Melissa Lambiasi, DPT, received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and has a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Maryland in Baltimore. Working now as a physical therapist at the Severna Park facility, she specializes in orthopedics and is enjoying making a change in patients’ lives. Helping them return to whatever is important to them — whether that’s walking the neighborhood, running a 5k, or dressing independently — is the most rewarding part of Melissa’s job. She takes a whole-body approach to physical therapy, knowing that unless she helps them address the cause of their pain, they won’t have long lasting relief.   Since physical therapy is a way for patients to take responsibility for their own rehabilitation, Melissa likes to explain to each one that one percent of the work happens during their PT sessions, while the other 99 percent should happen at home. She sees herself as the patient’s guide on that path. And while she admits she can be tough, she smiles when she says that PT calls for ‘tough love.’   When Melissa isn’t treating patients, she likes to spend her time doing Crossfit, Olympic lifting, and hot yoga.