The therapists at Madison Lymphatics and Bodywork believe that care should always be holistic and we strive to help guide you towards healing with experience and compassion. We have a combined 12 years experience of treating patients with a wide variety of health histories and needs using Manual Lymphatic Drainage. Carmela is a Licensed massage therapist and Courtney holds a doctorate in physical therapy. Therapists at our clinic have graduated from Klose Training, a school which educates students how to perform Manual Lymphatic Drainage in a safe, gentle, and effective manner.
Hi, I’m Carmela. I am a patient-focused Board Certified and Licensed Massage Therapist that specializes in Post-Surgical Manual Lymphatic Drainage and chronic health conditions. I love practicing MLD and my primary goal is to help the people that I work with into a space where they are able to feel the best they can in their bodies utilizing the skills that I have acquired over my 23 year career.
In 2001, I started studying Traditional Chinese Medicine and TuiNa (Chinese massage) at the East-West Healing Arts Institute of Madison, Wisconsin. After graduation, I continued studying Eastern techniques as well as Myofascial Release, ortho-bionomy, NMT, and Trigger Point Therapy.
In 2008, I opened Therapeutic Massage Center of Middleton with the mantra that no one should have to live with chronic pain. It was there that I really started growing as a Massage Therapist, both with my skill set and the spectrum of clientele that I was seeing.
In 2016, I received a certification in Manual Lymphatic Drainage (CMLDT) from the Klose Institute in Boulder, Colorado and soon began specializing in post-surgical manual lymphatic drainage. I was drawn to MLD as a modality after seeing the amazing results that other practitioners were getting with their patients by reducing their inflammation response and their various ways of manifesting dysfunction in the body and relaxing the nervous system.
Over the last 8 years, I have worked successfully with people recovering from abdominoplasty, breast augmentation, fat transfer, face/neck lift, liposuction, arm/leg lift, skin removal, knee replacement, lymph node removal (and subsequent lymphedema), and other surgical procedures.
I also have extensive experience in treating those with long COVID health related conditions, chronic inflammation, Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, lupus, lymphedema, and lipedema.
I truly love working with people with chronic health conditions and post-surgical patients of all types, as I find so much satisfaction in helping them recover and achieve the best outcome possible. I regularly receive referrals directly from surgeons, physicians, chiropractors, and spine specialists as an adjunct member of a patient’s physical support team. I feel extremely grateful to have gained the trust of my referral sources, as I know their patient’s care is of the highest concern.
Patients would describe me as knowledgeable, empathetic, and kind with an upbeat personality. Outside of the office, I enjoy spending time with my husband and cat, playing the drums, traveling, and making memories with my friends.
PT,DPT,CMLDT – Founder
Hi, I’m Courtney. I am a physical therapist who specializes in Post-Surgical manual lymphatic drainage, manual lymphatic drainage for chronic health conditions and scar tissue work. I am extremely passionate about what I do and helping guide my patients towards their goals with compassion, patience and an understanding of the complexities of each individual’s health journey. I am 100% patient focused, which means I will ALWAYS do what is best for my patients.
I received my Bachelor of Science in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2006 and taught dance for 10 years after graduating.
In 2016 I graduated from Texas State University with my doctorate in Physical Therapy. My first few years working as a Physical Therapist I was working primarily with high level athletes and chronic pain patients with a focus on movement re-education and manual work honing my skills as a hands on practitioner and learning soft tissue work and scar tissue manipulation.
In 2018 I received my Manual Lymphatic Drainage certification (CMLDT) from the Klose Institute in Seattle, Washington and began working full time as a manual lymphatic drainage specialist and have been doing that for the past 6 years. I love working with and have experience with all sorts of post-surgical patients including: breast augmentation/lift/reduction, abdominoplasty, BBL, DIEP flap, mastectomy, top surgery, face/neck lift, liposuction, leg/arm/360 lifts, skin removal, orthopedic surgeries and any other elective or non elective surgery. I also love and have worked with patients with: lipedema, lymphedema, cancer, autoimmune, long covid, Lyme and any other chronic inflammatory conditions. While working with patients I use a mix of manual lymphatic drainage, scar tissue work, visceral work, breath work and soft tissue work as needed to assure you are getting the best outcomes as possible.
At Madison Lymphatics and Bodywork, my focus is on helping people recovering from surgery, cancer and supporting those with lymphatic, autoimmune conditions or chronic inflammation issues. I often refer out to other practitioners in the community and enjoy working as a team with other members of the health community for a truly holistic approach to patient care. I enjoy working in this capacity because it hones in on my love for critical thinking and helping people find the right direction for complex medical issues.
In my other professional life, I own an IG vintage shop. In my free time I enjoy seeing live music, spending time with friends and family, exploring nature and hanging out with my partner Chris and our dog Lefty.
