The Bodyneed Team

Karen Finlayson - Director

Karen Finlayson Dip.TM (Sports), BA
I had a dream to create a space for massage therapists to flourish and be able to practice their skills in a mentored and supported environment. I also wanted to spread the word about how brilliant massage can be - massage that made a difference to people's lives and the greater community.
It has been wonderful to see that dream become a reality.

Judith Reutlinger

Judith Reutlinger Dip.TM (Sports)
Specialist areas - Remedial and Sports Massage, overuse syndromes(RSI, OOS), Pregnancy, Womens health.

My journey began with the arrival of my 3 children (thankfully not all at once!). Until then I had never thought consciously about touch and what it means to us. Sometime later, I read an interview with a man who had suffered from schizophrenia for many years. It was his opinion that for people to stay mentally healthy it was necessary to be spoken to and to be touched 10 times per day by another human being. Not being particularly good with words, I thought I could try to help people with the touch part of this equation.

Lisa Wade

Lisa Wade Dip.TM (Sports)
Specialist areas - Remedial and Sports Massage, Trigger Point Therapy.

I have enjoyed an active life working in many diverse roles from dairy farming to corporate to professional yachtswoman. I have spent most of my life pushing my physical and mental barriers and have relied on the skills and expertise of many great therapists to keep me going...this is where my passion for soft tissue therapy began, on the table.
I am still working towards my degree and as the journey continues the passion and belief that these therapies can really enhance a person's quality of life deepen and grow.

Sandra Storz

Sandra Storz ND(Hons), Physio
Specialist areas - Remedial and Sports Massage, Trigger Point Therapy, Reflexology, Naturopathy, Sports Nutrition.

My dream of living in a different culture with a different language brought me to the beautiful skies of Aotearoa.
I have been with Bodyneed for 5 years part time while building my Naturopathy business. It has been an amazing and enjoyable time, seeing bodyneed grow and strive for high standards in the massage industry. Although my main area of interest moved to the field of Naturopathy, I love to continue doing massage work, as a good ‘hands-on' modality to satisfy my ‘Physio tooth'.

Ellen Pope

ellen pope.jpg BHS (Massage and Neuromuscular Therapies) Dip.Clinical Sports Therapy
Specialist areas - Remedial and Sports Massage, Trigger Point Therapy, Neuromuscular Therapy, Pregnancy Massage, Neck and Back Injury/Rehab

I became interested in massage while rowing as a NZ Rep. at the NZ Academy in Karapiro. At this time, I developed ongoing back pain. After trying numerous therapies a massage therapist found the source of the problem. From then on I was inspired to help people the way he helped me.
The basis of my massage style is specific clinical therapeutic work without losing sight of the mind and body as a whole.

Ross Thomson

ross thomson.jpg Dip.TM (Sports)
Specialist areas: Clinical Therapeutic Massage, Sports Massage, Trigger Point Therapy.

My early work career spanned a range of engineering disciplines where stress & fatigue were often 'part of the job'. Through these times, I became passionate about promoting a more healthy approach to work/life.
Having qualified in 2003 at the NZCM as a massage therapist, then spending the last two years at Ponsonby Physio, along with having my own workplace wellness company, Joyworkz, I am more convinced that the key to a healthy work life is achieved through a much more holistic approach. Part of this approach includes regular massage.


Megan Whitefield

Dip.TM (Sports)
Specialist areas: Clinical Therapeutic Massage, Sports Massage, Trigger Point Therapy

Since leaving school I've always wanted to do massage, but like every Kiwi, I left to do my OE first. After working for a few years as a snowboard instructor I still felt unsatisfied with my career choice. So upon my return to New Zealand I enrolled at New Zealand College of Massage and loved it.
I'm really into sports and play premier netball in Auckland.
As for massage, I love the challenge of relieving soft tissue discomfort and treating tigger points. I use a range of techniques to get results including; neuromuscular therapy (NMT), soft tissue therapy (STT), muscle energy techique (MET).

Shelley Bickerton

Dip.TM
Specialist areas: Clinical Therapeutic Massage, Trigger Point Therapy

I got into massage as I have always wanted to help facilitate positive changes in people through touch.
So when I found out about massage and the difference it could make to peoples lives/mind/bodies, I was immediately hooked - and have been ever since.
I am enjoying the challenges from each client I am treating here at Bodyneed and loving the positive results I am creating.

Ree O'Hagan - Physio

B Phty, MNZSP, Polester Pilates Rehabilitation. Cert

Specialist Areas: Biomechanical asessment and correction, combining manual therapy and movement therapy as well as postural re-education, spinal rehabilitation, pre/post natal and correct breathing, Clinical Pilates

I have 10 years experience in both physiotherapy and pilates based rehabilitation and I am passionate about promoting a "healthy mind - healthy body" message through a team approach to wellness.

Stacey Law - Physio

BHSc (Physio), MNZSP, Clinical Pilates Instructor, Post Graduate Certified (Exercise for women)

Specialist Areas: Sports & Rehab physiotherapy, Womens Health, Trigger Point Dry Needling, Clinical Pilates

I come to Bodyneed from a background in sports & rehab physiotherapy, having worked with some of New Zealand's top athletes as well as patients with lower back and neck pain.
I have a special interest in womens health issues, including pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic pain and antenatal/postnatal issues. I am continuing with my postgraduate study in this field via The University of Melbourne.
I am a qualified Clinical Pilates instructor and enjoy using Pilates as part of my treatments.
What I love the most about being a physio is being able to improve my clients body awareness and give them the skills to maximise their full potential!

Annalees Jones - Physio

BHSc (Physio), MNZSP, Post Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation (in progress)

Specialist Areas: Functional Rehabilitation, Clinical Pilates, Acute and Chronic Injury rehabilitation

My area of expertise is acute injuries and chronic conditions of all kinds with a particularly strong focus on functional rehabilitation.
I am nearing the end of a Post-graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation at AUT and have gain a much deeper understanding of many facets of rehabilitation - social, emotional, occupational, psychological and physical.

I am passionate about physio as I really enjoy working with a client to problem solve the many issues that come from an injury or condition.

Miwa Machida

Dip.TM
Specialist areas: Therapeutic and Relaxation Massage, Reflexology, Stress Management, Nutrition.

I am a specialist in deep tissue and therapeutic massage. In 2001 I studied natural therapies at the Canterbury College of Natural Medicine before travelling to Hawaii to learn Hawaiian Lomilomi Massage.  I have also studied Reflexology in Japan - my homeland.
My treatment has a holistic approach working with the entire body, including understanding emotional states and physical wellbeing. I seek to balance the body, mind and being as one.
I can consult with you concerning nutrition choices and lifestyle changes to improve your happy quality of life.

Chris Hammer - Operations Manager/Promotions/Marketing

I have had many managerial positions ranging from retail to hospitality, entertainment to large corporate organisations in New Zealand and Europe. This role within Bodyneed is mainly ‘behind the scenes' and making sure everything runs as smooth as possible.
I mainly look after promotions/marketing, design, website managment, reception cover, clinic maintenance and communications.
Bodyneed is a fantastic company that really cares - for that, I am very proud to be a part of it!
All I want to achieve, is that, every therapist and the massage community is recognised and respected. Full stop!
I love it when people leave Bodyneed happy and enjoying life again, nothing can beat that satisfaction.