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Intimate, welcoming, and genuinely caring

Elise G

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Michael received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Colorado. Always striving for the highest level of care, he became a Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist (OCS) in 2024. This commitment to continual learning is central to his approach. Michael particularly thrives when working with challenging, complex injuries—the kind that might not have gotten results after trying other treatments. He understands the frustration of persistent pain or lingering issues and is dedicated to digging deeper to find the root cause. His goal is not just temporary relief but sustainable rehabilitation to get people back to feeling their best and, crucially, staying at their best long-term. 

Michael's treatment philosophy is simple yet powerful: Movement is Medicine. His approach is highly tailored, utilizing both advanced manual therapy skills to restore mobility and reduce pain, alongside progressive, activity-specific exercise to build lasting strength and resilience. He focuses on empowering patients, whether high-level athletes or everyday individuals looking to move through life without pain, to take control of their recovery. As a specialist in orthopedic physical therapy, he enjoys working with:

Athletes looking to return to peak performance.

Persistent pain cases that haven't responded to traditional care.

People from all walks of life seeking to improve their daily function and quality of life.

Michael's professional passion is deeply rooted in his personal interests. He is a lifelong sports enthusiast and understands the demands and joys of an active lifestyle. In his free time, you can find Michael playing soccer, basketball, or trail running. He also enjoys traveling and exploring the beautiful state of Oregon with friends and family.

Michael Duffy

Physical Therapist, Eugene, OR

Jesse Burlingham brings presence, precision, and purpose to his work as a Licensed Massage Therapist at Zenith Performance and Wellness. He is one of only six certified Master Myoskeletal Therapists (MMT) in Oregon and among just 300 globally to hold this elite designation. His approach blends advanced manual therapy with a deep passion for helping people feel and move better—whether they're athletes, outdoor adventurers, or managing long-standing pain.

The MMT certification, developed by renowned educator Dr. Erik Dalton, requires over 210 hours of advanced training in structural alignment, biomechanics, and pain neuroscience. This methodology targets the root causes of dysfunction—not just the symptoms—by combining principles of osteopathy, physical therapy, and soft-tissue mobilization.

Jesse’s journey is grounded in service. A U.S. Army veteran and former law enforcement officer, he returned to massage therapy in 2018 with renewed purpose: to deliver results-driven, recovery-focused care that supports both physical performance and long-term resilience. At Zenith, he often collaborates with physical therapists and strength coaches to provide fully integrated care.

Clients come to Jesse for more than massage—they come for trusted partnership in their wellness journey. He customizes every session to support mobility, reduce pain, regulate the nervous system, and restore functional movement.

Outside the clinic, Jesse is deeply connected to Eugene’s cycling and outdoor communities. He finds renewal through time in nature, backpacking, long distance bicycling, motorcycling and the companionship of his dog, Journey.

North Star:
To create meaningful connection through healing touch—helping people move with less pain, more confidence, and deeper awareness. Rooted in service, nature, and community, Jesse brings presence and purpose to every session, honoring the human behind the body and the journey behind the pain.

Jesse Burlingham

Licensed Massage Therapist #24529

February 19, 2026

I can’t recommend this place enough! The environment is incredibly intimate and welcoming. Had a spectacular massage from Jesse, and have been working with Michael and they’re amazing. The team here doesn't just see you as another client; they genuinely care about your well-being and want the absolute best for you. It’s rare to find a place that balances high-level performance with such a close, personal touch.

If you’re looking for a community of people who are dedicated to taking care of you and helping you reach your goals in a space that feels like home, this is it. Super grateful for my zenith fam.

What Clients Are Saying About Our Rehab PT

From weekend warriors to elite athletes, our clients trust Zenith for expert care and real results. Here is what they had to say about their experience with our Rehab PT—tailored support that helped them move, train, and feel their best.

Meniscal tear rebuilt to running again

I came in with a meniscal tear with no great surgical solutions. I hadn't run for several months and was worried that my running days might be behind me. But after a year of both PT and personal training help, I've built back to being pretty much where I was before. Actually, probably better. There was no rush and no pressure on my rehab. Just a steady progression that pushed me forward. Ropheka was super supportive and caring!!!

Andrew K

Achilles recovery + knee rebuild with Zenith

I have been working with Jesse at Zenith Performance and Wellness to rebuild strength in my knees after dealing with ongoing issues from an old Achilles tendon rupture and surgery. From the start, he helped me understand how everything in the lower body is connected and created a plan that addressed the root of the problem, not just the symptoms. Jesse paid close attention to form and strengthening, explained the purpose behind each exercise, and adjusted things for me based on how my knees, legs, and back were responding. In every session, he listened, evaluated my progress, and pushed me just enough to improve, but not to a point where it felt unsafe or too much. His knowledge and focused approach made a big difference. My strength and stability have improved (and continue to improve). I appreciated the care he put into each visit. I highly recommend Jesse and Zenith Performance and Wellness to anyone looking for quality physical therapy.

Vartan S

Running stronger, transparent pricing, out-of-network experience

After getting injured running last year, I was referred to Zenith from a friend and couldn't be happier with my experience. Due to scheduling conflicts on my end, I've seen almost every PT there, but have especially enjoyed my appointments with Mariel - she's very fun to chat with and super helpful at figuring out the puzzle of what underlying issues are causing my injuries. We've worked together to figure out a path forward that has gotten me back to running feeling stronger than I ever have before. From the cost side, the appointments are more expensive than you'd get at an in-network PT place, but because there's no insurance critiquing everything you can actually figure out what the root cause of your injuries are. I was able to work on my ankle, foot, hip, and low back all within the same appointment which has been a challenge for me at other PT places. Zenith's pricing is also very transparent so you know what everything costs up front, and my insurance still reimbursed a good chunk of it as an out of network claim.

Zakkai M

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