Filip Maric
Remedial Massage Therapist (MNZ)
Dip. Shiatsu Therapist (ESI)
ISAK Anthropometrist
Personal Trainer

Originally I trained and worked as a Physiotherapist in Frankfurt, Germany. After my basic training I completed a number of specialist courses over the years, including degrees in sports-physiotherapy, medical strength training and Shiatsu (a Japanese acupressure treatment). In February 2009 I came to New Zealand to complete my Masters degree in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy at AUT where I also work as a teaching assistant to undergraduate students.

The clients I have worked with encompass people from all walks of life, from children to young adults all the way through to elderly people and in particular a wide range of professional and amateur athletes from many different kinds of sporting backgrounds.

Relaxation, remedial, deep tissue and sports massage form a key element and often the basis of my treatments. When working at deeper levels of musculoskeletal problems I like to accompany those with thorough postural and movement analysis, strengthening and stretching exercises, shiatsu and trigger point therapy, PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) and manual joint work where necessary.

The three most common causes of musculoskeletal disorders are uneconomical posture, uneconomical movement patterns and traumas. Particularly regarding the first two, but often even the third cause, it is of crucial importance to get to the core of the problem instead of simply treating the symptoms. My personal interest is in restoring this underlying core problem and economy, such that we achieve the highest possible quality of movement, with the smallest necessary expenditure of force and the smallest possible amount of wear and tear to our bodies and tissue and thus pain. In restoring this economy lies the potential of achieving a better understanding of our bodies as well as new levels of performance.

I believe that in an ideal world, massages and qualitative and quantitative movement education and practice should form a central role in our continuous regular ‘physical hygiene’ that is often neglected or misinterpreted in our busy and demanding lives. In my treatments I strive to provide clarity and continuity and establish such a sense of comprehensive ‘physical hygiene’ on a regular basis and assist people to change old postures and creating healthier patterns. In my spare time I am a very passionate martial artists and the ongoing practice and teaching of Aikido has greatly influenced my work as a Therapist.