“LET’S REMOVE BARRIERS
TO BE YOUR BEST SELF.”

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.

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.

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.

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, 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 15 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.

DR. KRYSTA BRYARS | DPT, GCS, CLT
FOUNDER