In Motion O.C. - October 2019

In Motion O.C. - October 2019

IN MOTION THE EXPERIENCE

October 2019

MEET DR. MITCHELLE GIORGI Getting to Know the PT’s of In Motion O.C.

17332 Von Karman Ave. Suite 120 Irvine, CA 92614

Even if I wasn’t drawn to physical therapy right away, I knew I wanted to work in the medical field starting in middle school. I played soccer in high school and college, and I was on staff as an athletic trainer at Pepperdine, so athletic training seemed like a natural career choice at first. However, soccer also introduced me to physical therapy, and I really liked the idea of walking people through the recovery process, instead of just patching them up right after they injured themselves. After that consideration, I knew physical therapy was the career for me. Forming relationships with patients throughout their recovery process is the most rewarding aspect of the job for me now. Many people come to In Motion O.C. lacking confidence and a strategy to get back to the activities they love. They bring both physical pain and emotional pain in that sense. Fostering a relationship with patients through repeated sessions means not only do I get to guide them on their physical recovery, but I also get to help them rebuild their confidence. All the therapists here have their special passions and talents for treating certain ailments. Because of my background as an athlete and athletic trainer, I’m naturally drawn to treating sports injuries. I can empathize with what the patients are going through and develop relationships with injured athletes more easily than other patients. That being said, I also love treating people who are recovering from surgeries. After someone goes through surgery, the muscles around the treated area are usually very weak. While this may seem like a bad thing, it actually means it’s easier to mold and train those muscles for whatever function the patient needs, making for a very satisfying recovery process. Even though some

types of injuries are common, no two patients or injuries can be treated the same way. The work may be challenging, and it is never boring. I can always rely on the amazing team here at In Motion O.C. Everybody goes above and beyond to help each other, and it lends to the clinic’s upbeat atmosphere. I love that In Motion O.C. is a place where people love to spend time. We are all friends here. I take a lot of pride in my work, and I do everything I can to invest in the recovery of my patients. Their limits become my limits, and their goals become my goals. Then, I’ll push those limits as much as they’ll budge to maximize my patients’ recovery potential. That doesn’t mean I don’t know how to have fun, though. I love laughing and joking with everybody at the clinic, and I’m all about not taking life so seriously. Most years on Halloween, you can find me dressed as a French fry at the clinic. I always say I am passionate about French fries and joke that “I am what I eat” when I don that costume. Outside of work, I am still all about soccer. I watch it, play it, talk about it — anything having to do with soccer. I love being outdoors, and I’m always down for new experiences. Probably the coolest adventure I’ve been on was backpacking Machu Picchu for four days. I didn’t think I would ever do anything like that, but now I backpack somewhere at least once a year. If you’re stopping by In Motion O.C. soon, don’t hesitate to find me and say hello!

949-861-8600

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ORANGE COUNTY’S PREMIER PHYSICAL THERAPY CENTER

Published by The Newsletter Pro | www.TheNewsletterPro.com – Mitchelle Giorgi

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A DIFFICULT DISCUSSION TALKING TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT CANCER

As pink-clad products line store shelves this October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, children are bound to be curious. Since they rationalize the world around them with what they already know, kids may ask silly questions like, “Is cancer contagious?” Whether you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer or you just feel it’s time to educate your children about the disease, answering questions can be difficult. These tips can help you prepare. ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH Telling a child that you or a loved one has cancer can be complicated. To start, the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends giving yourself time after hearing the news of a cancer diagnosis to process this new reality. Two-parent households should tell their children together, while single parents are encouraged to ask an adult with a positive influence on the child’s life to join the conversation. Remember, your child will be experiencing the same emotions as you but in a kid’s body, where hormones and developmental changes are already wreaking havoc. Monitor their emotions and offer them space and opportunities to discuss their feelings with a professional.

When it comes to explaining the disease and its consequences, younger children may require fewer details and broader concepts, while older kids may need more comprehensive answers to their questions. A 5-year-old is going to have different concerns than a 16-year-old, so your approach must be different. However, regardless of your child’s age, always tell the truth. FOCUS ON PREVENTION EDUCATION A loved one doesn’t have to be diagnosed with cancer for you to educate your family about the disease and its prevention. Studies have linked prevention efforts, including anti-smoking campaigns and healthy lifestyle programs, to actually preventing cancer. (In fact, half of all cancers can be prevented!) Teach your child about the dangers of tobacco, alcohol, and excessive sun exposure to foster healthy habits and lifestyles. Organizations that host walks, benefits, and other events for cancer prevention and research can be great sources of education for families, too. The ACS has resources for families living with cancer or those wanting to learn more. Visit Cancer.org for more information.

RAISING AWARENESS FOR NATIONAL PHYSICAL THERAPY MONTH LIVE PAIN FREE — PERMANENTLY

October is National Physical Therapy Month, a time to celebrate and raise awareness for all the ways physical therapy can help people recover from injuries and become stronger than they were before. If you receive this newsletter, chances are you’re well aware of the ways physical therapy can benefit you. So, if you want to help raise awareness for physical therapy programs everywhere, here are a few ideas. SHARE YOUR STORY If you’ve undergone physical therapy in the past and it’s left you stronger than you were before, your story can be a powerful example of what it can do for others. In the United States, 1 in 5 adults live with chronic pain every day, and many of them might not know there’s a way out. If you have friends or family dealing with

injuries or pain, tell them about your experience with physical therapy and how you think it could help them, too. EDUCATE YOURSELF AND OTHERS While your experience with physical therapy may be unique, as it is for everyone, substantial objective evidence supports how it can treat pain and improve function for myriad conditions and injuries. Additionally, this year the American Physical Therapy Association is raising awareness about the opioid crisis, and how physical therapy can combat it. In 2016, nearly 42,000 people in the U.S. died from opioid overdoses, 17,000 of which were from prescription painkillers. People need to know that pain relief can be permanent, and it doesn’t have to be found in a little orange bottle.

COME VISIT IN MOTION O.C. If you’re considering surgery or painkillers to help you get through an injury or relieve your chronic pain, come visit In Motion O.C. first so you can see what physical therapy can do for you. We can help you gain permanent relief for pain and get back to what you love doing stronger than ever. Give us a call today!

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Published by The Newsletter Pro | www.TheNewsletterPro.com

In Motion O.C. | InMotionOC.com

DON’T SACRIFICE FLAVOR FOR NUTRITION

5 HEALTHY (AND TASTY) FALL FOODS While stretches and exercises are instrumental in the recovery process as well as living a healthy lifestyle in general, what goes in your body is just as important as what you do with it. Food is the fuel that strengthens our muscles, bones, and joints, and the better our fuel, the better we operate. Fall brings with it many foods that capture the season and aid in our enduring health. So, forget the Halloween candy — munch on some of these nutritious fall foods! PUMPKINS

PEARS Put it in salads, put it in soups, cook it, or eat it as is — you’ll be hard pressed to find something as delicious as a ripe pear. They’re also packed with fiber, and they aid in hydration since they’re about 84% water. APPLES There’s nothing more quintessentially autumnal than a stroll through an apple orchard. Much like pears, full of fiber and flavorful, this fruit is incredibly versatile in how it can be served. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean your grandma’s apple pie will make you healthier, though. SWEET POTATOES As indicated by the name, this tuber has a natural sweetness that comes out when simply baked, and it’s rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and potassium. No need to candy these yams — they’ll go down the hatch just fine. If you want to supplement your exercise routine with some tastes of the season, keep these bold fall flavors in mind!

Both the “meat” and the seeds from pumpkins have vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The meat is good in stew, and the seeds are incredibly tasty when they’re roasted in the oven with some salt and pepper. There’s more to this gourd than Halloween and jack-o’- lanterns! BRUSSELS SPROUTS While this vegetable may not be incredibly popular among picky eaters, it has tons of vitamin K, folates, and iron. Plus, when roasted with some olive oil, salt, and pepper, they taste amazing.

Inspired by Food Network

This super easy and fun way to create homemade treats provides your kids with a healthier and more delicious alternative to packaged industrial candy. As a bonus, making it is an awesome Halloween activity for your family to enjoy. CHOCOLATE-DIPPED FRUIT

Ingredients

•

1 package melting chocolate

• Assorted dried fruit, including apricots and mangoes

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, bring 1 inch of water to a boil. 2. Place a large, heatproof mixing bowl on top of saucepan so that no steam can escape. Place melting chocolate in mixing bowl and double boil until melted. 3. Dip half of each piece of fruit in chocolate before transferring to a parchment-lined baking sheet to rest. 4. Let cool for 10 minutes until chocolate solidifies. 5. Place in school lunches, serve at parties, and indulge in a few for yourself.

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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

17332 Von Karman Ave., Suite 120 Irvine, CA 92614

Getting to Know Dr. Mitchelle Giorgi

Educating Your Kids About Cancer

Did You Know It’s National Physical Therapy Month?

5 Healthy (and Tasty) Fall Foods

Chocolate-Dipped Fruit

Learn About Your Gut-Brain Axis

THINKING WITH YOUR GUT

THE AMAZING CONNECTION BETWEEN YOUR STOMACH AND YOUR BRAIN

While it may seem strange to think about, the human stomach is truly a thing of wonder. Most humans only acknowledge its digestive processes, but the gut plays a much more influential role in our day- to-day lives than simply breaking down food for nutrient production; it is closely connected to our emotional states, as well. Think about it. Have you ever felt butterflies before a date, intestinal pain during moments of stress, or nausea before an important presentation? Have you ever told someone to “follow their gut” before making a big decision? These physical symptoms are not a coincidence; they are known in the scientific world as the gut-brain axis. Your gut is connected to the limbic system, the part of the brain that processes emotions. The brain sends messages to

all other organs in your body, so it’s not surprising it communicates with your stomach, too. What is surprising, however, is that the connection goes both ways. Just as your brain can relay information to your gut about excitement and anxiety, your gut can have a direct impact on the way you feel.

emerging findings, dietary approaches and probiotics are being explored to see how well they can modulate a person’s microbiome and address symptoms. While research is still being conducted to determine the extent of the stomach’s influence over emotional and mental states, plenty of evidence proves the connection is real.

According to a recent study published by the National Library of Medicine, when a person’s microbiome — the diverse population of good and bad

Your stomach “talks” to you all the time, and, if you didn’t have enough reasons to pay attention to the

food you eat, now you have one more thing

bacteria living in the GI tract — becomes significantly altered

to keep in mind. If you start thinking a bit more with your gut, your health will thank you for it!

or imbalanced, psychological or neurological issues can arise. In response to these

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In Motion O.C. | InMotionOC.com