Horizon Physical Therapy - April 2021

physical therapy and rehabilitation

April 2021

3600 Miller Road, Flint, MI 48503 • 810-620-8042 • horizonptflint.com

REFLECTING ON 9 YEARS IN BUSINESS We’re Gonna Be All Right

There are certain times of year or events in our lives that naturally prompt us to take stock. Turning the calendar on a new year, celebrating a big birthday, or starting or ending a job or relationship all come to mind. But then there are those times when you’re just driving to work or cooking dinner and you have an epiphany. You realize that something you’ve been struggling with has started to feel easier lately, or you note that something you were afraid of doing doesn’t feel so scary anymore. I recently had one of those experiences with Horizon PT. This is the ninth year my clinic has been operating, which means it’s also been nine years since I became a business owner and struck out to realize my dream of establishing a successful PT clinic to serve the community of Flint. As with many businesses, getting Horizon PT off the ground was hard. I prepared myself as best I could by taking PT jobs in different settings, including working with a diverse group of patients in a hospital setting as a staff PT and then managing a private outpatient clinic. I learned a lot along the way about physical therapy techniques, how to interact with patients, and how to run the business side of things. Nevertheless, starting my own place from scratch was tough. I had to figure out how to market myself and get clients, and with just one other staff member to start — an office administrator — I was doing everything pretty much myself ! Some things I just wasn’t doing much of, like landscaping outside our building! That might sound trivial, but it gives you an idea of just how much is on my mind as a business owner. I’m making plans for patient recovery and worrying over whether I should get the bushes trimmed or just rip them out. Plus, I’ve realized over the years that running a successful PT business does mean you need to have nice landscaping because that’s the patient’s first impression of the clinic, and it reflects on the work we do here. I’m happy to say that a patient of mine with some landscaping experience actually trimmed the hedges outside and later did some rock work. And that’s really how growth and changes at the clinic have gone: little by little, over time.

Horizon 2021

expand as our clientele has grown, and we’ve added equipment that I’ve noticed is in demand. Everything here is really tailored to the patients I see each day. I want this clinic to play a vital role in the community, and paying attention to and responding to the needs of local patients is how I’ve been able to get to where I want to be. That brings me back to the epiphany, which was maybe more of a slow reveal than a quick aha! But at some point recently, I realized that I’m not worried about whether or not we’re going to survive. I used to worry a lot about whether or not we were going to make it as a business! It feels great to turn that corner in my mind and feel some confidence and stability about our place in the community. Rest assured, that doesn’t mean I’ll be getting complacent any time soon. If you’re a regular reader, you know that I am always trying to learn and grow as a PT, a business owner, and a person. They’re all one and the same at the end of the day. If I don’t grow as a person, I can’t grow professionally either. But it does feel good to know I can move the goal post now and set my sights on other goals for the clinic beyond survival. Take a minute this month to reflect on what has you breathing a sigh of relief. And enjoy it.

I think that’s served me and my patients well. We started off with just the basics at the clinic, and our space was really small. But we’ve been able to

-Dr. Jerome Adams

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SPROUT YOUR KIDS’ IMAGINATION

With 3 Fun Earth Day Projects

AN EGG-CELLENT PLANTER Save those eggshells from breakfast (and the paper carton, too!) and use them to start a garden! Your little ones will enjoy planting some seeds, watering them, and watching them sprout and grow into something new. When the sprouts are big enough and it’s warm enough outside, you can plant the shell and carton directly into the ground! This easy project just requires rinsed eggshell halves, some lightly moistened potting soil, and seeds of your choosing. Note that smaller seeds, like those for herbs, lettuces, peppers, or tomatoes, work best for this project. For full instructions, visit GardenBetty.com and search “starting seeds in eggshells.” STICK WITH MAGIC Nature is a magical place. Many kids know this instinctively and often point out things adults take for granted or overlook, like bright-colored leaves, fun-shaped rocks, and acorn “hats.” Making a nature wand is a great way to let your kids explore their environment, whether that’s in your backyard, on a neighborhood walk, or in your favorite park. Let their imaginations run wild with what their magic wand can do! This simple project starts with a stick and masking tape. Your kids add all the extra flair by hunting for natural treasures and sticking them onto their wand. Complete instructions can be found at LaughingKidsLearn.com/nature- wands-outdoor-play.

With spring officially underway, April showers starting to bring May flowers, and Earth Day on April 22, now is a great time for outdoor family activities.

ONE FOR THE BIRDS Making a pine cone bird feeder is a fun and inexpensive project. In addition to creating and hanging your bird feeder, you’ll get hours of extra entertainment from watching the birds it will attract to your yard. If your kids are older, take photos of the birds or note their colors and features and look them up in a field guide or online. This craft just requires a pine cone (the bigger the better), peanut butter, and some twine or string. Top the peanut butter with “sprinkles” of mixed birdseed or small pieces of nuts and fruit to appeal to even more birds. For full instructions, visit TheSpruce.com and search “pine cone bird feeder.”

A Pain-Free Tomorrow OUR PAT I ENTS SAY I T BEST

“I had a wonderful experience here at Horizon Physical Therapy! The staff was really friendly, always kind, and helpful! I definitely feel better about my health, and would recommend for anyone to come here!”

“Great team of professionals. Their goal is to get you back to your best mobility and strength — I highly recommend this wonderful, professional team.”

–Chandra Roberts-Adams

–Constance Scott

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LAUGHTER IS GOODMEDICINE How Humor Can Help You Heal

The opposite is also true. If you’re feeling stressed and decide to do some breathing exercises or call up a friend you know who will make you laugh, both of these activities can help slow your breathing, heart rate, and the release of stress hormones. HUMOR AND HEALING Scientists studying this mind-body connection have found that laughter triggers the release of certain chemicals in the brain that are beneficial to your physical health. An article published in Alternative Theories in Health and Medicine showed that laughing releases chemicals in the body that improve heart health, boost your immune system, and make it more effective at fighting off infection. Humor can also increase energy and decrease stress. But here’s the clincher: It also helps you process your emotional experiences, which can improve mood and decrease both pain and stress.

April is National Humor Month, so if you need an excuse to indulge in your favorite standup comedian’s latest comedy special or catch up on a podcast that makes you laugh, consider this! You probably know from firsthand experience that a good laugh can boost your mood and that giggling regularly just makes you feel better overall. But there is also increasing evidence that humor can help you heal more quickly from injuries, help you experience less stress, and even strengthen your heart and immune system. THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION When you sustain an injury that starts causing you pain, your doctor or physical therapist will likely ask you to point to where it hurts after you tell them what caused the injury. This is a bodily process that involves knees, shoulders, backs, and more getting the attention. But the mind and body are closely related and work together to produce the sensation of pain. In fact, your body can also heal through the release of certain chemicals triggered in the brain. Stress is a great illustration of how the mind and body work together. When you ruminate on thoughts or feel worried and anxious, your muscles tense up, and your body releases hormones that increase your heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. This demonstrates how something that begins in the mind ultimately has physical effects on the body.

Laughter really is a good medicine. And if you need additional help with your healing routine, be sure to give our team at Horizon PT a call.

Have a Laugh

Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner

Inspired by TheSpruceEats.com

You’ve probably heard of a one-pot meal, but how about a one-pan meal? This easy sheet pan dinner comes together in just 30 minutes without dirtying many dishes.

Ingredients

• • • • • •

2 tbsp canola oil 1 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp lemon juice

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2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks 2 medium sweet potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks

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1 tbsp honey

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1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1/4 tsp pepper

1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets

Directions

4. Remove pan from oven and use a spatula to flip the chicken and potatoes, then add broccoli florets. 5. Drizzle sauce evenly over top and return to the oven to bake for an additional 15 minutes or until chicken has an internal temperature of 165 F and vegetables are fork-tender.

1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. On a large baking sheet, combine chicken, sweet potatoes, salt, and pepper. Drizzle with oil and toss to coat. 3. Bake for 15 minutes. In the meantime, make the sauce by combining the soy sauce, lemon juice, honey, and cayenne pepper.

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810-620-8042

3600Miller Road Flint, MI 48503

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THIS ISSUE Inside

Surviving and Thriving at Horizon PT

3 Fun Earth Day Projects for Families

Testimonials

How Humor Can Help You Heal

Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner

4 MLB Teams Poised for a Great Season

DON’T COUNT THEM OUT

4 TEAMS TO WATCH THI S BASEBALL SEASON

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS The award for best offseason ought to go to the Cardinals, who, all winter long, appear to have outwitted their Milwaukee and Chicago rivals — the Brewers and

This is no joke: The 2021 Major League Baseball (MLB) season will begin on April 1. While you may wonder whether the Los Angeles Dodgers can repeat as champs or if the Tampa Bay Rays can exact their revenge, don’t count these four teams out just yet. MINNESOTA TWINS You don’t make it to the playoffs with the best record in all of baseball and not make it on some kind of list. The Twins will be a fun team to watch because they have a chip on their shoulders. While the team managed to score 269 runs in just 60 games, they also lost their record-breaking 18th straight playoff game in 2020. If they can get consistent pitching, both starters and relievers, they will be in the hunt at the end of September. DETROIT TIGERS There is a benefit to repeatedly being near the bottom of the league: You get good draft picks. The Tigers are on the cusp of finding that special blend of offense and defense in the coming season thanks to some much-needed depth by up-and-coming pitchers and first-round draft picks — so much so that Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com has them as the top team that missed the playoffs in 2020 that could make a solid run.

Cubs were the top two teams in the National League Central last year — by acquiring third baseman

Nolan Arenado and re-signing Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina. The Cardinals are favored to win the Central if those off-season moves pay off. SAN DIEGO PADRES After acquiring Manny Machado in a big trade in 2019, the Padres have continued to improve, especially against difficult opponents. The Padres were a tough team last year, defeating the Cardinals in the wild card round and losing to the eventual World Series champions: the Los Angeles Dodgers. Expect them to be near the top of the standings in September.

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