Kaizen PT - April 2022

Kaizen PT - April 2022

APRIL 2022

KaizenSeattle.com | 206-524-6702

MEET THE ADMINS! THEY MAKE YOUR TREATMENT POSSIBLE

As a business owner, there is one component of the work I do that I try to never take for granted. It’s an essential part of making sure this clinic is operational every day and that the people we serve get the healing they deserve and need. Without it, none of this would be possible. Give up, yet? I am, of course, talking about the Kaizen Physical Therapy administrative staff! Their expertise and diligence are what makes our practice hum along each day, and as we celebrate Administrative Professionals Day on April 27, I can’t help but feel some extra gratitude for the people we have with us this year. You may recognize a name or two, but some of the following employees are new to Kaizen Physical Therapy. This isn’t uncommon in physical therapy clinics; many young aides and office staff work at a clinic as a pit stop while preparing for school to pursue a career in this field. So, while sometimes the names and faces on this team change, this year, I am proud of the people we do have serving our clinic today. Read on to learn more about them!

manager and assisting with marketing. In the six months she has been with us, patients have adored getting to know her. We have heard your feedback! It’s nice to know you appreciate Mikee just as much as we do.

Ivy: Ivy is our new biller. She has been with us for one year now, and her keen eye for detail has protected Kaizen PT and our patients. She makes sure insurance companies pay us for every last cent we

are owed, ensuring that patients don’t have to foot a larger bill and that we get the money we need to keep the lights on! Ivy is a great communicator, and her organizational skills have put us over the top. IVY

Will and Kristina: Last, but far from least, Will and Kristina are the physical therapy aides who help the physical therapists on our team. Their job is to prep and clean our therapy rooms and assist therapists as needed, which allows our therapy team to

Mel: Many of you know Mel. She is the glue that holds this entire office together, and I could never say enough about her and her commitment to Kaizen PT, our patients, and our team. Mel has officially taken on the role of our office manager, and she regularly assists me with marketing. She’s also been doing a lot of training for our new front desk

offer high-quality service every time. But Will and

WILL

Kristina go above and beyond what is expected of them. They will often approach Mikee and Mel to ask if there is anything they can do to help out when they have some free time. They both epitomize what it means to be a team player!

MEL

KRISTINA

employees (keep reading!). I rely on Mel for so many things. She takes on responsibilities that I can’t get to, allowing me to focus on what I need to do. Mel makes us better!

As I said, without the help of Mel, Mikee, Ivy, Will, and Kristina, Kaizen Physical Therapy would not be able to provide the quality of service that we do. I am so honored to work alongside these talented, kind, and knowledgeable individuals, and I hope you will join me in thanking them for all they do.

Mikee : If you have been in for an appointment lately, you have probably met Mikee! She joined our team in October 2021 as our front desk liaison, and she has offered a tremendous amount of relief for Mel, who can now focus on being an office

Thank you, admin team!

–Dr. Colin Sisco

MIKEE

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HEALING AS OLD AS DIRT HORTICULTURE THERAPY MIGHT HELP YOU TO RECOVER!

benefits. It’s the practice of gardening to stimulate mindfulness. Dating back to ancient Mesopotamia, the Persians were known for creating

When you’re in pain, daily activities like walking to the mailbox or reaching for a plate from the cupboard can exacerbate inflamed joints and weak muscles. However, just simply being a human can intensify this pain, too. The reason is in your brain. For years, researchers have connected our mental well-being with our physical health. Study after study shows that those who suffer from mental illnesses also have intense bouts of pain. Physical therapy is a powerful treatment method designed to use your body’s strength and movement to stimulate physical healing. But to holistically recover from an injury or pain, you may have to also address your mental health. This spring, as April showers loom, consider a centuries-old practice that has shown time and time again to improve mental wellness. All it requires is a little dirt, patience, and the great outdoors. WHAT IS HORTICULTURE THERAPY? As the American Horticultural Therapy Association explains, horticulture therapy can improve cognitive and memory abilities, balance, language skills, and endurance, among other

beautiful, calming gardens for this very purpose, and the first documented use of gardening for medical reasons is from the 1800s. Since then, connecting humans to plants is now a common treatment in many countries. WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO? To effectively engage in horticulture therapy, you have to engage with nature. Plant a small garden in your yard and tend to it each day or week. Join a community garden, plant an indoor herb garden, or pluck weeds from your yard. If you’re not much of a gardener, try visiting local botanical gardens or hike a local trail and identify plant life each week. Or, ask your local nursery for suggestions about plants that are easy to care for. The goal is to physically and mentally connect with nature, which bonds you to a simpler form of life.

To learn more about horticulture therapy, connect with a local psychiatrist or counselor.

Everyone knows lasers can be awesome weapons in sci-fi, but not all lasers are deadly. In fact, they can help accelerate your healing process! But how? Let’s walk through laser therapy together — a highly safe, trusted treatment within physical therapy. THE SCIENCE OF LIGHT It sounds like the murmur of a mad scientist to say that light energy from a laser can reduce your muscle’s pain and inflammation, accelerate healing in damaged tissues, relax your Heal Faster and Eliminate Pain With Lasers It’s Not Science Fiction — It’s Here

muscles, and even possibly stimulate nerve regeneration. However, science (or, in other words, decades of research) suggests that these effects actually occur. To put it simply, when a laser reaches a certain wavelength — specifically, within the infrared spectrum, which is greater than the red end of the visible light spectrum, but less than that of conventional microwaves — it can penetrate our skin, not unlike X-rays. With enough power, that wavelength can reach considerable depth for muscle therapy purposes. Lasers are excellent for physical therapy because they stimulate the building blocks of collagen, which is crucial for healing damaged tissues. Lasers can also decrease nerve sensitivity by decreasing bradykinin, a peptide that promotes inflammation. This is through normalizing ion channels, which act as cellular gatekeepers, and releasing endorphins,

the body’s natural pain reliever. Lasers can even have a pain-blocking effect on

certain nerves in your body. CLASS 3 AND 4 LASERS

You’ll see two classes of lasers in physical therapy: Class 3 and 4. The main difference isn’t the wavelength, but the power used. This has a lot to do with the depth to which the laser needs to penetrate.

Class 3 operates at less than 500 milliwatts (mW) and is sometimes

referred to as a “cold laser” or LLLT for low-level laser therapy. These lasers don’t generate a lot of heat. Class 4 lasers operate at greater than 500 mW and do create a warming sensation on the skin, but they aren’t dangerous or harmful. The best laser is the one optimized to treat your particular injury or pain. Call your physical therapist with any questions — even just 1–2 treatments can make a significant difference.

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Protein Doesn’t Equal Bulk! ENHANCE LIFELONG WORKOUT GOALS AND FIGHT AGING High-protein diets and protein powders are a bodybuilder favorite — which is probably why everyone thinks eating extra protein will make them bulky. But that’s not true! Here are four reasons why everyone agrees that protein is crucial to any healthy routine.

NO. 1: PROTEIN REDUCES YOUR APPETITE AND HUNGER LEVELS. While fats, carbs, and protein will affect your body in different ways, studies show that protein is the most filling. You won’t reach for midnight snacks as often, if at all. Not only does it help you feel fuller for longer periods, but it also accomplishes this with less food. In one study, increasing protein intake from 15%–30% of calories helped overweight women eat around 441 fewer calories every day without intentionally restricting their diet. NO. 2: PROTEIN INCREASES MUSCLE MASS — AND MAINTAINS IT. Protein is in every cell in our bodies. For your muscles, protein not only helps promote muscle strengthening and

growth, but it can also help maintain your muscle mass while you are losing weight or even aging. Who knew protein could be a part of your beauty regimen? NO. 3: PROTEIN BOOSTS METABOLISM. Your body uses calories to digest and utilize nutrients in food, and it’s a lot easier for your body to process protein compared to other nutrients. That’s why high protein intake has been shown to significantly “boost” people’s metabolisms and increase the number of calories they burn. NO. 4: WOMEN NEED PROTEIN MOST, ESPECIALLY AS THEY GET OLDER. As women age, protein becomes important to balance hormones as well

as keep weight off. This could be due to the abundant amino acids found in protein and how important they are to hormone production. In a 2015 study, hormone experts found that a diet of 20–30 grams of protein per meal can lead to significant anabolic and metabolic benefits for adults. The best way to consume protein is through high-protein meals. Don’t rely solely on protein powders, which often lack the additional nutrients, both macro and micro, that benefit a high-protein diet. Thankfully, there are many options for having this type of diet, even if you’re vegan. We hope this information will help you stay healthy for many decades to come!

HEALTHIER, LIGHTER DEVILED EGGS

TAKE A BREAK!

Inspired by LiveEatLearn.com

INGREDIENTS

• 6 large eggs • 3 tbsp Greek yogurt • 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• 1 tsp lemon juice • Optional: Hot sauce, to taste • Optional: Paprika and chives, chopped, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large pot, add eggs and cover with water. Put on high heat, and then boil eggs for 10 minutes. 2. Once boiled, peel eggs by gently tapping and removing the shell. (Adding the eggs to an ice bath after boiling can make this task easier.) 3. Cut eggs lengthwise and place yolks into a medium mixing bowl. Set egg white halves open side up on a plate. 4. In a bowl, combine yolks, yogurt, mustard, lemon juice, and hot sauce (if desired) until smooth. 5. Transfer the yolk mixture into the egg white halves. Garnish with paprika and chives if desired.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

206-524-6702 KaizenSeattle.com

5025 25th Ave. NE, #201 Seattle, WA 98105

1. Meet The Team That Keeps Kaizen PT Running! INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2. Your Garden Can Help You Heal! How Lasers Eliminate Your Pain 3. Why Protein Will Fight Aging — And More Healthier, Lighter Deviled Eggs 4. The Truth About ‘Exergaming’

Experts Love Fitness Video Games — You Might, Too ‘EXERGAMING’ CAN MAKE REAL EXERCISE FUN

To make your fitness goals more fun, you might consider implementing fitness video games, such as Ring Fit Adventure for Nintendo Switch, into your routine. But do they actually work at keeping you in shape, or are they a gimmick? WHICH IS BETTER? A TREADMILL OR AN ACTIVE VIDEO GAME? Recently, researchers from Brazil and the UK put together a randomized trial comparing the physiological effects of jogging on a treadmill compared to playing a few rounds on an active video game. All participants had Type 1 diabetes, and exercise is crucial to managing the condition. What went into this study? All participants, no matter their activity, were tested for heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen consumption efficiency, and endothelial function (a marker for blood fluidity). Health readings were collected

on three occasions, including immediately after the activity, 30 minutes after, and 24 hours after. The study went on for three weeks, with two workouts per week. The results? The health readings were not only very similar, but also the blood glucose levels among participants declined to safe levels after both activities — with the added bonus that individuals who played active video games enjoyed the exercise a lot more. ARE GAMES A REPLACEMENT FOR GYM EXERCISE? Not necessarily — it depends on your workout intensity and fitness goals. If you tend to go for mid- to high-intensity workouts, you need to find an active video game that allows you to achieve that level. When it comes to exercise, the human body doesn’t discriminate. Carrying heavy groceries burns calories just like weights do at the gym!

“Exergaming” is all about putting yourself in a workout you enjoy most, especially for those with diabetes, says

Dr. Jorge Brito-Gomes, a researcher at the Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Brazil. He told Eat This, Not That: "Gamifying exercise not only takes your mind off the exertion, but working toward rewards in the game or even competing against friends helps motivate you to keep coming back to do more." Looking for an active video game to try? Check out Ring Fit Adventure for the Nintendo Switch or Just Dance 2021 for all gaming consoles, or if you have a virtual reality headset, try Beat Saber, which starts out at low intensity as a rhythm game but can quickly turn into a mid- to high-intensity experience with increased difficulty!

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UNSURE IF PHYSICAL THERAPY IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Read What Our Patients Had to Say!

“After suffering from a herniated disc, I had debilitating nerve and sciatica pain. I was barely able to do normal daily activities. After ‘graduating’ from physical therapy with Colin, I am excited to be back to my recreational activities — tennis, Peloton, etc. I appreciated the way he took the time to dig deeper and find the true source of my pain. I’ll definitely be referring friends and family here. Thank you!” –Courtney E.

“I came in with left lower back spasms and left upper back spasms a few months back. The PT — Natalie Moncayo — was excellent: very patient and analytical as well as being a superb listener. Through careful, daily diagnosis and strengthening exercises, my back spasms resolved quickly. We worked on several tactics for back and knee/leg strengthening. Natalie guided me through gym machines to utilize going forward. She was encouraging and positive! Kaizen has a good atmosphere and is clean and friendly.” –Louise S.

“Before PT, I had to stop running and even walking because of bad pain in my hip. Barry was amazing at diagnosing what was wrong and providing me with the proper exercises and ice treatment. I loved how he always referred to his notes as his brain. He took very detailed notes and was really focused on helping me get better! Now, I am mostly pain-free, can walk for long periods of time, and can even cycle! I am so happy to be able to start running again soon. Thank you, Barry!” –Colleen H.

“I came to Kaizen PT having a lot of pain in my SI joint. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I was running a lot for exercise and stress relief. The pain made it so I couldn’t run and that was very discouraging. Kaizen helped me, physically and emotionally, by teaching me the tools I needed to be able to run again safely and without pain, and to manage my future SI joint discomfort on my own. Thank you!” –Cindy Jo A.

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NOW OFFERING MORE THAN EVER HOW MANUAL THERAPY CAN HELP YOU

ARE YOU OR A LOVED ONE EXPERIENCING PAIN IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING AREAS?

• Spine • Lower Back • Pelvis • Hips • Above the Buttocks

If so, keep reading! The physical therapists at Kaizen PT are leveling up our training and services. In March, we learned the latest and best treatment techniques in an elite lumbopelvic and hip complex course. We would love to use our new skills to help anyone suffering from pain in the back, hips, or pelvis.

CALL OUR OFFICE AT 206-524-6702 TO SCHEDULE YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT.

Throughout 2022, our PTs will take additional courses to become Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapists (COMT). With this certification, we’ll be able to provide world-class manual therapy, improve your rate of recovery, and reduce your pain. The hardest part of any recovery is getting started. Don’t wait to pick up the phone and start your physical therapy journey today. If you’re unsure whether PT is right for you, see what real patients had to say on the back of this insert!

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