Caitlin Sparks owner/LMT, CLT, MLD-C, RYT200
My mother was a massage therapist my entire childhood. Her office was in a small room in the back of our home in Portland, Oregon. Growing up literally inside my mothers massage practice gave me the unique opportunity and privilege to feel, and see with my own body and eyes the benefits that massage therapy can have on a person, not just physically, but mentally as well. This was my first motivation and inspiration to start my massage therapy career.
Upon graduating from the Arizona School of Massage Therapy in 2005, I started out my career doing medical massage therapy at a chiropractic clinic in Tempe, Az. Since then, I have spent most of my career in the medical massage therapy setting working with people who are hurt and healing due to injury.
My true passions however is teaching. I love to teach you how to work on yourself. Using yoga, therapeutic rolling and Manual Lymph drainage(MLD) to help alleviate your aches and pains at home or on the go.
My goal as your massage therapist is to help you and your body facilitate your healing processes and regain health and wellness using massage, CST, MLD, therapeutic rolling, and yoga.
Angie Wellborn LMT, CMCT, RYT-200
Hi, my name is Angie Wellborn.
I am a lifelong Alaskan and massage therapist with 24 years of experience.
I specialize in Ashiatsu. In the Japenese language “Ashi” translates to foot and “Atsu” into pressure. Ashiatsu DeepFeet Bar Therapy, is a barefoot massage technique in which the therapist delivers deep, broad, consistent pressure while utilizing their feet and body weight. Working with gravity instead of against it, Ashiatsu therapists are able to provide an effective therapeutic massage with only their feet. I also enjoy, cupping therapy, medical massage, Swedish massage, and CBD oil massage.
Elise Spofford LMT, 500CYT
Elise is a licensed massage therapist and member of the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. She holds a 500CYT credential as an advanced yoga teacher and is currently studying with the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy. Elise’s approach to care is based in systems biology, positive psychology and the power of mindfulness. She is passionate about helping people to become aware of, create and move in the direction of their own vision for health and wellness.
When Elise is not in the office with a massage therapy client, in the studio teaching yoga or immersed in her health coach studies, she is most often found outdoors on a hiking trail or paddle-board in the summer, and cross country skiing, snowboarding or hopping on an airplane to faraway adventures in the winter. Her personal life motto is, "There is no better time than right now to be intentional with all that you do."
Katelyn Pinnick LMT
Hi, I'm Katelyn, a born and raised Alaskan. I relocated from Anchorage to Soldotna a few years ago in pursuit of a change in scenery and a smaller community experience. My path to massage therapy started with inspiration and suggestion from a close friend who practiced physical therapy. From this, I then discovered my innate empathic connection to the body and passion for helping people heal. Intrigued by the prospect of helping others find pain relief and relaxation- I enrolled at the Alaska Career College. Studying and graduating from the College in 2021 allowed me to hone and develop my skills, as well as obtain the necessary certifications and licensing to advance in this career. I am driven by my ability to understand my clients origin of pain and find practical options to address it through massage.
My goal is to provide healing, relaxation, and comfort to my clients, fostering a sense of
balance in both their body and mind. I am excited to continue my journey in this rewarding field, helping others along the path to holistic well-being.
Dave Edwards-Smith LMT,NSCA-CPT
owner @Active Alaska (located inside KPMT)
I have been fascinated with anatomy since early elementary school. In third grade, I remember anxiously awaiting the ability to dissect a pig heart with my aunt, a nurse. In sixth grade I received a Grey’s anatomy text for my birthday. One day I knew that somehow I would work in the fascinating world of anatomy and healthcare. I had no idea about the unusual and amazing adventure that was in store for me.
I was particularly interested in the world of the musckoskeletal. In 1995 I graduated from the Ann Arbor School of Massage and Bodywork and my career led me to a pamphlet about this Technique called Active Release Techniques. It was fascinating to me how much this technique made logical sense. I’ve always thought that tissue movement was an important component and was eager to learn more. In 2007 I purchased my airline ticket to San Francisco paid tuition for my first class and the adventure began.
By 2010 I was full body certified in Active Release Techniques and was beginning my career with my practice at Koob Chiropractic. My job was becoming more and more exciting everyday as I slowly learned the intricacies of this amazing world. I understood that with this Swiss army knife of a technique I had a view that was different from conventional physical medicine. I had a map. This was a map that wasn’t being used by anyone else.
The map of over 500 protocols and a growing toolbox in active structural assessment allowed me to see things that was often missed in conventional physical medicine. I never imagined that I would be in a position to help people where nobody else was able. Patients had cancelled carpal tunnel surgeries, ulnar transposition surgeries and shoulder impingement surgeries. Patients ended their need for pain medications, orthotics for foot problems and mouthguards for TMJ problems. I could facilitate change and produce incredible results with this system of thinking and treating. This continued to be fun and rewarding work. I came to understand that this toolbox was incredible but had it’s limitations. I looked to fill the void knowing that movement needed to be better understood .
I soon came to appreciate how critical movement was as a missing component in the big picture. It became apparent to me that tissue work was only part of the picture. After becoming a Personal Trainer I dove into a whole new world. I studied the movement specialist of our time. I studied Janda, Gray Cook, Stewart Mcgill Craig Liebenson, Charlie Weingroff, Mike Boyle and more. After becoming certified in the Functional Movement Screen I learned the importance of the question of what movement is necessary to restore normal function . This study led to the development of my movement practice and movement clinic.