Melissa Miller, LMT, ART

In 2004 I graduated the 1100 hour massage therapy program at Renton Technical College in Renton, WA. I have over 16 years experience treating people with injuries sustained in auto accidents. These include things like whiplash, concussions, PTSD, anxiety, depression, seatbelt injuries, contusions, broken ribs, soft-tissue tears, head injuries, tremor, jaw pain, headaches + migraines, tinnitus, vertigo and more. (Did you know that many of these types of injuries can also cause a change in your voice, a twitching eyelid, irritability, excitability, anger, episodes of crying or laughing, confusion, brain fog, instability and loss of sleep? Many people are unaware of just how many of their symptoms are actually caused by the auto accident.) 

I also have extensive education and experience in chronic issues such low back + hip pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), thoracic outlet syndrome, sciatica, scoliosis, nerve pain/tingling/numbness, knee pain, tennis and golfer’s elbow, foot pain and jaw/head/face pain. I have a passion for foot health and how it correlates to injury + injury prevention.

I have treated runners, cyclists, swimmers, golfers, yogi’s, avid outdoor enthusiasts and more. Whatever your activity and injury, I have likely treated someone with the same pain/limited mobility patterns as you.

Majority of people that I see are in pain and are unable to do the things they love and just want to get back to feeling good again. This is the type of work that really inspires me to do my best. This is why I have sought out some of the most effective treatments for soft-tissue injuries and have continued to use them with great success over the years.

In 2011 I became certified in Active Release Techniques (ART); Upper and Lower Extremity and in 2022, I became certified in the newly added masters course Upper Extremity Level II. In this Masters Course, I was the only provider new to the masters level course. Consequently, I was in a class with two NFL doctors; one is the Denver Broncos sports physician and the other a Seahawks sports doc. (Yes, yes, this was all during the news that Wilson was leaving us to go to Denver. What a time to be there!)

ART is considered the gold standard in soft-tissue treatment, utilized by many doctors, physical therapists and massage therapists all over the world. There are a few other people in Tucson that practice this modality, despite the fact that it’s usage is worldwide and highly effective. Check out activerelease.com for more information or to find a provider when you are traveling.

I have continuing education in Orthopedic Assessment and Massage, Trigger Point Therapy, manual therapy for the shoulder + hip, whiplash techniques, Gua Sha, cupping, etc. I am also certified in Intra-Oral Massage.

While in the Seattle area, I had the privilege of working with two sports physicians with the highest levels of education and certifications in the state; Dr. Phillip Thompson and Dr. Michael Hogan. Both of these doctors were certified and highly proficient in ART. Working under their supervision was extremely beneficial to my learning experience.

I hold massage licenses in both Washington and Arizona. In 2004 I became nationally certified with the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). I am a member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). 

I would love the opportunity to help you become pain-free and to get back to do doing the things you love! I look forward to meeting you!

 

Born and raised right here in Tucson, Niki has been a local massage therapist since 2007.  Her continued studies include bio mechanics, healthy movement, and nerve compression syndromes. Her most recent studies are aimed at pain science, going deeper into understanding the nervous system and techniques for addressing angry nerves, including dermoneuromodulation.

She aims for her treatments to be corrective, restorative, and collaborative. When the client knows they’re in charge of the pressure, depth of stretch, and other applicable measures, they can fully relax into the treatment, which helps to release tension in specific areas and also to calm the nervous system. Her belief is that massage isn’t just about rubbing a muscle and getting it to relax; it’s about getting the nervous system to calm down, both locally and systemically.

She combines various massage techniques, gentle movements, and stretches along with continuous communication during the session to provide effective individualized care.

Niki loves treating issues of the hip and pelvis, relieving headaches by working the scalp, neck and shoulders and in general and just getting the patient’s nervous system to settle down.

When Niki’s not treating patients she enjoys hanging out with her family, reading about various manual therapies, digging in the garden and playing Dungeons and Dragons.

Inspired by her mom who is a massage therapist, Kylie graduated from Spectrum Center School of Massage of Lake Stevens, WA in 2016. She worked at Classic Massage Clinic for 5 years, working with other medical providers to rehab injuries. She grew a passion for treating trigger points, headaches/ migraines, shoulder injuries, foot issues, and pain from motor vehicle collisions. She has collaborated with chiropractors, accupuncturists, other massage therapists, and physical therapists. Kylie is driven for finding root issues and treating it for last relief. Kylie is also planning to expand her scope and become an accupuncturist in the future.

Outside of work, Kylie likes to spend time with her husband, Morgan, and Jack Russell terrier, Ted. She is homebody but also enjoys getting out into nature to hike, take landscape photography, or being involved in her church. She is a native northwestern, but is loving all the beauty the sonoran desert had to offer. 

www.ActiveRelease.com for more information.