Bodyworks Edinburgh was established in May 2013 and focused on Remedial and Sports Massage Therapy to help improve clients postural issues, muscular conditions, sports performance and treat RSI/sports injuries. To improve our service and offer clients more therapy options, Bodyworks Edinburgh broadened it’s range of treatments to include Physiotherapy, Medical Acupuncture, Sports Rehabilitation and Complementary Therapies such as Reflexology and Aromatherapy Massage.
To ensure clients get the best care possible and the most out of their treatment at Bodyworks Edinburgh, there is an initial health consultation followed by a physical assessment to find the source of the problem and to develop a treatment plan for future sessions. We tailor our treatments to each client as none of our bodies or muscular issues are exactly the same so why should your treatment be the same. Our service doesn’t stop there as we also give you stretches and exercises to take home to work on as this will ensure you get the most from the massage therapy or physiotherapy and reach your health goals as quick as possible.
Our team of therapists are highly trained in their field and are all members of relevant professional governing bodies ensuring we keep up to date with continuous professional development (CPD) and our quality of service. If you require a therapist to be with a specific governing body for insurance purposes, please get in touch before you book your appointment to ensure you are with the correct therapist.
If any referrals are needed between therapists here at Bodyworks we will ensure, with your permission that a good handover is given so that we can continue working with you (without another in depth consultation) towards your end goal.
Our team’s vision is to be the go-to clinic with the highest reputation for care and excellence in private healthcare and to offer you a multi-disciplinary approach with the most up-to-date research and evidence based treatments. To have a happy working environment for staff to improve and grow, enjoy their work and have a healthy work-life balance.
If you’d like to work for Bodyworks, check out our Careers page for any positions available.
Meet the Team:
Ashleigh Clark
Clinic Manager and Remedial & Sports Massage Therapist, SMTO
Ashleigh is a fully qualified Remedial, Sports and Swedish Massage Therapist & a Nutritional Therapist. She graduated from The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, in 2012 with an honours degree in Sports and Exercise Science, she then went onto accomplish a diploma in Swedish Massage in April 2013 and a diploma in Remedial and Sports massage in April 2014 from Scottish Massage Schools. She has a background knowledge in nutrition, exercise prescription, anatomy and sports injuries and is able to adapt her massage for the individuals specific needs. She qualified in Kinesiology taping, levels 1 and 2 enabling her to provide non-athlete and athletes with sports injury or support taping and is also trained in Seated Acupressure, Aromatherapy Massage and Indian Head Massage.
Ashleigh has a passion for the health and fitness industry and has previously worked in gyms, and has worked with Aberdeen Football Club providing Sports massage for the players. She is a keen football player herself having played from a young age previously playing for Boroughmuir Thistle in SPWL2 and now FC Edinburgh. You will find her outdoors mostly playing football, hiking, cycling or walking her two dogs!
As Ashleigh is very passionate about the field of health and fitness she is always looking to study new courses and develop her knowledge. She maintains continuous professional development in order to provide the best treatments for her clients.
Book an appointment with Ashleigh.
Steven Glass
Senior Physiotherapist, HCPC, CSP
Steven is a fully qualified Physiotherapist with HCPC and CSP registration. Graduating in 2011 from The Robert Gordon University with a Bsc(hons) in Physiotherapy, Steven has 9 years experience working in Private Musculoskeletal Outpatient Physiotherapy. Professionally he has an interest in Mckenzie Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment of the Spine and Lower Limb Biomechanics.
Steven enjoys getting to the root cause of an issue/ailment and prides himself on not only treating the symptoms. Postgraduately he is accredited in Medical Acupuncture, Kinesiology Taping and Spinal Manipulation. Enjoying an active lifestyle, out of work he can be found rock climbing, kayaking or mountain biking.
Book an appointment with Steven.
Phoebe Bonnar
Complementary Massage Therapist & Receptionist
Alessia Berardinelli
Massage Therapist, SMTO
Alessia is an experienced Massage Therapist, who qualified in Remedial, Sports and Swedish Massage at the Advanced Massage techniques School in West Linton (Scottish Borders). After 4 years of experience, hands on, working as a Massage Therapist in one of the best spas in the UK, she kept her mind open and her knowledge updated by attending courses in Deep Tissue Massage, Hot Stones Massage, Pregnancy Massage and Indian Head Massage. Only recently she completed her qualification in Reflexology and Manual Lymphatic Drainage.
Hoping to move her studies further, her next professional achievement would being qualified in the Advanced Sports Massage Therapy.
Her Passion and interest for Health and Well being comes from her personal experience in weight lifting. Starting 5 years ago with her journey, she is nowadays a true believer that resistance training along with Massage Therapy can be a real game changer for living a healthy and pain free lifestyle!
As a Therapist, her top priority is listening carefully to the clients concerns and tailoring her treatments accordingly.
Alessia loves to spend her free time mainly outdoors, practicing activities like hiking and exploring new beautiful spots in Scotland.
Book an appointment with Alessia.
Ludovic Aristhene
Sports Massage Therapist
Ludovic has worked in the spa and wellness industry since 2008, originally from Mauritius, he moved to Scotland in 2015 to progress in his career. He has worked in 5 stars hotels across a few countries such as Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives and Dubai. Ludovic specialises in Sports Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Reflexology (feet) and relaxation treatments.
He studied Massage Therapy at Holistic Training Massage School in Mauritius after leaving school. He started working at Shandrani Hotel in Mauritius where he began his journey as a Massage Therapist. Then moved to Sainte Anne Resort & Spa Seychelles, as Senior Therapist and most recently has been at the Fairmont Hotel in St. Andrews as a Treatment Manager. Ludovic is trained in Thai massage and brings a variety of techniques from this into his treatments, creating his own unique style.
In his free time he enjoys doing activities such as hiking, walking around in nature, cycling, the gym, going to cinema and cooking.
Book an appointment with Ludovic.
Matthew Thompson
Physiotherapist, HCPC, CSP, FHT
Matt has a BSc (Hons) in Sports Therapy and MSc in Physiotherapy and has been working at Bodyworks since 2015. He is qualified in sports massage and utilises a variety of techniques such as mobilisations, acupuncture, KT taping level 1 and 2. Matt has worked in a variety of settings and population groups, working with: international rugby players, power lifters and Thai-boxers, additionally currently working in elite level football. Not only does Matt have experience in elite sports he currently works within the NHS, working with a wide variety of people, ages, and lifestyles. Additionally, he has some experience within vestibular rehabilitation for dizziness symptoms and other long-standing conditions such as Parkinson’s.
Matt has a keen interest and participates in a number of combat sports, and has a wide knowledge of different sports demands and common injuries. Always looking to keep up to date with the latest knowledge and evidence to use within his practise. Setting high professional standard for himself no matter the issue he is committed to solving people’s problems and finding the best treatment available.
Book an appointment with Matt.
Blanca Jimenez
Physiotherapist, HCPC, CSP
Blanca studied her degree in Physiotherapy in 2009 and then her Postgraduate course in Manual therapy as her specialization in 2013 both at the Madrid Complutense University. She has experience working for more than 8 years in both Spain and Edinburgh in different fields. She has worked with the Spanish national wrestling team, as a neurological physio working with varied conditions such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and strokes along with Myofascial Pain Syndrome and Ankylosing Spondylitis. She also particularly enjoys the challenges of musculoskeletal rehabilitation working with diverse people from athletes, post-injury patients to office workers.
In her treatments, she combines mostly “hands-on” treatments including manual therapy, myofascial release, acupuncture, dry needling, therapeutic taping, Pilates, Hypopressive therapy, neurodynamics and an individualised exercise program to continue the treatment actively at home.
In her free time Blanca loves spending time outdoors, running, cycling, surfing, snowboarding but also being indoors watching independent movies at festivals, listening to music and reading.
Book an appointment with Blanca.
Jessica Barac
Physiotherapist, HCPC, CSP
Jessica moved to Edinburgh from Australia in 2019. Jessica’s background is in musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, primarily in private clinics, with some community and aged care work mixed in. She has a Masters in Physiotherapy (2017) and a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Principles of Physiotherapy) as well as a Bachelor of Arts.
Jessica is passionate about treating the individual not just the condition or injury. Her speciality is working with runners, those with neck, jaw pain and headaches, and anyone suffering from chronic pain. Jessica’s background in manual therapy includes trigger point release and deep tissue massage, dry needling and counterstain (an osteopathic technique). She also has extensive experience with exercise prescription and education to achieve the best results for every client.
Jessica strongly believes that the more you know and understand about your condition, the more in control and empowered you feel.
Jessica is a runner, and always happy to discuss her love of tennis and the GOAT Roger Federer.
In her spare time, she is an avid reader of both high and urban fantasy, crime and history. She is also a keen board and video-gamer and an all round animal lover, with three spoilt cats of her own!
Book an appointment with Jess.
Fernanda Graziano
Sports & Remedial Massage Therapist
Originally from Argentina, Fernanda is a qualified Sports and Wellness Therapist with many years of experience in relaxation and sports treatments. Working in different places from Chiropractic Clinics to Spas she has a wide knowledge about how to ease pain with different techniques. She studied at Edinburgh College being qualified in Swedish, Indian Head, Thai Foot, Facials, Remedial and Sports Massage. After her graduation she improved her qualifications by adding Cupping and Dry Needling, and most recently added Manual Lymphatic Drainage to her skills.
Fernanda is very assertive during treatment, listens and tailors the treatment to the client requests. During her treatments she works with the right amount of pressure easing not only the muscles but also the mind.
She is passionate about balance, body and mind, so she enjoys practicing yoga, walking in nature, cooking healthy food and travelling.
Andrea Espinoza
Massage Therapist
Andrea is originally from Venezuela and has been living in Edinburgh since 2015. She began in the wellness industry in Scotland studying in Scottish Massage Schools and The Glasgow School of Massage. Andrea knows that Massage Therapy is one of the best ways to prioritise our mental/physical health which is why she offers a wide range of therapy options including: Deep Tissue, Swedish, Hot Stone Massage, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage and Table Thai Yoga Stretches.
Andrea is also due to complete her Sports and Remedial Massage course in July.
In her spare time you’ll find her lifting weights at the gym, doing meditation or reading.
Book an appointment with Andrea.
Caitlin Davies
Sports Massage Therapist, SMTO
Caitlin is a fully qualified massage therapist and Pilates instructor with a Higher Diploma in Health-Related Professional Studies from the Robert Gordon University and has been practicing in various healthcare settings and clinics since 2019. Though specialising in Sports Massage, she has several years’ experience treating older adults, persistent pain (including Fibromyalgia), Osteoarthritis, elite athletes, exercise enthusiasts, back and neck pain, and general massage following traumatic injuries or road traffic accidents. She also has a keen interest in women’s/pelvic health.
Caitlin is passionate about healthcare, rehabilitation, and physiological studies. This has led her to pursue a career in Physiotherapy and she is in her final year of study with Queen Margaret University; clinical placements and previous employment have allowed her to develop a creative approach towards exercise instruction and encouraged her to routinely reflect on research papers and her clinical skills, ensuring her practice is up to date and of a high quality.
Her passion for health and wellbeing is only matched by her enthusiasm towards providing a holistic approach to client care. As a competitive swimmer and musician, she is personally aware of the impact pain and discomfort can have on someone’s wellbeing and day-to-day living; this drives her to provide bespoke, person-centred care that considers all aspects of a client’s life to create the best possible treatment plan.
Book an appointment with Caitlin.
Selena Gress
Managing Director
With a PhD in Marine Biology and a background working in outdoor pursuits, Selena has always had an interest in physiology, health and well-being. Running an online marketing company developed her skills in management, marketing and customer service however it wasn’t where her passion lay and she wanted to make a difference. Bodyworks was created to be an affordable private healthcare option with friendly approachable staff focused to get to the root of the issue rather than the common ‘symptom treating’ that is ingrained in our society.
Being passionate about animals and putting her degree in Animal Biology to good use, Selena founded a charity called Ananda Animal Sanctuary at the start of 2019 to take in rescued animals and offer them a safe loving forever home. The animals that she cares for are either neglected, unwanted (sometimes due to health or behavioural issues) or have been mistreated.
When she manages to find some free time Selena enjoys nothing more than being in the outdoors mountain biking, climbing, kayaking, hiking or enjoying some yoga!
If you have any questions about any of our therapists qualifications or vaccination status, please do get in touch.