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
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.
Leah Barron, LMT
Licensed Massage Therapist
Leah is a licensed Massage therapist with over 20 years of experience. She specializes in lymphatic Massage, Reiki, medical Massage, cranio sacral therapy, Swedish massage, pregnancy treatments, and myofascial release. She uses a gentle but firm touch. Some of her passions include spending time outdoors, playing with her 2 dogs, yoga, and gardening. Book a massage with Leah for a relaxing and therapeutic massage that won’t disappoint!!
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.
Francisco ‘Frankie’ Lopez, LMT
Licensed Massage Therapist
Francisco Lopez, a Tucson native, is a dedicated massage therapist whose work is rooted in movement, awareness, and connection. A lifelong student of Aikido, he brings a deep understanding of energy flow and body mechanics into every session. As he begins his journey with Tensegrity Physical Therapy, Francisco continues to evolve his philosophy: helping people in pain develop body awareness and embrace self-care as a path to healing. Specializing in Deep Tissue, Trigger Point Therapy, Sports Recovery, and Injury Rehabilitation, he aims to create harmony within the body and throughout his community. Outside the treatment room, Francisco is a devoted husband and father of three, staying active with his family, connecting with nature, and enjoying long days on the golf course. He believes in the principle of tensegrity—not just within his own body, but in yours as well—trusting that balance and alignment lead to lasting wellness.