Month: April 2012

By John McGurl

A welcoming new physical therapy clinic is offering more than just injury care in Wesley Chapel, just off of S.R. 56 in the Cypress Glen Professional Park. But Brookline also has added affordable personal training and Zumba, Yoga, and Pilates fitness classes to its top-quality therapy services.

Founded by John Esguerra, MSPT, and his wife Lea Esguerra, PT, Brookline was created to put the needs of injured patients first. Esguerra received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1990, and his Master of Science in Physical Therapy in 1999, both from Boston University. He says everything about the clinic was built with the patient in mind, from a unique floor that is easy on the joints, to the state-of-the-art fitness and rehab equipment.

Physical therapy can help with problems that make it difficult to move around or complete everyday tasks.

“People often try to work through the pain, but this can actually make problems worse,” says Esguerra, adding that while every injury is different and requires a different plan, “Our treatments are based on individual evaluations where we identify the problem and figure out the best treatment.”

He says physical therapists are trained to give people the tools to reduce pain.

“I am so thankful that my doctor sent me to Brookline Physical Therapy for my shoulder condition,” says patient John Caffarelli. “My therapist was extremely personable and professional. He took the time to explain all the different exercises I would be doing and taught me the correct use of all of his machines. If I ever need physical therapy again, I will be sure to come back to Brookline.”

Esguerra says that one common misconception today is that people have little choice in where to receive healthcare such as physical therapy.

“But, nothing can be further from the truth,” says Esguerra. “In most cases, you do have a choice. Many times your physician will make a recommendation for where to go for services such as physical therapy because they believe it may be a more convenient location for you, but are often reluctant to discuss with you the quality of the care you may receive. Since we opened our doors a common complaint we have heard from local physicians is that it is difficult to find quality physical therapy services at some rehabilitation companies as they appear to be more concerned with maximizing revenues than providing the possible best care for their patients.”

He adds that one prominent local physician referred to these other therapy centers as “shake and bake operations,” but Esguerra says, “I often find that the problem is not with therapists, as I’ve rarely met a therapist who didn’t mean well nor who didn’t want the best for their patients. The problems occur when physical and occupational therapists are overworked, understaffed, or do not have the proper facility to provide quality care for their patients. But, Brookline Physical Therapy is a therapist-owned private practice that makes quality care our primary goal and we utilize innovative technology to keep our overhead costs low in order to provide first class, cost-effective treatments for all of our patients. Healthcare consumers need to understand that they have a right to demand quality and that they have a choice.”

Quality PT Services…

Among its many services, Brookline offers spinal decompression traction, which Esguerra says can be recommended by your doctor or therapist as an effective alternative to surgery, along with core stabilization exercises.

Spinal decompression therapy is a more comfortable traction therapy used to relieve back, neck, leg, and arm pain and to treat problems like herniated discs, sciatica, compression fractures and joint pain.

While most insurance plans cover spinal decompression, if your insurance doesn’t cover mechanical traction, the cost of the treatment is $50 per session.

For patients with arthritis or fibromyalgia, the clinic also has cold laser treatments. “Cold” lasers do a number of things for your body, from reducing localized inflammation to stimulating the immune system. It also can be used to relieve acute and chronic pain, and stimulate nerve function. Much like the abacus evolved into the computer, cold lasers have been referred to as “modern day acupuncture” by relevant web sites. Unfortunately, this type of treatment is still considered investigational and insurance does not cover it. However, if Esguerra believes it will be effective in your treatment, he will not charge additional fees for cold laser treatment. Stand-alone cold laser treatments will cost $35 per session when requested by a patient or by his or her doctor.

Brookline provides a full spectrum of physical therapy for all age groups, having seen patients from as young as age 5 to the age of 92. Esguerra says he pulls from past experiences to make his operation in Wesley Chapel run smoothly. “We (Brookline Physical Therapy) are all under one roof, we are all state of the art,” he says.

More Than Just PT!

A variety of fitness programs, including Zumba, Yoga and Pilates classes, are available at Brookline.

“We intended to offer these services from when we started planning the office,” says Esguerra. “The facility was designed for them.” The premium dance floor is designed with a high- quality vinyl that is easy on the joints when moving rapidly in high-impact classes like Zumba.

Zumba is one of the fastest-growing aerobic workouts, with classes in almost every gym, and even a video game released for all three major game systems and their motion technologies. At Brookline, certified Zumba instructors make sure you’re doing the intense workouts correctly to get the full benefit. The small class sizes allow for more individualized instruction to ensure that every one maintains the proper form.

The studio also is expertly designed for yoga and Pilates classes, too. The facility boasts a premium sound system and a peaceful environment for yoga.

“I was excited when John came to our office to introduce himself and to announce that Brookline offers exercise classes such as Yoga, Pilates, and Zumba,” says Summar Robinson. “For me personally, Zumba was the one that sparked my interest. I enjoy being out on the dance floor when I go out, so what better way to exercise than to dance to good music! I exercise in other ways throughout the week, but my Zumba class by far is the most enjoyable and I look forward to going every week. I know I’m burning calories and getting a good, full-body workout. Georgette is a great instructor with explosive energy that is contagious, but she is also patient with the beginners.”

Among the huge benefits of taking classes at Brookline over a local gym are the flexibility and options. Instead of paying a monthly membership fee, classes cost just $7.50 per class, or $50 for a package of eight classes. Feel like an exhilarating Zumba workout one day, and want to slow it down with some relaxing yoga the next? With the eight-class option, you can mix and match, so you never have to worry about your workout becoming routine.

For those transitioning from rehabilitation towards a self-managed fitness program, the clinic has 30-day memberships for unlimited use of the gym during business hours. The memberships cost $50 per month and give you the ability to plan your own workout, although John, Lea and their certified instructors are also available to help.

“We looked all over the country— West Virginia (and his home of) New York, but ultimately decided on Wesley Chapel,” says Esguerra, adding that all the news outlets he researched, such as CNN and Money magazine, ranked Wesley Chapel very high as a place for families to settle down. “When I asked how to get our name out there, everyone said to advertise in the Neighborhood News,” says Esguerra.

In his spare time, Esguerra is both an avid fisherman and a music enthusiast; he enjoys flats fishing for snook and redfish, as well as playing classical and jazz piano. After earning his degree, Esguerra studied music at conservatories in both Boston and New York.

For all your physical therapy and fitness needs, don’t forget to schedule your appointment with Lisa Pennington, Brookline’s dedicated office manager, by calling 527-6913.

You also may visit Brookline at 26837 Tanic Dr., Suite 101, in the Cypress Glen Professional Park, or at BrooklinePhysicalTherapy.com.

By John McGurl

A welcoming new physical therapy clinic is offering more than just injury care in Wesley Chapel, just off of S.R. 56 in the Cypress Glen Professional Park. But Brookline also has added affordable personal training and Zumba, Yoga, and Pilates fitness classes to its top-quality therapy services.

Founded by John Esguerra, MSPT, and his wife Lea Esguerra, PT, Brookline was created to put the needs of injured patients first. Esguerra received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1990, and his Master of Science in Physical Therapy in 1999, both from Boston University. He says everything about the clinic was built with the patient in mind, from a unique floor that is easy on the joints, to the state-of-the-art fitness and rehab equipment.

Physical therapy can help with problems that make it difficult to move around or complete everyday tasks.

“People often try to work through the pain, but this can actually make problems worse,” says Esguerra, adding that while every injury is different and requires a different plan, “Our treatments are based on individual evaluations where we identify the problem and figure out the best treatment.”

He says physical therapists are trained to give people the tools to reduce pain.

“I am so thankful that my doctor sent me to Brookline Physical Therapy for my shoulder condition,” says patient John Caffarelli. “My therapist was extremely personable and professional. He took the time to explain all the different exercises I would be doing and taught me the correct use of all of his machines. If I ever need physical therapy again, I will be sure to come back to Brookline.”

Esguerra says that one common misconception today is that people have little choice in where to receive healthcare such as physical therapy.

“But, nothing can be further from the truth,” says Esguerra. “In most cases, you do have a choice. Many times your physician will make a recommendation for where to go for services such as physical therapy because they believe it may be a more convenient location for you, but are often reluctant to discuss with you the quality of the care you may receive. Since we opened our doors a common complaint we have heard from local physicians is that it is difficult to find quality physical therapy services at some rehabilitation companies as they appear to be more concerned with maximizing revenues than providing the possible best care for their patients.”

He adds that one prominent local physician referred to these other therapy centers as “shake and bake operations,” but Esguerra says, “I often find that the problem is not with therapists, as I’ve rarely met a therapist who didn’t mean well nor who didn’t want the best for their patients. The problems occur when physical and occupational therapists are overworked, understaffed, or do not have the proper facility to provide quality care for their patients. But, Brookline Physical Therapy is a therapist-owned private practice that makes quality care our primary goal and we utilize innovative technology to keep our overhead costs low in order to provide first class, cost-effective treatments for all of our patients. Healthcare consumers need to understand that they have a right to demand quality and that they have a choice.”

Quality PT Services…

Among its many services, Brookline offers spinal decompression traction, which Esguerra says can be recommended by your doctor or therapist as an effective alternative to surgery, along with core stabilization exercises.

Spinal decompression therapy is a more comfortable traction therapy used to relieve back, neck, leg, and arm pain and to treat problems like herniated discs, sciatica, compression fractures and joint pain.

While most insurance plans cover spinal decompression, if your insurance doesn’t cover mechanical traction, the cost of the treatment is $50 per session.

For patients with arthritis or fibromyalgia, the clinic also has cold laser treatments. “Cold” lasers do a number of things for your body, from reducing localized inflammation to stimulating the immune system. It also can be used to relieve acute and chronic pain, and stimulate nerve function. Much like the abacus evolved into the computer, cold lasers have been referred to as “modern day acupuncture” by relevant web sites. Unfortunately, this type of treatment is still considered investigational and insurance does not cover it. However, if Esguerra believes it will be effective in your treatment, he will not charge additional fees for cold laser treatment. Stand-alone cold laser treatments will cost $35 per session when requested by a patient or by his or her doctor.

Brookline provides a full spectrum of physical therapy for all age groups, having seen patients from as young as age 5 to the age of 92. Esguerra says he pulls from past experiences to make his operation in Wesley Chapel run smoothly. “We (Brookline Physical Therapy) are all under one roof, we are all state of the art,” he says.

More Than Just PT!

A variety of fitness programs, including Zumba, Yoga and Pilates classes, are available at Brookline.

“We intended to offer these services from when we started planning the office,” says Esguerra. “The facility was designed for them.” The premium dance floor is designed with a high- quality vinyl that is easy on the joints when moving rapidly in high-impact classes like Zumba.

Zumba is one of the fastest-growing aerobic workouts, with classes in almost every gym, and even a video game released for all three major game systems and their motion technologies. At Brookline, certified Zumba instructors make sure you’re doing the intense workouts correctly to get the full benefit. The small class sizes allow for more individualized instruction to ensure that every one maintains the proper form.

The studio also is expertly designed for yoga and Pilates classes, too. The facility boasts a premium sound system and a peaceful environment for yoga.

“I was excited when John came to our office to introduce himself and to announce that Brookline offers exercise classes such as Yoga, Pilates, and Zumba,” says Summar Robinson. “For me personally, Zumba was the one that sparked my interest. I enjoy being out on the dance floor when I go out, so what better way to exercise than to dance to good music! I exercise in other ways throughout the week, but my Zumba class by far is the most enjoyable and I look forward to going every week. I know I’m burning calories and getting a good, full-body workout. Georgette is a great instructor with explosive energy that is contagious, but she is also patient with the beginners.”

Among the huge benefits of taking classes at Brookline over a local gym are the flexibility and options. Instead of paying a monthly membership fee, classes cost just $7.50 per class, or $50 for a package of eight classes. Feel like an exhilarating Zumba workout one day, and want to slow it down with some relaxing yoga the next? With the eight-class option, you can mix and match, so you never have to worry about your workout becoming routine.

For those transitioning from rehabilitation towards a self-managed fitness program, the clinic has 30-day memberships for unlimited use of the gym during business hours. The memberships cost $50 per month and give you the ability to plan your own workout, although John, Lea and their certified instructors are also available to help.

“We looked all over the country— West Virginia (and his home of) New York, but ultimately decided on Wesley Chapel,” says Esguerra, adding that all the news outlets he researched, such as CNN and Money magazine, ranked Wesley Chapel very high as a place for families to settle down. “When I asked how to get our name out there, everyone said to advertise in the Neighborhood News,” says Esguerra.

In his spare time, Esguerra is both an avid fisherman and a music enthusiast; he enjoys flats fishing for snook and redfish, as well as playing classical and jazz piano. After earning his degree, Esguerra studied music at conservatories in both Boston and New York.

For all your physical therapy and fitness needs, don’t forget to schedule your appointment with Lisa Pennington, Brookline’s dedicated office manager, by calling 527-6913.

You also may visit Brookline at 26837 Tanic Dr., Suite 101, in the Cypress Glen Professional Park, or at BrooklinePhysicalTherapy.com.

By Matt Wiley

Lasers and acupuncture may not sound like words usually associated with pets and vets, but the Cross Creek Animal Medical Centre uses both to keep pets in both New Tampa and Wesley Chapel healthy.

Dr. Timothy D. Hodge, D.V.M., and his staff have a passion for pets that has resonated through their use of new technology — and superior customer service — since the veterinary hospital first opened in 2003.

Cross Creek is a full-service animal hospital now located in the Cory Lake Isles Professional Center off of Cross Creek Blvd. in New Tampa, geared towards helping dogs, cats and “pocket pets,” such as hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits and ferrets.

The hospital has taken advantage of new technologies, such as laser surgeries and procedures, and made them the focus of the office’s pet care since it opened. Dr. Hodge and his staff believe that his use of laser surgeries for so many years and the entire staff’s devotion to customer service are what separates Cross Creek from other animal care facilities in the area.

“We had decided in the very beginning that because laser technology was really taking off and it was more affordable, and small animal practices could have this service, we purchased the laser from the very beginning,” says Dr. Hodge. “We made it part of our procedures from the get-go. That’s the new standard of care.”

Dr. Hodge uses a surgical laser for all of the surgical procedures he performs. He says that it provides a much better experience for the pet because, as opposed to an incision with a scalpel, a laser doesn’t leave exposed nerve endings and blood vessels when it cuts.

“That’s where you get more pain,” he explains. “But, the laser seals nerve endings and blood vessels as it cuts, making the procedure almost bloodless. It’s less painful; there’s less discomfort. And, pets are less likely to mess with their incisions afterwards.”

Hodge says he first saw a surgical laser in action during his last few years of veterinary school at Mississippi State University in Starkville before gradating with his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1995.

In addition to the surgical laser, Dr. Hodge and his staff also use a companion therapeutic laser, a small portable laser that emits a circle of red light and is used to treat arthritis, skin irritations, swelling, chronic ear issues and other issues. The laser is mobile, so pets can be brought in for treatment, or it can even be taken on house calls.

Hodge says that the therapeutic laser has been used a lot recently in physical therapy and sports medicine for humans, noting that in some cases, it helps athletes avoid surgery and get back in the game more quickly.

“Patients usually want to come back,” Hodge says. “We tell them to see how one laser session goes. They usually call back and say they want to set up a package.”

At Cross Creek, Hodge says he likes to get to the bottom of the problem and eliminate it completely.

“It’s what I consider ‘un-stacking the deck of cards,’” he says. “Every time I do a laser session, I’m taking off a certain amount of cards from the stack. Eventually, you want to get down to as low as possible, so there’s no pain, no discomfort; that’s all gone.”

By using the laser to reduce inflammation and irritation with different pet ailments, Hodge says it helps to reduce the amount of oral medication he has to prescribe for the pet. “If we can get these pets off chronic medication, that’s great,” he says.

Shelley Cobb and her eight-year-old Sheltie Joey, know the benefits of the companion laser.

“He is on his second package now and he is very happy,” says Cobb. “He is part of the family and I am happy that I do not have to give him medication every day. Overall, we are very pleased and will continue to have the therapeutic laser sessions performed on Joey.”

Another technique Hodge uses to try to offer alternatives to oral medication is the Eastern practice of acupuncture to treat common pet issues, such as arthritis. He uses Western medical practices to diagnose the problem, and then offers acupuncture as a treatment option to “help the body heal itself.”

“I like to think of it more as ‘integrated medicine,’” he says. “We use a little of (Eastern and Western medicine) to optimize our care for the pets.”

Cross Creek does not practice what Hodge describes as “shotgun medicine,” where a person brings in a pet and the vet just writes a prescription and sends them on their way. He says that getting to use cutting-edge technology and run his practice his way were always his goals.

“I was an associate vet for seven years, so I worked under another doctor, who was the owner of that clinic,” he explains. “At that point, I thought I was ready to branch out on my own. I kind of had my own ideas of how I would run a place, how I would do certain things.”

In 2003, he decided to make his dream a reality and started Cross Creek Animal Medical Centre from scratch, instead of moving his office into someone else’s previous location.

“At that point, everything you plan is basically how you want it,” he explains. “You’re not going in and buying a facility that’s already set up a certain way with a certain thought process, and then you’ve got to mold that to your way. It was easier to just start from the beginning, my way, and then have everything develop after that.”

In 2011, Dr. Hodge and Cross Creek moved to their current facility in the Cory Lake Isles Professional Center, just down the street on Cross Creek Blvd. from their previous location in another retail center.

“I love this area,” says Hodge. “The community is wonderful.”

And, speaking of the community, Dr. Hodge says he likes to give back. He says that any surplus food or pet supplies are donated to the Humane Society or Animal Services.

He also is starting a “charitable trust,” a new program that will soon help customers who may not be able to afford a certain procedure or medication at the time that their pet needs it.

“This charitable trust will be there to say, ‘Okay, we’ll take care of the bill. We’ll help you out with donations towards that area,” he says. Other customers can donate a few dollars whenever they can, and that money will be there for them, too, should they ever need it.

Another way that Cross Creek is helping the community is setting up year-long packages for pet care that save the customer money.

“If they sign up for this plan, over the course of a year, the pet owner can save anywhere between 20-25-percent if they were to be paying each visit for these vaccines and wellness care over the course of the year,” he explains. “It’s something that we’re doing to help make pet care more affordable.”

Cross Creek offer plans for a variety of pets and offers a variety of other services, such as dental care, grooming and boarding. Cross Creek also offers heart ultrasounds, which are available twice a month.

For more information about the Cross Creek Animal Medical Centre, including a complete list of services offered and pet health plans available, visit CrossCreekVet.com.

Or, stop in at 10323 Cross Creek Blvd., Suite H. in the Cory Lake Isles Professional Center, just past Cory Lake Isles Dr. in New Tampa. The office also can be reached by phone at 994-6929.

By Matt Wiley

Lasers and acupuncture may not sound like words usually associated with pets and vets, but the Cross Creek Animal Medical Centre uses both to keep pets in both New Tampa and Wesley Chapel healthy.

Dr. Timothy D. Hodge, D.V.M., and his staff have a passion for pets that has resonated through their use of new technology — and superior customer service — since the veterinary hospital first opened in 2003.

Cross Creek is a full-service animal hospital now located in the Cory Lake Isles Professional Center off of Cross Creek Blvd. in New Tampa, geared towards helping dogs, cats and “pocket pets,” such as hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits and ferrets.

The hospital has taken advantage of new technologies, such as laser surgeries and procedures, and made them the focus of the office’s pet care since it opened. Dr. Hodge and his staff believe that his use of laser surgeries for so many years and the entire staff’s devotion to customer service are what separates Cross Creek from other animal care facilities in the area.

“We had decided in the very beginning that because laser technology was really taking off and it was more affordable, and small animal practices could have this service, we purchased the laser from the very beginning,” says Dr. Hodge. “We made it part of our procedures from the get-go. That’s the new standard of care.”

Dr. Hodge uses a surgical laser for all of the surgical procedures he performs. He says that it provides a much better experience for the pet because, as opposed to an incision with a scalpel, a laser doesn’t leave exposed nerve endings and blood vessels when it cuts.

“That’s where you get more pain,” he explains. “But, the laser seals nerve endings and blood vessels as it cuts, making the procedure almost bloodless. It’s less painful; there’s less discomfort. And, pets are less likely to mess with their incisions afterwards.”

Hodge says he first saw a surgical laser in action during his last few years of veterinary school at Mississippi State University in Starkville before gradating with his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1995.

In addition to the surgical laser, Dr. Hodge and his staff also use a companion therapeutic laser, a small portable laser that emits a circle of red light and is used to treat arthritis, skin irritations, swelling, chronic ear issues and other issues. The laser is mobile, so pets can be brought in for treatment, or it can even be taken on house calls.

Hodge says that the therapeutic laser has been used a lot recently in physical therapy and sports medicine for humans, noting that in some cases, it helps athletes avoid surgery and get back in the game more quickly.

“Patients usually want to come back,” Hodge says. “We tell them to see how one laser session goes. They usually call back and say they want to set up a package.”

At Cross Creek, Hodge says he likes to get to the bottom of the problem and eliminate it completely.

“It’s what I consider ‘un-stacking the deck of cards,’” he says. “Every time I do a laser session, I’m taking off a certain amount of cards from the stack. Eventually, you want to get down to as low as possible, so there’s no pain, no discomfort; that’s all gone.”

By using the laser to reduce inflammation and irritation with different pet ailments, Hodge says it helps to reduce the amount of oral medication he has to prescribe for the pet. “If we can get these pets off chronic medication, that’s great,” he says.

Shelley Cobb and her eight-year-old Sheltie Joey, know the benefits of the companion laser.

“He is on his second package now and he is very happy,” says Cobb. “He is part of the family and I am happy that I do not have to give him medication every day. Overall, we are very pleased and will continue to have the therapeutic laser sessions performed on Joey.”

Another technique Hodge uses to try to offer alternatives to oral medication is the Eastern practice of acupuncture to treat common pet issues, such as arthritis. He uses Western medical practices to diagnose the problem, and then offers acupuncture as a treatment option to “help the body heal itself.”

“I like to think of it more as ‘integrated medicine,’” he says. “We use a little of (Eastern and Western medicine) to optimize our care for the pets.”

Cross Creek does not practice what Hodge describes as “shotgun medicine,” where a person brings in a pet and the vet just writes a prescription and sends them on their way. He says that getting to use cutting-edge technology and run his practice his way were always his goals.

“I was an associate vet for seven years, so I worked under another doctor, who was the owner of that clinic,” he explains. “At that point, I thought I was ready to branch out on my own. I kind of had my own ideas of how I would run a place, how I would do certain things.”

In 2003, he decided to make his dream a reality and started Cross Creek Animal Medical Centre from scratch, instead of moving his office into someone else’s previous location.

“At that point, everything you plan is basically how you want it,” he explains. “You’re not going in and buying a facility that’s already set up a certain way with a certain thought process, and then you’ve got to mold that to your way. It was easier to just start from the beginning, my way, and then have everything develop after that.”

In 2011, Dr. Hodge and Cross Creek moved to their current facility in the Cory Lake Isles Professional Center, just down the street on Cross Creek Blvd. from their previous location in another retail center.

“I love this area,” says Hodge. “The community is wonderful.”

And, speaking of the community, Dr. Hodge says he likes to give back. He says that any surplus food or pet supplies are donated to the Humane Society or Animal Services.

He also is starting a “charitable trust,” a new program that will soon help customers who may not be able to afford a certain procedure or medication at the time that their pet needs it.

“This charitable trust will be there to say, ‘Okay, we’ll take care of the bill. We’ll help you out with donations towards that area,” he says. Other customers can donate a few dollars whenever they can, and that money will be there for them, too, should they ever need it.

Another way that Cross Creek is helping the community is setting up year-long packages for pet care that save the customer money.

“If they sign up for this plan, over the course of a year, the pet owner can save anywhere between 20-25-percent if they were to be paying each visit for these vaccines and wellness care over the course of the year,” he explains. “It’s something that we’re doing to help make pet care more affordable.”

Cross Creek offer plans for a variety of pets and offers a variety of other services, such as dental care, grooming and boarding. Cross Creek also offers heart ultrasounds, which are available twice a month.

For more information about the Cross Creek Animal Medical Centre, including a complete list of services offered and pet health plans available, visit CrossCreekVet.com.

Or, stop in at 10323 Cross Creek Blvd., Suite H. in the Cory Lake Isles Professional Center, just past Cory Lake Isles Dr. in New Tampa. The office also can be reached by phone at 994-6929.