Vogue - March 2005

If you're serious about easying sore muscles and joints (and willing to forgo soft lighting, calming music and high-thread-count sheet), book a massage therapist who specialises in sports-related injuries. Petra Thamm (07879 401342), who's based at the Wellington Building in St John's Wood, is a soft-tissue specialist whose aggressive treatment of ligaments, muscles and tendons is so effective, it's worth the pain.

Andrè De Oliveira at The ALO Clinic is a physiotherapist who performs deep-tissue work to alleviate chronic pain.

And Terry Kingscote (07714 643403), who works from a medical practice in South Kensington, is a neuro-muscular masseur who tackles painful knots with ease. Trade aesthetics for expertise, and your muscles will thank you.

Calgary Avansino