Massage Works Dandenong Ranges

13/02/2026

Master Yang at Calligraphy Health
https://www.facebook.com/share/1C9rhtoRpT/

29/01/2026

5 Star Google Review, Lisa, June 2025

I went to Simon 2 weeks ago with a chronic shoulder issue that I have carried for many years, and have had massage, chiro etc gaining temporary relief sometimes, but the pain always returned with vengeance days later.

I saw Simon for a second time this week, and I cannot believe the range of motion I now have in my shoulder, and the pain has gone from a 10/10 to about a 2/10.

He also picked up a discrepancy in my legs, one was longer than the other, causing my hips and everything else to be out of alignment, hence the pain I was feeling in other areas of my body also. So, not only did he work on my shoulder, but he may have just found the source to all my issues for the last 20 plus years.

My hips are now not in pain like they were prior to seeing Simon, and neither are my other joints, that were just mild pain in comparison to my shoulder. I don’t know of anyone else that has studied this short leg issue, and can explain how that affects the rest of the body, putting everything out of balance.

If you have any issue going on in your body, I highly recommend going to see him, I guarantee he will find the source of your pain and you will walk out of there feeling like a million bucks.

I’ve finally found someone that fixes issues at the source, rather than just a bandaid fix. And bonus for me, is that he is not too far from home either.

Highly highly recommend
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

And P.S I’ve booked my husband in for a session with him tomorrow as I’m confident he will sort out his pain also, and I’ve booked myself in for a follow up appointment next week. 🙌

29/01/2026

5 Star Google Review, Elisa, August 2025

I have been dealing with chronic pain in my shoulder blade, shoulder, arm and wrist since 2020. I visited numerous myotherapists, physiotherapists and chiropractors weekly for years, and have had some ‘quit’ on me saying they were unable to help.

Simon has been helping me since March and I have not felt that good in a really long time.

He is extremely knowledgeable, and has comprehensive information on a broad range of treatments. When Simon believes something new will be helpful, he researches it to apply the techniques successfully. I have been visiting Simon weekly and cannot recommend his services enough. We always have a nice and uplifting conversation during our sessions, and I leave his studio feeling energised and relaxed.

Thank you heaps, Simon!

29/01/2026

5 Star Google review, Nigel, November 2025

I am a 47 year old who started getting severe shoulder pain and stiffness that came out of the blue one day. I went to a doctor who diagnosed me with a frozen shoulder but thought there may be more too it. The doctor sent me off for a MRI which unveiled I was suffering from a full thickness tear in my shoulder extending into my bicep, a labrel tear, a rotator cuff tear as well as the frozen shoulder. I ended up at an orthopaedic surgeon who suggested a hydra dilation injection as well as possible surgery.

I was in such pain that I was taking celebrex daily during the day, and at nights I was on oxycodone to help me sleep as I hadn't barely slept in weeks due to the pain. I was on these painkillers for months.

I wasn't keen on either of the surgeons suggestions so that's when I found Simon online - and I'm so glad I did. Even after the first visit to Simon, I had some easing of the pain and also increased movement in my arm. He used a few different techniques on me including: remedial therapy, shoulder treatment protocol, chinese cupping and Gua Sha.

All I can say is Simon is a genius.

After a few visits, I am totally pain free not taking anymore pain killers at all as well as my range of shoulder movement almost back to normal. I can't thank Simon enough from saving me from having to endure an evasive procedure in shoulder surgery.

Can't recommend Simon enough.

28/01/2026

Rate Change effective from 1 February 2026

Sport, Relaxation, Craniosacral Therapy, Lymphatic Drainage and Remedial Massage Therapy

$90 for 60min
$130 for 90min

Initial Remedial session charge is $130

Corporate and Government accounts $100 for 60min

History: Three years ago I dropped rates from $85 to $60 for the hour due to the Cost of Living Crisis impacting many of my clients. Rates have subsequently been increased in stages to $75 and now $90.

Considering inflationary effects, this does not yet fully reinstate fees to pre-Crisis levels but that is OK. It does represent a considerable discount over other Remedial Massage rates of $115 hourly in this area. Google stating rates are typically $100 to $120.

Price is not necessarily a gauge of knowledge, experience or ability.

Simon Crittenden
Remedial Massage Therapist
Member of Massage & Myotherapy Australia

mbl 0416 268 255

https://www.massageworksdandenongranges.com.au/
https://critsvcs.wixsite.com/shortrightleg

Massage Works Dandenong Ranges
158 Emerald-Monbulk Rd
Emerald VIC 3782

10:30am - 7:00pm Mon, Tues, Thur & Fri
10:30am - 6:00pm Sat

01/01/2026

It's large proportions and dramatic decoration does not convey the sense of peace and tranquillity experienced in this temple.

26/10/2025

Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendonitis, Hamstring and Gluteal Dysfunction, Sciatic Pain - Underlying Causation from Energetic Qi Flow Blockage at the Pelvis

Plantar Fasciitis is a thickening and tightening of the connective tissue in the bottom of the foot causing pain about the Calcaneus at the heel. It is not always debilitating and may waft and wane as activity levels vary. Acute stage Plantar Fasciitis is excruciatingly painful preventing normal activity and can escalate to catastrophic injury where the periosteum, the fascial layer about the bone, tears off and heel spurs develop. While there can be other contributory factors, every case of Plantar Fasciitis I have sighted is accompanied by structural leg length discrepancy that distorts the pelvis and lumbro-sacral region straining soft tissue blocking energetic Qi flow. I describe this as an outcome of a prominent Left or Right Lower Limb Mechanism generated by Short Right Leg Syndrome.

https://www.massageworksdandenongranges.com.au/srls

The fundamental underlying principle is that a proximal energetic block at the hip has a distal effect in the limb. Where energetic Qi flow is blocked, a subtle thickening and tightening occurs in the connective tissue. The soft tissue taking on a gristle like quality down to the bone readily felt by the therapist. Under loading and other influencing factors this can escalate to pain, dysfunction and injury. This plays out along the backline of the lower limb from gluteals through to the plantar fascia. It is a contributory factor in Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendonitis, Hamstring and Gluteal Dysfunction, and Sciatic Pain.

Left sided cases are typically due to anterior rotation of the left hip about the SIJ in the Sagittal plane which is an anatomic adjustment pulling up the longer leg. The tightly bound SIJ has a blocking effect down the backline of the left lower limb.

https://critsvcs.wixsite.com/shortrightleg/first-cardinal-sign
https://critsvcs.wixsite.com/shortrightleg/left-lower-limb-mechanism

Right sided cases are more complex being a combination of gait issues from the short right leg causing rigidity through the right hip and SIJ, and pelvic tilt straining the right lumbar region blocking circulation of energetic Qi flow to the back line of the right lower limb.

https://critsvcs.wixsite.com/shortrightleg/second-cardinal-sign
https://critsvcs.wixsite.com/shortrightleg/right-lower-limb-mechanism

Where energetic Qi flow is blocked and the subtle thickening and tightening of the connective tissue has escalated to an acute condition, direct treatment to the foot or leg provides limited, temporary relief. Poor treatment outcomes for this condition with conventional therapy are common. This can be turned around when energetic Qi flow blockage at the hip is attended to.

Flexibility at the pelvis is preventative. Remedial therapy and rehab exercise to normalise left hip position releasing tightness in lower back, activate and strengthen weakness in the glutes and abdominals, stretch hip flexors, and use of a small adjusting heel lift under the short leg can rapidly relieve the symptoms of left sided Plantar Fasciitis...generally within days in the absence of acute symptoms associated with heel spurs or catastrophic arch collapse. These acute scenarios will be improved but considerable rehab and treatment may be necessary for full recovery.

Right sided cases where the lumbar spine’s integrity may be compromised can take longer to respond to treatment. The presence of pelvic and lumbro-sacral dysfunction and injury can prove problematic, thwarting treatment attempts until they are resolved.

Some have difficulty getting their head around the idea the problem is at the hips and lumbro-sacral region and not in the feet. I do not blame them. It is much the same with the majority of therapeutic practitioners. They do not connect the dots between a seemingly unrelated innocuous condition at the pelvis and lumbro-sacral region and an acute condition in the bottom of the foot.

Yes, there are sceptics and that is OK. I do not expect those who have not undergone the lengthy training to become sensitised to the presence of Qi through Eastern breath and movement practices to understand. It is an experiential thing, not mere intellectual insight. Full knowledge does not come about until experienced first hand. My observations and the treatment outcomes cannot be denied regardless of the explanation one chooses.

Note: In relation to heel spurs, I have heard accounts from two Traditional Chinese Medical practitioners of a TCM treatment for resolving them. I have no first hand experience with the procedure. Few will think it credible nor have the fortitude or patience to attempt what is a painful and slow treatment. Like it is rare for me to encounter a Carpal Tunnel case that has not had the surgical procedure to clip the Carpal Ligament, it is probable the majority of patients might choose the option to have the heel spur surgically shaved off. I can only comment, it is worth trying the non-invasive approach first in conjunction with treatment I advocate for correcting the effects from structural leg length discrepancy on the backline of the lower limbs.

15/10/2025

Remedial Therapy Fusing East and West

A fundamental energetic principle in physical therapy is that a proximal block at hip or shoulder has a distal effect in the limb.

Raised as a youth in the Orient and the son of an engineer, I was surrounded by and immersed in science. Ironically, the paradigm reversed in early adulthood when disoriented by culture shock being thrust back into the West, I received guidance from a Grandmaster martial artist and Chinese medical practitioner of high esteem. He brought a semblance of balance to the disturbed young man. Years of martial and meditative training imparted a directly palpable insight to Eastern philosophy.

Later exposed to the fundamentals of Physiotherapy through the diploma of Remedial Massage, it became apparent the concept of energetic Qi flow relates directly to a vast array of poorly understood symptoms of pain and suffering sighted in clinical practice. Simply put, if energy flow is blocked, thickening and tightening occurs through connective tissue leading to pain and dysfunction.

Clearing these blockages requires knowledge of the underlying cause. Merely massaging tightness can be ineffective as evidenced, for instance, by the multitudes of long term sufferers of Plantar Fasciitis in the foot or Repetitive Strain Injury to the forearm. Direct treatment to the foot and calf or forearm and wrist give limited short term relief but rarely resolve the condition. Focusing on correcting postural anomalies, releasing tightness at the hip and shoulder can be the missing key to a successful treatment with rapid and dramatic outcome.

08/10/2025

The following is a frequent recommendation in the Remedial Therapy Reports prepared for clients following initial consultation...

➤ Consideration for consulting a TCM doctor for assessment. Below are details of Dr Kevin Duong who is a third generation practitioner trained at university in Australia and China. He maintains a TCM dispensary of over 600 herbs. Use of herbal medicine is considered the pinnacle of TCM practice. Acupuncture available on request for acute injury and disease.

07/10/2025

I see some clients who have travelled long distance for assessment and treatment of their condition and a resolution of their symptoms. The expectation is often for a quick ready adjustment that will improve their condition. In some respects that is achievable. Use of an adjusting heel lift, massage treatment, fascial release and joint distraction through the hips and pelvis combined with deep Chinese Cupping to draw out stagnation can have a dramatic beneficial result. Nevertheless, addressing the full condition is a process that can take time and effort to resolve.

The concept of and the effects from rigidity through our structure is not fully appreciated. Often not noted nor considered, it can be the cause of little niggles that escalate into acute injury. Distortion and strain from a minor postural anomaly like leg length discrepancy blocks energetic Qi flow causing a thickening and tightening through connective tissue restricting movement and circulation leading to reduced flexibility, increased rigidity and tissues that rupture rather than give and move under impact. It is like rigidity begets more rigidity.

Left sided and right sided influences through the hips differ considerably and are described by the First and Second Cardinal Signs of Short Right Leg Syndrome and corresponding Left and Right Lower Limb Mechanisms. The right side becomes rigid. This might play out as a jammed SIJ, tweaking in the quads close to their origin at the front of the hip, the hip flexor psoas deep in the abdomen becoming overactive and tight, spasm through the glutes and piriformis accompanied by sciatic pain, a thickening and tightening down the entire backline of the leg from gluteal region to plantar fascia non-responsive to direct treatment, and ultimately damage to the femoro-acetabular joint, possibly accompanied by right sided lumbar disk bulging varying from sub-acute to catastrophic encouraged by the dropped right hip opening disk spacing creating a geometric wedge pushing out lumbar disks and accompanied by tightness through the QL’s. I have sighted all these in conjunction with the effects of the Second Cardinal Sign of SRLS and the Right Lower Limb Mechanism.

Surgical procedures to repair catastrophic injury do not relieve the strain from distortion leg length discrepancy generates. If anything, surgical invasion compounds this aspect of the condition and extra effort is necessary to clear the rigidity. Prospect for recovery is improved by addressing the short leg condition and actively increasing flexibility and mobility through the lumbro-sacral region and pelvis. Interestingly, leg length discrepancy is not included in medical examination even in the event of lumbar injury where it is a primary contributory element. At the core is the sacrum which is structural ground zero.

https://critsvcs.wixsite.com/shortrightleg/structural-vs-functional-leg-length-discrepancy
https://critsvcs.wixsite.com/shortrightleg/insights-to-energetic-qi
https://critsvcs.wixsite.com/shortrightleg/concept-of-energetic-blockage
https://critsvcs.wixsite.com/shortrightleg/sacrum-is-structural-ground-zero
https://critsvcs.wixsite.com/shortrightleg/second-cardinal-sign
https://critsvcs.wixsite.com/shortrightleg/right-lower-limb-mechanism
https://critsvcs.wixsite.com/shortrightleg/right-sided-disk-bulging
https://critsvcs.wixsite.com/shortrightleg/right-lower-limb-mechanism-and-fascial-release

This is important…

https://critsvcs.wixsite.com/.../importance-of-flexibility

That some cases demonstrate high levels of rigidity through the pelvis is unsurprising considering heavy training loads as runners combined with a working life on their feet many hours a day. This is part of the story for those who work on their feet. Managing the effects from the dominant genetic trait of a structurally short right leg are necessary as we age beyond the life expectancy of our prehistoric ancestors.

Bottom line...where one has spent a lot of time on their feet, their structure is uneven (a short right leg is dominant genetic trait), perhaps done much heavy athletic training or physical work, the resulting distortion, strain and rigidity that goes to the core generates dysfunction, pain and injury. Cracking the back or a bit of rubbing or an acupuncture needle or two does not resolve this. Energetic healing treatments can have miraculous effect but they do not last until the physical structural anomaly is addressed. While exercise and rehab treatment can manage the condition, casual Yoga practice does not. Dedicated daily practice for months or years mobilising lumbar spine, SIJ's and sacrum, use of an adjusting heel lift, and remedial release work is what it takes to unwind the effects of years of distortion and strain. There will be a limit to how much adjustment the body will accept initially. This can be increased as condition improves and the body responds. This is my experience.

https://critsvcs.wixsite.com/shortrightleg/spinal-rotation-exercise
https://critsvcs.wixsite.com/shortrightleg/sacral-mobilisation-exercise
https://critsvcs.wixsite.com/shortrightleg/heel-lift-instructions
https://critsvcs.wixsite.com/shortrightleg/short-right-leg-syndrome-treatment-protocol

I am now in the fifth year of self treatment for the effects from Short Right Leg Syndrome that resulted in several lumbar and sacro-iliac joint injuries, knee dysfunction, and afflicted me with a raft of internal health symptoms since my late teenage years from kidney deficiency due to the effects from the Pelvic Block. Inexplicable deterioration of lower limb function and escalating internal health symptoms non-responsive to treatment followed the second and most acute of the lumbar injuries at age 60. When faced with the prospect of retirement from active life at age 65, I commenced treatment addressing structural leg length discrepancy. It has been a long staged process addressing symptoms, unwinding effects of distortion and strain. This might have been accelerated had I known what I know now, yet, it would have still taken months or years to resolve and recover from the effect of six decades under the influence of gravity and structural leg length discrepancy. I do have some confidence I have now drilled down to the core of my disability. Internal health, comfort and mobility is vastly improved.

Outline of treatment protocol for Short Right Leg Syndrome caused by the dominant genetic trait of a structurally short right leg.

29/09/2025

Shed wall grows...

28/09/2025

Gua Sha is a Chinese medical treatment traditionally applied by scraping skin with an ox horn implement. My favoured tool is the ceramic Chinese soup spoon. It is easy to hold and its rounded smooth glazed finish moves well over the skin. It translates as Pushing Sand due to the roughness of the resulting reaction...as though there is sand beneath the skin.

Chinese medical philosophy holds that wind attacking the body externally blocks heat, preventing it's escape from musculature making it hard, tight and painful. The condition is most commonly observed in the upper body about neck & shoulders as heat rises in the body and this area is most frequently exposed directly to the elements. Also too, the condition can be generated by dietary and emotional effects on internal health or chronic postural strain from mild scoliosis or excessive lordosis. Musculature takes on a steel cable like quality with a gristle texture down on the bone.

During transition from winter to warmer spring and summer weather, liver fire attacks causing widespread tightness through the tendons of the upper back and neck. Internal heat that has built up over winter from strong warming foods and spices consumed to keep us warm must be extinguished and cleared. In Chinese tradition they begin preparing the body prior to the change of season through dietary and herbal treatment. If we do not manage this well, excessive internal heat in the liver impacts our tendons. This can escalate to acute pain with clients telling me it feels like there is a knife between their shoulder blades.

Treatment can take three avenues...fasting and liver detoxification will typically clear the condition in several months; TCM herbal and acupuncture treatment will do the same in a few weeks; and, topical Gua Sha treatment at the affected area will do so instantly. Tightness and stabbing pains are alleviated immediately. While the Gua Sha treatment will have a mild affect on the overall underlying metabolism, it is primarily a topical treatment directly targeting the area of tightness and pain.

This tightness is not responsive to massage, stretching, needling, cupping or joint manipulation until the heat is removed. The Gua Sha scraping flushes capillaries down to the bone and a rough red rash we call the "Sha" appears. Heat emanating from the area is clearly felt by both practitioner and client. In severe cases, only three scrapes are sufficient to raise the Sha. More commonly a dozen or more are required. Subsequent treatments in weeks following a strong reaction will elicit a milder reaction...much of the heat will have been cleared in the first session.

Where there is little or no trapped heat, no amount of scraping will raise the Sha and little benefit results. It will merely become slightly pink and no marking occurs.

Unlike Cupping where marks can take several weeks to clear, the Sha will clear in three days. As the pores are opened, special care should be taken to protect treated areas from exposure to cold, damp or wind until the next day.