“The body we inhabit is the most magical creation”
... Liz Morris, Massage Therapist
SERVICES
Services
Remedial Massage
or Deep Tissue Massage
This form of massage focuses on the deeper layers of muscle. The aim is to release chronic patterns of tension throughout the body. Using slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the tight, contracted areas, we can work with either down the length of the muscle, tendon or ligament or in a cross fibre direction to address specific problem areas associated with chronic muscular pain, injury rehabilitation, sporting injuries and occupational problems, RSI, physical and mental fatigue. This massage can include trigger point therapy, deep tissue massage, and stretching, creating an increase in range of motion in a previously restricted area. Due to a release of toxins that were previously locked up in the restricted area, it is necessary to drink plenty of water after the session to flush these from the body.
Relaxation Massage
or Stepping off the Treadmill of Time!!!
With time flying, isn’t it time for you to catch your breath and find what is important? We spend our time looking out for everyone but ourselves. This is not healthy for anyone. “I don’t have time” is our continual catch cry. STOP... Even a half hour of relaxation massage with warm towels, oil and soft music will have you feeling on top of the world, ready to face whatever life is about to throw at you. Your nerves will unwind, your blood pressure and heart rate will drop and your whole body will say “Thank you, I DO feel sooo much better now”. Yes, you do have time! Yes, you do deserve it!. How do I know? I used to be like this, and I have learnt that it’s much better (sometimes / often) to receive... My catch phrase? “Trust me, I’m a therapist!!”
Mobile Massage
I offer this service for any clients who are unable to attend the clinic. E.g. Those who are incapacitated, recovering from surgery, and the elderly. In all cases the main focus will be on pain and stress relief and relaxation.
Lymphatic Drainage
A very gentle whole body treatment which boosts the immune system. It comprises a range of specialised and gentle techniques to move the skin in the direction of the lymph flow, through a network of lymph nodes and lymph vessels. This stimulates the body to naturally eliminate excess toxins, viruses, chemicals and dead cells. The lymph nodes play an important role in the creation of new cells that boost the immune system. The lymph fluid is filtered, removing toxins, and all waste products which are then removed from the body via the elimination organs (e.g. kidneys). The filtered lymph is then returned to the cells via the blood system. Perfect to help offset the winter cold season. Other benefits include the promotion of healing, especially after surgery, and the relief of fluid congestion. I have trained in the method that Dr. Emil Vodder created.
Bowen Therapy
Why did I study Bowen? Well firstly I had a case of tendonitis in my left shoulder which was too inflamed for physiotherapy. I stumbled across Bowen, had 2 treatments a week apart and it was gone. That simple. Secondly I had carpal tunnel syndrome for 18 months, and received 4 treatments a week apart and it was cleared up. No, I did not change my work habits or have time off. It has not returned and that was 5 years ago. So I thought “this is so good I had better learn it”.
With Bowen the body is treated as a whole, with gentle cross fibre moves at specific points. These are performed in a set sequence with pauses between sets of moves to allow the body time to integrate the moves. It is deceptively simple and extremely effective. Often 2 or 3 consecutive treatments are all that are required; occasionally more are needed, especially if the problem is a long standing one. This lovely treatment affects the whole body by providing complete body balance, balancing energy flow, giving deep relaxation. This stimulates the restoration of balance allowing the body’s own self healing to begin. Bowen Therapy can be given over light clothing, no oils are used. (Yes it is possible to fall asleep whilst having this, I do, frequently!!). Drinking lots of water after treatment is essential to flush out the toxins released. Some of the disorders that can be helped with Bowen Therapy are as follows:- Accident / Sports Injuries
- Neck / Shoulder Tension, Whiplash
- Musculoskeletal Pain and Imbalances
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Tendonitis
- Back Pain / Sciatica
- Stress Disorders
Chakra Massage
I first studied this form of massage not long after I had opened my current clinic. It was totally different from anything else I had learnt. To start with there was nothing concrete to study. I found this extremely strange. The talk was about energies and other things I had no idea about. I was a total fish out of water. Why had my clinical background not given me anything of this? - Maybe a little in the acupressure part and that was linked to acupuncture which was medical wasn’t it? Here I had to work with the unseen, and the very strange. However I had the most profound experience when on the course - I didn’t understand it at the time - then when I offered it in the clinic (hesitantly I must admit), the clients who booked in and received this massage had such profound experiences that I now love doing this very special massage.
I still don’t understand what exactly happens when we work with this, so I will offer the following description: I use the energetic oils from the Aura-Soma chakra range. Each chakra has special oil, each chakra is massaged very lightly with the related oil, beginning with the base chakra and moving up through each until we arrive at the crown. We begin with the back and then when finished we repeat the process on the front of the body. Working with the breath, we breathe out the challenges and holding patterns, and then we breathe in the positives of each chakra. I never know how long exactly this massage will last, as everyone is different, like us, unique.
About Myself
I spent many years working at different jobs doing the usual thing - finding less and less satisfaction with each passing year. I kept thinking there must be more to life than this. Then I heard myself repeating (once again), “I would like to become a massage therapist”. How long had I been saying that and not listening? I don’t know. I had not been listening!! Biting the bullet, so to speak, I kept my day job and enrolled in a part time one year course to study clinical massage for the government recognised Certificate IV. Finally at the end of the year I obtained my certificate. Great! However the job I was doing, left no time for working at anything else, and with 4 children, I became the usual coward and continued in the same field. 4 years later, the children were older, getting on with their lives and I decided to revisit the massage, going back to school and getting the Diploma - this time, full time. I had to leave the job and find anything that would cover the bills and the cost of the course. Yes, hospitality!! Typical student, OK, so I was a bit older...
On receiving the diploma I decided to open my own business, how exciting!! I was fully trained, knew lots, etc. etc. Couldn’t find a nice premise to work from, and then found a new clinic, close to home. Part time, perfect. Then along came the place I’m in now and where I have been for the last 8 years. Was it easy, no! Was it worth it? ... Absolutely! Yes. I love my job and have discovered that I didn’t really know all that much when I had completed my massage course. Every time I learn a new modality I come away thinking “good grief I didn’t know anything about that”. Does this mean that I don’t know what I’m about? No it means that the body we inhabit is the most magical creation and I could study it forever and still learn new stuff. I find that I am becoming more and more focused on relieving pain and am continually studying to find the most effective ways to help my current clients. Who are all, by the way, quite used to me saying “I have just done this fantastic weekend and I really want to use it on you today”. I am so blessed that they all just say “go for it”. I would like to say here a BIG THANKYOU to you all for putting up with all my refining sessions every time. Where would I be without you? What am I currently studying? Ortho-Bionomy, and yes it’s fantastic and no I didn’t know lots of this stuff either. Yes, my clients are letting me refine this as well. Thank you. Life is just fantastic. I don’t anticipate retiring, ever. Well, maybe one day.
My Qualifications
(or The Official Part)
- Diploma of Remedial Massage (Australian School of Therapeutic Massage)
- Health Fund Registration. Work Cover Claims.
- Bowen Therapy Practitioner (International School of Bowen Therapy)
- Bowen Therapy for Children with Special Needs (Howard Plummer, Cardiff, Wales)
- Certificate of Lymphatic Drainage (Weller Institute)
- Chakra Massage with Aura-Soma Oils (Vicki Engham)
- Current Studies: Ortho-Bionomy with the Australian Ortho-Bionomy Association
- Member of AAMT (Australian Association of Massage Therapists)
- Member of BTAV (Bowen Therapist Association of Victoria)
QUALIFICATION DETAILS
Bowen Therapy, Counselling, Lymphatic Drainage, Remedial Massage, Remedial Therapies, Trigger Point Therapy
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