INTRODUCING ADVANCED MASSAGE~

Established in 1994, Advanced Massage has been located in central Auckland, until 2006, when the clinic moved to Pakuranga, a 15 minute drive from central Auckland. The founder of Advanced Massage, Stewart Wild is now in the United States. Marianne Macdonald took over the business in 2003.

Marianne Macdonald MSc:Certified Neuromuscular Therapist, MNZ Registered Remedial Massage Therapist, Dip Ther Massage, NLP Master Practioner, Dip Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapy, MSc., Executive Officer for Massage New Zealand.

Marianne is an expert in her field, trained in a variety of advanced techniques to work with both the body and the mind, to promote optimum health and vitality.

Marianne has a strong scientific background, with both Batchelor's and Master's degrees in biological sciences. After many years in the UK working to improve the lives of animals, a year after coming to New Zealand, Marianne decided to follow her interest in health and healing by training in massage therapy.

The first stage was a Diploma in Therapeutic Massage at Wellpark College in Grey Lynn. After a year’s clinical experience, Marianne studied for a certificate, then later a Diploma in Neuromuscular Therapy, at the New Zealand College of Massage. She is now a Certified Neuromuscular Therapist. After continued evidence of the importance of emotional factors in many physical problems, Marianne trained in Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), allowing her to work with the mind as well as the body, then went on to complete a Diploma in Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapy. This holistic approach, gives results where other therapies have failed.

Marianne has also worked as a phone counsellor for a the children's help-line What's Up!

In her spare time Marianne loves to be in the outdoors, particularly bush running, mountainbiking and whitewater kayaking. She has taken part in multisport racing, including the Coast to Coast and regularly goes orienteering. As well as being the Executive Officer for the massage profession's association, Massage New Zealand, Marianne is on the Board of the animal advocacy group, SAFE and gives talks in schools promoting compassion for animals.

Standards of Practise

It is in your interest to check the qualifications and registration status of your massage therapist. Like other healthcare professions, such as osteopaths and physiotherapists, professional massage therapists will be registered with an association. Massage and Neuromuscular Therapists will be registered with Massage New Zealand (MNZ) . Within MNZ, there are two levels of membership: Certified Massage Therapist (CMT), who is qualified to work using relaxation massage and Remedial Massage Therapist (RMT), who can use both therapeutic and remedial techniques to treat specific problems. Marianne is registered at the higher level RMT status. This qualifies her to provide treatment under the Southern Cross Wellbeing insurance.

Unfortunately there is, at present, no legal requirement for someone who practises massage to be registered, or even in fact to have any training or qualifications whatsoever. Therefore if you want to make sure you are getting a safe and effective treatment, make sure your therapist is qualified.