OPTM PT Saratoga - December 2020 / January 2021

OPTM PT Saratoga - December 2020 / January 2021

MOTION Monthly Today Is a Gift Finding the Value in a Single Day Every year around December and January, our world goes a little dark — at least in the Northern Hemisphere. We get less daylight this time of the year until the Winter Solstice on Dec. 21. After that, the days start getting longer, but we still feel the effects of this darkness well into January. Perhaps it’s this loss of sunlight each year or the pandemic that ravaged 2020 that has me thinking about the value of each day. It isn’t how much daylight we have that adds meaning to our days. In fact, some of our most joyous memories are during the holidays when the days are the shortest. Instead, the value of our days has more to do with our mindset. Personally, I add value to my day by finding balance and practicing gratitude. I think both are key to optimizing each day. As a business owner, dad, husband, friend, community leader, and volunteer, I’m often juggling a lot of tasks. If I’m not careful, my days can easily become unbalanced, as I respond to every need that crops up in front of me. To combat this, I start every day with a little exercise. It clears my mind, gets the creative juices flowing, and allows me to plan my day. I can make adjustments from there after my head is clear. I also make sure I spend enough time with my wife and kids and step away from work when I need to. Each one of the steps I take throughout my day is a vital part of ensuring my life is balanced and I get the most out of each day. But the other part of this is practicing gratitude. I have to think positively and be grateful for what I do have rather than focusing on what I don’t. If I get too bogged down with what I have to do or the forces that are making this task difficult, I won’t have the mental capacity to finish it. Life is going to throw a lot at you, and if 2020 taught us anything, it’s that the unpredictable is always possible. If you whine or complain about it, you’re only setting yourself up for failure. You have to change your mindset about the opportunity you’ve been given and actively work toward overcoming any hurdles.

Make Your Move to Better

Fabrice with his family and looking forward to a brighter 2021.

years, and a patient myself at some points, I’m well aware of the effects pain can have on our mood and function. It plays tricks on our minds and becomes debilitating for many of us. But there is a way out of that. When you seek relief from your pain, you are fostering a better mindset about your future. It’s going to be difficult sometimes, but the effort you put into your relief now is going to help shift your mindset tremendously and, ultimately, improve your days. You will get that old life back or be able to try something new! It’s a powerful part of improving each day you live. As we head into 2021, my goal is to focus on maintaining my balance and gratitude. I have a 9-year-old now — halfway to college! — and I don’t want to miss the big moments of his life or my other family members’ lives. I want to enjoy them and honor each day as it comes.

As they say, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift — enjoy it.”

Happy New Year!

–Dr. Fabrice Rockich

It’s easy to get caught up in the past or worry about the future — especially if you’re someone living with pain. As a clinician of 21

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A FAMILIAR FACE Former Clinical Student Celeste Kim Joins the Team!

SUCCESS STORIES

Earlier in 2020, Celeste Kim finished her clinical rotations with OPTM Physical Therapy of Saratoga. That was the moment she knew she’d found her home. “I loved my time at OPTM,” Celeste says. “I could just see how passionate the physical therapists and staff were and just how invested everyone was

“OPTM Saratoga has been an excellent experience for my recovery from my right knee replacement surgery. My two therapists, Emily and Tyler, worked me back into shape over a seven-week period. They worked very well together to ensure each knew what the other had covered. They were encouraging and tough and, at the same time, took a genuine interest in me as a person.

“The obvious need following my surgery was the ability to bend and straighten the knee to the degree required for full recovery and everyday use. They both worked diligently to make that happen. When I first came in, I was maybe at a 90–95-degree bend and a 4–5-degree straightening. When I finished, I was at a 120-degree bend and a 1-degree straightening. They also taught me a number of new exercises to further strengthen my overall fitness. They proved to be my A team, and since I will need a left knee replacement, I look forward to working with them again. “In addition to Emily and Tyler’s great work, I also want to thank the entire team at OPTM Saratoga. Everyone I worked with, from the front desk to the full team in the therapy area, was attentive, professional, and had positive attitudes. This also happened during the COVID-19 timeline, and I always felt the team took extraordinary efforts to keep the equipment and patients safe.”

in supporting growth. I saw opportunities for myself to grow as a physical therapist and opportunities for me to further the quality of care that OPTM provides for the community.”

And that’s exactly what she’s doing!

Celeste joined our team as a physical therapist on Dec. 1, and she’s already made an impact on our patients. Celeste grew up in Cupertino, California, and it was her love of fitness and working out that led her to a career in physical therapy. In the time she’s spent studying and practicing physical therapy, Celeste says her appreciation for the craft has grown. “You spend a lot of time with patients. I enjoy getting to build that relationship and educating them and empowering them with that knowledge so they can do what they love to do,” Celeste says. Celeste already has plans to obtain her orthopedic specialty qualification and to become certified in vestibular rehabilitation, which targets balance, dizziness, and whiplash. Celeste believes vestibular patients have been severely under- served, and she hopes to bring that service to the community, fusing her love of yoga and passion for healing.

–William W.

“I came to OPTM Saratoga after seeing my doctor for injuries due to falling off a ladder. Instead of surgery, the doctors and I decided to try PT first. My shoulders and hips have gradually regained optimal strength and endurance so that returning to an active lifestyle was possible. My

With plans to achieve her yoga teacher certification, Celeste also enjoys working out at boot camps and cycling gyms. Outside of that, she likes concerts, going out to eat, and spending time with her two best friends: Annabelle and Cherry, her Chihuahua mixes.

doctors were amazed at the progress I have made. I am more ecstatic than they are. Thank you, Phil and OPTM Saratoga!”

–Claudia D.

“I came in because I was having trouble with my shoulders and afraid to do any exercises that would only increase the problem. Emily worked with me on the current techniques for a variety of exercises I could do at home. How wonderful to get a good night’s sleep and not wake up in pain!” –Saundra L.

We are thrilled to welcome such a talented athlete and physical therapist back to OPTM of Saratoga, and we cannot wait to see how Celeste helps our patients. Welcome to the team, Celeste!

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In addition to boasting New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January is full of strange holidays. There’s the heartburn that comes with Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day on Jan. 14, the odd musings you’ll hear on National Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day on Jan. 22, and the stress relief of National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day on Jan. 27. And let’s not forget about Opposite Day on Jan. 25! In honor of this quirky day, we’re busting physical therapy myths, which many people believe to be true. As you’ll learn, it’s just the opposite! Myth: Physical therapy is expensive. Fact: Insurance coverage makes physical therapy more attainable and affordable than surgery, which is often not fully covered. For perspective, physical therapy for knee pain can cost a few hundred dollars — at most. Knee replacement surgery can cost upward of $50,000 without insurance and $4,000 with insurance. Couple that with the fact that physical therapy is safe, noninvasive, and often just as effective (if not more) than surgery, and that makes it an investment worth every penny. TAKE A BREAK 3 MYTHS ABOUT PT AND WHY THEY’RE WRONG! DID YOU KNOW?

Myth: I can do physical therapy on my own. Fact: There’s a reason why physical therapy is called “therapy” and not just “exercise.” The programs are designed to specifically target your needs, pain, and body. Your therapist knows how to create strength- training regimens designed just for you. And they go to school for seven years to earn a doctorate degree in addition to continuing education courses. So, you can exercise, but that will likely do little to help your pain without the guidance of a trusted physical therapist. Myth: I have to be injured to go to physical therapy. Fact: If only our bodies were that good. Physical therapy can do more than get you back to the activities you love after an injury. It can actually be the tool you use to prevent an injury! Preventive physical therapy treatment is designed to help athletes perform better (like golfers who participate in our golf regimens), to help older adults avoid dangerous and life-threatening falls, and to help kids grow into healthy adults. If you or someone you know believed any of these myths and avoided treatment as a result, now’s the time to change that! Schedule a consultation with OPTM of Saratoga by calling 408-973-7700.

FESTIVE APPLE CIDER

If you’re cutting back on calories, skip the eggnog and buttered rum this year and fill up your mug with this delicious mulled cider!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lemon • 1 gallon pure apple cider • 1 large orange, thinly sliced crosswise • 2 tsp whole cloves

• 2 tsp allspice berries • 1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced • 2 tbsp honey • 3 cinnamon sticks

1. Using a paring knife, shave the lemon peel off in curls. Reserve the curls and save the lemon for use in a different recipe. 2. In a large slow cooker, combine the lemon peel with all other ingredients. Cook on low for 3–4 hours. 3. If desired, use a sieve to strain the spices. Serve and enjoy! DIRECTIONS

CAROL CHEER COCOA FAMILY

GIFT HOLIDAY

SHOVEL SLEDDING SNOW TURQUOISE

HOLLY PEACE

Inspired by MinimalistBaker.com

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18780 Cox Ave. Saratoga, CA 95070 408-973-7700 www.optmsaratoga.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

How to Add Value to Your Days Page 1

Client Success Stories Page 2

We Have a New PT! Page 2

PT Myths Busted! Page 3

Festive Apple Cider Page 3

Winter Road Trip Essentials You Didn’t Know You Needed Page 4

A Driver’s Guide to Safe Holiday Travels WINTER ROAD TRIP ESSENTIALS YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED

On Sept. 24, 2019, more than 2.5 million people passed through TSA checkpoints at airports across America. On the same date this year, those terminals saw just 826,316 travelers — a nearly 70% drop. Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Americans have been thinking twice about air travel, and this holiday, millions of would-be flyers will set out on road trips instead. Road tripping is a great way to avoid contact with a lot of people, but it can also be dangerous, especially in winter weather. Fortunately, you can take several steps to keep your family safe. Getting your car checked before you go, for example, can save you a lot of hassle on the road, as

can investing in a set of snow tires. It’s also smart to take precautions such as letting a friend or family member know your route, predicted arrival time, and where you plan to stop for gas along the way. Apart from that, one of the best things you can do is pack an emergency kit. AAA sells premade kits through outlets like Amazon, and you can find a basic kit with things like jumper cables, ponchos, rope, batteries, pliers, zip ties, and a first-aid kit at pretty much any Walmart or sporting goods store. You could even save a life by adding a few more essentials to your kit, like a blanket, snacks, and an extra cellphone charger.

At this point, you’re almost a safety black belt. But to take your kit to the next level for winter driving, there are three more little-known items you should stash in your trunk: a shovel, a bag of sand or cat litter, and an extra bottle of windshield wiper fluid. If you get stuck in a snowbank, the shovel will help you dig your way out without risking frostbitten fingers. The sand or cat litter will boost your traction if you sprinkle it around your wheels in an icy spot, and the extra wiper fluid will make all the difference if you run out during a snowstorm.

Once you’re prepared, crank up the Christmas carols and get driving!

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Celebrate Our Upcoming RELOCATION With A FREE EXAM!

Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021 Call 408.973.7700 today to schedule your FREE EXAM. The free exam consists of a 30-minute one-on-one appointment with one of our staff physical therapists!

THE FREE EXAM IS IDEAL FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM:

• Lower back pain • Arthritis • Sciatica • Hip pain

• Shoulder pain • Elbow/arm pain • Knee pain • Foot pain • Problems walking

18780 Cox Ave. Saratoga, CA 95070 optmsaratoga.com CALL 408.973.7700

• Neck pain • Headaches

A ONE-DAY SPECIAL OFFER FOR ALL PRESENT AND PAST PATIENTS OF OPTM SARATOGA We are moving across the parking lot and want to do something special to celebrate our new location! This is our BIG THANK-YOU for allowing us to serve you. To thank you, our valued customers, we are having a day of completely FREE EXAMS for: • All past clients who have not been seen in PT in more than three months • All present clients who have another problem not currently being treated • All loved ones, family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers of our past and present patients

If you are a past or present patient, call 408.973.7700 to schedule your FREE EXAM.

If you are referring a friend or family member, give them this letter and have them call 408.973.7700 to schedule their FREE EXAM.

The FREE EXAMS will be on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021!

Call our office to register at 408.973.7700!

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The FREE EXAM consists of a 30-minute one-on-one appointment with one of our staff physical therapists. The PT will talk with you about the history of your problem. They will take measurements to test how well you are moving and to test your strength. After a thorough exam, they will give you a written copy of:

1. The cause of your pain or problem. 2. A plan for successful treatment.

The appointments are free, but there is limited availability, so call 408.973.7700 now to schedule your FREE EXAM.

THE FREE EXAM IS IDEAL FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM:

• Lower back pain • Arthritis • Sciatica • Hip pain

• Neck pain • Headaches • Shoulder pain • Elbow/arm pain

• Knee pain • Foot pain • Problems walking

If you are having pains or problems with day-to-day activities such as walking, standing, sitting for long periods, going up or down steps, getting in and out of the car, sleeping, or driving, then this is an excellent opportunity to see one of our world-class physical therapists and find out the mechanical cause of your problem.

Call 408.973.7700 to schedule your FREE EXAM for Jan. 27!

P.S. Remember, there is limited availability, so call now to reserve your appointment for a FREE EXAM.

Fabrice Rockich, DPT, OCS, CSCS, FAFS Certified Nike Golf Performance Specialist Owner, OPTM Physical Therapy of Saratoga

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