Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Franke.
Hi Melanie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been a physical therapist for over 20years. Graduated from UW Lacrosse and started working in Tomah, WI specializing in vestibular rehab and vertigo. Moved to California and continued focusing on vertigo and neuro rehab. Moved to South Carolina in2015 and became lymphedema certified as well. Moved back to the Midwest in 2017 and injured my back. Tried everything, but nothing resolved the pain. My friend tried some new techniques called fascial counterstrain and it helped my pain and I was fascinated! I moved down to the twin cities and started working at Park Nicollet and had my first baby. I continued fascial counterstrain treatments and eventually my mentor convinced me to start taking the classes in 2020. I have focused on specializing in Fascial counterstrain techniques over the past 6 years and opened my own private practice Vital Energy Physical Therapy in Burnsville in 2024, and went full time on my own in September 2025. I continue to focus primarily on fascial counterstrain techniques and am one of the high level practitioners in the area.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has been a long and often bumpy road. I have moved to different areas in the country and worked for many different healthcare systems and dealt with the frustration of insurance companies and proper patient care from both the practitioner side and the patient side. I was struggling at my last job and the productivity requirements are almost impossible and insurance companies now dictate how and when we can treat patients. This rising cost of healthcare and lack of proper patient care is astounding and I tried to leave the profession all together because the system is so broken and it was very clear we as PTs were not valued. Lucky for me, I could not find a job I wanted outside of the profession, and it pushed me to open my own cash based practice; something I NEVER thought was possible. And, now, a year and a half later, I have a full flexible schedule with a decent work life balance and love being able to just focus on the patient and do what I love- help people.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Vital Energy Physical Therapy is a private cash-based practice specializing in Fascial counterstrain techniques. Fascia is a tissue that supports all our body’s structures like a body suit. When we have an injury, illness, or chronic postural issue, it can spasm and create an area of restriction. That restriction will hold tension and keep our body’s natural waste products trapped and creates a tender or trigger point leading to pain and restriction in certain areas of the body. Fascial counterstrain is able to diagnose and treat the specific dysfunction by using very gentle yet highly effective techniques that get to the source of the problem, relieve the pain, and return the area to proper function giving lasting relief.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I grew up on a farm, I love the outdoors and nature – it brings peace and grounding to my life. I try to take a more holistic and naturopathic view on health, but have found a good balance with eastern and western medicine.
Pricing:
- $165/ hour for initial evaluation
- $250/hour for in home services with 90 minute or more requirement to be seen in home
- Cash, check, Venmo, Zelle, HSA cards accepted
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Vitalenergypt.com
- Instagram: @vitalenergypt
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BABFGkrbd/?mibextid=wwXIfr
