Cindy Lavigne

Senior Hand Therapist

Education: Cindy graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1978 with a Bachelor degree in Occupational Therapy.

License: New Hampshire

Advanced Training/Certifications: Cindy became a Certified Hand Therapist in 1991. She has spent her career concentrating on the prevention and treatment of upper extremity injuries. Working closely with multispecialty physicians, she has worked in a variety of settings as a consultant, established the OT Department at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, and currently is the Senior Hand Therapist at ProCare working with a great team of surgeons. She is a Clinical Instructor for the University of New Hampshire OT program. Cindy is an active member of the American Society of Hand Therapists, New England Hand Society and holds multiple certifications including Physical Agent Modalities and Kinesiotaping. She has presented at the New Hampshire Occupational Therapy Association Annual Meeting and received advanced training in Manual Mobilization – Australian approach. To promote learning, Cindy regularly participates in Seacoast community student mentoring experiences. Cindy also received her Dry Needling certification in 2018.

Clinical Interests: Cindy takes a holistic approach to treating challenging and complex upper extremity conditions including musculoskeletal and sports injuries for professional and weekend warrior athletes. She employs a combination of manual therapy techniques, Kinesiotaping, cupping, instrument assisted techniques in addition to splinting, wound care and therapeutic exercise. Cindy has participated in several medical missions to Haiti and Costa Rica to set up Hand Therapy clinics and recruit ongoing volunteers.

“I consider it a privilege to use my gifts and talents to treat those under my care.”

On a Personal Note: Cindy values her family time with her husband, children, grandchildren and pets. Together, they enjoy a variety of activities including outdoor/water sports, gardening, church, cooking, yard sales and decorating.

Cynthia Baer

Education: Cynthia graduated from Tufts University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy, and later earned her Master’s degree in Applied Physiology and Anatomy from Boston University in 1987.

License: New Hampshire and Massachusetts

Advanced Training/Certifications: In 1991, Cynthia was awarded her Certification in Hand Therapy. Since 1978 she has focused her clinical experience on upper extremity orthopedics, burns and trauma. Cynthia is Graston and Physical Agent Modality certified, and has taught anatomy, physiology and OT specialty courses to undergraduate students at Eastern Kentucky University, where she served as a part-time faculty member. She has presented and given instructional courses at the American Association of Hand Surgeons annual meetings as well as for the American Burn Association. She is an active member of the American Society of Hand Therapists and the New England Hand Society. Cynthia is a Clinical Instructor for Occupational Therapy students from the University of New Hampshire and regularly participates in Seacoast community student mentoring experiences.

Clinical Interests: Wound Care and Complex Trauma.

Cynthia takes a “hands on” approach with all of her patients. She believes in ongoing patient education and support to help them meet their rehabilitation goals.

On a Personal Note: Cynthia has enjoyed volunteering her services in various humanitarian relief efforts in South America as well as Russia and North Caucasus where she worked with  “Handicap International” to meet the needs of the disabled.

David Goldberg

Education: David received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Ithaca College in 1992 and has focused his career on the treatment and prevention of orthopedic injuries and conditions.

License: New Hampshire

Advanced Training/Certifications: In order to expand his knowledge base and skill set David regularly pursues continuing education opportunities. He has taken advanced courses in the evaluation and treatment of the spine and extremities. Some of the most diverse and effective coursework has included Functional Dry Needling (Kinetacore Certified Level 1), Kinesio Taping (Certification I and II), Myofascial Release (Barnes), Selective Functional Movement Screening (SFMA), McKenzie Approach (Levels A, B, C), Maitland (MT-1), McConnell Taping and Medical Exercise Therapy. David is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) including the Orthopedic Specialty Section. He is APTA certified as a Clinical Instructor and enjoys mentoring physical therapy students from the University of New England and Franklin Pierce University.

David Goldberg, PT of ProCare Physical Therapy in Portsmouth has been named a 2018 “Best of the Seacoast – Best Physical Therapist” by Seacoast Online.

David takes the time to listen carefully to each patient in order to collaboratively develop and implement a personalized treatment plan, enabling a prompt return to all levels of function from daily life, work, recreation and sports. He is continually learning in order to bring the latest most efficient treatments, such as Functional Dry Needling, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, and Kinesio Taping to his patients.

Clinical Interests: David takes a multifaceted, individualized approach to patient care with a strong focus on education, manual therapy and functional training. He became interested in a career in physical therapy through his own experience as a patient:

“The therapists that treated me always took the time to listen carefully to my problems and explain my condition in terms that I could understand. They educated and motivated me in ways that I could help myself to relieve pain and restore function. My sincere hope is that every patient that I have the pleasure to work with has the same positive experience in rehab that I did.”

On a Personal Note: David enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, running, reading, cooking and listening to music.

Jennifer O’Donnell

Education: Jen graduated from Sacred Heart University in 2002 with a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy.

License: New Hampshire

Advanced Training/Certifications: Jen is a Certified Orthopedic Specialist (OCS) and an active member of the APTA Sports Medicine Section. She has received advanced training in Shoulder Rehab, Systemic Dry Needling, Cupping, Maitland (MT1 & MT2), Kinesiotaping (Certification I & II), Back-to-Sport Rehab and Athletic injuries. She has worked in a variety of clinics that have given her a very strong background in Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. She has effectively utilized these experiences to successfully treat patients from weekend warriors to professional athletes. Jen has had the opportunity to work with some of the country’s top orthopedic surgeons and nationally recognized therapists, which has led to extensive exposure and training in the advanced treatment of the shoulder as well as the hip, knee and ankle.

Clinical Interests: Jen has volunteered in the Boston Marathon Medical Tent on multiple occasions. She has taken her passion for athletics and turned it into a career helping others return to their highest level of function. She has a personal drive to help her patients and believes that it is a joint effort and commitment between the therapist and the patient to achieve a successful outcome.

On a Personal Note: When she is not working, Jen enjoys spending time with her family and friends, as well as being outside as much as possible.

Kristen Schwaegerle, DPT

Education: Kristen graduated in 2018 with a Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont.

License: New Hampshire and Maine

Advanced Training/Certifications: Kristen has worked in hospital-based and private practice orthopedic outpatient settings working with a variety of diagnoses as well as post-total joint replacement rehab. She has prior experience working as an EMT, and maintains membership with the APTA. In 2017, she traveled to New Zealand to participate in an advanced manual therapy training course. Kristen continues to pursue opportunities to advance her skills in manual therapy techniques, IASTM, dry needling certification, and treating concussion, among others.

Clinical Interests: Kristen enjoys working with a range of musculoskeletal and orthopedic injuries and disorders. She believes in empowering the patient through education, and that physical therapy is a team effort to help each patient achieve their goals.

On a Personal Note: Outside of the clinic, Kristen enjoys riding and training horses, running, and traveling around the world.

Ryan Smith

Rehab Manager

Education: Ryan graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor degree in Physical Therapy from the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine.

Licenses: New Hampshire and Maine

Advanced Training/Certifications: Ryan has worked in a number of orthopedic settings including traveling therapy, private practice and Industrial Rehabilitation for companies such as LL Bean, MBNA, and Onsite Services at the State of Maine offices in Augusta. He has been the manager of ProCare since 2008 and has a great sense of pride regarding the clinic’s “Patient first” approach. Ryan is an instructor for “Scorebuilders,” where he travels around the country teaching a PT/PTA licensing exam preparatory course. He is an American Physical Therapy Association credentialed Clinical Instructor and an active member of the APTA. Ryan holds certifications in the use of the Graston technique, Kinesiotaping (Certification I and II) and The Titleist Performance Institute as a Golf Fitness Instructor. Ryan has extensive continuing education and some of the preferred, more effective treatments he utilizes includes: Functional Dry Needling (Kineticore Certified Level 1), Systemic Dry Needling, Cupping, Norwegian approach to spinal evaluation and treatment as well as Strain Counter Strain techniques.

Clinical Interests: Focusing on complex musculoskeletal cases and spinal injuries, Ryan relies heavily on educating his patient’s regarding self-management and continued success after formal treatment is complete. Ryan’s philosophy is:

“Our job isn’t to simply make you feel better, it’s to help you get better.”

On a Personal Note: Outside of the clinic, Ryan enjoys spending time with his family, camping throughout New England, mountain biking and is ultimately happy as long as he is outdoors.