Melissa Upham - Strickland - Licensed Therapeutic Massage & Bodyworker, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, Neuromuscular Therapist, Certified Rossiter & AIS Practitioner, Reflexologist, Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki Master, Certified Quantum Healing Energy Practitioner, Certified Sound & Vibrational Healing Practitioner, Certified Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques,  Certified Wellness Coach, Shamanic Healing Practitioner

              Melissa first began her studies in alternative healing in Florida in 1990, where she lived and became an avid student of the Barbara Brennan method of Chakra / Crystal healing under a very successful practitioner.  She researched and assisted in the healing of many successful case studies for several years while studying Energy Work,Theology, Past lives, Shamanism, Herb / Vitamin therapy, Crystal / Color and Aromatherapy under many wonderful teachers.  She became an Ordained Minister through the Universalist church The Alliance of Divine Love then opened her own private healing practice. 
             In 1994 Melissa relocated to Watkinsville, Ga. where she continued her private practice and studies as a Natural Living Consultant/Holistic Health Practitioner.  Melissa traveled for several years facilitating workshops in natural healing modalities throughout Georgia, Florida and Pennsylvania.
  Melissa worked in the Athens community providing personal care and supportive services to the physically/developmentally challenged as a CNA in Home Health, Patient Care Tech on Nephrology at a local hospital and EMT-I while furthering her education.
             Melissa received her formal education in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork through the Career Education Institute in 2004-2005 where she studied Massage and Bodywork Technologies, Kinesiology, Myofascial & Structural Integration, Trigger Point / Neuromuscular Therapy, Deep Tissue & Swedish techniques as well as Aromatherapy, Reflexology and Acupressure. Melissa already had a successful massage therapy practice before ever finishing school. She became NCBTMB certifiedin 2006 and has been a member of the AMTA since 2008. She became certified in Neuromuscular Therapy, Reflexology, Sports Massage, Neck Pain injury and prevention, Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques, KM Techniques,AIS, Ashiatsu, Quantum Healing, Munay Ki, Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki Master, Certified Sound Therapy & Vibrational Healing Practitioner through Meditate School of Mindfulness, Certified Wellness Coach and a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist from the Hypnotherapy Academy of America and a Rossiter practitioner. Melissa continues to further her education. 
            Melissa was a volunteer Chair Massage therapist at the Diabetes Expo in 2006, The Georgia College Health Fair in 2008 & 2009, a guest instructor at Georgia College Athletic Training Department in 2009, 2010 & 2011; a guest speaker at local businesses in Milledgeville and also a Chair Massage Therapist at the Ga. Renaissance Festival for two years. She has worked in the Athens, Greensboro and Milledgeville communities as a Medical Massage Therapist, specializing in pain relief  with rehabilitative/corrective therapies for the last 16 years. She did an internship at a Medical Massage facility right out of school, worked for Chiropractic Offices in Athens and Lake Oconee, as the Massage Educator for 5 years at a well known spa in Milledgeville alongside their Physical Therapy Dept. and as a Massage Therapy instructor at API in Milledgeville, Ga. .

Melissa has traveled the world in search of enlightenment and unleashing the secret powers of the mind. She has participated in many sacred ceremonies with some of the oldest tribes in the nation including the Anishinabe, Navajo, Lakota, Havasupai, Shepibo and Q'ero Shamans of the jungle in Peru. Melissa is a Pipe Carrier, a Mesa Carrier, Munay Ki initiate and a practicing Shaman. Melissa enjoys Yoga, meditation, sound therapy, body rolling, hiking and hydrotherapy as her exercise program.  Her hobbies include backpacking, swimming, kayaking, herbal field crafting, gardening, rock hounding, sweat lodges, personal development, reading and writing. 

Melissa currently services the following locations: Eatonton, Greensboro & Lake Oconee. Melissa has a private practice in  Lake Oconee at Dr. Vanessa Pizza's Office, Town & Country Chiropractic 1051 Park Drive, Greensboro Ga 30642  will travel for professional association events, massage parties and business appreciation events and conventions call for details.