One Degree Better
- Jodi Brunner
- Jul 6
- 4 min read
Updated: 12 hours ago
By Tammy Villanueva • Photos by Jessica McCafferty
Elizabeth Pearl, owner of Pearl Physical Therapy in Plattsburgh, had been working in rehabilitative health care for more than 25 years when she decided it was time for a change. “I felt there was something missing in the way we delivered care,” she explained. “Many of the clients I was seeing had challenges with shoulder, low back or hip pain which are often symptoms of poor lifestyle habits. I believed those problems could best be addressed with a whole-body exercise program developed through collaboration between physical therapist and an exercise physiologist. With attention to appropriate strength and aerobic training, while monitoring heart rate, people could start to feel stronger and more confident in their bodies. Aches and pains would decrease as they built better muscular strength to support aging joints.” But how to get started?
After thorough research, Pearl and Dr. Justin Charland, Clinical Director of Pearl PT, traveled to Washington State to visit a company that was successfully integrating Physical Therapy and Lifestyle Medicine on the West Coast. They were impressed with what they found and, with guidance from the Seattle-based company, construction on a state-of-the-art medical fitness facility was soon underway.
As the 3,300 square foot addition was coming together, a company group came to Plattsburgh to train the Pearl team on how to integrate lifestyle medicine into its clinical practice. Construction progress was impressive and the Pearl Physical Therapy and Lifestyle Medicine practice was ready to welcome clients in late 2023.
In order to learn more about the new venture, I met recently with Dr. Charland and Kym Dixon, Director of Medical Exercise Services. “Our goal is to teach and practice the principles of behavior and lifestyle modification based on healthy habits that will help people take control of their own health and wellness,” Charland observed. “The pillars of this approach are evidence-based interventions that can help improve overall health and well-being, reduce the risk of chronic diseases and promote mental and emotional well-being. Our facility houses cutting edge equipment in an open concept area for clear visualization of everyone by staff. “
As each new member joins the Pearl center, a health risk and body composition assessment are performed that look at cardiovascular factors, physical activity, sleep habits, quality of sleep, stress management, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Clients are introduced to the concept of Lifestyle Medicine and to the Team-based approach to their care.
The Lifestyle Medicine program includes use of the state-of-the-art facility outfitted with TechnoGym equipment. The core of the program is the BioStrength Circuit, which has seven stations. Each member is set up on the circuit by a staff member and strength testing is done to best estimate the appropriate workload. The machines “remember” everything, allowing the member to focus on performing each exercise safely and appropriately. A screen provides guidance and feedback — just like having an exercise physiologist right next to you, guiding you through each rep. Charland offered, “Our facility is not an ordinary gym. It is a Medical Fitness Facility, one of only 15 with the BioStrength Circuit from TechnoGym in the country and the only one in New York State.”
A body composition, done as part of the Health Risk Assessment, breaks the data down by segments, allowing the team to look at each limb individually. This objective data helps clients see the relationship between their muscle mass and what is bothering them. Charland emphasized, “Physical therapy and exercise physiology services work seamlessly together maximizing outcomes and enhancing each client’s plan of care.”
Dixon explained that medically trained exercise professionals are allies of medical providers. “Our goal is to help clients invest in their best health to improve their quality of life and overall health and prevent the decline in health during the aging process. The body continues to invest in what it uses. When challenged appropriately, the body will increase muscle mass at any age.”
Education is a primary component of a Lifestyle Medicine program. Helping clients understand the difference between various forms of pain is important. The facility feeds off the energy of the staff and each client, which contributes to the community vibe. “People naturally support each other and work together no matter what brought them in,” Dixon stated. “The age of our clients averages 65. Technology isn’t what they grew up with, but seeing members come together and help each other — that’s really cool.”
After two years of integrating a Lifestyle Medicine approach into their care model, Pearl noted they have learned a great deal about how to help clients live a more engaged life with fewer aches and pain. “When there is an appropriate plan to implement lifestyle changes and consistent engagement in the plan with support from medical providers, a client’s health trajectory can improve helping them become one degree better than they were yesterday,” she observed.
Moving forward, Pearl Physical Therapy and Lifestyle Medicine will continue to learn and expand its programming to meet the needs of our community members, a mission that drives its committed team.
Pearl Physical Therapy and
Lifestyle Medicine
135 South Peru Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
518 563-7777
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