About Melissa A. Doten, MPT, LMT

Biography

Melissa A. Doten, MPT, LMT, Director of Physical Therapy graduated magna cum laude with a Masters in Physical Therapy from American Int’l College; earned a Bachelor’s in Biology and a minor in Pre Physical Therapy at Sacred Heart University; and became certified in Massage Therapy at Connecticut Center of Massage Therapy. Employed in the P.T. field for 10+ years, Melissa specializes in outpatient orthopedics: non and post-operative conditions; motor vehicle accidents, work and sports injuries; vestibular rehab; strengthening/conditioning. Melissa treats using hands-on techniques and educates on postural awareness, ergonomic/body mechanics and proper transfers. Melissa is certified in Graston Technique® and performing functional capacity evaluations. Her other specialities: Mulligan mobilizations, McConnell taping techniques, Vestibular Rehab Therapy. A member of the APTA and the Vestibular Disorders Association, Melissa oversees our vestibular rehab program.

Work Experience

• Enfield Health & Wellness Center; 10/07-Present

  • Director of Physical Therapy

• Johnson Memorial Hospital; 2004-2007

  • Physical Therapist

  • Handled care of all outpatient services with focus on sports medicine and rehabilitation for pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients

  • Supervised physical therapy assistants and student volunteers

  • Teamwork with athletic trainers and personal trainer

  • Enhanced facility marketing with cardiac and pulmonary rehab patients

  • Clinical instructor for student physical student

  • Coordinator for monthly in-services for staff education

  • Department member of customer service committee

• Face to Nails Day Spa; 2001-2005.

  • Massage Therapist

    • Provided care of clients with postural deformities, whiplash, migraines/headaches, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, strains/sprains, pre and post natal discomforts, and chronic neck and low back pain.

    • Performed Swedish massage, prenatal massage, sports massage, deep tissue massage, myofascial release, aromatherapy massage, chair massage, and thermotherapy massage

Education

• Sacred Heart University: 1996-2000; BS in Biology

• Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy: 2000-2001;

  • Certificate of Massage Therapy

• American International College: 2001-2003; Masters of Physical Therapy

• Clinical Education

  • Manchester Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine; May-July 2002

    • Provided therapy for private outpatient clinic; orthopedic diagnoses, sports injuries, post surgical, work related injuries

  • Riverside Health and Rehab Center; May-July 2003

    • Provided services for sub acute facility with adult and geriatric patients; spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, stroke, cardiac conditions, amputations, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease

• New Britain Public Schools; Sept-Nov 2003

  • Provided services for preschool to high school aged students; genetic disorders, developmental delays, Cerebral Palsy, Down’s Syndrome, neuromuscular diseases, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries

Continuing Education

• Vestibular Rehabilitation: A Competency –Based Course; April 16-21, 2012; Atlanta, Georgia
  Cervical and Thoracic Spine The McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy-Part B; August 8-14,2011

• Lumbar Spine The McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy-Part A; May 20-23, 2011

• Fall Prevention: Assessment & Intervention Tools; March 24, 2011

• Outpatient Therapy CPT/ICD-9 Coding, Billing, and Documentation for Rehabilitation

• Reimbursement; October 29, 2010

• Functional Capacity Assessment; March 6, 2010

• International Symposium on Musculoskeletal Pain and Motor Control- Central Institute for Human Performance; January 10, 2010

• Spinning Beyond Basics: An Advanced Vestibular Rehabilitation Course; December 5-6, 2009

• Treating Balance Impairment in the Neurological Population; November 7-8, 2009

• New Manual Treatment Approaches to Back Stabilization; August 5, 2009

• Documentation, Coding, and Billing for Rehabilitation: Strategies for Success; October 15, 2008

• Stability Mobility; June 27, 2008

• Graston Technique Module II Certification; December 5-6, 2008

• Managers and Supervisors Conference; SkillPath; July 17, 2007

• Stable Mobility; Clinical Classification for Patients with Disequilibrium, Imbalance, and Dizziness; Ray Hedenberg, PT and Kendra Fuller, PT; June 27, 2008

• Graston Technique Module I; April 2008

• The Ultimate Back: From Rehabilitation to High Performance; Stuart McGill, PhD; October 12, 2007

• Assessment and Management of Low Back Pain; Dr. Michael Erdil FACOEM; September 20, 2007

• Implementing Back Braces; Jim Ingegneri; August 16, 2007

• Lymphedema Supplies and Garments; Sue Guerrin; July 19, 2007

• Over the Counter Superfeet Orthotics; Thom Abrams; April 24, 2007

• Mulligan Concept-Upper Quadrant, Mobilizations with Movement, ‘NAGS’, ‘SNAGS’ & MORE; Julie Paolino, MS, PT, ATC, MCTA; April 21 & 22, 2007

• Athletic Taping; Jacob Ibey ATC; March 22, 2007

• Physical Therapy Evaluation of Patellofemoral Syndrome; Colleen Maniscalco PT; MS, CSCS; March 15, 2007

• Proper Fitting Footwear; Dr. Kristin Winters, DPM; January 17, 2007

• Pediatric Sports Medicine Update; University of Connecticut School of Medicine; November 15, 2006

• Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation; Melissa Somosky; November 15, 2006

• Bankhart Repair and Rehabilitation; Dr. Clinton Jambor; October 18, 2006

• Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics; Paul Armstrong, CP; September 20, 2006

• Breast Cancer Protocols and Rehabilitation; Dr. Colleen Jambor; July 19, 2006

• Basic Hand Evaluation; Rachel Fraser, OTR/L, CHT; June 21, 2006

• Functional Based Approach for Shoulder Impingement; John Paholski, MS, PT, OCS, Robert Fitzpatrick, DO, MPH, Daniel Fisher, MSPT, and Patricia Black, PT, MS, MCTA; May 18, 2006

• Enhancing Outcomes for Common Hand Dysfunctions; Cross Country Education; May 12, 2006

• Common Surgical Procedures of the Foot and Implications for Physical Therapy; Dr. Kristin Winters, DPM; April 19, 2006

• Orthopedic Rehabilitation of the Knee and Shoulder; Cross Country Education; November 18, 2005

• Healthy Bladder Basics; Catherine D’Agostino, MS, PT, CSCS; November 16, 2005

• Bariatric Surgery and Rehabilitation; Darren Tischler, MD; September 29, 2005

• Differential Diagnosis of Low Back Pain; Colleen Mansicalco, PT, MS, CSCS; August 17, 2005

• Elbow Replacements; Rachel Fraser, OTR/L, CHT; July 20, 2005

• Discogenic Pain and Current Treatments; Jennifer Meier, MSPT; May 10, 2005

• Breast Reconstruction and Implications for Rehabilitation; Orlando DeLucia, MD; May 26, 2005

• Chain Reaction Concepts; Paul Bauer, MS, PT and John Paholski, MS, PT, OCS; April 9 & 10, 2005

• Diagnosis and Current Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis; Ira Pollack, MD; March, 17, 2005

• Surgical Procedures for Buniectomies and Indications for Rehabilitation; Dr. Robert Marra, DPM; March 3, 2005

• Examination and Treatment of Mechanical Disorders of the Lumbar Spine and Sacroiliac Joint: A Symptom Reproduction Model; Russell Woodman, PT, MS, FSOM, OCS, MCTA; February 12-13, 2005

• Pre-op/Post-op Breast Cancer Management; Gretchen Bade, PT and Jen Meier, PT; November 16, 2004

• Vestibular Rehabilitation: Evaluation and Management of Individuals with Dizziness and Balance Disorders; Richard Clendaniel, PT, PhD; September 10-11, 2004