By Ann Donnelly Nicole Rothe, a certified personal trainer, licensed physical therapist, and licensed nutritionist, has announced the upcoming opening of her new fitness studio. Body By Nicole, located at 2 Franklin Square, Unit CD, in downtown Saratoga Springs, is expected to open on December 1. The studio boasts a ground-floor location with convenient...
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Continues To Improve Treatment Methods For Her Patients
Courtesy of Saratoga Wellness
By Christine Graf
After more than three decades of working in the healthcare profession, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Susan McDermott has opened her own practice, Saratoga Wellness, PLLC.
Located at 7 Hemphill Place in Malta, Saratoga Wellness offers a comprehensive range of psychiatric services to adults 18 and older. These services include psychiatric evaluations, individual therapy, medication management, nutritional and physical wellness assessments, and psychotherapy.
It was while working as a family nurse practitioner that McDermott made the decision to continue her education. Returning to college, she earned a post-master’s degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University-College of Nursing.
“I worked as a family nurse practitioner for about eight years, and in doing so I saw the need for additional support for patients with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety,” she said.
Since becoming licensed as a psychiatric nurse practitioner in 2020, McDermott has worked in the inpatient units at both Glens Falls Hospital and Saratoga Hospital. She currently splits her time between her private practice and Four Winds Hospital.
“I opened my private practice in June, and I also work at Four Winds where I work with inpatients as well as in their partial hospitalization program,” said McDermott. “That’s given me the opportunity to see real acute pathology complicated by substance use, PTSD, ADHD, and those sorts of things.”
It was through her work at Four Winds and other local hospitals that McDermott recognized that mental health disorders need to be treated with more than just medication. She referenced the Star*D trial, a study that assessed the effectiveness of depression treatments in patients diagnosed with major depressive order.
An Experienced Massage Therapist Practices Myofascial Release To Relieve Patients’ Pain
By Christine Graf
After graduating from the Swedish Institute, a massage therapy school in New York City, Albany native Virginia Touhey, embarked on a decades-long career as a massage therapist. The owner of Fascial Connections, Touhey has offices in Clifton Park and Saratoga.
“I got into this about 30 years ago just kind of by accident,” she said. “I had been working as a carpenter for about 10 years, and I was in between jobs. I heard about this massage school in New York City, so I went to check it out.”
The rest is history, and Touhey worked for Stratton Mountain Sports Center and the Crystal Spa in Saratoga before venturing out on her own. Although she started her career doing Swedish massage, she now specializes in myofascial release (MFR), a technique that involves the application of gentle, sustained pressure to myofascial connective tissue—the tissue that wraps, connects, and supports muscles. By applying sustained pressure to trigger points in the connective tissue, MFR can help to reduce pain, release tightness, and improve circulation and mobility. MFR has been shown to be particularly effective in improving pain and physical function in patients with chronic lower back pain.
An Advanced Myofascial Release Therapist, Touhey was about five years into her career as a massage therapist when she received her MFR training from John Barnes, an internationally renowned physical therapist. A leading authority of MFR, Barnes has trained more than 100,000 therapists and physicians.
Experienced Exercise Professionals Planning To Open 13th Orangetheory Site In Wilton Mall
By Christine Graf
Less than 10 years after opening their first Orangetheory Fitness (OTF) franchise in Niskayuna, Paola and Jim Horvath are preparing to open their 13th location. Situated in the Wilton Mall, the 3,100-square-foot fitness studio is on schedule to open its doors in March. For the Horvaths’ franchise partner, Mike Altieri, the Wilton Mall will be his eighth location.
With more than 1,500 studios in 25 countries, OTF is one of the most well-known fitness franchises in the world. OTF group workouts are specifically designed to boost metabolism and burn fat. The workouts are based on the five heart rate training zones, and all participants wear OTF-provided heart rate monitors while exercising.
“We offer hands down one of the best full-body, one-hour workouts that you are going to get anywhere,” said Jackie Orr, Wilton Mall OTF head trainer. “It’s a one-stop shop. You are getting cardio and strength training under the guidance of extremely qualified, experienced personal trainers and coaches. And, because it’s in a group fitness atmosphere, the energy is through the roof. It’s a lot of fun.”
Nurse Practitioner Kristen Marquis Launches KM Psychiatry To Fill Mental Health Gaps
by Christine Graf
Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Kristen Marquis has opened her own practice, KM Psychiatry, at 4 Emma Lane in Clifton Park. She provides psychiatric care to adults, adolescents, and children ages 5 and up.
“I specialize in children and adolescents, but I see patients of all ages,” said Marquis. “I see a lot of kids with special needs and kids who are on the autism spectrum. I also see a lot of bipolar and ADHD. I also work with the transgender population.”
Marquis also sees same-day crisis patients from Albany Medical Center and spends one day a week working at Northern Rivers, a residential foster care program in Schenectady.
In her role as a psychiatric nurse practitioner, she does not provide therapy.
“When I see a patient and they are struggling, I do spend the time to listen to them and validate them. I also refer them out to therapists who we collaborate with,” she said.
Instead of providing therapy, Marquis conducts psychiatric evaluations, recommending medication when necessary. Those who are prescribed medication are monitored closely.
“Sometimes I won’t make a decision about medication after the first interview because I want to get to know them better. Especially with kids, you don’t want to jump to conclusions,” she said. “And, sometimes I don’t medicate them. There are a lot of kids who I think need therapy instead of medication.”
Marquis understands that some parents are reluctant to have their children take a medication that she recommends.
The Joint Chiropractic Marks 10 Years Of Serving The Clifton Park Community
By Susan Elise Campbell
The Joint Chiropractic celebrated 10 years in Clifton Park with a small ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, October 30th, at its office on 5 Southside Drive.
The practice is part of a national franchise that operates in non-traditional ways. Its four chiropractors do not own the franchise. Marvin Thornton, the managing partner, and his partners do, along with 10 other franchises in four states.
According to Thornton, there are no appointments needed, only walk-ins are taken. By paying up front for a package of visits, patients can enjoy deep discounts. Most offices are open six, if not seven, days a week.
And once a member, travelers can visit any of the 900 The Joint offices around the world, their file can be pulled up online, and their pass will be honored regardless of the currency exchange.
Thornton said this operational arrangement provides benefits to patients and to him personally.
“I wake up every morning knowing we’re doing good for people,” said Thornton. “Every day, guaranteed, chiropractors help improve the quality of people’s lives.”
Thornton had no prior experience with or opinion about chiropractic care until a friend approached him with a business opportunity in 2011. At the time Thornton was in the military with seven years until retirement.
“He told me there was a great franchise opportunity and it was called The Joint,” he said. “I read the information and my friend had a lot of experience, so I knew I wanted to buy into a business.”
At the time the owners of a Clifton Park practice had let it be known they were looking to sell.
Adirondack Wilderness Medicine: Equipping Outdoor Enthusiasts With Life-Saving Skills
By Susan Elise Campbell
A person never knows when first aid training may be needed, but Clark Hayward, founder of Adirondack Wilderness Medicine, believes if they are an hour or more away from a hospital, his wilderness first aid course may not only come in handy, but save a life.
“It’s amazing that new students taking the course are surprised how much can go wrong out on a hike or ski trip,” said Hayward. “We are here locally to train anyone who does things outdoors, either sports or hunting or in their line of work.”
The basic two-day, 16-hour training encompasses everything a standard first-aid course includes along with the practical skills to prevent such conditions as hypothermia or heat stroke, he said.
“The difference between wilderness first aid and standard first aid is the latter assumes an ambulance will arrive in about 15 minutes,” said Hayward.
With wilderness first aid, that help “may not arrive for hours or even days,” during which time someone has to manage the situation medically as well as provide food and water, he said.
The course curriculum Hayward follows is designed by SOLO, the international leader in wilderness education founded in 1976 and the originator of wilderness medicine in the U.S. Hayward is a licensee of the SOLO program, he said.
While wilderness first aid may be the course choice of scout leaders, camp counsellors and avid sportspeople, Adk Wild Med offers higher level training and certification as well.
Discover Radiant Skin At Clifton Park Laser & Wellness – Where Beauty Meets Science
Clifton Park Laser & Wellness owner John LaCombe, R.N., and business partner Erin Ozinsky, Licensed Esthetician recently opened their new medical spa company at 963 Route 146 Suite 2 Clifton Park across from the Shenendehowa Central School Campus entrance.
“We noticed a growing interest among our clients in achieving a higher level of skin care results, thus a heightened need to provide more advanced state-of-the-art skin care services. Most laser and light-based skin therapy procedures require no downtime, minimal pain and maximum results,” said LaCombe.
“Given our collective 20+ year backgrounds in the health and wellness field, Erin and I partnered to create a medical grade skincare company that would respond to the needs and desires of our clients and customers.” LaCombe added.“Notably, our treatments and services are healthy and safe for all skin types, not always the case with other technologies,” Ozinsky explained. “Our practitioners have been exclusively trained in XEO™️* light and laser technologies: Laser genesis/hair removal for men and women; facial chemical peels; dermaplaning; microdermabrasion and eyelash extensions.”
Albany Medical Center Gets Award For Work With Patients That Have Heart Conditions
Albany Medical Center, a member of the Albany Med Health System that includes Saratoga Hospital and Glens Falls Hospital, has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines – Heart Failure Gold Plus quality achievement award for its commitment to improving outcomes for patients with heart failure, meaning reduced readmissions and more healthy days at home.
About six million adults are living with heart failure (HF) in the United States, a number that is expected to increase to more than eight million by 2030. Despite the name, HF doesn’t mean that the heart has stopped working. It means the heart is having a hard time pumping blood and oxygen throughout the body.
Officials said that while there’s no cure for HF, patients can live a quality life by working with their health care team to create and stick with a plan that may include medication, symptom monitoring and lifestyle changes.
The Get With The Guidelines – Heart Failure quality achievement award is earned by hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to treating patients according to the most up-to-date guidelines as outlined by the American Heart Association.
Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. The program aims to increase healthy days at home and reduce hospital readmissions for heart failure patients.
“Albany Medical Center is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said Dr. Edward Philbin, chief of cardiology at Albany Medical Center. “Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which studies show can help patients recover better. The end goal is to ensure more people in our region can experience longer, healthier lives.”
Each year, program participants qualify for the award recognition by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for HF patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also provide education to patients to help them manage their HF at home.
‘Stretch Zone’ In Clifton Park Helps People Get In Shape Without Weights And Equipment
©2022 Saratoga Photographer.com
By Jill Nagy
For people feeling a bit stiff and out of sorts after a day at the desk but too tired to head for the gym, the Stretch Zone, a new business in Clifton Park, may be the answer.
“Basically, it’s stretching,” said John Bladek, owner of the business, located at 54 Crossing Boulevard. There are no weights or machines involved, just the client and a practitioner, he said.
Stretch Zone is a franchise of a Florida company. Bladek worked for the parent company, certifying and managing trainers. He has a background in anatomy and physiology, as do the other four practitioners in his business. In addition, all of them have completed an accreditation and certification program at the company’s Florida headquarters.
Clients range from those needing the stretching experience to people with serious medical problems. Many are completing physical therapy programs and need further work, he said. The practice also works with people with medical conditions such as cerebral palsy or Parkinson’s.