In Motion OC - November/December 2019

In Motion OC - November/December 2019

IN MOTION THE EXPERIENCE

November/December 2019

MEET DR. MATT ROSSMAN Getting to Know the PT’s of In Motion O.C.

17332 Von Karman Ave. Suite 120 Irvine, CA 92614

Since both my parents were physical therapists, I’m sure it doesn’t come as a surprise I became a physical therapist myself. I was raised around that field of work and became familiar with the environment from an early age. It certainly inspired my interest in science and sports, and it got me started on my career path, which combines a knowledge of medicine with exercise. And here I am today, loving what I do. One of the most enjoyable aspects of my job is getting people back to the activities they love. Maybe a 50-year-old woman will come into In Motion O.C. complaining about the shoulder pain that keeps her from the fitness class she loves so much. I get to be the one who makes sure she can get to her fitness class again, or a marathon runner’s knee heals in time for his race, or a basketball player’s ankle heals so he can get back on the court. I was a collegiate athlete myself (I played baseball), so I really enjoy working with athletes and returning them to their sports stronger than ever. But no two patients’ cases will ever be exactly the same, and I love a challenge. I also love challenging my patients to reach their full potential in the healing process. One complaint I’ve heard about some other PT clinics in the area is the prescribed exercises are too low level, and they don’t help the healing process. That’s not something you’ll find if you’re my patient. I really want to help your body heal, and the best way to do that won’t always be comfortable. But I promise you, it will always be rewarding. Every time my patients see progress, they want to keep going.

In Motion O.C. is not the first clinic I’ve worked for in my career as a physical therapist, but it’s certainly my favorite. There are several reasons why. I am part of a great staff of young, hardworking physical therapists who are always striving for greater knowledge and putting the patient first. Everything is clean and organized, and everyone, whatever their level or role, communicates well with one another. We never lose sight of our mission to put the patient first and get them back to the activities they love. “We never lose sight of our mission to put the patient first and get them back to the activities they love.” When I’m not at the clinic, I love being outside or at the gym. You might catch me riding beach cruisers along the coast, going for a run near the ocean, or doing some strength training at the gym. While I don’t play on an organized team anymore, I still love watching and keeping up with professional baseball. My wife, Tricia, and I just got married back in April, and we have a 7-month-old dachshund puppy named Tucker.

949-861-8600

InMotionOC.com

ORANGE COUNTY’S PREMIER PHYSICAL THERAPY CENTER

– Matt Rossman

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CELEBRATING GIVING TUESDAY SUPPORTING THE PEOPLE YOU BELIEVE IN

November is usually all about Thanksgiving, but it isn’t the only holiday that encourages generosity. Giving Tuesday is a phenomenal celebration in which millions of people from across the globe are inspired to spend 24 hours giving back to the communities they love. ORIGIN AND GOAL Giving Tuesday is celebrated every year on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, and this year, the holiday lands on Dec. 3! It was established in 2012 by the United Nations Foundation and New York’s 92nd Street Y as a response to consumer-driven holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The purpose of the holiday was to spread the spirit of giving, not only for the people in our nation but individuals across the world. The goal is “to create a massive wave of generosity that lasts well beyond that day and touches every person on the planet.” TECHNOLOGY AT ITS BEST Through the use of social media and technology, the organization hopes to encourage and spread generosity on a global scale using

the hashtag #GivingTuesday. The website states that “... technology and social media could be used to make generosity go viral; that people fundamentally want to give and talk about giving.” Through massive social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, the individuals and companies participating in Giving Tuesday can spread their missions and messages all over the world, encouraging others to do the same. HOW YOU CAN CELEBRATE Now is the perfect opportunity to support your community and the causes you believe in. The best part of this holiday is that “giving” doesn’t just refer to donating money. People can give back by volunteering their time to help a nonprofit business, donating goods and food, or just buying a stranger some lunch. Even the smallest actions can have the biggest impact. If you’re interested in participating in Giving Tuesday, get together with your friends, family, sports team members, or neighbors to brainstorm on how you can give back. To learn more about how you can participate, visit GivingTuesday.org.

WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH PAIN?

pain, our brain tells us that part of our body is physiologically wounded and in need of repair. If we sprain an ankle, we know to avoid walking on it because it hurts to do so. Treating acute pain often involves protecting and encouraging healing in the injured area while strengthening the surrounding muscles for added support. Chronic pain, which lasts indefinitely and can lack a clear cause, is a murkier subject. Chronic pain is undoubtedly real, but diagnosing and treating it requires more guesswork. Sometimes it is the result of an underlying condition, such as arthritis. In others, it is the result of damage to the nerves, a condition known as neuropathy. No matter how much or what type of physical pain you suffer, physical therapy can likely help get you on the path to feeling less of it.

A LOOK AT THE MOST COMMON OF HUMAN AILMENTS

Saint Augustine once called physical pain the “greatest evil” known to man. Think back as early as you can remember, and you can probably remember episodes of pain involving scraped knees and twisted ankles, among many others. While almost everyone can experience physical pain (more on that later), most of us don’t know a lot about the nature of pain. Experiencing physical pain is hardwired into our biology, but not all types of pain are the same. Since almost all physical therapy treatment deals with pain, let’s take a moment to demystify the nature of the beast. WHY WE FEEL PAIN “At the most basic level,” states the Mayo Clinic, “pain begins when particular nerve endings are stimulated.” In other

words, pain is a type of signal, our brain’s way of communicating that something is wrong. The world is full of dangers capable of causing us serious, irreparable harm, and when we feel pain, we know to leave those dangers alone. A small percentage of people suffer from a congenital insensitivity to pain. While that sounds like a superpower in theory, it’s a nightmare in practice. If you can’t feel pain, you have to be constantly mindful not to do something that could permanently injure or even kill you. 2 TYPES OF PAIN Pain can be categorized in many ways, but one of the most useful distinctions is between acute and chronic pain. Acute pain occurs from an injury and subsides once that injury heals. In cases of acute

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In Motion O.C. | InMotionOC.com

DON’T STOP THE ROTATION 3 WAYS TO PREVENT ROTATOR CUFF INJURY Rotator cuff injuries are at best annoying and, at worst, debilitating. They keep us from the activities we love themselves out of chairs to make up for weakness in their legs. However, this puts unnecessary strain on their rotator cuffs.

and from the tasks we need to get done. Have you ever tried hanging Christmas lights or decorating a Christmas tree with a rotator cuff injury? We need our shoulders to do many things, and these are some of the best ways to keep them in commission. MINIMIZE REPETITIVE MOTIONS Specifically, you’ll want to limit any repetitive reaching motions. Some examples of these include pushups, pitching a baseball, house painting, or even auto construction. Without proper strength training for the muscles attached to your rotator cuff, these motions will wear on your shoulder joint and may eventually lead to a tear in your rotator cuff. So, try to keep these movements to a minimum if possible. STRENGTHEN YOUR LEGS This tip is really for anyone with knee problems, weak quads, or other conditions that limit strength and movement in the legs. Many times, people who deal with these conditions use their arms to push

Building up the leg muscles can lead to relying less on the arms and reducing the chance of injuring the rotator cuffs. WORK THOSE SHOULDER MUSCLES Of course, this one almost goes without saying. Tendons in the rotator cuff move within a tight space. Working out some of the muscles attached to those tendons can actually widen that space and make the tendons more resistant to tears and other injuries. Many exercises that strengthen the scapular muscles are great for building up a resistance to rotator cuff injuries. If you’ve recently developed a rotator cuff injury, In Motion O.C. can help you come back stronger than ever before to put up those lights and decorate that tree. Find out how at InMotionOC.com, or call us at (949) 861-8600.

Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine

GREEN BEANS WITH GINGER AND GARLIC

Ingredients

• • • • • •

2 lbs whole green beans, ends trimmed

6 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 1/2 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp crushed red pepper

Kosher salt, to taste

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. To the side of the stove, prepare a large bucket of ice water. 2. Cook beans in boiling water for 4 minutes. Immediately transfer to ice water. Drain and pat dry. 3. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds. Stir in ground ginger and crushed pepper. Add green beans. 4. Cook together for 2–3 minutes. 5. Transfer to plate and serve.

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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

17332 Von Karman Ave., Suite 120 Irvine, CA 92614

Getting to Know Matt Rossman

The Gift of Giving

Why We Feel Physical Pain

Preventing Rotator Cuff Injuries

Green Beans With Ginger and Garlic

Securing Your Smartphone While You Sweat

PLEASE DON’T STOP THE MUSIC TIPS TO KEEP YOUR SMARTPHONE SECURE WHILE YOU SWEAT

Now that Sony Walkman MP3 players have gone the way of eight-tracks and floppy disks, most regular gymgoers rely on their smartphones for their workout soundtracks. Funneling in tunes is a good move — listening to music has been shown to make people work harder and enjoy exercise more — but when you’re sweaty and constantly moving, it can be difficult to keep your phone secure. If you’re struggling with your smartphone falling out of your pocket, bouncing

go-to option to secure them. Ranging in price from under $10 to over $100 and customized for most types of smartphones, these holders strap around your upper arm while you work out, keeping your phone within reach and giving you easy access to its screen. The main downside reported by reviewers is that some models are bulky and draw attention in the gym. THIGHBANDS This cousin of the armband has been gaining traction as the smartphone holder of choice for distance runners, basketball

thigh under your shorts, push the lining of your short’s pocket under the strap, then slip your smartphone into your pocket until it’s secure under the strap. Your shorts hide the whole assemblage. These holders are less visible than armbands but are also less common, so buyers have fewer reviews to rely on when shopping. LEGGINGS WITH POCKETS Leggings are more popular among women than men, but they’ve recently been revolutionized with smartphones in mind. Brands like Fabletics, New Balance, and Old Navy have overhauled their leggings to include pockets, and, due to the tight, stretchy material leggings are made from, these pockets hold smartphones in place much more securely than regular gym shorts. If you’re in the market for a new pair, consider putting pockets on your must-have list.

distractingly, or impeding your movements, try one of these tricks to keep it stable and accessible next time you hit the gym. ARMBANDS For people who struggle with their phones slipping from sweaty fingers, an armband is the

players, CrossFitters, and weightlifters. One option

called the QuadBandit can even be integrated with your running shorts. Simply attach the QuadBandit around your

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In Motion O.C. | InMotionOC.com