Michelle Woodruff, LMT, retired PTA
Michelle retired from SSM/Select Medical in 2018 after serving 30 years as a physical therapist assistant. She has been a Licensed Massage therapist since 1999 and has been using John F. Barnes' Myofascial Release® since 1995. She is a Former Certified Lymphedema Therapist throught the Lymphology Association of North America trained in Vodder, KloseNorton, and Chikly Lymphatic Approaches.
She is an author, podcaster and educator.
She was able to fuse traditional approachs with holistic approahes to yield the greatest results for her patients. Some of the approaches used include myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, lymphatic drainage, acupressure and EFT/Tapping. She has worked the full life spectrum from her position as a birthing doula and treating colic to hospice care.
She has an extensive background working with neuological and orthopedic clients, as well as women's health and pediatrics. Her special interests include working with trauma clients. Michelle began her career in physical therapy following a minor injury she sustained while dancing.
She holds a degree in both Dance and Psychology. Once she obtained her license as a PTA, she quickly accelerated her skills in manual therapies as her movement background provided her with a comprehensive approach to integrating body, mind, spirit and emotion.
Holistic approaches were instrumental in her recovery from a spinal cord injury when in her 30s, a spinal cord injury that left her with lower extremity, bowel and bladder paralysis. During that recovery, she utilized holistic and traditional medical approaches.
She often works with difficult to treat clients who have exhausted other means of treatment. She developed SImple Fascial Method.
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Myrtle Hammond, LMT, former LPN
Myrtle is a former LPN with experience in long term care. Her nursing career was abruptly halted when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor and underwent emergency neurosurgery. She was left with a visual impairment that redirected her career.
She successfully incorporates and integrates the high level of anxiety that results from the loss of visual sensory input. She understands the intricate influence of the fight or flight system on the body and how the body can unintentionally store trauma. She knows that impairment in any sensory area can affect the fight or flight system and nervous system, affecting the entire body response.
She utilizes myofascial release and fascial techniques as a path to health and wellness. She has been gifted with keen skills for palpation of fascial structures, as she does not have the dependency of visual awareness that other clinicians may depend upon.
Because of her personal experience, she knows that healing is not a clear cut path and the traditional healthcare system can be frustrating. Fascial work has assisted Myrtle in moving beyond traditonal healthcare and assisted her in improving her quality of life. She feels that traditional healthcare has limitations and that it is up to the individual to move beyond those limitations.
She discovered that Myofascial Release and Fascial work was helpful in returning her quality of life and moving her out of "survival mode". She feels there is so much to enjoy in life, but that it is difficult to enjoy life when the body is just trying to get by day to day. She wants to be an inspiration for those who face hardships in their lives. She wants those individuals to know that there are simple, easy ways to heal.
Myrtle works with clients on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays is looking forward to adding more days to her schedule as her client base expands.
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Kelli Richarson, DPT
Kelli obtained her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Rockhurst University in 2010, and a B.S. in Exercise Science from Truman State University in 2005. Prior to earning her degree in physical therapy, Kelli worked as a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certified-personal trainer and has a background in sports and working in gym settings. Due to her personal experience with injuries, Kelli advocates for prevention, exercise safety, and creating balance within the body. She attributes much of her injury rehabilitation success to the principles of PRI.
Kelli has advanced training with the Postural Restoration Institute® (PRI). PRI is a form of specialized physical therapy that addresses asymmetries and dysfunctional movement patterns. Asymmetries result from disease, injury, trauma or repetitive daily movements, such as those related to work, routines or sports. These poor movement patterns create overactive and underactive muscle imbalances which result in pain, dysfunction, and nervous system dysregulation.
In a targeted, one-on-one atmosphere, Kelli works with clients on body awareness, posture and breathing to balance the muscles and joints for optimal performance. Instead of utilizing weights which can result in inflammatory responses, Postural Restoration Institute (R) focuses on balancing muscle groups with light resistance and breathing to retrain the body.
Kelli has worked as a PT with SSM/Select Medical, St. Louis Home Health's orthopedic and joint replacement team, PRORehab PC, and Axis Spine and Orthopedics. Kelli enjoys working with all ages. She has an extensive history of working with geriatrics in home-health and fitness settings. Other areas of special interest include working with adolescent populations and clients with chronic conditions.
When she is not working, Kelli loves spending time with her family, cooking, exploring the outdoors and watching her daughter dance. To schedule an appointment with Kelli:
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