Melissa Faith-Baun is both licensed and board-certified in massage therapy, holds her manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) certification and is a preferred provider for the Society for Oncology Massage (S4OM) and Unite for Her (UFH). She is also a CE Instructor for the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) and S4OM and UFH. In 2000, after her father’s passing of lung cancer, Melissa returned to school to study Oncology Massage. Her brother’s death led her to study MLD.
Her primary work is devoted to lymphedema management, scar tissue and radiation fibrosis treatment and oncology massage. Melissa received her continuing education in Oncology Massage from MD Anderson’s Cancer Center in Houston Texas. In addition, she has also studied mastectomy massage. Although much of her practice is devoted to breast cancer, Melissa works with patients diagnosed with all types of cancers. She also works with progressed arthritis clients experiencing chronic pain.
Melissa began her massage career with Abington Memorial Hospital (now Abington/Jeff) employed with their Integrative Medicine Department. She previously worked as the Admissions Director of a Nursing Home before this career change. Melissa is a pioneer for Lymphedema Management and Oncology Massage Therapy in the Health Care Setting, and serving the local oncology community. Melissa is currently the owner of her own practice, Lymphedema & Integrative Oncology Services, LLC. She began this business in 2020 after her place of employment permanently closed due to the 2020 pandemic. She was previously employed by Doylestown Hospital and Cornerstone at the Health & Wellness Center by Doylestown Hospital. She began her employment there in 2005 with the intention of building an Integrative Wellness Center which included oncology massage and lymphedema management services. The program went on to serve many oncology patients from surrounding communities and Melissa participated in training several other therapists in oncology massage. Melissa most recently served on the specialty task force with the Society for Oncology Massage, helping to write the guidelines and National Certification Exam for the new 100-hour specialty certificate in Oncology Massage.
Melissa believes it takes a village to care for a cancer patient. Since the deaths of her father and brother, Melissa has lost numerous other family members and friends to cancer. She witnessed firsthand the need for patients to have a practice to receive lymphedema management after their discharge from PT. She believes that every cancer patient deserves nothing less than the trained, caring touch of Complimentary/Integrative services such as oncology massage, and touch for pain management. She has witnessed time again what a positive impact they can make in the journey of a cancer patient.
Melissa would like to see all hospitals offer Integrative Wellness at their facilities. She often speaks with physicians and support groups to bring awareness about the importance of these Integrative Services. When Melissa is not working at her practice, or busy teaching continuing education in oncology massage to therapists, you can find her doing some of her favorite things. These include spending time at Carova Beach, NC on the Outer Banks (her favorite place), or in her gardens. Melissa loves to spend time with her goldens, training them and just loving them as well as her cat and chickens. She and her husband love hiking, biking and being at the beach or on the river together.
Lymphedema & Integrative Oncology Services, LLC
