Our Guest: Melissa Buffer

In this episode, we’re thrilled to sit down with Melissa Buffer, MSPT, CNPT ,a dual business owner and performing arts physical therapist with nearly 20 years of experience. Melissa runs a cash-based PT clinic and the Artistic Athlete Health Collective, working out of Cambridge, MA, and providing care onsite at studios, theaters, and schools. Her passion for supporting performing artists shines through in her work backstage, in the wings, and on the ground with artists from all walks of life.

Melissa’s unique approach to treating performing artists is grounded in her belief that we need to drastically shift how their health is managed. Drawing from her professional dance background and extensive career in PT, Melissa advocates for a sports medicine model in the arts, emphasizing early intervention and collaborative care.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

1. The urgent need to rethink how performing artists’ health is managed.
2. Why prevention should be the focus—intervening before pain starts.
3. The critical importance of collaborative care in health, particularly for performing artists.

Melissa’s goal? To empower artists and the professionals supporting them to prioritize wellness, with a call to action for administrators to step up and ensure performing artists have access to the same level of care as athletes.

Connect:

To learn more about Melissa Buffer and her work, connect with her on Instagram: 📸 Instagram: @artathlete_healthcollective / @btpt_movement

Don’t miss this episode packed with insights on transforming health management in the performing arts, preventing injuries before they occur, and the vital role of collaborative care. Tune in to hear from an expert who’s passionate about seeing artists thrive, both on stage and behind the scenes!

Subscribe now to stay up to date with the latest episodes, where we explore the fascinating world of dance medicine, nurture curiosity, and serve the dance community. 🔔 Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeLJdzxWzJBUn-AAXeumwZQ