Hi, I am the owner, Melissa Larsen! I am a MAT/Orthopedic Massage Therapist. People always ask us “what is Medical Massage?”. It’s still massage but not what you probably know and have become accustomed to receiving at a spa or a massage chain. We have given massage therapy a HUGE upgrade with our training and that equals better results and long-term changes. Clients see me for my clinical approach with Myoskeletal Alignment Therapy (MAT). Focused on human structure, function, and motion issues, I work regularly with the “text-neck” population. Text neck is a modern age term used to describe pain from all the time we spend on our devices. Laptops, telephones, and iPads! Then driving, sleeping patterns, and sitting all day. Pain is exhausting, mentally and physically. Like many of you, I have bought gadgets and massage guns, foam rollers in every size, trying to get relief. While all have been useful, consistently I have found MAT to be most beneficial for pain and decreased mobility.

I grew up suffering from back pain due to scoliosis and I was told that I needed back surgery to straighten it out with metal rods. My roto-scoliosis diagnosis was upsetting; surgery was too expensive, and I was afraid of the recovery. Instead, I found relief with a combination of MAT and corrective exercises. Which is why I specialize in postural alignment. I can relate to people with issues like mine, whether it was specifically scoliosis or other issues of the spine, I know where it hurts. I have first-hand experience!

Muscles overwork while weakening others, effecting our posture and spinal curves. Generally, bones move because of muscles. If your structural alignment is off, there could be a functional reason. Observing your posture helps narrow down the source of pain; and it’s almost never where it hurts. Something is overworking to keep it that way, causing pain in the body and imbalance. I treat the whole body, finding your pattern and help unwind it. My goal is always pain free movement!

Hey there! I am Nelson. I enjoy working with people and helping them in any way I can. Providing therapeutic massages is one way.

These days people are spending more of their time on their phone or in front of a computer. I am one of those people. I worked full time at a desk job. I know how tight the neck, shoulders, back, hands, and wrists can feel after a long day from working hard—most likely from working harder, not smarter with poor posture I might add. And especially during those stressful days where the body and mind are working in overdrive, the deep dull ache becomes more apparent and annoying like an itch wanting to be scratched. Can you relate to this? I also know how remarkable massage feels to have those tight areas worked and loosened up—in my case, to have a professional know what buttons to push underneath the surface to reset or reboot my system, so to speak, as well as put me to low power sleep mode. Furthermore, getting massages helped increase my range of motion, reduced my stress, and allowed me to reconnect with my body.

I cannot remember when exactly but for the longest time I was drawn to massage therapy. I found massage magical, to create something from nothing, more specifically to create movements with my two hands that feel good and help alleviate stress and discomfort for people. There are not many professions out there compared to massage therapy where we spend significantly more time with our clients, interact with them frequently out loud or in silence, and help them feel physically and mentally better. What a privilege and honor! I would be remiss if I did not mention that I also provide massages for the elderly and people in hospice care. These folks have a special place in my heart. I have seen how a gentle massage for their hands and forearms can lift their spirits, especially for those who lack receiving compassionate touch.

My clients would describe my work as thorough. I strive to make your massage session as productive as possible. I take my time to address any areas that need the attention. Before I begin my work, I listen to you speak about why you came to see me and what you want from your session. Then, I help design your session that aligns with your goals.

I enjoy figuring out what hurts, why it hurts, and addressing it with orthopedic massage. When you meet me, you will notice I am goal-oriented, a problem solver, and I pride myself with an attention to detail. Looking back, I am glad I turned my interest with massage therapy into reality. With that comes a lifetime of learning. Currently, I am studying how the body moves and reacts to various external forces. This has led me to learn about the application of massage for people suffering from different pain disorders and injuries. But enough about me, let’s talk about you. How are you doing and how can I be of service to you? I am excited to learn about you and lend a helping hand!

Nice to meet you! I’m Janae, your Master Myoskeletal Alignment Therapist. Practicing massage has been a passion of mine for quite some time, and MAT has been the kind of massage that helps my clients feel like they can live a life with fewer physical restrictions. I’ve had my days in the corporate world, experiencing sitting/standing for long hours throughout the day, causing my back to feel compressed and restricted.  It’s an ongoing thing, and you can only imagine finding relief that lasts longer than a few hours or until you log back in on Monday morning for another week with little movement.

Having had a few abdominal and other significant surgeries that took their toll, I understand the effects of physical trauma on the body. My overall flexibility and Hip mobility changed drastically. My body was “off”- not sitting correctly, and I felt like moving freely was not like it used to be after my procedures. No amount of stretching made me feel better. That’s where Myoskeletal Alignment Therapy (MAT) came in! While stretching has its place, it’s not the end all be all. Little did I know, my pelvis was twisted, resulting from some muscles working more than they should while other muscles were downright lazy! Ha! - Maybe this is you, too, the part about feeling misaligned and a bit crooked from injuries, accidents, surgeries, or less activity than you’ve had in the past.

MAT corrects those nuances our body creates as a result of conscious and subconscious habits: sitting, standing, or driving for long hours, connected to our phones and laptops longer than we’d like to admit, or, in my case, physical trauma from surgeries or accidents.  In our sessions, I start by listening to you, meeting you where you are, and moving on pace with your body’s response to our work. You will receive a massage specifically focused on your needs for improved mobility, better posture, and finding the source of your pain for longer-lasting relief. The phrase: “I love to help people” sounds cliche, but I’m saying it anyway! I take pride in my extensive training and studies. Massage shouldn’t just be about feeling pampered, it’s self-care. I can’t wait to meet you!

Hello! I’m Cynthia Hales-Kepley, lead therapist here at Moonshadow Medical Massage. A rare NC native from Elizabeth City and first in my family to go off to college, I graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill (Go Heels!) with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, specializing in Health Policy and Administration. I spent many years on the corporate side of healthcare, but after a lengthy hiatus caring for my three girls, I knew I wanted to work more directly with people in their healthcare journeys. I went back to school for massage therapy in order to help people in need of both short and long-term pain relief.

Having worked in traditional office environments, taken care of young children & geriatric parents, and dealt with health challenges including joint replacement, I’ve gained a first-hand awareness of how pain can take a toll on the body, mind, and spirit. My experience has centered on working with seniors, people living with autoimmune conditions, moms-to-be, and clients preparing for and recovering from surgery. Over the years, I have also developed a particularly strong interest in manual lymphatic drainage, oncology massage, and scar tissue work, and am so grateful to be able to work with clients coping with lymphedema and all stages of cancer treatment.

It is so important to understand the effects of old injuries (even from childhood), new injuries, chronic conditions, and lifestyle factors (such as computer work, caregiving, exercise routines, and other activities in daily life). I think of my treatment sessions as purpose-driven: I specialize in 'listening to the tissues' - working with the body to help clients by relieving pain & stiffness, improving range of motion, and calming the nervous system. Whether it’s frozen shoulder/rotator cuff injuries, TMJ, sciatica, or chronic migraines, my ultimate goal is to reduce pain and help improve overall quality of living. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you!