Health Check Physical Therapy Newsletter February – March 2017 During my 30-year career as a healthcare educator, physical therapist and sports medicine specialist, I have gained valuable insight into the United States healthcare crisis. Our biggest problem is our incorrect perception of our health. Many Americans believe that because we have great doctors, the best health related technology, and spend the most on healthcare per person yearly, that we are the healthiest and live longer than any other country in the world. To prove a point, let’s look at life expectancy in America: according to the World Health Organization, in 1950, we were in 7th place among industrialized nations. However in 1990, we dropped to 18th place as our medical community has become better at diagnosing and treating diseases than preventing them. In 2015, statistics for life expectancy became even more depressing, as we dropped to 32th place for men and 33th place for women. In 2015, over 4 billion new drug prescriptions were filled at pharmacies in the United States (The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, 2016), and today, the pharmaceutical industry is thriving on a “Sick America”. Each year, 600,000 die of heart disease (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015), there are 1,685,210 new cases of cancer (American Cancer Society, 2017), 795,000 strokes (American Heart Association, 2016), 40 million live with arthritis, 17.7 million are suffering from asthma and there are 1.4 million new cases of diabetes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). In America, we simply live too short and die too long. Globally, we are called the “Fat Americans” because 65% of all Americans are overweight and 31% are considered obese. What saddens me is over 18 million of our children obese. Obesity, unfortunately, is not a cosmetic issue, it is related to over 60 degenerative diseases. It is clear that the American healthcare system is broken in light of the fact that over 80% of healthcare dollars are spent in the last 40 days of life. To repair the damage, we have to change our lifestyle and take full responsibility for our own health. All of us must understand what is detrimental to our health and make the necessary changes. There is this large number of baby boomers, about 76 million to be exact, who started turning 70 years old in January 2016 and this will continue every 7 seconds for the next 17 years. Currently, these baby boomers are starting to experience chronic progressive diseases, which include obesity, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, Alzheimer, diabetes and cancer. I have spent my career understanding what causes these diseases, and I have discovered that it is inflammation and toxicity. The True Solution to Your Personal Health Why we’re Called Health Check!
Transcript
Health Check
Physical Therapy Newsletter
February – March 2017
During my 30-year career as a healthcare educator, physical therapist and sports medicine specialist, I have gained valuable insight into the United States healthcare crisis. Our biggest problem is our incorrect perception of our health. Many Americans believe that because we have great doctors, the best health related technology, and spend the most on healthcare per person yearly, that we are the healthiest and live longer than any other country in the world.
To prove a point, let’s look at life expectancy in America: according to the World Health Organization, in 1950, we were in 7th place among industrialized nations. However in 1990, we dropped to 18th place as our medical community has become better at diagnosing and treating diseases than preventing them. In 2015, statistics for life expectancy became even more depressing, as we dropped to 32th place for men and 33th place for women.
In 2015, over 4 billion new drug prescriptions were filled at pharmacies in the United States (The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, 2016), and today, the pharmaceutical industry is thriving on a “Sick America”. Each year, 600,000 die of heart disease (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015), there are 1,685,210 new cases of cancer (American Cancer Society, 2017), 795,000 strokes (American Heart Association, 2016), 40 million live with
arthritis, 17.7 million are suffering from asthma and there are 1.4 million new cases of diabetes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). In America, we simply live too short and die too long.
Globally, we are called the “Fat Americans” because 65% of all Americans are overweight and 31% are considered obese. What saddens me is over 18 million of our children obese. Obesity, unfortunately, is not a cosmetic issue, it is related to over 60 degenerative diseases. It is clear that the American healthcare system is broken in light of the fact that over 80% of healthcare dollars are spent in the last 40 days of life. To repair the damage, we have to change our lifestyle and take full responsibility for our own health. All of us must understand what is detrimental to our health and make the necessary changes.
There is this large number of baby boomers, about 76 million to be exact, who started turning 70 years old in January 2016 and this will continue every 7 seconds for the next 17 years. Currently, these baby boomers are starting to experience chronic progressive diseases, which include obesity, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, Alzheimer, diabetes and cancer. I have spent my career understanding what causes these diseases, and I have discovered that it is inflammation and toxicity.
The True Solution to Your Personal Health Wh y we ’ r e Ca l l ed He a l t h Ch ec k!
Unlike many other healthcare practitioners, I have a unique advantage of both knowledge and a physical facility to improve your health. When I see you in physical therapy two to three times per week, usually for an hour, I get to know your physical challenges, health problems, family history and I strive to improve the physical activities in which you engage at both home an work. I know how to address your health challenges beyond your orthopedic condition and I can utilize my knowledge of exercise and diet to improve your health.
One example of this intervention is he story of Roger N., one client who I had treated for several orthopedic conditions over the last 25 years. More recently, while Roger was being treated for a knee arthritis condition, he expressed a concern about his weight. He was 348 pounds and was trying to avoid lap band surgery to lose weight. He was very upset about his lack of energy. We recommended the Isagenix Cleansing and Fat Burning System, along with both a cardiovascular and weight training program. With a four-month program of consistent exercise 2-3 times per week, Roger lost 68 pounds to weigh in at 281 pounds, and is still
doing well today. Best of all, Roger has more energy! He can do activities he loves again, like working on sports cars, perform yard work and he say he “ feels much younger than his age”. Roger also made me aware that he now eats better and avoids junk food, because he never wants to feel bad again.
I ask myself everyday if medical professionals know this, like me, why are they waiting to tackle this, and what are they waiting for? The fact is that they are inundating already caring for very sick people; doctors are dealing with life and death situations every day! They don't have the time to get you healthy, when they are focused on treating your diseases!
Many experts agree that our healthcare crisis is due to five factors: a nutritionally deficient food supply, environmental toxins, obesity, stress, and lack of exercise. At Health Check, I am committed to providing a solution to the healthcare crisis! This year, on Tuesdays evenings at 7:00 PM, Health Check will host a free weekly meeting, open to all, to discuss the health benefits of the Isagenix Health Cleansing and Fat Burning System, along with individual health and fitness coaching. At that time, you will hear about how other people, just like you, are improving their health. We will discuss closely related subjects, like how to design an exercise program to gain muscle and lose weight and talk about diet requirements to support excellent health. Please call 610-269-5070 to register for an upcoming Tuesday meeting. I know some people may not be able to attend, but may want more information. Please call us and we can send you information in email form regarding testimonials of people who have experienced great health benefits, as well as informational links regarding our program. We want to help as many people as possible to achieve optimal health in 2017!
A ONE-DAY WINTER SPECIAL OFFER!!!
PRESENT AND PAST PATIENTS OF HEALTH CHECK PHYSICAL THERAPY
Dear Valued Client,
• All past clients who have not been seen in PT in more than 3 months
• All present clients who have another problem currently not being treated
• All loved ones, family, friends, neighbors and co-workers of our past and present patients
If you are a past or present patient then call (610) 269-5070 to schedule your Free Exam.
If you are referring a friend or family member, give them the certificate included in this letter and
have them call (610) 269-5070 to schedule their Free Exam.
The day of Free Exams will be on:
Wednesday, March 22nd 2017.
The Free Exam consists of a 30-minute one-on-one appointment.
The PT will talk with you about the history of your problem.
They will take measurements to test how well you are moving and to test your strength. After a
thorough exam, they will give you a written copy of:
1. The cause of your pain or problem.
2. A plan for successful treatment.
The appointments are free, but limited. Call (610) 269-5070 now to schedule
If you are having pain or problems with day to day activities such as walking, standing,
sitting for long periods, going up or down steps, getting in and out of the car, sleeping or
driving, then this is an excellent opportunity to see one of our world-class therapists and
find out the cause of your problem.
Call (610) 269-5070 to schedule your Free Exam for Wednesday, March 22nd 2017. Sincerely, Tom Suspenski, PT, ATC.
Health Check Physical Therapy
WINTER SPECIAL!
Free Exam Certificate
Call (610) 269-5070 today to schedule for your free exam, spots are limited!
Certificate for past and present patients as well as all loved ones, family,
friends, neighbors and co-workers of our past and present patients!
Event will be hosted on Wednesday, March 22nd 2017.
Patient Story Health Mentors of the Month
Testimonial
Chris is a middle-aged distance runner who started to have left sided low back pain daily. His pain was so bad in the morning he could hardly get out of bed and he experienced extreme soreness with standing and running. Chris was very fit and had run 10k’s often with times that placed him in the top of his age bracket. Obviously Chris was frustrated. After examination we discovered his pain was due to some low back joint compression and a left hip and back misalignment. We manually corrected his pelvis misalignment and provided lumbar traction to increase mobility in his low back joints along with pelvic strengthening. Today he is sleeping better and back to running and playing tennis!
We would like to thank all out past and present patients who have referred their family and friends to Health Check Physical Therapy! During the month of December we would like to particularly recognize and thank the following patients: Travis Castiglione, Chuck Gibson, Debbie Lindaberry and Gary Wagner!
The staff at Health Check has been very helpful to use in recovering from my back surgery. I have found the exercises, which I’ve learned here as well as the massages and stimulation
treatments to be beneficial in terms of alleviating my back pain and improving my
strength. I am grateful to all the folks at Health Check for their care and concern during my
treatment here – Art S.
When I arrived my muscles behind my knee were very sore from a strain now after two weeks I am out of pain & back to normal.
Everyone here has been so great and kind. I have not had the need for PT for a while but
as usual when I do this is the only place I would consider for my needs – Muzetta P.
Health Check Physical Therapy
Tom Suspenski, PT, ATC. Phone: (610) 269-5070 Fax: (610) 269- 5074 www.healthcheckpt.com Like us on FACEBOOK!
797 E. Lancaster Ave, Suite 2 Downingtown, PA 19335
At Health Check we specialize in and provide comprehensive one on one treatment for the following: 1. Low back pain 2. SI sacroiliac dysfunction 3. Cervical and thoracic pain 4. Upper & lower extremity pain 5. Total joint replacements
6. Sports related injuries 7. Pre and post surgical rehabilitation 8. Work related injuries 9. Motor vehicle accident related injuries
