Malene (Mel) Fisher

Manual Therapist, hands-on treatment for pain, recovery and movement

I’m a manual therapist with a background in movement, anatomy, and body-based recovery. I’ve trained at the Santos Institute of Osteopathic Medicine in Svendborg, where I studied manual therapy with a strong foundation in osteopathic principles, including joint mobilisation, soft tissue techniques, and functional assessments.

Alongside my core training, I’ve also completed education in craniosacral therapy, which allows me to work with the nervous system and more subtle patterns of tension, especially useful in cases like concussion, stress, jaw issues, and post-surgical recovery.

I treat a wide range of people, from those recovering from operations or injuries, to individuals managing chronic pain, fatigue, or restricted movement.

My approach is always tailored, anatomical, and hands-on. I work to understand not just where the pain is, but why it’s there, and how the whole body can be supported in coming back into balance.

I speak both Danish and English, and sessions are always adapted to your needs, your pace, and your goals.

I Work With 

I offer hands-on manual therapy for people experiencing:

• Neck, shoulder, and upper back tension
  
• Lower back pain and sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction
  
• Hip, knee, and ankle pain – including post-surgical recovery
  
• Foot and heel issues, including plantar fasciitis and arch collapse
  
• Jaw tension (TMJ), facial pressure, and teeth grinding
  
• Headaches and migraines
  
• Whiplash and cervical trauma
  
• Concussion and post-concussion symptoms
  
• Frozen shoulder and shoulder mobility issues
  
• Rib restrictions and breathing limitations
  
• Pelvic floor tension and imbalance
  
• Menstrual discomfort, perimenopause, and menopause-related symptoms
  
• Postpartum recovery – including C-section and pelvic changes
  
• Abdominal and digestive tension (including post-surgery or bloating-related restrictions)
  
• Post-surgical recovery – scar tissue, reduced mobility, and fascia work
• Scar tissue and fascial restrictions (including long-standing adhesions)
  
• Stress-related tension and nervous system overload
  
• Anxiety, sleep issues, and burnout
  
• Tinnitus and inner ear pressure
  
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, and sensory overwhelm
  
• Chronic pain, fatigue, or inflammation from long-term conditions
  
• Tension patterns related to posture or sedentary habits
  
• Emotional or trauma-related body tension
  
• Movement restrictions or asymmetry after injury
  
• Support during return to sport or activity

What is Manual Therapy

Manual therapy is a clinical, hands-on treatment approach used to assess and treat dysfunctions in muscles, joints, nerves, fascia, and other soft tissues. It is grounded in anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics, and aims to restore balance, improve movement, reduce pain, and support the body’s natural healing processes.

Techniques commonly used include:

Joint mobilisation: to restore normal movement in stiff or restricted joints

Soft tissue techniques: to release tension, trigger points, and muscle tightness

Fascial release:  to improve glide and reduce adhesions in connective tissue

Neuromuscular techniques:  to stimulate or calm the nervous system

Craniosacral therapy – gentle work around the spine and skull to influence nervous system tone and fluid dynamics

A Brief History

Manual therapy has its roots in traditional, hands-on healing methods dating back centuries. In the late 1800s, it became more structured and clinical through the development of osteopathy by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still and chiropractic by D.D. Palmer.

Today, manual therapy is used across multiple health professions including:

• Osteopaths
  
• Physiotherapists
  
• Chiropractors
  
• Manual therapists (like myself), who are trained in anatomy-based, hands-on assessment and treatment
  

While the philosophies may vary slightly, the shared goal is to restore movement, function, and comfort through physical touch and biomechanical understanding.

What Can Manual Therapy Help With?

Manual therapy is not just for athletes or those with injuries — it’s for anyone dealing with pain, dysfunction, or imbalance in the body.

 It can support:

• Concussions and post-concussion symptoms
  
• Headaches and migraines
  
• Jaw tension / TMJ dysfunctionHip pain or stiffness
  
• Lower back pain and sacroiliac dysfunction
  
• Neck and shoulder tightness
  
• Knee pain and tracking issues
  
• Sciatica or nerve-related symptoms
• Scar tissue restrictions after surgery (e.g. C-section, hip replacement)
  
• Recovery from injuries or operations
  
• Chronic pain conditions (e.g. fibromyalgia, endometriosis, chronic fatigue)
  
• Support in autoimmune or inflammatory disorders
  

Manual therapy is safe, adaptable, and can be used both acutely and long-term, whether you’re in the early stages of recovery, managing chronic tension, or simply want your body to feel better and move more freely.

What is Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on treatment developed from the principles of osteopathy. It works with the body’s central nervous system, aiming to reduce tension, restore balance, and activate the body’s natural ability to recover and regulate itself.

This method was pioneered by osteopath Dr. William Sutherland, who discovered that the bones of the skull , once thought to be fixed, show a subtle rhythmic motion. He called this the cranial rhythm, and it became a cornerstone of osteopathic cranial work.

Today, CST is used worldwide to support recovery from both physical and emotional stress, help regulate the nervous system, and release tension held deep within the body’s connective tissue (fascia).

Anatomy-Based, Nervous System-Focused
Craniosacral therapy focuses on the craniosacral system, the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.

This system connects the cranium (head) to the sacrum (tailbone) and influences:

• Nervous system function
  
• Brain and spinal cord health
  
• Hormonal regulation
  
• Blood and lymph circulation
  
• Fascia and connective tissue mobility
  

By applying very light, specific touch at key areas (such as the skull, spine, diaphragm, and pelvis), I work to identify and release subtle restrictions that may be affecting your health, energy, or movement.

Gentle, Precise, and Powerful

Don’t be fooled by the softness of the technique, craniosacral therapy works deep.
Each session is tailored to your body’s needs. I work slowly, with clinical precision, following the body’s natural pace to help it shift out of tension, pain, or stress. My goal is to create the right conditions for your nervous system to downregulate, your fascia to release, and your body to regain its rhythm and flow.

What Can Craniosacral Therapy Help With?

• CST is suitable for all ages and may be especially beneficial if you're dealing with:
  
• Concussion and post-concussion symptoms
  
• Jaw tension (TMJ) and facial pain
  
• Headaches, migraines, or brain fog
  
• Neck and back discomfort
  
• Fatigue, burnout, or long COVID
  
• Stress, anxiety, or sleep issues
  
• Tension and pain after surgery or trauma
  
• Pelvic imbalance and fascial restrictions

A Therapy That Listens to the Body

CST supports the body’s innate intelligence, the way it instinctively seeks balance, healing, and adaptation. It's about creating space for the nervous system to reset and reconnect, using the body’s own rhythms and signals as a guide.

Whether you’re recovering from injury, dealing with chronic symptoms, or simply seeking deep restoration, craniosacral therapy offers a quiet but powerful way forward.