Advance Physical Therapy May 2018

Advance Physical Therapy May 2018

THE MONTHLY ADVANCE

9362 W. Overland Rd., Boise, Idaho 83709 May 2018

In an instant, he was surrounded by a flock of moms. Scotty was okay physically but definitely shaken up — and so was I. It took him a while to regain his senses, but once he settled down, I asked him if he wanted to hit. “No, I want to go home,” he stated emphatically. It seemed like that one fly ball would be Scotty’s whole baseball career.

“But hitting is a lot of fun!” one of the moms chimed in.

“Yeah, remember how much fun we’ve had swinging the bat at home?” I added.

Scotty, much to my amazement, took his turn at the plate, and even got a few good cuts in. After the tryout, he was picked up by a minor league team. The coach that year was incredible, keeping an eye on Scotty and making him feel good about himself at every turn. It was amazing to see him giving it his all and having a lot of fun as a result. As the first poem above states, “What counts is trying,” and that’s exactly what Scotty did. I can still recall the pride I felt over the course of that season. Sports teach you that the world doesn’t revolve around your wants or needs. That’s as true for the parents in the stands as it is for the kids on the field. Sports teach teamwork, dedication, and responsibility if you approach them with the right mindset. Here’s where the Kipling poem comes in. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen parents lose their heads in the stands of Little League games, yelling at the umpire and bad-mouthing coaches. I get that, in the heat of the moment, you can get caught up, but I truly can’t believe some of the stuff I see. I wish all parents could read Kipling’s “If” and remember that the lessons you take from sports matter a lot more than what’s on the scoreboard.

BASEBALL AND FATHERHOOD WHAT I LEARNED FROM LITTLE LEAGUE

“Play to win. Sure. But lose like a champion. Because it’s not winning that counts. What counts is trying.” –Author Unknown

Book” author, Rudyard Kipling — but the messages they express are harmonious. I also think they are very relevant to young athletes and their parents. Little League season is in full effect, which reminds me of what it was like to see my son, Scotty, play sports when he was a kid. As I’ve mentioned before, Scotty has Tourette’s syndrome, so the odds were stacked against him to play Little League. From an early age, we encouraged Scott to channel his abundant energy into sports. He’d play golf, basketball, and catch, but never in an organized setting. It wasn’t until he was 11 that we felt confident enough to let him try out for a baseball team. On the day of his tryout, I was in the stands with a video camera in my hands. The first part of the tryout was fly ball practice. “Oh,” I said to the woman sitting next to me, “this is going to be interesting.” Scotty’s turn came, a coach took a swing, and the ball went soaring into the air. It felt like time slowed down as I watched Scotty track the ball. He got under it, held up his glove and … SMACK. The ball hit Scotty square in the head.

“If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you … Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it.”

–Rudyard Kipling, “If ”

I wanted to include excerpts from these two great poems because they bring thoughts of baseball flooding to my mind. That may seem like a strange connection, but bear with me, and I think it will make sense by the end of this article. They come from very different sources — I found the first in legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden’s book “Wooden,” and the second is a classic from “Jungle

Al Jones , PT, OCS, Cert. MDT

Advance: To move forward; to make progress; to move ahead.

www.aptorthosports.com • 1

Food Subscription Boxes

TRYING NEW CUISINE HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER

subscription services don’t offer! Once you set your preferences, Graze handpicks eight snacks for your box. After you’ve tried your snacks, you can tell Graze how well they know your taste buds. Unfortunately, Graze is not suitable for people with allergies. Their snacks are packed in a facility that also processes nuts, wheat, milk, soy, and egg, and cross-contamination is a strong possibility. Graze prices depend on the services and products you select, but a standard subscription starts at $13.99 per box. Like Try the World, you can purchase snacks separately from their online shop. Customers can pause their subscription for up to 12 weeks or cancel their deliveries at any time. Trying new food should be a fun, stress-free experience. Food subscription boxes allow you to sample new snacks and create foreign meals cheaply and from the comfort of your own home. Try a box the next time you’re feeling adventurous in the kitchen.

Like most subscription boxes, you can’t choose which country’s foods you’ll sample. However, you can purchase individual items at Try the World’s online shop. Customers can pause or cancel their subscription any time, and pricing depends on the length of your subscription. GRAZE If you like variety, exciting flavor combinations, and wholesome snacks approved by a nutritionist, you’ll love Graze. With this food box subscription, customers create a personalized snacking experience, something that many food

Eating the same foods over and over gets old, but it’s often hard to be adventurous when you don’t want to waste money on unappetizing food. Enter the food subscription box. When you sign up for a food subscription box, you’ll have the opportunity to sample new foods without committing much money — or time at the grocery store — to the cause. Here are two tasty food subscription boxes that’ll make your mouth water. TRY THE WORLD Try the World believes that the most authentic way to discover a new culture from the comfort of your own home is through food. With two price points to choose from, Try the World

sends you artisanal and gourmet foods from different cultures each month. Each box comes with a “culture guide” that includes the story behind each food, recipes that incorporate the products, and tips to enhance your food- tasting experience.

SERVICE HIGHLIGHT IT MIGHT JUST BE A SPRAIN But It Still Needs Attention

sufficient rehab on its own.As soon as swelling subsides, you should test how much weight you can put on the injured ankle. In the first 72 hours after a sprain, you should begin to do simple range-of-motion exercises to restrengthen your tendons and ligaments.A great first exercise is to attempt to trace the alphabet with your big toe.This activity will get your ankle moving in all directions. As you start to feel better, you should add stretching and strengthening exercises to your rehab routine. Stretching your Achilles tendon is crucial during the rehab of an ankle sprain. Once you can stand comfortably, it’s time to add balance and control exercises to ensure your ankle fully recovers. With the right program and proper supervision, your ankle could be stronger and more flexible than it was before an injury. The team at Advance Physical Therapy has experience treating ankle sprains in athletes and non-athletes of all ages. A sprain may not be the most catastrophic diagnosis, but you should still take it seriously. Let us help you get back to your best.

“It’s just a sprain.” You’ve probably heard that phrase before, maybe from an athletic trainer treating one of your children. While that’s good news to hear when you’ve just watched your child limp off a baseball field after sliding into second, sprains should not be shrugged off. Sprains that are not properly rehabbed can lead to long-term joint pain and weakness. According toWebMD, ankle sprains are the most common sports injury.You may have heard of a sprain referred to as a pulled muscle, and with good reason. Sprains occur when a joint bends far beyond its normal capacity. “Think of ligaments and muscle-tendon units like springs,” says Dr.William Roberts of the University of Minnesota. “The tissue lengthens with stress and returns to its normal length — unless it is pulled too far out of its normal range.”The severity of a sprain is determined by the amount of damage to the ligaments. While good old-fashioned RICE — rest, ice, compression, and elevation — is a great tactic for reducing swelling and pain in the immediate aftermath of a sprain, it is not

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HOW TO BE A GOOD SPORTS PARENT

Avoid Sideline Dust-Ups and Familial Resentment

Some kids are 100 percent committed to devoting their time and energy in pursuit of athletic excellence, but the vast majority are playing to exercise, have fun, and develop life skills.When you force your child to analyze every mistake they’ve made after a loss, sports stop being fun really fast. DON’T DWELL ON THE SCOREBOARD Sports are competitive, but your child’s value is not measured in wins and losses. If you can be process-focused, your child will learn that doing their best is more important than the result.That’s a lesson that resonates far beyond the field.

spectator. It’s okay to be enthusiastic and cheer on the squad, but don’t let your enthusiasm turn toxic.Yelling at the refs and bemoaning poor tactical decisions may be fine when it comes to the pros — they’re being paid, after all. However, there’s no place for this behavior in youth sports. The vast majority of coaches and referees are volunteering their time to keep leagues running. Don’t make it a nightmare for them. UNDERSTAND YOUR CHILD’S LEVEL OF COMMITMENT If you’re the type of parent who spends the entire car ride home discussing your child’s performance, you’re probably pushing them a little too hard.

We’ve all heard stories and seen videos of parents acting out at their children’s sporting events. Moms and dads have broken hockey glass in a fury, gotten into fights with referees, and even attempted to poison their kids’ teammates. These examples are obviously extreme, but you’ve probably seen parents acting out.The line between passionate and oppressive can be fine, but if you follow these tips, you won’t ever have to worry about being that parent. REMEMBER WHO’S PLAYING Many overzealous parents suffer from vicarious thinking when it comes to youth sports.They see their children as extensions of themselves and project their desires and competitiveness onto young athletes.Take a step back and remember that it’s not you out there on the field. LET THE COACH AND REFEREE DO THEIR JOBS Unless you’re the coach of a child’s team, your role should be that of the encouraging

Wisdom FROM HARRY

SAUTÉED ZUCCHINI AND SQUASH WITH FETA

trail, and guess who we met.Those same people and their dogs were exiting the trail at the same place we were headed. Of course, when I see dogs, I want to meet and play with them.Well, the same dog that chased me on the other end gave chase again, and it caught me by surprise. He bit a gash in my front quarter.The wound was bad enough that it needed to be treated by a vet. Three weeks and $800 later, I’m doing fine now. Here’s my message to owners who have aggressive animals: Please take care of them by having them trained properly, or at least keep them on a leash when around other dogs. Don’t let your doggies grow up to be thugs. Harry

Well, this isn’t the happiest story to tell, but as an active and enthusiastic supporter of dog parks, I, as a dog, must vent my feelings about the past few weeks. My owner, Al, takes me to a place near our home that has a trail where people and dogs can walk together, enjoying nature in their customary ways. People get exercise and feel the satisfaction of treating their dogs well. Dogs get exercise and get to sniff all nature has to offer. It’s fun, healthy, and social for man and animal. That being said, while Al was walking and keeping his eyes on me, and I was sniffing everything I could, we approached a group of people and their dogs. Suddenly, one of their dogs started running and growling at me. He didn’t catch me, and his owners called him back. Well, it wasn’t over.Those people and their dogs proceeded away from us in the opposite direction.We continued on the

Zucchini and summer squash are arriving on grocery store shelves. Here is a great way to take these humble, delicious vegetables to the next level. This easy dish is perfect for early summer.

Ingredients

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1 zucchini

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2 teaspoons fresh thyme

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1 summer squash

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1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

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1/2 medium red onion

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Salt and pepper to taste

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2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

pepper; cook 4–5 minutes until squash barely begins to caramelize.

1. Cut zucchini into 1/4-inch-thick semicircles. Dice onion. 2. Heat a large skillet to medium high. Add olive oil, onion, and thyme. 3. Once onion is soft (about 2

4. Place in serving bowl and top with feta.

minutes), add zucchini and squash. Season with salt and

Inspired by thekitchn.com

www.aptorthosports.com • 3

Advance: To move forward; to make progress; to move ahead.

9362 W. Overland Rd. Boise, ID 83709 www.aptorthosports.com (208) 672-8144

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

INSIDE This Issue

Trying Is What Counts Page 1

Road Trips Don’t Have to Be Painful Explore New Cuisine With Food Subscription Boxes Why Ankle Sprains Require Rehab Page 2 Don’t Be a Toxic Sports Parent Sautéed Zucchini and Squash With Feta Page 3 How to Make Your Road Trip a Breeze Page 4

Try Games, Audiobooks, and Podcasts to Pass the Time

PLAY AN AUDIOBOOK OR PODCAST We get it. Sometimes passengers don’t want to play games. Occasionally, they’d rather relax or take a nap. However, your listening material doesn’t have to be limited to Dad’s favorite music. Instead, consider listening to a family- friendly audiobook or podcast, which can make the longest and most boring parts of your trip an entertaining or educational experience. Almost any popular book is available in audio form, but it can be hard to find an enjoyable podcast. “Transistor” is a science-focused podcast that explores subjects kids and adults will find fascinating. Or if you’re looking for something fictional, try “Storynory,” in which the narrator tells fairy tales and legends from all over the globe.

games cost around $10 and can provide hours of entertainment.

Summer is right around the corner, which means you’ll soon pile the whole family into the car, ready to brave the road for a vacation. Everyone knows that riding in the car for hours can be torture. But with a little creativity, you can turn the worst part of a long trip into a fun event. PACK A TRAVEL GAME When the excitement of the family vacation starts to wear off, keep the peace and entertain your kids with a travel game. Many board game manufacturers offer travel-sized versions that are easy to pack and play in the car. Before your next road trip, consider purchasing digital Yahtzee, which packs all the fun of the classic game without the dice, or IQ Fit, a logic game with over 100 challenges. Both

INCLUDE THE WHOLE FAMILY Once the travel games no longer pique anyone’s interest, try an activity that can be fun for the whole family: a traditional road trip game. If you have a car full of storytellers, try “Fortunately, Unfortunately.” The rules are simple. The first person starts by saying, “fortunately,” and mentioning something good about the road trip or the destination. The next person (moving clockwise) then follows by saying something “unfortunate” about the previous person’s statement. Take turns with every passenger in the car. If someone stumbles, they get a strike; three strikes and you’re out. The last passenger standing wins.

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ATTENTION BACK PAIN & SCIATICA SUFFERERS!

Have you experienced back pain in the last 30 days? Are you dealing with sciatica?

Do you think there’s nothing you can do to alleviate your back pain? Have you tried medications, injections, or surgery and still found no relief? Do you skip family activities because you’re worried about pain?

If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, then you need to know about the upcoming FREE Back Pain & Sciatica Workshop at Advance Physical Therapy.

At this event, you will learn:

• The biggest mistake made by those suffering from back pain and sciatica

• The three most common causes of lower back pain, including the sneaky cause that doesn’t usually show up on MRIs

• The top three strategies for

eliminating back pain for good

For details about the event and information on how to register, please see other side.

ADVANCE PHYSICAL THERAPY’S FREE BACK PAIN & SCIATICA WORKSHOP

WHEN Saturday, May 12th, at 10am WHERE Advance Physical Therapy 9362 W. Overland Rd. Boise, Idaho 83709

Space is limited and spots will go fast. If you’d like to register:

Go to advpt.ptworkshops.com OR call 208.672.8144

Back pain and sciatica can be debilitating, but there’s always a way forward. You deserve to live pain-free. Sign up for the FREE workshop to learn how.