Meet your Physio

Melissa grew up in Wooster, Ohio, where she was a competitive swimmer and runner—developing an early understanding of what it means to train, compete, and push physical limits.

She later moved to the Eastern Sierra in 2009, drawn by climbing and the mountain athlete lifestyle. Like many in the outdoor community, she spent several years working in gear shops and guiding, fully immersed in the demands of an active, performance-driven life. It was during this time that she began to see the gap between injury and a true return to sport—and knew she wanted to be part of that process.

Melissa went on to earn her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from East Tennessee State University in 2017. During her final clinical rotation in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, she trained with the Institute of Physical Art (IPA), an experience that shaped her approach to treating the whole athlete—not just the injury. She has since completed extensive post-graduate training in Functional Manual Therapy, blending hands-on treatment with movement precision and strength-based rehabilitation.

In 2019, Melissa returned to the Eastern Sierra to work at Mammoth Hospital. After several years, she recognized she wasn’t able to deliver the level of individualized, high-quality care she was trained to provide. In 2021, she made the decision to step away and start her own practice, built around a higher standard of care for athletes.

From the start, Melissa began working with professional runners and skiers in the area. She joined the U.S. Ski Team Medical Team and continues to study annually with their High Performance staff, deepening her expertise in sports science, ACL rehabilitation, and long-term athletic development. She also became the strength and physiotherapy provider for the Mammoth Track Club, and continues her education through USA Track & Field and Altis Coaching.

Melissa has dedicated her practice to working with high-level athletes in track and field, ultramarathons, freestyle skiing and snowboarding, and Nordic and Alpine ski racing. Her approach combines advanced manual therapy with performance training to meet the unique demands of mountain and endurance athletes—helping them return to sport stronger, more efficient, and more resilient.