Focus PT - June/July 2022

Focus PT - June/July 2022

Focus Physical Therapy Bi-Monthly

JUNE/JULY 2022

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949.709.8770

How PT Helps Patients Spot Cancer My Personal Experience in the Clinic

the last. I ran into similarly confusing results with two other patients who came in

Years and years ago, when I was just starting my career as a physical therapist, a patient came in with a type of shoulder pain that totally confused me. I ran all of my normal tests, looking for positive and negative responses that would help me treat his injury … but the results were all over the place. This man clearly didn’t have a typical musculoskeletal issue, which is what we specialize in as PTs. “I’m not sure what I’m seeing here,” I told him. “You might want to go back to your doctor for more diagnostic testing.” He went in for X-rays, and within weeks he was back in my office. “The doctors said my X-rays looked normal!” he told me. We continued to treat his musculoskeletal issues, but didn’t get the results we expected. “This doesn’t seem right,” I told him. “Why don’t you check back with your doctor one more time, just in case.” He did, and after a full battery of diagnostic tests he called me with the news: He didn’t have a shoulder injury after all. He had cancer.

I hope it’s that you should be proactive about strange aches and pains. Go to the doctor sooner rather than later. Early diagnosis is key. Of course, you don’t need to jump up and run to the PT for every little thing that pops up in your life. But if you’ve noticed a repeated pain in a strange place, get that checked out. If it’s a musculoskeletal issue I can help address it early and you’ll recover much faster, and if it’s not, I’ll refer you to the right person for more tests. Hopefully it won’t be anything as serious as cancer, and you’ll be back in action soon! P.S. – If you or someone you love is already a cancer survivor, PT can still be helpful during the recovery process. Astym (A-stim) therapy, for example, includes an entire treatment approach to help remodel scar tissue, increase mobility, and reduce shoulder pain after a mastectomy. Turn to Pg. 3 to learn more about it, and how the same technology can address injuries like golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow. –Julian Manrique

years later for help with back pain. Both of them eventually found out they had cancer, too, after their bodies didn’t respond the way we expected to treatment and we referred them back to their doctors. Let me be clear: I never want this to happen to a patient I treat! I’d much rather help you work through shoulder impingement syndrome or sciatica than see you fight cancer. But looking back on these cases I can’t help but think, “Wow — I have a lot of responsibility as a PT.” When someone comes into my clinic they’re putting their health in my hands, so it’s up to me to look for signs like unexplained weight loss, irregular pain and tenderness, aches in unusual areas of the body, or insidious pain that comes out of the blue. All of these things are red flags that trigger me to ask more questions. If I do my job right and spot a problem, I can send you to another specialist who will provide the treatment you need. I wanted to share these stories with you because June is Cancer Survivor Month, and they’ve been on my mind for weeks. If you take one thing away from this article,

That was the first time I helped a patient discover they had cancer, but it wasn’t

Focus Physical Therapy • Call 949.709.8770 • 1

WHY IS PERMANENT WEIGHT LOSS SO HARD? Your Body Is Scared of It

So, how do I lose weight — for good? Even after following a new diet and exercise regimen, most people are likely to regain about 30%–35% of the weight they’ve lost after one year. After sacrificing those potato chips for sugar snap peas, this is frustrating! But we promise that some changes do help maintain permanent weight loss, including replacing processed foods in your diet. As just one example, according to the Journal of Clinical Investigation, a diet with added fructose (high-fructose corn syrup) is linked to insulin resistance, increased blood sugar levels, and higher triglyceride and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels — but if you replace fructose with regular sugars and glucose, the risk is noticeably less. That said, fruit with natural fructose does not appear to carry the same risks as added fructose. Our bodies are complex machines. Many factors beyond diet (genetics, medical comorbidities, long-standing diabetes, stress, sleep, etc.) can affect your ability to lose weight. The best path to a healthier weight is to move more and find multiple ways to live a healthier life, one small step at a time.

Losing weight is hard — and not just because creating new diet and exercise habits is difficult. The truth is that you’re working against your body’s natural instincts, which is to preserve weight. In other words, even when weight loss is the healthiest thing you can do for your body, physiologically, your body rarely realizes that. How does weight loss work? Complex interactions between hormones and neurons in your hypothalamus control how much you weigh. Your hypothalamus controls your thirst, hunger, and body temperature. The chemicals that interact with the hypothalamus therefore influence your appetite and how much food you eat. In particular, fat cells in your body produce the hormone leptin, which then tells your body when you’ve stored enough fat, thus decreasing your appetite. A popular, effective way to think of weight loss is “calories in, calories out” (CICN). You want more calories going out than coming in because this helps sustain a caloric deficit which can assist in losing weight. However, not all calories affect your hormones the same way, and being overweight to begin with can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate an appropriate appetite.

SUCCESS STORY

The biggest compliment you can give us is referring friends and family. Thank you for all of your referrals, and keep them coming! We love our clients!

the painful area. The ten cycles of that treatment made a huge difference in my ability to use my left foot without pain. That is my second time at Focus Physical Therapy. I was treated here by Olita 2 years ago and had very good results and decided to come here again. Moreover, I live in Dana Point, and it is a half an hour drive each way for me, but it is entirely worth it. Olita is a very knowledgeable and attentive therapist who cares about patients. The entire team, from the receptionists to therapist assistants, have very high standards in caring for patients. They work effectively and are well-organized. It is a pleasure to be treated at Focus Physical Therapy.” –Marina S.

“I had a wonderful experience at Focus Physical Therapy being treated for my left ankle post-surgery and arthritis issues. The hands-on treatment by Olita eased the pain and stiffness in my ankle. Now I could walk better, go down the stairs, and even sleep better. Olita prescribed me special exercises that strengthen my feet. The therapists who help with exercises are also very caring, patient, and kind. First, Olita would do a deep massage on the ankle and calf area, and it gradually released the muscle tension that was brought on by pain. Next, having the ankle muscle relaxed by the massage, I would do special exercises to increase flexibility and build the strength in the ankle. And the last part was the ice applied during electro stimulation of

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Focus Physical Therapy • Call 949.709.8770

$10

Heal Your Scarring and Mobility Problems

With Help From Astym Therapy

You may have heard that Astym is painful or even experienced pain during the treatment years ago. Fortunately, a lot has changed in the last decade. Astym treatment no longer causes pain and bruising. It’s not invasive, either. The treatment simply involves applying pressure to heal and strengthen your tissue.

Summer is the season for golfer’s and tennis elbow. If you’ve ever experienced them, then you know just how odd it feels to have stiffness in your elbow that won’t go away. It’s painful and confusing — what causes all of that tension? It turns out that when your muscles are in good condition, their fibers look like the noodles in a box of spaghetti. They’re all aligned and running in the same direction. But life isn’t pasta-factory perfect! When you end up with an overuse injury like golfer’s elbow or scarring from a surgery, your body produces fibrotic tissue. That wreaks havoc on your box of spaghetti. Fibrotic tissue is like spaghetti in a pot. It’s all intertwined and mixed up. This makes your muscle feel tight and painful, and limits your range of motion. But there’s good news, too: Astym therapy can break down those fibers and straighten your spaghetti back out. Astym therapy is an extremely underrated tool in the physical therapist’s toolbox. It breaks down scar tissue and stimulates your body’s natural healing response to repair soft tissue damage. Unlike some other methods, Astym isn’t a spot treatment. It works your entire affected arm, leg, or shoulder both front and back to promote overall healing. The results are pretty amazing!

Here are just a few of the conditions our team here at Focus PT has treated with Astym therapy:

•

Rotator cuff impingement Tennis elbow Carpal tunnel Ankle sprains

• • • •

Scarring after surgery

Golfer’s elbow Plantar fasciitis

• • •

Shin splints

Astym can be life changing when you follow it up with the right exercise. If you’re struggling with one of these conditions, call us to make an appointment and see if Astym is right for you. If you’re pain free now, even better — share this newsletter with a friend or family member whose spaghetti needs help.

HAVE A LAUGH

Ingredients

• • • • • • • • •

3 1/2 cups small broccoli florets 1/2 cup red onion, chopped

1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt

3 tbsp mayonnaise

1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 1/2 tbsp honey

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 cup seedless grapes, halved

1/4 cup sliced almonds

Directions

1. In a medium pot, bring water to a boil. Add broccoli and onion, cooking until the broccoli is tender. 2. Once broccoli is cooked, drain water and add the vegetables to a bowl filled with ice water. After 2 minutes, drain water and pat vegetables dry. 3. In a medium bowl, combine yogurt, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. 4. Fold in the broccoli mixture, grapes, and almonds. Serve immediately.

Inspired by EatingWell.com

Focus Physical Therapy • Call 949.709.8770 • 3

30212 Tomas, Ste. 120 Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, USA

949.709.8770

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

Focuspt.net

SPECIALIZING IN: LOWER BACK PAIN • SCIATICA • NECK PAIN AND HEADACHES HIP PROBLEMS • SHOULDER PAIN, BURSITIS, AND TENDINITIS SPORTS PHYSICAL THERAPY • GOLF PERFORMANCE KNEE PAIN • PLANTAR FASCIITIS • DIZZINESS AND VERTIGO AQUATIC PHYSICAL THERAPY • AND OTHER CONDITIONS

PT Can Help Save Lives Permanent Weight Loss Is Too Hard — Or Is It? Success Story PT’s Fix for Golf and Tennis Elbow Broccoli and Grape Salad 3 Dreamy Northeastern Hiking Trails 1 2 2 3 3 4 INSIDE THIS ISSUE

3 Dreamy Trails in the Northeast Get Your Hiking Boots On!

Follow this walk along a picturesque river and you’ll see fabulous slabs, cascades, woods, and much more. Unlike the popular — and often busy — White Mountain trails, this one is relatively quiet with its narrow foot path. It’s also a gentle walk, being mostly flat with some alternating, gentle ups and downs. It’s a great walk for all ages. No. 3: Camel’s Hump Trail, Vermont As the third highest peak in the state, Camel’s Hump Trail offers unbeatable views in nearly every direction. It’s easy to reach the trailhead, as it’s just off Camel’s Hump Road with a small parking area for visitors. It’s very convenient, but make sure to arrive early in warmer months and on weekends — the road is not an option for parking. The trail offers stunning views of Vermont because of the high elevation, but it may be challenging if you’re afraid of heights. The

Want to feel like you’ve stepped into a lush dream? You don’t need to travel too far to experience truly stunning outdoor adventures. The U.S. has plenty within our borders! Here are just a few, located in our Northeastern states. No. 1: White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire If you want to visit an enchanted forest, look no further than White Mountain National Forest! Whether you want to hike its various mountain ranges to spy some gorgeous views, wind through an endless sea of trees, or spot a plethora of unique local fauna and flora, this beautiful national forest has a trail for everyone. You can even hike the Appalachian Trail to walk a mile in our American ancestors’ shoes. No. 2: Stepstone Falls (Ben Utter Trail), Rhode Island If you’re in Rhode Island, especially in spring, you won’t want to miss this perfect trail.

last part of the trail is quite steep, but once you reach the peak, you’ll see an incredible 360-degree view of the surrounding area. On a clear day, you can even see Canada! If you want to live out your outdoor dreams, these are excellent places to start! Give them a try!

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• Focus Physical Therapy •

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Laser therapy is one of the most powerful tools in our pain-relief arsenal! It’s a quick, painless, noninvasive treatment that can ease all kinds of aches and inflammation in minutes, including … This Month Only: 25% Off Pain Relief! When You Choose Deep-Tissue Laser Therapy

• Hand and wrist injuries • Post-surgical pain • Sports injuries • Foot and ankle conditions

• Sprains and strains • Soft tissue injuries

• Tendinitis and tendinosis • Shoulder and knee pain

If you’re struggling with one of these problems or have a friend or family member in pain, you’re in luck! For the entire month of July, Focus Physical Therapy is offering 25% off ALL deep-tissue laser therapy treatments! Our Class IV LightForce™ Therapy Laser will relieve your pain at the cellular level by stimulating your body’s own healing power. If you’re recovering from surgery, it can cut your recovery time in half! • After one session, you’ll experience immediate pain relief that lasts 18–24 hours. • After 3–5 sessions, you’ll see life-changing results that are long term. Don’t wait! Call 949-709-8770 today to book your first session and get 25% OFF! This offer is only valid through the month of July 2022. Claim your appointment now by calling Focus Physical Therapy before it’s too late.