Mark Furzer

How long have you been practising Massage Therapy?

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I have been massaging for 8 ½ years.  I began working as a warm-up therapist for Chris Charlton at Castlecrag Chiropractic in April 2016.  The experience gained by working with Chris enabled me to build & expand on my working knowledge and treatment methods for the musculoskeletal system. 

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I started working with Chris straight after completing my diploma of remedial massage which entailed full time study for 12 months.  I have subsequently completed advance diploma workshops on dry needling which gave me a very high working knowledge of the human anatomy, not only the musculoskeletal system but understanding of all the vital structures throughout the human body including the nervous system and circulatory system.

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Every year as part of my membership with the Association of Massage Therapists (AMT) I am required to conduct my own continuing education in related fields.   The areas the I am most drawn to in my ongoing education are neuroanatomy, pain science (particularly the role of the brain in determining sensory output) understanding of degenerative diseases as well as a developing interest in autoimmune conditions.

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Who are your ideal customers?

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I enjoy working with people of all ages, body types and conditions.  No two bodies are completely alike and there is not a one size fits all approach for each person. 

I love to problem solve to help relieve people of their pain, discomfort and lack of mobility, however I understand remedial massage is not a magic wand and that other modalities may be required, of which I am always happy to refer if I feel that the presenting condition is beyond what massage is capable of remedying.  

While we are all fundamentally aware of the mind/body connection, I have learnt that the depth of that entanglement is at times indiscernible.  

There is a huge correlation between how we view our bodies and how in turn our bodies feel to us.

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Why do you think your clients keep coming back and booking a massage with you? 

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I believe people book in for a massage with me because hopefully they see that I care. 

I like to build relationships with each of my clients and through that relationship not only build trust but also a deeper understanding of the presenting condition via a knowledge of other extenuating factors.  

While I am more than happy to have a chat or listen to whatever people have on their minds during our sessions (sometimes people just want to off load and that is just fine with me), I am also very happy if people just want some quiet time and hopefully,

I can discern exactly the type of session each client needs.

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What is your favourite aspect of being a massage therapist?

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I love most aspects of being a massage therapist but my favourite part is the relationships I get to develop with most of my clients. 

Of course it’s wonderful to be able to help and care for people with what-ever is ailing them, but to have such a diverse range of people coming to see me from teenagers through to those in their 90’s, people from all walk of life, office workers, tradies, retirees.   

I treat elite athletes and weekend warriors alike.  I see marathon runners, park runners, casual runners, rugby and soccer players, golfers, lawn bowlers, boot campers, gym goers, swimmers, cricketers, surfers and tennis players. 

I treat people who over exercise, under exercise, clients who sit too much because of work and I also do pregnancy massage. 

I treat post operative clients, clients with ongoing issues of fluid retention, tendinopathies, bursitis, shin splints, osgood-schlatters, growing pains, strained muscles, recovery from torn muscles, muscle sore from overuse, headaches, migraines, sciatica, the multitude of symptoms caused from menopause, clients with osteopenia or osteoporosis just to name some. 

In all I love not only the variety of conditions but the fantastic variety of people I get to meet each day.

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What are you most proud of personally or professionally?

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I am most proud of my family and so happy to be a part of their daily lives. 

I am always proud of the work I do in terms of giving each day and each client 100% of my focus and energy. 

I have always tried to maintain the highest ethical standards and while this can sometimes be subjective, I believe for the most part I achieve this.

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What is something about you that people may not know?

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Some clients may know this already, but I am a very avid and dedicated meditator and have been practicing mindfulness techniques daily for the past 25 years. 

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What do you do in your spare time?

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I love playing tennis with friends as well as some competition tennis. I have always loved walking and while I have done various treks and hikes over the years, these days my walking is confined to taking our little Cavoodle Ernie for a neighbourhood stroll.

I was a landscape gardener for many years, and I have rediscovered my love for the garden.

I get enormous joy from pottering around the garden on a Sunday morning.

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What is your current favorite song/TV series/Books?

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I really don’t have any current favorite songs, but I have always been a massive Beatles fan!

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In terms of TV, I've enjoyed anything science fiction but recently I’ve come to enjoy true crime shows.

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I am an avid (yet very slow) reader and while I in my youth enjoyed fantasy and science fiction, I have now become a bit more eclectic with what I read and have been given great book suggestions from my clients over the years whether it be historical, historical fiction, self-help, true crime, classic literature, philosophy and even horror.

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