"Sano is about connecting people — like-minded individuals on a shared journey toward health and vitality." 

My story 

 

About Sano

Sano provides evidence-informed, individualised care for people preparing for or recovering from surgery, cancer treatment, injury and longer-term tissue changes. Through manual lymphatic drainage, scar therapy and pre- and post-operative support, I help clients feel informed, supported and more confident in their recovery.

Whether you are seeking support for your own recovery, looking to refer a patient or client, or considering professional training in scar therapy, Sano offers a thoughtful, collaborative approach grounded in individual needs and ongoing education.

The practice has evolved considerably since it began, but the values at the heart of Sano have remained constant.

Compassionate, personalised care, professional collaboration and a genuine commitment to better recovery outcomes continue to guide everything I do.

How My Journey Began

Starting a family changed how I viewed both life and work. I wanted a career that was meaningful, flexible and capable of making a real difference in people’s lives, which led me to retrain as a massage therapist.

During my training, I was experiencing ongoing digestive discomfort following pregnancy when I discovered manual lymphatic drainage. After experiencing its benefits personally, I became fascinated by the lymphatic system and its influence on fluid balance, tissue health and recovery.

That experience shaped the direction of my career and the future of Sano.

I continued my professional development in manual lymphatic drainage, combined decongestive therapy, oncology massage, cupping and scar therapy. As my knowledge grew, so did my understanding of how these approaches can work together to support people through surgery, oncology treatment, injury and longer-term tissue changes.

A Clinical and Integrated Approach

People come to Sano at many different points in their recovery: before or after surgery, following injury or oncology treatment, or when swelling, scar tissue, restricted movement or other tissue changes continue to affect daily life.

Depending on the individual, their stage of recovery and their treatment goals, an appointment may combine manual lymphatic drainage or scar therapy with massage, gentle soft-tissue techniques, negative-pressure therapy, taping, vibration or other carefully selected clinical tools. Each technique is chosen to support the person’s specific needs rather than applied as part of a standard treatment formula.

Manual lymphatic drainage and scar therapy can play complementary roles in recovery. Surgery and trauma may affect lymphatic flow, contribute to swelling and alter how tissues move in relation to one another. By considering both fluid movement and scar tissue, treatment can address the wider tissue environment rather than focusing only on the visible scar.

My role is to assess, listen and develop an appropriate treatment plan for each person’s stage of recovery and goals. I also educate and provide resources to support home care and empower people to play an active role in their recovery. Where clients are also under the care of surgeons or other health professionals, I work within their recommendations so that treatment complements the wider care plan.

From Therapist to Global Trainer

My commitment to improving recovery outcomes now extends beyond the treatment room and into professional education.

As a Restore Scar Therapy Global Trainer, I deliver training in New Zealand and Australia. The training gives health and bodywork professionals practical, evidence-informed approaches they can apply in their work, while helping more people gain access to appropriately trained scar therapists.

Education has become an important part of Sano’s purpose. For practitioners, it provides a pathway to deepen their understanding of scar treatment, build practical capability and contribute to more connected care across the recovery journey. It also supports greater awareness and collaboration between therapists, surgeons and allied health professionals.

Ongoing professional development remains central to my practice. I continue to invest in advanced training, clinical tools and education so that the care and teaching I provide evolve alongside current knowledge and best practice.

Moving Forward With Purpose

Sano may look different from when it first opened, but its purpose remains the same: to provide evidence-informed, personalised care that helps people feel supported, educated and confident throughout their recovery.

It is a privilege to support people during some of the most vulnerable and transformative stages of their lives. Whether I am working with a client following surgery, collaborating with another health professional or teaching a therapist, my goal is the same: to contribute to better care, better recovery and better outcomes.

​

Start now. Stop never.

​

Zoe Porter, Founder