In Motion OC - September October 2021

In Motion OC - September October 2021

IN MOTION THE EXPERIENCE

September/October 2021

MY FAVORITE PATIENT RECOVERY STORIES What Makes Being a Physical Therapist Worthwhile

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At the end of that recovery process, I told her that she’d been wonderful to work with, and that if she ever needed a summer job during her college years, she could come work for me at my clinic. She accepted my offer and worked as an aide while in college. During that time, she also took up lacrosse, and her incredible cuts and moves made her a star on the field. Finally, because of the care she had received in physical therapy and her time at my office as an aide, she actually decided that she wanted to become a physical therapist herself! Now, not everyone leaves physical therapy deciding that they want to become a physical therapist. Some people are just absolutely happy to participate in activities that they couldn’t do before. That was the case in this next story, which still gives me chills when I think about it today. This woman came into our clinic not being able to reach across her body or back as a result of a shoulder injury she had sustained about a year prior. Because of this injury, she couldn’t hug her husband or kids. So, being able to hug family again became her ultimate recovery goal. About a month into her recovery, she could hug her husband again! Being a part of that recovery process felt incredibly rewarding. One of the best parts about being a physical therapist is that it only takes one patient to show us just how lucky we are to do what we do. We don’t just see the rewards of our work daily, but sometimes, we even see it hourly. I’m grateful to get to serve others with my experience and expertise, and that makes me look forward to every day at In Motion O.C.!

I’ve been a physical therapist for about 20 years now, and in that time, I’ve witnessed some incredible patient recoveries. They remind me again and again to be grateful for the work that I get to do, helping people return to activities they love. So, in observance of World PT day in September, as well as National PT Month in October, I thought I would share two of the most incredible recovery stories I’ve had the privilege to be a part of. The first recovery that comes to mind is of a young woman who tore her ACL. She played for her high school basketball team, and because of her injury, she wasn’t able to play her junior year. She had an exceptional attitude toward her recovery though. She could have been upset and frustrated, but instead, she was positive, hardworking, and even smiled the entire time. This young woman willingly did anything it took to get herself back on the court, including prehab before her ACL reconstruction surgery and five months of rehab after that. Her work seemed like it would pay off — only for her to reinjure her ACL during her senior year. It turned out that there had been a problem with her graft during the surgery. Nevertheless, when she could have been frustrated during the recovery process, she once again approached her recovery with an upbeat and determined attitude. After another five months of physical therapy, she made a fantastic recovery.

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ORANGE COUNTY’S PREMIER PHYSICAL THERAPY CENTER

“One of the best parts about being a physical therapist is that it only takes one patient to show us just how lucky we are to do what we do. We don’t just see the rewards of our work daily, but sometimes, we even see it hourly.”

1 Dr. Rich Rommelfanger Director of Physical Therapy (Irvine)

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THE SCIENCE BEHIND SAD AND MAD TEARS WHY YOU SHOULD CRY

participants who cried while watching a sad movie and compared their tears to participants who cried because of a cut onion. Frey said the emotional tears were not only unique to humans but that they’re also a “unique kind of tear.” Their unique chemical makeup has both a detoxifying and stress- reducing effect. Emotional tears have higher levels of ACTH, a stress hormone released by crying. They also have higher levels of endorphins and oxytocin, which are known to reduce both stress and pain.

Ronda Rousey is tough. She was the first American woman to earn a medal in the Olympics for judo, and she was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame to commemorate her six titles. Rousey is noted for her physical and mental toughness, so it might surprise you to learn that she loves a good cry.

“I really cry all the time … Everything [makes me cry]. Especially during fight week,” she told the Huffington Post.

While crying is more often associated with weakness than strength, the science of the tears we shed when we’re emotional — including feelings of anger, sadness, and stress — shows that crying actually makes us healthier.

Crying and Your Health

The benefits of crying have been explored by everyone from ancient philosophers to modern-day scientists. While philosophers noted the cathartic effects of crying, scientists have filled in the knowledge gaps about why crying feels good and how it’s actually good for us.

More Than Just Water

Before you cry, you may feel a welling up of tears in your eyes that makes them appear watery. While tears of all types are mainly made up of water, scientists say that they are distinguished by their chemical makeup. Biochemist Dr. William H. Frey produced foundational scientific research on the science of crying. He collected tears from research

The stress-reducing benefits of crying don’t just feel good in the moment. There are several secondary benefits such as:

• Lower blood pressure, which keeps your heart healthy and helps you avoid stroke, heart failure, and dementia

• Lower manganese levels, which helps decrease anxiety, irritability, and aggression

• Decreased risk of ulcers and other digestive issues

• Decreased risk of tension headaches and migraines

Finally, crying serves an important social role. Tears elicit sympathy, signal that something is wrong, and facilitate connection during hard times. If you find yourself having chronic or uncontrollable bouts of tears, something else may be going on and you should seek professional help. But if you find yourself crying when stressed, angry, or sad, embrace your tears, knowing they’re helping make you healthier both mentally and physically.

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THE SECRET SAUCE COOK WITH THE SAME INGREDIENTS WITHOUT GETTING BORED

5-Minute Honey Mustard Sauce To avoid hearing “chicken again?!” add this honey mustard sauce from PinchOfYum.com to your repertoire. Simply whisk together 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup mayo, 1/4 cup Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp white vinegar, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper for a delicious topper for all meats.

One upside to spending more than a year at home was that many people donned their aprons, learned new recipes and techniques, and began cooking meals regularly in their own kitchens. Even as restaurants reopen, over 70% of Americans say they'll keep their new habit of cooking at home because it's healthier and cheaper. That said, the average American can only whip up about five meals without a recipe at hand, and many people cook and eat the same types of protein and vegetables over and over. One easy way to avoid boredom is to keep your main staples but diversify your sauce routine! When in doubt, learn one creamy sauce and one herb- or citrus-based sauce. Here are a few examples that work particularly well for chicken, America’s favorite animal protein. These can be used with your other favorite meats and your favorite vegetable preparations, as well!

Simple Lemon Herb Sauce Want a lighter, healthier option? Go for an oil-and-herb sauce like FoodNetwork.com’s “Chicken With a Lemon Herb Sauce.” In a blender

or food processor, add 1 peeled clove of garlic, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 cup freshly chopped herbs of your choice (they recommend a mix of parsley and mint), 1 1/2 tsp ground pepper, the zest and juice of 1 lemon, and 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil. Pulse all ingredients together until well mixed and the herbs and garlic are coarsely chopped. Quick Miso Maple Sauce This umami-filled sauce from Kitchn.com brings a lot of flavor with just three simple ingredients: 1/2 cup tamari or soy sauce, 1/2 cup maple syrup, and 1/4 cup miso paste. That's it! Whisk the ingredients together and pour over oven-roasted, pan- seared, or grilled chicken and serve. These three sauces are a great place to start, but if you find yourself uninspired in the kitchen, just look up “simple sauces” online and the protein or vegetable you’re preparing. The internet will come to the rescue every time!

ONE-PAN APPLE CIDER CHICKEN Inspired by WellPlated.com

TAKE A BREAK!

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs • 1 tsp salt, divided • 1/2 tsp black pepper, divided • 1/2 cup apple cider • 2 tsp Dijon mustard • 4 tsp olive oil, divided • 3 sweet apples, cut into 1/2-inch slices • 2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped, plus more for garnish INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1. Sprinkle chicken with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Set aside. 2. In a small bowl, combine apple cider and mustard. Set aside. 3. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tsp olive oil. When shimmering, add chicken thighs top-side down. Cook for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for 4 more minutes. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil. Wipe the skillet clean. 4. Heat the remaining oil in the skillet, then add sliced apples, remaining salt and pepper, and rosemary. Cook for 5 minutes. 5. Return the chicken to the skillet and add apple cider-mustard mixture. Cook for 5 minutes, then serve sprinkled with rosemary!

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

1. MY FAVORITE PATIENT RECOVERY STORIES

2. THE SCIENCE OF CRYING 3. LET SAUCES BRING NEW LIFE TO TIRED MEALS ONE-PAN APPLE CIDER CHICKEN 4. CELEBRATE FALL PREVENTION MONTH WITH THESE 3 TIPS

DON’T FALL THIS FALL! 3 TIPS FOR FALL PREVENTION

Improve Your Home Your home just might be your biggest threat when it comes to falls, so improve it with a few changes! Install grab bars and railings on steps and in the bathtub for extra support. Grips on the bottom of the bathtub and on slippery surfaces can give you a secure footing, while lighting along the hallway and in stairwells can better illuminate walkways. Even something as simple as moving a table or decor item out of the hallway can be beneficial! Review Your Medicines Sometimes medication can influence balance and movement. Talk with your doctor about the side effects of your medication

September marks the start of fall , but it also serves as an important reminder about falling .

Falling is one of the greatest dangers seniors face. As adults age, take more medication, and lose some mobility, it becomes increasingly difficult to stay upright or regain balance — even when tripping over the smallest object. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 out of 5 falls cause serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries. Falling can also increase a senior’s chance of falling again. But for as common as it may be, falling doesn’t have to be your norm. You can lower your risk of falling and injury with a few simple steps. Move More Your body was designed to move! When you don’t move your body enough, which can happen when you age, your muscles and joints can become weak and stiff. The best way to strengthen your reactions and improve your balance is to move your body. A physical therapist can help you develop a routine that targets your balance while strengthening your muscles and joints.

and adjust accordingly. You may need to consider alternatives, but if that’s not possible, physical therapy can provide assistance. It’s designed to help you improve your balance and get stronger — which can lower your risk of falling. You can learn more about fall prevention and risks online at CDC.gov.

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