Mya Swan, PT, DPT
Mya Swan was born and raised in Alaska where she learned core values, morals, work ethic, and how to catch big fish. She moved to Phoenix, Arizona and earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Anatomy/Biology at Grand Canyon University while working as a physical therapy technician. She then went on to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree from Arizona School of Health Sciences, a branch of A.T. Stills University.
Her work experience includes orthopedics, aquatics, and equine assisted therapy. She has worked on persons ranging in age from birth to 98 years, with a wide range of diagnoses, in a variety of settings.
She is a highly skilled manual therapist. It was through her advanced training in manual therapy that Mya discovered the most authentic and effective form of manual therapy, John F. Barnes Myofascial Release. It was immediately clear to her why this form of therapy was sought after by patients and therapists alike from all over the world. She then became a part of the hand picked John F. Barnes team and worked at the world renowned Myofascial Release Treatment Center, "Therapy on the Rocks." Her role as a Lead Physical Therapist allowed her to provide personalized Myofascial Release sessions, teach Myofascial Release stretching classes, and assist in the training of other Myofascial Release Therapists. Mya loves to expand upon her knowledge and skills and continues to train under her mentor, John F. Barnes. Mya continues to work for John F. Barnes through providing fill in coverage at Therapy on the Rocks. She works as an instructor assisting John F. Barnes with his Myofascial Release Seminars for health care professionals and his Myofascial Healing Seminar for patients, caregivers, and health care professionals.
Mya is in tune with the needs of the body and is educated in following those cues. Mya believes that the body is a unit, not to be broken up into parts, and takes a holistic approach to therapy. Above all else, Mya enjoys helping others achieve their maximum potential, and realize their dreams.
Melissa Jones, PTA
Melissa grew up in Arizona and loves the heat and sunshine. At a young age she knew that she wanted to help others. Melissa found her path to Physical Therapy after studying Physiology for a few years and being led to Physical Therapy through yoga. She needed an extra credit during a semester in college and choose a yoga class. Through this simple yoga class, she was reintroduced to how our physical body is connected to our mind, leading her to make a change in study focus.
After graduating from Gateway Community College in 2007 with a Physical Therapy Assistant degree, Melissa began her career in a rehab hospital. She collaborated with clients from the ages of 7-days old to geriatric. She then moved to an outpatient office and found her love for manual hands-on care within Physical Therapy through a continuing education course. In 2014, Melissa began her certifications in John Barnes Myofascial Release and has completed: Expert Level, Equine, and MFR Yoga. In 2019, she began the use of pelvic MFR.
She loves being able to allow others to connect to self in a natural way opening connections to body, mind and spirit. This work has changed Melissa in healing ways. She is a committed student of John Barnes MFR and takes seminars annually. Melissa first took MFR Yoga training in 2020 allowing her to incorporate these teachings into her client’s treatment and enhancing their home programs. She then received her 200-YTT in 2021 and had been teaching weekly MFR and slow flow classes.
Kimberly Whipple, PTA, LMT
Kimee loves to learn, especially in the pursuit of knowledge to help her to help others. From a very young age, she has had a love and interest in using her hands to bless the lives of others.
She graduated from The Sedona School of Massage and has been a Licensed Massage Therapist for nearly twelve years as well as an Infant Massage Instructor. She has been able to take many courses with John F. Barnes to learn myofascial release (MFR) and was hooked from the first class she took. She knew this would be a part of her journey to help others. She has seen miracles in her own life as well as others using John’s approach to MFR.
She has always had a love for areas of women’s health, particularly perinatal, prenatal, and postpartum periods. She is a Certified Midwifery Assistant, has trained as a doula, and has taken and is taking courses to continue to learn and grow in this area. It was upon learning about John’s women’s health approach that Kimee pursued an education in physical therapy, so she could treat and help women. Kimee completed her Physical Therapy Assistant Program at Pima Medical Institute.
Kimberly may be very humble about her athletic accomplishments but our team at Self Solace Physical Therapy is very proud to have someone that has a deep understanding of what it takes to be an athlete. Especially an athlete that had her fair share of rising above injury and excelling in her sport. When treating athletes she brings a level of understanding and compassion that only comes from first hand experience. Click here to view her page on the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Hall of Fame.
What are our patients saying about Kimberly Whipple, PTA, LMT?
Sequoia Liming-Madrone,
Patient Care Coordinator / Office Manager
Sequoia was born on the Northern coast of California; she grew up surrounded by nature and the giant trees from which she got her name. Traveling from a very young age has helped her shape a special perspective, appreciation, and respect for the world and others. Sunny days at the farmers market, cooking and being active are some of her favorite activities. Her passion for helping people has motivated her to pursue a degree in Psychology, which brought her to Arizona State University.
Due to an injury of her own, Sequoia found Myofascial Release and sought treatment. Having first-hand experience of the incredible possibilities that MFR therapy has to offer, it ignited her passion to help those the same way that she was. She understands the diversity in individuals we treat and hopes to spread kindness and joy in each interaction she has.
Location
Self Solace Physical Therapy, Inc.
at The Empowered Living Center
7560 South Willow Drive
Tempe, Arizona 85283