Health, Beauty and Lifestyle with Denise McNamara

A banker turned sports physiotherapist has brought a new system of guided movement to Galway after discovering the therapy while working in Australia.

Claire O’Leary explains that Stretch Therapy blends targeted stretching, breath work and gentle strengthening to reduce tension, restore function. It helps people overcome or avoid pain —particularly in areas like the neck, back, hips, and shoulders.

The system teaches guided movements that helps improve flexibility, joint mobility, and muscular control.

Classes are suitable for all levels and are designed to help people reconnect with how their bodies move and feel, she says.

The native of Laurencetown, outside Ballinasloe, who is now living in Killeeneen near Clarinbridge originally worked in banking and finance.

After moving to Australia in 2007, she became interested in health and wellbeing and retrained in Sydney as a sports massage therapist and rehabilitation specialist, working in a physiotherapy clinic and across various professional sports settings.

“I had the privilege of working with the Sydney Roosters professional rugby team for two seasons, as well as supporting major cycling events lly everyday clients — needed more than treatment alone. They needed tools to help themselves between sessions. That’s when I discovered Stretch Therapy.”

She first qualified as a stretch therapist to help clients move beyond pain, especially in the neck and back.

“I quickly became fascinated with the method and eventually trained as a Stretch Therapy trainer, so I could teach classes and make the work accessible to more people.”

She  moved back to Ireland in 2014 and lived in Cork until 2022 where she introduced Stretch Therapy in workplaces, gyms, and community centres.

Pictured: Claire O’Leary has brought Stretch Therapy to Galway to help people move with ease and manage pain.