About me

Hi, my name is Maria Stirling and I am a specialist registered nurse and lymphoedema therapist. I have over 35 years of nursing experience and have been a breast care nurse and lymphoedema therapist for over 10 years.

As a lymphoedema therapist I often see people who are worried about swelling in their legs or arms. If lymphoedema or chronic oedema has been there for a long time there are many ways to help you manage this condition. Conditions such as lipoedema may also respond to gentle management techniques.

A Breast Care Nurse is trained to help people with a breast cancer diagnosis. Post operative care, axillary cording (also known as axillary webbing) and scar management are all areas which we can discuss. I did further training as a remedial massage therapist after seeing so many people with neck and shoulder pain after their breast cancer treatments. Of course I also see people with general musculo-skeletal discomfort and use gentle techniques to bring relief. No needles from me!

I am forever going to workshops, conferences and symposiums to keep my knowledge accurate and current.

Call today for an appointment: 0478 231 724

In 2014 I received an award for Reducing oedema after lower limb cellulitis: a pilot study

Qualification and Affiliations

  • Certificate of Nursing: Alfred Hospital
  • Bachelor of Nursing: Monash University
  • Certificate of Stomal Therapy Nursing
  • Wound Management Course
  • Breast Care Nursing Course: Latrobe University
  • Level One Lymphoedema Course: Lymphoedema Practitioners Education Group Victoria
  • Level Two Lymphoedema (advanced) Course: Brisbane Hospital
  • Masters of Nursing Practice: Monash University
  • Diploma of Remedial Massage: Australian College of Fitness and Bodywork

Extra Courses

  • Laser Therapy: Riancorp
  • Myofacial Cupping
  • Kinesiotaping

    • Oncology Massage

Registrations and Affiliations

  • Registered Nurse (AHPRA)
  • National Lymphoedema Practitioners Registration Accredited
  • Member of Australasian Lymphoedema Association
  • Member of  Massage and Myotherapy Association (remedial massage)
  • Registered provider: State Wide Equipment Program
  • TAC provider: nursing services
  • Private health insurance: remedial massage therapy
  • NDIS provider: nursing services

I graduated from Deakin University with a Masters of Nursing Practice in 2015.

Subjects covered included Patient Safety and Risk Management, Nursing Leadership, Agricultural Health and Medicine as well as a thesis where I researched lower leg oedema after cellulitis. The pilot study I undertook produced a positive trend.

P.S. I still have my bright blue swede shoes.