When many of us think of chiropractic care, a common misconception is that chiropractors only treat back pain. But did you know that although chiropractors are spine specialists, they can also treat injuries like headaches, shoulder injuries, ankle sprains and even carpal tunnel syndrome? We checked in with our resident Expert, Dr. Marc Belitsky, to learn about his practice and how chiropractic care can help patients treat a number of ailments and improve their quality of life. Dr. Belitsky is a Board-certified Chiropractic Rehabilitation doctor and has been the Clinical Director of Broomall Total Health Center (BTHC; www.SpineDr.org) for 35 years. (Located directly across from the Broomall Post Office.)
How did you choose a career in chiropractic care? I was always interested in pursuing a career in healthcare and back when I was a pre-med student, my intent was to work in a trauma or emergency room setting. I realized quickly that some of the doctors I encountered were not as fulfilled as I would have expected. I wanted a career that was more holistic and function oriented. I like to get to the cause of the problem. It was also important to me that I could build trusting, long-term relationships with patients, which led me to pursue a degree in chiropractic. After graduating in 1988 from the Pennsylvania College of Chiropractic, I opened my own practice right here in Broomall. For the past 35 years, I’ve been able to treat individuals from children to older adults to professional and amateur athletes. For me, it’s not just about pain management, it’s about enhancing a person’s function, performance and quality of life.
I am also board-certified in Chiropractic Rehabilitation and board-certified in the diagnosis and treatment of scoliosis. I’ve completed advanced studies with a Master’s certification in the diagnosis and treatment of cervical injuries (whiplash) and associated Temporomandibular disorder (TMD, more commonly known as TMJ) dysfunction.
How would you describe your practice today? At BTHC, my team and I help patients through a holistic approach. In addition to chiropractic care,we offer physical therapy, rehabilitation, massage, decompression therapy as well as nutrition and weight loss support. Our team includes physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, a physiologist and massage therapists. Pam Schick, DAPT, our head physical therapist, has 35 years of experience specializing in outpatient Orthopedic Physical Therapy.
My staff are compassionate, honest people who truly care about each patient. When a new patient comes into the practice, our team always evaluates them to ensure issues are accurately and fully identified. We evaluate each area of a patient’s stress: chemical, physical and emotional. It’s important that we get to the root cause of the problem, and not just look at the symptoms. After a detailed physical exam, we recommend a plan that is specific to that patient and will help alleviate their aches and pains and restore their health.
Are there ailments you treat in your practice that may surprise readers? The main focus of chiropractic treatment is the relationship between the spine and the nervous system. With chiropractic treatments, pressure on the nerves of the spine is relieved, and patients often notice relief almost instantly. Now more than ever, with modern-day stresses and injuries due to our technological advances and working from home, we are seeing an increase in upper back and neck tension and tightness, as well as headaches, which are often caused by sitting at a computer or doing a lot of work while seated. Our office also treats patients for a variety of problems including herniated discs, carpal tunnel, rotator cuff injuries, knee bursitis, plantar fasciitis and whiplash. For patients suffering with TMD, we can help ease the pain and demonstrate exercises patients can do at home to help loosen up jaw muscles and reduce pain.
What do you think sets you apart from other chiropractors in our area? Overall, what sets us apart is our total commitment to a patient’s health. We don’t just treat the symptoms but we diagnose the underlying cause, which leads to better results. During my 35+ years as a chiropractor,
I’ve also treated all types of professional and amateur athletes including golfers, runners, football, baseball and tennis players and local high school athletes, for various sports-related injuries. For the past decade, I have been part of the team that treats the U.S. Open golfers and caddies. Golfers often suffer from neck and shoulder injuries and caddies are prone to neck and lower-back injuries from carrying heavy golf bags. I have also been involved with professional tennis. Tennis players often need preventative treatment or treatment for a chronic injury.
What has been some of your most rewarding work? It is gratifying to see people of all ages seeking chiropractic as an alternative to medication and surgery for a variety of health issues. I get to know my patients really well, learning about their families and jobs. It’s fulfilling to be able to change their lives.
While working at the 2022 US Senior Open at Saucon Valley Country Club, I had the opportunity to treat a well known world class golfer. I received an emergency call that he was suf- fering severe lower back pain and couldn’t finish his round. After treating him, he returned to playing in the Open. He was so excited about finding pain relief that improved his performance, he even sent his wife to me for treatment.
Recently I treated a female patient with multiple disc herniation, whose previous surgeries and medications gave her no relief. Not only was she in a significant amount of pain, she could not lift her arm or work and had trouble sleeping. After only four weeks in our care at BTHC, she is now 75 percent pain free and very happy.
Last month I had the opportunity to evaluate Sophie Reilly, ranked third in the world for Irish Dance and flown in from Ireland for treatment and coaching. She wanted help preparing for the World Irish Dancing Championships, taking place in Scotland in late March.
What do you enjoy about being a part of the community? My wife Janet and I lived in Broomall for 16 years and we now live just down the road in Radnor Township. We raised our two children here and I spent many years coaching them in travel soccer and baseball. I like giving back to the community through charity work like donating to local food banks, and I have served on the Board of Congregation Beth El – Ner Tamid in Broomall. I am also active on the board of Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association, advocating with state legislators in the commonwealth to improve access and quality of healthcare for patients.
I offer lectures on a variety of topics at workshops and for local organizations and serve as a guest lecturer at Cabrini University as well as a mentor for their public health and health sciences department. I’m an active member of the American Chiropractic Association, the American Chiropractic
Rehabilitation Board, the American Chiropractic Association Rehab Council, the Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association, the American Chiropractic Association Sports Council and other professional and community organizations.
Conveniently located on West Chester Pike in Broomall, Broomall Total Health Center provides whole family healthcare from infancy to seniors and every stage in between. After more than three decades of treating patients holistically and comprehensively, Dr. Belitsky remains passionate about his work as a chiropractor. To book a consultation or for more information about BTHC, visit SpineDr.org or call 610-353-2220.