Massage Therapy

Post-Surgery Recovery

Sciatica

Scoliosis

Shoulder Pain

Sports Injuries

Stress and Anxiety

Tennis Elbow

Whiplash

Our Massage Therapy Staff

Meet the massage therapy and cupping staff at Optimal Movement in Rochester, Minnesota. With years of experience, we’re proud to tell you a bit about ourselves. Click each staff member to learn more about them.

Licensed Massage Therapist

Brittany Cupery

Brittany first learned of the mind-body connection while working at a mental health clinic. From there, Brittany discovered massage therapy and its positive effects on one's physical and mental health. Brittany graduated from Northwestern Health Sciences University in 2023 with an Associate of Applied Science in Massage Therapy. Through her 1250+ hour education, she has spent time working with various populations, learning techniques in Swedish relaxation, deep tissue, trigger-point therapy, trauma-informed care, acupressure, cupping, and much more. Brittany prioritizes creating a safe space to assist her clients in releasing tension and finding balance. In her free time, Brittany enjoys crafting, hiking, working out at the gym, or simply spending time with her husband and their fur babies.

Phone:507-993-0830

Email:feelbetter@optimal-movement.com

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Licensed Massage Therapist

Marisol Torres

Marisol grew up in Southeast Minnesota, where she completed her high school education at Austin, MN High School. It was during her formative years at age 11 that Marisol's initial encounter with the world of massage therapy took place, as she observed her mother grappling with pain and discomfort. Witnessing the transformative power of physical touch in the realms of healing and recovery ignited a passionate spark within her for the art of massage therapy. In her pursuit of this passion, Marisol diligently pursued her educational goals, ultimately achieving a 600-hour certificate in massage therapy from Riverland Community Technical College in May 2022. Her skillful approach to massage therapy seamlessly weaves together a repertoire of techniques, including Swedish massage, Reflexology,, all thoughtfully applied to address the unique needs of each client. Additionally, Marisol's expertise extends to the incorporation of fluid relaxation techniques, enhancing the overall massage experience. Outside of her professional life, Marisol finds solace and inspiration in creative endeavors, indulging her love for drawing and painting. She also dedicates time to her personal well-being by engaging in physical fitness activities at the gym. Her interests extend to the world of fashion and shopping, reflecting a diverse range of interests that contribute to her holistic approach to life.

Email:Feelbetter@optimal-movement.com

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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Massage Therapy

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Licensed Massage Therapist

Danny Xu

Danny decided to become a massage therapist in 2013 to help people relieve stress and tension from their lives. He Graduated from AAAOM in Roseville, Minnesota. He practiced in the twin cities for several years. Danny performs custom-tailored massages for each client to help them live a life without limits. Danny is married and has 6 Bichon Frise dogs. Some of their names are Yo-Yo, Barbie, Lucky, and Ruby. In his free time, he likes taking his dogs to the dog park so they can run out their energy. On other days he enjoys fishing and listening to music from the 80s.

Phone:507-993-0830

Email:feelbetter@optimal-movement.com

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Licensed Massage Therapist

Gunter Mussell

Gunter grew up and graduated from Zumbrota, Minnesota. After graduation he joined the Navy and served as a corpsman for 5 years before moving back to Rochester, MN. He now works for the Mayo Clinic ambulance service as a paramedic. Having had such a strong pull towards helping people in need and witnessing the positive influence of physical touch in the rehabilitation process, it led him to pursue knowledge in massage therapy. Gunter graduated from Riverland Community Technical College with his certificate in massage therapy where he learned Swedish massage, Trigger-point therapy, Deep tissue, sports massage, and cupping therapy. He specializes in medium to deep pressure during his massages. Other than hanging out with his cat, Gary, Gunter enjoys spending time in nature. He constantly looks forward to planning his next camping/hunting/fishing trip. At home you could find him tinkering on all sorts of woodworking projects for his friends and family.

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Licensed Massage Therapist

Ryan Hoyme

Neuromuscular Therapy, Prenatal Massage, Geriatric Massage, Swedish Massage, Massage Cupping, Active Isolated Stretching, Myofascial Release, Active Release Technique, Lomi Lomi Massage, Lymphatic Drainage, Oncology Massage, Reflexology, Hospice Massage, Hospital Based Massage, Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), and many others. Ryan embarked on his journey as a massage therapist back in 1997 when he graduated from the Sister Rosalind School of Professional Massage. Since then, Ryan has consistently expanded his knowledge and qualifications, earning an associate of applied science in massage from Minnesota School of Business and a bachelor's degree in Health Studies from Siena Heights University. Ryan's contributions to the field of massage therapy extend beyond his practice. He has authored two books on massage, served as an instructor for over a decade, and taught massage not only in the United States but abroad through online platforms, too. His expertise has earned him the distinction of being a judge at the World Championship in Massage held in Denmark, a role he has held since 2017. Ryan has garnered numerous awards throughout his career and has been inducted into the American and International Massage Therapy Hall of Fame. In addition to his hands-on work and instructional activities, Ryan is the owner of the largest massage-related website, www.massagenerd.com. He also has the largest YouTube channel dedicated to massage, featuring a vast collection of instructional videos. Ryan's written works have graced the pages of many distinguished massage publications. His influence extends into the entertainment industry, as one of his massage videos featured in the Emoji Movie. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Ryan cherishes spending quality time with his wife and two daughters. He also has a passion for traveling the world to learn from therapists and practitioners from diverse cultural backgrounds, further enriching his expertise and dedication to the field of massage therapy.

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Licensed Massage Therapist

Marissa Fitzsimmons

Living along the water of the Mississippi River, Marissa has always called Minnesota her home & the ones who live in southern MN her community. An advocate for self-development & body positivity, she aspires to optimize her overall well-being while helping others do the same. Marissa completed a 700-hour program at Minnesota School of Cosmetology & believes the learning has just begun for her! Having graduated in September of 2022, Marissa is interested in myofascial release, advanced therapeutic techniques, & cupping therapy. She also loves the style of Swedish massage & the benefits it has to offer for her clients. Marissa values the power of solitude & surrounding herself with her loved ones (especially her dog Koda)— You can spot her cheering at sporting events, soaking up the sun or rereading the Harry Potter series. She is looking forward to working with everyone at Optimal Movement & is excited to learn more about the world of massage therapy from them. “relaxation is a practice, so whenever I give someone that space to truly relax it brings a lot of opportunity for healing… that means more than anything to me.”

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Licensed Massage Therapist

Deb Strand

Deb was first introduced to massage therapy while working at a jewelry company. While there, she developed chronic pain patterns from working long hours, performing detailed work with a bad posture. After getting a massage, she was amazed by the relief she felt from her chronic muscle tension. Ever since, Deb has been fascinated by holistic and natural approaches to facilitating wellness and balancing the mind-body-spirit connection. Deb combines Deep Tissue, Orthopedic, and Trigger Point Therapy as needed to treat each client’s specific needs while also incorporating relaxation techniques into her massages. Deb received her certification in massage therapy from the Minnesota Riverland Technical College in Rochester, MN and has been practicing massage therapy for the past seven years. In her free time, Deb likes to stay active. She has a passion for working out, spending time with her family, hiking with her dogs, collecting crystals and gems, and absorbing as much knowledge as she can.

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Licensed Massage Therapist

Natalie Barry

Natalie is from Rochester, MN and embarked on her journey into the world of massage through the inspiration of her mother, who was a trained massage therapist herself. Her passion and dedication for massage therapy grew and eventually led her to the Massage and Spa Professional Academy, where she completed her training as a massage therapist in 2008. Natalies' expertise lies in the realms of neuromuscular therapy, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, and lymphatic drainage. Natalie has continued her certification in lymphatic drainage through a specialized certification in Complete Decongestive Therapy through The Academy of Lymphatic Studies. Natalie emphasizes that stress, especially repetitive motions in the mind as well as the body are the cause for strain and injury, and by relaxing the mind, your body will follow.

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lymphatic drainage, Massage Therapy

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Licensed Massage Therapist

La’Mika Davis

La’Mika has a vast knowledge on anatomy stemming from her experience in the health & fitness industry. La’Mika approaches her massages with the focus of treating the root cause of pain and not just the symptoms. She masterfully blends her skills of Deep tissue, trigger point therapy, cupping, and myofascial release to ensure the best outcomes for your mind and body. La’Mika’s work can help those suffering from chronic pain, athletes looking to improve performance, or anyone seeking to improve overall relaxation and wellness. La’Mika has a passion for sports and loves to help with youth activities. She has a creative and entrepreneurial drive, working in massage therapy, sports, and clothing. She enjoys spending time with her son and loves to travel in her time off. She is passionate about helping others grow, find balance within their bodies, and mentally being their best selves.

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Licensed Massage Therapist

Marisa Wood

Marisa is a licensed massage therapist specializing in deep tissue and focused therapeutic massage. She creates individualized treatments and expertly assesses how tension in the muscles and surrounding tissue are impacting the health of the rest of the body. Marisa’s sessions include gentle to firm-pressure therapeutic massage, deep tissue and trigger point therapy, myofascial release, and a variety of stretching & mobility techniques. Marisa also incorporates tool-based techniques such as cupping and gua sha with her clients’ permission. Marisa enjoys working and teaching from the heart, creating a safe, judgement and expectation-free zone in which clients can heal, achieve their personal health/wellness goals, and deepen their relationship with themselves. Marisa obtained an Associate in Applied Science degree in Massage Therapy in 2014, which consisted of 1200+ training hours. She also holds a 230-hour Yoga Instructor Certification and Advanced Reiki Certification. She has obtained continuing education in a variety of modalities including Reflexology, Mayan Abdominal Therapy, Thai massage, and (her personal favorite) Dermal Traction Method. Although massage is Marisa’s “big girl” job, she is also a certified yoga instructor and former pole fitness instructor/competitor. Bodywork, yoga, and dance have been a huge part of her personal journey and growth, and she is ecstatic to have the opportunity to share her passions and help create a community of health-conscious individuals.

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