Perfect Dose Wellness Center in Old Saybrook, Connecticut: Services Include Chiropractic, Massage Therapy, and Acupuncture

OLD SAYBROOK - It's 2008 and on New Year's Eve, you probably made resolutions to change the way you live and improve your life.

Now, it's time to act on those resolutions and strive for success.

Those who want to improve their health and wellness should pay the Perfect Dose Wellness Center a visit.

After all, the center is within walking distance to the Shoreline Health Fitness Center in the former Hoyts Cinema building.

Many along the shoreline know this office as that formerly occupied by the Pictorial Gazette for decades before the weekly newspaper moved into the Shoreline Newspapers office in Guilford.

This past summer, that office was completely transformed and opened as the Perfect Dose Wellness Center in September.

Owner Donna Peano said the center, which combines chiropractic, massage therapy, and acupuncture services, has lead to a new chapter in her life.

Peano graduated from Hofstra University and pursued her Chiropractic Doctorate degree from New York Chiropractic College.

She graduated in 1994 and began clinical practice and continued post-doctorate studies in spinal rehabilitation, nutrition, homeopathy, and allergy elimination techniques.

After leading the Biomechanics Department at the University of Bridgeport in 1996, Peano started her own wellness center in Ridgefield in 1999.

Peano said she has additional expertise in designed clinical nutrition, classic homeopathy, massage therapy, and neuromuscular rehabilitation.

When asked why she chose Old Saybrook as a place to move her business, she said, "I got married and relocated to this area, and I decided that commuting to Ridgefield (approximately 72 miles away) was not very helpful and that I needed to open a new practice."

Today, Peano said she serves patients through chiropractic services and nutritional response testing.

To ensure her center has a variety of services, Peano said she works alongside her friend acupuncturist Donna Broomal Cain, also from Ridgefield.

Cain is board certified by the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Using acupuncture, Cain treats patients with a variety of conditions including pain management, infertility, and facial rejuvenation.

Acupuncture is performed on patients who are in their teens through their 90's, Peano said, and is not recommended for children.

Peano asked area residents who they went to for massage therapy and was referred to Lisa Cote, who formerly practiced in Clinton.

Cote decided to team up with Peano and Cain to create the Perfect Dose Wellness Center.

Cote is a Connecticut licensed, nationally certified, and a professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association.

She provides a variety of services including Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, reiki, healing stone massage, reflexology, Japanese Zen facial massage, and relaxation facial rejuvenation.

Peano said massage therapy is for all ages including those with sports-related injuries and those trying to manage their stress levels.

The type of massage recommended for most patients is the deep tissue massage, Peano said.

No matter what type of treatments are recommended for a patient, Peano said, "We try to offer safe and natural solutions for a person's health concerns."

For those seeking medical information in a relaxed setting, free health talks are held every Tuesday at 7 p.m. where Peano presents the latest information and scientific research about a health topic which can vary from weight management to osteoporosis to the benefits of massage.

Peano noted that one of her talks was entitled "if you are what you eat, are you fast, cheap, and easy?"

During the first hour, Peano presents information to the public while during the second hour features a question and answer period and the ability for participants to share their stories.

"I am so pleased with the people attending because they are so well informed and interested in health care which makes my job easier. I love to see this enthusiasm," Peano said.

The success of her talks, Peano said, is because of her love of this particular location.

"We get a lot of walk-in traffic, people have seen our sign for a while and they finally come in and ask us what we are all about," Peano said.

While appointments are preferred, Peano said her and Cote work six days a week and accept walk-ins.

Additionally, the center has a lobby area where one can buy whole food supplements and body balls.

Perfect Dose Wellness Center is located at 210 Main Street, right between Golden Garden Chinese Restaurant and the Law Offices of Attorney William A. Childress, in Old Saybrook.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 860-388-9390. New patients are welcome.