takes place at The Hub in North London at the following address:
The Hub, Unit 3i & 3j, 25 Ashley Road
Tottenham, London, N17 9LJ
We have the following dates available for enrolment:
Day One (Knee): Sunday 22nd February 2026
This course takes place from 10 am – 5 pm.
Day Two (Foot & Ankle): Sunday 22nd March 2026
This course takes place from 10 am – 5 pm.
Want to do just one day? That is an option, scroll down to How to Book for more info. Terms & Conditions here.
HOW TO BOOK
2 x Practical Workshops
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1 x Practical Workshop: Knee
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1 x Practical Workshop: Foot & Ankle
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Plus 1 year access to online course and all extras
1 x Practical Workshop
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1 x Practical Workshop: Knee OR Foot & Ankle
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Plus 1 year access to online course and all extras
MEET THE TUTORS
This course has been developed by the following NLSSM tutors who are highly qualified in their fields of expertise and have successful careers in sports massage and remedial soft tissue therapy. The tutor on the day will be David Graham.
Cassandra Gramozi | L5 SRMT
Joining in 2004, Cassandra saw first-hand the positive effects of sports massage and decided to take the course herself, graduating in 2008.
Since qualifying with NLSSM, Cassandra has worked with people from all walks of life including the Saracens RFC, private clinics, and participants in several London Marathons and the London 2012 Olympics.
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After three seasons with the London Wasps RFC as their Senior Soft Tissue Therapist, she moved into the world of Olympic Sports and spent the next 4 years working in the English Institute of Sport and the Intensive Rehabilitation Unit dedicated to BOA funded athletes.
She currently works for the Football Association as a consultant Soft Tissue Therapist to the U21’s Mens England Football team.
Cassandra is also a fully qualified Polestar Pilates Reformer instructor and when she is not in the pilates studio you can find her at NLSSM helping run the business on a day to day basis.
David Graham | L5 SRMT, M.Ost
David used to work in advertising before going on a personal health and fitness journey, developing a passion and curiosity for the human body, movement and health that eventually led him to wanting to pursue a career in the field.
He studied the Level 5 NLSSM Diploma in 2016 and also completed a Masters in Osteopathy at the University College of Osteopathy in London.
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He has spent some years treating in private practice in Cumbria, London, and now lives and practices in Leeds. David has a passion for helping people out of pain and living the lives they want to lead and helping them do the things they want to do and has treated a wide range of people in practice over his career so far.
When not working, David enjoys following his own fitness pursuits with strength training, cycling and occasionally climbing and can also be found flying small planes and travelling.
FAQ's
The pre-requirement is that you have an existing qualification in massage therapy and are aged 18+. If you are unsure if this is a suitable workshop for you then please get in touch with us at cassandra@nlssm.com.
We provide everything you need for your training, including massage couch, towels, lotions etc.
You will need to bring your own lunch with you, or you can visit one of the nearby shops/cafes.
Yes! This course day is practical, and you will be treating another student in the course/being treated yourself.
Please wear something that you are comfortable in, and can move about freely in. You will be treating others/being treated yourself, so please choose something that is appropriate for this.
Most students choose to wear activewear/sportswear.
We recommend to leave any jewellery at home, as it will need to be removed before treating.
We use a number of different massage creams, lotions, oils and waxes, including the following:
At NLSSM, we are happy to support our students with any specific learning requirements they may have, where possible. If you have any concerns then please give us a call on 0208 885 6062 to discuss your needs.
We have developed a set of robust procedures to minimise the risk of COVID-19. Please find out more in our policy here.