Karie Tieszen, LMT
Originally from MN, Karie is a 2001 graduate of The Touch of Life School of Massage (Eden Prairie, MN), but has called beautiful Alaska her home since 2004. She is certified in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Trigger Point Therapy, Myofascial Release, and Prenatal Massage with additional education obtained in Oncology (cancer) massage and shoulder injuries. Karies 20+ year massage career has given her the experience to assist with just about any injury or muscle issue you may be having – from your jaw (TMJ) to your feet (plantar fasciitis), and everything in between, she is able to navigate the unique needs of each individual. Early in her career however, Karie found her passion in working with shoulder injuries and the rehabilitation associated with surgical recovery. She loves seeing the progress her clients make in regaining their range of motion and strength while eliminating pain, allowing them to get back to their active lives. Karie also collaborates with numerous Chiropractors, Occupational and Physical Therapists, Acupuncturists, and Personal trainers around town to help people feel their best and achieve their health goals.
Karie has the knowledge and experience to provide you with the therapy you and your body need. From injury recovery to chronic pain, deep tissue to gentle relaxation, she can accommodate your needs and will have you feeling great in no time!
Athenia Large, LMT and a Board-Certified Structural Integrator
Athenia is an advanced bodyworker who specializes in myofascial release and structural integration. She is passionate about continually improving her skills and knowledge through continued education. Her goal is to work with clients to address their goals and inspire greater ease of movement and improved wellness through a wholistic approach. Athenia graduated in 2010 from the East-West College of the Healing Arts in Portland, OR, as one of the last graduates of their 1005-hour intensive massage programs. After becoming licensed, she chose to begin her practice in Kodiak, AK. She returned to the College in 2013 for an additional 500-hour advanced training in Anatomy Trains Structural Integration and has maintained her board certification since 2014. In 2015, she attended the 4th International Fascia Research conference. She then completed the core curriculum of Functional Methods for Structural Integrators, the Integral Anatomy series, Advanced Trainings classes focusing on the neck, shoulder, arm, and ribs, and studied neurovascular and neuromuscular release. May 2022, Athenia achieved her bachelor’s degree in Natural Science, with a pre-health professionals focus and a double minor in philosophy and neuroscience. Most recently, she attended a 6-day dissection workshop and early next year, she will be attending a workshop focused on pregnancy massage.
Athenia specializes in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Joint Mobilization, Myofascial Release, Neuromuscular Therapy, Scar Mobilization, Structural Integration, and Trigger Point Therapy. Her hope is that through her extensive education she has developed skills and strategies to efficiently and effectively address her client’s individual and unique needs.
Athenia joyfully welcomes new and returning clients on Fridays from 9am-4:30pm for 60 or 90 minute massages.
Melissa Mills, NCLMT
Melissa’s massage journey began in 2006 when she was in an auto accident that totaled her car and left her in recovery for eleven and a half months. While working with a chiropractor and massage therapist, she discovered how daily pain truly challenges a person. During her recovery, Melissa was continually amazed by the positive effects massage had on her healing process. The fact that her body could hurt in one place and the therapist would poke and massage another part of the body to reduce and/or remove the pain amazed her. Melissa was accepted to massage school four months later with a new understanding of pain patterns. She is able to bring her personal understanding of body pain and discomfort to empathize more effectively with each patient and how they feel while on the massage table. Sixteen years later, Melissa’s enthusiasm is stronger than ever when it comes to helping her clients improve their daily lives through massage therapy and body education.
Melissa specializes in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Trigger Point Therapy, Myofascial Release, Prenatal, and Pediatric Massage. She uses her years of experience in massage and her own first-hand recovery experience to ensure each massage treatment is designed for you to receive the most significant benefit during and after your massage.
Melissa warmly welcomes new and returning clients on Tuesdays from 1-6pm, Wednesdays from 9am-12:30pm, and Thursdays from 9am-12:30pm for 60 or 90 minute massages.
Matthew Robinson, LMT
Matthew’s path into massage was paved by several injuries he acquired through bull riding when he was younger. He began his massage career after graduating in 2015 from the Ashland Institute of Massage in South Organ. He has spent the majority of his profession in a chiropractic setting assisting clients through their acute and chronic pain. Matthew excels at addressing low back, hip and leg pain, sports or auto accident injuries, prenatal massage, and he enjoys bringing Thai Massage techniques to the table. While Matthew often directly addresses the client’s pain area(s), this approach is complimented by an uncanny ability to discover the hidden adhesions elsewhere within the tissues to aid in the body’s healing process as a whole.
Matthew specializes in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Table Thai, Cupping, Trigger Point, Myofascial, Neuromuscular, and Pre & Postnatal Massage. Matthew strives to decrease the pain and discomfort his clients feel while increasing their body’s mobility to support each and every person’s overall quality of life and well-being.
Matthew is thrilled to welcome new and returning his clients on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1:30pm – 6pm and every other Saturday from 9am-12:30pm