Chrissie Morgan Sulkess, PT, Owner

Chrissie Morgan is a highly accredited physical therapist, as well as a successful business woman. She received a Bachelor's degree in Health Science with a certificate in physical therapy from California State University, Northridge. She has more than 16 years of hands-on experience, practicing in the orthopedic setting, specializing in sports medicine and orthopedics.

Her extensive work with athletes includes training and treating professional water polo players, treating professional surfers and working with the San Clemente High School dance team for injury prevention and rehabilitation. She is also a certified Titleist Performance Institute fitness instructor.

Her vision to promote a sense of self empowerment through education and injury prevention while restoring function was realized with the opening of Body Awareness Physical Therapy clinic in Costa Mesa, California. Having developed a highly successful business model, she opened a second location in San Clemente, California.

Responding to the diverse treatment needs of Body Awareness patients, Chrissie continues to expand the capabilities of the business. In addition to the more traditional services of orthopedic rehabilitation, sports medicine, spine care, the business now offers specialized treatments for women's health, including prenatal, postnatal, pelvic pain and breast care programs; pediatric orthopedic physical therapy, vestibular rehabiliation and most recently craniosacral therapy and visceral manipulation. She is one of the few physical therapists in California to treat male pelvic pain.

In addition to a wide range of physical therapy capabilities, Body Awareness helps foster physical fitness through its Pilates conditioning services. Clients improve core strength, a balanced, evenly conditioned body and increased flexibility in the only full-service studio in San Clemente. The studio equipment includes a full Cadillac or Trap Table, Combo (Wunda) Chair, a Large Barrel and a Step Barrel (Spine Corrector).

A consummate and enthusiastic spokesperson for her trade, Chrissie is involved in numerous activities outside of Body Awareness. She currently conducts a yearly lecture to the UCI Medical Center urology department and functions as a teacher's assistant for continuing education courses of the Movement Balance System, developed by Shirley Sahrmann. She also lectures within the physical therapy community regarding shoulder rehabilitation and injury prevention.

Chrissie lives in San Clemente with her husband and two beautiful children; Luci and Nathan. She enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, yoga, Pilates, hiking, jogging and laughing.

Melia Perrizo PT, DPT, OCS

Melia Perrizo studied at San Diego State University where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology/ Pre-Physical Therapy. She continued her studies at Mount St. Mary's College in Los Angeles where she earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She completed a year-long post professional Residency at Kaiser Permanente, West Los Angeles, where she received clinical and didactic education from a clinical specialist in orthopedics. Melia is a board certified as an Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS) as well as a certified Titleist Performance Institute fitness instructor.

Melia stays current in the field of physical therapy through her participation in the Orthopedic section of the APTA (American Physical Therapy Association) and CPPSIG (California Private Practice Special Interest Group). Melia has worked with a large range of orthopedic, pediatric and neurologic problems that range from weekend warrior and collegiate athlete injuries to post operative care. Her scope of treatment also includes pre/post natal care as well as pelvic floor dysfunction. She uses techniques that include manual therapy, functional mobilizations, movement science, and craniosacral therapy.

In her downtime, Melia enjoys being active and outside in her local community of San Clemente. She can be found running, playing soccer, riding her beach cruiser or trying stand-up paddle boarding.

Melissa Matta, PT, MPT, OCS, CLT-UE

Melissa Matta, received her Bachelor's Degree in Biology from UC Irvine. She completed her post graduate studies at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California where she received her Master's Degree in Physical Therapy.  Melissa has gained extensive practical experience working in outpatient orthopedic clinics in Orange County. She is a board certified as an Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS) as well as a certified Titleist Performance Institute fitness instructor.

Melissa enjoys working with prenatal and postnatal patients as she has 2 children of her own. She is also the lead therapist of our Breast Care Program, with specialty training in treating reconstructive surgery following breast cancer.  Melissa is certified as an upper extremity lymphedema therapist. Complete decongestive therapy includes manual lymph drainage, bandaging and compression garments, as well as development of an individualized strength and range of motion program. Melissa also enjoys working with athletes and a special interest in women's Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) knee injury prevention. She uses her first hand experience in having played division I soccer at UCI to enhance her rehabilitation knowledge and specificity of training techniques.

Melissa enjoys hiking, snow skiing, Pilates, spending time at the beach, and spending time with her husband and two children, Spencer and Keira.

Katie Foster, PT

Katie Foster studied at UC San Diego where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Physiology. She continued her studies at California State University of Long Beach earning a second Bachelor's Degree in Physical Therapy. Katie has 15+ years of clinical experience treating orthopedic patients throughout Orange County. Her postgraduate continuing education courses emphasize the treatment of the spine, shoulder, wrist and hand, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ Syndrome), pre and post-natal exercise, and Pilates.

Katie enjoys working with patients of all ages with differing diagnoses assisting them toward optimal health and function. She uses her skills in manual therapy, postural and movement analysis, and exercise to positively impact the lives of the injured.

Katie, a mother of three boys, enjoys bike riding with the family, swimming, and the occasional sword fight. She runs competitively, attends spin class, and snow skis for personal fitness.

Brooke Winder, PT, DPT

Brooke Winder, earned her BFA in Dance Performance at Chapman University. She completed her postgraduate education at the University of Southern California, where she received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. She then completed a year-long post-professional Residency at USC, advancing her clinical skills through didactic training and mentorship from expert clinicians in the assessment and management of orthopedic conditions. Brooke is an active member of the APTA Orthopedic Section, the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists, and the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science.

Brooke enjoys working with patients of all ages with varying orthopedic diagnoses. She also maintains a special interest in dance injury prevention and rehabilitation. Her research at USC focusing on tendon disorders and dance, professional contemporary dance background and Pilates certification through Body Arts and Science International (BASI) have uniquely enriched Brooke’s approach to movement analysis and therapeutic exercise prescription.

Brooke enjoys staying active with hiking, swimming, Pilates, and yoga. She loves traveling, art, and spending time with her husband, Jason.

Jenilyn Smith, Certified Pilates Instructor/ Personal Trainer

Jenilyn Smith, a California native, is a Certified Pilates Instructor with a specialization in Dance through BASI Pilates, holding a deep interest in dance science and kinesiology. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist through NASM. A Pilates Instructor and Personal Trainer for over 5 years, Jenilyn enjoys teaching and working with all types of movers. Her goal as a Pilates Instructor is to use the Pilates Method to restore or improve functional strength, increase joint range of motion, and improve the quality of life for a versatile range of clientele. Using her expertise in the areas of fitness, anatomy, kinesiology, Pilates, and dance, Jenilyn strives to help others succeed in reaching their specific fitness and rehabilitation goals.

Jenilyn graduated from Brigham Young University in 2004 with her Bachelor Degree in Modern Dance. While attending BYU, Jenilyn was a member of Dancensemble, a student choreography based company, and served the company as a choreographer and performer. She also had the opportunity to dance and perform in the Opening Ceremonies of the 2002 Paralympics and, in 2004, traveled through China teaching modern dance and performing in various venues. Jenilyn received her Masters of Fine Arts in Dance from CSULB, where she continued both choreography and performing. Post graduate accomplishments include performing with several Southern California dance artists including the Nickerson-Rossi Dance Company.