FHT Training Conference 2026 – From Frozen Shoulder to Massage Confidence: Sharing What I’ve Learned

By Clare Riddell – Pressure Point Sports Massage

One of the things I love most about working in the world of massage therapy and education is that you never stop learning.

After many years of treating clients and teaching massage therapists, I’ve learnt that understanding the body is about much more than simply knowing where a muscle or joint is (also that does help!). It’s about understanding what your client is experiencing, knowing how to assess them, recognising when something may be outside your scope of practice, and having the confidence to make appropriate treatment decisions.

That’s one of the reasons I was so pleased to be invited to contribute to this year’s FHT conference, where I will present a session on Frozen Shoulder.

Understanding Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder can be a frustrating and sometimes frightening condition for clients. Pain, stiffness and a significant loss of movement can have a real impact on everyday activities—from getting dressed and reaching overhead to sleeping comfortably.

My video looks at frozen shoulder from a practical perspective, helping therapists understand the condition, recognise the typical presentation and consider how appropriate assessment and treatment approaches can support their clients.

From Teaching to Writing a Book

Education has always been a huge part of my career, and it was also the reason I decided to write my book, Your Journey to Massage Confidence: From First Client to Established Practice.

Over the years, I’ve met so many talented massage therapists who have the technical knowledge but lack confidence in themselves.  I wanted to create something that went beyond teaching techniques.

The book explores the real journey of becoming a massage therapist—from those first nervous clients and the inevitable moments of self-doubt to developing your own treatment style, building relationships with clients and eventually finding confidence in your abilities.

It contains stories, experiences, practical advice and plenty of lessons I’ve picked up throughout my career. Becoming a confident therapist doesn’t happen overnight…..it’s a journey.

Whether you’re a student just starting your massage career or an experienced therapist who has been practising for years, I believe there’s always something new to learn.  Sometimes that comes from a course, sometimes it’s a conversation with another therapist, other times it’s a client who teaches you something you weren’t expecting.

That’s what I hope both my book and my FHT conference video can provide—a chance to learn, reflect and build confidence.

I hope it becomes the kind of book you can pick up when you need a little advice, reassurance or reminder that every confident therapist was once a beginner.

‘Your Journey to Massage Confidence’ by Clare Riddell is available to buy HERE.