Kawakawa Clinic is a remedial massage clinic at 223 Kilmore Street, in central Christchurch. It is named after kawakawa, the native plant used in rongoā, the traditional Māori medicine. The clinic director, Katrina Herbert, is a senior remedial massage therapist with a diploma in massage therapy from the Canterbury College of Natural Medicine, and has a particular interest in chronic pain, injuries, migraines, occupational overuse and repetitive strain.
The clinic lists remedial massage aimed at specific injuries, muscle tension and sleep, trigger point therapy, and a relaxation massage using flowing strokes with oil or balm. Manual lymphatic drainage is offered for lymphoedema, before and after surgery, and in pre and postnatal care. Dry needling, using fine sterile needles for chronic pain, is also listed. The website says a $5 addition applies to any remedial massage appointment. Two other massage therapists are within a kilometre on Open Locally's figures: Kesae Total Balance and Le Tian Massage, both about 600 metres away. For someone in central Christchurch who wants remedial work for a stubborn injury or chronic pain, the clinic offers a range of techniques in one place.