Welcome to Medissage: Massage that Works

About:

At Medissage, we provide professional massage therapy focused on real results. Our goal is to offer effective soft-tissue treatment for relief from pain, tension, spasm, and dysfunction.

Our Story

Founded by Melissa, an experienced massage therapist with over a decade of international expertise, Medissage offers high-quality services in South Africa. The practice later welcomed two skilled therapists, Rita and Don, who each bring diverse techniques for pain relief.

Our Expertise

Medissage Pretoria: Team Background & Service Expertise

Medissage Pretoria features a highly qualified team led by Melissa Koen, an internationally certified massage therapist with over a decade of experience in clinical, sports, and wellness massage. Rita Hanekom brings a strong background in holistic wellness and is certified in reflexology and manual lymph drainage, focusing on relaxation and lymphatic health. Don Ramos specialises in sports massage and injury rehabilitation, leveraging his expertise to support athletic performance and recovery.

The clinic’s services are designed for results-driven care. Medi Massage targets pain relief, postural correction, and injury rehabilitation using advanced soft-tissue techniques. Wellness Massage promotes deep relaxation and stress reduction through Swedish and holistic methods. Sports Massage aids athletes and active individuals in recovery and injury prevention, while Manual Lymph Drainage supports lymphatic health and reduces swelling. Reflexology and Kinesio Taping round out the offerings, providing holistic well-being and injury support.

Each therapist is committed to personalised treatment plans, ensuring every client receives expert care tailored to their unique needs. The team’s combined expertise ensures comprehensive support for chronic pain, sports injuries, and overall wellness.

Meet the Team

Founder and Principal Remedial Massage Therapist

Melissa Koen

Meet Melissa, Founder and Principal Therapist at Medissage

Melissa is a highly experienced and qualified massage therapist with over a decade of experience in the field. With a strong foundation in medical massage, Melissa specialises in delivering effective, results-driven treatments that address a range of chronic pain conditions and musculoskeletal issues.

Professional Background

Melissa completed her massage therapy training in the United Kingdom, where she established a successful practice before relocating to South Africa. Her expertise spans a range of specialised techniques, including:

Medical Massage

Myofascial Release

Trigger Point Therapy

Recognition and Industry Involvement

Melissa's expertise and commitment to excellence have been recognised through her involvement in the South African massage therapy community. Notably, she has:

Served as a judge for the South African Massage Championships for two consecutive years

Participated as a Clinical Judge at the 2nd Annual South African Massage Championships

Areas of Specialisation

Melissa has a particular interest in working with clients experiencing:

Chronic Pain Conditions

Chronic Headaches and Migraines
Scar Tissue & Fascia Dysfunction

Jaw/TMJ Dysfunction
Fibromyalgia

Approach and Philosophy

Melissa is dedicated to providing personalized, compassionate care that addresses the unique needs and goals of each client. Her approach is centered around delivering effective, results-driven massage therapy that empowers clients to take control of their health and well-being.

Remedial Massage Therapist

Rita Hanekom

Meet Rita Hanekom, Professional Remedial Massage Therapist at Medissage

Rita Hanekom was born and raised in Rustenburg, where her interest in the medical treatment of sports injuries began at a young age. This passion led her to pursue studies in human movement and alternative therapies, laying the foundation for a fulfilling career in the health and wellness industry.

Professional Background

After matriculating from Rustenburg High School, Rita enrolled at the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Science. There, she completed a degree in Human Movement Science (Biokinetics) in 2002. Seeking to explore complementary approaches to physical rehabilitation, she furthered her education at Beautico Academy, receiving diplomas and specialised training in Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), Reflexology, Sports Massage, and Advanced Nutrition.

Rita began her professional journey at a medical treatment centre focused on the rehabilitation of sports injuries. She later joined a chiropractic treatment centre, where she worked as an assistant to the chiropractor and deepened her expertise in therapeutic massage, lymph drainage, and complementary healing modalities.

Areas of Specialisation

Rita specialises in a range of complementary therapies aimed at promoting physical healing and overall wellness, including:

Sports Massage (SM): Treatment of soft tissue injuries, reduction of muscle tension, and improvement in range of motion and physical performance.
Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD): Gentle stimulation of lymphatic flow to support the immune system and reduce swelling.
Reflexology: Application of pressure to specific points on the feet to encourage balance and natural healing within the body.
Sports Taping: Support for muscles and joints to aid recovery and prevent further injury.

Approach and Philosophy

Rita believes in a holistic approach to health and wellness that addresses not only the physical body but also emotional and mental well-being. Her practice is rooted in the belief that the body has an incredible ability to heal itself when given the right support. She strives to help clients develop self-awareness, take control of their own health journeys, and restore overall balance in their lives. Through her deep understanding of the human body and dedication to continuous learning, Rita aims to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and enhance the natural healing process for every individual she works with.

Remedial Massage Therapist

Don Ramos

Meet Don Ramons, Professional Remedial Massage Therapist at Medissage

Don’s diverse background and experience makes him a skilled Remedial Massage Therapist with a passion for identifying and correcting root causes to chronic physical pain conditions.

Professional Background

Don is a healer at heart and sought a career that would align with his natural gifts. His pursuit led him to Balancing touch where he qualified in multiple Remedial massage therapies. Don’s expertise lies in the following treatments:

Medical Massage
Reflexology
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Detox Mud Wrap
Cupping
Stretch Therapy
Kinesiology Taping

Areas of Specialisation

Don thoroughly enjoys working with clients experiencing the following:

Chronic physical pain conditions
Car accident side effects
Pre/post surgery
Water Retention
Inflammation related conditions

Approach and Philosophy

Don is a firm believer in the healing abilities of the physical body and prides himself in being your professional of choice. Don's approach is simple, straight forward and open minded, focused on creating an atmosphere that enhances the healing and recovery process.