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 are CranioSacral Therapy, yoga, therapeutic rolling and Manual Lymph drainage.
My goal as your massage therapist is to help you and your body facilitate your healing processes and regain health and wellness using massage, manual lymph drainage, therapeutic rolling, and yoga.
Ashley Fowler LMT, CMCT
In late 2016 I got the opportunity to live in Las Vegas, Nevada and attend the Nevada School of Massage Therapy. While there I was able to gain experience in both spa and, medical massage. Working with clients ranging from relaxation/stress reduction, to pain management and, injury recovery. Working with such a wide range of clientele allowed me to gain experience in multiple different facets of the massage industry before coming back to Alaska.
I am an ACE Certified Massage Cupping Therapist (CMCT), and am certified in the RockTape method kinesio-taping. My goal as a massage therapist is to help clients recover, progress, and heal.
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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."
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 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 producing 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.
Laura Gerber PT
owner @ Awareness In Motion Alaska
(located inside KPMT)
I started my journey with movement therapies in 1996 by obtaining a Master of Physical Therapy degree from University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. I worked in hospitals and clinics in Washington until 2004 when I moved to the Kenai Peninsula. Here I have worked in several clinics on the Peninsula, and for a short time owned my own clinic in Ninilchik.
I have since completed a 200 hour yoga teacher certification and have nearly completed a yoga therapist certification. My goal in starting my own practice as Awareness in Motion Alaska LLC is to provide holistic physical therapy treatment that focuses on giving people the tools they need to better understand how their bodies move and work. Those tools may include education, therapeutic exercises, manual tissue and joint techniques, and therapeutic yoga (which may include breathwork and meditative techniques if appropriate and desired). Often when people are introduced to new ways to organize their movement and become more aware of their bodies pain decreases and health increases!
I'm grateful to have the opportunity to work in a space with the talented and caring providers of KPMT!