Episode 56 – Yoav Suprun, Part 1: MDT; Fit for Concierge, Cash-Based and Videoconference Practice

Yoav Suprun, DPT, Dip. MDT, CSCS

Dr. Yoav earned his clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy from New York University (NYU) in 2003. He continued his post graduate education and received his Diploma in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) in 2007. In addition, he is a strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS), and an adjunct faculty at the Department of Physical Therapy at Florida International University (FIU). Dr. Yoav is the Founder and CEO of “SoBe Spine”, (www.sobespine.com), a concierge physical therapy clinic in Miami Beach, Florida and has a part-time practice at a resort hotel.

He has been featured in multiple media outlets discussing the McKenzie method including CBS, NBC, Huffington Post, Dr. OZ, Shape magazine to name a few.. You can follow Dr. Yoav posts regarding MDT on Twitter @AskDrYoav

Show Notes

Personal Background

Orginally from Israel and came to the United States in 1995 after serving in the Israel AirForce.  He debated on going into physical therapy or personal training and decided to begin in personal training after reading a book and taking a test over a period of about 2 months.  He acknowledges that he was limited in his knowledge. After injuring a couple of clients he decided he should pursue PT.

Professional Background

From personal training Yoav made his way to New York University in the physical therapy program. NYU was the first program on the east coast to have a DPT program.  He  took the opinion in PT school that there were things he was missing prior as a trainer to help clients and offers strengthening the core for those with back pain. Although once applying those philosophies he still saw those efforts worsen some people’s back pain.  His first employer was a prior professor of his and he was frustrated by his lack of effectiveness. 

When Things Began to Make Sense

His training with Dana Greene and the quick response of the patients and especially his own neck pain he’d had for over 8 months which was 95% better in three days.  Yoav remembers that he could not believe the rapid improvement! 

Quote

“Learn to adjust yourself.”

Yoav offers, that just as you don’t have someone else to brush your teeth, one should be able to do for themselves rather than have to rely on someone else.

Thoughts about Cash-based, Concierge Practice and Telehealth

His unique practice began after doing some free presentations on back pain at a natural food store and he noticed many were wanting the things that a mechanical therapist delivers.  Concierge practice for Yoav includes longer evaluations and follow-up visits, greater interaction between he and his patients outside of the clinic including texts, and phone calls and videoconference calls and a lot of educational resources. 

Times When Struggling in Practice

He felt that he was seeing too many patients prior and not spending enough time with each patient. He felt that he didn’t love the profession and didn’t enjoy it.  With the concierge business he changed the time for the eval and he made it a priority to give the patient what they need and how they needed it.

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