Melanie Cen, PT, brings a unique blend of clinical experience, compassion, and a holistic perspective to the Optimum Health & Wellness team.
Originally from Queens, New York, Melanie attended undergraduate school in Pittsburgh before returning to New York for graduate school. Her professional journey has taken her through several different areas of physical therapy, including acute care at an oncology hospital and travel physical therapy at a skilled nursing facility in San Francisco. These experiences have given her an appreciation for treating the whole person—not simply the condition that brings someone into the clinic.
Melanie is especially passionate about changing the way people understand physical therapy. She believes PT is often misunderstood as being similar to personal training or massage therapy, when in reality physical therapists are highly trained healthcare professionals who can play an important role in pain management, movement, function, and long-term health.
Her clinical experience includes orthopedic and musculoskeletal rehabilitation, pelvic health, oncology, and holistic physical therapy, as well as a broad range of orthopedic, sports, neurological, and wellness applications. She has experience treating everything from back, neck, shoulder, hip, knee, and foot/ankle conditions to sports injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, pelvic health concerns, chronic pain, balance and neurological conditions, and more. Her skills also include manual therapy, manipulation, dry needling, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, joint and soft-tissue mobilization, cupping, kinesio taping, Pilates-based rehabilitation, and strength and fitness programming.
At Optimum, Melanie is excited to provide holistic physical therapy to the Ketchikan community—something different from what she has experienced in previous clinical settings. Her approach is grounded in empathy and quality care. She believes that understanding a person and how their pain affects their daily life is essential to providing effective treatment.
When she’s not working, Melanie enjoys photography, hiking, baking, and embroidery. She also enjoys reading, with favorites including Ogilvie’s of Alice Ward, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, and Normal People by Sally Rooney.
And the quote that captures Melanie’s outlook beautifully:
“The very things that hold you down are going to lift you.”
We’re excited to have Melanie bringing her clinical experience, thoughtful approach, and genuine commitment to whole-person care to Optimum Health & Wellness!