Community Education

HealthQuest offers a number of FREE EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS as part of our commitment to serve our communities.

Everyday and workplace tasks create physical demands, taking harmful tolls on your body.  Breakdowns of the nerve-muscle-bone connections are called musculoskeletal disorders and are a consequence of repetitive movements, labor intensive tasks, and prolonged postures.  These result in undue stress on the spine and extremities, causing pain in the joints, neck and low back.  In addition, overuse injuries, such as carpal tunnel, are avoidable and treatable with the appropriate therapy, equipment, and education.  These injuries are responsible for over 33% of all work-related injuries, accounting for more than 9 missed work days (per injury), annually.  These statistics may seem insignificant, until translated to a cost of nearly $80 billion a year for employers and insurance companies.  Even if you are not an employer or an insurance company, you know these costs are ultimately recouped from your back pocket.

To improve these statistics, HealthQuest is on a mission to help you avoid injuries, common to workplace and everyday tasks, through education.  Research shows decreases in injury rates and medical costs, as well as an increase in productivity, directly related to the use of proper posture and body mechanics.

Who would benefit from HealthQuest EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS?

The short answer is, everyone.  More specifically, business owners, employers, employees, insurance companies, and anyone performing an activity.

Why sponsor HealthQuest EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS?

Our educational presentations are designed to address injury prevention, health, and wellness in the workplace, as well as in everyday life.  Tasks and jobs, though fulfilling once completed, are a very real source of physical, mental and emotional stress.  When not addressed, stress will lead to breakdowns in your overall health.  At HealthQuest, we recognize this threat and have developed a series of educational offerings to address, and perhaps, avoid conditions resulting from workplace and everyday stress.  While our primary focus is on physically-related issues, our strategies ultimately affect the emotional and mental consequences brought on by physical complications.

What PRESENTATION TOPICS are offered?

1. Proactive Physical Conditioning for Everyday and Workplace Activities
   • Musculoskeletal disorders and common causes.
   • Ergonomically sound work stations and equipment.
   • Proper body mechanics for common movements.
   • Safe and effective lifting techniques.
   • Proper posturing for static positions.
   • Dynamic posture and creative solutions.
   • Exercises, (described and demonstrated) designed to prevent injuries.
   
   
2. Aging: Proactive Strategies to Prevent Premature Age-Related Disorders.
   • Age related conditions causing pain and functional limitations.
   • Benefits of physical activity, proper posture and body mechanics.
   • Exercises, (described and demonstrated) designed to improve and/or maintain overall function.
   • Nutritional Strategies to live a healthy vital life.
   • The benefits of physical therapy for an aging population.


3. The Importance of Balance:  Body, Mind, and Spirit
   • Relevant statistical data illustrating the link between body, mind and spirit.
   • Pertinent studies reflecting the current state of health in America.
   • Easy to follow nutritional guidelines.
   • Realistic exercise implementation.
   • How to stay sharp and keep your wits about you.
   • Innovative approaches to establish balance every day.


4. Proprioception:  Strategies to Improve Equilibrium & Prevent Falls
   • Risk factors for falling.
   • Age-related conditions affecting equilibrium and balance.
   • 4 tests to identify at-risk individuals.
   • Proactive intervention and physical therapy.


5. Women’s Health Issues and Proactive Strategies.
   • Age-related conditions:  osteoporosis, incontinence, arthritis, and cardiovascular disease.
   • Musculoskeletal changes.
   • Female anatomy.
   • Lifestyle strategies to address menopausal symptoms and concerns.
   • Proactive approaches through physical therapy, exercise and nutrition


6. A Proactive Approach to Optimize Bowel and Bladder Health
   • Basic anatomy of the pelvic region and supportive structures.
   • Types and common causes of incontinence (lack of bowel or bladder control).
   • Proactive approaches through physical therapy, exercise and nutrition.


7. Fitness Initiative for Fire Departments and Emergency Medical Responders
   • Statistical data supporting need for fitness testing and implementation.
   • Overview of HealthQuest Testing and Training Program for Firefighters.


8. Parkinson’s Disease can be Managed through Exercise and Education
   • Up-to-date information on the neuro-musculoskeletal changes occurring with the progression of Parkinson’s Disease
   • Exercises, (described and demonstrated) designed to prevent and address physical limitations.
   • The role of physical therapy in the management of Parkinson’s Disease.


9. Multiple Sclerosis can be Managed through Exercise and Education
   • Neuro-muscuoloskeletal changes and components of M.S.
   • Benefits of exercise management for patients with M.S.
   • Appropriate environments and exercises (descriptions and demonstrations) designed to prevent and address physical limitations.
   • The role of physical therapy in the management of M.S.


10. The Benefits of Physical Therapy Treatment for Your Female Patients
    • Conditions effectively treated with physical therapy – incontinence, arthritis, and osteoporosis, to name a few.
    • Physical therapy promotes proactive compliance, minimizing insurance pay-outs.
    • Why referring your patients for physical therapy treatment benefits you and your practice.


11. Physical Therapy:  A Career Path for High School Students
    • Overview of physical therapy treatment.
    • Educational requirements and steps to take now to prepare for a future in physical therapy.
    • An actual case study with physical therapy treatment applications.
    • The most current starting salary information and employment opportunities for recent graduates.


12. Proactive Conditioning for Baseball Players
    • Common baseball injuries and related conditions.
    • Pre, post, and in-season exercises, (described and demonstrated) designed to prevent injuries and enhance performance.
    • The role of physical therapy in the prevention and treatment of baseball, and other sports-related injuries.

Who will be presenting these topics and what are her qualifications?

Sharla Buza, MPT, BHS, CPT has collaborated with several members of our professional staff to develop the educational presentations we offer. She is a graduate of the Masters Program in Physical Therapy from Oakland University and has been in practice for nearly 8 years.  We are very proud of her accomplishments here at HealthQuest. Sharla founded and now supervises our Women’s Health and Physical Therapy Program.  In addition, she helped design and implement our Fitness Testing and Training Program for Local Fire Departments.  She is a Certified Personal Trainer and has participated in research studies involving treatment for cerebral palsy.  As a civic minded professional, Sharla is also an active member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce.

Please contact Johanna at (248) 650-4404 for more information or to schedule a FREE EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION.