McIntosh Massage Therapy N.Z

22/09/2025

Kia ora all,
Now that I'm on the mend and that I have clearance from my surgeon to start some light work I am available for 30 minute appointments that i can do while sitting down.

I'm offering either neck, head and arms. Or lower legs and feet.
Longer appointments will be available next month.

Sincerely
Claire McIntosh-Phillips
R.M.T, C.Y.T

12/09/2025

Week six post op

Week six

Yah! This week I got the good news that I can start putting weight on my leg and start walking.

Day one was very odd. My leg didn't feel like it was mine and there were some strange sensations in my foot, kind of like numbness during pins and needles. Also because of the weakness in my leg from not using much for 6 weeks it had the reaction of bending too much / giving way . ( It’s very odd to be learning how to walk at my age.)

Day two was better. I was getting more of a normal stride with the use of both my crutches still at this stage, very slow walking, but as close to normal as I can manage right now.

Day three I can now get a good heel - toe motion of normal walking gait.
I caught up with my physio and more exercises now that I can put weight on my leg.
Now I will be concentrating on strengthening the muscles and getting a better range of motion with bending my knee past 90 degrees. There is still a lot of restriction due to scar tissue and swelling inside the knee plus the tightness of my new ACL ligament.

Day four I have graduated to using just one crutch now and I am walking fairly normally.
Going down to one crutch means I can now carry objects ! something I've been looking forward to for a long time. I've spent quite a bit of the day walking around doing various household chores which is also nice for me.

One unexpecting thing ive noticed is that even though ive been hopping around on crutches for 6 weeks, for some reason now that I am walking I feel taller. Working in the kitchen made sense as previously I had been sitting and scooting around on my office chair. My wrists and shoulders are definitely thankful for getting a break.

Soon I will be able to start some light work.

Sincerely
Claire McIntosh-Phillips
R.M.T, C.Y.T

05/09/2025

Week 5 post op,

I'm officially counting down the days ( 8 days to go ! ) until I can put weight on my right leg and attempt to walk again.

It will be slow going but it will be progress.

Sincerely
Claire McIntosh -Phillips
R.M.T, C.Y.T

31/08/2025

Kia ora all,
This months donation is going to the cancer society.
Did you know that 1 in 3 people are diagnosed with cancer in New Zealand?

It’s the generosity of New Zealanders on Daffodil Day that help cancer patients and their families (whānau) get the care and practical support they need; from crucial help getting to treatment via our free driving service, through to specialist nursing and psychology support, and accommodation for those needing life-saving treatment far from home.

To find out more: https://daffodilday.org.nz/aboutdaffodilday

Sincerely
Claire McIntosh-Phillips
R.M.T, C.Y.T

1 in 3 could be me

30/08/2025

Week four post op

I had a little trouble with my meds this week.
A build up of the pain meds gave me some stomach pain which resulted in me looking rather ill, perhaps even some liver or gallbladder disruption as well.

Until I could get to my local G.P i decided I would go cold turkey on my medication to see if that helped. My symptoms eased but I still went in to consult my Dr. in case I had missed diagnosis / to double check my organs.

I’m all clear now, hopefully I won't have that situation again.

Sincerely
Claire McIntosh - Phillips
R.M.T , C.Y.T

22/08/2025

Week Three

Half way !
I am counting down the weeks / days till I can walk again.
I have new physio exercises kind of similar to my hospital ones, but a bit more focused on the knee joint itself.
My knee is feeling ok, although with doing the exercises i do sometimes feel like the tin man from the “ Wizard of Oz “ a bit creaky and stiff especially when bending my knee, there is restriction which makes sense, it will take awhile for my “ new “ tendon to become supple enough to match my “good” knee.

I hope to see you all soon

Sincerely
Claire McIntosh - Phillips
R.M.T , C.Y.T

15/08/2025

Kia ora all,
Week two! Not much to report this week apart from having had my stitches taken out, the scares from the incisions are looking good, ( four small ones, one big one )

I've finally managed to lift & hold my leg up off the bed for 5 counts & I'm now strong enough on my crutches to negotiate stairs safely.
With help from my friends in the community I have the use of an electric scooter to enable me to go outside and see people which I took advantage of today so that i could go to tai chi.

One thing I have noticed is that some footpaths are not suitable for those in a wheelchair or using prams, even some businesses that appear to be wheelchair friendly are not in reality, but you can depend on the kindness of strangers to help you open a door here and there.

Sincerely
Claire McIntosh -Phillips
R.M.T , C.Y.T.

08/08/2025

Kia ora all,
Thank you to everyone who has sent through well wishes & messages of encouragement.

Today officially marks one week since my ACL ligament & meniscus surgery.
It's been a week of mainly being in bed which has been quite the challenge for a normally very active & physical person like myself. But considering what my knee has been through it also has been much needed & not too arduous as my body certainly tells me each time I have a bout of exercise on my crutches, I have to rest a lot afterwards.

My days consist of my partner bringing meals to me in bed, medication, physiotherapy exercises, resting, getting up & hobbling to the bathroom, resting but also doing some fun things like puzzles, cross words, art projects and reading library books.

Some of the exercises I do are to keep the circulation going in my right leg due to the fact I will be non weight bearing on that leg for at least 6 weeks. Walking and using your muscles is how the lymphatic system circulates your lymph around your body, so I have to do this manually with the exercises and self massage to my leg, also the use of aspirin to prevent blood clots.

The other exercises are to stretch & strengthen my knee & legs muscles, the main goal right now is to get full extension : lengthening / straightening of the knee joint, with light bending to prevent my knee from stiffening up, while being mindful of the stitches.

I'm slowly improving on these exercises each day, millimetre by millimetre. The hardest one so far is lifting my straight leg up off the floor while sitting or lying down.

But I have 6 weeks to get that down pat.

I hope you all are keeping well.

Sincerely
Claire McIntosh -Phillips
R.M.T , C.Y.T.

31/07/2025

Kia ora all,
This months donation goes to the Wellington free ambulance
Every dollar you donate means every year we can:

Answer almost 180,000 emergency 111 calls.
Respond to over 55,000 patients needing emergency medical treatment.
Transport over 43,000 patients to healthcare appointments.
Together, let's keep saving and changing lives, free of charge.

To find out more ; https://www.wfa.org.nz/donate

Sincerely
Claire McIntosh-Phillips
R.M.T, C.Y.T

29/07/2025

Setting the Standard in Massage Therapy

When you choose a MANZ-registered therapist, you’re choosing someone who:

✔️ Meets nationally recognised education standards
✔️ Follows a clear scope of practice
✔️ Is accountable to a professional code of ethics
✔️ Completes ongoing professional development
✔️ Is part of a transparent complaints process

Not all Massage Therapists follow the same standards.
Our Members do, because our Clients’ wellbeing matters.

Look for the MANZ logo - it means more.

28/07/2025

Kia ora all,

So some of you may know, some of you may not know last year I had a knee injury via football ( well actually I ended up having three incidents over 8 - 9 months 🥴 ) resulting in an ACL tear and a medial meniscus tear.

I've finally got a surgery date to reattach my ligament on the 1st of August.

So I'll be off for three to four weeks for recovery in August.

After that time I'll slowly build up by mainly doing 30 minute appointments ( sitting down) either foot & lower leg or neck/ shoulders & arms.

In the mean time ill keep you updated with my progress.

Sincerely
Claire McIntosh-Phillips
R.M.T, C.Y.T

30/06/2025

Kia ora all,
This month's donation goes towards the motor neuron disease new Zealand charity.

Motor neurone disease (MND) is a progressive, incurable, and ultimately terminal disease. It gradually strips away a person’s ability to walk, talk, eat — and eventually, to breathe.

Every week, at least two people are diagnosed — and at least two New Zealanders die from the disease. In the absence of a cure or meaningful treatments, our focus is on making time count for those affected by MND.

To find out more ; https://www.mndactionmonth.org.nz/

Sincerely
Claire McIntosh-Phillips
R.M.T, C.Y.T