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 Physical therapy helps restore strength, range of motion, and activity level following either injury or surgery. A comprehensive evaluation will uncover any physical abnormalities, strength and flexibility imbalances or nerve entrapments. Once your evaluation is completed, an appropriate rehabilitation plan of care will be established in consultation with your referring physician. All treatment plans are individualized and specific to your needs and goals. Treatment will always be one-on-one and with the same therapist to maintain consistency and continuity. Treatment may include specific exercises, stretches, manual therapy techniques, and the use of specialized equipment to address problems. A home exercise program will also be prescribed to aid in your recovery and reduce the risk of re-injury. Collectively, the plan of care will help control pain, expedite healing and allow you to return to your normal activity level pain-free.
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 The American Chiropractic Association defines Chiropractic as a health care discipline that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and
the effects of these disorders on general health. This discipline is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.
Chiropractors practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examinations, diagnostic testing, and various therapeutic procedures to joints and soft-tissues. One of the most common procedures used by Chiropractors is joint manipulations and mobilizations which involve using specific manual pressure to joints to restore optimal joint mobility and function. In addition, Chiropractors often recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling.
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 Kristen O’Dell ND, PA-C
Bedford Natural Medicine
www.bedfordnaturalmedicine.com
603-660-9677
As a Naturopath, Dr. O'Dell's goal is to remove obstacles standing in the way of obtaining optimal health. Each client has a unique story and will best respond to individually tailored treatment plans. She delivers a personal touch and holds the patient/doctor relationship as something sacred.
She believes in creating a partnership, to learn about your health and help you meet your goals, happy to be your primary care provider or an adjunct to your present medical care. Some of the more common complaints/conditions Dr O'Dell treats are: thyroid disorders, digestive complaints, auto-immune disease, food sensitivities, fatigue, cardiovascular disease, elevated cholesterol, hormone imbalance, musculoskeletal pain. She can also perform well child exams and annual physical exams for men and women.
Dr. Kristen O'Dell, a Board Certified Naturopathic Physician and founder of Bedford Natural Medicine, received her Doctorate from the esteemed Bastyr University, Seattle, Washington; her Masters Degree as a Physicians Assistant from Yale University.
She has worked with several Alternative Medical Doctors prior to opening her own practice in Bedford, New Hampshire.
She is a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians as well as holding the position of Secretary with the state organization of New Hampshire, NHAND.
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 Massage
therapy is the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues
of the body for the purpose of normalizing those tissues.
Massage therapy consists of a group of manual techniques that
include applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, and/or
causing movement of or to the body. While massage therapy
is applied primarily with the hands, sometimes the forearms
or elbows are used.
These techniques affect the muscular, skeletal, circulatory,
lymphatic, nervous, and other systems of the body. The basic
philosophy of massage therapy embraces the concept of vis
Medicatrix naturae, which is aiding the ability of the
body to heal itself, and is aimed at achieving or increasing
health and well-being.
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 We are pleased to provide patients with an innovative and
proven approach to the diagnosis and treatment of connective
soft tissue injuries – Graston Technique®. The technique
is performed with patent stainless-steel instruments designed
to detect and treat soft-tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation
in order to reduce pain and restore function. When connective
tissue, such as muscle, ligaments, or tendons become restricted
or scarred, it can result in pain tenderness, loss of flexibility
and motion. It is not unusual to find a restriction in one
part of the body that produces pain and dysfunction in another
area, commonly known as the kinetic chain. Strengthening and
stretching are combined with Graston Technique® to restore
the patient to their pre-injury level of activity.
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| Active Release Technique® |
 Active Release Technique is a highly successful approach to
injuries of muscles, tendons, fascia, nerves and the surrounding
soft tissues. It is applied by hand using a very specific
pressure and tension on the involved muscle while moving the
muscle underneath the contact (thumb or fingers of doctor's
hand). The treatment restores normal glide and range of motion
to soft-tissue that contains myofascial adhesion or scar tissue
from repetitive or chronic injuries. This scar tissue/adhesion
binds up and ties down tissues that need to move freely. As
it builds up over time, muscles become shorter and weaker,
tension on tendons causes tendonitis, and nerves can become
trapped. This process can cause reduced range of motion, loss
of strength, and ultimately pain. Because of this, Active Release Technique is
an extremely affective approach to conditions such as carpal
tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff tendonitis, IT band syndrome,
and various other soft-tissue problems.
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 Acupuncture
is both an art and science that is a natural system of health
care that stimulates the body's ability to heal itself. It
is based on the theory of Qi (pronounced 'chee'), which can
be described as the life-force within you. Qi is said to circulate
within specific pathways of the body called meridians. Illness
arises when the Qi balance is off. Acupuncture will readjust
the balance so health can be fully restored.
While acupuncture can alleviate chronic pain and alter states
of mind, it can also enhance your recuperative power, immunity,
and the capability for pleasure, work, and creativity.
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 Susan MacDermott, MA, LCMHC
Susan MacDermott is a licensed mental health counselor who provides interactive solution-focused therapy to adult individuals and couples.
Susan received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of New Hampshire and graduated from Boston College with a Master's Degree in Counseling. Over the last 12 years Susan has worked in a variety of mental health settings.
Some of Susan's areas of interest include family of origin issues, sexual abuse, grief/loss, and life transitions. Much of Susan's practice is helping clients reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression. Susan works collaboratively with many of the psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners in the area in order to better serve clients who might also need the benefit of medication.
As a couples counselor Susan will help couples develop better communication skills in order to create a greater sense of closeness and intimacy and overall relationship satisfaction.
Susan has extensive experience working with perpetrators of domestic violence and enjoys working with men who struggle with anger issues. Although much of this work is designed to decrease negative behavior and increase positive communication skills for men, the support of women is a large part of this work.
Susan describes the process of therapy much like taking a course, encouraging clients to come prepared to discuss issues, identify positive changes, and practice those new skills between sessions. With each returning session clients report on what changes they were able to make and how those changes were helpful or not. For each individual the process of therapy is unique and therefore may take just a few sessions or may take many sessions. Susan feels it is important for clients to remain in therapy as long as they feel it is helpful and that the termination of therapy is up to the client. "It is my goal to have clients think of their relationship with me much like anyone else they have in their life that provides them a service." "I want clients to come and see me for support when they need to, end when support is no longer necessary, and return as new life transitions arise."
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 Orthotics
are inserts that comfortably fit into your shoes which are
designed to support and improve the functioning of feet. Your
feet have an extremely important job; they carry all of your
body weight throughout the day. Every step makes an impact
on your body and that impact is greatly exaggerated with exercise.
If your foot functions improperly it will have an effect on
joints higher up the kinetic chain (your ankle, knee, hip
and spine). This may result in pain, discomfort, or muscle
compensation anywhere from the foot to the back. Because of
this we occasionally prescribe orthotics as part of a patient’s
treatment plan that suffer from chronic lower extremity/back
problems or athletes to help maximize performance during sport.
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