My path to becoming a musculoskeletal specialist started when I was a young runner. I developed a 33-degree curvature of the spine/scoliosis, which produced constant pain. Through the work I now do, I was able to end the pain, correct the problem, and continue my running career, later going on to run a 2:23 marathon.
The objective of the Wharton work is to take the mystery and confusion out of attaining optimum health, and provide simple solutions to complicated problems. A key component of our process is education – providing people with the tools necessary to harness and achieve optimum health. Health, fitness, and athletics are a metaphor for the human spirit, a spirit that is indomitable and expansive.
My father – Jim Wharton – and I created Wharton Performance in 1989. For years we have been considered the “gold standard” in the field of musculoskeletal health and fitness. We authored The Wharton Health Series – which includes The Wharton Stretch Book, The Wharton Strength Book, The Wharton Cardio-Fitness Book, and The Wharton Back Book and worked with hundreds of Olympic athletes in a variety of disciplines. We were featured on Dateline NBC, The Discovery Channel, and appeared in many publications including Runner’s World, Shape, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal, as well as the online editions of The New York Times and National Public Radio. Our column, “The Body Shop”, appeared in Runner’s World for four years.
Some of our latest successes include being named to the “Dr. Oz 100”; this is a group of top doctors and other health specialists from around the world that Dr. Oz considers experts in their field. Dr. Mehmet Oz, a heart surgeon and regular guest on the Oprah Show, has launched his own show this fall, for which we have provided content. Another exciting success is the victory of U.S. Olympian Meb Keflezighi in this year’s New York City Marathon; the Wharton Team helped Meb overcome several years of injuries and setbacks, paving the way for him to become the fist American to win the New York City Marathon since 1982.
