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!

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!