Business: StretchClub
Address: 47 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville
Phone/Website: 312-763-6542, www.stretchclub.com
Clinical director/chiropractic physician: Dr. Jeries Jreisat, 35, of Lemont
Years in business: Two
What do you do? “We are a clinic where we treat patients for any muscular skeletal issues. I see a lot of athletes. We combine chiropractic care, PNF stretch and an element of physical therapy as well. All three under one umbrella to give patients the best results,” Jreisat said.
How does chiropractic care work? “The way I approach the chiropractic field is I take care of any muscular skeletal issues. I treat the spine the way a dentist will treat teeth. Make sure to fix any issues. Mostly pain is when people come in for treatment to the spine. … There’s a correction phase, chiropractic, a wellness phase and a therapeutic phase.”
What is the wellness phase? “To maintain what we work on. In the wellness phase, we see the patient once a week or every two weeks.”
And the therapeutic phase? “I want to see the patient a minimum of two times a week just to get them out of pain, out of symptoms, work toward mobility, functionality.”
What is PNF stretch? “Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. With PNF stretch, we take in the range of motion. We have the muscles fired, hold it there a few seconds, then we take it a little bit further so elongate the muscle or have it contract. We hold it. Then we let go. … You feel the difference. … Feel the burn. There are a lot of significant studies that show how important PNF stretch is for muscle recovery for athletes. We see a lot of athletes here from North Central College. Track team. Soccer team.”
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Is that why Carlton Fisk, who stretched after every White Sox game, played to age 45? “Sure. 100%. The best stretch can be after a workout, not before. … It’s easier to stretch when you’re warmed up.”
How long have you been with this company? “Two years. I started this clinic. I used to practice at a different location.”
Is StretchClub a chain? “Yes, there are multiple locations. One in Oswego, Yorkville, another one in Naperville.”
Why did you join this company? “A combination of the chiropractic work, physical therapy and stretching.”
Why are you in this field? “I was a patient before. I had severe lower back pain when I was in college. I’m a soccer freak, played soccer a lot. Had super tight hip flexors. Injury in my back. They wanted to do surgery on me. I decided to not go through that route in my 20s. I found out about chiropractic in general and it helped me. Look at me today. I’m doing the same thing for people who need it.”
What’s your business philosophy? “I’m not against surgeries or medications. There’s always room for that. There are things out of my scope. But I would suggest to anybody to try different things before going under the knife. The reason I’m saying this is people find this as a last resource. … So, before you go through injections, medication, surgery, come see us. If this is beyond my scope, I’ll guide you on the right path.”
Who are your patients? “I’d say 40% are older. We see a lot of pregnant women carrying extra weight. I see many athletes. I love working with athletes. The fact that I was an athlete before. I don’t see kids.”
Should we stretch before gardening or mowing the lawn? “100% (yes). You need to warm up the muscles before you hit it quick. You might get a spasm (if you don’t stretch before).”
What do you like about this business? “The best thing we like here is comparing when a patient comes here to when they leave. That smile. … I enjoy helping people or helping them avoid going under the knife. When an athlete comes in with a trophy and thanks me for being part of that, that means a lot to me.”
Any negatives? “It’s a lot on my body, I’ll tell you that. Seeing 20, 40 patients a day requires a lot on my end. But I don’t think it’s a negative. I get a stretch and that helps as well.”
Is there competition? “Yes. There are a lot of chiropractors in the area. But that fact that we offer all three things sets us apart. … We accept almost every PPO insurance.”
What’s your advice for someone starting a business? “The key is to be patient. Expect the worst before the good. Keep in mind the first year to 18 months you probably won’t be where you want to be. Have a plan. Opening up a business is like getting married. It’s a commitment.”
Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun. If you know of a business you’d like to see profiled in Down to Business, contact Steve Metsch at [email protected].