Biography Of Ray Flaherty

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🌿 About Ray Flaherty

Founder of Athletic Sports Massage Canberra

Ray Flaherty is an award-winning remedial massage therapist and the founder of Athletic Sports Massage Canberra. He is widely recognised for his excellence in sports massage and his dedicated work in women’s health across the ACT. With years of hands-on experience, Ray has worked extensively with professional and recreational athletes, highly active individuals, and clients living with persistent or complex pain. His evidence-informed approach focuses on delivering precise, effective treatments that relieve muscle tension, improve mobility and flexibility, enhance functional movement, and support long-term physical resilience.

Ray’s professional expertise is supported by an exceptional breadth of training and qualifications. In addition to formal remedial therapy certification, he has completed specialised education in counselling skills, lymphatic drainage, somatic therapy, non-clinical psychology, PTSD awareness, mindfulness practices, meditation instruction, acupressure, mat Pilates, and traumatic brain injury awareness, among other areas. This diverse training allows Ray to adopt a genuinely holistic approach—integrating physical treatment with an understanding of emotional wellbeing, behavioural patterns, and the broader factors that influence health. Clients benefit not only from high-level clinical proficiency but also from compassionate, informed support tailored to their individual needs.

A central focus of Ray’s work is women’s health. He specialises in full-body muscle release, functional massage, myofascial cupping, and targeted remedial therapy designed to address the unique anatomical, physiological, and performance needs of women. Ray prioritises personalised treatment planning and open communication to ensure each session supports the client’s goals—whether that involves optimising sports performance, managing cycle-related or postpartum discomfort, or addressing chronic muscular conditions. His deep understanding of the demands placed on female athletes enables him to deliver treatments that improve strength, enhance recovery, reduce injury risk, and support long-term athletic development.

Beyond technical expertise, Ray is known for his collaborative, client-centred style. He works closely with clients to understand their lifestyle, training load, movement patterns, and emotional stressors, creating a safe and supportive environment for meaningful therapeutic progress. Clients often seek Ray’s guidance when preparing for major competitions, recovering from injuries, managing chronic pain, or striving for improved physical and mental well-being.

Through his comprehensive skill set and integrated therapeutic philosophy, Ray empowers clients to perform at their best—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Whether addressing acute issues, developing long-term recovery strategies, or helping individuals reconnect with their bodies, Ray brings professionalism, insight, and dedication that sets the standard for remedial and sports massage and therapeutic sessions of care in the ACT.

🌸 Core Specialties

• Sports massages.
• Holistic therapeutic relaxation massage.
• Chronic pain and tendon release.
• Myofascial trigger point therapy.
• Active release stretch therapy.
• Myofascial cupping release therapy (Non-Chinese cupping)
• Holistic therapeutic mindful yoga, stretching, balance work and meditation.
• Stress relief, relaxation, and energy restoration.
• Holistic wellness for women’s health.

Ray also offers free martial arts training for self-defence for women, as he believes all women should be able to defend themselves without the cost coming out of their family budget.