Can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your background?
- Born and raised in NEPA (Pittston, PA)
- Grew up as an active kid, participating in martial arts, baseball, track and field and (my true love) football.
- Drawn to be a healthcare provider partly due to having great doctors growing up, starting with my Pediatrician, Dr. Michael Harris in Kingston, PA. He made going to the doctor fun!
Where did you attend school and what degrees or certifications do you hold?
- Undergraduate studies through Susquehanna University (BS Biology)
- Doctorate of Chiropractic through PCCF – While at Palmer I had the privilege to learn the “Palmer Package” of adjusting techniques as well as additional, elective coursework in Soft Tissue Therapies, Flexion/Distraction Technique as well as Sports Injury Rehabilitation and Traumatic Injury Management.
How long have you been practicing chiropractic care?
- 8+ Years
What inspired you to become a chiropractor?
- A knee injury in college showed me the benefits of conservative care. This shifted my focus from pursuing Dentistry/Orthodontics to Physical Therapy.
- While applying to Physical Therapy schools, an injury to my Girlfriend (now Wife) Danielle introduced me to Chiropractic (Dr. Gerry DeQuevado DC and Dr. Chris Yonki DC in Wilkes Barre, PA) and its advantages vs. traditional, allopathic protocols.
How long have you been with The Hetrick Center?
- 3 Years this July
What office do you work out of and what is your role there?
- Middletown location: Chiropractic provider and member of the Marketing Committee
What sets your practice apart from others in the area?
- Thorough evaluation
- Taking the time to listen to each patient and allowing the patient to fully explain their problems. It’s difficult to treat the entire person/patient if you don’t know their entire story.
- Taking time to explain all of the treatment options and types of care available for the patient’s condition. Patients cannot make an informed decision about their care if they don’t know their options.
What specific chiropractic techniques or approaches do you specialize in?
- “Palmer Package” – Combination of Manual and Drop-assisted adjustments
- Use of the Activator Instrument
- Kinesio Taping, Therapeutic Stretching and Myofascial Release
Are there any particular conditions or injuries you focus on treating?
- Any individual and/or condition that could benefit from Chiropractic is for me!
- My current patient base ranges from infants and children of all ages, pregnant mamas, weekend warriors, high school/NCAA athletes as well as middle-aged and later-aged folks.
How do you tailor treatment plans to meet the unique needs of each patient?
- Communication is key when developing a treatment plan for patients. The Hetrick Center has such a wide variety of services (Chiropractic, PT, Aquatics and Massage Therapy) that it’s easy to create a protocol for almost any MSK condition that walks in our door.
- Utilizing regular assessments gives us plenty of opportunities to change course in care and recommend imaging, referrals or a shift in the patient’s type of care.
- Avoid the “definition of insanity” – Meaning if the current type of care a patient is receiving is not helping the patient improve, then we make a change as opposed to just rinsing/repeating treatment.
Can you share some success stories or positive outcomes you’ve seen in your practice?
- Fortunately enough as Chiropractors, we tend to see success in our practice on a daily basis. Some of my favorites, though, are when a patient who has tried practically anything/everything to manage their pain finally decides to try Chiropractic and sees significant improvement in a short amount of time.
Do you incorporate any holistic or wellness practices into your treatments?
- Absolutely! I’ll regularly counsel patients on home/workplace ergonomics, sleep positioning, workout modifications and proper supplementation through our Standard Process line of nutritional supplements.
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What do you enjoy most about working with patients?
- One of my favorite parts about being a Chiropractor is getting to meet and work with people from so many walks of life; Old/Young, Rich/Poor it doesn’t matter…everyone has a story to tell and everyone is worth getting to know. Taking that time to learn a little bit about my patients makes it that much more rewarding as I help them on their road to recovery.
How do you stay current with the latest chiropractic techniques and research?
- Our team of providers here regularly shares research articles and complex cases to help sharpen our clinical skillset. Having multiple Chiropractors and Physical Therapists on staff to discuss these cases with is invaluable.
- Dr. Pavelko and Dr. Scott (Colman) regularly share current research studies with our group of providers, allowing us to keep up with the newest trends in Chiropractic and Rehabilitative treatment.
- One of my favorite things to do is attend CE courses and Chiropractic conferences. This allows me to connect with old classmates and current colleagues while attending classes and increasing my base of knowledge.
Can you explain how chiropractic care can benefit overall health and wellness?
- The best analogy that comes to mind compares the human body to a car. It’s common knowledge that in order to keep your car running smoothly, you take it into the shop for routine service (ex: you don’t wait for the oil light to come on before you decide to take your car for an oil change). The same can be said for our muscles and joints. Seeking out regular Chiropractic care helps to keep our bodies running smoothly and without issue.
What advice would you give to someone considering chiropractic care for the first time?
- Ask Questions! Typically, your first appointment with a Chiropractor takes a bit longer as your provider gets to know you, your symptoms and how your aches/pains affect your day-to-day function. Use this time to ask about treatment options, alternatives, side effects and expectations for your care. Any Chiropractor worth their salt will be able to answer these questions and make you feel comfortable with your treatment.
What is a common misconception about chiropractic care that you’d like to address?
- There’s 2 things, actually:
- Chiropractors NEED to “crack” and “pop” your neck and back to help you feel better. Although all of our Chiropractors are skilled in performing these manual adjustments, we also have a variety of “non-cracking” techniques that help patients achieve significant relief without all of the noise!
- All Chiropractic care involves long, drawn out treatment plans. Although some types of conditions require longer-term care, many of our patients see relief in a shorter period of time. No matter your availability our Chiropractic and PT providers will be able to modify your treatment recommendations to best suit your needs and availability.
What do you do in your free time? Do you have any fun hobbies or interests?
- Golfing, working in the yard and spending time with my family are some of my favorite things to do. We love checking out local markets, swimming in the summer time and getting to know this beautiful area.
