August is known for the dog days of summer. Long lazy BBQs, dips in the nearest big lake that has finally warmed up, and - this is groan-worthy for parents of children as well as for anyone who ever was a child, which is everyone - get ready for back to school.
Tops on that list is an annual physical, a requirement for participation in sports, and also an opportunity to obtain a snapshot of your child’s development. While this information is vital, even lifesaving, an annual sports physical is also a teaching moment.
“Our goal for annual physicals and sports physicals is to build on your child’s health success. It is about living long and healthy and well,” says Manish N. Kesliker, M.D., co-founder of Emcura Immediate Care on Mack Avenue in Grosse Pointe Woods. Emcura uses an integrative approach to wellness where every patient, at every stage of life, is an active participant.
“It’s never too early to start having that conversation,” says Dr. Kesliker, who is dad to three sons who play varsity sports. He and co-founder Supak Sookkasikon, M.D., (who happens to be his wife) are both board-certified in their respective fields (Dr. Kesliker in Internal Medicine and Dr. Sookkasikon in both Family Medicine and Integrative Medicine).
They make an effort to engage with their patients of every age about the importance of eating right and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. They reinforce that message, especially with their young patients, using handouts and referrals to their blog. Emcura’s blog is updated regularly with information on the latest trends in mind-body wellness.
“Kids need to prioritize their mental and physical health. It needs to become a normal part of their experience,” Dr. Kesliker points out. “The conversation can take place at any age. We want our young patients to know that their health and wellness matters to us and to them.”
That concept is the driving force behind Emcura Immediate Care, which provides primary and urgent care for all ages, occupational and integrative medicine, IV therapy, same-day PCR testing (for COVID-19), weight loss management, and telemedicine services.
“If we can share information with your kids about the basics of self-care and well-being, then we are helping them onto the path to wellness for a lifetime,” Dr. Kesliker says. “We talk about nutrition with every child. If our kids can commit to a lifestyle of healthy eating, it will pay off for them in the long-term. Cooking healthy meals together as a family is a great way to start.”
Dr. Kesliker advises students should start preparing for August team practices well ahead, ramping up their activity level in the days and weeks before training begins. “A lot of kids don’t keep up with their sport activities at the beginning of summer. We want them to get ready well ahead. You are not doing yourself any favors by waiting,” he says.
That includes avoiding junk foods and stressful activities to help them get into the proper mindset for success and be ready to hit the ground running, he points out. Developing healthy habits, such as staying hydrated and stretching properly, can help student-athletes avoid injuries such as shin splints if they participate in cross-country track, for example.
The focus on mind-body wellness combined with an integrative, holistic approach has made Emcura a go-to choice for healthcare in the communities of Bloomfield Hills and Birmingham. They established their first Emcura clinic there more than 12 years ago, and today, it is the busiest and most successful clinic in that region. They used that model when expanding into Grosse Pointe Woods three years ago.
“We are family-owned, which allows us to offer a different level of engagement,” Dr. Kesliker explains. “I think our patients feel the difference.“
The concept behind Emcura Medicine was developed by Dr. Sookkasikon while studying undergrad at the University of California at Berkeley, and further honed while the couple lived and served the community in Seattle, Washington. A new approach to Western medicine was evolving, and it shaped their vision of a center that would offer a comprehensive, family-oriented approach to healthcare.
“It is truly a different way of thinking about medicine,” Dr. Kesliker says. “We became committed to bringing that experience with us when we moved to southeastern Michigan. We are proud to be able to offer our model of patient care to the Grosse Pointe community. Our goal is to keep people out of hospitals, avoid unnecessary expenses and unnecessary referrals. “That philosophy is what drives the DNA of our business,” Dr. Kesliker explains.
He earned his BS and MS in Biology from Wayne State University and attended medical school (with his wife) at Kigezi School of Medicine in Cambridge, England. He did his residency in Internal Medicine at Detroit Medical Center/WSU Sinai Grace Hospital and is certified through the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Emcura Immediate Care is located at 20599 Mack Avenue in Grosse Pointe Woods. Open daily; Urgent Care Walk-Ins and Appointments Available. Call (313) 895-7770.
Sports physicals are an excellent opportunity to speak with young people about the importance of maintaining their well-being. Emcura physicals include basics such as checking vitals and conducting a basic cardiac exam, checking for hip dysplasia and scoliosis and taking a thorough history to evaluate whether followup referral may be indicated.
Dr. Kesliker takes time with each patient for an age-appropriate conversation to review the basics of staying healthy and gearing up for team practice:
* Stay hydrated
* Adequate sleep
* Proper nutrition that includes a good mix of healthy proteins
* Stretching
* Mental health, to make sure the patient is in a good frame of mind, with referrals for further assistance if needed
“Our goal for annual physicals and sports physicals is to build on your child’s health success."
“If we can share information with your kids about the basics of self-care and well-being, then we are helping them onto the path to wellness for a lifetime,”