Kinetic PT Sep 2017

Kinetic PT Sep 2017

SEPTEMBER 2017

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HOW MY GRANDMA LOIS HAS ENRICHED MY LIFE Not many people know this, but the first Sunday after Labor Day (September 10 this year) is National Grandparents’ Day . It doesn’t get the same attention

as Mother’s and Father’s Day, but I say it should. There’s really no love in the world like the love that comes from Grandma and Grandpa. This year, my thoughts turn specifically to my Grandma Lois, my mother’s mother. Grandma is still alive and active at the tender age of 91. She’s had two knee replacements and two hip replacements, but she remains mobile. That’s due in part to her iron will and also some great physical therapy. (Yes, I am her physical therapist.) People ask me, “Should you really be your grandma’s PT? Don’t you go easy on her?” I tell them, “She doesn’t seem to think so.” No. If I went easy on her, it would mean I don’t care about her healthy recovery. But I do care. Growing up in Harvard, Grandma lived close by and was very involved in our lives. She took us to the movies, hosted sleepovers, and spent all kinds of time with us. She was kind of a second mother that way, and we knew we were in for a good time with her. That isn’t to say she was just as strict. Grandma was definitely firm about the important things, with the same loving attitude I have with her physical therapy now. But I won’t lie and say we couldn’t get away with a little more when it came to Grandma. Overall, Grandma is simply one of the most caring individuals I’ve ever known. How lucky, then, that I got to be her grandson and benefit from her care every day. We felt her loving influence by how consistently she was there for us. Whether for a recital, Little League game, or just a Sunday afternoon dinner, we knew she would be there for us with a hug and a smile.

We’re grateful for her love and appreciative of her extreme wit. She’s always been sharp as a tack, and that’s reflected in her humor. She isn’t afraid to tease us, albeit lovingly, or to say a quick zinger that has the whole dinner table in stitches. When she isn’t busy with her grandchildren, Grandma turns arts and craftsmanship into more than a hobby. She can draw anything, paint beautiful landscapes, and she’s a talented knitter. I say it’s more than a hobby sometimes because stores have actually bought her work. Even now, I’m in awe of some of the artwork she’s created with a sketch pad or a paintbrush. I love her so much, and I’m a better husband and father because of her caring nature and example. The same is true for my other grandparents as well, and I believe most of our lives are richer and sweeter because our grandparents made it so. Happy Grandparents’ Day to mine, and I hope we can all reach out to one or all our parents’ parents and let them know how much we love them. – Mike Ulmer

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Dealing With Stress

LEARN HEALTHY COPING MECHANISMS THAT PUT YOU IN CONTROL

You have more control over stress than you think. Stress management is about taking charge of your lifestyle, thoughts, emotions, and the way you deal with problems. No matter how stressful your life seems, there are steps you can take to regain control.

alter, adapt, or accept. Avoid people or situations that stress you out. Talk about your feelings instead of bottling them up, create a balanced schedule, reframe your problems, look at the big picture, and practice gratitude. It’s critical to look at the glass as half-full and learn to forgive.

IDENTIFY SOURCES

MAKE TIME FOR RELAXATION

Chronic stress is hard to recognize. Look closely at your habits and excuses. Do you explain away stress as temporary? Do you define stress as an integral part of your life? Do you blame your stress on others? If you don’t recognize your role in creating or maintaining stress, you will never be able to control it.

Nurturing yourself is a necessity, not a luxury. If you make ample time for self-care, you will be in a better place to handle life’s stressors. Give yourself options like going for a walk, calling a good friend, journaling, or reading a book.

FIND HEALTHY STRATEGIES

LIVE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Withdrawing from loved ones, bingeing on food or alcohol, procrastinating, and sleeping too much are all unhealthy ways to deal with stress. Instead, find unique, healthy coping strategies to deal with stress. Focus on what makes you feel calm and in control.

In addition to regular exercise, there are other healthy lifestyle choices that can increase your resistance to stress. Eat a healthy diet; reduce caffeine and sugar; avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs; and get enough sleep. Stress is unavoidable, but it doesn’t have to dictate your life. With stress management techniques, you can avoid chronic stress, reduce your stress levels, and live your life to the fullest.

AVOID, ALTER, ADAPT, AND ACCEPT

Some stressors are predictable. Learn how to predetermine your reactions by choosing to avoid,

“One year ago, my neurologist referred me to Michael Ulmer at Kinetic for treatment of severe motion abnormalities due to 15 years of Parkinson’s disease. Before starting this therapy, I could walk only a few steps with a shuffling gait, supported by two canes or a rollator. I suffered from postural imbalance and risked

and Michael’s attitude was shared by the other therapists. The clerical staff contributed to this positive environment while effortlessly organizing the appointment schedule and payment administration. I heartily recommend the Kinetic Physical Therapy team.”

–Larry Wood

“Amanda is a personable therapist and very knowledgeable. I felt I was in good hands. When I came here, I had pain in my hip, and my legs were very tight. With her professional care, I am pain-free and my mobility is excellent. The exercise program she has for me works very well.”

falling. I could perform no daily living activities, and I had not golfed for three years after enjoying 100 games per year when I was diagnosed. Michael devised a program that included stretching, posture improvements, heel- to-toe gait instructions, rotation exercises, and weight training. “Now, I walk 10 minutes with improved balance, without using support and without falls. What a great improvement from the relentless downhill course before therapy! These movement enhancements were instituted in a positive, constructive environment,

–Phyllis Moellenkamp

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No Better Time to Take Care of Yourself

Do you know someone who suffers from chronic pain? If so, there’s no better time to help them — or yourself — get educated. That’s what the American Chronic Pain Association had in mind when they declared September Pain Awareness Month in 2001. The designation happened after the ACPA led a coalition of health care professionals and consumer groups (including the NAACP) to establish a month for pain awareness. During September, various organizations work to raise public awareness of the issues regarding pain management. Even if you belong to no such organization, there are ways for you to get involved. One way is to spread the word. Let your family and friends know about what sets this month apart. If you have another health care provider, ask them if they’re aware of it. You might even call local community leaders and local media to see if they have any plans to mark the day.

You can also “like” the ACPA on Facebook, share their posts, and donate to the ACPA if you can. Their website, theacpa.org, is a very helpful resource. It provides tips on dealing with chronic pain and how to talk about it with your friends.

The ACPA also encourages you to find new tools this month to take care of yourself if

you’re suffering. On the website, you can find instructional videos for relaxation and

medication safety. We also encourage you to stop in to Kinetic PT if you’re struggling with chronic pain.

Sudoku

One-Pan Harvest Pasta

Ingredients • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil • 1 small eggplant, cut into 1-inch pieces (4 cups) • 1 medium zucchini, coarsely chopped (2 cups) • 2 tomatoes or 4 Roma tomatoes, coarsely chopped (1 cup) • 1/3 cup chopped red onion • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 19-ounce can cannellini beans (white kidney beans), rinsed and drained

Grid n°1669070380 easy

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• 1 3/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth • 1 cup dried whole grain elbow macaroni • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper • Kosher salt • Ground black pepper (optional) • Snipped fresh basil • Grated Parmesan cheese

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8 1 9 2 4

9 3 4 2 8 2 5 1 2 3

Instructions 1. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, red onion, and garlic. Cook, uncovered, 7–10 minutes or until vegetables are almost tender, stirring occasionally. 2. Add beans, broth, pasta, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover and simmer 7–10 minutes more or until vegetables and pasta are tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper; top with basil and Parmesan cheese and serve. Recipe courtesy of midwestliving.com

We have all the free sudokus you need! 400 new sudokus every week. Make your own free printable sudoku at www.PrintMySudoku.com

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INSIDE The Love of a Grandma PAGE 1 Dealing With Stress PAGE 2 Testimonials PAGE 2 September: Pain Awareness Month PAGE 3 One-Pan Harvest Pasta PAGE 3 A Celebration of Hard Work PAGE 4 11920 Oak Creek Parkway Huntley, IL 60142

Americans work hard, and on the first Monday of every September we take a moment to acknowledge their efforts. Labor Day has a fascinating history, and one that you might not expect. The roots of Labor Day stretch back to the Industrial Revolution, when jobs became plentiful, but not without a cost. As conditions worsened and work days grew longer, unions sprang up as a way to protect the rights of the common laborer. Workers in Canada didn’t fare quite so well because unions were illegal. In 1872, workers marched directly to the door of Canadian Prime Minister John Macdonald, demanding the right to organize. He relented, and the march became a Canadian tradition. As for who brought the tradition to our country, there are two competing candidates. Peter J. McGuire, a carpenter and member of the American Federation of Labor, witnessed the celebrations in Canada and proposed a similar parade to New York City’s Central Labor Union in 1882. That same year, machinist Matthew Maguire proposed a national Labor Day after a public demonstration by the Central Labor Union. THE HISTORY OF LABOR DAY

Labor Day didn’t become a federal holiday, though, until a few years later. In 1894, the American Railway Union went on strike against the Pullman Company in what is now known as the Pullman Strike. President Grover Cleveland called in the Army and U.S. Marshals in attempt to break the strike, and several workers in Chicago lost their lives. In an effort to quell tensions and garner union vote support, President Cleveland signed Labor Day into law just six days after the strike ended. Our country would not be what it is today without the immense effort of laborers. As you enjoy the last long weekend before fall, take a moment to acknowledge just what a difference these hardworking people make.

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