Physical Therapy and Wellness Providers
Michaela Gaither PT, DPT, OCS, CMPT, CPI
Tensegrity Physical Therapy and Wellness Founder and Owner
Doctor of Physical Therapy, Certified Polestar Rehabilitative Pilates Instructor
Michaela is an AZ native who grew up in Flagstaff and has always had a love of being active and the great outdoors. She grew up running, playing soccer and hiking. She is a lifetime learner and feels physical therapy is her true calling. In 2021, she founded Tensegrity Physical Therapy and Wellness and is grateful to have an exceptional team dedicated to serving the Tucson community.
She has been fortunate to have had incredible mentors along the way that instilled compassion, curiosity, and commitment to excellence. She has already enjoyed 17+ years of being a physical therapist and continues to develop her skills to better advocate for her patients. Helping people tackle challenges that improve their quality of life and witness their transformation to mastering what was previously impossible, working to increase understanding of how to address, manage or eliminate pain and dream new goals is the most rewarding part of her job. When not in the clinic, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her husband, Josh, daughter, Samantha, son, Evan and her two dogs, Bailey and Baxter. She enjoys staying active with Pilates, yoga, running, weightlifting, snowboarding and hiking. She likes to dabble with new recipes and explore healthy gourmet cooking. Michaela looks forward to helping you with any musculoskeletal issues that are keeping you from living your best life.
Education:
Doctor of Physical Therapy Northern Arizona University 2005
BS Microbiology, Pre-Health Professional, Chemistry Minor Northern Arizona University 2002
BA Spanish Northern Arizona University 2002, 1 year study abroad Granada, Spain
Board Certified Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialist
NAIOMT Certified Manual Physical Therapist
Polestar Certified Pilates Rehabilitation Practitioner
Kineticore Dry Needling certified
Functional Movement Screen Certified
Selective Functional Movement Assessment levels I and II certified
ACE Certified Gait Running Analyst
PWR!, BIG LSVT, BIG for Life Provider for Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological conditions
Carrie Rucker, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy, Certified USA Triathlon Coach and Certified Realization Process Meditation Teacher.
Carrie offers physical therapy, craniosacral therapy, and energy sessions. A lifelong athlete and spiritual seeker, Carrie has always had a deep fascination with the mind-body-spirit connection. She’s followed these interests down several different educational paths. Carrie has a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Ashland University and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Georgia State University. She has also completed extensive graduate level course work in exercise physiology at Ohio University.
Carrie has trained in a variety of modalities and incorporates a blend of intuition and science into her work. She has trained in muscle energy techniques, craniosacral therapy, reiki, Realization Process meditation, soft tissue and joint mobilization, SFMA, running video analysis, VO2/threshold testing, and corrective exercises. She is a USA Triathlon certified coach and also works as a coach for endurance athletes, runners, and triathletes. Carrie works with her clients to recover from and prevent injury through a blend of manual therapies, exercises, physiology and movement education, and helping them deepen their body and energetic awareness and intuitive abilities. She is passionate about empowering people to tune into their body’s wisdom.
Carrie has been involved in sports and outdoor adventures for most of her life. She played a variety of team sports growing up, including basketball in high school and college. She began running and triathlon after college, competing in short and long distances up to 50 mile runs and Ironman triathlons. Her most recent adventures have been thru hiking the Appalachian Trial and the CA section of the Pacific Crest Trail and traveling in her van with her dog, Taj.
Nancy Potter
Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition, Functional Nutrition Therapy Practitioner, Autoimmune Protocol Certified Coach, Certified Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis
Nancy is Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition and is a Certified Functional Nutritionist with additional certifications in the Autoimmune Protocol and in Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis. Specializing in supporting those with Autoimmune conditions, digestive disease and blood sugar dysregulation, Nancy meets with each client where they are and inspires and empowers them to reach their highest potential, both personally and in their health journey.
With a unique mix of her personal health history, a full-bodied career working in the entertainment industry, and owning & operating a small organic farm just outside of Tucson, Nancy brings to the table a no nonsense, clearly communicated step by step approach to guiding and educating people on their daily path back to balanced health.
In her spare time, you can find Nancy ever in pursuit of more time in nature, reading and researching the latest health trends, cooking her favorite recipes, and spending time with her daughter and golden doodle.
Heidi Branlund, MTCM, L.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncturist
Heidi Branlund has been a practitioner of Chinese Medicine since 2002. Specializing in headaches/migraines, neck and back pain, fertility and women’s issues, she has worked in a variety of health care settings. She holds a Masters in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Five Branches University and received her Doctorate in Acupuncture and Oriental medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine summer of 2022. She uses acupuncture, Chinese herb formulas, cupping, gua sha, and Tui-na to achieve fantastic results. Heidi is also a supervisor at the local Acupuncture school clinic. When she is not practicing acupuncture, Heidi enjoys music, spending time with her children, swimming, and hiking.
Paul Lugar
Certified Personal Trainer, MAT, USA Cycling Certified Coach
Paul started his fitness career over fifteen years ago. He studied wellness, nutrition and physical fitness concepts long before he officially went into the fitness industry. He has developed a special interest and skillset for corrective exercise and functional fitness specialty. Paul focuses on restoring of joint range of motion and function. He is continuously pursuing knowledge to apply and help his clients lead healthy productive lives. Paul was very athletic as a teenager and played sports year-round.
As an adult he started cycling thirty-two years ago. He has snowboarded over five hundred days and also likes to paddleboard. With all of those activities Paul still believes that resistance training is and should be priority.
Lewis Kastel
Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, Advanced Hypnotherapy Training, Certified Medical Assistant
Becoming a massage therapist has enabled me to help my friends, family, and clients transition from living with chronic pain to living a life full of possibilities.
Continuing my medial and hypnotherapy training has helped me become a better listener, enabling me to ask more relevant questions and allowing me to better assist people with both their physical issues and help them achieve a calm state of mind and body.
After a near-fatal motorcycle accident in 2014, it was unclear whether I could return to this work that I love, but with the assistance of some amazing therapists at the VA, I was able to make a complete recovery.
The knowledge that was gained working with such a great team, was invaluable and allowed me to specialize in helping people with chronic headaches, neck issues, and the pain and stiffness brought on by arthritis.
I offer Trigger Point Therapy, Cupping, Deep Tissue, and Swedish Massage.
I am delighted to be working with such a talented team of providers and look forward to assisting you in your wellness journey.
Tami Arthur, LMT
Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Lymphedema Therapist, Certified Advanced Cupping Techniques
Tami became a massage therapist late in life after being a stay-at-home mother raising four children, during this time she also spent time volunteering and working in the non-profit community here in Tucson. Tami’s training a Certified Lymphedema Therapist and Manual Lymphatic Draining has given her the opportunity to fill a much needed niche in the community working with cancer and surgery recovery patients. Tami provides an individualized treatment massage based on her training in cupping, taping, gentle massage release manipulations, and stretches. She focuses on the balancing of the body through eliminating waste through the lymphatic system to promote healing as well as encouraging greater mobility.
Liz Johnson, ERYT
Experienced Registered Yoga Instructor
Liz has been teaching hatha yoga for 15 years and loves introducing others to all the health benefits that yoga has to offer. She’s currently working on ERYT- 500 certification and has been trained in chair yoga and yoga for arthritis. Beginners and those recovering from injury or surgery are always welcome and are some of her favorite students. Her practice is a gentle approach to yoga with plenty of lovely modifications that will allow anyone to feel empowered in their practice. Through meditation and all the tools of yoga, you will be able to go inward and find a sense of peace in your physical body.
Carla Perez
Yoga Teacher
I have been teaching yoga since 2012 and practicing since 2010. I have taught active yoga classes in studios, gyms, community events, yoga at the park and yoga online, as well as having created wellness programs for seniors taught in senior living communities and have had the opportunity to specialize in working with people with limitations and in mobility and those with challenges in cognitive functioning. I believe in teaching people to listen to their body as they practice and to be mindful of alignment.
I encourage you to come as you are and do what you can. All life is practice and in yoga, we get to play and practice together.
Tania Morris, CCI, BCNHC
Comprehensive Certified Iridologist, Board-Certified Natural Health Coach
I’ve been a Natural Health Practitioner for over 25 years. I’m a Comprehensive Certified Iridologist (IIPA) and a Board-Certified Natural Health Coach (AANWC) who is passionate about helping you feel your best especially during challenging health issues. I’m committed to providing you compassionate care while educating and guiding you to optimal health personalized wellness plans to support you in achieving your health goals.
As someone who has experienced and recovered from a serious health issue, I know what it’s like to be in a place of not knowing how to move forward. With so much information out there with “answers” to so many health concerns, it can be overwhelming to know what’s best for you.
Through the years and many trials, I have discovered the safest and gentlest ways to regain health & vitality and because everybody is so unique, I use Comprehensive Iridology as an assessment tool to help guide us to your very own unique blueprint for Optimum Health. When you’re able to give your body what it needs, it has the power to itself, and I look forward to helping you.
Laurette ‘Lallie’ Sinay
Licensed Massage Therapist
Lallie hails from Hawaii via the West Coast where she grew up and became quite the seafarer for many years with her husband before they retired their boat and moved to Tucson. Lallie keeps paintings of the ocean and Hawaii in her home to keep her connected to her roots. Lallie loves to read fantasy, and mystery books and enjoys a good movie where the hero saves the world. Recently, a client said, ‘Lallie gave me a nurturing, mother wound healing treatment.’ Lallie often receives comments and compliments such as this and Lallie says she likes to share what the body is revealing for the client to be able to take better care of themselves. Lallie uses gentle techniques of body work she learned in physical therapy for many years. Lallie says she can help any ‘body’ feel better. Lallie has been called the ‘Therapists’ therapist’ among other complimentary monikers, which shows she really enjoys what she does, and she enjoys sharing her knowledge. Call and make an appointment today. Lallie looks forward to working with you as your body heals!
Ethelyn Schaeffer, LMT
Licensed Massage Therapist
I love to bless people and help them be their best!
In 28 years as a massage therapist and physical therapist assistant, I have become a specialist in chronic pain relief, lymphatic massage and relaxation therapies. With my intuitive abilities, I draw from my years of education and experience to accomplish your goals. However, my goal for you is to help you function better and enjoy life more.
In many years of owning my own business, I’ve learned more about chronic pain and how to conquer it. I give you tips and tricks to overcome your musculo-skeletal issues, even if you’ve been dealing with it for 30 years!
The clients I work with want to get well and be their best. Is that you? Challenge me with your pain.