About Us

Spine and Sports Medicine Associates focuses on evidence-based diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of traumatic injuries including motor vehicle collisions and workers compensation injuries. We are a multidisciplinary clinic with orthopedic surgeons, chiropractic physicians and physical therapy/functional rehabilitation. Our ultimate goal is to get each patient back enjoying an active lifestyle and equipped with the education and self-care strategies necessary to prevent re-injuries and recurrences.

A manipulation or adjustment is the act of placing a gentle and specific force through a restricted joint in order to restore normal motion and function in that joint. This force creates a vacuum within the joint causing some of the dissolving gas in the synovial fluid of the joint to release, creating an audible "cracking" sound. Manipulation has been well-researched and proven to be a safe, manual treatment for restricted joints. By restoring normal motion and biomechanics, the manipulation reduces pain and local spasm, increases range of motion and improves coordination and performance. Neck manipulation, despite some recent claims, is also proven to be extremely safe and effective when implemented by a trained professional. Our doctors perform gentle cervical spine manipulation on select patients after a thorough history and examination including proper screening methods. Chiropractors are licensed in every state and must pass a four-part examination with the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. and registered with the State of Connecticut.

ART is a movement-based, soft-tissue technique that focuses on restoring the integrity of individual muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Many conditions are the result of scar tissue accumulation due to acute injuries, chronic postures or repetitive overuse injuries. Problems arise when the scar tissue accumulation is excessive and results in the dysfunction. Neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, rotator cuff problems, knee problems, shin splints, carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, plantar fascitis and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly with ART.

When a muscle, tendon or ligament is damaged from trauma or overuse, the body will attempt to repair the damage with adhesions and scar tissue. This scar tissue is dense, tough, weaker, less elastic, less pliable and more sensitive than healthy tissue. The scar tissue eventually disrupts normal function and leads to abnormal lengthening of the tissue during motion. This, in turn, leads to biomechanical dysfunction resulting in a progressive loss of range of motion, flexibility and strength.

ART is designed to break down this restricted scar tissue and restore normal function to these soft-tissue structures. Every ART treatment is a combination of examination and treatment. Our certified ART providers use their hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons and ligaments. Abnormal tissues are treated by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements.

Improvement in pain and function is often appreciated in only a few treatments. Specific corrective therapeutic exercise is implemented in conjunction with the ART treatments in order to achieve the optimum outcome. In effect, we first break down the unhealthy tissue through ART, and then build it back up with therapeutic exercise.

ART is a movement-based, soft-tissue technique that focuses on restoring the integrity of individual muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Many conditions are the result of scar tissue accumulation due to acute injuries, chronic postures or repetitive overuse injuries. Problems arise when the scar tissue accumulation is excessive and results in the dysfunction. Neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, rotator cuff problems, knee problems, shin splints, carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, plantar fascitis and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly with ART.

When a muscle, tendon or ligament is damaged from trauma or overuse, the body will attempt to repair the damage with adhesions and scar tissue. This scar tissue is dense, tough, weaker, less elastic, less pliable and more sensitive than healthy tissue. The scar tissue eventually disrupts normal function and leads to abnormal lengthening of the tissue during motion. This, in turn, leads to biomechanical dysfunction resulting in a progressive loss of range of motion, flexibility and strength.

ART is designed to break down this restricted scar tissue and restore normal function to these soft-tissue structures. Every ART treatment is a combination of examination and treatment. Our certified ART providers use their hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons and ligaments. Abnormal tissues are treated by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements.

Improvement in pain and function is often appreciated in only a few treatments. Specific corrective therapeutic exercise is implemented in conjunction with the ART treatments in order to achieve the optimum outcome. In effect, we first break down the unhealthy tissue through ART, and then build it back up with therapeutic exercise.

There are over 500 specific protocols unique to ART. They allow providers to identify and correct specific problems that are affecting each individual patient. ART is an approach that is customized to meet the individual needs of each patient and is not a cookie-cutter approach.