Meet Our Therapists & Instructors

Michael Roels, LMBT #3174 | Founder | Owner

Michael Roels is the Founder and Owner of RoelsMethod™ Pain Relief Center and the creator of RoelsMethod™ NeuroSomatic Reset, a revolutionary hands-on system designed to resolve pain at its neurological source. After surviving a life-changing car accident, Michael devoted his career to understanding the deeper connections between the brain, body, and chronic pain.

His method has helped thousands of clients move beyond temporary relief to lasting transformation. At the Center, he leads with purpose and passion, sharing his expertise with clients, therapists, and the wider community.

Booking a session with Michael offers the opportunity to experience his unique approach and life-changing work firsthand.

Emiliy Roels, LMBT #3957 | Co-Owner

Emily Roels, LMBT, is the Co-Owner of RoelsMethod™ Pain Relief Center and a Licensed Massage & Bodywork Therapist with over 20 years of professional experience. Known for her intuitive touch and structural bodywork expertise, she blends skill with presence to create truly transformative sessions.

Beyond massage, Emily is a certified sound healer, holistic health coach, and forest therapy guide, weaving these modalities together to nurture both body and spirit.

Her inspiration for healing work began early in life and has grown into a passion for helping others find relief, balance, and renewed vitality. As an approved continuing education provider, she also mentors massage therapists, empowering them with tools for both personal and professional growth.

Emily’s philosophy is simple yet powerful: every person deserves to feel cared for, supported, and inspired on their journey to wholeness.

Chris, LMBT #9156

Originally from England, Chris moved to the U.S. in 1999 and became licensed in 2009. His sessions blend relaxation massage, focused deep tissue, and assisted stretching — always tailored to your body’s unique needs.

As a certified RoelsMethod™ Therapist, Chris specializes in helping clients who’ve tried everything else and still feel stuck. He’s committed to working with you, not on you, to create real change.

His advanced training includes:
- Muscle Release Technique®
- Burn Scar Massage
- Oncology Massage

Beyond the treatment room, Chris enjoys being a granddad, spending time with his dogs, and visiting the park with his wife.

Whitney, LMBT #22797

A graduate of the Center of Massage and Natural Health in Asheville, NC, Whitney brings a deep passion for helping people live healthier, pain-free lives. Her background in personal training provides her with an expert understanding of anatomy, mobility, and movement patterns, which she incorporates into every massage.

Whitney specializes in:

- Swedish massage
- Neuromuscular therapy
- Deep tissue work
- Stress relief + pain management

Her story is just as inspiring as her skill set — with 15 years of experience as a professional chef, time spent as a ski instructor in Breckenridge, and a study abroad experience in Paris, France, Whitney’s journey has shaped a holistic and intuitive approach to bodywork that’s grounded in balance, presence, and care.

Drake Flynt, Founder of Second Nature Gardens, Ltd. | Music Conductor | Steward of Sacred Spaces

Drake Flynt is a dedicated Qi Gong teacher and practitioner, offering weekly classes at the RoelsMethod™ Pain Relief Center in Winston-Salem. He has trained in Qi Gong for over three years, studying locally with a dedicated group and traveling regularly to Arizona to deepen his practice under the guidance of his master teacher. Drake brings presence, precision, and deep respect for the body’s energetic systems into every class he leads.

He is also the founder and president of Second Nature Gardens, Ltd., a landscape design and stewardship company known for creating immersive outdoor spaces that honor natural rhythms and cultural history. As the longtime caretaker of the Ellen Biddle Shipman Garden at Wake Forest University, Drake’s work is rooted in beauty, ecology, and quiet reverence.

A seasoned choral conductor, he has led ensembles like the Moramus Chorale, blending discipline and spiritual depth into his music. Across all his work—from movement to music to gardens—Drake cultivates harmony between people and place, structure and wildness, body and soul.

Darlene Pruitt | Chair Yoga Instructor | Meditation Energy Practitioner

Darlene Pruitt is one of the area’s original yoga teachers, with over 20 years of experience creating safe, mindful spaces for healing and reconnection. At the RoelsMethod™ Pain Relief Center, she leads gentle chair yoga classes designed for those easing back into movement after pain or injury.

Darlene is also a certified meditation teacher and Master Reiki Practitioner, with a background in early childhood education that brings warmth, patience, and deep presence to every class. Her teaching invites calm, compassion, and quiet confidence—perfect for beginners and anyone ready to feel safe in their body again.