About
FOUNDER: Annebritt Birkeland
FOUNDER: Annebritt Birkeland
FOUNDER: Annebritt Birkeland
Anna Birkeland NC LMBT #5518 has over 20 years experience in the health and wellness industry.
Her massage therapy, EMT training, private care provider and patient advocacy work experience pair well with her radiography experience, advanced radiation science studies and three years of hospital internships, enabling her to provide highly
Anna Birkeland NC LMBT #5518 has over 20 years experience in the health and wellness industry.
Her massage therapy, EMT training, private care provider and patient advocacy work experience pair well with her radiography experience, advanced radiation science studies and three years of hospital internships, enabling her to provide highly skilled direct patient care from a strong knowledge base.
Anna has always fostered positive and genuine connections with people, which have led her to many interesting life experiences, including being a nationally certified ski instructor for over 13 years, teaching for 5 of those years at Deer Valley Resort in Park City Utah, one of the top US ski destinations.
As a result, she has worked as a sports massage therapist with professional athletes as well as patients who require a high level of complex care during her many years as a private care provider. A lifelong passion for learning, growth, and adding value to relationships are her main motivators.
Effective June 2021, Anna has experienced extremely high demand for services and has welcomed the addition of well qualified associate therapists to the Lighten Up team!
Jessie Iannucci
FOUNDER: Annebritt Birkeland
FOUNDER: Annebritt Birkeland
License: NCLMBT #20559
As a massage therapist, dancer, and fitness instructor, Jessie has great appreciation for what the human body is capable of. Jessie recognizes that every client she gets to work with is unique and therefore each massage is catered to their goals using a variety of styles. Having studied Swedish, Sports, Shiastu, R
License: NCLMBT #20559
As a massage therapist, dancer, and fitness instructor, Jessie has great appreciation for what the human body is capable of. Jessie recognizes that every client she gets to work with is unique and therefore each massage is catered to their goals using a variety of styles. Having studied Swedish, Sports, Shiastu, Reflexology, Neuromuscular Therapy and various Spa techniques she aims to create an integrative massage experience with the goal that each client leaves feeling more comfortable and connected to their body.
Zachary Hatfield
Zachary Hatfield
Zachary Hatfield
License: NCLMBT #21373
After following his wife of more than 10 years through massage school, Zachary graduated from the Center for Massage and Natural Health where he studied sports massage, stretching, trigger points, and Thai Massage. After graduating, he wasted no time and took advanced classes on spinal bodywork and assisted stretchin
License: NCLMBT #21373
After following his wife of more than 10 years through massage school, Zachary graduated from the Center for Massage and Natural Health where he studied sports massage, stretching, trigger points, and Thai Massage. After graduating, he wasted no time and took advanced classes on spinal bodywork and assisted stretching.
Zach is a very active person who enjoys climbing, biking, hiking, and lifting while living with chronic back and joint pain. Since becoming a massage therapist, Zach has learned how to manage his own body in ways he never thought possible. He now understands how important it is for active people to get out and play while finding ways to be able to recover from activities without flaring chronic pain from old injuries or ongoing structural stress. Zach wants to educate and help others enjoy life with massage therapy the way it has helped him. Zach and his wife Samantha currently practice out of Lighten Up Massage & Bodywork offices.
Racheal Betts
Zachary Hatfield
Zachary Hatfield
License: NCLMBT #20588
As a busy working mom of 2 and someone who has chronic pain from a traumatic car accident a decade ago, Racheal has experienced the power of massage herself. She decided she wanted to learn all about bodywork and its benefits to help others with their pain and tension as well. Racheal graduated from Center for Massag
License: NCLMBT #20588
As a busy working mom of 2 and someone who has chronic pain from a traumatic car accident a decade ago, Racheal has experienced the power of massage herself. She decided she wanted to learn all about bodywork and its benefits to help others with their pain and tension as well. Racheal graduated from Center for Massage & Natural Health in Asheville, where she learned Swedish, Neuromuscular Therapy and Prenatal massage, among other modalities.
Racheal understands that life is busy and believes self-care is an important investment. Every session is catered to each specific client's needs using an integrative approach. Often, you won't even be aware of the tension your body is holding until you get a pair of hands on it! She is also passionate about working with children, expectant mothers and trauma survivors.
5 STAR EXPERIENCE- 2 WNC LOCATIONS
ASHEVILLE OFFICE
Experience renewing and restorative personalized massage services from a highly skilled therapist near the heart of Downtown Asheville NC in a beautiful office along a quiet street with easy parking availability.
LAKE LURE RETREAT & WELLNESS CENTER
Restore and renew in a beautiful secluded therapy office nestled beside a private waterski lake offering world class instructions through Able Ski School, an enclave of clean rentable private cabins, screened in outdoor hot tub, recreation center (with ping pong, foosball, movie projector, plus meeting/exercise space) and relaxing fire pits plus picnic areas. Ideally located 5 minutes from a large grocery store and world renowned hikes, 5 minutes to the Lake Lure Adventure Company, ziplining or 10 minutes to the Lake Lure marina and visitor center, 12 minutes to Chimney Rock Park or local riding stables and within 15minutes of the world class Tryon Equestrian Center. Customize your stay with options from booking one time therapy session appointment to creating a custom multiple day retreat for yourself and others with choice of therapies, coaches, accomodations and activities!
TESTIMONIALS
"I can not stress enough how good Anna is at what she does. She has worked with me for over a year now and brings pain relief that I have been unable to find otherwise. Her knowledge and experience stand alone but the care and time she takes with me show what a special person she is. I wish I could give 10 stars." ~LB
"I have had several massages with Anna and she is a caring and compassionate practitioner. She will show you exercises and stretches you can do at home for self care to help increase your range of motion in problematic areas. She provides a very therapeutic massage targeting your painful areas and places where you hold stress. You will feel amazing after seeing her. Highly recommend."~LJ
"I have had several massage treatments with Anna. Her level of expertise and experience is far above any other massage therapy I have ever had. Her assessments are very accurate, and the results long-lasting. I highly recommend her services, as she takes very seriously the health and well-being of her clients. You won't regret making the appointment."~DM
"Jessie Iannucci was a wonderful therapist! She knew exactly what to do to address some problems I was having and the massage was really relaxing!" -LD
"Fantastically skilled and truly caring massage therapists. After 10 or more rounds of PT at a local outfit (which did help but never got me over the pain hump), finding out about and coming to Lighten Up really got me back on my feet, free from the limp, and regaining strength. The membership helps keep me committed to my own well-being and on track, and takes the juggle out of scheduling much-needed self care." - SR