By Jane Keller Gordon, Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury – Growing up in Attleboro, Mass., Dr. Ryan Messina was an avid football player and amateur strongman. As a sophomore in high school, he was the third strongest lightweight teen in the country. At the time, he could bench press 315 pounds, lift 485 pounds squatting, lift 550 pounds deadlifting, and lift 225 pounds over his head. He weighed 180 pounds at the time.
Following his passion for sports, Dr. Messina earned a bachelor of science in sports medicine and athletic training from Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y., and earned a doctor of chiropractic degree from Life University in Marietta, Ga. He recently opened HealthSource of Shrewsbury.
Dr. Messina treats a wide-range of patients, from children to seniors. A typical appointment runs for 15 to 20 minutes, but might be as long as 45 minutes. Each treatment plan is carefully tailored to the individual’s issue, and length of time that it has existed. Dr. Messina said that some patients are treated quickly, while others might see him for a few months.
His office manager, Vivian Puccio, is the backbone of the operation according to Dr. Messina.
“She always makes patients feel comfortable,” he said.
The practice accepts most types of insurance, including Medicare, MassHealth, and Neighborhood Health Plan.
Dr. Messina said, “We offer other affordable plans for patients without insurance, or without chiropractic coverage as part of their insurance health benefits.”
HealthSource is a nationwide network of chiropractic offices.
“We are constantly a step ahead in office management, techniques, and compliance management thanks to resources from HealthSource,” Dr. Messina said.
Dr. Messina’s practice focuses on four areas: chiropractic adjustment, rehabilitation, kinesiology taping, and ALINE specialized insoles.
Chiropractic Adjustment
“I focus on chiropractic adjustment, which is realignment of the spine, and other joints within the body,” Dr. Messina said. “My goal is to correct the subluxation, which is a misalignment that results in nerve interference that causes pain and dysfunction.”
Office visits always start with stretches. Dr. Messina said, “We do exercises here, building in actual action, and going through the steps of motion.”
Nicole Briere, a licensed massage therapist (LMT), sublets an office at HealthSource.
“This is a great arrangement for my patients who are in need of deep tissue massage,” Dr. Messina said.
Rehabilitation
“One short movement, one wrong move, and pain fibers can be affected. Where the pain is, is usually not where the source of the problem lies,” said Dr. Messina.
“My goal is to help you achieve strength and stability of the muscle and ligaments to the point that you feel good now, and in the future,” he added. “Rehab exercises focus on stretching and strengthening the affected areas. “
RockTape – kinesiology tape
Dr. Messina is certified in RockTape’s functional movement technique.
“There is a particular way to apply the tape, based on someone’s functional deficiencies,” he said.
“RockTape lifts the skin off muscle, decompressing the tissue. The tape brings more sensory input to the area, increasing the recovery time of the injury,” he noted.
ALINE insoles
Dr. Messina fits patients with ALINE insoles, which help keep the body in proper alignment from the ground up.
HealthSource of Shrewsbury is located at 512 Main St., Suite 6 (1st floor). Hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 – 6 p.m.; and Tuesday 2 – 6 p.m.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 508-842-4774, email [email protected], or visit the website at www.healthsourceofshrewsbury.com.