Health Check

Physical Therapy Newsletter

September – October,

2017

Health Check implemented another very successful

summer internship program this year in order to

foster the professional growth of our next generation

of physical therapists. Exposing college students to

the inner workings of an outpatient care facility that

provides physical therapy services is an important

part of what we do at Health Check. This year

Health Check was very fortunate to have two interns,

Sabrina Mangeri and Ashley Kistler. Sabrina and

Ashley, both former Downingtown West High

School graduates as well as longtime friends, have

always had a passion for sports. In addition, both

have suffered their share of sports-related injuries

and rehabilitations. These injuries, along with other

personal traits, motivated both to pursue a rewarding

career as physical therapists.

At Health Check, immersion in our unique focus on

long-term wellness and exemplary outpatient care is

the norm for all interns. Too often patients of other

physical therapy practices do not receive adequate

attention nor learn how to perform their exercise

regimens correctly when at home. With respect to

the latter, we coach our interns and then expect them

to teach patients to both understand and perform their

exercise regimens correctly. Teaching in this manner

benefits patients and interns alike. Patients emerge

more self-sufficient when at home and better able to

reinforce their outpatient care experience. Interns

emerge more knowledgeable and with tangible

professional skills.

Preparing the Next Generation of Physical Therapists

Both Sabrina and Ashley successfully integrated

their formal training with the patient-focused

concerns of an outpatient care facility. For

example, both trained patients on the importance

of simple measures that potentially reduce or

prevent injuries at home. In addition, both helped

patients by emphasizing the importance of long-

term wellness. Long-term wellness is an

achievable goal for most patients if they are

willing to combine a home exercise program with

healthy eating habits.

During their brief time at Health Check, Sabrina

and Ashley gained knowledge of and exposure to

patients whose conditions ranged from back pain

and sciatica to ACL and meniscus tears, knee and

shoulder replacements and rotator cuff repairs, just

to name a few. In addition, both gained

knowledge of and exposure to patients from

various demographic groups including pediatrics,

geriatrics and athletes. Taken together, these

opportunities afforded both interns with the kind of

well-rounded experience that will position them

for success in their chosen profession.

While our job at Health Check is to provide quality

care to our patients, it is both an obligation and a

privilege to supplement Sabrina and Ashley’s

formal training by offering summer internships.

Although intended to help the next generation of

physical therapists, it is worth noting that summer

internships also serve to bring a fresh perspective

to Health Check. For that, we are grateful and

thank both Sabrina and Ashley.

Sabrina Mangeri

Sabrina is going into her junior year at West Chester

University (WCU) in the Pre-Physical Therapy

program. She is very accomplished, making the

dean’s list every semester in her college career. She

is also the president and founder of the WCU

CrossFit Club and a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer.

Sabrina states that she has played sports for as long

as she can remember, from football in the back yard

(with the boys) to field hockey and lacrosse in high

school to Ultimate Frisbee in college. However, her

true passion is CrossFit, which is a fitness regimen

that highlights “constantly varied, functional

movements performed at high intensity”. CrossFit’s

emphasis on “functional movements” helped shape

Sabrina’s approach to rehabilitation. That approach

emphasizes the need for every exercise to have a

purpose that directly translates into everyday

activities. In addition, Sabrina’s CrossFit

background gives her an edge over many peers since

she has experience as a coach and in strengthening

and conditioning. Experience in both areas is

something many physical therapists lack.

Sabrina decided to pursue a degree in PT because

of her love of exercise, a love largely attributable to

CrossFit. She intends to dedicate herself to helping

others achieve their fitness goals and to rehab from

injury. After completing her undergraduate studies,

Sabrina plans to pursue a Doctorate of Physical

Therapy (DPT) degree before finding a job

working in sports performance with athletes.

Finally, she is currently working towards

certification as a personal trainer while competing

regularly in local CrossFit competitions.

Ashley Kistler

Ashley is going into her junior year at Wesley

College in the Pre-Physical Therapy program.

Impressively, Ashley has made dean’s list almost

every semester in addition to holding a starting

position on the Wesley College Women's Soccer

Team. While Ashley has played soccer since she

was four years old, she has also competed in track

and field and participated in CrossFit as well. Off

the field, Ashley serves as an assistant girls’ soccer

coach for MOT Charter High School in

Middletown, DE.

During her years playing soccer, Ashley had two

ACL injuries and subsequent surgeries. Through

these two injuries, as well as several lesser injuries,

Ashley acquired extensive knowledge of both knee

rehabilitation and the mechanics of the lower

extremities. In addition, she developed a strong

sense of empathy for those suffering from long-

term injuries that frequently extract an emotional

toll.

Testimonials

For years, Ashley knew that she wanted to be a

health professional, but she was never sure which

path would lead her to the career she desired.

However, during her freshman year in high school, a

“life and career applications” class helped her decide

to focus on physical therapy.

Reinforcement for Ashley’s decision came from Bob

Fitzgerald, DPT. It was Bob who helped her

rehabilitate both of her knees after the ACL

surgeries. While Bob’s help got her back on the

field, Bob’s passion for helping others convinced her

that she had made the right career choice.

Currently, Ashley plans to pursue certification as a

personal trainer as well as a coaching certification.

Additionally, following undergraduate school,

Ashley plans to pursue her DPT and then work in

the field of sports medicine.

This year’s summer internship program at Health

Check was a wonderful opportunity for both

Sabrina and Ashley. Additionally, they provided a

great service to both our patients and our practice

alike. For that service, we wish to express our

gratitude. We further wish Sabrina and Ashley

success now, as they strive to complete their

undergraduate programs, and in all future

endeavors.

Thomas Suspenski PT, ATC

“After injuring my hamstring during a

workout … I periodically ran on it for

almost 3 months creating a lot of scar tissue.

I finally decided to get help and remembered

Health Check. 7 weeks later I am running

with no pain. Tom, Jenn, Marie and Becky

worked on the scar tissue – knocked it out

with deep massage. They taught me many

exercises to strengthen my hamstring and

surrounding muscle groups. I received

great instructions on core strengthening and

running form.”

– Carolyn M.

“I came to see Tom after two previous physical

therapy clinics and I wish I had come here first.

Tom has done more for me in the time I have been

here as far as increased mobility and strength and

reduction in pain. I have had two surgeries on my

shoulder and now I can finally live a normal life

without pain.”

- George M.

Health Check

Physical Therapy

Tom Suspenski, PT, ATC.

Phone: (610) 269-5070

Fax: (610) 269-5074

http://healthcheckpt.com

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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. Lower Back Pain

2. SI Joint / Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

3. Neck and Mid to Upper Back Pain

4. Total Joint Replacements

5. Sports Injuries

6. Pre- and Post-Surgical Rehabilitation

7. Work Injuries

8. Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries

Attention All Clients

Health Check Physical Therapy

is pleased to now offer a proven solution

that may restore or improve your health!

Backed by a recent clinical research study, the

Health Check Wellness Program

addresses 5 factors that contribute to

chronic disease and illness as well as poor overall health!

Obesity

Lack of Exercise

Stress

Environmental toxins

High fat, nutritionally deficient diets

The daily cost of the program (~$14.00) is less than the average person spends on food!

(which is ~$20.00 to $25.00 per day)

Did You Know That:

Toxins in your body, such as food preservatives, pesticides, herbicides and those

from other environmental sources, may cause you to store fat that often leads to

inflammation of the joints.

The only way that you can lose weight (and keep it off) is to support your

muscles with high quality protein.

Are You Interested In:

Feeling more energetic and performing at your best?

Fighting the long-term effects of aging?

If you answered “YES” to any of the above, then consider our

Health Check Wellness Program

You will find details on the opposite side of this page.

Health Check Wellness Program

Give us 12 Weeks to Transform your Life!

Consider the findings of a recent clinical research study1 conducted at Skidmore College in

Saratoga Springs, New York.

According to Dr. Paul Arciero, DPE (Doctor of Physiology of Exercise), at the conclusion of

12-weeks participants in the study experienced the following:

25 lbs. of fat loss

20% reduction in fat mass

5% increase in muscle mass

25% reduction in abdominal belly fat

33% reduction in visceral fat around

the internal organs (a precursor to

cancer)

Spencer Pyle - Health Check Client

1 - https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170111184102.htm

Along with these findings, the antioxidant capacity of participants increased. This helps

protect the body from disease. Now it is your turn to enjoy similar results!

Starting September 26, 2017, we will host a meeting every Tuesday from 7:30 PM – 8:00 PM.

During every meeting, we will explain and demonstrate the effects of our powerful wellness

program. You must contact our office if you wish to attend.

Please call 610-269-5070 TODAY or email us at healthcheckpt@gmail.com

to register for a meeting to learn about our

Health Check Wellness Program

Outside of Health Check Physical Therapy’s regular office hours, please go to

http://healthcheckpt.com/event-registration/

If you wish to start sooner, please call 610-269-5070 or email us at healthcheckpt@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Thomas Suspenski PT, ATC

Thomas Suspenski, Physical Therapist, Certified Athletic Trainer