Mercy Health chiropractor promotes active lifestyle for long-term health

Brought to you by MERCY HEALTH

For those resolving to be more physically active in 2019, that mindset is spot-on, says a Mercy Health-Youngstown clinician who describes his practice as one that “helps people move better.”

Andrew Schmutz, DC, FACO, CCSP, is a certified chiropractic sports physician, and through a recent acquisition is now part of the Mercy Health family.

“Remaining physically active in general is one of the biggest predictors of long-term health,” Dr. Schmutz said. “It’s these efforts we make and good habits we establish in our younger years that will pay off down the road in terms of maintaining a good quality of life.”

Dr. Schmutz says his practice is a little different than most chiropractors, in that he focuses primarily on helping patients optimize functional movement while eliminating pain; all by conservative means, meaning no surgery or drugs.

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“Pain is secondary for most of my patients,” he said. “They come to me for things they can’t do anymore; the loss of basic everyday function. They have trouble putting their child in the car seat; they can’t do their daily run or walk; they can’t get down on the floor to play with the grandkids.”

The loss of function, he says, can be from a mix of traumatic events or gradual breakdown of muscle and tissue.

“Maybe they lifted a box that was too heavy, slipped and fell on some ice or they sit at a desk all day and ache,” Dr. Schmutz said. “These all can lead to a loss of normal function that we can help them get back.”

Dr. Schmutz’s practice sees a broad range of patients, with backgrounds ranging from long-distance runners to the more sedentary office worker.

“The treatment I do is for everyone from grandmas to gold medalists,” he said.

And he’s not kidding. Dr. Schmutz has spent time on the Olympic medical staff for the U.S. national swim team as it prepared for the 2016 games in Rio.

But not everyone needs to be an elite athlete – or even have a back issue – to see a chiropractor.

“One of the misconceptions is that we only treat spine pain or crack backs,” he said. “Some physicians don’t even know what all we do. We treat from head to toe, including muscles, joints, nerves and even concussions.”

Before starting a new exercise program or performing a rigorous winter activity such as shoveling snow, Dr. Schmutz recommends stepping back and making sure everything’s working properly first.

It can include a physical exam, including a heart and lung checkup from one’s primary-care physician, as well as what he calls a functional screen. That’s something his office can provide. It evaluates the patient’s ability to perform basic movements such as squatting, pushing and pulling, and then works with a patient to improve any deficiencies.

“In the winter time it can be tough with the snow and ice to hit the hike and bike trail,” he said. “So to stay active we recommend walking the mall, going to the gym or there’s also several effective bodyweight exercises you can do at home with no equipment, such as squats, pushups and planks.”

Dr. Schmutz sees patients at offices in North Lima and Columbiana, and appointments can be scheduled without a referral by calling 330-482-4015.