EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS:
Doctorate of Physical Therapy, 2010, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Institute of Health Professions (Boston, MA) 
Doctor of Education, 2024, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

Master of Education in Secondary Education, 2006, University of Florida

Owner/Founder of Embody Orthopedic & Sports PT, 2015
Certification in Dry Needling (Cert. DN)-Spinal Manipulation Institute, American Academy of Manipulative Therapy, 2014

Certification in Spinal Manipulative Therapy (Cert. SMT)-Spinal Manipulation Institute, American Academy of Manipulative Therapy, 2018

Titleist Performance Institute Medical 2 Certified, 2019

Graston Certified Practitioner, 2020
Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner, 2014

Registered Yoga Teacher-RYT 200

Active Member APTA, 2008

ABOUT MELISSA:
Dr. Melissa M. Powers, a graduate of the University of Florida and Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, is passionate about helping patients live pain-free. In the final year of her doctorate, she completed a year-long internship in manual therapy, receiving specialized training and mentorship in joint mobilization/manipulative treatment techniques for the spine and extremities. Since then, Melissa has worked to specialize in orthopedic manual therapy, studying dry needling, spinal manipulation, myofascial release techniques, cupping, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

With over 14 years of experience, Melissa continues to be fascinated by the complexity of the musculoskeletal system and the challenge of treating various orthopedic conditions. Melissa believes her approach to therapy is unique in the current healthcare environment, as she seeks to work closely with patients, evaluating each injury as it relates to the entire body and the whole person.  She is a firm believer in lifelong learning. Melissa seeks to deliver the highest standards of care, incorporating the latest evidence and an array of options for getting the most out of each treatment session with her patients. 

Melissa finds great joy in achieving superior results with patients dealing with pain or movement dysfunction who perhaps have been unsuccessful in other PT clinics. Her special interests are chronic neck pain, headaches, mid-thoracic pain, rib pain, low back pain (nagging gluteal and thigh pain), SIJ dysfunction, femoral acetabular impingement and labral tears, and shoulder impingement.  

Outside of her physical therapy practice, Melissa is an avid marathon runner, cyclist, and yogini. She also loves hiking with her husband, two children, and hounds!