And a Specialty Clinic was BORN: 

In 2005 Kristina was invited by Dr Jeffrey Demain, former owner and director of the Allergy Asthma Immunology Center of Alaksa, LLC, to join his practice of providers to provide care for Alaskans struggling with breathing difficulties that were not responding to medication management for asthma and other pulmonary disease. This breathing abnormality had many names over the years, with the most common name being Vocal Cord Dysfunction or VCD. This condition is not caused by inflammation, obstruction or restriction of the lower airways, but rather caused by the muscles and structures of the throat collapsing into the upper airway causing temporary and brief obstruction. For these patients, their various inhalers did not provide relief. Over 40% of patients diagnosed with asthma also have the diagnosis of VCD. For years these patients were given simple exercises to aid in their relief. For others whose condition resulted in more severe symptoms of shortness of breath, they were referred out of state to specialty clinics. That is until Kristina came along and curated Alaska’s first and only VCD specialty clinic, allowing patients diagnosed with VCD the option of not only working with a specialist, but the option of not traveling out-of-state to receive care.  

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It hasn’t ALWAYS Been About the Breathing: 

Before becoming a certified speech-language pathologist, Kristina was considering a music career. Having received a scholarship to the School of Music for Voice from Montana State University (MSU...Go CATS!), she fully intended to pursue a career in music.  

Then fate intervened. On a whim, she enrolled in a class entitled “Introduction to Communication Disorders” and as fate would have it, she discovered a world that allowed her to use her vocal talents in the service of others who had no voice, had lost their voice, or were struggling to use their voice after injury.  

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Waring Wellness is one of few therapy clinics in the State of Alaska that caters to both pediatric and adult voice disorders caused by disease, injury, or misuse. She has a particular knack for restorative therapy targeting functional voice disorders such as muscle tension dysphonia, vocal fatigue, diplophonia, and ventricular phonation. If your voice is behaving badly, she’s the therapist who can help you get your voice back on track. 

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Along the way, Kristina discovered that many of her muscle tension voice patients also experienced pain or difficulties swallowing. This swallowing condition was not the result of disease or incidental injury but of an underlying muscle tension issue, similar to that of muscle tension dysphonia. Through education and exercises, patients were now able to swallow without complaints of choking, pain or other difficulties. This condition is now referred to as functional swallowing disorder or muscle tension dysphagia.  

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She’s Definitely NOT ALL Work and NO Play: 

She resides in Anchorage with her husband and two children. She loves being a mom and is highly involved in her children’s educational and after-school activities. She is an over-enthusiastic crafter with a love-hate relationship 

 

She volunteers time to a local Swim Club as a Dry Land Trainer, during the winter she lends a hand (or a ski in this case) to an after-school Youth Cross-Country Ski program and gives time (literally) as a race timer for a local Youth Alpine Ski Racing program. She loves all things snow and enjoys both downhill and cross-country skiing. She enjoys spending much of her time discovering the wonders of Alaska with her family, particularly in and around Girdwood. The longer days of Alaska summers have provided her an opportunity to explore her new hobby of boating alongside her husband and children. If it’s not SKI it’s SEA folks! 

 

Strategies

We work closely with patients and their care team to develop personalized strategies that include: 

• Preventative and rescue strategies to address breathing difficulties during triggering events. 

• Preventative treatments to develop safe and efficient swallowing for muscle tension dysphagia.  

• And for those struggling with chronic cough and throat irritation, we offer effective therapies to alleviate pain, discomfort and promote healing.  

 

At Waring Wellness, our goal is to provide you with one-of-a-kind, exceptional care and support to help you overcome these challenges and achieve optimal vocal, respiratory, and swallowing wellness. 

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Educational and Training History: 

Kristina Waring, MA CCC-SLP received her undergraduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID in May of 1997. She received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) in May of 2004 from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO. She is a nationally certified pathologist with over 25 years' experience working in the field of Speech-Language Pathology. She has resided in Anchorage, Alaska since 2000 and has been a private practice business owner since 2005.  

 

Certifications/Qualifications: 

Bachelors of Science May 1997 / Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology / Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho  

Masters of Arts May 2004 / Speech-Language Pathology / University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado 

American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) Certification issued May 2004, Expires March 2024. 

State of Alaska Occupational Licensing issued 01/12/2004 to present 

State of Alaska Telemedicine Business Registry issued 06/16/2020 to present 

Doing Business As: Waring Wellness; KRISTINA M. WARING, M.A. CCC-SLP 

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