Frequently Asked Questions

If you have never heard of KCR, CTR or Myofascial Release before, you are not alone. Here are the answers to the questions we receive most often.

1. What exactly is Kinetic Chain Release?

Kinetic Chain Release (KCR) is a gentle, full-body technique that helps realign your body so that it works the way it’s meant to. It was developed by a Scottish physiotherapist in 1990 and is ranked as a gold standard bodywork protocol in the United States and Canada.

Every joint, muscle, and fascial connection is linked and each part of the KCR protocol builds upon the previous one. Each step unlocks the next, like a combination of locks.

KCR involves a gentle sequence of mobilisations and stretches that focuses on structural alignment and creating a stable, symmetrical foundation so the body can function as it was designed to. It brings your body back into balance; relieves tension, improves movement, and makes you feel more like yourself again.

2. Who can benefit from Kinetic Chain Release?

Almost anyone can benefit from Kinetic Chain Release. From athletes to desk workers, teenagers to grandparents. It’s safe, gentle, and doesn’t require you to be “fit” to start. People come to us for Kinetic Chain Release when they:

Feel uneven when they walk or stand
Struggle with ongoing aches, pains or stiffness
Want to improve posture and flexibility
Feel tired or “off” in their body without knowing why

3. Who should not have Kinetic Chain Release

If you have had a recent stroke or aneurysm within the last 12 months, or you have had recent surgery you should check with your doctor / surgeon / consultant before proceeding with Kinetic Chain Release. Our KCR Therapists will not work on anyone:

In their 2nd trimester of pregnancy (or later), or if there have been any difficulties in the pregnancy such as unexplained spotting etc.
With Osteogenesis Imperfecta (fragile bones)
With Hydrocephalus (children born with enlarged skulls due too much spinal fluid in that area)

We perform a Vertebral Artery Compression test on each client prior to commencing Kinetic Chain Release.

4. What happens in a KCR treatment?

You and your Kinetic Chain Release Therapist will work together synergistically; gently moving and stretching different parts of your body in a specific sequence. There is no forcing, just a guided “reset” for your whole body.

You will alternate between sitting in a chair and lying down (fully clothed) on a comfortable treatment table.

5. Do I need to prepare before a treatment?

Wear loose, comfortable clothing that you can move in e.g. leggings or tracksuit bottoms rather than jeans.
Wash your feet in advance of your KCR / CTR session.
Drink water before and after your session to help your body flush out any tension release.

6. How does Kinetic Chain Release work?

Our muscles, joints, and connective tissues are connected like a chain. If one part is out of alignment, the body compensates, some muscles overwork while others switch off. This creates tension, pain, and reduced movement.

Kinetic Chain Release helps restore natural alignment so your body can heal and function more efficiently.

7. Will I feel different right away following KCR?

Results vary depending on your unique situation.

Many people notice changes immediately. Such as, the pain that they had been feeling has gone or is not as intense, there is more freedom of movement, they are standing taller, walking more smoothly, feeling more balanced and lighter. Often sleep experiences, following a KCR session, are described as "I slept really well last night" or "I had a great nights sleep".

For others, improvements build over a few days as the body adjusts.

8. Is Kinetic Chain Release safe?

Yes — KCR is gentle, non-invasive and can be adapted for all ages and most health conditions. If you have any medical conditions or injuries, your KCR therapist will adapt the session to your needs.

9. How many KCR sessions will I need?

Some people find one or two sessions make a big difference; others benefit from a short series to fully address long-standing imbalances. Regular maintenance sessions will help keep you in alignment. Your KCR therapist can guide you based on your goals and how your body responds.

10. How is KCR different from massage?

Most massage focuses on soft tissue and impingements surrounding the joints, not on the functionality and movement of joints. Kinetic Chain Release looks at the whole chain — how muscles, joints, and connective tissue work together — and resets the entire system.

11. How do I know if KCR is right for me?

If you have recurring discomfort, stiffness, uneven posture, or simply feel “out of sync” with your body, Kinetic Chain Release could be worth exploring. The best way to find out, is to try one session and see how you feel.

12. What is Connective Tissue Release?

Connective Tissue Release is more than a physical intervention. The experience of myofascial or connective tissue release is an opportunity to reconnect with the body’s innate wisdom and self-healing intelligence.

When trauma, injury, or chronic stress accumulate, the connective tissues (ligaments, tendons, fascia) can hold emotional and physical imprints, creating patterns of tension and pain.

Connective Tissue Release involves gentle sustained pressure or traction in key areas working deep into the texture and tone of the tissues leading to a softening and release of the connective web that binds and restricts movement; helping free and release the emotional and physical “holding patterns” that KCR helped reveal.

13. Who can benefit from Connective Tissue Release?

Connective Tissue Release or myofascial release is suitable for almost everyone. From those living with chronic pain or postural issues, to athletes looking to improve performance and recovery, to those who are simply seeking relief from the effects of stress and tension.

CTR is a gentle and adaptive therapy that can be tailored for any age or body type. It’s not about pushing the body, it’s about listening and supporting. Many people seek CTR for relief from chronic tension, stiffness, or pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments.

Whether you’re seeking relief, renewal, or simply a moment of stillness in a fast-moving world, Connective Tissue Release offers a gentle yet profound way to return home to your body.

14. Who should not have Connective Tissue Release?

Connective Tissue Release is safe for most people, but there are a few situations where caution is required such as acute injuries, open wounds, recent fractures, certain circulatory issues, or if you’re under medical care for a specific condition.

At Aim for Alignment we will always review your circumstances with you before performing any treatment, to ensure that the treatment suits your individual needs.

15. What happens in a Connective Tissue Release treatment?

Each session is unique and shaped by what your body needs. You'll be fully clothed and usually lying comfortably on the treatment table, fully supported and at ease with gentle, sustained contact from your therapist’s hands.

The pressure may feel light at first, but as the tissues begin to respond, you might sense a slow melting, a deep internal release, or subtle waves of movement through the body.

It’s common to feel warmth, tingling, or gentle pulsing as circulation and energy return to restricted areas. Some people experience emotional release too — a spontaneous sense of relief, tears, or even laughter — as long-held tension begins to dissolve. Each reaction is part of the body’s natural process of letting go.

16. How does Connective Tissue Release work?

Throughout the session, we are guided not by a strict routine, but by the tissue itself. Following areas of tension, waiting patiently for the myofascia to “unwind” and return to its natural, fluid state at it's own pace.

It is a calm, unhurried experience. An intuitive, listening-based therapy rather than a mechanical one.

Connective Tissue Release isn’t just about easing pain, it’s about rediscovering the body’s natural intelligence and capacity to heal. It’s an invitation to slow down, listen, and reconnect with yourself on a deeper level.

Ultimately, connective tissue release is an act of self-compassion and presence—a way to honour the body’s intelligence, restore balance, and awaken a deeper, more authentic connection to oneself.

17. What is the difference between KCR and CTR?

Kinetic Chain Release rebalances the structure and restores body alignment through a specific sequence.

Connective Tissue Release focusses on a few key areas and goes deeper into the texture of the body, allowing the body to unwind the tension patterns held within the fascia.

Together, KCR and CTR creates a powerful synergy of restoring structural balance and natural alignment along with a deep release; helping re-establish communication between the mind and body.

18. Will I feel different right away following CTR?

Results vary depending on your unique situation. The fascia unwinding can continue to progress in the few days following your connective tissue release treatment.

Many people notice changes immediately. Such as, the pain that they had been feeling has gone or is not as intense, that they have more freedom of movement, feel lighter or they are standing or holding themselves differently

For others, improvements build over a few days as the body adjusts.

19. Is Connective Tissue Release safe?

Yes — Connective Tissue Release is gentle, non-invasive and can be adapted for all ages and most health conditions. If you have any medical conditions or injuries, your KCR therapist will adapt the session to your needs.

20. How do I know if Connective Tissue Release is right for me?

We typically perform 3 KCR treatments prior to introducing Connective Tissue Release, your therapist can guide you based on your goals and how your body responds.

If you have recurring discomfort, stiffness, uneven posture, or simply feel “out of sync” with your body, Connective Tissue Release could be worth exploring. The best way to find out, is to try one session and see how you feel.

Ready to feel balanced again?

Book your first Kinetic Chain Release treatment and see what your body has been missing.

Call us on 07825 898404 and book an appointment.

You’ll usually know after just one session, if it’s right for you.