Home
>> Treatment Protocols
Graston Technique®
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.
Click to view our Graston Technique slideshow.
Back to Top
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Myofascial Release
 Myofascial Release 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, Myofascial Release is
an extremely affective approach to conditions such as carpal
tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff tendonitis, IT band syndrome,
and various other soft-tissue problems.
Back to Top
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Manipulation and Mobilization
 Chiropractors
utilize manipulation and mobilization techniques to improve
joint movement, reduce pain and restore muscle tone. Many
times when manipulation is done there is a “popping”
or “cracking” sound, that is caused by the release
of gases from the joint. Many people feel less pain and increased
relaxation from these procedures. Manipulation and mobilization
techniques are used at Advanced Injury Treatment Center when
they are best suited to resolve the patients condition. Not
all patients will need these procedures, and it will be up
to the Doctor to decide whether or not they are necessary.
Back to Top
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Functional Rehabilitation
and Conditioning
 Functional
rehabilitation is based upon the patient’s presenting
capabilities (what they can do) and focuses on bridging the
gap to the patient’s goal (what they want to do) progressing
them into a conditioning program. We understand that patients
have specific limitations when they seek treatment. Our care
begins with assessment of what the patient can functionally
perform and setting a treatment plan that gets them to their
desired goal. While rehabilitation exercises are often needed
to serve as an entry point to specific conditioning programs,
we always focus on the desires and goals of the patient and
strive to reach these goals in the shortest time possible.
Back to Top
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Acupuncture
 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.
Back to Top
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nutritional Counseling
 Nutrition
in Motion focuses on creating a lifestyle based on wellness.
Clients learn to enjoy healthy eating, and the importance
of being physically active. Our job is to translate all of
the scientific information about food into practical dietary
advice in order to prevent or slow the progression of a variety
of diseases. Nutrition in Motion specializes in:
- Diabetes Care and Prevention
- Cardiac Health and Wellness
- Weight Management
- Prenatal Nutrition
- IBS & IBD
- Menopause
Back to Top
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Custom Orthotics
 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.
At AITC we use the TOG GaitScan™ System which is a
revolutionary diagnostic tool for assessing gait biomechanics.
The GaitScan™ is a computerized pressure plate that
a patient walks across as they are scanned at an industry
high 300Hz (scans per second). These measurements provide
us with invaluable information about a patient’s foot
during motion and weight-bearing rather than just a static
evaluation. For more information visit theorthoticgroup.com.
Back to Top
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Kinesio Taping
 Kinesio
Taping is the gold standard for therapeutic rehabilitative
taping which uses a uniquely designed and patented tape for
the treatment of muscular disorders and lymphedema reduction.
The Kinesio Taping Methods involves taping over and around
muscles in order to assist and give support to or prevent
over-contraction.
This taping method is used to treat anything from headaches
to foot problems and everything in-between. Examples include
rehabilitation from sports injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome,
lower back sprain/sprain, disc herniation, knee and shoulder
conditions and much more.
Back to Top
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Massage Therapy
 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.
Back to Top
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mental Health Counseling
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."
Back to Top
|
