Gail Wetzler, Physical Therapist

A 1973 graduate from Long Beach State University, Gail gained her orthopedic, acute and administrative background at Hoag Hospital Physical Therapy Department as outpatient clinical supervisor.

She established her private practice in 1979 and has been motivated to keep at the top of her field by taking four to six postgraduate courses per year. Her fields of study include osteopathic manual techniques, exercise physiology, women's health, functional assessment, movement analysis, laser/modalities, psychoneurobiology, nutrition/digestive dysfunctions, anatomy, animal rehabilitation and integrated manual therapy.

Gail is a leader and innovator in the development of new courses for women’s health, manual diagnostics, visceral/structural disorders and integrative therapies for animal health. She teaches these courses for the American Physical Therapy Association, The Upledger Institute and Equinology. She is the Curriculum Director for the newly developed Barral Institute of Education Research and Manual Therapy. She also is currently the co-developer of the new MSAR (Masters of Science in Animal Rehab) at Western University.

Publications include chapters in the following books: Diseases of the Temporomandibular Apparatus by Douglas Morgan, D.D.S., William Hall, M.D. and S. James Vamvas, D.D.S., Visceral Manipulation and Low Back Pain (IFOMT) and Therapeutic Management of Incontinence and Pelvic Pain by J. Laycock, PhD, FCSP and J. Haslam, MCSP, SRP.

Gail’s research includes: “The Effect of Functional Integration on TMJ Disorders”, with Dr. Mark Reese, “The Visceral Relationship to Low Back Pain”, with Dr. Stanley Paris and “The Effects of Manual Therapy on the Brain”, with Dr. Daniel Amen, Dr. Jean Pierre Barral, and Dr. Alain Crobier.

Jane Helmeczi, Masters in Physical Therapy

For over a decade, Jane has specialized in manual therapy techniques. Jane earned her Masters in Physical Therapy from Chapman University in 1987. Her work at the Wetzler Integrative Physical Therapy Center involves assisting patients with integrative solutions such as: Visceral Manipulation, CranioSacral Therapy, Muscle Energy Techniques, and Joint and soft tissue mobilization.

Working at Saddleback Memorial Hospital, Jane gained hands-on experience in acute care, wound care, and neurological rehabilitation. Since that time she has specialized in Orthopedic Manual Therapy. In 1995, she received her Orthopedic Certification Specialty. The American Physical Therapy Association recognizes this as high-level training in physical therapy orthopedic evaluation and treatment.

Jane is an Adjunct Professor of Physical Therapy at the Western University of Health Sciences Graduate School.

Cheryl Ruggio, Physical Therapist

Cheryl has been working as a physical therapist for over 14 years in various settings and positions and has been with the Wetzler Integrative Physical Therapy Center for over four years. She enjoys blending traditional physical therapy with complementary techniques in order to specifically identify patient problems and quickly effect positive changes.

Cheryl has completed advanced training in 1) craniosacral therapy, 2) Somato-Emotional Release, 3) Visceral Manipulation, 4) Strain-Counterstrain, 5) Soft tissue and joint mobilization techniques, 6) Myofascial Release, and 7) Jin Shin Jyutsu. In addition to earning her B.S. degree in Physical Therapy from Ithaca College in 1979, Cheryl has completed over 2,000 hours of postgraduate education in PT and osteopathy. She is in the process of obtaining special certification in Jones Strain-Counterstrain and Craniosacral therapy.

Cheryl has always been interested in complimentary health and has studied various methods. She has found Jin Shin Jyutsu very effective with herself and others and completed certification in 1997. Jin Shin Jyutsu is an ancient oriental healing art that balances and revitalizes the energy of the body. She is also certified and teaches the DASA (Developing Awareness Through Self Actualization) Meditation Method.

When not with patients, you may find Cheryl on the tennis court - she still competes regularly!

Michelle Scotto, Massage Therapist

A member of the American Massage Therapy Association, Michelle has been practicing massage therapy for over 19 years. Michelle's practice includes traditional treatments in Swedish and Deep Tissue Massage as well as in Acupressure, Reflexology, Myofascial Release and Pre- and Post-Natal and Infant Massage.

More recently, Michelle completed advanced training from the Upledger Institute in: Craniosacral therapy, Visceral manipulation, Somato-emotional release and Lymphatic drainage therapy.

Michelle has studied Manual Lymphatic Drainage in both the Vodder Method and the Chikly Method. She is also a member of the International Association of Infant Massage Instructors and the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Barbara Nelson, Certified Stott Pilates TMInstructor
Certified Yamuna Body Rolling Instructor
Certified Reiki Healer

Barbara Nelson took her first Pilates mat class in February 2000, searching for a solution to twenty-five years of chronic back/hip pain. 

In Pilates, she found a solution, and said goodbye to chronic back/hip pain. The combination of Pilates and Body Rolling transformed her life. Barbara improved her gait, mobility, balance, and over-all health. Today, she is an enthusiastic certified instructor in both Pilates and Body Rolling, with eight years of experience in helping others to relieve pain and. restore function.

Barbara looks forward to sharing the joy of Pilates, Body Rolling and intelligent exercise with you.  Expect profound results now.