Melissa M. Collins, CHt, MOT, OTR/L, CBIS

I became a physical therapist to help people overcome adversity, achieve their goals and return to optimal wellness. There are few greater joys than seeing a person return to the activities they love, whether it be running a marathon or picking up their grandchildren. As a physical therapist, I get to design a path forward for patients and use exercise and movement to return them to their desired lifestyle. My practice spans the orthopaedic physical therapy continuum using a combination of patient-centered and evidence-informed exercise interventions, neuromuscular re-education, education, coaching, and manual therapy to address pain and dysfunction throughout the entire body. Throughout my career, I have taken a special interest in addressing shoulder, hip and knee dysfunction. I also enjoy problem-solving difficult clinical problems with patients in underserved areas of practice, including persistent pain disorders, headaches and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

I became a physical therapist to assist people in getting back to their normal function and living pain-free. It’s incredibly fulfilling to play a role in helping patients overcome challenges and regain their quality of life. My philosophy of care is simple: movement is medicine. I emphasize the importance of staying active and believe that movement is a key component to recovery and overall well-being. My clinical interests include return-to-sport rehabilitation, orthopedics, and recovery following total joint replacements. I enjoy working with patients to develop personalized care plans that help them achieve their goals, whether it’s returning to daily activities or excelling in athletic pursuits. Outside of work, I love trying new restaurants and traveling to different cities. Exploring new places and cuisines keeps life exciting and helps me bring fresh energy to my practice.