A Therapeutic Effect (ATE), located in Mountville, is celebrating 14 years as a wellness center that provides gentle chiropractic care and other natural approaches to supplement healthy lifestyles. Dr. Andrew Ashton, DC, and his wife Sue, a former massage therapist, have grown the wellness center since 2007. Their philosophical approach to services focuses on the body’s inherent ability for self-healing through natural methods.

Andrew provides chiropractic care for people of all ages, from newborns through adulthood, and is certified in Torque Release Technique from the Holder Research Institute. He chose to specialize in this chiropractic modality because it has been proven superior in providing immediate results.

The very specific, low-impact technique uses a hand-held instrument to directly resonate with the area of spinal dysfunction that is causing nerve interference, or spinal subluxation. Andrew utilizes a drop table that works with gravity to help eliminate discomfort, as well as stretching and pressure points which are effective in providing clients with pain relief.

Of particular importance for expectant mothers is the fact that he is also certified to use the Webster Technique. Employing this method enhances pelvic alignment to relieve tension for the mother and help the baby to settle into a head-down position for labor and delivery.

In addition to chiropractic care, other specialty areas include an array of therapeutic treatments and services that promote relaxation and detoxification: therapeutic massage offered in a range of modalities; laser therapy; colon hydrotherapy; far infrared sauna; and ionic foot baths.

The Ashtons added laser therapy to their menu of services because it is clinically proven as an effective treatment for pain and inflammation. LightForce Therapy Lasers are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Treatments are noninvasive, fast, comfortable and efficient. Able to penetrate to deep tissue structures, laser therapy has the ability to treat a wide variety of both acute and chronic conditions including low back pain, hip bursitis and neck pain.

The ATE staff has been trained in delivery technique and how to obtain the best results every time. Deep tissue conditions are treated especially well using the LightForce Therapy Laser’s patented Laser-Massage treatment head. This patented feature allows the practitioner to deliver energy while manipulating underlying tissue and muscle thus enhancing the effectiveness of the treatment.

Colon hydrotherapy cleanses the large intestine by introducing filtered water to soften and loosen matter in the colon to ultimately eliminate this waste via the body’s natural peristalsis. Unlike laxatives, there is no risk of electrolyte depletion or dehydration because colon hydrotherapy does not compromise digestion or create a dependency, but instead can be helpful in retraining normal bowel function.  

Far infrared sauna therapy is beneficial for natural healing and prevention because of its ability to safely penetrate human tissue resulting in a deep, detoxifying sweat. It assists with weight loss, heart health and relaxation. By warming and relaxing joints and muscle tissue, infrared can provide relief from neck and back pain, fibromyalgia and arthritis.

An ionic foot bath is a gentle and effective way to cleanse the body and release toxins. Clients can create their own package to enhance their detox experience by combining two or three services that complement each other.

This fall, a line of Hyperice products will be added to ATE’s menu of services to enhance the benefits of chiropractic care and therapeutic massage or used as stand-alone treatments. Hyperice products help to prevent injury, speed recovery time and improve mobility.

With a variety of therapeutic services, the ATE staff is available to help clients enhance a healthy lifestyle by relieving stress and allowing the body to relax and reap the positive, life-enhancing benefits of self-care.