For almost 20 years, I have developed a deep understanding of how the body moves and connects together. I fell in love with running and the human body when I was 12. I was fortunate enough to earn a scholarship at Iowa State to continue running track and cross country and really fueled my knowledge for understanding more. My quest for knowledge of anatomy and movement led to me obtaining a degree in Exercise Science from Iowa State and then to University of Iowa for a Doctorate Physical Therapy in 2008, which ranked as the third best program in the country at the time. In Iowa City, I completed research with saunas and worked in health promotion program with diabetic/pre-diabetic patients at University of Iowa Hospitals .
I worked in Chicago at Rush University Medical Center from 2009-2016 and this was the most transformative experience for me as a clinician. I was Senior Staff Therapist primarily working Inpatient Rehab but floating to ICU, Day Rehab, all acute care floor, outpatient, and research; I worked with a lot of types of patients. Working in a highly nationally ranked, fast-paced academic hospital challenged me not only from the complexity of diagnosis and problem solving “once in a lifetime” patients daily but working with a diverse patient population taught me to meet people where they are with the resources they have available. I learned being intentional with each session and not siloing care. I loved helping people at a fundamental level by teaching people to walk, stand, and move better after experiencing catastrophic events or a hard diagnosis. I found so much joy in helping people take their first steps as part of their redemption story but also being part of pivotal moments for patients and their families.
After the birth of my first baby, it made the most sense to move our family to the Des Moines area. My family grew to 3 boys in 3 years, and I continued to work with patients at a fundamental level of mobility in Des Moines area in hospitals the last 8 years. Patient populations I have served include post-stroke, Parkinson’s, ALS, joint replacements, neuro spine, ortho spine, acute and chronic respiratory failure, multiple sclerosis, transplant, cardiovascular, amputations at all levels, hematology, oncology, brain tumor, spine tumor, COVID, general surgery, end of life care, reconstruction plastics, functional movement disorders, pain, and more. Having a strong medical background also lead me to open my wellness studio.
With time and through different experiences and different patients, my interests evolved, and I became increasingly interested in the lymphatic system and fascial system as they impact every system of the body. Personally, the death of my mom from postoperative complications from a double mastectomy and working with COVID patients on ventilators really started me to question this “healthcare” system and I longer felt in alignment in the current system.
My desire for knowledge and wanting more has led me to pursue additional certifications in Vodder Manual Lymphatic (Klose) , Certified Lymphedema Therapist (Klose), Advanced Head and Neck Lymphedema Certification (Klose), Breast Care Specialists (Klose), LSVT BIG, Stott Pilates, Renata Franca Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage, Advanced MLD Management of Post Plastic Surgery Procedures (American Academy of Lymphatic Studies), TMJ certificate, myofunction, and numerous other certifications through my last 15 years as a physical therapist. I earned my CLT through Klose Training, which is a rigorous 135-hour medical level program regarding anatomy and physiology of lymphatic system as well as comprehensive education in manual lymphatic drainage and compression bandaging. I also feel fortunate to have had incredible mentors and collaborators through my career that is honestly irreplaceable as a clinician.
Through my last 16 years of direct patient care I have noticed a significant link in patient’s feelings and physical manifestations of ailments. A lot of the offerings provided at CryoWellness Studio are rooted in my own quest to be the best me without relying on invasive procedures or medications while providing a safe space for all.
In March 2024, CryoWellness Studio was one business selected out of 50,000 applicants to film The Blox. The Blox is a competition docuseries focused on entrepreneurship. It is now available for viewing on Blox Facebook, app, and may be available on Prime in a future date.
Outside of my time as a physical therapist, I find joy in family adventures, movement, traveling, reading, cooking, and arranging charcuterie tables for events. I have completed 5 marathons including Boston but have since retired from those distances. I love traveling and have traveled to 49/50 states with my last state would be Alaska.
I am currently in the process of building a wellness Airbnb named Elm and Heart in Ames opening fall 2025. You can read more here about Elm and Hearth.
Brandi Ringholz, OT, CLT
Brandi Ringholz is an Iowa native with over 20 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist. I completed my undergraduate studies at Simpson College and earned my master's degree from Washington University in St. Louis, a nationally recognized program. My career includes extensive work in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation in Atlanta, followed by a transition into wound care while serving in acute care at Piedmont Hospital and is a Certified Wound Care Specialists. Upon returning to Iowa, she has been able to lend her skills as an OT and Wound Care Clinician in the Des Moines metro area. Brandi began studying lymphatics before the pandemic and has been trained with Both Norton and Klose schools. Brandi will be an excellent clinician for post-op care, lymphatic health, lymphedema, facial sculpting with myofunction focus. Brandi is thrilled to join CryoWellness Studio and appreciates the unique, multimodal approach to wellness.
Megan Hamor, RN, CMLDT
With over 18 years in hospital-based obstetrics, I've had the privilege of walking alongside women and families through some of life's most transformative moments. My passion has always centered on supporting women-- honoring their strength, nurturing their wellness, and providing passionate, informed care.
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bradley University, and from the beginning of my career, I've been devoted to caring for women and families. Naturally minded in both my personal and professional life, I was drawn to holistic healing methods that align with that body's natural rhythms. This led me to become a certified manual lymphatic drainage therapist- a practice I've come to love for it's gentle, powerful benefits across all types of bodies.
Outside of work, I'm a proud wife and mom to three amazing kids. We're an active family who loves to explore, stay moving, and travel together. That connection to family and wellness fuels everything I do- both at home and in the care I give.
Shannon Boyd, OT
Shannon Boyd earned a master’s degree in occupational therapy from Washington University in St. Louis in 2003. Since 2006, she has effectively utilized myofascial release across various levels of care to alleviate pain, restore motion, and promote relaxation. Her extensive training through John F. Barnes’ Myofascial Release®, The Barral Institute, and the Institute of Physical Arts equips her with specialized techniques such as craniosacral therapy and visceral manipulation to address functional restrictions ignored by traditional medicine.
Her journey in this field began in the NICU, where she developed a deep understanding of the need to tackle complex conditions beyond traditional therapy methods. Over the next 21 years, she has worked in NICUs, PICUs, inpatient pediatric/adult rehabilitation,and outpatient pediatric/adult rehabilitation settings using myofascial release as her primary treatment foundation. Her extensive experience with infants and young nonverbal children allowed her a unique opportunity to be intuitively guided only by the feel of the body’s restrictions, leading to an entirely different kind of healing than traditional range of motion and strengthening programs. .
In 2011, she delivered her own medically complex child, intimately experiencing how traditional medicine and therapy approaches neglect the fascial restrictions left by surgeries, disease processes, and invasive procedures. The profound impact on digestion, breathing, and movement drove her to learn how to fill in the gaps in recovery and wellness, helping countless other patients along her journey to help her own son.
Shannon lives in the Des Moines metro with her 2 children and husband. She spends her time outside of work being a domestic goddess in an increasingly complex world, while dreaming of living more simplistically, with maybe a few chickens. io coming soon
DR. KRYSTA BRYARS | DPT, GCS, CLT
FOUNDER