Remedial massage in Ainslie, Canberra - tailored treatments to relieve pain, support recovery, and help you move and feel better in your body.
New prices effective 1 April 2026
30 min $90 | 45 min $120 | 60 min $140 | 90 min $200
I offer remedial, sports, relaxation, and pregnancy massage from my home-based clinic in Ainslie, Canberra. Each treatment is tailored to your body, your goals, and how you are feeling on the day.
My focus is on helping you move and feel better — reducing pain, easing muscular tension, improving mobility, and supporting recovery. Treatments are grounded in evidence-informed practice and delivered with care, attention, and over 24 years of clinical experience.
Whether you are managing ongoing pain, recovering from injury, or simply needing space to unwind, treatments are adapted to meet you where you are.
The clinic offers a quiet, supportive environment where you can feel comfortable and at ease. Your preferences, comfort, and goals are always respected.
Health fund rebates are available, with HICAPS and EFTPOS for your convenience. Credit cards, including Amex, are accepted.
I am an experienced remedial massage therapist with over 24 years in practice. My work is grounded in a strong understanding of musculoskeletal health, injury management, and the connection between the body and nervous system.
I have experience working with a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, sports injuries, and neurological presentations. My approach is calm, attentive, and responsive, adapting to how your body feels on any given day.
You can expect thoughtful, professional care in a space where your comfort and well-being are always prioritised.
Administrative support is provided by Matt Robertson (my partner), who assists with bookings and general enquiries. All treatments are provided by me.
The clinic is located on the traditional land of the Ngunnawal people. I respectfully honour their Elders, past, present, and emerging, and acknowledge their ongoing connection to Country.
This is a space where you are welcome, just as you are. I respect people of all genders, sexual identities, neurotypes, and cultural backgrounds. If there is anything that would help you feel more comfortable or supported, please let me know.
If you are feeling unwell, please cancel and reschedule your appointment - no fees will be applied for cancellations due to illness.
No.
Massage does not flush toxins from the body. Your liver, kidneys, lungs, skin, and lymphatic system naturally handle detoxification.
Massage supports circulation and lymph flow, but there’s no scientific evidence that it removes specific “toxins.”
What it does do is calm your nervous system, improve blood flow, and help regulate pain and stress (Mak et al., 2024; Ingraham, 2025; AMT, 2024).
Yes — in a gentle, physiological way.
Massage can stimulate lymph flow, reduce mild fluid retention, and support immune function, particularly when performed with light, rhythmic techniques.
However, lymphatic drainage is not detoxification, and it should never replace medical care for lymphoedema or infection.
Studies show that massage can enhance short-term lymphatic movement and comfort, but it doesn’t permanently alter immune processes (Keter et al., 2025; AMT, 2024).
No.
Massage cannot physically “break down” tissues.
The sensation of release occurs because changes in pressure and movement alter how your nervous system interprets tension and pain, allowing muscles to relax.
This is referred to as neuro-modulation, not mechanical breakdown (Ingraham, 2025; Keter et al., 2025).
No.
Lactic acid isn’t to blame for post-exercise soreness — it clears from muscles within an hour of activity.
DOMS (delayed-onset muscle soreness) is caused by micro-inflammation and neural sensitisation, not acid buildup.
Massage can reduce DOMS symptoms and improve recovery by influencing the nervous and vascular systems, not by “flushing out” lactic acid (Dakic et al., 2023; Alabed et al., 2020).
Yes.
Multiple studies have shown that massage increases heart rate variability and reduces blood pressure and cortisol levels, indicating parasympathetic activation (Isar et al., 2022; Estêvão Rios Monteiro et al., 2025).
This explains the deep calm and improved sleep many clients experience afterwards.
Massage may indirectly support immune health by reducing chronic stress and improving sleep — both of which enhance immune resilience.
However, no evidence suggests that massage directly increases immune cell counts or prevents illness.
Its benefits are through the stress–immune connection, not immune “stimulation” (Mak et al., 2024; AMT, 2024).
Hydration is always good, but you don’t need to “flush out toxins” because massage doesn’t create or release them.
Water helps prevent post-massage soreness by maintaining circulation and supporting the body’s normal balance (Ingraham, 2025).
Massage can gently stimulate the nervous system and release stored muscle tension.
Mild soreness or emotional release can occur as the body relaxes and recalibrates.
This is a normal, temporary response, not toxin release or emotional “purge.”
Gentle stretching, water, and rest help the body settle (Keter et al., 2025; PainScience, 2025).
Not necessarily.
Research shows that both firm and gentle massage can be beneficial. The key is comfort and safety — excessive pressure can activate stress responses and increase muscle guarding.
Optimal depth is the one your body perceives as soothing rather than painful (Keter et al., 2025; Ingraham, 2025).
That depends on your goals:
For stress and wellbeing: every 3–4 weeks or as needed.
For chronic tension or pain, use weekly or fortnightly until symptoms ease, then maintain.
For sports recovery: around training or events.
Your therapist can help you find the ideal rhythm for your body’s needs (AMT, 2024).
Peer-Reviewed Sources
Alabed, S., Davis, H. L., & Chico, T. J. A. (2020). Effect of sports massage on performance and recovery: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 6(1), e000614. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2019-000614
Dakic, M., Toskic, L., Ilic, V., Duric, S., Dopsaj, M., & Simenko, J. (2023). The effects of massage therapy on sport and exercise performance: A systematic review. Sports, 11(6), 110. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports11060110
Estevão Rios Monteiro, L. M., Martins Aguilera, L., Ruá-Alonso, M., da Silva Araujo, G., Correa Neto, V. G., Bentes, C. M., & Marchetti, P. H. (2025). Effect of manual massage, foam rolling, and strength training on hemodynamic and autonomic responses in adults: A scoping review. Healthcare, 13(12), 1371. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13121371
Isar, N. E., Zikri, M. H. A. H., & Ong, M. L. Y. (2022). Acute massage stimulates parasympathetic activation after a single exhaustive muscle contraction exercise. Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies, 30, 105–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2022.02.016
Keter, D. L., Bialosky, J. E., Brochetti, K., Courtney, C. A., Funabashi, M., Karas, S., et al. (2025). The mechanisms of manual therapy: A living review of systematic, narrative, and scoping reviews. PLOS ONE, 20(3), e0319586. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0319586
Mak, S., Allen, J., Begashaw, M., Miake-Lye, I., Beroes-Severin, J., De Vries, G., Lawson, E., & Shekelle, P. G. (2024). Use of massage therapy for pain, 2018–2023: A systematic review. JAMA Network Open, 7(7), e2821154. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.22259
Ntoumas, I., Karatzaferi, C., & Christoforos, D. (2025). The impact of relaxation massage prior to bedtime on sleep quality and quantity in people with symptoms of chronic insomnia: A home-based sleep study. Healthcare, 13(2), 180. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13020180
Giannaki, F., Papanikolaou, F., Dardiotis, E., Lavdas, E., & Sakkas, G. K. (2025). Massage positively influences daytime brain activity and reduces daytime napping latency in poor sleepers: A randomised trial. BMC Complementary Medicine & Therapies, 25, 290. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-05022-6
Professional Evidence Summaries (Contextual Sources)
Association of Massage Therapists (AMT). (2024). Benefits of massage. https://www.amt.org.au/massage-and-you/benefits-of-massage.html
Ingraham, P. (2025, 28 March). Massage Therapy: Does it work? A review of the science of massage therapy … such as it is. PainScience.com. https://www.painscience.com/articles/does-massage-work.php
