Tamara Dody’s background illustrates that she has a history of taking her education to the next level. And now she has taken yet another step to better serve her rehabilitation patients at Central Kansas Medical Center.

Dody, a Claflin native who earned a doctorate in physical therapy, recently became certified in the ASTYM system.

"ASTYM is a great treatment that is used to increase range of motion and decrease pain," Dody said. "It is also effective in the treatment of conditions resulting from scarring after traumatic injuries."

The ASTYM technique has been proven effective in treating repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, Achilles tendonitis and other chronic injuries.

"ASTYM is a unique treatment," Dody noted. "It is a great alternative when previous treatments have not been helping. I have seen great outcomes by other CKMC therapists who have this certification."

Those colleagues include Chelsea Bieberle, occupational therapist; Angela Meitner, occupational therapy assistant; and Jessica Poe, physical therapy assistant.

Dody, who has been a CKMC physical therapist for three years, graduated from Claflin High School in 2000. She is a 2004 graduate of Kansas State University with a bachelor’s in kinesiology. Dody completed her doctorate at Rockhurst in Kansas City, Mo., in August 2007.

Tamara and her husband, Jason Dody, have three sons – Paxton, age three-and-a-half, Peyton, two-and-a-half, and Prycen, six months.