OPTM Physical Therapy Saratoga April/May 2021

MOTION Monthly EXCITING NEWS! I have some very exciting news to share. I’m happy to announce that OPTM of Saratoga has merged with Golden Bear Rehabilitation and Wellness! Our new partnership will combine the experience and expertise of Golden Bear’s patient support structures with the continued world- class quality and personal care you have come to expect from OPTM of Saratoga over the past 17 years. Together, we will be able to offer expanded services to our patients and the community, which has always been an important aspect of our mission as a health care provider. Most of what you have come to expect with OPTM of Saratoga will remain the same. Our name, location, and staffing will remain, as well as our time allotment with patients and dedication to their care. Most changes will be in the nonpatient care related areas of HR, billing, and finance. I am confident this new partnership will allow us to remain on the cutting edge of physical therapy and will help in expanding our programs to offer a greater diversity of services at OPTM of Saratoga. To understand why we made this leap, I have to take you back to the beginning. Coming off our best year yet in 2019, a merger was the furthest thing from my mind, but I was still worried about our sustainability. My interest was piqued when I was chatting with some colleagues who were in the process of a merger. My peers mentioned how they had connected with Golden Bear, a network of physical therapy providers across the West Coast, to increase opportunities in their practices. That sounded just like what I wanted for this practice. I am continually striving to build a better OPTM of Saratoga, whether that’s in what we offer our patients or the educational opportunities we give our care staff. We are always looking for ways to grow and provide more relief to our community. Golden Bear and I began our discussions in January 2020, and I was excited about what I was hearing. Partnering with Golden Bear gives us access to an exclusive and exhaustive list of experts across the western portion of the U.S. They were centered on building stronger relationships, better communities, and improved well-being. I was immediately embraced by a team that was focused on what’s best for their entire staff, and I knew that their philosophies aligned perfectly with the atmosphere I had been crafting at OPTM of Saratoga. OPTM of Saratoga Joins Golden Bear

Make Your Move to Better

Then, the pandemic hit. I had no idea what was going to happen — both with the clinic and this new partnership. That five-week closure and subsequent reopenings were some of the most stressful weeks of my life, but I knew that this pending merger was necessary for our continued growth. Since joining Golden Bear, I have been amazed by the progress we have made as a team. Behind the scenes, our office staff has more resources to streamline their billing and human resources duties. We had previously been running these departments on historically small budgets, asking amazing employees to do a lot. Now, they have the tools to accomplish much more. But the improvement I was most excited about came with our clinical staff. The ability to access the knowledge, expertise, and training of some of the nation’s best physical therapists is a privilege. We have already begun additional training, including one on pelvic floor health. We even flew in an expert from Arizona! These experiences and many others will allow us to expand our services and provide more opportunities for relief for our community. I have witnessed just how powerful this partnership has been in the months since we joined Golden Bear, and I am excited for the opportunities, growth in our relationship and knowledge, and expansion into becoming a more well-rounded practice. I have been in awe of the impacts of this partnership and have had the privilege of watching some of my employees be promoted into new ranks. I’m incredibly proud of them and excited about this opportunity.

Welcome to our new era as a partner with Golden Bear Rehabilitation and Wellness!

–Dr. Fabrice Rockich

408-973-7700

www.optmsaratoga.com

1

Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com

Walk Away! IN THESE 3 GREAT LOCAL DESTINATIONS

SUCCESS STORIES

We’re lucky to call Saratoga home, and as our world begins to re-open, it’s going to be important that we continue to practice caution as we journey back into our community. This spring, take the leap back into exploring our little slice of paradise with these great local sites for walking! Hakone Estate and Gardens Where: 21000 Big Basin Way Hours: Weekdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekends 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: $8–$10 Website: Hakone.com With a storied history more than 100 years in the making, Hakone Estate and Gardens is just the escape you need. The gardens’ original owner modeled the landscape after traditional Japanese gardens. The estate crossed ownership between families in its first 50 years of existence and was sold to the City of Saratoga for the purposes of preservation. Today, gardening teams care for this Japanese escape in the heart of the mountains in Saratoga. The park features seating and wheelchair access and masking is required. Los Gatos Creek Trail Where: Multiple access points in Los Gatos, Campbell, and San Jose Admission: Free Website: LosGatosCA.gov Run, walk, bike, or scoot along this nearly 10-mile trail. Running along multiple jurisdictions in our region, the Los Gatos Creek Trail offers a paved walking path with mountainous views and creekside noises. Regular users of the trail have their favorite spots, like the dog park just off the trail in Campbell. This is the perfect option for those looking for a path with easy access and who enjoy leisurely walking! Fremont Older Preserve Where: 22898 Prospect Road Hours: Opens 30 minutes before sunrise, closes 30 minutes after sunset Admission: Free Website: OpenSpace.org Enjoy 739 acres of land to explore and wide-open spaces to provide some much-needed relief from cabin fever. The preserve features open hayfields and lookouts at Seven Springs Canyon and Hunters Point. The terrain does feature some steep grades, but there are trails that offer low-sloped options for those who need it. Restrooms are available on-site, and dogs are allowed if leashed. Like anywhere else, the park rangers ask that visitors wear masks and be cognizant of increased foot traffic in the area.

“My experience with Ben and the staff has exceeded my expectations, going above and beyond in my treatment. Prior to meeting with Ben, my physical condition with my neck, shoulder, scapula, and tennis elbows had been ongoing for quite some time. I’m extremely pleased with my progression at this point and will continue to

strive to reach my goal of playing golf on a regular basis and fly fishing. I do need to mention, after 6–7 weeks of the deep tissue laser treatment for my tennis elbows, it truly works. I do not have to use elbow support straps at this time! I recommend OPTM to anyone who needs PT rehab treatment.”

–Duane M.

“Hi! I’m Nina. I came to OPTM Saratoga with some expectations, as I had only heard about physical therapy. This was my first ever experience, and I have to say it was above and beyond what I expected, all because of Emily! She is great. She really took the time to explain all of the mechanics of the

body and how the exercises I was doing/given to do at home will help. I came in with severe lower back pain, which was diagnosed as back spasms … I can’t say enough about Emily, as I really do believe I’m better because of her! All the staff at OPTM Saratoga are SUPER FRIENDLY, which is a big deal too!”

–Nina P.

“I came to Tyler with shoulder pain from swimming and weightlifting. At the time, I was not able to perform either without significant pain. Tyler worked with me, and in a few weeks, I was swimming short distances and lifting light weights. I am now able to swim farther than before and lift the same or more weight, all thanks

to Tyler! I then came to Tyler to work on chronic foot/toe pain that had been ongoing for years off and on. My goal was primarily to get back to running long distances but also to be able to play basketball with friends. I am now building back up my mileage and plan to run a 100-mile ultra-marathon in the coming months as well as play basketball during the spring and summer. I can’t thank Tyler enough for his hard work, friendly demeanor, and positive attitude. Thanks, Tyler!”

–Kevin B.

2

www.optmsaratoga.com

408-973-7700

Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com

MOVE WITH EASE Our joints help us move in a variety of ways, but those very same movements can create pain, stiffness, and dread for many who suffer from chronic pain. If you want to exercise more or are hoping to enjoy our beautiful spring weather, keep these three tips for combating joint pain in mind. Warm Up and Cool Down Like a musician tuning for a performance, your body needs to prepare before and recover after movement. In both instances, this should include stretching, which lubricates your joints and protects from overuse, stiffening, or pain. When stretching before movement, keep the stretches dynamic — don’t hold the position but move as you stretch. This may include hip bends or walking. When cooling down, hold stretches to signal to your body that it’s time to relax and repair. Fuel Your Body Food is fuel! The best way to use this fuel is to prepare and consume foods that are going to help your body move and stay active. Stick to lean proteins, leafy vegetables, colorful fruits, whole grains, nuts, and seeds to reap the joint-friendly benefits of nutrition. This can be a double-edged sword, however. Heavily processed foods and excessive sugar can stimulate inflammation and create more joint pain. Stick to Low-Impact Exercise Jumping jacks and running are great ways to work your heart, but they can be foes to your joints. Instead of doing exercises that require a lot of jumping, opt for low-impact choices to protect your joints. (If you want to try high-impact workouts, too, incorporate one or two each week into your

3 Ways to Prevent Joint Pain as You Exercise

workout routine.) Walking, swimming, hiking, and biking are going to protect your joints from the forceful blow of a jump and ensure that you can continue staying active for longer periods of time. Movement is vital to a healthy lifestyle, but it can be tricky. If you are struggling with joint pain or fear exercise because of chronic pain, our team at OPTM of Saratoga can help. Call us today to schedule an appointment!

WORD SEARCH

SPRING VEGETABLE AND CHICKEN PASTA BAKE

Inspired by TheSeasonedMom.com

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup fresh chives, chopped and divided • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped and divided • 2 tsp minced garlic • 1/4 tsp salt • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

• 1 cup cooked chicken, diced • 1 14-oz can artichokes, drained and quartered • 1 cup fresh asparagus pieces • 1/2 cup carrots, grated • 1 1/2 cups uncooked penne pasta • 1 3/4 cups chicken broth

DIRECTIONS

3. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes. 4. Uncover and stir. At this point, check the pasta to

1. Preheat oven to 425 F and grease an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. 2. In the prepared dish, stir together cooked chicken,

make sure it is al dente. If it’s undercooked, cover the dish and return to the oven until pasta is tender.

artichokes, asparagus, carrots, uncooked pasta, chicken broth, half the chives, half the parsley, garlic, salt, and 2 tbsp Parmesan.

GARDEN KITE RAINBOW SHOWERS

CHOCOLATE DAISY DIAMOND ENVIRONMENT

ARBOR ARIES

5. Remove from oven and garnish with remaining

BASEBALL CHERRIES

Parmesan, chives, and parsley.

408-973-7700

www.optmsaratoga.com

3

Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

12980 Saratoga Ave. Saratoga, CA 95070 408-973-7700 www.optmsaratoga.com

We Have BIGNews! Page 1

Success Stories Page 2

3 Places You ShouldWalk This Spring! Page 2

ExerciseMore, With Less Pain Page 3

Spring Vegetable and Chicken Pasta Bake Page 3

A Tail That Inspired Thousands Page 4

WINTER THE DOLPHIN

A TAIL THAT INSPIRED THOUSANDS

feel that if Winter could overcome her obstacles, they can, too. There was even a film made about her called “Dolphin Tale.” In fact, many of the scenes from the movie were shot at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and Winter starred as herself. The film captures her triumphant story and chronicles how she inspires people around the world. To learn more about Winter, read inspirational stories, or donate to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, visit CMAquarium.org. And, of course, “Dolphin Tale” is a great film for your next movie night!

situation, but then a new problem arose. Without flukes, Winter began moving her body side-to-side to swim, which caused scoliosis in her spine. However, an expert created a custom prosthetic tail for her, enabling her to swim normally again without impacting her spine. Since then, Winter has thrived! The story of what Winter went through, her struggle to recover, and how she fought to live has inspired thousands of people. Children and adults who have lost their limbs or were born with disabilities travel from around the world to meet her. She encourages people to keep fighting, and many

Winter the dolphin was only 2 years old when rescuers found her with a crab trap line wrapped so tightly around her tail it was cutting off the circulation to her flukes. Unfortunately, this led to the eventual loss of her tail. In most cases, dolphins can’t survive without their flukes. When Winter first arrived at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, her caregivers worried about her overall health. The infection that had taken over her tail due to loss of circulation was spreading, and if it reached her spinal cord, they knew she would die. Fortunately, her spinal cord remained untouched. Winter adapted to her

4

www.optmsaratoga.com

408-973-7700

Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com