After seven years of practicing in Jackson, WY, we fled the mountains and snow there - for more mountains and snow here in Anchorage. We are so excited to be here and to reopen our business in this incredible community! We have two young kids, a love of anatomy and biomechanics, and a bit of appetite for adventure.
My backstory: Raised by two medical doctors with a penchant for travel, I spent my childhood moving every few years, living in Kenya, Wisconsin, Georgia, Zimbabwe and Virginia. I attended the College of William and Mary and majored in linguistics. My love of travel called, and I spent a year teaching English in Nanjing, China before returning to Virginia and earning a degree in culinary arts. This led me to my first job in Jackson, Wyoming working in pastry at the Four Seasons Hotel. I fell in love with the mountains, and my “one winter stint” quickly turned into six years. My passion for sports and health conflicted with my work in pastries, and arm deep in cookie dough I decided to make the switch to a career in health. I found the perfect match in chiropractic, and moved to Minnesota to study at Northwestern Health Sciences University.
With a plan to return to mountains after graduation, I focused intently on learning what would help me treat everyday athletes. During school, I worked with the Minnesota Vixen and Minnesota Freeze players, treating sports injuries and creating rehab programs. After graduation, Tyler and I – yes, we met in school - opened JH Backcountry Health in Jackson, WY and spent seven years working there. Then Tyler called me out on for all the times I had said, “When Jackson gets too crazy, I’m moving to Alaska.” He was right. And within the year, we packed up and moved up here. My childhood best friend has been here for almost three decades, so I had visited quite a few times. Tyler had been once in February.
Clinically, I like adjusting manually (but if you don’t want to be adjusted, I respect that and can do soft-tissue work and rehab only) and I can use the clicker/adjusting tool if need be. I am full-body certified in Active Release Techniques, certified in Graston and SmartTools, and hold the FMT Performance Certification by RockTape, have studied Neurodynamics, and am a Certified Functional Strength Coach. I love working on extremity joints, including the jaw, shoulders, elbows, knees, and feet (and actually feet are one of my favorite things to work on), and am ready to work on your tennis elbow, dysfunctional knee or plantar fasciitis. Having been through two pregnancies and two unplanned C-sections in the last few years (which did result in wonderful kiddos) I have learned a lot about healing from surgeries and rebuilding function and strength.
Outside of the office, I love things related to business, playing with my little loves Madeleine and Westley, weightlifting, and exploring the outdoors. I am hoping soon Tyler and I have time to return to snowboarding, mountain biking and rock climbing now that the kids are getting ever so slightly older.
Dr. Tyler’s journey to founding Backcountry Health is rooted in a life shaped by harsh winters and a love for outdoor adventure. Raised in Minnesota, just outside the Twin Cities, Dr. Tyler excelled as a competitive water-skier and all-state track and field athlete, honing the discipline and resilience that define his practice today. His formative years included time in Grand Forks, ND, during his undergraduate studies at the University of North Dakota, and seven years in western Wyoming, where he and Dr. Laura built their first clinic. These experiences not only prepared him for life in rugged environments but also deepened his appreciation for outdoor pursuits.
Initially pursuing a career in commercial aviation, Dr. Tyler shifted gears after recognizing the physical toll of a sedentary lifestyle. He enrolled at Northwestern Health Sciences University in Minnesota, earning a B.S. in Human Biology and a Doctorate in Chiropractic Medicine, launching a career that allows him to help others achieve their wellness and performance goals.
In 2017, Dr. Tyler with Dr. Laura founded JH Backcountry Health in Jackson, WY, building a 5-star clinic serving thousands of patients, including professional athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. His expertise includes treating low back pain, frozen shoulder, headaches and cervical dysfunctions, sciatica and piriformis syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, and disc-related issues. As a certified provider of Active Release Techniques (ART), he combines evidence-based hands-on care with personalized rehabilitation exercises and patient education to deliver lasting results.
Dr. Tyler’s approach reflects the core philosophies of Backcountry Health: bridging clinical care and performance, emphasizing progressive loading, functional movement, and a patient-centered focus. A combined vision for health and recovery with Dr. Laura led to the integration of the Performance Lab into the Jackson practice, fostering a culture of fitness and success where patients transitioned seamlessly from rehabilitation to peak performance.
Dr. Tyler believes in leading by example, which is why he sets ambitious personal goals and spends considerable time in the gym. This year, he is striving for very specific yet ambitious goals in the gym, exemplifying the dedication he encourages in his patients. Outside the clinic, Dr. Tyler’s passion for outdoor adventure continues to fuel his personal pursuits. An avid hiker, mountain biker, and snowboarder, he is eager to explore everything Alaska has to offer. From carving the slopes at Alyeska to venturing into the Chugach backcountry, he looks forward to embracing the rugged wilderness and deepening his connection to the outdoors. Always up for new adventures, Dr. Tyler is excited to take on hunting and fishing as part of his Alaskan experience, embracing the state’s rugged lifestyle and rich outdoor traditions.
