Move better. Hurt less. Understand why.
Clinical body therapy for pain, recovery, movement and performance. Thoughtful, hands-on care for people of every age and activity level, shaped by more than two decades of experience.
Nicole RussoLicensed since 2003 · NC LMBT #3995
Where does it hurt?
Start with what you're experiencing. You don't need to choose a technique before your appointment.
Explore an area below.
Head + Jaw
- Headaches
- Jaw / TMJ-related muscular tension
- Teeth-grinding related tension
Neck + Upper Back
- Neck pain
- Forward-head / postural tension
- Upper-back pain
- Whiplash-related muscular dysfunction
- Thoracic-outlet related tension
Shoulder + Arm + Hand
- Shoulder pain
- Rotator-cuff related muscular issues
- Frozen shoulder support
- Tennis / golfer's elbow
- Repetitive-strain issues
- Carpal-tunnel related tension
- Wrist and hand discomfort
Low Back + Core
- Low-back pain
- Sciatica-related muscular tension
- Core / postural imbalance
- Muscular compensation
Hip + Pelvis
- Hip pain
- Gluteal tension
- Movement restriction
- Postural compensation
- Hip replacement recovery, when medically cleared
Knee + Lower Leg
- Knee-related muscular imbalance
- Patellar-tracking related tension
- ACL post-rehabilitation support, when cleared
- Shin splints
- Lower-leg overuse
Ankle + Foot
- Plantar-fascia related pain
- Ankle injury recovery
- Foot mechanics
- Athletic overuse
Arthritis + Chronic Pain
- Arthritis-related muscular stiffness
- Chronic muscular pain
- Movement and mobility support
- Self-management guidance between sessions
Evolve provides massage and bodywork therapy. Evolve does not diagnose medical conditions. Descriptions above refer to the muscular and soft-tissue components addressed in treatment.
Care begins with understanding.
Your history, your movement, and what you want to get back to doing guide the work. Each session includes time to listen, assess and adjust.
Understand
Your history, your movement, what you feel and where.
Assess
Hands-on and movement assessment to find the muscular, fascial and neuromuscular patterns involved.
Treat
Targeted bodywork drawing on the right techniques for your body that day, not a fixed routine.
Reassess
Check what changed, adjust the work, and leave with a clear path forward between sessions.
Two decades of listening to the body.
I've been a licensed massage and bodywork therapist in North Carolina since 2003. My work begins with listening to what you're experiencing and understanding what comfortable movement means for your life.
After graduating from the Southeastern School of Neuromuscular and Massage Therapy, I founded Evolve in Charlotte and went on to operate two therapy centers. Over more than 20 years, I have worked with players from the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Timberwolves players, PGA Tour golfers, Cirque du Soleil performers and well-known names in film and television, and was brought in by the Wingate University cross country coach to work with the team.
Whether you sit at a desk all day, chase kids, train for a race or compete for a living, you get the same careful assessment, focused work and complete discretion. Client names are never shared.
More about my experience
I also served on the board of Arthritis Services and taught classes on arthritis prevention and management. My clinical work spans injury recovery, persistent muscular tension, posture, sports and post-surgical care.
That background shapes how I assess, treat, reassess and adapt each session to the person in front of me.
Keep doing what matters to you.
From a demanding workday to training, injury recovery or returning to activity, your session starts with your priorities.
The techniques serve the body.
Techniques are selected together, based on your needs, preferences and comfort. Several approaches may be combined within one session.
Neuromuscular + trigger point therapy →01Neuromuscular Therapy
Precise work on the relationship between the nervous system and specific muscular patterns.
02Trigger Point Therapy
Targeted release of tight, referring points that contribute to persistent discomfort.
03Myofascial Work
Fascia-focused work to address restriction, tension and movement limitation.
04Clinical Deep Tissue
Focused, deep work for chronic tension and muscular dysfunction, adjusted to what your body tolerates.
05Restorative Massage
Full-body work to calm the nervous system, ease accumulated tension and help the body recover.
06Injury + Post-Surgical
Recovery-focused bodywork after injury or surgery, with medical clearance where required.
07Cupping
Controlled suction lifts the soft tissue, adding a different way to work with an area alongside hands-on techniques.
08Gua Sha
Instrument-assisted soft-tissue work using a smooth-edged tool, with pressure and pace adapted to your comfort.
09Hot Stone
Heated stones bring gentle warmth into the session, paired with hands-on work and adjusted to your comfort.
Care that makes a difference.
“By the time I leave, I can move again and my pain is considerably diminished.”
I have been a client of Nicole’s since 2005. I have stayed with her all these years because she works magic on my arthritic, old body. She easily determines what my issue of the day is and by the time I leave, I can move again and my pain is considerably diminished. She is extremely knowledgeable about the human body and is an absolute professional at therapeutic massage. I highly recommend Nicole to anyone who needs/wants a professional therapeutic massage.
Every session is custom.
Choose your session length; we'll shape the work together. All sessions are tailored to your needs.
A restorative massage, or focused work on one area.
Restorative and focused work together. Recommended for first visits.
Full restorative work plus in-depth focus on complex or chronic areas.
First visit? Plan a little extra time to talk through your history. By appointment only. Call or text 704.905.9395 to schedule.
Arrive with questions.
We'll start there.
We'll talk about your history, what you're feeling and what you'd like to get back to doing. Assessment and clear communication guide the treatment.
Request your first session →Which session length should I choose?
A 90-minute session is recommended for a first visit. If you're unsure, call or text 704.905.9395 and we can discuss what makes sense for you.
Do I need to choose a technique?
No. We discuss your needs and preferences, then choose the techniques together. Pressure is adjusted to your comfort.
Where do appointments take place?
In a private South Charlotte studio, by appointment only. Call or text to confirm location details when scheduling.
How do I schedule?
Call, text, or use the message form to request a session. I'll get back to you within one business day. Your appointment time is confirmed directly.
Can I come after surgery?
Medical clearance is required before post-surgical work begins. We adapt the work to your stage of recovery and your care team's guidance.
Let's understand what your body is telling you.
Whether you're dealing with pain, recovering from an injury, trying to prevent the next one, or simply want to move and feel better, the first step is a conversation.
704.905.9395