OPTM pt Saratoga July 2018

OPTM pt Saratoga July 2018

Monthly

‘A Slice of Heaven’ Hanging With the Fami ly on Lake Tul loch

Every year toward the end of July, my family packs up and heads out to my grandfather-in-law’s place on Lake Tulloch to get away for a few days. The house, sitting right on the side of the beautiful lake, has been in my wife’s family for years, and we relish every opportunity to get out there and relax together with my in-laws, Lindsay’s brother and his wife, their kids, and of course our own Jake and Owen. Lindsay’s grandfather always refers to it as “a slice of heaven,” and it truly is. There’s no better place to recharge alongside my family. Sitting out on the deck overlooking the water and the green, rolling, tree-dotted hills beyond, it’s pretty much impossible not to feel a pervasive sense of peace. And really, we’re lucky to be able to go there at all. It used to be that you could rent property out there, but as the lake became crowded with tourists, all the homeowner’s associations began to clamp down on rentals due to all the excessive noise. So, even though it’s this incredible place, it remains charged with this quiet energy, an uncrowded and unhurried atmosphere that does wonders for a busy guy like me. My wife’s been going there with her 33 cousins and nine aunts and uncles since she was tiny. Over the years, as they created countless memories, it became a special place for their family. And now, Jake and Owen and their three slightly older cousins are doing the same thing — it’s really cool to see. And as tranquil as the place is, it’s easy to find something to do if we or the kids get antsy. We’ll grab the kids and go out fishing with them, reeling in all kinds of bass, crappie, and every once in a while, a bluegill or two. Last year, Owen caught his first fish ever, and one day, looking over the top deck of the house, I saw an insanely huge,

monster fish slowly circling the shallows — I’d be okay if we never hooked that particular beast.

When we’re not on the pontoon boat, sometimes we’ll rent a speedboat and do some wakeboarding or tubing, or skip boats altogether and get out on the paddleboards. And of course, we’ll be out swimming in the warm water nearly every day. But for me, the best part will always be the time I get to spend with my family. Every year, we add a new chapter at Lake Tulloch, a new set of memories that brings us closer together. Whether we’re barbecuing out on the lake, watching as a troupe of deer silently step past the house in the early morning, or catching the sunset from the pontoon boat, I’m constantly struck by a feeling of immense gratitude to have this chance to be with the people I care about most. Dr. Fabrice Rockich

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Meet Laura Barker One of the Most Experienced PTs in Saratoga

SUCCESS STORIES

When Laura Barker first became a personal trainer, fresh out of college, she loved her job. She loved keeping people moving, helping them reach their fitness goals, and watching as they tangibly improved session by session. But after six years

“In July of 2017, I severely injured my left ankle. The injury went undiagnosed for three months. I was becoming extremely concerned with ankle pain, swelling, and limited mobility. Eventually, the diagnosis revealed two torn tendons, Achilles tendonitis, and other issues. My

new MD sent me to OPTM Saratoga, and I am so glad she did. Jamie, Todd, and all the PT aides were amazing. They put me at ease by explaining thoroughly what needed to be done and what I needed to follow through with. I am now working with no pain and am back to normal activity. OPTM Saratoga kept me from surgery. In my five months of therapy, I never once became discouraged, feeling negative or bored with my workouts. Jamie and all the assistants were so supportive, encouraging, and super-friendly, making me feel right at home. OPTM Saratoga is no ordinary PT facility; this truly remarkable, dedicated, and hardworking staff pulled me through a very difficult time, and I am grateful to each and every one of them. Thank you, all, at OPTM Saratoga. You are amazing!”

as a trainer, she began to notice a troubling pattern. “Everyone had an injury, or a past injury that could flare up, or would create a new injury by working out in the wrong way,” she says. “It was just ‘oh, I need to burn a bunch of calories’ without thinking about preventing injuries and moving correctly. Eventually, she decided to go back to school to learn more about the rehabilitative side of movement, gaining a more intimate understanding of the human body from a medical perspective. She enrolled in a physical therapy aide program and never looked back. “I wanted to help people more productively than before,” she says. “I wanted to continue making workouts valuable from a fitness perspective, but with the added benefit of creating better motion and stability throughout the body.” Today, she’s been a staple at OPTM Saratoga for nearly three years, steering patients toward recovery. “I love identifying my patients’ goals and working to enable them to do the things in their normal lives they may be missing out on,” she says. “It’s key to me that I help them understand their own body at a deeper level, to give them the tools to address their injuries not only today, but for the rest of their lives.” To that end, Laura is always eager to learn new things, and last year she completed an intensive, 40-week-long fellowship program to become a Fellow of Applied Functional Science, learning a methodology that allows her to take a powerful three-dimensional approach to treatment strategies. We’re just grateful to have had Laura on the team for these last two and a half years. She’s truly an invaluable, insightful piece of the puzzle here at OPTM Saratoga, and we’re lucky to have her! If you see her around the clinic, come say hi!

–Kristine Weesner 4/29/18

“After attending a low back workshop, I scheduled an evaluation with Fabrice. I had hurt my back lifting a box of books. It was painful to stand or walk for any length of time. After working with Fabrice for several weeks, my back felt much better. He gave me

stretching exercises that I did between sessions. Each time I came in, Fabrice worked on my back and hips, and I felt good each time I left. Now I am pain-free. Fabrice, all the aides, and the front desk people are kind, welcoming, and helpful. I would definitely come back in the future.”

–Kay Matthews 9/14/16

“Thank you, Todd! I came in two weeks after a full hip replacement not even walking well. Three weeks later, I have regained most of my mobility and flexibility, and am back to normal activities. I celebrated by putting on my own socks and tying my shoes! Stair climbing – no issue. At six weeks, dancing!

“But these are not surprises. Previously, I came to Todd with a knee replacement – I was walking the golf course six weeks later with no discomfort. OPTM Saratoga rocks. Thank you again!”

–Hubert Roberts 5/19/16

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The Cause and Treatment for Neck Pain

Don’ t Let Neck Pain Stop You

Have you ever taken a particular body movement for granted until you couldn’t do it anymore? When you move your neck, you don’t consciously think about it, but your neck movements influence many day-to-day activities. Reading, tying your shoe, backing out of your driveway, or even looking over at a friend can suddenly become impossible once your neck begins to hurt. Neck pain is caused by a number of factors, such as sudden trauma, long-term spinal problems, obesity, repetitive lifting, office and computer work, smoking, and poor posture. There are two forms of neck pain to consider when symptoms begin to occur: chronic and acute pain. Acute pain usually occurs when there is a tear in the muscle or ligament within the neck, which becomes sore or stiff, but the pain eventually fades. When the pain lasts longer or keeps coming back over three months, it’s considered chronic pain. A person experiencing chronic neck pain may also experience numbness, pain, or a tingling sensation down through the arms or throughout the body. This pain can be caused by pinched nerves or degeneration of the facet joints or intervertebral discs.

you through a series of tests to pinpoint the exact area and reason for your pain. After they have determined the cause of your discomfort, your physical therapist will create a treatment plan that’s best for you. According to the American Physical

Therapy Association (APTA), there have been recent studies that show that “physical therapy is a better treatment than surgery or pain medication … for relieving many cases of neck pain.” Your neck is designed for mobility, and once that mobility is gone, life can become quite miserable. If you’re experiencing neck pain, you don’t have to suffer any longer. Call OPTM Physical Therapy of Saratoga today to see how our physical therapists can help you.

A physical therapist will conduct a full examination, including looking at your health history, to diagnose the problem. They will guide

Charred Chili-Cheese Corn

TAKE A BREAK

You’ll find all of the flavors of elote, Mexican street corn, in this dish, without any of the mess. It’s the rare side that can outshine any main course.

Ingredients

• 4 ears of corn, husked • 4 tablespoons high- smoke-point oil, such as canola or vegetable • 1 large shallot, thinly sliced • 1/2 red chili (such as Fresno) or jalapeño, thinly sliced

• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice • 2 ounces fresh cotija cheese (or feta), crumbled

Independence Day Barbecue Freedom America Washington Revolution Parade Fireworks Colonial

• 1/4 cup cilantro • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Heat grill to medium. 2. Brush corn with 2 tablespoons oil and grill

3. Cut kernels off cob and

combine with shallots, chilis, lime juice, cheese, and remaining oil.

July USA Congress

until visibly charred, 10–12 minutes.

4. Season with salt and pepper, garnish with cilantro, and serve.

Inspired by Bon Appetit magazine

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Fabrice Rockich’s Annual Family Trip to Lake Tulloch Page1

What People Are Saying About Us Page2

Meet PTA Laura Barker! Page2

A Real Pain in the Neck Page3

Charred Chili-Cheese Corn Page3

Take Your S’mores to the Next Level Page4

Can I Have S’more? Creative Twists on the Campfire Classic You’re just three ingredients away from the perfect summertime treat: chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows. The s’more is a fan favorite on camping trips and at backyard bonfires alike. Though they say you can’t improve perfection, we’ve found a few creative twists on the classic treat that will make your summer a little sweeter. The Elvis A campfire snack fit for a king — of rock ’n’ roll, that is. This s’more pays homage to Elvis Presley’s love of peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Swap out the chocolate bar for a peanut butter cup candy and add a few slices of fresh banana between the graham cracker and marshmallow. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can even add some bacon. S’mores in a Jar Here are s’mores you can enjoy all year long. Layers of crushed graham cracker, melted marshmallow, and creamy chocolate turn a simple jar into a great dessert! Learn how to make the perfect s’mores on the go at family.disney.com/recipe/smores-in-a-jar. Strawberry S’more-cake If you really want to wow your guests at the next bonfire, try your hand at this creative take on the summertime classic. Gooey s’mores meet

fresh strawberry shortcake in a dessert that’s as delicious as it is original. Find the whole recipe, including tips on making the perfect shortcake, at aspicyperspective.com/smores-strawberry-shortcake-recipe. S’mOreo A simple but memorable twist on the campfire classic. Grab a box of Oreo cookies, pull a cookie apart, and use that in place of your graham cracker. The cream filling will pair nicely with the chocolate and toasted marshmallow. S’mores Milkshake Too hot for a campfire? Cool down with a s’mores milkshake! The trick is to lightly toast the marshmallows in the oven so they mix well with the other ingredients in the blender. Get the recipe at spoonfulofflavor. com/2013/08/30/smores-milkshake to enjoy this sweet treat even in the heat of summer. It’s the simple recipe that opens the door for creative interpretations of the classic s’more. Be adventurous this summer and see what great new s’mores you can create!

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