Kinetic Physical Therapy Specialists - August 2022

Kinetic Physical Therapy Specialists - August 2022

AUGUST 2022

847-515-8970 • www.KineticPTS.com

WAIT… I HAVE 2 KIDS IN HIGH SCHOOL? Time Flies in the Ulmer House

I can hardly believe it: The kids are going back to school, and this year Zach will be a high school senior. I swear it hasn’t been more than a week since Emilie and I took him to the bus stop for his first day of kindergarten. His backpack was bigger than he was, but he had a giant smile on his tiny face — he was so thrilled to be a “big kid!” I can still picture him clambering off-balance up the bus steps like they were the route to Everest. He chatted with the bus driver for a second, then yelled, “Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad! Bye, Nathan!” over his shoulder and darted off to sit with the cool kids in the back.

excited about is the opportunity to do more after- school activities this year. You might remember that Zach is interested in theater and has had a few good parts in school plays in the past. Well, now that he’s a senior, he finally got to join the school’s Thespian Society — so he’s eligible for even more performances in their black box theater! I can’t wait to see him on stage all year long. Nathan, meanwhile, is considering playing lacrosse on top of his already busy club hockey schedule. I’m sure he’ll be on the sidelines cheering at every football and basketball game the high school offers, too. I can already picture him painting his face and screaming the fight song. The fact that I’m a dad to two high schoolers is crazy enough, but Zach, Emilie, and I have also started the process of looking at universities. Man, I’m getting sticker shock! I can’t believe how expensive college is these days. Zach plans to major in mechanical engineering next year, and we’re looking at all of his options. If you’ve already sent kids to college, any advice is welcome — the application process alone is insane. Speaking of advice, now that my kids are hitting these milestones, I have to say thank you for all of the tips you have given me in the past. When Emilie and I started our clinic, Zach was 2 years old and Nathan was just 3 months. Our patients told us to spend as much time as we could with our kids because it goes fast. Thank goodness we listened and squeezed in the maximum amount of family time. It still wasn’t enough to stop the ticking clock.

Zach had no problem leaving us behind for school. His mom, on the other hand, cried buckets!

It sounds cliche, but it really is crazy how quickly time flies. Not only is Zach a senior this year, but his younger brother, Nathan, will be a freshman. That means they’ll be in school together for the very first time. Up until now, the boys have missed sharing schools by one grade. They don’t seem to think the change is as big of a deal as their mom and I do, and maybe it isn’t — it’s a big school after all, with about 700 kids per grade level. They might not even see each other! But it is pretty great that Zach can drive Nathan to school now. He’s put a couple of dings in the family

Infinity since he started driving it last year, but it’s still running well enough to get the job done.

“I swear it hasn’t been more than a week since Emilie and I took him to the bus stop for his first day of kindergarten.”

Thanks again and keep those tips coming!

One thing Zach and Nathan are

–Mike Ulmer

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LIVE LONGER AND STRONGER

Changing the Scope of Exercise

Your body undergoes a variety of changes over the years, many of which are degenerative and can be debilitating to your health. But exercise can help slow these age-related issues, like heart disease or high blood pressure, and even prevent them in the long run. Here are four ways you can get moving without overexerting yourself.

system, and it strengthens your arms, legs/knees, and balance. Mycobacterium vaccae, which is a bacteria commonly found in gardening soil, can alleviate symptoms of allergies, asthma, and even psoriasis.

CYCLING

Whether it be in a class or outdoors, cycling can be very beneficial for stiff or sore joints. You’re able to get your blood flowing and build muscles in the front

WALKING OR JOGGING Taking a stroll around the neighborhood or a few laps around the park can help build stamina, strengthen lower body muscles, and help fight against bone diseases like osteoporosis. If you want to sweat it out some more, jogging might be a great alternative. But

and back of your legs as well as your hips. Your arms are also strengthened due to the resistance of balancing your arms and shoulders to steer.

YOGA Holding a series of poses can stretch and strengthen your muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It also helps lower heart rate and blood pressure and can even relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression. For older adults, a well-rounded workout that consists of endurance, strength, balance and flexibility can help in many ways. Some can even be fun!

remember to be kind to your joints: Walk at a pace you’re comfortable with, wear supportive shoes, take breaks as needed, and walk on soft surfaces, like tracks or grass. GARDENING While gardening doesn’t seem as vigorous as other exercises, it is a hearty physical activity. Digging around in the dirt is actually great for your immune

PATIENT TESTIMONIALS Getting Confidence Back

“Thank you Amanda for awakening muscles which have been dormant for a long time. Amanda has been wonderful. When I first came to Kinetic I was limping and couldn’t do normal chores or walk without pain.

“After several weeks of great care I am able to go back to the lifestyle I enjoy. Upon my arrival to my first PT appointment, I had pain in my knee that prevented me from doing activities I enjoyed. These activities include walking, biking, and hiking. Thanks to Emery and all the staff at Kinetic for all they have helped me accomplish.”

Amanda showed me exercises to help strengthen my muscles, but also explained why the exercises needed to be done and what muscles they worked.”

–Susan Pilkerton

–Sue Markowski

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GET YOUR BALANCE BACK WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM PT

HOW TO BREAK FREE Physical therapists are professionals at battling deconditioning (the fancy name for weakness that results from a sedentary lifestyle) and helping people get their balance, strength, and mobility back. Here at Kinetic PT Specialists, our PT Amanda is our in-house balance expert. But balance problems can stem from many places, not just a sedentary lifestyle. If you have symptoms like dizziness or vertigo when you walk; constantly feel like you’re going to fall; feel faint, lightheaded, or disoriented; or have blurred vision, it’s possible that you have a balance disorder — not just deconditioning. Amanda can help you figure out exactly what’s wrong so you can get your confidence back with targeted exercises, training of the inner ear, and visual tracking training. Working with Amanda is the best way to break out of a vicious circle that’s hurting your health and lifestyle. If you’re having balance issues or know a friend or family member who is, call our office to request an appointment with her.

If this headline caught your attention, you may be stuck in something called a “vicious circle.” To put it simply, a vicious circle happens when two life

circumstances feed off each other, making a situation worse and worse. Sometimes this can even slowly erode your health. YOUR VICIOUS CIRCLE Imagine that, due to COVID-19, you’ve largely stayed home for two years. (You probably don’t have to imagine this!) During that time, you didn’t exercise much, and you got weaker — which increased your fear of losing your balance and falling. Because you were afraid you’d fall, you started exercising and going out even less … which made you weaker and your balance problems worse … which made you more afraid. That’s a vicious circle! The more you let your balance problems and worries about falling dictate your activities, the more likely it is you’ll fall and hurt yourself. Fortunately, physical therapy can help you break out of this pattern.

Sudoku

Tasty Bruschetta Chicken

Fresh tomatoes and basil abound in August, practically begging to become bruschetta! This recipe turns that appetizer into a main dish.

INGREDIENTS • 4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness • 4 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp lemon juice, divided • 1/4 tsp pepper • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• 3 tomatoes, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped • Salt and pepper, to taste • 4 slices mozzarella cheese • Parmesan cheese, grated

DIRECTIONS 1. Add chicken to a large resealable bag.

2. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Pour over chicken and seal. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. 3. Turn a grill to medium-high heat and add the chicken. Discard the marinade. Grill chicken 5–7 minutes per side or until fully cooked. 4. Combine the remaining lemon juice, tomatoes, garlic, and basil. Add salt and pepper, to taste. 5. Before taking the chicken off the grill, top each breast with a slice of mozzarella cheese. Cover and cook 2–3 minutes, then serve topped with the tomato mixture and grated Parmesan cheese.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

847-515-8970 www.KineticPTS.com

11920 Oak Creek Parkway Huntley, IL 60142

INSIDE

Dr. Ulmer Gets College Sticker Shock PAGE 1

4 Simple Yet Effective Ways to Work out PAGE 2

Patient Testimonials: Getting Confidence Back PAGE 2

Afraid of Falling? We Can Help PAGE 3

Tasty Bruschetta Chicken PAGE 3

Siri, What’s the Prettiest U.S. Restaurant? PAGE 4

3 Most Beautiful Restaurants in America WHERE THE VIEW IS PART OF THE MENU …

When you go to a nice restaurant, you’re not just paying for food — you’re also paying for an experience. Decor might be the last thing on a guest’s mind, but with the right design, some restaurants are absolutely breathtaking. Here are a few of our favorites. PINK CADILLAC DINER — NATURAL BRIDGE, VIRGINIA Taking a step into this restaurant feels like stepping straight into the 1950s … in all the best ways possible. The diner’s bold, beautiful shades of bubblegum pink — including a vintage pink Cadillac parked in front — prompt nostalgia and delight. Accompanied with a classic burger and ice cream diner menu, this East Coast gem is a destination you won’t want to miss. CECCONI’S DUMBO — NEW YORK CITY There are plenty of gorgeous restaurants in the Big Apple, but you’ll always hear Cecconi’s Dumbo mentioned among the best. Located in Brooklyn Bridge Park, your table might have dramatic views of the bridge or a waterfront view of the Manhattan

skyline. It’s the best possible pairing with their classic Italian menu, complete with handmade pasta and high-end ingredients from Italy.

THE FRENCH LAUNDRY — YOUNTVILLE, CALIFORNIA If there’s a contest for the best food and views offered by a restaurant in America, this three-star Michelin restaurant just might place first. Run by Thomas Keller, its rustic, cottage-like setting in Napa Valley always turns heads with its surprisingly sophisticated design (as well as its exclusive tasting menus!). The restaurant’s gardens are beautifully lit and dotted with Japanese maple trees — a sight that will blow you away. Most people can have a good meal at home, so if you have the time and money, why not pay a little extra for a nice view? Go ahead and indulge. We won’t judge — we’ll even be a little jealous!

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