ABOUT COLO PHYSICAL THERAPY

Melissa Carlton, physical therapist and founder of Central Oregon Lymphedema + Oncology Physical Therapy, originally hails from New Hampshire. She graduated from the University of Hartford in 2002 and that same year became a licensed physical therapist. 

 

Melissa started her career working in outpatient orthopedics in the sports medicine field. Her first exposure to the world of oncology physical therapy came in 2009 when working with a patient undergoing breast cancer reconstruction. With that experience, Melissa learned that there were not many resources to assist patients in recovery from this surgery. This sparked her passion for working with patients with oncology-related diagnoses and led her to become a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) in 2010 through the Norton School of Lymphology.

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In 2015 Melissa developed an Oncology and Lymphedema Physical Therapy program at an outpatient clinic in Bend, Oregon. Since then, Melissa's interest in the new and expanding field of oncology rehabilitation has only grown, with Melissa becoming a PORi-Certified Oncology Rehabilitation Therapist in 2018.  Melissa earned the designation of Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Oncologic Physical Therapy in 2023.

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Melissa co-lectures on Lymphedema at the local Doctorate of Physical Therapy program at Oregon State University once a year, mentors graduate level students and professionals, has lectured for massage therapy classes, and is a panelist at speaking engagements for local support groups throughout the year.

 

Melissa loves everything Central Oregon has to offer, including stand-up paddle boarding, camping, hiking, and skiing.  She is an avid reader, enjoys live music, and spending time with her husband, two children and their pets (currently two dogs, one cat, a rabbit and some fish)!