Miranda Hill is the founder of Framework by Miranda, a remedial body work clinic in Sydney’s Bellevue Hill.
I first met Miranda at a work event — she was giving me a facial and made a comment about how tight my neck was. I am a big remedial massage enthusiast, and spend a lot of time with my osteopath — I could tell she knew what she was talking about. She invited me into her space for a proper treatment and it was probably the best remedial massage I’ve ever had — the kind that is deeply intuitive, leaving you feeling lighter, softer and less tense.
An expert in self-care and movement, I asked her to share her background with ‘RUSSH’ and her best advice for DIY massage at home (essential skills for those of us who hold tension in our jaw, neck, shoulders and so on). Find all her wisdom below.
What does beauty mean to you?
Beauty to me is about authenticity, how we care for ourselves and others. It’s not just about looks but how we feel in our own skin. As a remedial massage therapist, I see beauty in the way people nurture their bodies.
What about self care — how do you define it?
I think it’s about listening to what your body and mind need; not just ticking off face masks and baths (although those are great too). It’s taking time to rest, move or do breath work when life gets overwhelming. I see self-care as the small, consistent choices that keep us feeling like ourselves.
What’s your earliest beauty or wellness related memory — was there someone in your life that inspired an interest in massage?
When I was young, my friends would always ask me for a back massage while we watched movies during a sleep over. I loved it, it became a bit of a tradition. And then there was my mum, who’s an avid gardener. She was always asking for a back massage after a long day in the garden.
Looking back, I think those moments planted the seed. I guess I’ve always enjoyed helping people feel better — it feels natural to me.
How did you get into professional body work?
I started my journey into massage while working at a Physiotherapy clinic for five years. Watching people recover from injuries and regain their strength was incredibly inspiring. I got to see firsthand how manual therapy and prescribed exercises could transform someone’s life. I realised I wanted to be part of the process, and help people feel better in their bodies.
What’s the most common concern you see at Framework by Miranda?
Stress — something we all deal with (myself included). We tend to hold a lot of tension in our shoulders and neck without even realising it. Our bodies are hardwired to tense up as a self-defence mechanism when we’re stressed, tired or anxious. Poor posture makes things worse. Slouching or staring at a screen for hours can cause the muscles in our shoulders and neck to stay tight, leading to soreness, restricted movement and headaches. It’s interesting that with ongoing treatment, so many of my patients improve not just physically, but mentally as well.
What’s your bodywork philosophy — how would you explain your method?
My technique is all about finding the root cause of the problem. It’s not just about releasing tension—it’s about understanding why it’s there in the first place. With a little care, regular movement, stretching and of course massage, we can stop tension from turning into a chronic issue. Better body mechanics go a long way.
One of my favourite things about a Framework treatment is the balms and oils you use — what are they?
I use a deep tissue massage balm from New Zealand. It contains Emu oil, which has anti-inflammatory properties that help with muscle recovery, reduce inflammation and improve circulation. I also use sweet almond oil for the face because it’s rich vitamin E to nourish the skin. It also provides a smooth glide. For hair and scalp, I love Aiya hair oil. It’s 100% organic and packed with essential oils like lavender and rosemary to support hair growth while also calming the nervous system.
What does your morning routine look like?
My morning routine is simple, but it sets me up for the day. The first thing I do is drink a big glass of water. After hours of sleep, your body is naturally dehydrated — rehydrating first thing helps to kickstart digestion.
Then I splash my face with cold water (a mini shock to the system, in a good way). It wakes me up and helps to reduce puffiness. I follow up with Cetaphil face wash and Cetaphil moisturiser. I prefer to keep it simple… also, fewer breakouts. But I always take time to massage it in using upward motions — this helps support circulation, skin elasticity and gives me a little glow for the day ahead.
I’m not a skincare guru in the slightest but this routine works for me. It’s quick, easy and feels good.
Incredible. Do you have a day to day makeup routine?
I like a tinted moisturiser from Ilia for a bit of coverage, maybe a little bit of mascara to brighten up my eyes, but I keep it minimal. I’m not a fan of wearing a lot of makeup on my face. I like to keep it fresh.
What about before bed? Any rituals you swear by?
My evening routine is very similar to my morning one, but with a few small tweaks to help me unwind. For skincare, I swap my moisturiser for jojoba oil, which feels nourishing after a long day. I love to massage it in, gently breaking up the fascia to release any tightness, then work upwards to lift and relax my skin. I pay extra attention to the area under my cheekbones, where I hold tension.
Do you have any habits to prioritise sleep?
Sleep is a big priority for me. I need at least eight hours to feel my best, especially since my job is so physically demanding. I take BioCeuticals magnesium tablets before bed, it’s made such a huge difference in my sleep quality and recovery. I also do a few gentle stretches, usually Child’s Pose and Thread the Needle.
I try to stay off my phone and avoid too much blue light before bed. Instead, I’ll either read a book or play Sudoku (my guilty pleasure).
I can imagine a day in your life must be physically tough. Are there any other rituals you love in order to recharge?
The first thing I do when I get home from work is jump straight into a hot, hot shower. After seeing up to eight clients a day, using my hands and standing on my feet, the heat helps relax my muscles.
Afterwards, I’ll cook myself a big dinner, always making sure it’s a good balance of protein and vegetables. I drink lots of water, rest. Occasionally I’ll treat myself to a glass of red wine because why not?
Tell me about self-massage, as I’d love to integrate more of it into my own routine at home. Do you use rollers?
I love incorporating self-massage, it makes such a difference in how I feel. One of my go-to techniques is stomach massage, which I always do in a clockwise direction to support digestion and reduce bloating after meals. It also helps with period pain. Depending on how sensitive I’m feeling that day, I’ll adjust the pressure — sometimes a light touch is best, while other times, I find deeper pressure more effective. I start by applying oil (I normally use sweet almond oil but you can use anything you have at home) to help my hands glide smoothly, then use my fingertips to make gentle circular motions around my belly button, slowly working outward. If I need more relief, I use my palms or knuckles to massage deeper, following the natural path of digestion, moving up the right side, across, and down the left. I finish with slow, soothing strokes to relax the area and promote movement.
For my neck and shoulders, I start by warming a small amount of oil (again, your choice) in my hands and applying it to my neck and shoulders. Then, I use my fingertips to glide from the base of my skill down to my shoulders a few times to loosen everything up. If I find any tight spots, I press into them with my thumbs or knuckles, holding for a few seconds while taking deep breaths. To work deeper, I use slow, circular motions along my upper traps and the base of my neck. I finish by tilting my head from side to side for a gentle stretch and rolling my shoulders.
What about your face, do you ever use a Gua Sha?
I don’t use Gua Sha, I just prefer using my hands. I focus on releasing tension around my cheeks, forehead and scalp, always massaging upwards. A lot of people forget that the forehead actually continues into the scalp, so I make sure to massage right past the hairline. This not only helps to release tension but also stimulates the hair follicles.
Any other favourite beauty/wellness spots in Sydney?
I absolutely love Capybara in Surry Hills. I go all the time. The setup is amazing, with the option to move between the ice bath, sauna and steam room. I always leave feeling like I’m floating and I’ve given my body the repair it needs. I can’t recommend it enough.
Cetaphil Cleanser
Jurlique Jojoba Carrier Oil
Aiya Hair Oil
