Health Check May 2016 Physical Therapy Newsletter Love Run: Kicked Off the Bucket list! Yesterday, an article in the Wall Street Journal caught my attention. It described the latest social phenomenon: people creating bucket lists, or the act of listing important places to go or things to do before one died or kicked the bucket. Jack Nicholson starred in a movie about this some years back. People create these lists in an attempt to find meaning in life. I then realized that I could indeed cross one item off my bucket list: running and finishing strong in a marathon with my son and daughter. Three months ago, my son and daughter challenged me to run a half marathon with them in Philadelphia called The Philadelphia Love Run. Although I promote fitness to my patients and work avidly to stay healthy and fit, I work a 40 plus hour week and wasn t sure if I would have enough time to train for this. However, I recognized that this was such a great opportunity to bond with my kids, I accepted the challenge and made the time. I will say it is not very easy to train for a half marathon in the middle of January. I enjoy running outside and it was difficult due to the cold weather and the fact that it got dark around 5pm every day. I was not going to let this stop me. I began by running four days a week: 2 miles per day for three days, then 4 miles on the fourth day. Over time, I progressed to 3 five-mile days and 1 ten-mile day. In order to keep each other motivated, my kids would call and text me weekly. We talked about how to pace ourselves and exchanged tips for how we could improve our times by doing shorter running sessions at faster speeds on a treadmill or do "stop and go" running at various distances.
We also discussed weight training to prevent injuries and improve our endurance. My children are 26 and 24 and are very competitive with me, so just to have a little fun, I would text them false information, such as I just ran 10 miles in 70 minutes! to see if they would fall for it. They would panic and respond by texting back No way! and You liar! About two weeks prior to race day, we were all feeling very confident that our training and hard work had allowed us to be able to complete the 13.1 miles. It was also beginning to warm up outside, so we were able to get off the treadmill and enjoy running. But, just when we thought we were ready to go, it started snowing on April 9th, the day before the race! We were all a little worried that the snow would not clear up, but we didn t let it get us down. We sat down to a nice home cooked dinner of spaghetti and meatballs and made sure we got a good night's sleep. At 6 a.m. on race day we were ready to go. It was freezing, but luckily the snow melted, there was no wind and the sun was shining. I couldn t believe how many people were there! 10,000 people had signed up for the race and there was barely and room at the starting line. When the clock started we knew our time had come and we high fived and said May the force be with you! to each other in true Star Wars style. Both of my kids kept pace with me for the first four miles. Then at mile four my son charged ahead. My daughter and I ran side by side for the next three miles, past boathouse row and down West River Drive. By the eighth mile there was a difficult hill and I was feeling sluggish but I was determined to finish strong amongst the runners in my age group. At mile ten my daughter ran ahead and I kept my pace and finished with a good time for ole' Dad! My final time was 2:27 my son's was 2.04 and my daughters was 2:17. I could not have been more proud running it together was an incredible experience, which we were able to share. I now can say that I continue to not only talk the talk, but to run the walk! I strive to be an example to my kids, even though they are now adults, and to my patients. As I always say, your health is your greatest asset! And just FYI, my best time for a half marathon is 1:42, which my kids have yet to beat!!
Health Check Summer Special! Free consultations! May 9 th -23 th during regular office hours Call 610-269-5070 today to schedule your FREE EXAM This exam consists of a 15 minute one on one appointment The exam is ideal for people suffering with: ü Shoulder Pain ü Knee Pain ü Hip Pain ü Problems Walking *Appointment is FREE, but for a limited time only! ü Lower back pain ü Arthritis ü Sciatica ü Neck Pain CALL TODAY SPOTS ARE FILLING FAST. THIS OFFER IS FOR ALL PRESENT AND PAST PATIENTS AS WELL AS THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF HEALTH CHECK PHYSICAL THERAPY! This summer we want to do something special! We want you to be healthy and free of pain to enjoy your summer! So we are giving away consults! The consults are COMPLETELY Free Exams for: 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 TODAY to schedule your Free Exam. If you are referring a friend or family member, give them this letter and have them call 610-269-5070 TODAY to schedule their Free Exam.
The days of free consults will be held through: Monday May 9 th - Monday May 23th The Free Exam consists of a 15-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 are limited as each PT only has 10 spots. Call 610-269- 5070 now to schedule your Free Exam. The Free Exam is ideal for people suffering with: Lower Back Pain Arthritis Sciatica Neck Pain Headaches Shoulder Pain Knee Pain Problems Walking 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 TODAY to schedule your Free Exam through May 9 th - May 23 th Sincerely, Thomas Suspenski Thomas Suspenski, Physical Therapist PS Remember spots are limited and filling fast, so call now to reserve your Free Exam appointment.
Patient Story When I first came to Health Check, I was pretty much a mess. Due to a fall, I had fractured and broken eleven out of twelve ribs on my left hand side. I was walking with a cane, could not lift my left arm above my shoulder and was in severe pain. The muscles in my arms and legs had atrophied due to limited mobility. In a few short weeks that Tom and his staff worked with me, I was amazed at the gains I was making. Tom gently manipulated my arm and restored it to full range of motion. The pain decreased and I was able to raise my arm above my head. With the supervised weight-training program, I was getting strength back and my sense of balance was returning. I no longer needed a cane to walk. My recovery is nothing but short of a miracle in my eyes. I cannot praise Tom and his staff enough for all their efforts on my behalf. Jim S. Health Mentors of the Month We would like to thank all our past and present patients who have referred their family and friends to Health Check Physical Therapy! During the month March we would like to particularly recognize and thank the following patients: Ann Byer, Elaine Greaney, Kathy Greaney, Lauren Juarez, Glen Kerstetter, Thomas Legg, Marianne Linford, Mary Lux, Barry Rabin, Annette Reyer, Bob Schnure, Pat Selman, and Bill Smith! Testimonials Silly me! I decided to start running after celebrating the big 50! Turns out, my core was not on board with the plan and this lead to some discomfort in my SI joint. With stretching, core strengthening, and weekly adjustments, Tom and his wonderful supportive group kept me running and helped me to significantly reduce my pain. Thanks so much for your support and attitude. What a special group you are. -Bonnie B. I injured my lower back at indoor track practice. After 5 days I came here. I came here 4 ties and in those 4 days they fixed my back pain. Before I came here it was very painful to run, but now I feel as good as ever. - Jake R. A very good experience! Prior to PT I had trouble walking without a limp, very little strength in my leg and hip, limited flexion in my knee 66 degrees, now I m at about 115 degrees and walking normal again. I have no pain and pretty good strength. Staff was excellent and gave you one on one attention. I would recommend Health Check to my friends. Rick M.
797 E. Lancaster Ave, Suite 2 Downingtown, PA 19335 Health Check Physical Therapy Tom Suspenski, PT, ATC. Phone: (610) 269-5070 Fax: (610) 269-5074 www.healthcheckphysicaltherapyofpa.com 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 Health Check Physical Therapy