Northside Massage and Nutrition
Remedial Massage, Nutrition Services and Alternative Therapies
Our Team
Leah Dumas
Remedial Massage Therapist, Clinical Nutritionist and Clinic Director
Leah is a qualified Remedial Massage Therapist who has been practicing since 2005. She is also a qualified Clinical Nutritionist with a degree in Health Science. Leah offers appointments for both Remedial Massage and Nutrition.
* Leah no longer takes new clients for Remedial Massage appointments, however, she is still available for new patients who are wanting a nutrition consult.
Leah moved to Canberra in 2017 from Melbourne where she was born and raised. Leah has spent the past 16 years of practice working in a variety of clinics along side Podiatrists, Chiropractors and Osteopaths in both Melbourne and Canberra.
Remedial Massage:
Leah is experienced in deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, myofascial release and stretching as well as nutritional and lifestyle advice for muscle and joint pain. Leah also specialises in the treatment of headaches and lower back pain. She also enjoys building relationships with a wide variety of clients as well as helping them to create a sense of well-being and rejuvenation.
Leah believes in assessing and treating each client holistically and using appropriate techniques to suit each individual.
Body composition consultations:
Leah offers body composition consultations for anyone who may be wanting to lose weight, build muscle, monitor progress at the gym or just have a general idea of overall health. For more information about body composition consults, check out our nutrition consult information page.
Nutritional consultations:
Leah offers holistic nutritional consultations for weight loss, follow up from body composition consultations, immune function, gastrointestinal disorders, heart health, sleep issues and general health and well-being plus many others. Leah also offers nutritional genetic testing which is known as Nutrigenomics. To find out more about Nutrigenomics or how a nutrition consultation could help you, visit our nutrition information page.
Leah works on Monday doing Nutrition Consults and Tuesday - Friday for Remedial Massage.
Leigh Reid
Remedial Massage Therapist, Reiki Practitioner and Bush Flower Essences Practitioner
Leigh is a qualified remedial massage therapist who has been practicing since 2006. She has qualifications in sports, deep tissue, remedial, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, pregnancy, reiki and Australian bush flower essences. Leigh is also qualified to practice dry needling. She has also taught Swedish massage, anatomy and physiology and supervised student massage clinics.
Leigh has a particular interest in treating patients as a whole and believes that nothing happens in the body in isolation. She enjoys working with clients suffering from chronic conditions and prides herself in being able to walk the line between providing an effective remedial massage that also leaves the client feeling relaxed and refreshed.
Leigh will tailor particular treatments to a client's needs and wants, and understands that every body responds differently to each particular treatment. She enjoys working with the client to obtain the best possible outcome for them in the space and time allowed.
*Leigh no longer accepts new clients for Remedial Massage appointments.
Leigh works on Thursdays and Fridays.
Mary Nougher
Therapeutic Massage Therapist, Manual Lymphatic Drainage Practitioner,
Oncology Massage Practitioner and Reiki Master
Mary has been a qualified massage therapist and Reiki practitioner since 2014 and has specific training in both oncology massage and manual lymphatic drainage.
Mary is able to offer appointments for Therapeutic Massage, Oncology Massage, Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Reiki or a wonderful combination of all!
Oncology Massage:
Oncology Massage is a specialised, gentle and safe form of massage therapy that is modified to meet the specific and ongoing needs of someone currently undergoing cancer treatment or with a history of cancer. A traditional, remedial style massage involving deep tissue techniques or cupping may often be far too much for your body to cope with while undergoing treatment and beyond. Oncology massage uses gentle massage and mobilisation of the fascia, which allows the muscles to relax, easing pain and stress. Research has shown that this gentler approach is often just as beneficial for pain management and is much kinder to your body while it undergoes treatment and many changes during this period.
Oncology massage can also be combined with manual lymphatic drainage to assist in lymphoedema, a common side effect of surgery and treatment.
Manual lymphatic drainage:
Manual lymphatic drainage is a gentle, rhythmic massage that enhances the flow of lymph through the body, removing toxins, releasing pain, reducing swelling and improving immunity. Most of the lymphatic fluid sits just under the surface of the skin so the gentle pressure and direction of the massage is very specific. It is useful for treating a wide range of health issues, such as migraines, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, fluid retention, oedema, sports injuries, sinus pain and hay fever and is beneficial pre and post surgery.
Reiki:
Reiki, pronounced ‘ray-key’, is often described as “life force energy” or “spiritual energy”. It is a natural, gentle yet powerful form of healing therapy that aims to increase energy levels, promote relaxation and wellbeing and enhance the body’s natural healing ability. Reiki aims to rebalance the body’s energy flow. A simple way to explain this is by comparing the body’s energy to a river. Our energy should flow easily down through the body. In the river analogy, a pebble, or even a rock, will fall into the river and make the flow of the water a little more difficult. These pebbles are akin to human worries, fears and anger. Each pebble builds on top of the other and soon there is only a trickle of water running in the once free flowing riving. A reiki treatment helps the body rebalance, and allows the flow of energy once again.
After a big career change from an administrative background, Mary feels like she’s “come home” to working in this incredible field. “I absolutely love what I do, and the changes I see in people after receiving massage, lymphatic drainage or Reiki is so rewarding. It never ceases to amaze me when clients say “wow, my pain has gone!”
Mary currently offers appointments most weeks between Monday-Wednesday but also provides mobile massage to vulnerable clients so please contact her on 0418 575 840 for appointments at Northside Massage Clinic. Alternatively you can book online below.
Mary’s treatments are not eligible for health insurance rebates.
Karen deWeerdt
Remedial Massage Therapist
Karen is a qualified Remedial Massage Therapist who has been practicing since 2017. Previous to this she was in the military for 15 years.
Karen moved to Canberra in 2019 from Darwin and many places before that supporting her husband in the military. Karen has spent the past 5 years of working in a variety of positions including volunteering at Palliative Care at Royal Darwin Hospital, along side Physiotherapists within a clinic environment, dabbled in corporate massage while running a massage business from home.
She has qualifications in relaxation, sports, deep tissue, remedial, trigger point therapy and vacuum cupping. Karen has helped clients in the past with plantar fasciitis, migraines / headaches and lower back pain. She enjoys being able to help people feel the best they can.
Karen’s treatments are eligible for health insurance rebates with all major health funds including ADF Family Health Fund Card.
Karen works on Thursdays.
Sarah Flenley
Remedial Massage Therapist
Sarah Flenley is a qualified remedial massage therapist.
Sarah loves nothing more than providing massages that support her clients to let go of the stressors of daily life. She has worked in high pressure environments in the corporate, non-profit and government sector so she understands the toll this can take on your body.
She likes to get to know her clients as every body is different and requires individual attention. Clients like her warm and friendly nature where they feel at ease to share what is going on in their bodies and can surrender to the healing process.
Sarah likes to keep fit and looks after her own health and wellbeing. She moved to Canberra in 2021 after living in far north Queensland for almost 20 years and has adapted well to the cold. She loves walking with her dog Albert, working in agriculture and the Australian bush.
Sarah works on Saturdays.
Hua Fang
Remedial Massage Therapist
Hua has had 10 years of experience practicing Chinese massage here in Australia. He has now almost completed his Remedial Massage qualification at Evolve College here in Canberra. Hua will finish his Diploma of Remedial Massage in April 2024 and will be available for private health rebates shortly after.
Hua is originally from China and moved to Australia 12 years ago. He initially lived in Melbourne where he met his wife and then they decided to move to Canberra around 6 years ago. Hua and his wife have two little boys and he loves spending his spare time in the kitchen cooking for his family and enjoys that his kids love his food!
Hua believes that a healthy body is very important for daily life and he likes playing sports and going to the gym 3-4 times a week.
Hua works on Mondays from 4:30pm - 7:30pm and Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:30am - 7:30pm
