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September Newsletter MbM





Just when we thought summer had passed us by, we are gifted with a few gorgeous days here in Sitka!  I hope everyone is able to get out and enjoy it before our fall arrives. Summer has been a busy season for us at Medicine by Movement.  In case you haven’t been following, we have officially moved and opened our new doors at 1547 Sawmill Creek!  We have been open for business here through Aug, and the space is exactly what we had hoped for!  If you haven’t been able to see it, don't worry...

We have an open house scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19th from 4-6 PM!

There will be food, drinks, door prizes and other giveaways to celebrate the completion of the renovation here.  Come learn what new services we are offering, see some demonstrations of dry needling and shockwave treatments, see ways to rent/utilize the space for events, as well as meet some of the new faces here at Medicine by Movement!


Some new faces:

I would love to introduce the new administrative assistant, Megan Christner. 


Hi, I'm Megan!

I was born and raised in Sitka and I am so grateful to call this beautiful place home. I’m excited to be part of the Medicine by Movement team, where I work behind the scenes, helping with marketing, organization, and all the little details.

I have a Master’s degree in Teaching and a background in education, but I’ve really enjoyed bringing my organizational and creative skills to medicine by movement. I currently work remotely, supporting the practice with administrative tasks, content, and marketing.



I am also so excited to have Structural Integration practitioner Crystal Oostema in our space!

Crystal Oostema is a Structural Integration practitioner offering hands-on bodywork and movement education designed to improve mobility, reduce persistent tension, and address the patterns that may contribute to recurring discomfort.

Structural Integration is an organized approach to myofascial release and movement re-education. It is traditionally delivered through a progressive series of 10 sessions, though individual concerns may also be explored through an extended Super Session.

Her work can be a valuable complement to physical therapy, particularly for people experiencing chronic pain, reduced mobility, postural limitations, difficulty isolating or coordinating muscles, or challenges with athletic form and movement efficiency.

For those curious about the work, a Super Session offers an opportunity to experience Structural Integration and explore whether the 10 Series may be an appropriate next step.


Super Sessions

A focused 100-minute session for a specific concern, ongoing maintenance, or an introduction to Structural Integration.


The 10 Series

A progressive series that works systematically through the entire body to support more lasting changes in posture, movement, and coordination.



There are a few other new faces on the horizon for upcoming classes, but you will  need to attend the open house or stay tuned for these announcements.  

AND, we are still hiring!  Both a full time and part time Physical Therapist!  See below for more info



September is Perimenopause Awareness Month!

This month, we’re shining a light on perimenopause—a significant season of change that deserves more conversation, better information, and more support for women navigating it.

Stay tuned throughout the month for a new blog on perimenopause, educational social media posts, treatment and wellness ideas, and an exciting announcement about an upcoming small group and online training program created specifically for women navigating perimenopause.


Something Special Is Coming!

I’m excited to share that we’re also planning our first Women’s Wellness Event, coming late fall/early winter (dates to be announced in late September)!

I’m currently bringing together a wonderful group of healthcare providers, women’s wellness practitioners, and healers to create a fun, informative, and empowering evening designed just for women.

At this event, I’ll also be sharing more about an upcoming evidence-based perimenopause training program designed to help you:

  • Understand the changes happening in your body and health during these years

  • Feel more confident navigating symptoms and treatment options

  • Separate evidence-based information from the overwhelming amount of misinformation out there

  • Develop a detailed, practical, and easy-to-follow wellness routine

  • Feel supported, informed, and empowered throughout this transition


My goal is simple: to help women feel less confused, less alone, and more in control of their health during perimenopause.

There is so much information out there—and not all of it is accurate or helpful. I’m excited to help bring together trusted resources, knowledgeable practitioners, and practical tools so we can navigate this stage of life with clarity, confidence, and community.

More details coming soon. Stay tuned!


Upcoming events:

  • Sep 8: Start of 1st Bone Builders Club (class is full, reach out for wait list of next class)

  • Sep 19th: Open house from 4-6pm at 1547 SMC

  • Sep 20th: Womens wellness gathering - specific for providers and healers interested in working with women.  Reach out to Alicia if you are interested!

  • Fall: 2nd Monthly Wellness Group class opening - days/times to be announced soon

  • Nov: Womens Wellness Event

  • Jan: Start of Perimenopause classes - both online and small group training

  • Feb: Advanced Bone Builders Club class starts

Other classes in the works: 

  • a 2nd Bone Builders Club

  • Forever 25 training group

  • Sport-specific preseason training groups


A special note from Alicia


Thank you to all my current, and potential clients out there for their patience.  I know my schedule has been full and I have been hard to get into.  It’s a great problem to have, but not ideal for YOU! I promise you, I am trying to find spaces to fit people into and I really do appreciate your patience.  I am trying hard to get another PT or class instructor hired.  I know my standards may be a bit high, but that should make you feel good and confident in the care you will receive.  That said, if you know of any PT, PTA, Athletic Trainer, or Fitness Instructor with a desire to work with an injury-prevention focus, especially with a special interest in treating peri and post menopause women, please pass along my information.  I know we will find the perfect person to join the team, but it takes a community to help find them

Perks for fulltime employee:

  • Competitive pay

  • Health benefit stipends

  • 3 weeks paid vacation

  • Large focus on continued education with in-clinic classes often, and $3000/year  towards classes (new grads welcome with structured mentorship)

  • Flexible schedule and ability to take unpaid time off when desired

  • Out of network- means less time doing notes and working through insurance standards, and more 1 on 1 time with your clients

  • Large focus on preventive care, with options of teaching and/or developing small group and educational classes

  • And most importantly... 

As a small-town practice in Sitka, we see a little bit of everything - men, women, athletes, the elderly population, and everything in between. But our passion lies in helping women and female athletes find their way back to themselves and the bodies they rely on.

Whether life has shifted because of raising children, demanding careers, caring for family, injury, or simply the many physical and emotional changes that come with different seasons of life, we believe women deserve care that meets them where they are.

Our goal is to help women reconnect with their strength, confidence, movement, and athleticism—and ultimately, get back to the body that takes care of them.

We’re looking for a physical therapist who shares this passion and wants to be part of a practice where women’s health, whole-person care, and meaningful connection are at the heart of what we do.

Thank you!


 
 
 

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