Dr. Melissa Manilla’s passion for health and wellness started as a child when she considered reading nutrition labels a fun task. Her lifelong love for nutrition and wellness began her academic career, as she studied Human Nutrition and Exercise Science at The Ohio State University. While in her undergraduate studies, her desire to become a physician-led her to the National University of Health Sciences where she completed her Doctor of Chiropractic degree. While in the midst of her chiropractic coursework she realized she wanted to further study the world of nutrition and Functional Medicine. This led her to pursue a Master’s of Human Nutrition & Functional Medicine through the University of Western States, of which she graduated with distinction. She will sit for the Certified Clinical Nutritionist exam later this year. Throughout her schooling, she also found a love for acupuncture, which led her to complete over 300 hours of acupuncture coursework and certifications. With acupuncture, she can treat both musculoskeletal and internal medicine conditions. Dr. Manilla is also trained in cupping therapy as an adjunct to her care.
Throughout chiropractic school, she completed various certifications and attended numerous seminars to enhance her clinical knowledge. She has attended almost every Apex Energetics Functional Medicine seminar focusing on endocrinology, thyroid conditions, neurological health, and blood work analysis. She has spent many hours at nutrition conferences, acupuncture seminars and functional medicine forums giving her a specialty of internal medicine. Her passions include autoimmune diseases, infertility, thyroid ailments, gut conditions, and clinical weight control.
She has also completed many musculoskeletal based seminars including McKenzie Method Seminars A-D. This specific training modality allows her to functionally move people out of pain quickly while utilizing their own musculoskeletal movements to heal themselves. She also has certifications in the Fascial Distortion Model, a soft tissue modality, and Rocktape, a taping technique to optimize motion and healing. Along with these certifications, she has completed many hours of Motion Palpation Institute training allowing her to utilize manipulations as a primary treatment and return to function.
Dr. Melissa also has a deep love for travel in order to learn about other cultures; she has been to 21 countries and recently volunteered in South Africa and Peru working with childcare and healthcare respectively. Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with her fiancé and dog, especially outside in the sunshine or in the kitchen. She loves trying new things and meeting new people, and is always ready for any type of adventure.