Meet the Team at Northern Life Wellness
Our dynamic team of natural healthcare practitioners looks forward to helping you elevate your health.
We’d like you to get to know them better!
Dr. Jeffrey Danielson | Chiropractor | Owner
Dr. Jeff hails from Marshall, MN, located in the southwestern part of the state. An athlete, he grew up an avid racquetball player and lettered in golf. He also enjoyed singing in a small ensemble called the Roaring Twenties, and performed in many theater productions and musicals. After high school, Dr. Jeff began his collegiate career at Bethel University in St. Paul, where he majored in Biology, and was on the varsity Men’s Volleyball team.
Moving Forward
After two years, Dr. Jeff transferred to UCLA to continue his biology degree. At UCLA, he captained the Water Ski Team for two years and was a proud member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
After graduation, Dr. Jeff earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Cleveland Chiropractic College in Los Angeles, while earning the distinction of California Chiropractic Student of the Year in 1995. He took an associate doctor position at the Chiropractic Offices of Santa Monica, caring for celebrities like Gregory Hines and Ted Danson, along with many high-level professional athletes.
Back to Where It All Began
Wanting to return to his roots, Dr. Jeff accepted a staff doctor position at a clinic in Burnsville, MN. After 18 months, he established Northern Life Wellness in February 1999, and now serves as the President and Clinic Director. Dr. Jeff also specializes in difficult neurological cases, such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, autism, fibromyalgia, and the complex injuries sustained in auto accidents. He has also been voted one of the Top Rated Chiropractors in Burnsville, MN.
Other Endeavors
Dr. Jeff also owns Body Kneads Massage, Minnesota’s finest therapeutic massage company. He is also an Adjunct Faculty member at Palmer University in Davenport, IA, and Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, MN. He’s a regular guest speaker at numerous wellness organizations, graduate courses, and business management companies.
His newest venture is the creation of “The Power of PIF,” a company focused on “Paying It Forward”. Dr. Jeff trains young doctors and invests in local clinics that, with the help of his newly trained doctors, will help shape the profession far into the future.
Family First
Dr. Jeff’s crowning achievement, however, is being married to his beautiful wife Dyonne, whom he met when he was 12 years old. They have three kids together—Maddy, Cooper, and Sydney. They reside in Prior Lake, MN, and enjoy the many athletic and school activities their kids participate in, and serving their community church.
Dr. Jeff’s mission has always been to serve God by serving people, whether through their family’s activities, or through the art and science of chiropractic. His desire is that those reading this would connect with the hope that can be found in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Dr. Brady Rose | Chiropractor
In his hometown of De Pere, WI, Brady grew up playing football, basketball, and golf, and competing in track & field. His involvement with and love for sports drew him to get his degree in Human Health and Performance from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. After earning his undergrad, Brady decided to pursue a career in chiropractic, after learning how chiropractic not only helps people suffering from pain, but also improves the overall health and wellness of people in the community.
Brady joined the Northern Life Wellness team in January 2022, and has loved getting to know our patients and helping them perform at their best, so they can enjoy doing what they love most. Brady graduated with his Doctor of Chiropractic from Northwestern Health Sciences University in November of 2022.
Brady and his wife, Courtney, live in Inver Grove Heights with their fur baby, Howard (aka Howie). When he’s not in the office, you can likely find Brady at a local Marcus Theatre enjoying the latest major motion picture or at home expressing his creative side drawing!
Dr. Ivy Karel | Chiropractor
About Dr. Ivy
Dr. Ivy Karels, a dedicated practitioner in the field of chiropractic care, chose this path inspired by her personal experience with the transformative impact of holistic treatment. Her journey began with relief from headaches, migraines, and knee injuries under the care of a chiropractor who valued her as an individual, prompting her commitment to chiropractic practice.
Qualifications
Dr. Ivy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science with a Medical Fitness emphasis, and earned her Doctorate of Chiropractic from Northwestern Health Sciences University in 2023. She is also a trained Doula certified by DONA and holds certifications in Webster Technique and Activator Technique. Her commitment to professional growth is reflected in her continuing education in Graston Technique, Torque Release Technique, and ongoing doula training.
Philosophy and Practice
Dr. Ivy is passionate about restoring her patients’ quality of life through personalized chiropractic care. For her, the most fulfilling aspect of her work is witnessing patients regain mobility and engage in activities they love, whether it’s playing with grandchildren or pursuing long-lost hobbies.
Beyond the Office
Outside of her practice, Dr. Ivy enjoys exploring the outdoors through hiking and fishing. She also nurtures her creative side with drawing and painting, as well as crochet projects. A connoisseur of fine coffee, she loves discovering new coffee shops and blends.
Whether you’re seeking relief from pain or striving to enhance your overall wellness, Dr. Ivy Karels is dedicated to guiding you on your journey to optimal health through chiropractic care
Carol Hunt | Physical Therapist
Her whole life, Carol wanted to be part of people’s healing journey. Her path to physical therapy started at Dordt University in IA, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science.
During her junior year at Dordt, Carol had ACL reconstruction, and experienced firsthand the amazing work physical therapy can do to help patients overcome the barriers preventing them from living their lives to the fullest. Confident she’d found her calling, Carol earned her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Regis University in Denver.
Carol’s family and career have taken her all over the country, living in various states like Kentucky, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and even New Zealand! We are so blessed to now have her call Minnesota home, as she works alongside our patients in the physical therapy bay.
Carol is also a proud home school mom and Certified Health Coach! She and her husband, Michael, live in Savage with their four teenagers, Joanna, Jaben, Jocelyn, and Josiah, and three pets, Harry the Gecko, GiGi the Rabbit, and Eska the snow-obsessed Malamute Husky. Whether it be singing, dancing, or playing one of their many instruments, you can usually find the Hunts preparing for a musical or spending their time outdoors together!
Amy Sulzbach-Towle | Physical Therapist Assistant
With a passion for anatomy and a heart dedicated to helping others thrive, Amy is not your average Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) – she’s a wellness wizard on a mission to unlock her patients’ full potential.
Amy’s journey to becoming a PTA started at The College of St. Catherine, where she earned her Physical Therapist Assistant license and Occupational Science degree. Armed with knowledge and a compassionate spirit, Amy dives deep to uncover the root causes hindering her patients’ health goals, crafting personalized plans to conquer obstacles and pave the way to a life of wellness.
With over three decades of experience under her belt, Amy is a seasoned pro in the world of physical therapy, having worked with a diverse range of patients in settings spanning from transitional care and rehabilitation to home care and wellness.
Beyond the clinic, Amy and her wife, Kathy, are the proud parents of four adult children. As recent members of the empty nester club, they share their home in Rosemount with their adorable orange tabby, Calvin. When off duty, Amy can be found indulging in her myriad of hobbies. From cultivating fresh fruits and veggies in her garden to whipping up new recipes, she is a culinary maestro.
But don’t be fooled by her nurturing nature – Amy has a competitive streak that shines through in her impressive track record at National BroomBall Championships and her knack for dominating pumpkin carving contests. Whether she’s sculpting gourds or sculpting lives, Amy approaches everything she does with a winning spirit and a warm smile that lights up the room.
Erika Bordwell | Massage Therapist
Growing up in various states across the Midwest, Erika suffered with chronic neck and back pain and migraines. It wasn’t until her own experience with massage therapy and chiropractic that Erika finally found relief, so she could enjoy fulfilling her passions. It was through her therapeutic experience with massage that she decided to pursue her career in massage in Iowa City at East-West School of Integrative Healing Arts.
Since earning her Massage Therapy degree in 2017, Erika has loved the opportunity to work with people holistically, giving individualized care that fits their specific needs, whether they suffer from chronic pain or need some much-needed relaxation. While Erika believes in treating the whole person to offer the best therapeutic experience based on their needs, some of the most common massage techniques she offers are Swedish, prenatal, trigger point, sports, and deep tissue.
Erika and her wife, Kenzie, live in Bloomington with their rescue pup, Sophie, and three cats—Milo, Simba, and Nala. In her free time, you can find Erika walking around one of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes, at a local coffee shop, or catching up on her reading list. Schedule a massage with Erika, today!
Jennesse Perry | Massage Therapist
For over 13 years, Jennesse has devoted herself to the art of therapeutic massage, drawing inspiration from a family immersed in various skin and body therapies. Through her own experiences and observing the impact of bodywork on others, she developed a deep appreciation for the body’s innate ability to heal. This led Jennesse to pursue a degree from the International School of Massage Therapy in Atlanta.
Jennesse believes in the interconnectedness of movement, nutrition, and overall wellness. By emphasizing the restoration of balance and harmony, she blends a range of techniques such as stretching, targeted pressure points, and deep tissue massage to facilitate the body’s return to a state of tranquility and ease. Jennesse crafts each session to suit the unique needs of the patient, with the ultimate goal of promoting well-being and relaxation. Schedule your first massage with Jennesse, now!
Dyonne Danielson | Office Coordinator
Dyonne has played a major role in Northern Life Wellness since she and her husband, Dr. Jeff, started the practice in 1999. She became the Office Coordinator in Spring of 2020, after spending years raising their three children and working in both the cosmetology and interior design field. Dyonne grew up in Cokato, MN, and currently lives in Prior Lake with Dr. Jeff and their fur-babies Tater Tot and Thor. Their son, Cooper, recently graduated from college with a degree in College Ministry and their youngest, Sydney is earning her Data Science degree in Hawaii. Maddy, their eldest, is also a member of the Northern Life team and works as our Patient Care Coordinator!
When she’s not rocking it at Northern Life Wellness, Dyonne loves gardening, preparing delicious new recipes, and unleashing her inner interior design genius. Her favorite part about working at Northern Life Wellness is collaborating with the team to problem-solve and create new processes and procedures to ensure that all team members and patients have the best possible experience!
Jordyn Lange | Patient Care Coordinator
Jordyn is the friendly face that greets you when you walk into Northern Life Wellness. As our Patient Care Coordinator, she manages a variety of front desk and administrative tasks to ensure smooth operation of the clinic.
Jordyn’s duties encompass everything from greeting patients, checking them in and scheduling appointments, to managing doctors’ schedules. If you have an appointment with a chiropractor or PT, Jordyn will make sure it’s scheduled efficiently.
She also handles financial transactions, accepting payments for various services. She keeps the administrative side of the clinic running smoothly, ensuring a seamless patient experience.
Jordyn joined Northern Life Wellness in the Spring of 2023, making a career shift towards health and wellness. She was drawn to the clinic’s holistic approach to health, which includes chiropractic services, physical therapy, and massage. The clinic’s commitment to not just treat symptoms but to help patients improve their overall wellness resonated with her.
Jasmine Amberg | Patient Care Coordinator
Jasmine Amberg is passionate about healthcare and enjoys partnering with individuals on their health and wellness journeys. With a background in front desk operations, she has excelled in making patients feel welcome.
Jasmine holds a business administration degree from North Central University (graduated in 2016) and a Master of Acupuncture degree from Northwestern Health Sciences University. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.
Outside of work, Jasmine enjoys reading, baking, and exploring bike paths with her husband.
Valerie Kientzle | Marketing Director
Valerie Kientzle brings an entrepreneurial spirit and stubborn drive to marketing chiropractic care. Valerie has always had a strong desire to help local businesses, as someone that has owned a business herself.
Valerie received her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Graphic Design from Pensacola Christian College. Through hard and long hours of work (sometimes 70 hours a week), she graduated college debt free and bought a house 6 months after graduating college at the age of 22 with the money she made running her event business (Valerie Lu’s Luxury Picnics).
Combining her Bachelor’s degree and her own hands on experience running a business, Valerie transitioned into her current role, where she thrives on designing campaigns and editing videos for social media, that educate and empower patients about chiropractic care. She brings a commitment and drive to plan events for Northern Life Wellness and get the clinic involved in the local community, like attending the MN State Fair, sponsoring local teams, connecting with other local businesses, and getting involved in the Parks and Rec department.
Outside of work, Valerie enjoys serving people at her church, attending BSF(Bible Study Fellowship), hanging out at her parent’s lake house, and just being outside in general.
She enjoys using her skillset of marketing, design, and sales to help her friends and family market their small businesses, whether that’s flip more houses, sell more produce at the farmer’s market, or get more views on their business Instagram page.
Join the Fun
Our team loves to take advantage of dress-up days, excuses to decorate, and opportunities to dial up the fun a notch, so be warned. If you arrive for your appointment to find us all dressed up as superheroes or an office full of Olympic games, we hope you’ll jump into the madness with us.
Book Your Visit
Call today to schedule an appointment. Our team looks forward to meeting you!
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