HEALTH & WELLNESS
Local doctor opens own osteopathic practice
One local doctor has opened her own practice, offering osteopathic health services in the Spa City.
Dr. Karissa Scarabino, DO, MPH celebrated the grand opening of her new practice — Osteopathic Health of Saratoga — during a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
Located at 28 Clinton St., Suite 3, in downtown Saratoga Springs, Osteopathic Health of Saratoga provides care for all ages.
Patients often come in with musculoskeletal injuries and sport injuries, but the practice can also address long term chronic problems. Scarabino can treat a variety of conditions — from earaches to Irritable Bowel Syndrome, concussions to stress and anxiety.
“I say ‘Everyone deserves an osteopath,’” Scarabino said. “There’s always something that needs to be treated.”
Different from typical medical care, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine is a diagnostic and therapeutic practice of medicine that focuses on wellness. Instead of just treating specific symptoms, osteopathic physicians concentrate on treating each patient as a whole. Along with prescribing medical treatment, osteopathic physicians use Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment, which is hands-on care to identify structural problems and support the body’s natural tendency toward good health and healing.
“The goal of osteopathic medicine is to optimize health by restoring the normal structure and function of the body,” Scarabino said during the ceremony, adding that each person is a unique balance of body, mind and spirit.
After working in hospitalbased outpatient offices, what Scarabino likes about practicing osteopathy in this new setting is the ability to spend time with her patients and getting to know them. “It really makes a huge difference,” she said, noting that each patient has an individual treatment plan based on their needs.
“In my experience, I have seen osteopathic treatment give hope to many with chronic problems that have not been helped by conventional and alternative treatments. It is awesome to be able to offer relief from pain and suffering with less or no medication and prevent the need for surgery,” Scarabino said. “There’s always hope.”
A Long Island native who now lives in Northumberland, Scarabino has many connections to Saratoga Springs and the Capital Region.
“I am so happy and excited to have opened this osteopathic manipulative medicine specialty practice here in Saratoga Springs,” Scarabino said, mentioning Saratoga County’s title as the healthiest in New York state.
“What better place to live work and play?”
Prior to her practice becoming neighbors with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, which aided in hosting Wednesday’s event, Scarabino has served on its Health & Wellness Council for the past few years.
Chamber President Todd Shimkus said Scarabino’s role on this council has helped in making Saratoga County one of the healthiest places to live and work, and the chamber is excited for Scarabino’s new endeavor with Osteopathic Health of Saratoga.
More information on Osteopathic Health of Saratoga is available at www. osteopathichealthofsaratoga.com, the practice’s Facebook page or by calling (518) 250-3221.