Health Check

Physical Therapy Newsletter

June – July, 2017

Tom Suspenski (PT, ATC)

Tom Suspenski

Tom Suspenski, of Health Check Physical Therapy, is a

highly skilled and knowledgeable Physical Therapist who

has had lasting success in treating a wide variety of

ailments, including SI joint dysfunction, low back pain,

and pre/post-surgical rehabilitation. Tom attributes his

success and remarkable skill for therapy to his various

mentors, including the Head Athletic Trainer of the

Philadelphia Eagles, the orthopedic surgeon for the

Philadelphia 76ers and the Philadelphia Ballet, and the

chiropractor for the Philadelphia Phillies and for

Villanova University. His vast experience from

professional athletes to seniors gives Tom the edge

patients require when seeking rehabilitation treatment

with lasting results. Tom possesses a rare ability to look

beyond the surface, to discover underlying conditions that

might otherwise go undetected, and seek effective

treatment.

In addition, Tom’s professional and personal development

greatly influences how he selects qualified, empathetic

professionals in order to help ensure that every client of

Health Check PT gets quality and effective care. Let’s

take a look inside the Health Check Team.

It’s Time To Meet The Team

Marie Vilbert (PT)

Marie Vilbert

New to the Health Check team is Marie Vilbert, a

physical therapy graduate from the University of

Delaware, with experience working in both pediatrics

and outpatient orthopedics. She is particularly skilled

in the area of assessment and treatment of existing

muscle imbalances, which is vital to maintaining proper

posture and movement function to reduce and eliminate

chronic neck and back pain, shoulder impingement, and

ITB syndrome. In treatment, Marie values “a hands-on

approach and consistency to patient care and believe

both are vital to progress, outcome, and overall

satisfaction of the patient.” Marie’s outlook and

approach to therapy makes her a vital member of the

Health Check Team, one dedicated to providing

quality, individualized care to ensure patients stay

healthy and pain free.

Becky Coots-Kimbley (PTA, LMT, CPT, CF-L1)

Becky Coots-Kimbley

Becky has extensive knowledge in fitness and various

holistic treatments, which make her an invaluable

member of the Health Check Team. In addition to 20+

years of experience as a PTA, Becky is also a Licensed

Massage Therapist (LMT), Certified Personal Trainer

(CPT) and a Level 1 CrossFit trainer (CF-L1). Her wide

range of qualifications is overwhelming, and attests to the

quality of care and knowledge she provides. She shows a

unique ability to use a full body approach to healing

people and restoring function by addressing pain and

movement restrictions brought on by injury, postural

deficits, stress and poor movement patterns. In addition,

she is knowledgeable and experienced in areas like soft

tissue release, myofascial release and orthopedic manual

therapy for the neck and lower back. All are critical for

pre and post-operative rehabilitation in all areas. In

addition, her knowledge as coach for a variety of athletes

(CrossFit, power lifters, Olympic weightlifting, and

runners) enables her to connect with each patient and

maximize their success in treatment.

Jenn Goossen (PTA)

Jennifer Goosen

Jennifer Goossen joined Health Check in 2012 and has

a unique and useful background in social work. Often,

clients disabled by injury and subsequent surgery need

support for themselves and their family as well. Her

social work experience enables Jenn to instruct clients

and family members alike in regards to home

modifications and the importance of home-based

exercises. Home-based exercises complement

outpatient rehabilitation, and encourage patients to

return to activities they enjoyed before injury. With

over 15 years’ experience as a PTA and with an

extensive background in inpatient acute and subacute

care and outpatient care, Jenn has proven herself a

valuable asset to Health Check. Outside of Health

Check, Jenn provides home physical therapy care to

seniors and enjoys spending time with her husband

Mark and their two boys, Eric and Henry.

Overall, the Health Check Team has more than 60+

years of experience and focuses on a lifelong approach

to wellness and life. Our knowledgeable and diverse

professionals go above and beyond to ensure each

patient receives quality, individualized care. We look

forward to helping patients have a healthy, pain free

life.

Thomas Suspenski PT, ATC

Sabrina Mangeri PTA

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 of May we would like to particularly recognize and thank the following patients: Joe

Murphy, Elise Strapple, Maria Daniels, Jan Herd, Rob and Erin McCall, Bob Crawford, Chris Mckinney, Paul Tabor

and Anne Marie Verrenna.

Health Mentors of the Month

Testimonials

Recently, several patients called me regarding whether

they needed physical therapy after hip or knee

replacement surgery. As I understand it, their

physicians told them to simply watch an instructional

video at home and then perform the recommended

exercises.

In my opinion, no instructional video can serve as a

substitute for the knowledge, (hands-on) skill and care

of a licensed physical therapist. I believe this to be

especially true following highly invasive surgical

procedures like hip and knee replacements. More

importantly, I believe that any patient who follows

such advice will not heal properly nor regain full

function in a timely manner.

Let us consider knee replacement surgery as an

example. Knee replacement surgery causes swelling

around that joint and restricts movement in an area

that includes the kneecap and the thighbone. This area

needs targeted, skilled manual massage. Mobilization

of the kneecap and the knee joint as well as

neighboring tendons and ligaments is also imperative.

Merely watching an instructional video and performing

the recommended exercises will not reduce painful

swelling nor alleviate joint stiffness. Only a skilled

licensed physical therapist can perform the special

massage techniques necessary to reduce painful swelling

and eliminate joint stiffness caused by tight muscles,

tendons and ligaments.

In addition to painful swelling and joint stiffness,

patients generally have mobility problems with their

knees and hips after joint replacement surgery.

Specifically both coordination and balance problems

often exist. Only a licensed physical therapist can

address these problems. Addressing them requires a

combination of balance and lateral movement drills

along with a variety of exercises designed to help

improve overall agility.

In closing, watching an instructional video at home and

performing recommended exercises is no substitute for

the benefits patients receive from working with a

licensed physical therapist. Simply put, this approach to

rehabilitation will not get anyone back to the activities

they love and enjoy in a safe, reliable and timely

manner.

Patient’s Corner Is Physical Therapy After Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery Really Necessary?

“I had been suffering with hip pain for

several months. It hurt to sit, to walk and to

climb stairs. My doctor told me the pain was

coming from my back, and someone

recommended that I do my PT at Health

Check. I'm glad I did. After 6 weeks of

pushing, pulling, stretching and exercise

machines, I've increased the strength of my

back and hips. Tom and his staff are great!”

– Elise S.

“I came Health Check with a herniated disc and

had problems with my L5 and L4. I was not able to

bend and I had a lot of weakness in my leg and foot.

Tom, Jen and Yaseen were so awesome and really

have gotten me back to normal. Everyone here at

the office is so nice, and Anni is a great addition to

the front! Thank you for everything and I would

definitely prefer people to come here and work with

all of you!”

– Theresa D.

Health Check

Physical Therapy

Tom Suspenski, PT, ATC.

Phone: (610) 269-5070

Fax: (610) 269-5074

http://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. 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

Health Check

Physical Therapy

Before summer arrives, we want to do something special for you!

Since we want you to be healthy and pain free this summer, we are offering free exams and

consultations to all qualified individuals!

Qualified individuals include:

• All past patients who have not seen a physical therapist in more than 3 months

• All present patients who have a problem currently not treated

• A loved one, family member, friend, neighbor or co-worker of a past or present

patient

Instructions:

If you are a past or present patient, please call 610-269-5070 TODAY to schedule an

appointment for your Free Exam and Consultation.

If you are referring a loved one, family member, friend, neighbor or co-worker, please give

them this letter and ask them to please call 610-269-5070 TODAY to schedule their Free

Exam and Consultation.

CALL TODAY… SPOTS ARE FILLING FAST.

Thanks again for choosing Health Check Physical Therapy!

Health Check Summer Special!

Free Exam and Consultation Week of June 19th – June 23rd during regular office hours Call 610-269-5070 today to schedule your appointment!

The exam and consultation consists of a 30-minute,

one-on-one appointment with a PT.

It is ideal for people suffering with: Shoulder Pain Knee Pain Hip Pain Problems Walking

Lower back pain Arthritis Sciatica Neck Pain

*- The appointment is FREE, but for a limited time only! *Appointment is FREE, but for a limited time only!

About Your Free Exam and Consultation

What Should I Expect From the Free Exam and Consultation:

Each Free Exam and Consultation consists of a 30-minute, one-on-one appointment with a

physical therapist (PT).

During your exam and consultation, you will discuss your problems and undergo simple

diagnostic testing. Following your exam, you will receive a written explanation detailing the

cause of your problem as well as a recommended treatment plan.

Remember:

While the appointments are free, they are limited since each PT has only 10 spots.

The Free Exam and Consultation 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!

Please call 610-269-5070 TODAY to schedule your

Free Exam and Consultation during the week of June 19th – June 23rd

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

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

Sincerely,

Thomas Suspenski PT, ATC

Thomas Suspenski, Physical Therapist, Certified Athletic Trainer