Melissa West has been practicing Massage Therapy since 1996 and has been a resident of Kamloops since 1997. She graduated from UBC with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Kinetics and went on to obtain a diploma from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy in 1996. Melissa utilizes her background in Human Kinetics to complement her Massage Therapy treatments by providing her patients with an interdisciplinary approach to their rehabilitation and care.
Melissa is dedicated to helping people rehabilitate, prevent, and manage injuries and/or chronic conditions, by providing patient-centered care and promoting permanent positive lifestyle changes. Her approach is neurocentric, which focuses on regulating the nervous system to promote a healthy mind-body connection, and ultimately manifest physical health and wellness. Melissa also has a passion for teaching and her practice offers her the ability to teach through patient education, movement therapy classes, and pain/stress management seminars.
After several years in practice, Melissa realized that she could not address all the needs of her patients single-handedly. Therefore, Melissa uses an interdisciplinary, team approach, and refers patients to resources outside the clinic if necessary. Melissa is always looking for additional practitioners to join the team in order to enhance patient care.
Over the years, Melissa has been able to give back to the Kamloops community by volunteering with various sports teams (hockey, football, rugby, soccer) and providing first aid, Massage Therapy, and athletic training services as required. She has gained invaluable technical experience, as well as connections with the community at large, by continuing with volunteer activities. Melissa cherishes the experience of joining Operation Nicaragua to train impoverished women in relaxation massage techniques which allowed them to be gainfully employed at various tourist resorts in their country. The income these women may now generate will help to guarantee food and shelter for themselves and their families.
Melissa’s lifelong goal has been to be fit, feel healthy, and live pain-free and she wants to help others do the same.
