meet our team
Physician Assistant Brian Kasel, PA-C
Brian is a physician assistant who believes in evidence based patient centered healthcare. He places patient education as a top priority. He works hard to integrate the best therapies from Eastern and Western medicine, and his mission is to find practical solutions to best address chronic painful conditions.
Brian works hard to provide his patients with cutting edge, holistic, preventative medical care. His treatments are rooted in the principles of evolutionary biology, backed by extensive peer-reviewed scientific research, and based on protocols created by leading medical experts. He specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation with a focus in diet, nutrition, supplementation, chronic pain management, postural restoration, and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). His goal is to identify dysfunction, imbalance, and the underlying disease process and create a path to optimal health and wellbeing.
Brian graduated from PA school at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Boston, MA. He has completed extensive training in postural restoration from the Postural Restoration Institute (PRI). He practices Dr. Gary Donovitz’s industry leading BioTE Method to optimize hormone levels using biologically human identical hormone replacement therapy. He is currently working to become trained and certified in functional medicine through the Functional Medicine University. Prior to joining the Axness Integrative Medicine team in 2020, he treated patients with chronic pain at Twin Cities Pain Clinic in Edina, MN.
In his free time, Brian enjoys spending time with his wife Grace and dog Popcorn while relaxing by the lake. He loves to read and listen to lectures, books, and podcasts. He also enjoys playing board games and cribbage, USTA tennis, exercising with gymnastics rings, sitting by a campfire, and socializing with family and friends.
Brian looks forward to meeting you and seeing how he can best optimize your health and wellbeing. It’s time to stop surviving and start thriving.
Nurse Practitioner Ammber Sahr, CNP
Ammber is a certified nurse practitioner that developed a passion for caring for others early in life after watching her older sister pave the way in nursing. She saw how much of an impact one person could make by showing kindness and paying attention to not only the physical, but also emotional needs of patients.
She firmly believes patients should be equal participants in their healthcare and health decision-making. As a medical provider, she understands the importance of an educated and informed patient for the most effective and safe care. Incorporating evidence-based practice in both natural and western medicine approaches she is able to more holistically meet the needs of all. She is trained in the BioTE Method to optimize hormones with bioidentical hormone therapy replacement in addition to identifying and correcting musculoskeletal conditions. She strives to meet a person where they are in their health journey and help patients to live their fullest lives.
Ammber served in the MN Army National Guard as a medic for 6 years while in school for her nursing degree at Central Lakes College and then her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at The College of St. Scholastica. She has had the opportunity to work in several settings to include: critical care, emergency room, urgent care, and a year deployment as a medic. With each area she has gained important knowledge and experience that she is able to incorporate into her practice as a medical provider. After getting out of the military and the birth of her son, she felt a pressing to further her nursing education. In 2020, she graduated from Purdue University Global with a degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
In her free time, she enjoys playing with her 4-year-old son, being around family, running and crocheting. Recently, she started volunteering in children’s church and welcomed a new member to the family, a male goldendoodle puppy.
She looks forward to meeting you and working together to help you achieve your health goals.
Physician Assistant Brittany Geditz, PA-C
Originally from Chanhassen, Brittany received her Masters of Science in Biology, with Graduate Studies in Emerging Infectious Diseases from the University of St. Joseph, and her Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Bethel University.
She is a member of the Minnesota Association of Physician Assistants, the American Association of Physician Assistants, and the Christian Medical and Dental Association.
Brittany has many years of experience and has special interests in women's health, pediatrics, and mental health. She is blessed to be able to bring the Lord into her practice, and pray for, and with, her patients, both in and outside of the office.
Brittany and her husband of five years have 2 daughters, 5 and 3 years old, and a 6 month old son; all of which keep them very busy. They enjoy their time visiting family in the Twin Cities and South Dakota.
Dr. Arik Axness, DC
Leading chiropractor Dr. Arik Axness of Axness Integrative Medicine in Baxter, Minnesota, developed a passion for chiropractic treatment at a young age when his brother severely injured his pelvis after jumping off their outdoor swing. Seeing his brother return from the chiropractor, no longer in excruciating pain, deeply resonated with Dr. Axness.
Now a chiropractor himself, his first job is to relieve physical pain. As a healthcare provider, he takes the necessary steps with expert guidance to prevent health complications before they develop.
Dr. Axness began his undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He also attended Northwestern Health Sciences University, where he completed courses in biochemistry.
Dr. Axness has had the privilege of working at several different clinics in the Twin Cities region, treating injuries for everyone ranging from babies to professional athletes. In 2011, Dr. Axness returned to Baxter and opened his practice, Axness Integrative Medicine, providing comprehensive treatments to naturally and safely relieve each patient’s physical, emotional, and neurological pain symptoms.
Dr. Axness enjoys spending time with his wife (Kate), and three young daughters (Ava, Evelyn and Sophia). They enjoy going for walks around their neighborhood, golfing, and enjoying the many recreational activities the Brainerd Lakes area has to offer.
Dr. Axness looks forward to meeting you and learning about your symptoms to provide the utmost care. He’ll help you reduce your symptoms and prevent future injuries with his non-invasive, natural treatments.
Dr. Craig Close, DC
Dr. Craig Close is a chiropractor with a passion for helping others. He was first introduced to chiropractic at a young age after his dad was injured in a car accident and sought chiropractic treatment for his injuries. He saw the level of recovery his dad was able to achieve using non surgical methods.
Craig was originally from the Twin Cities area before attending the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Biology.
From there he attended graduate school in Davenport, Iowa at Palmer College of Chiropractic, graduating cum laude in 2016. In addition to academic honors, he was also awarded the clinical excellence award for his work in the clinic and rehab department. The clinical excellence award is a faculty appointed award, presented to one student in each graduating class. Prior to joining the Axness Integrative Medicine in 2021, he practiced in Madison, Wisconsin.
Dr. Close believes in evidence-based and patient-centered healthcare, which is highlighted by the team-approach at Axness Integrative Medicine. He has always taken pride in educating his patients on proper movement strategies to avoid pain and achieve a better quality of life.
In his free time, Craig enjoys spending time with his wife, Tori and their three kids. He is an avid outdoorsman who loves fishing, camping, hunting and hiking. He enjoys puzzles, board games, card games and could be considered a Minnesota sports fanatic.
Dr. Close looks forward to meeting you and having the team at Axness Integrative Medicine provide you with the best possible treatment in pain management.
Dr. Cassandra Murphy, DC
Dr Murphy received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin - River Falls, her Doctorate of Chiropractic from Northwestern Health Sciences University and her Masters Certificate in Animal Chiropractic from Options for Animals.
Working with and helping others is what fills Dr. Murphy's cup. She utilizes her schooling and knowledge in biomechanics to achieve optimal joint function for her patients. She enjoys her time in the clinic helping people and her time outside of the clinic helping animals. Dr. Murphy resides locally with her spouse, their three dogs and 4 horses. She spends her free time riding competitively in Ranch Rodeos and Reining Cow Horse, hunting with her dogs, fishing and any other activity which allows her to be outside.
Monday
8:00am - 12:30pm
1:30pm - 5:00pm
Tuesday
8:00am - 12:30pm
1:30pm - 5:00pm
Wednesday
8:00am - 12:30pm
1:30pm - 5:00pm
Thursday
8:00am - 12:30pm
1:30pm - 5:00pm
Friday
8:00am - 12:30pm
1:30pm - 5:00pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
Axness Integrative Medicine
7350 Clearwater Road N
Baxter, MN 56425
(218) 454-5050