Meet Carol Menalis

Registered Nurse | Licensed Massage Therapist | Certified Structural Integration Practitioner

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I am a proud graduate of The Pennsylvania State University where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. After graduating, I worked in a variety of clinical settings, including three years as a traveling nurse. I enjoyed many years working as a cardiac nurse in the acute care setting.  Watching clients heal from heart surgery, only to have them limited by mobility and joint problems, sparked my interest in learning more about orthopedics and alternative pain management. This interest led me back to school at what is now the Lotus Professional College. I completed my massage therapy training  and began work in an outpatient physical therapy clinic under the direction of a Certified Functional Manual Therapist. This is where I truly began to learn the techniques that would become the foundation of my own practice.

Working one-on-one with clients, and watching them move with less pain and effort, I became fascinated by the impact manual therapy techniques could have on the body. This interest inspired me to pursue additional education, and I received my certification in Anatomy Trains Structural Integration under the direction of Tom Myers in 2014. Through the many classes I took in Maine to complete my certification, I became connected with an amazing network of practitioners from all over the world. A unique opportunity thus far has been learning Scar Integration work from Sharon Wheeler, one of Dr. Rolf’s original students.  

Always looking for balance and a little challenge, I enjoy spending time with my family in the mountains hiking, skiing or floating around on my paddle board.

Carol is one of the most knowledgeable and skilled manual therapists I know.

She is the one I refer my clients to when a corrective exercise is not helping or when a movement is painful. Many of my clients are golfers. My first step in their program design is performing the TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) movement screen which determines any physical limitations that may affect their swing. Often there is an issue that needs immediate attention and will benefit from her skilled hands. I share the results of the screen with Carol and we discuss the problem areas. She knows just what to do to help the clients move better and swing better.

— Madeline Parrish, Pilates Instructor, Owner Align Fit LLC

What’s In a Name?

I am often asked about the meaning behind Keystone’s name. While it is a subtle nod to my home state of Pennsylvania, the Keystone State, in bodywork it also refers to much more. A keystone is a central source of support and stability. It holds together many other parts - that last stone put into place in an arch, for instance. Similarly, parts of the body can be a keystone as they are critical to the support and stability of many other parts. Correcting those keystones in our bodies can have wide-reaching effects, and my goal is to help identify those areas that with some time and attention can help restore function and balance.

 

Experience Matters

Education and credentials in this field are of the utmost importance, which is why I am proud to have studied with some of the most notable individuals in the industry and hold the following licenses, certifications and memberships:  

  • Registered Nurse, Licensed by the Virginia Board of Nursing

  • Bachelors of Science in Nursing from The Pennsylvania State University

  • Licensed Massage Therapist, Licensed by the Virginia Board of Nursing. Training completed at the Lotus Professional College

  • Certified in Anatomy Trains Structural Integration under the direction of Tom Myers

  • Advanced Training in: ScarWork with Sharon Wheeler, Neural Manipulation and Visceral Manipulation through The Barral Institute, Gait analysis with James Earls, and Functional methods with Jeffery Burch

  • Member, Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals

  • Member, The International Association of Structural Integrators