North County Water & Sports Therapy Center October 2018

North County Water & Sports Therapy Center October 2018

PATIENT PULSE

(858) 675-1133 | www.waterpt.com

15373 Innovation Dr. #175 | San Diego, CA 92128 | (858) 675-1133 12171 World Trade Dr. | San Diego, CA 92128

PILLOW CASES AND PEANUT BUTTER CUPS Halloween Past and Present As a kid, Halloween was one of my favorite holidays. We grew up in a small New England town, so we had the privilege of making our rounds unchaperoned. Our parents told us only to go to houses we knew and to be back home at a certain time, but other than that, they let us have our fun. We also made our own costumes. I can’t tell you how many times I used my dad’s cut-off jeans as the centerpiece of a hobo costume. Whenever I was at a loss for an idea or didn’t have the time to craft a costume, it was an easy fallback. By the time we hit middle school, which was when we became to old for trick-or-treating, I had probably dressed as a hobo for at least three Halloweens. The other aspect of those childhood Halloweens that sticks out in my mind is trading candy with my little brother. After we went out and did our best to fill up our pillow cases — this was before the days of custom reflective candy bags and plastic pumpkins — we’d sit down to compare our hauls. To this day, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are my favorite candy, so I was always eager to trade for them. When my brother was very young, it was easy to unload some Necco Wafers for the more desirable Reese’s. But as he got older, he realized he could drive a harder bargain. Not to worry, though — as an adult, I can eat all the Reese’s I want. In fact, I have a tendency to eat way too many. That’s why I ask the staff to keep them away from me if they end up in our candy bowl. Under normal circumstances, I have no problem eating healthy. But something about peanut butter cups around Halloween — nostalgia, maybe — proves tough to resist.

While I may not have the same appetite for candy, I still have no trouble getting into the spirit of Halloween. Every year, the staff dresses up in themed costumes to celebrate. While everyone does a great job putting together a costume, I think the staff would say that Ryann takes things to another level entirely. Last year, we did New Orleans-themed costumes, and everyone was curious what Ryann would come up with. When she showed up dressed as the plastic baby you find inside a king cake, we were blown away. There’s no telling what she’s got up her sleeve this year. While we won’t reveal our 2018 costumes until the day of, keep an eye on our social media feeds (@NorthCountyWaterandSportsTherapyCenter on Facebook, @NCWSTC on Twitter, and @ncwaterandsportstherapycenter on Instagram) for photos from years past. Then, stop in on Halloween to see what we’ve come up with. Who knows? There might even be a Reese’s or two for you to enjoy. I want to wish everyone a wonderful start to their holiday season. If you have any favorite Halloween memories, I’d love to hear them the next time you’re in the office.

–Beth Scalone

If you have an appointment on Halloween, please feel free to dress up! Or feel free to drop by the office that day and show off your costume! All participants will be entered into a drawing for a $50 Gift Card!

1 (858) 675-1133

LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE AS A FAMILY LET YOUR CHILDREN SPEAK TO THE WORLD

WHICH LANGUAGE SHOULD YOU LEARN? Did you know that 40 million Americans currently speak Spanish at home? The U.S. is the second-largest Spanish-speaking country in the world, and we border the largest, so learning this language is a great way for children to communicate with more people in their community, and they’ll be more hirable as adults. Bonus : It’s commonly considered one of the easiest languages for English speakers to learn. Mandarin is the most-spoken language on the planet, and China’s growth as an economic powerhouse has made this language even more useful around the world. German, Arabic, and Japanese speakers are also highly sought-after in the job market. Of course, you can always let your wanderlust or passions decide for you! Is your child obsessed with K-Pop? Have them learn Korean. Want to take them to Paris someday? Enroll in French classes. THE LANGUAGES OF THE WORLD ARE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS. Learning a new skill has never been easier! While there’s no substitute for a full- time class or moving to another country, there are countless ways to teach yourself a new language right at home, usually for free. YouTube tutorials, podcasts, and audiobooks let you rewind and listen to the lessons as many times as needed to master pronunciations. Can’t tear your child away from their cellphone? Download Duolingo, rated by PCMag.com as the best free language-learning app of 2018.

As the weather cools down, finding ways to spend quality time as a family

can become challenging. It’s too cold to camp or barbecue, and money may be tight with the holidays coming up. So why not turn learning a new skill into a bonding experience this fall? You can do it inside, it’s free, and it will open doors around the world for the rest of your children’s lives.

WHY LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE? Speaking multiple languages creates opportunities for your child. Being bilingual makes you more qualified for a variety of exciting careers and can improve your competitiveness in the job market. Knowing a second language can also allow you to travel with greater ease and become more culturally well- rounded. There are some studies that claim learning languages is even good for your health. Research shows that our language acquisition skills peak in childhood or adolescence, so starting young is the best way to become fluent. If your child is in school, they probably already know classmates who speak another language.

CELEBRATE NATIONAL PT MONTH

With North County Water & Sports

Did you know that October is National Physical Therapy Month? To celebrate, we are holding month-long games and hosting a special event. We hope you’ll join us in the festivities. Our first contest this year is therapist trivia. We have questions about each of our team members, designed to test your knowledge and familiarity with them. Those who score the highest will qualify for the chance to win a prize. Next up, we have our baby picture contest. On a wall in the practice, you’ll find photos from the earliest days of the lives of our team. Your goal is to match each photo with the name of a staff member. Those who correctly guess all of the photos will be entered into a drawing.

If you aren’t around the office this month, you can still participate through our social media pages. Check them out for more details!

Finally, we’ll be hosting a back pain and sciatica workshop on Oct. 18 from 6:30–7:30 p.m. At the workshop, we’ll discuss the biggest mistake those suffering from back pain make; the three most common causes of lower back pain; and the top three strategies to eliminate pain for good without surgery, injections, or medication. And the workshop is totally free. However, space is limited, so it’s a good idea to sign up as soon as possible. Simply call our office or visit waterpt.com to reserve your space.

Within our walls and in our pools, every month is physical therapy month, but that doesn’t mean we don’t like doing a little something extra for National PT Month. It’s a perfect opportunity to educate and have some fun with our wonderful patients. Think you can easily tell what we all looked like as toddlers? Well, stop on in and test your skills. Our board will be waiting.

www.waterpt.com 2

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL PHYSICAL THERAPY MONTH To celebrate, we are hosting a Lower Back Pain and Sciatica Workshop. Where: North County Water and Sports Therapy Center 15373 Innovation Drive, Suite 175 San Diego, CA 92128 When: Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018 6:30–7:30 p.m.

If you have back pain, or you know someone who does, and are confused about what to do and are looking for answers, here is some of what we will cover in the workshop: • The #1 mistake back pain and sciatica sufferers make that stops them from healing • The three most common causes of lower back pain and sciatica • A surefire way to pick the right treatment for the cause of your pain (and save you time and money) • How a problem in your back can cause pain, numbness, or tingling in your leg • What successful treatment and permanent relief looks like without the side effects of medications, injections, or surgery

We only have 20 seats available for the event ...

So, if you would like to attend, be sure to register now.

Call 858-675-1133.

How much is it to attend?

This informational session is free. All you need to do is register by calling the number above. Here at North County Water and Sports Therapy Center, we’ve helped hundreds of people right here in San Diego who have suffered needlessly with the lower back and sciatica ... it’s our specialty. Simply put, sciatica has 3 common causes:

1. Herniated discs

2. Stenosis or arthritis

3. Pelvis or SI joint problems Successful treatment for these conditions usually involves the following:

How do I register for the Lower Back Pain and Sciatica Workshop?

1. Specific exercises

Call our office to register at 858-675-1133.

2. Education and movement training on how to put less stress on your spine

When you register, we will send you the following:

1. The Lower Back Pain and Sciatica Worksheet to bring with you to the workshop

3. Hands-on physical therapy

4. And, for some, aquatic exercise (especially for those who do not tolerate traditional land-based programs)

2. The report “The Top 10 Most Burning Questions for Back Pain and Sciatica”

BUT DON’T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT! HERE IS WHAT FORMER PATIENTS HAVE TO SAY!

I went to North County Water & Sports Therapy Center seeking relief from lower back and sciatica pain. I had been to N.C. Water and Sports two years previously for an unrelated injury and had good results, so I felt comfortable returning. My goal was to become as pain-free as possible and be able to once again walk the golf course without pain. After evaluation, I started bi-weekly pool therapy, which included a variety of exercises while floating in the pool. The pool exercises were fun and absolutely pain-free. After four weeks, I felt good enough to resume normal physical activities, including walking the golf course with very little discomfort. The therapists I worked with were professional, friendly and attentive. I highly recommend anyone with lower back, disc, or sciatica pain visit North County Water & Sports Therapy Center. I came to PT for pain in my right lower back, which was keeping me from being able to stand for any length of time or walk more than a couple of blocks. I was tossing and turning at night so I wasn’t sleeping well. It was diagnosed as stenosis in the SI joint, and nothing was available from orthopedics. They prescribed PT, and after two months of PT, I have no more pain at all. I have home exercises I do, and I can now stand and walk as long as I want. I am now sleeping all night. What a great experience. This place is the best! I am a caregiver and severely hurt my back lifting a patient. I was sent to the water and sports therapy center by workers’ comp. My experience was better than I ever imagined. Both Ryann and Jan were very thorough and spot-on, honing in on the problem area and working the muscles to their best advantage. I never dreamed I would ever have a normal back again, but I do! Brittani and Bettina are wonderful — so personable and professional — keeping your schedule on track at all times no matter what. Thank you, everybody. You are all amazing. – Bill Stafford – Kim Pierce

– Leslie Balcaen

If you go to your doctor with pain, chances are they’ll prescribe you pain medication. While pain medication can help in certain situations, such as acute pain, cancer treatment, and end-of-life care, in others, it’s not always the only solution. Relying too heavily on medication for chronic pain can lead to bigger problems. To manage long-lasting pain, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, highly recommends seeing a physical therapist. medications to cope, you’re not solving the problem. The pills only mask the pain, but the issue remains. A physical therapist works to resolve the problems causing the pain and manage pain by strengthening the affected part of the body. Instead of relying on prescription drugs, a physical therapist helps relieve pain through education, hands-on care, and movement. MYTHS ABOUT PHYSICAL THERAPY You may have heard that physical therapy is painful or that a center will only accept someone who has been injured, but that’s not true. Physical therapy works with a patient’s range of motion and limitations to heal and restore their body’s proper function. The PT’s goal is to relieve your pain, not create it. Patients include older OPTIONS BEYOND PAIN MEDICATION THE BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY When you suffer from chronic pain and take pain

people experiencing age-related wear and tear, athletes, and individuals hurt in accidents. Physical therapists specialize in restoring mobility and relieving pain as well as detecting and diagnosing problems before they become worse. WHEN TO TALK TO A PHYSICAL THERAPIST Pain that lasts less than 90 days is considered acute; anything over that is chronic. When a condition becomes chronic, it’s recommended that you speak to a physical therapist about the pain you’re experiencing instead of continuing pain medication. The CDC guidelines note that non-opioid therapies are “preferred” for chronic pain and state, “Clinicians should consider opioid therapy only if expected benefits for both pain and function are anticipated to outweigh risks to the patient.”

Suffering from pain doesn’t have to be part of your life, and there are other solutions than relying on medication.

TAKE A BREAK

H

As we enter the height of s’mores season, consider upgrading those store-bought marshmallows to homemade ones. For a colorful treat, you can easily add food coloring to this recipe.

DIRECTIONS

1. In a mixing bowl, combine gelatin and 1/2 cup cold water. Let sit while you make the syrup. 2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup water until the sugar dissolves. 3. Raise heat to high and bring syrup up to 240 F, using a candy thermometer to check for temperature. 4. With an electric whisk on low speed, slowly whisk syrup into gelatin mixture. Switch speed to high and whip for 15 minutes, until very thick. Fold in vanilla after whipping. 5. Dust a nonmetal baking dish with powdered sugar and spoon mixture into dish. Smooth mixture, top with more powdered sugar, and let stand uncovered overnight. 6. Cut into squares, decorate, and serve.

INGREDIENTS

•

3 packages unflavored gelatin 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

•

•

1 cup light corn syrup

•

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

•

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

•

Powdered sugar, to coat

Inspired by foodnetwork.com

3 (858) 675-1133

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

Monday—Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (858) 675-1133 www.waterpt.com

15373 Innovation Dr. #175 San Diego, CA 92128

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1

How Water PT Does Halloween

2

Learn a New Language as a Family

It’s National PT Month!

3

Physical Therapy vs. Pain Medication

Homemade Marshmallows

4

San Diego Halloween Parties

LOCAL HALLOWEEN EVENTS

Spooky Fun for Kids and Adults Alike

THE HAUNTED HOTEL When: Wednesday through Sunday, beginning Oct. 1 Where: 424 Market Street San Diego, CA 92101 Consistently ranked among America’s scariest Halloween adventures, the Haunted Hotel is not for the faint of heart. With areas like zombie- infested alleys and “the mutant mine shaft,” as well as something called a “hellevator,” every square inch of the space is designed to send a shiver down your spine. The experience is so terrifying that it is not recommended for children under 10. You can buy tickets and learn more at hauntedhotel.com.

Halloween is the only time of year you can hang out with a group of witches, ghouls, and vampires without anyone raising an eyebrow. Whether you’re looking for an event to share with your children or something geared toward adults, San Diego and the surrounding areas have just the Halloween-themed events for you. Here are three of our favorites.

BATES NUTS FARM 2018 PUMPKIN PATCH When: Open seven days, hours vary Where: 15954 Woods Valley Road, Valley Center, CA You don’t have to travel far for some authentic pumpkin picking in a beautiful setting. Make the short drive north to Bates Nuts Farm and visit their annual Pumpkin Patch event, including hay rides, a straw maze, and of course, more gourds than you can count. If you head up on a weekend, you’ll also find food trucks, rock climbing, and bouncy houses. Head to batesnutfarm.biz for full details.

BALBOA PARK HALLOWEEN FAMILY DAY When: Oct. 27, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Balboa Park Balboa Park Halloween Family Day, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, has grown to become a San Diego tradition. Featuring free hands-on activities for kids, parades, costume contests, and more, it’s the single biggest party for families this time of year. Children 12 and under also receive free access to participating museums, which will host holiday-themed exhibits and activities.

www.waterpt.com 4