NYC Pregnancy Program
Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, Acupuncture and Massage Therapy
At CSC+M, we offer prenatal and postnatal holistic wellness that includes physical therapy, pelvic floor therapy, chiropractic care, massage therapy, and acupuncture to help you prepare for your pregnancy, delivery, and well into your recovery.
Prenatal and Postnatal Care in Flatiron, NYC
During pregnancy, the body experiences many changes that may affect your strength, posture, and balance causing unwanted pain and muscle dysfunction.
Our team is well-versed in helping you understand these changes. We can help create a wellness plan that is specific to you ensuring the best possible outcomes for both mommy and baby.
During your journey, you might experience common musculoskeletal conditions including:
- low back pain
- neck pain
- decreased balance while walking and performing everyday activities
- reduced endurance with exercising
- excess movement in your joints and feelings of instability
- pelvic floor conditions like incontinence and pain
- hip pain/pelvic girdle pain
- separation of the abdomen (diastasis recti)
- bowel dysfunction such as constipation
- organ prolapse
- c-section scars
- pubic symphysis pain
- sacroiliitis
- pain with squatting/lifting
- round ligament pain
Prenatal & Postpartum Physical Therapy
Our physical therapy team is prepared to help guide you during this time and create a program specific to you.
During the evaluation, we will discuss your current condition and work together with you to create a sustainable program that you can easily follow during your journey including but not limited to strength training, mobility work, posture re-education, and biomechanical re-education.
Our treatment is here to help you if you are looking to become pregnant, are currently pregnant, or have recently delivered.
If you are unsure this is the right treatment for you, we offer 15-minute complimentary consultations. Please contact our office at 212-475-8104 with any questions and concerns. We would be happy to schedule your complimentary consultation.
Mobility and Stability
It all starts with the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor refers to a group of muscles that attach to the pelvis and sacrum. Acting like a hammock or sling these are the muscles that support the organs in the pelvis.
Due to the importance of the muscles of the pelvic floor in pregnancy and delivery; exercises and stretches are beneficial in reducing pain and preventing pelvic floor damage. Proper firing of this muscular sling affects your posture, breathing, mobility, and stability.
Prenatal and Postnatal Chiropractic in NYC
Relieve back, neck, and joint pain.
All soon-to-be-mothers wish for a quick and pain-free delivery. Many women report regular chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy leads to a more quality labor and delivery with minimal intervention needed. Gentle chiropractic adjustments can relieve back, neck, and joint pain. We offer conservative management of a condition without the use of medications.
Conservative Care—No Meds
For a woman in labor being able to relax and contract the pelvic floor allows the baby to move through the birth canal. It makes sense that a malpositioned sacrum can have an adverse effect. Studies show that a Chiropractic adjustment can actually relax the pelvic floor muscles.
Prenatal and Postnatal Chiropractic Treatment Regimen
Our chiropractic tables “break away” at the middle to allow our pregnant patients to safely and comfortably lay face down. As posture changes with pregnancy you start to anteriorly tilt the pelvis and walk with the dreaded “waddling gait”. This use of the back and hip muscles in a dysfunctional pattern can repeatedly stress and damage the back, hip, and even foot musculature.
Active Release Technique can restore normal tone to overused compensating musculature.
Prenatal and Postnatal Acupuncture in NYC
Nausea
Acupuncture reduces the severity of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Studies have been done on acupuncture point Pericardium 6 showing favorable results.
Happy Baby Treatment
This treatment regulates the babies sleep and wake cycle, so the baby sleeps during the night and is awake during the day. This treatment may also prevent colic in babies. The treatment should be performed one time at the end of the 1st and 2nd trimesters.
Pain
Acupuncture in conjunction with physical therapy and chiropractic will help reduce pain and discomfort during pregnancy.
Breech Position
Acupuncture and moxibustion may be used to turn babies in breech position. Studies indicate when moxibustion is applied to acupuncture point UB 67, the baby will turn into the proper position.
Pelvic floor and Cervical Ripening – Treatment is done once a week for 6 weeks prior to delivery. These treatments help prepare the body for delivery leading to less discomfort and less time in delivery.
Prenatal and Postnatal Massage Therapy in Flatiron, Manhattan
Massage is used to improve overall health, relieve muscle aches, and reduce stress. Research has shown that massage therapy for pregnant patients helps relieve pain in muscles and joints, reduces anxiety, and has the ability to improve labor outcomes.
Increase circulation and relax muscle tissue
During one’s pregnancy there are many hormonal as well as physical changes that occur. The purpose of prenatal and postnatal massage is to improve circulation and relax muscle tissue. A body that is moving properly will function optimally giving both the mother and expecting child the best chance for a successful delivery.
Decrease swelling of joints
One of the most common symptoms our pregnant patients complain of are swollen joints such as the hands, ankles and face. During pregnancy your body produces 50% more blood and fluids to meet the needs of the developing fetus. That’s an amazing transformation and needs to be managed appropriately. Gentle massage can help reduce the swelling in joint structures and help in lymphatic drainage.
Reduction of nerve pressure
As your baby grows pressure can occur in your spine and pelvic floor. There is a large nerve that travels from your spine to your lower leg (Sciatic Nerve) that can become squeezed by the weight of your growing baby. This can cause pain and discomfort which can be severe at times. A well trained massage therapist can help alleviate these symptoms reducing the pressure on the nerve and allowing the pregnant patient to experience relief from painful low back symptoms.
Prenatal and Postnatal Care in NYC: Program Breakdown
A sixty-minute initial evaluation will be conducted by one of our physical therapists. Treatment usually consists of a ten-week care plan.
Care consists of the following services:
- Physical Therapy sessions
- Chiropractic sessions
- Acupuncture sessions
- Massage sessions
Here at The Center For Spine Care and Mobility our practitioners are trained to examine, diagnose, and treat injuries of the entire body but pride ourselves on our integrated approach.
If you have any questions with regards to our treatment program, we offer 15-minute complimentary consultations. Please contact our office at (212) 475-8104 for more information and to schedule your treatment today!
MK Marsden and Peter Crosby I found my way to the Center for Spine Care + Mobility because I was looking for an integrated approach to treat injury-induced headaches. I used to go to an integrated physical therapy/chiropractic care center before I moved to New York from California, so I expected CSC+M to be a similar experience. Working with Dr. Schuman, Jinita, Denise, and Sandra and experiencing their targeted, attentive care is the reason why CSC+M surpassed all my expectations. My experience with CSC+M has not only helped eradicate my headaches but is helping me learn how to control and strengthen my body to correct bad habits and prevent further injuries. Not to mention the facilities are clean and comfortable and the entire staff is friendly and welcoming every time I come in. I would 100% recommend CSC+M to anyone looking for physical therapy or chiropractic work in general – why have just one form of treatment when you can have it all?!
Hi Dr. Anselmi, its been one week since my shoulder surgery and today I talked with my orthopedic surgeon. Everything went great, and a huge reason was all the work you guys did with me in preparation for the surgery. The improvements I saw after working with you, Dr Schumann and Dr Sunny were awesome and exceeded my expectations. Thank you very much.
My therapist in Hawaii referred me to Dr. Anselmi when I tore my quadricep muscle retrieving luggage from the overhead bin on an arriving flight (all my serious injuries happen in the least heroic circumstances).
Over the years, his team has put me back together after so many injuries. Last year I fell in the subway and within a few hours I saw Dr. Anselmi. He arranged for an MRI and created a treatment, with his team. It has been 8 or 9 months since my last visit and the only recurrence was when I stopped my exercises that my therapist (thanks Jinita) prescribed. I have been to every specialist imaginable but the number who DO NOT recommend surgeries comes down to just one: Dr. Anselmi. To date, I cannot imagine what might have become of me without him and his team.
Was referred to this place by a friend for my sciatica issues. Started in late June with an assessment by Dr.Chris Anselmi and have been working with him and Dr.Miller for PT. It’s been a little over 2 months and already feeling better. As with most of sports injuries, we need to do our part with exercises and stretches. I’m doing the same and hope to be fully up and running (literally). Their treatment is very organized with a chiropractic session, followed by PT and a massage. You don’t have to repeat your story with every treatment as the therapist is briefed in advance and they start working without bothering you. My experience has been good so far and I’d recommend this place to runners and people with sports injuries.
I cannot speak highly enough about CSC+M. Dr. Amsale & his staff of medical professionals has been amazing in helping me after a terrible foot injury. If you’re considering therapy or chiropractics in Manhattan look no further. Love it here!
This is a fantastic group of caring healthcare professionals. While I worked in NYC, I was a patient of Dr. Chris Anselmi for over 10 years! That says something. How many organizations are so good these days that their patrons would stick with them for so long. Dr. Anselmi is friendly, personable, knowledgeable and truly empathetic. Exactly the attributes one looks for in a doctor. I remember going there with back and neck pain in the range of 5 to 10 (on a 10 point scale) and leaving with a rating of around 1 or 2! That’s remarkable. If I still worked in the City I’d be going there even now. I highly recommend CSC+M without reservation.
Pregnancy Care Team
The Pregnancy Care Team at The Center for Spine Care and Mobility strive to excel in the field of musculoskeletal medicine—with an emphasis on specific treatment modalities for pregnant women.
They have dedicated countless hours in the form of continuing education to ensure they are educated in the latest forms of rehabilitation. Whether it’s Active Release Technique, Graston Technique, Functional Movement Screens (FMS), Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, or Pelvic Floor Therapy, the practitioners at CSC+M are constantly working to better themselves for their patients’ benefit.
Since his graduation from New York Chiropractic College in 1997 Dr. Christopher Anselmi has been providing quality chiropractic care to the people of Manhattan. In April of 2003, after an extensive interview process, Dr. Anselmi was asked to join the Hospital for Special Surgery’s Integrative Care Center as the first chiropractor in its 100+ year history. Since 2003 Dr. Anselmi has maintained his private practice as well as his hospital affiliation.
Today he runs the Center for Spine Care + Mobility where a team of Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, and Massage Therapists work collectively to treat patients with a wide range of musculo-skeletal issues. Dr. Anselmi is a Masters Certified Active Release Technique chiropractor. This puts him in an elite group of health care providers who specialize in sports injuries as well as overuse syndromes. He has expanded his interest in posture and ergonomics and lectures on these, as well as many other musculoskeletal subjects.
Aaron Schuman is a graduate of Connecticut College, New London where he lettered in soccer all four years. Dr. Schuman’s postgraduate education was at New York Chiropractic College. He completed the Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician from NYCC. Schuman interned at Levittown Health Center and South Shore Neurologic Associates in New York where he functioned as part of an interdisciplinary team and was trained in acute care, chronic care, and neuromuscular rehabilitation.
Dr. Schuman is full body certified in Active Release Technique and Graston Technique-treatment systems of myofascial injuries such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, temporomandibular joint syndrome, and sprain/strain injuries. He is certified as a strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and conditioning Association.
Jeffrey Medina graduated from Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA in 2005 and has been practicing acupuncture for 13 years. He is nationally board certified by the NCCAOM and holds dual licenses in both Washington State and New York. He is a member of the Acupuncture Society of New York. His practice focus is on pain management, stress-related illness such as insomnia, anxiety, headaches; women’s health issues such as infertility and endometriosis; and digestive illnesses. He has studied classical Nei Jing Acupuncture with Edward Neal, MD of the Xing Lin Institute since 2014 and continues to learn under his guidance. Jeffrey believes that the most powerful interventions in acupuncture have been recorded in the Nei Jing and by studying this classic text, we can use these tools to treat in the best manner possible.
Chenita Townsend, LMT, BCTMB is a Board Certified Massage Therapist. She is a graduate of the Swedish Institute and a member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and the National Certification for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB).
She specializes in swedish, deep tissue, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, medical, sports and prenatal massage.
Chenita has extensive experience in the field of sports performance. She has worked with professional sports organizations elite athletes from the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), United States Tennis Association (USTA), and the National Basketball Association (NBA) Brooklyn Nets, a particular point of pride representing her Brooklyn roots!
Chenita tailors her treatments to individualized patient needs with focused and intuitive work treating such conditions as: sports and repetitive stress injuries, acute to chronic neck/back pain, post-op scar tissue, tendonitis, nerve impingement, rotator cuff/frozen shoulder, sciatica, plantar fasciitis. Her treatment goals are to reduce patients overall pain and increase function.
Her leisure activities include: cycling, yoga, full body HIIT workout, walking 10K+ steps/day (Fitbit goal!), traveling and continuing self-taught education in Korean reading and writing.
Caitlin is a nationally certified Physician Assistant who received her B.S. in Biology and Master in Physician Assistant Studies degrees from the University of Florida. After graduating, she further pursued her passion for plastic surgery and cosmetic medicine by working in craniofacial, plastic, and reconstructive surgery. She brings with her over 6 years of operating room experience as a Plastic Surgery PA and cosmetic injector to CSC+M. Caitlin is a strong believer in maintaining a conservative approach to aesthetics and aims to refresh and revitalize one’s appearance, rather than drastically alter it. In her spare time, Caitlin enjoys CrossFit, Peloton, traveling, reading and exploring New York City.
Linnea Petersen graduated from Northeastern University with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2014. Since receipt of national licensure that same year, she has worked all over the country in outpatient orthopedic, military, and sports rehab settings. Since graduation, Linnea has taken multiple continuing education courses in advanced manual techniques such as Graston Technique and Visceral Mobilization. Over the years, Linnea has taken a special interest in pelvic health, resulting in her becoming a certified Herman and Wallace Trained Pelvic Floor Therapist.
As a pelvic floor therapist, Linnea has wide experience treating pre natal and post partum patients, as well as those with pelvic pain and urinary incontinence. Linnea also has extensive experience with treatment of sports related injuries, occupational injuries, neurological treatment and post operative treatment. When not in the clinic, Linnea can be found tearing up the streets of NYC on her bicycle, rain or shine 365 days a year, or in the backwoods hiking with her husband and step son.
Vanessa Khan-Damon is a graduate of Kingsborough Community College where she received an Associates in Business Administration.
She then attended the Swedish Institute in New York City graduating in August 1992.
She sat for the state boards and has been a practicing licensed massage therapist since October 1992.
She has also completed a Pharmacy Technician program at Sanford Brown where she graduated with honors in 2013.
Vanessa keeps up with all best practices by participating in continuing education. She has studied the Auth method of Therapeutic Massage under Shari Auth.
In addition to proficiency in forearm massage, she continues to refresh her technique by taking numerous continuing education classes.
Andrew is an NYS-licensed physical therapist with a background in strength and conditioning, personal training, and coaching Track & Field. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from California State University Chico in Exercise Physiology and his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Columbia University. Andrew has extensive experience in outpatient orthopedics, and he utilizes his sports and training expertise to help everyone, from professional athletes to weekend warriors, return to the activities they enjoy.
Outside the clinic, Andrew enjoys working out, hitting the beach, or heading to the mountain for snowboarding, playing sports, and traveling.