If you're seeking effective and proven stretching techniques to improve flexibility and address muscle imbalances, look no further than Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Stretching and Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST). PNF Stretching, developed in the 1940s, has long been considered an optimal approach to improve muscle...
The path to optimal flexibility, muscle recovery, and pain relief can be complex, but implementing a combination of self-myofascial release techniques and professional support can pave the way to success. Foam rolling, a popular tool for self-myofascial release, together with Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST), offers...
Osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weakened bones and an increased risk of fractures, affects millions of individuals worldwide. As the global population continues to age, the prevalence of osteoporosis is expected to rise, making it increasingly important to prioritize bone health and implement preventive measures....
Osteoporosis—a condition characterized by weakened bones and an increased risk of fractures—poses a significant health challenge for millions of individuals worldwide. Maintaining bone health and preventing this widespread condition become increasingly essential as we age. Medical Exercise, a specialized service offered at Medical Fitness and...
Fascial Stretch Therapy is a manual therapy technique that helps release tension in the fascia, the connective tissue surrounding muscles, bones, and organs in the body. This therapy is gaining popularity amongst athletes, physical therapists, and fitness enthusiasts because it improves flexibility, mobility, and overall well-being....
Pain can be debilitating and can significantly impact one's quality of life. While medications can provide temporary relief, they often come with unwanted side effects. In recent years, alternative therapies such as myofascial release have gained popularity for their ability to relieve pain and improve...
As we age, our bodies undergo several changes that can affect our physical abilities and overall health. One such change is the decline in posture, which can have a significant impact on our health including our balance, our sense of well being, just to mention...
Throughout our lifespan, our bodies undergo several changes that can affect our physical abilities and overall health. One such change is the loss of flexibility and mobility. This is why stretching is crucial for individuals over the age of 50. Some benefits of stretching after...
When it comes to exercise, many people believe that the more they do, the better. However, overtraining can be detrimental to your health and fitness goals. That's why it's important to incorporate stretch therapy into your routine. It is a type of exercise that helps...
Fascial Stretch Therapy, or FST, is a manual therapy focusing on the body's fascia system. It is a relatively new form of therapy that has recently gained popularity among athletes, physical therapists, and fitness enthusiasts. What Is a Fascia? Before we delve into fascial stretch therapy, it...
Kelly is a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) specializing in orthopedic conditions with a special interest in soccer. She works at Activcore in Johns Creek, GA located inside the Medical Fitness and Wellness Group.
Kelly received her undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia in 2018 and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Emory University’s School of Medicine in 2021. While at Emory, she was also trained in Advanced Extremities, Nutrition in Physical Therapy, and Dry Needling Levels 1 and 2.
Kelly grew up in Roswell, Georgia playing competitive soccer from a young age. She had many injuries throughout her career, and after tearing her ACL, she participated in eight months of physical therapy. It is during her recovery that Kelly decided that physical therapy was the career for her. She fell in love with the impact the mind-body relationship has on a person’s quality of life and decided to pursue a career to help others heal from injury.
Mike’s journey with physical fitness began in college 34 years ago when he broke his leg playing Rugby. He soon realized the importance of proper rehabilitation and Corrective exercise to build functional strength and prevent future injuries. Mike quickly embraced the lifestyle and the health benefits exercising gave him, not just from a physical standpoint, but from a wellness standpoint as well. Shortly after, Mike became certified as a Personal Trainer and was on staff with LA Fitness for several years where a master trainer introduced him to a whole new approach of functional and core training. While attending school for his Masters in Exercise Science and rehabilitation, Mike had the opportunity to work for a Medical Exercise company in Duluth, Georgia, where he learned from the best in the business in the way of Medical and Corrective Exercise. Several years later Mike decided to open his own mobile personal training business training clients in their homes, and his company, New Strength Dynamics was formed. Finally, with an increasingly busy client schedule, Mike decided to move to the next level and add a physical location in Johns Creek, Georgia, now called Medical Fitness and Wellness Group which has been in operation since 2014. It is now a full-service wellness center encompassing Nutrition consulting, Personal Training, Corrective Exercise, Redcord Therapy, Massage Therapy, and Fascial Stretch Therapy. Mike enjoys weight training, skateboarding, snowboarding, and a fine glass of wine in his free time.
Mike Hardy is a NASM Certified Corrective Exercise Specialist, NASM Certified Golf Fitness Specialist, a certified Lifestyle and Nutrition Coach specializing in blood/sugar management, a Certified Redcord Active Specialist, a Nationally Certified Personal Trainer, a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, as well as the founder of Medical Fitness and Wellness Group, an exercise and wellness company based in Johns Creek, Georgia. He holds a master’s degree in Exercise Science and Rehabilitation. His certifications are from the most respected and recognized credentialing organizations in the world and he has over 16 years of experience in the exercise and fitness industry.
Mike is certified by the following organizations:
Honors/Awards
Jesse began his journey by marching with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. After an inspirational two seasons with the professional marching band, he pursued his degree in Exercise Science with a Clinical Background from Georgia Gwinnett College. Under this program, he earned a fundamental understanding of the human body, its capabilities, and a clear pathway in the medical realm. We proudly interned with Jesse where he earned experience in personal training, corrective exercise programming, and fundamental stretching techniques. Jesse is a certified Exercise Physiologist by the American College of Sports Medicine, a Certified Redcord Active Trainer, and an outside POET test proctor. He enjoys dancing, ultimate frisbee, weightlifting, Water Polo, and swimming during his leisure time.
Michelle is a Licensed Massage Therapist and a Certified Fascial Stretch Therapist. Michelle has 15 years of experience, She specializes in Swedish, Trigger Point, Deep Tissue, Myofascial, Hot Stone, and pregnancy massage.
In my approach to holistic health, I blend Western and Eastern massage influences with Wellness consulting. I’m inspired by creating a calm and safe space for those with the goal of pain reduction, stress management, or increasing mobility and quality of life.
I am certified in Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Thai massage therapy, Yoga, and Wellness Consulting. I have worked with a wide variety of Health and Wellness professionals including chiropractors, physical therapists, naturopaths, and movement therapists. I have distilled my life’s experiences into one main idea~ that when given the proper environment to thrive, the body has an amazing ability to heal and activate its own immune system. I have been shown this consistently. Maintaining and improving mobility remains one of my greatest passions.
I consider myself lucky to have experienced a few years of living in Japan, where I was profoundly inspired by the healing and martial arts, the sense of calmness and beauty of the culture. I often draw upon these memories in creating a peaceful space.
I feel it is a team collaboration to create a healing space. When I work with a client, I feel I learn and receive just as much from them as they do from me. I believe we already have everything inside of us needed to move forward into our BEST selves.
How can I best be of service to remind you of this ?
Andrea was born and raised in the NYC metro area, graduated with a BA from the University of Connecticut and an MA from Columbia University, and had a successful career conducting corporate investigations for the Federal Government and Fortune 500 companies.
She first discovered Reiki during a challenging time in her life when health issues were unable to be resolved with conventional treatments and prescription medications. Her first session brought the comfort she desperately needed, leading her to begin training with a renowned Medical Reiki Master in New York City. Now, she is dedicated to sharing the transformative power of Reiki through individual sessions and wellness programs and helping others find healing and balance in their lives. For more information on Reiki and whether it can help you, please visit northatlantareiki.com
Christine is a Certified Massage Therapist, specializing in Lymphatic Drainage Massage With over 16 years of experience she’s also trained in Thai Stretching, Sports Massage, and Hotstone Therapy.
Falyn is our front-desk extraordinaire, a Redcord Active Trainer, and a has a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science.
Laurie has over twenty years of sales and marketing experience working in the medical/dental field. She attended the University of Massachusetts & the University of Florida majoring in Chemistry & Chemical Engineering. She promotes a holistic and healthy lifestyle and has been a Medical Fitness and Wellness client for over 7 years since relocating to Georgia. Her mission is to spread the good word about what Mike & his team at Medical Fitness & Wellness can do for you. If your facility is in need of our services, or if you have any marketing questions please email Laurie at lauriegrayson@exercise4prevention.com
I used to be a short-track ice skater in South Korea when I was younger, but unfortunately, I had to quit because of an injury. While going through the rehabilitation process, I learned various techniques and combined that with my massage skills. I am well-versed in numerous massage techniques including Neuromuscular Therapy, integrated manual therapy & Orthopedic Massage. I took my interest in Massage Therapy to Gwinnett College Massage School and graduated in 2015. I truly have a passion for helping patients on their wellness journey.
Elissa is a Certified Yoga Instructor. She teaches one-on-one classes (all levels) as well as small group classes at Medical Fitness and Wellness Group.
Jordan is a certified fascial stretch therapist and corrective exercise physiologist with a BS in Kinesiology from Georgia Southern University. As a Master’s Candidate, Jordan has become well versed in neuromuscular re-education, correctional exercise programs, and the therapeutic nature of myofascial stretching. Jordan employs a state-of-the-art, research-based philosophy with his clientele, ranging from professional/collegiate athletes to physically impaired populations.
Sam is a certified exercise physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine. He has a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science and has worked in the rehabilitation field for 6 years. Sam got introduced to the benefits of regular exercise in college. He views exercise as a powerful tool to combat chronic disease and supports the Exercise is Medicine Campaign. Sam enjoys helping people make lifestyle changes to improve their health. He lives in Cumming with his wife and children. His hobbies include hiking, tennis, and cycling.
Nicoly has a Bachelor’s in Physical Education from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul from Brazil and is a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Council for Certified Personal Trainers (NCCPT). She has been working in the area since 2015 and is passionate about helping people feel better and live better through exercise. She joined the team initially as an intern when she learned more about Corrective Exercise and fell in love with it. She moved to the US in 2018 and lives in Suwanee with her husband. She enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, going hiking, and meeting new people to share experiences.
Branden is an ACSM certified Exercise Physiologist, GOATA certified for Sports Performance Enhancement and has a degree in Exercise Science from Georgia State. He has experience training all populations from a clinical environment to Sports training including the Atlanta Braves!
Anthony is a graduate of Georgia Gwinnett College where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science. Anthony holds certifications in Corrective Exercise, Kinesio Taping, Instrumental Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization and Myofascial Cupping. Anthony is also a Level 1
Fascial Stretch Therapist and a Level 2 Redcord Active Instructor.
Anthony currently lives in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He enjoys traveling every chance he gets, spending time with his wife and family, and taking
walks with his dog, Mason.
Brandon is a NASM certified personal trainer, a NASM certified Corrective Exercise Specialist, and a certified plant-based nutrition coach.
Kasandra is a licensed Massage Therapist and a level 3 certified Medical Stretch Therapist. She has worked with the Orlando Magic as their go-to therapist and many other high-profile establishments over her career. Kasandra is passionate about providing result-oriented stretches and massages while ensuring clients the utmost in relaxation and recovery. She has a thorough knowledge of Neuromuscular Therapy, Magnet Therapy, Medi Cupping, Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release, Medical Stretch Therapy, and Sports Massage.
Odessa is a nationally certified Neuromuscular Therapist and Licensed Massage Therapist. She attended Gwinnett College in Lilburn and completed a total of 720 educational/hands-on hours prior to graduating. Odessa uses soft tissue manual therapy(NMT), Swedish techniques, and assisted stretching to increase functional mobility, range of motion, overall relaxation, and quality of life. With the use of NMT, She is able to assist in reteaching muscles how to function properly.
