From Painful to Pain Free: Life with MELT

by Kristen Troy

Amanda Yue has made two miraculous recoveries in her life, both of which she attributes to use of holistic medicine.

Amanda was born in Cambodia and lived in Vietnam during the war, which resulted in oftentimes scarce supplies for many ailments. When she contracted dengue fever as a child, an often fatal disease, her parents had no way of getting the necessary medicine to treat her. Their only option was to use holistic and herbal remedies to nurse her back to health. Amazingly, she recovered. It was this experience that first drove her interest in medicine and helping others.

Eventually, Amanda moved to the United States, and in hopes of learning more about herbal and holistic remedies, she enrolled in Pharmacy School. To her surprise, that was exactly the opposite of what Pharmacy School taught. Instead, she learned about managing pain with pain medication, chemical structures of medications, and chemical interactions of medications in the body. While she finished school and started to work as a pharmacist, she pursued her true interest in learning about alternative medicine in her free time.

Over the years of working on her feet she developed chronic neck and back pain due to C3-4, L4-5 disk displacements. To deal with her pain she regularly practiced yoga and visited the chiropractor. While she experienced some relief initially, she managed to rip her hamstring twice doing yoga, experienced less relief from chiropractic visits as time went on.

The stiffness and pain got to an unbearable level, as so many with chronic pain experience. In that moment, Amanda’s choices where conventional or holistic medicine. She chose holistic – Amanda did some research on alternative pain relief methods. Her search led her to the MELT Method book.

The MELT method was created by Sue Hitzmann as a self-treatment method to rehydrate, recalibrate, and refresh the connective tissue using soft balls and rollers. By using soft equipment and gentle compressions, fluid is reintroduced into the fascial system.

The fascial system is described most basically as the tissue in the body capable of responding to physical stimuli and the way by which it transmits the response to the stimuli throughout the body. The system’s concept is complex and supports the body in a multitude of manners, both physically and emotionally.

In 2016, Amanda started to practice MELT on her own and noticed her pain decreasing. As her pain melted away, she felt the need to learn more about the methodology behind MELT, so she enrolled in a training in New York. During the training she was inspired by the knowledge and realization that connective tissue is functional and not just supportive. MELT training opened her eyes to how the body works as a unit and helping one part can have a domino effect and help the rest of your system.

After her results and further understanding of the methodology and its affect on the body, Amanda was excited to take her knowledge and begin to undo her part in another battle she was all-to-familiar-with after being a pharmacist – opioid use. She felt a need to educate and help others feel pain relief without the use of pain medicine. In her career, she had distributed them daily and became increasingly familiar with the negative side-effects of their use.

Students in Amanda’s class working with soft foam rollers.

Amanda’s been teaching MELT for over a year now, dedicating every Thursday to helping people of every age and fitness level MELT away their pain. You can catch Amanda at Hockessin Athletic Club teaching MELT. The rollers and balls are provided. Click here to learn more.

Testimonials from Amanda’s Students

“Since I started the Melt Method, I have been able to self-treat my neck and shoulder pain. The results started my first class. I exercise and walk to stay active. The Melt Method helps me relieve aches and pains after exercising, complimenting my exercise routine. I use the MELT method a couple hours before I go to bed and notice I am sleeping better. I really value being able to attend a class to learn proper techniques.” Tina G.

“I worked for 47 years and never left my desk resulting in a forward head and an upper back hump. I’ve been messed up for many years. After just a few MELT sessions, I can now move my neck and my posture has improved 99%. The breathing process makes a difference. Even a few minutes of MELT can make a positive change!” Wanda E.

“MELT is amazing! So many of my aches and pains are just melting away. No more stiff, sore neck. No more back pain in the morning when I get out of bed. Very little discomfort in my legs whereas I used to get cramps regularly. I am thoroughly pleased with my results. I do my hands, feet, and face most every morning. I use the roller about every other day in the evening. I still can’t believe how much it helps me.” Catherine O.

“Self-care too often was pushed to the back burner. With the MELT balls I can take and use them anywhere which helps reduce the stiffness, redness, and pain in my hands as soon as it starts…What a Godsend at this late stage in life.” Ellen S.