Pretzel Massage and Bodywork

05/01/2026

Heard of Sea Moss? No? Where have you been?

I’m officially back from leave tomorrow, but jumping on here early to let you know I’m now stocking Nature’s Farmer Sea Moss gels (see what they did there?).

This is my first time bringing Sea Moss into the space, and I’m excited to be a new stockist.

If you’re curious, message me or pop in for a chat — I might even have a sample jar open for you to try.

If you’d like a little sneaky info session before tasting, you can check out their website here:

👉https://www.naturesfarmersea.com/

23/12/2025

As the year winds down and we head into Christmas and the New Year, I’ve been taking a quiet moment to reflect.

Bungendore has a population of around 5,000 people. To date, 591 locals have walked through my door and trusted me with their bodies; for pain relief, recovery, rest, or simply some time to breathe.

That number doesn’t include Canberra, Braidwood, Sutton, Queanbeyan and beyond - just locals.

My maths isn’t great, but isn’t that roughly 1 in 8 Bungendoreans?

I don’t prescribe weekly or fortnightly appointments.
I don’t pressure people to rebook.
Instead, I keep emergency appointments aside for when people really need them, and encourage everyone to listen to their body and come when the time feels right.

Don’t get me wrong — my business thrives largely because people do choose to book weekly, fortnightly, monthly, and beyond. But that’s because it’s their preference, and because they action what their body is asking for - not because they’ve been pushed.

Most of my days fill only a couple of days ahead, and I’m okay with that.

A large number of you come through because:
• someone treated you to a voucher
• you were celebrating a birthday
• or because someone booked you in as a suprise

This year, I’ve also started stocking a small range of products that I genuinely use myself and can confidently recommend. My space is tiny, so I haven’t been able to keep up with demand in the way I’d like. Storage is limited, and things sell out faster than I expect.

What has meant the most is how many of you have trusted my recommendations and are patient enough to wait for re-stock. You don’t even mind quietly collecting your goodies while I’m in a session with another client.

I’m already seeing repeat purchases, and people buying for friends and family because they’ve tried something and loved it. That kind of trust doesn’t go unnoticed.

As we head into a new year, I just want to say thank you.

Thank you for supporting my small business, for valuing thoughtful care, and for allowing me to do work I truly love in this community.

In any other town, the way I do business might not have worked. It's the people of Bungendore who have made all the difference.

Mel
Pretzel Massage & Bodywork

20/12/2025

🎄 The Easiest Christmas Gift (That Never Misses) 🎄

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No queues. No guesswork. No awkward returns.
Just a beautiful gift of rest, care, and wellbeing.

🎁 Purchase here:
👉 https://pretzelmassageandbodywork.gettimely.com

Thank you for supporting my small local business this Christmas — it truly means the world.

16/12/2025

They're BAAAAACK!

I promise I'll have some more soon! I'm told they should be with me before Friday. Drop me a message if you'd like me to hold one for you.

Thank you for trusting my little business with the health of your skin, Bungendore!

10/12/2025

They sold out before I could even tell you about them… but they’re finally back on the shelves.

The EcoVibes Silk Exfoliating Body Glove (and the matching face mitt and long back scrubber) vanished almost immediately the first time I stocked them. I didn’t even get a chance to advertise them.

If you haven’t tried a silk exfoliating glove before, here’s why they’ve become such a quiet obsession:

• Painless, effortless exfoliation – no gritty scrubs or harsh mitts; just gentle friction that lifts away dead skin.
• Oddly satisfying results – those little grey “worms” of dead skin rolling away… gross, but absolutely addictive.
• Great for circulation and lymphatic flow – a simple weekly routine that pairs beautifully with massage.
• Reusable and eco-friendly – no microbeads, no waste.

They are now back in stock and on the shelf at Pretzel. If you missed out last time, now’s the moment.

If you’d like me to put one aside, just let me know.

02/12/2025

I promise I'll have some more soon! I'm told they should be with me before Friday. Drop me a message if you'd like me to hold one for you.

Thank you for trusting my little business with the health of your skin, Bungendore!

01/12/2025

UPDATE: You absolute legends… PEAK Massage Guns = SOLD OUT!

I honestly didn’t expect them to disappear this quickly.

If you missed out, don’t worry… another order has already been placed and should arrive by the end of this week.

I’ll post the second they land so you can grab one before they wander off again (and yes… I’ll hide one aside for anyone who already messaged me)

Thanks for supporting the little Pretzel shop — you make my day, truly.

28/11/2025

New at Pretzel!

I’m chuffed to bits to share that Pretzel is now an official stockist of the beautiful Naturopathic Alchemy Botanical Body Oils. These are Australian-made, small-batch, and full of real ingredients — no department-store fillers, no synthetic nonsense… just honest, gorgeous, plant-based goodness.

I currently have:
* Elderflower & French Pear
* Nova
* Chai
* Verbena & Lemon
* Eucalyptus & Mint

They make the perfect Christmas gift — thoughtful, natural, beautifully packaged, and something people will actually use and love. Perfect for teachers, besties, mums, sisters, or a little treat for yourself because… well, why not?

You can grab one at your next appointment (they are selling fast, so message me if you want me to hold one aside!).
If you’re local and not due in soon, just reach out. I can organise a quick drop-off or pick-up time.

Also a great price at $55 to $59 a bottle.

26/11/2025

Most people think remedial massage is all about pressure.

But pressure and depth aren’t the same thing.

Pressure is force - something you apply to the body.
Depth is connection - something you move with.

You can press hard and still be completely superficial.

And you can work deeply with almost no effort at all…
if the tissue lets you in.

The real magic happens when a body starts to trust the contact.

When pace, angle, intention, and breath all line up.
That’s when layers open.
That’s when change happens.
That’s when a client walks out feeling different, not just “pressed.”

This is the part of massage I love.
The quiet conversation happening under the skin — the part you can’t fake.

If you’ve ever wondered why Pretzel Massage feels different…
this is why.

25/11/2025

MY BELOVED BANG GUN… IT’S NOT YOU, IT’S ME 💔

People often ask me two questions:

“Who massages you?”

“How do your hands even cope doing this job?”

The honest answer?

My Bonus Boys (my preferred name for my stepsons) gave me the incredible BANG gun three years ago… and that thing has been an absolute life saver. Truly. My tension pattern lives where my neck meets my shoulders, and then,like most massage therapists, right through my fingers, thumbs and wrists.

This big fella has travelled everywhere with me since the day I unwrapped it. It’s practically been part of the family.

But… all good things eventually reach their “it’s not you, it’s me” moment.
And for BANG, that time has come.

Because along came PEAK.
A third of the size.
Lightweight.
Somehow even more powerful.
And, most importantly… I can carry it easily everywhere I go.

I use PEAK the same way I used BANG:

* cupped hands resting on the ball attachment (though it comes with interchangeable heads)

* glutes + forearms after the gym or long walks (I almost wrote “after running” but… come on. You know me. Let’s not pretend.)

* neck + shoulders when I start to feel that familiar creep of tension

Anyway, I couldn’t resist the upgrade. And I’m glad I didn’t.

If you’re someone who finds yourself counting down the days between sessions with your bodywork professional of choice, these really do help push you a little further between visits.

They’re available at Pretzel Massage & Bodywork for $180 — and honestly, worth every penny.

If you want to try mine before you buy, just ask. I promise I’ll share.

18/11/2025

16/11/2025

TUTTOFARE AT PRETZEL!

You probably know I only ever stock products I actually use myself. If it’s not on my own shelf, it’s not going on yours - simple as that.

It’s also why I rarely stock entire ranges… only the things that genuinely earn their place.

After a few months of testing, tapping, and (embarassingly) admiring my own face, I’m officially stocking Roman Blue Tallow – Tuttofare Tallow Balm.

Fine lines? Practically gone.
Pimples? Gone.
Redness? Gone.
Dry patches and tightness? Gone.

And the biggest shock? I’ve gone from three serums/oils, an eye cream, and a moisturiser… to just this balm. I even ditched my primer and my makeup goes on smoother, sits better, and lasts until I take it off.

I’m genuinely thrilled that Tuttofare have approved me as a distributor.

And this is only the beginning.

Over the next few months I’ll be rolling out a few more simple, beautiful products I personally use and love. No fluff. No hype. Just things that work.

If you’d like to try the Roman Blue tallow balm, send me a message or grab one at your next Pretzel appointment. Your skin will thank you later.

— Mel 💛