Melissa Howard Strautman, AOS, LMT, GTP, is a distinguished Licensed Massage Therapist, clinic owner, inventor, educator, and international competitor with over 25 years of experience in therapeutic and clinical massage. As the founder and lead therapist of MassageFIX® LLC in Bowling Green, Kentucky, she has built a reputation for delivering serious, results-driven massage therapy that emphasizes classical techniques, advanced modalities, and client education.

Melissa began her higher education with studies in liberal arts at Martin Methodist College (1988–1989) and education at Austin Peay State University (1990–1992) in Tennessee. She discovered her calling in massage therapy and graduated in the top ten of her class in 1999 with an Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) in Massage Therapy from the New York College of Health Professions (formerly New York College for Holistic Health Education and Research) in Syosset, New York—a rigorous 1,745-hour program.

Her early career took root in New York, where she worked at prestigious venues including Naturopathica Holistic Health Center in East Hampton (European massage, Amma Therapy™, deep tissue, pre-natal, spa treatments, and 4-handed massage), The Spa at St. Tropez in Port Jefferson Station (body exfoliations, wraps, aromatherapy, La Stone hot stone, and Swedish), Smithtown Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation Center (physical assessments, treatment planning, and therapy for chiropractic patients), and as co-owner of OuchBack Massage Therapy in Smithtown (European massage, Amma Therapy™, deep tissue). She also volunteered at the Smithtown Parkinson’s Therapy Center.

In 2003, Melissa established her private practice in Bowling Green, Kentucky, initially as New York Massage Company, LLC, specializing in Swedish relaxation, therapeutic/deep tissue, medical/sports massage, 4-handed massage, Amma Therapy™, metamorphic hot stone, pre-natal, restorative spa treatments, and Lypossage™. After a 16-month period in Tampa, Florida (2011–2012) at Swiss Spirit Massage—focusing on Swedish, therapeutic/deep tissue, medical/sports, metamorphic hot stone, pre-natal, Lomi Lomi, and lymphatic cleanse—she returned to Bowling Green and founded MassageFIX® in November 2012. Operating from 1945 Scottsville Rd., Suite C3, MassageFIX® has earned recognition as a top-rated practice in Kentucky, offering specialized services such as Deep Tissue, Sports Massage, Stress FIX™, MediCupping™, Graston Technique™, Kinesio Taping™, Tok Sen, and her innovative PowerFACE™—a revolutionary 6-step facial protocol that stimulates fibroblast cells for collagen/elastin production while addressing axillary and facial lymph nodes to enhance immune function.

Melissa maintains active Kentucky licensure (#106243) and has held licenses in New York (inactive), Tennessee (retired), and Florida (expired). She pursues extensive continuing education (24–72 hours annually) and holds advanced certifications as a Graston Technique™ Practitioner (since 2021), Certified Kinesio Taping™ Practitioner (since 2018), Certified MediCupping™ Practitioner (since 2016), Certified Lypossage® Therapist (since 2007), and in Tok Sen and Traditional Thai Foot Therapies (UNESCO heritage modalities, since 2025). She also serves as a certified judge at state and national massage championships since 2022.

From 2003–2005, Melissa taught at the Natural Health Institute (later Genesis Career College) in Nashville and Bowling Green, developing and instructing courses in Anatomy and Physiology, Pathology, Ethics, Fundamentals of Swedish Massage, Aromatherapy, Hot Stone Massage, and Eastern Anatomy and Physiology (TCM and Ayurvedic), aligned with Kentucky and NCBTMB standards. She has continued educating through presentations like “The Lost Art of Classical European Swedish Massage” (2024), “Starting Your Massage Career off Right” (2023), and numerous judges' classes for massage championships (2022–2024).

A passionate advocate and leader, Melissa founded the Kentucky Massage Championship and the United States Association of Massage Championships (serving as Founder and President from September 2022 to July 2024), supporting the launch of 47 state championships and national judging standards. She has been an International Massage Association (IMA) Ambassador (2023) and Teacher (2024). Her writings appear in prominent outlets, including ABMP’s Massage & Bodywork Magazine (March/April 2024 feature on PowerFACE™ as a top editorial pick), ABMP Podcast (Episode 402: Hands of Gold, 2023), Canada’s Massage Therapy Development Centre blog, Cherie Sohnen-Moe Associates blog, AMTA Massage Therapy Journal (multiple responses, 2007–2008), and SOKY Happenings Magazine (2007).

Melissa's competitive excellence has garnered international acclaim: Gold Medal in Swedish Massage at the 2022 American Massage Championship, Gold Medal in Swedish Massage at the 2023 World Championship in Massage (Denmark), Silver Medal in Facial Massage (PowerFACE™) at the 2023 American Massage Championship, and induction into the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame (2023, World Massage Festival).

Through MassageFIX®—co-managed with her husband, Michael Strautman (LMT and General Manager)—Melissa focuses on thorough assessments and treatments targeting the fascial web, lymphatic systems, and chronic/acute pathologies using a blend of classical European Swedish foundations and complementary tools. She actively educates clients on proper etiquette, pain management, red flags in the industry, and distinguishing legitimate therapeutic massage from illicit operations, including supporting local ordinances to combat human trafficking fronts.

Melissa views massage as a serious calling dedicated to client outcomes, pain relief, mobility improvement, stress reduction, and wellness. Her career reflects a commitment to mentorship, elevating industry standards, accurate compensation narratives (advocating realistic $55–75K starting salaries with proper guidance), and sharing knowledge to advance the profession.