OPTM PT of Saratoga October 2018

OPTM PT of Saratoga October 2018

Monthly Reflecting on 20 Years of Physical Therapy Overcoming My Fears and Being Grateful for My Opportunities

Twenty years ago, I began a journey that has brought me countless joys and opportunities. In 1998, I graduated from USC in the first graduating class to earn clinical doctorates in physical therapy. I have enjoyed helping coutnless patients over the years, and since opening OPTM Saratoga in 2004, I have thoroughly enjoyed the unique opportunity my clinic has given me to teach young physical therapists about the craft. I certainly have a lot to be thankful for. There’s one facet of my journey that, at the time, I wished I didn’t have to experience, but, looking back, I’m glad I did. It gave me insight into my patients, and it made me the physical therapist I am today. If you’ve ever been one of my patients, there’s a good chance you’ve heard about my own journey as a physical therapy patient. I sprained my ankle as a high school athlete, and I had to endure my own rehab to get my body back up to par for football. I can remember the fear that came with that injury and the subsequent rehab. Luckily, I had a physical therapist who guided me through the physical training I needed to get back to my true athletic self. And in that process, my emotional and spiritual needs were met as well. Just like many of my patients, I had to go from crutches to learning how to walk again, and through it all, I gained a valuable tool for my career in physical therapy: empathy. I stood where you all once stood and ached as you all have ached before. I learned that healing is a threefold process between the physical, emotional, and spiritual, and in order to get back to doing what you love, you need encouragement and motivation. You need to celebrate the victories and focus on what’s ahead.

I’m 20 years into this journey with you all, and I have not forgotten that terrifying time in my life. I use that story to highlight the potential for success all patients have, but more importantly, I use it to connect with my patients. To ease their fears (emotional healing), motivate their process, (spiritual needs), and begin their body’s repair (physical process), they need to hear encouragement and focus on where they want to be. I’m so grateful that I’ve been afforded this opportunity throughout the past 20 years, and while, as a physical therapist, there are always those initial fears of not being good enough, I’ve been able to develop relationships with clients as I work with them through their recovery. While I don’t get as much time with patients anymore, I enjoy guiding young physical therapists through their early years of practice. It’s an exciting new aspect to my career — one I can’t wait to keep pursuing. This didn’t always seem possible. Heck, I was unsure if I could even play football again, let alone walk normally. Little did I know that I’d be helping others get back to the activities that give their life meaning and the sports they love, just like my therapist helped me — and that’s a wonderful blessing. Dr. Fabrice Rockich

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Pain-Free Cooking Avoid Injury This Thanksgiving

SUCCESS STORIES

Whenever an activity involves heavy lifting or repetitive motion, it’s important to take steps to prevent injury. While back pain, carpal tunnel, and sore shoulders are normally associated with work-related injuries, it’s important to note that these issues can also

“After a few sessions of PT, my therapist, Jamie, suggested laser treatment for my shoulder. After the first laser treatment, my pain level went way down. With less pain after each treatment, I was able to do my exercises with only discomfort, not pain. I

result from working in the kitchen if you’re not careful. With the big feast coming up at the end of the month, here’s a guide to pain-free cooking! MIX IT UP Even if you’re “just” chopping carrots or peeling potatoes, you may be exposing yourself to a repetitive strain injury. Standing for long periods with your shoulders hunched forward is also bad for your back. While it’s always important to keep an eye on your posture, the best way to avoid pain and stiffness is to do a mix of activities in short bursts. If you’re cooking with family, consider swapping jobs every six or seven minutes to give your body a break from the same motions and positions. USE YOUR TOOLS If you are older or suffer from arthritis, this is an especially important point. Ergonomic kitchen utensils are available to make many cooking tasks, from slicing to stirring, easier to handle. Using oven mitts rather than pot holders also lets you grip hot items with greater confidence and reduces the likelihood of an accident. LIFTING THE TURKEY All right, here’s the big one: One of the easiest ways to hurt your back is to lift a heavy object while simultaneously twisting your torso — the exact thing one might do when trying to take a turkey out of the oven in a single fluid motion. Do not put yourself and the feast at risk. Lift with your legs, straighten all the way up, and then turn to where you want to carve it. No one wants to throw their back out before Black Friday. We hope you have a safe and happy start to the holiday season. If any aches or pains develop as the weather gets colder, feel free to swing by and let our physical therapy experts get you moving again!

can now sleep on my side for part of the night, which helps my sleep. I am now able to use the arm/shoulder equipment at Curves for exercising, which I could not do before. I have now signed up for six additional treatments to move my recovery to no discomfort at all. Thanks for mentioning laser treatment.”

–Janice Hartz, 6/25/18

“I had a very successful recovery here at OPTM Saratoga. At my first visit, my neck was really painful, making it difficult to drive, cook, walk my dog, and so on. My therapist, Thuy, planned 12 sessions. It is unbelievable that,

after finishing 10 sessions, I recovered completely. There’s no more pain in my neck, back, and arm. Now I can’t wait to tell my friends about my happy PT story. Thank you, Thuy. You did an awesome job.”

–Ni Ye, 7/10/18

“Phil has helped me recover from several injuries since my return to masters competitive swimming in 2010. After rotator cuff surgery in February, Phil customized a PT program focused on getting me back in the water as soon as I safely could. When I had pain with specific swimming motions, Phil had me demonstrate those actions and used techniques to help improve range of motion and eliminate the pain. In August, less than six months after surgery, I competed in the Pan American Masters Championships and medaled in every event — including a surprise third place in the 100-meter butterfly. I couldn’t have done it without Phil!”

–Alan Bernard, 7/9/18

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How Physical Therapy Can Keep You off the Table AVOIDING SURGERY

There’s no denying the marvel of modern medicine and advancements in healing technology. People are living longer, healthier, and happier lives, and more advancements are being made daily. This has created a plethora of options for patients. Rather than opting for surgery, take a look at why you should consider physical therapy instead. The Cost of Surgery The price tag to go under the knife and its subsequent risks should be enough to make you consider alternative options. Surgery comes with its own health risks, including blood clotting, paralysis, and anesthesia complications, and it cannot guarantee a positive result. Surgery should always be a last resort because its risks can be dangerous and the bill will be hefty. Furthermore, the recovery time after surgery is often lengthier, more extreme, and frequently involves physical therapy. So, why not just try therapy first? Your Body’s Potential The human body is meant to sustain a slew of physical activities, and even better, it’s designed to heal itself. The goal of physical therapy is to restore and promote flexible, strong, healthy bodies. Your physical therapist will work with you through a regenerative healing process,

so when you choose physical therapy over surgery, you’re choosing to let your body work through its pain in its own restorative way. The Power of Options Even if you wind up needing surgery, you deserve to try other avenues for relief first. Physical therapy has the power to help you avoid costly surgery and dangerous medications, but it also puts you in control. It gives you a chance to try different kinds of relief before moving forward with a solution as permanent as surgery. Your physical therapist is also a medical expert, and they may be able to help you find other alternatives and practices to get you pain-free and back on your feet. There’s no denying the healing that surgery can offer, but it shouldn’t be your only option. Learn more about what OPTM Saratoga can do for you by calling 408-973-7700.

PALEO PUMPKIN COCONUT SMOOTHIE This meal-in-a-glass smoothie will cure your craving for a pumpkin spice latte. It’s packed with nutrients and fall flavor. If you’re the type of person who uses your blender more than your pots and pans, you’ll definitely want to add this recipe to your rotation.

TAKE A BREAK

Ingredients

• 1 cup coconut milk • 1/4 cup organic pumpkin purée • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (or substitute

with cinnamon and ginger) • 1 frozen banana, sliced • 1 cup ice

Directions

1. In a blender, combine all ingredients. 2. Blend on high or on smoothie setting until smooth.

3. Transfer to a cold glass, garnish with pumpkin pie spice, and serve.

Cauldron Costume Dracula Ghost

Halloween Hallows Eve

Scary Stories Spooky Trick-or-Treat Zombie

Haunted Pumpkin

Inspired by cookeatpaleo.com

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My 20Years of Physical Therapy Page1

What People Are Saying About Us Page2

3 Tips for Pain-Free Cooking Page2

Avoid SurgeryWith Physical Therapy Page3 Paleo Pumpkin Coconut Smoothie Page3 3Movie Locations to Captivate Your Eyes Page4

3 Famous Movie Locations You Need to Visit Why Watch the Film When You Can See It With Your Own Eyes? Movies captivate audiences partially because of their ability to transport you to a different place. The heart yearns to be taken places, and cinema facilitates that journey. But what if you could immerse yourself in those fantastical worlds by visiting the destinations that you’ve seen on the big screen? Here are three places that are worth the trip. Hobbiton The only aspect of “The Lord of the Rings” that is more compelling than the fantastical journey of Frodo is the alluring, untamed countryside and quaint towns that make up Middle Earth. The Green Dragon Inn, Bilbo’s house, and the rolling hills of New Zealand make for a backdrop that will transport you straight into the life of Middle Earth’s smallest people — only these houses aren’t small at all. And you don’t need large, hairy feet to enjoy them. Christ Church Cathedral Harry Potter captured the imagination of the world. There are multiple sites across the United Kingdom where you can get lost in the adventure that shaped a generation, but there is one spot at the top of almost every fan’s list. Hogwarts is a magic castle in J.K. Rowling’s books, but in real life, its film location is a functioning cathedral in Oxford. Take one

“The Lord of the Rings” set in Hobbiton, New Zealand

step onto the grounds of Christ Church Cathedral, and you might begin to wonder when the next Quidditch match will begin.

Tikal National Park When George Lucas witnessed a poster of this famous archeological site, he didn’t see an ancient culture — he saw Yavin IV, the perfect location for the Massassi Outpost, a rebel haven found in the first film of Star Wars. Though the movie paints a futuristic look at the region, walk through Tikal National Park and you’ll experience it as a trip through history.

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