Kinetic Physical Therapy June 2018

Kinetic Physical Therapy June 2018

JUNE 2018

847-515-8970 • www.KineticPTS.com

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING THERE

With Father’s Day right around the corner, I’m sure many of you are making plans to spend time with your families. As busy as life gets between the clinic and my kids, I’ll make the time to get out on the golf course with my old man. After all, he made time for me throughout my life. As a small-business owner, my dad was never a stranger to hard work. From the time he was young, he helped my grandfather at his jewelry store in Harvard, Illinois, and was eventually passed the reins. In fact, if you swing into Ulmer Jewelers today, you’ll still find him running the place! When I was a kid, I always looked forward to visiting my dad at that store. I remember running up and down the aisles and chattering to my dad and grandfather as they polished watches and cleaned display cases. It’s incredible that such a memorable part of my childhood is still in the family. He worked full days Monday through Saturday but always

“FATHERHOOD ISN’T ALWAYS EASY. THANKFULLY, I LEARNED FROM THE BEST.” made sure to make it home for dinner. The only exception was the Christmas rush, which sometimes kept him working until 2 a.m. It became a de facto family tradition for my dad to fall asleep in his armchair during family gatherings over the holidays. Despite the many demands of his job, he always made time for his kids. Some of my favorite childhood memories are of playing catch with my dad in the yard. He instilled my love of all things baseball, especially the Cubs. He took things a step further, becoming the coach of my Little League team and donating his time to teach my friends and me the ins and outs of the sport. Today, my dad has become an avid golfer. In fact, indirectly, he got me into playing. Now we

try to make it out to one course or another on the off chance we both have a free day. The great thing about golf is that generations can go out and play together. I’ve enrolled my kids in junior golf programs, and soon enough they’ll be teeing off with me and their granddad. My dad’s an all-around great guy. He was always big on tough love, so he probably won’t appreciate it if I get too sentimental here. But I do owe him for teaching me the value of always being there for your family, no matter how busy life gets. Whether or not we make it out on the fairway this Father’s Day, it’s sure to be a blast. To the many dads, granddads, and great- granddads we’ve treated over the years, congratulations and well-done! I know from first-hand experience that fatherhood isn’t always easy. Thankfully, I learned from the best. –Mike Ulmer

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IMPROVE COGNITIVE FUNCTION INMINUTES

Meditation has often been touted by New Age gurus as a way to find inner peace and stillness. But what if meditating could reduce the effects of aging on your brain? According to research, taking a few minutes out of your day to meditate may improve cognitive function. As meditation’s popularity has spread, so have studies of the practice. The results of 100 studies examining the cognitive effects of meditation all show evidence of improvements in psychological and cognitive functions. Some of the results are intuitive, such as how meditation helps us deal with stress. But other results are incontrovertible, such as scans showing that meditation causes structural changes in the brain. For people facing age-related changes like memory loss, the results of these tests are especially relevant. The studies point to evidence that meditation can strengthen certain areas of the brain — the prefrontal cortex, the hippocampus, and the amygdala — that tend to weaken as we age. THE PREFRONTAL CORTEX Your prefrontal cortex thins with age, which is associated with decreased cognitive function in your later years. However, meditation may reduce this age-related thinning. Dr. Sara Lazar, a neuroscientist specializing in the effects of yoga and meditation on cognitive and behavioral function, reports that long-

time meditators don’t show a decline in the thickness of the prefrontal cortex.

THE HIPPOCAMPUS Your hippocampus helps you process and form new memories, and it’s very sensitive to stress. In fact, research shows that your hippocampus will shrink in response to stressful situations and chronic stress. The remedy? Meditation. Dr. Lazar’s study showed a positive correlation between meditation and a higher concentration of gray matter in the left hippocampus. THE AMYGDALA Often called the fear center of the brain, the amygdala is triggered by stressful situations. But unlike the hippocampus, which shrinks in response to stress, the amygdala has been shown to become denser. In one study, people who attended mindfulness meditation classes showed a smaller stress response in brain scans compared to those who did not attend classes. Meditation may help to decrease the density of the amygdala and therefore increase your ability to handle stress. Of course, in addition to these benefits, there’s a good chance that five minutes of meditation each day will simply make you feel better. People who meditate report an increase in overall well-being. Why not give it a try?

Ever since my first visit here for my knee, I knew I would be in good hands coming in for my rotator cuff and bicep tear. On day one, I could hardly do anything, but all the stretching and exercises they taught me got me to be almost to where I was. I know I will continue to improve. I thank the whole team for my progress. –Lori Kazmanski When I came in, I was limping, and walking was painful. Since Mike has worked his magic, I am walking normally with almost no pain. My balance has really gotten better. The bursitis in my hips is much less painful, and I have delayed the cortisone shot twice. Thank you so much, Mike! –Suzon Scott

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As we get older, our bodies begin to deteriorate naturally. We are subject to the wear and tear of old age. Spinal stenosis is one of the factors of deterioration. Your spinal cord runs through your spine from the back of your head all the way down to your tailbone. The spinal canal, which runs through the middle of your spine, provides your spinal cord with plenty of room to prevent it from being pinched or constricted by the surrounding bone. However, that doesn’t mean it never happens. Spinal stenosis occurs when the space in the spinal canal is substantially decreased, causing pressure on the spinal nerves. Spinal stenosis is common in the lower back (lumbar spinal stenosis), but it can also occur in Spicy Chimichurri Grilled Cheese

the neck (cervical spinal stenosis). Some common symptoms include numbness, weakness, or pain with standing and walking that is relieved by sitting. There’s little that can be done to stop it, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer through it. Physical therapists can reduce or eliminate pain associated with spinal stenosis. The first step is to properly diagnose the patient. Your physical therapist will want to be sure they know what’s happening to you so they can provide the best treatment for your needs. A physical therapist’s ultimate goal is to make sure that you can return to your life as pain-free as possible. With this in mind, your therapist will design a treatment plan that’s sculpted to fit your lifestyle, medical

history, and goals. While spinal stenosis is a degernative process, you don’t have to live in pain. Its effects can be minimized through healthy practices. Your physical therapist can help you get there. At Kinetic Physical Therapy Specialists, we offer a monthly workshop on spinal stenosis. We’ll provide tips on what to do to stop the pain. Call us at 847-515-8970 to talk to one of our helpful staff members today and get involved.

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INGREDIENTS For chimichurri: • 2 jalapeños

• 4 green onions • 1/2 cup cilantro • 1 clove garlic • 2 tablespoons olive oil • Juice of 1 lime • 2 teaspoons honey

For sandwiches: • 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 ripe avocado, cut into slices • 2–4 ounces fresh mozzarella • 4 slices whole-wheat bread

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Pulse chimichurri ingredients in a food processor or blender until combined but not pureed. Add extra olive oil as needed. 2. Heat grill or skillet to medium-low. Brush outsides of bread with olive oil. Smear 1 tablespoon chimichurri on each slice of bread. Place a layer of avocado and cheese between slices. 3. Cook gently until bread is crisp and cheese is melted. 4. Slice and serve.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

847-515-8970 www.KineticPTS.com

11920 Oak Creek Parkway Huntley, IL 60142

INSIDE My Father PAGE 1

How Meditation Can Help the Aging Brain PAGE 2

Clients Say It Best PAGE 2

Relief From Spinal Stenosis Pain PAGE 3

Spicy Chimichurri Grilled Cheese PAGE 3

Cut Down on Flight Costs With This Simple Rule PAGE 4

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Nast Traveler reports, Expedia and the Airlines Reporting Corporation say that Sunday is the way to go, based on >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

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