Meet The Team at Downs Chiropractic
Get to Know Us
Dr. James E. Downs
Dr. Downs believes that education never ends. He initially considered a dental career but became interested in chiropractic care after seeing his father recover from a back issue with this natural care method. Chiropractor Dr. James E. Downs spent his formative years in Litchfield and decided to return to the area after receiving his chiropractic degree. After working as an associate for a year, he started his own practice in October 1986. The practice moved to its current location in 2004 to serve our patients better.
Nicolas Parisi, D.C.
Bio coming soon!
Jeff Forman, M.S., L.M.T.
Jeff received his Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport and has worked with chiropractors and in private practice in Torrington and Hadley, MA for the past seven years.
In addition to his work as a nutritionist, he’s a licensed massage therapist specializing in a deep tissue technique known as myofascial release, a gentle form of bodywork that evolved out of Rolfing. Jeff has also worked as a stress management trainer throughout the Northeast and Eastern Canada.
Jeff’s interest in nutrition began when he noticed chiropractic adjustments and deep tissue work did not relieve pain in some clients. When nutritional support was added to their bodywork regimen, clients got better.
After discovering a diagnostic system called C.R.A. (Contact Reflex Analysis), Jeff found that sub-clinical infections, pollutants, and nutritional deficiencies can be the root cause of pain. He eliminated his back pain using this system. He became actively involved in nutritional therapeutics and began working with Dr. Gary Lasneski, who developed a more sophisticated approach to C.R.A., which he calls N.R.T. (Nutritional Reflex Technique.)
This non-invasive muscle testing technique pinpoints nutritional deficiencies and identifies possible nutritional supplements, vitamins, herbal, and contemporary homeopathics that address both chronic and acute health issues. Some of the conditions Jeff has helped successfully include allergies, asthma, fibromyalgia, indigestion, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, Lyme’s related syndromes, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, and blood lipid imbalances. An initial 1-hour appointment is $60; follow-up appointments are $30.
Every move you make depends on the health of your soft tissues—especially your muscles. With the help of ligaments and tendons, muscles power movement and give you strength. Muscles are comprised of many strong, elastic fibers banded together by a protective covering called fascia. Myofascial damage may be caused by overuse, misuse, or injury.
When muscle fibers and fascia, ligaments, or tendons become weakened, overstretched, or inflamed, tiny tears in the soft tissue may occur. As the torn tissue heals, underlying fibers contract and become twisted. New tissue grows over the knotted fibers, making the area feel bumpy. This hard, uneven area is called a trigger point because pressing on it triggers pain right in the body.
The new tissue is not as elastic as normal myofascial tissue. Because of this loss of elasticity and the knotted muscle fibers, the muscle may shorten, resulting in decreased mobility. The bones at a nearby joint can misalign because of the limited mobility of the damaged or shortened muscle. Or, if the nearby ligaments are damaged, the joint may misalign, making movement difficult and painful.
Myofascial release work is designed to free up the knotted tissue and restore greater range of motion to the area. Pain is released when the tissue is freed up by a gentle application of deep pressure to loosen the layers of tissue between muscles, muscle fibers, and tendons. Sessions are designed to loosen the tissue that stops muscles from operating as intended.
Appointments: Chiropractic insurance may cover this work as an adjunct therapy. Private sessions are $30 per half hour.
Patt Delaney, L.M.T.
Bio coming soon!
Karen Downs
Karen has been married to Dr. Downs for over 30 years! Once their two grown children went to college, she started working part-time in the office as a chiropractic assistant, primarily providing physiotherapy care to supplement chiropractic adjustments. She has over seven years of experience working with patients.
Juana Delacruz
Juana is our newest staff member, and her responsibilities primarily include chiropractic assistance. She graduated from Sanford-Brown College with a medical assistant degree and was brought on staff part-time after completing an internship at the practice. Her bilingual skills are also a tremendous asset.
Kristine Rovero, Receptionist
A Torrington resident for over 45 years, Kristine has been married for 25 years and has 2 children. She loves scrapbooking, crafting, traveling and going to classic car shows.
She has her Associates Degree in Early Childhood education and has been working in the field for many years at few different early learning centers. She’s been a patient of Downs Chiropractic for over 20 years and started working here in April of 2023.
