Cortland Acres Rehabilitation therapist earns ASTYM certification

THOMAS, W.Va. – The Rehabilitation Center at Cortland Acres is proud to announce that a second therapist has completed specialized training in the ASTYM technique.
Stephanie Summerfield, a physical therapist assistant, became a certified ASTYM provider in May. She joins Alisha McCune, director of the Rehabilitation Center at Cortland Acres.
“It is such a positive for the community to have two therapists trained to practice ASTYM therapy,” McCune said. “It enables the rehabilitation center to continue to provide the best care possible for our patients and to get them back home quickly and to functioning normal.”
ASTYM stands for “a stimulation” of the body’s healing response. It represents the latest in therapy treatments for patients with a variety of conditions. It helps individuals with chronic conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, ankle or wrist sprains, tendinitis, hip pain and many other ailments.
The ASTYM technique involves a physical therapist using three specific tools to help with tissue mobility. It is a non-invasive treatment, which means there are no injections or incisions.
“Sometimes when we get an injury, our bodies will stop concentrating on that area, which means it doesn’t fully heal. It just sits there and lags,” Summerfield said. “ASTYM therapy can help stimulate the natural healing response so the body will begin concentrating on that area again.”
Instruments are applied topically to locate unhealthy tissues, and to transfer mild to moderate pressure to the soft tissue structures. ASTYM treatment stimulates tissue turnover and the regeneration of tendons, muscles and other soft tissue structures.
The process stimulates the body to heal itself. Most patients typically experience a decrease in pain and an increase in movement within the first six to nine treatments, Summerfield said.
“Once patients start feeling better, they grasp the idea of how the therapy can boost the body’s healing process, decrease pain and heal itself,” Summerfield said. “ASTYM therapy can help treat cases that other treatments don’t.”
ASTYM therapy is the type of treatment is great for people of all ages and different health conditions.
“Patients receiving ASTYM treatment can expect a shorter recovery time, a rapid decrease in pain, an increase in range of motion, a decrease in swelling, and improvement in flexibility,” McCune said. “ASTYM therapy is effective for new injuries as well as chronic, nagging conditions that cause pain and discomfort.”
Only ASTYM-certified clinicians may perform ASTYM therapy. For more information on ASTYM or to schedule an appointment, visit www.cortlandacres.org or call 304-463-4191.