Meet Melissa Russell
Lead Myofascial Release Therapist, Somatic Life Coach
Melissa Russell (she/ her), our lead therapist, is an expert-level myofascial Release (MFR) therapist and the founder/owner of Quantum Healing Arts in Saint Louis, Missouri. Identifying the lack of aftercare for women recovering from breast cancer, she developed Beloved Bust; offering online programs and Somatic Experience coaching sessions, community, and support to help women decrease that lingering pain and tightness, gain peace of mind, and reclaim their body after breast cancer. She also teaches weekly Myofascial Stretch Method™ classes; a series of lessons and self-care techniques created from her twenty-four years of experience as a myofascial release therapist. As a Licensed Massage Therapist, Melissa specializes in the John F. Barnes (JFB) MFR approach; a manual therapy based on gentle sustained pressure into the fascial restrictions to help eliminate pain and restore motion.
Before starting her private practice, Melissa gained invaluable skills and expertise while working in the physical therapy department of a pain management center treating patients with various chronic pain symptoms and disorders. She has been an instructor for the JFB MFR seminars since 2007 and is the approved facilitator/leader for the JFB MFR study group in Saint Louis. Melissa is certified as an “Expert Level” MFR therapist by John F. Barnes in 2011 and is a current member of the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals and a graduate of Myotherapy College of Utah, in 1999. She is currently in training for Peter Levine’s Somatic Experience to become SEP certified.
Melissa Russell is uniquely qualified to treat complex symptoms and pain patterns with varying degrees of dysfunction, assisting her clients to find relief while helping the body restore its natural balance and alignment.
MEET Robin Hahn
Myofascial Release Therapist, Licensed Massage Therapist
Robin Hahn, (she/them) is a graduate of the Healing Arts Center as a licensed massage therapist specializing in the John Barnes Method of Myofascial Release. She originally came to Quantum Healing Arts as an assistant and as office personal for Melissa and was then wowed by the amazing results of Myofascial Release and enrolled in massage school to become a therapist. Her extended classes studying myofascial release with John Barnes for the last eight years and her love of Reiki have made her a valuable addition to our team here at Quantum Healing Arts. She has worked with pain patients here at Quantum Healing Arts for the last eight years.
Robin loves working with campers at Girl Scout camp and enjoys spending time with her family and friends and is even known to knit a scarf or two. Robin was homeschooled and has a unique approach to life, valuing connection, honoring each person as an individual, and seeing the bigger picture. She is a self-motivated, compassionate healer who has found her calling. She was honored to be inducted into The Order of the Twin Heart, the highest award offered at the Healing Arts Center.
Robin believes that Myofascial Release is the best way to help as many people as possible get back to feeling like themselves again.
MEET Lena HUnt
Myofascial Release Therapist, Licensed Massage Therapist
Lena Hunt, (she/ her) graduated from Temple University physical therapy school in Philadelphia, PA in 1996. She specialized in geriatric physical therapy, earning board certification as a Geriatric Clinical Specialist from the American Physical Therapy Association in 2002. She worked as a physical therapist in multiple settings: hospitals, rehab centers, outpatient clinics, and home health care, with both adult and pediatric clients.
In 2012, she began to practice and receive John Barnes myofascial release treatment, and experienced profound healing and a significant shift in perspective about what traditional physical therapy can and cannot achieve. She now specializes in John Barnes Myofascial Release technique, with a special interest in women’s pelvic floor health.
Lena graduated from The Body Therapy Center and School of Massage in Swansea, IL in August of 2023. She is a licensed massage therapist in both Missouri and Illinois, and is a certified instructor for Levels 1 - 3 with Low Pressure Fitness™ .
Meet Sophia smith
Myofascial Release Therapist, Licensed Massage Therapist
Sophia Smith (she/her) is a Licensed Massage Therapist who graduated from The Healing Arts Center in St. Louis specializing in the John Barnes method of Myofascial Release. Her connection to Quantum Healing Arts began in high school, when she sought myofascial release for athletic-related back pain and developed a strong relationship with the practitioners here. This not only alleviated her pain but also sparked her passion for helping individuals with chronic discomfort and deepened her understanding of how the body heals. Sophia’s long-standing fascination with human anatomy and recovery is rooted in her years as a competitive athlete, during which she experienced multiple injuries and learned firsthand the importance of effective rehabilitation.
Sophia has completed three courses in the John Barnes Method of Myofascial Release, as well as two advanced trainings with physical therapists focused on cranio-sacral, intra-oral, and cervical–thoracic techniques. Sophia enjoys furthering her education and developing her expertise by continually working with Myofascial experts and bodyworkers at every opportunity. Sophia has also worked closely alongside Melissa to develop specialized skills in breast work and in releasing scar tissue related to breast trauma. Her interest in breast work is deeply personal—after witnessing her mother’s long-term pain following breast cancer, and then seeing that pain resolve with myofascial care, Sophia was inspired to support breast cancer survivors through compassionate, trauma-informed care.
A native of the Kirkwood area, Sophia loves building her practice at Quantum Healing Arts in the heart of downtown Kirkwood, and considers it her home. Outside of her profession, Sophia loves spending time with friends and family, singing as a worship leader at her church, participating in athletics, snuggling with her three dogs, and focusing on her wellness, rest, and recovery.
Sophia has personally experienced the transformative power of Myofascial Release Therapy, and highly values the impact it has on restoring function, reducing pain, and improving quality of life.
Subject: Sophia Rocks!
Message: I came to Sophia's table with nerve pain and numbness from an old back injury. I'm 67 years old and have Type 2 diabetes, which causes this old injury to show up as pain in my lower back, nerve pain and numbness in my right foot. Sophia understood this right away and did amazing work on the trigger points in my lower back. Several years ago I had the same treatment with Melissa, which I found helpful as well. I can definitely say that Sophia is on her way to being an equally skilled and compassionate a healer. I recommend her to anyone who thinks they can benefit from myofascial release treatments (which is everyone!).
LYNN ULMANN - ST LOUIS, MO