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New Billboard Photo |
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As Mecosta Health Services continues to draw awareness to its medical practice, the decision was made to change the photo on the previous billboard-used to promote the practice, from the group of providers, to a family-like group shot with MHS Family Physician Dr. Macdonald standing behind them as part of the group.
MHS would like this photo to reinforce how its practice serves both male and female patients of all ages in our community.
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The previous photo on the two billboards, displayed MHS's medical staff. Now the new photo will show the families they serve. The first billboard will be updated in August at the intersection of Old 131 and 19 Mile Road.
The second located on M-20 between Remus and Canadian Lakes- updated in September. Look, close... you might recognize a friend!
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"Brighter Tomorrows Program" Gets Funding from Community Foundation |
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"Brighter Tomorrows", a volunteer program to help medically needy people
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take advantage of online drug discounts from manufacturers, has received almost $5,000 in funding from the Mecosta County Community Foundation. The program was developed by Medical Center Trustee Fran Doerr of Mecosta. Brighter Tomorrows volunteers (Fran Doerr, Joe Kilmer and Wilma Emerson) interview eligible clients at the Big Rapids and Canadian Lakes offices of Mecosta Health
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Services and help them complete questionnaires and other documentation to qualify for low-cost, discounted, or free pharmaceuticals from the many companies that offer these programs. The project has been a great success, already helping many people improve their healthcare compliance and reduce their stress over drug costs.
Fran is recruiting volunteers for the project and encourages those interested to call her at (231) 972-8752 to learn more.
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Avoiding Surgery with Physical Therapy |
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Mecosta County Medical Center's Out-patient Physical Therapist Srikanth Nallan Chakravarthi has been using the McKenzie Method for nearly three years to treat mechanical disorders of the lower back and spine. More and more patients from the local area are realizing, through word-of-mouth, that relying on only medications, surgeries, and other kinds of pain relief for back and neck pain including headaches are often unnecessary.
Bill Emigh of Canadian Lakes, had two herniated discs in his back that caused him a great deal of pain all the way down the right side of his body into his leg and foot. A neurologist from Grand Rapids referred Bill to physical therapy with Srikanth for a last option, hoping the McKenzie Method would help, before final, undergoing surgery.
During physical therapy it was found that Bill had other issues - Piriformis Syndrome. This is where a tight muscle in the buttocks area irritates the nerve- a condition that an MRI doesn't show. "Bill had issues with his back that he didn't even know about," says MCMC PT Srikanth. "This problem was causing therapy to be more challenging than usual," he said. In addition to a bulged disc found by an MRI test and the tight muscle pressing on a nerve, he also had possible scarring around the nerves in the lower back from and old injury or from is bulged disc.
"These multiple concerns complicated the evaluation, re-evaluation, and treatment of a patient," Srikanth said. "But the McKenzie Method allows a more organized-structured approach and treatment. It helps to treat specific problems through special exams that show symptom behaviors in response to repeated movements and sustained posture. Once the cause of the problem is identified (the more important part of the McKenzie Method), then strength and flexibility exercises are added, for full-treatment. This approach is different than jumping into a regular- generalized physical therapy program in that it is "problem-specific focused".
Bill went to Srikanth twice a week, for up to an hour each time. Within three weeks the pain moved out of his foot and leg, and after six weeks the pain left hip area and back.
He is now 90% pain free and enjoying his daily activities. Bill said "I was given exercises and stretches to continue doing at home. I will continue doing whatever Srikanth says because it has definitely worked for me!" If you have any questions about the MCMC Out-Patient Rehab Center, please call (231) 592-4234.
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