Medical Massage and Manual Therapists
Bria Burningham, LMT
Co-Owner
Bria's passion for healing the human body through touch began at age 18, when she was working as a chiropractic assistant. She was fascinated and humbled by how patients could be relieved of pain by a practitioner using nothing more than their hands. Bria was inspired to attend massage therapy school and graduated from the Alaska Institute of Massage Therapy in 2002. Thereafter Bria gravitated towards the medical aspect of massage therapy and manual therapy. She continues to pursue continuing education and is proficient in myofascial release, Trigger Point Therapy, Berry Method Tissue Repositioning, CranioSacral therapy, Manual Lymph Drainage, PNF stretching and Kinesis Myofascial Integration.
Bria works with people of all ages, from newborns to elders. She enjoys the personal connections made with patients along with making a positive difference in the lives of others. Bria likes to spend time in nature and can be found gardening, hiking, camping, fishing, cross country skiing, eating chocolate and spending time with her family and friends.
Kim is fascinated by the never-ending compensations and complexities of the human body and how it presents and responds with acute pain, chronic pain or from injury. Her ability to be a part of a patient's co-care team for rehabilitation, pain relief, increased mobility and regaining function is what drives her to constantly learn new modalities. Kim is always conducting herself as the consummate professional. She is also an avid sports enthusiast, 'Go Raiders - Go All Blacks! Whether it’s competing at ice hockey, water skiing or hiking with her family and dogs, Kim is always in tune with (or pushing) her limits.
Kim's education includes Active Release Technique (ART); Upper, Lower, Full Body and Long Track Nerve Entrapment; Advanced Integrated Muscle Release; Integrated Myofascial Therapy; Trigger Point Therapy; Deep Tissue; Positional Muscle Release; Orthopedic and Sports Massage; Upledger CranioSacral I and II, CranioSacral for New Born; Fascial Distortion Method; Neck/Jaw/ Temporal Mandible Joint (TMJ); Kinesio Taping I and II; Cupping; Strain Counter Strain, and Kinesis Myofascial Integration.
Kim's past education includes:
American Institute of Massage Therapy - CA 1989
Undergraduate in Design and Industry (Specializing in Medical Technology) - S.F.S.U. 1991
Med-Help Training School (EMT Program) - CA 1991
Stanford University, Pre-Hospital Medicine (Paramedic Program) - CA, 1994
Technical Rope Rescue - AK 1995
Flight Medic - AK 1996
Basic Firefighter - AK 1996
Dive and Rescue - AK 1996
Medical Legal Death Investigation - AK 1997
Inpatient OB-maternity/Fetal/Neonatal - AK 1997
Kim Verreydt, LMT
Co-Owner
Kristin Valentine, LMT
Kristin is originally from Spokane, Washington where she graduated from Whitworth University
with a bachelors of arts in Peace Studies in 2009. After graduating, she moved to Alaska for an
adventurous summer and decided to stay. Her passion for helping people drew her to explore a more holistic approach of healing through massage and manual therapy. She attended the Alaska Institute of Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture, and Massage Therapy and graduated as a massage therapist in 2013.
Kristin's modalities and continuing education have focused in myofascial release, deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, sports massage, CranioSacral I, Manual Lymph Drainage, prenatal and postpartum massage, cupping therapy, Chinese five element theory and Kinesis Myofascial Integration.
Kristin enjoys exploring the Alaskan wilderness and biking. She loves spending quality time with family and friends and enjoys the spontaneous adventures that fall in her path.
Derek Brasch, LMT
Derek grew up in Seward, Alaska where he studied structural welding before his interest in body mechanics led him to pursue a career in massage therapy. He graduated at the top of his massage class from Alaska Career College in 2015 and worked side-by-side with a chiropractor before joining the Advanced Body Solutions team in August 2017.
Derek frequently participates in continuing education courses to broaden his knowledge of the muscular system and to find new ways to help his clients. Derek is certified in Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) and Advanced MLD in management of post plastic surgery procedures. Derek also has training and education in CranioSacral I, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, isometric stretching, scoliosis massage, ribcage mobilization, cupping, oncology massage, prenatal and postpartum massage, sports massage, and deep tissue manipulation among many others.
Derek uses his free time to hike, bike, kayak and backpack with his wife and can often be found climbing at the Alaska Rock Gym. Derek also enjoys his down days watching movies, playing video games and spending time with his wife and their two cats.
Nicole Lesko, LMT
As a lifelong Alaskan, Nicole can’t imagine calling anywhere else home. She graduated in 2001 from the University of Oregon with an environmental degree before returning home to Alaska.
Her interest in health and fitness led to her manage a health gym for six years. Nicole graduated from the Alaska Career College in 2016 as a licensed massage therapist. After interning with Advanced Body Solutions, Nicole joined the team as a full time therapist.
Nicole's modalities and certifications include Manual Lymph Drainage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, prenatal and postpartum massage, scoliosis massage, ribcage mobilization, cupping sports massage and Kinesis Myofascial Integration.
Being an outdoor enthusiast, Nicole spends most of her time hiking, skiing, biking, and practicing
yoga.
Gabi Miller, LMT
Transplanted from Iowa via Chicago, Gabi has made her home in Alaska for the last 5 years. She graduated from Wartburg College with a degree in communications. After graduation, Gabi worked as an event coordinator for a nonprofit and has worked in the finance sector. Gabi’s dedication to fitness and CrossFit started her interest in learning more about body mechanics and the importance of self care. In 2018 she graduated from the Alaska Career College as a licensed massage therapist. Gabi specializes in myofascial release, trigger point therapy, sports massage, structural integration, cupping and active muscle engagement. Additionally Gabi is also a certified nutrition coach.
Gabi's hobbies include baking, CrossFit, and spoiling her adorable corgi, Fiddler.
Shavone Burns, LMT
Shavone was born and raised in Anchorage. As a teenager, she moved to Atlanta, GA where she attended Georgia State University to pursue a bachelors in psychology. Shavone moved back to Alaska in 2017 to help her father run his assisted living home business. While working there, Shavone found that healing others was extremely rewarding and decided to pursue a career in massage therapy.
Shavone completed the Massage Therapy Program at Alaska Career College and graduated in December of 2022 and joined the Advanced Body Solutions team in February of 2022. Shavone’s modalities include myofascial release, trigger point therapy, cupping therapy, sports and deep tissue massage .
In her spare time, Shavone enjoys watching movies, spending time with her son, playing basketball and bike riding. She also still helps out at her father’s assisted living home business.
Xavier Gonzalez, LMT
Xavier is originally from Pittsburg, California. After high school, he served as a Paratrooper in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Richardson, Alaska in 2013. Xavier's history of selfless service, which includes experience as an Infantryman, EMT, and Social Worker, helped with his progression of pursuing a career in Massage and Manual Therapy. Xavier first discovered his interest in healing touch when he joined the Advanced Body Solutions team in 2018 as an Office Assistant.
In 2022 Xavier graduated from Alaska Career College's Massage Therapy Program and we are so excited to have him on our team as a Licensed Massage Therapist. While attending school, Xavier also became certified in Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) and has since pursued modalities and continuing education in advanced myofascial release, deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, sports massage, prenatal and postpartum massage and cupping therapy.
Xavier’s greatest passions are spending time with his wife and two children and serving God and the community. His hobbies include performing live music for audiences of no larger than five people, swimming, hiking, fishing, reading, watching movies, and tabletop games.
Administration
Sarah Allyn
Office Manager, Patient Accounts Specialist
Sarah joined the team in January of 2017 and has grown with the company. Sarah can help you with nearly anything related to the ABS, including understanding insurance processing, getting help with your account and coordinating authorizations.
When not working at Advanced Body Solutions, Sarah can be found taking photos, hiking, biking, skiing and kayaking with her husband. She also enjoys walking her two cats, Ruthie and Franklin. Sarah's favorite Anchorage restaurants include Saverio's Pizzeria ("the only New York-style pie in Anchorage"),
Lahn Pad Thai, Tozai and the Spenard classic; Tommy's Burger Stop.
Holly Schell
Billing Manager
Holly has been working in the administrative side of medicine for over 15 years. Her attention to detail, perseverance and exuberant love of snacks are a few of the reasons why we're lucky to have Holly as our biller-extraordinaire.
In Holly's free time, she can be found walking her dog, Berkley, and traveling with her husband. We're not sure what her favorite restaurant is, but once we find out we'll be sure to report back here.
Kennedy Cooper
Front Desk Team Leader, Patient Care Coordinator
Kennedy joined our team in fall of 2021 and we couldn't be happier to have her on board. Kenned'ys diligence, empathy and hilarious banter are a few of the reasons why she makes Advanced Body Solutions such a special place. Kennedy helps the front desk answer calls, schedule appointments, and coordinate treatment plans.
Kennedy recently moved from St. Louis, Missouri, where she received a B.S. in psychology and diversity studies at Missouri State University. She spends her free time at local antique stores, watching ghost shows, and taking scenic drives with lots of snacks. Kennedy's favorite restaurant in Anchorage is Hearth Artisan Pizza. Great choice, Kennedy.
Kes Roy
Patient Care Coordinator
We are so very excited to introduce Kes as one of our stellar administrative team members as of December 2022. Kes’s warm demeanor, resourcefulness and humor are just a few of the reasons why we are so lucky to be working with her. As part of the administrative team, Kes assists in coordinating care, scheduling and creating a welcoming environment for our patients.
Kes was born and raised in
Anchorage, Alaska. Before joining our team, Kes worked in a wide range of areas; from
childcare to detailing and loan support. In her spare time, Kes enjoys spending time with her boyfriend, Matt, her dog, Minnie, going on walks throughout Anchorage, watching movies, dining out, and working on her
plants in the summertime. Some of her favorite restaurants in Anchorage are
Spenard Roadhouse, Kumagoro, and Hula Hands. Good stuff!