North County Water & Sports Therapy Center - April 2020

North County Water & Sports Therapy Center - April 2020

PATIENT PULSE

(858) 675-1133 | www.waterpt.com

15373 Innovation Dr. #175 | San Diego, CA 92128 | (858) 675-1133 12171 World Trade Dr. | San Diego, CA 92128

I know it’s a cliche that we’ve all heard before, but there’s a good reason and so much useful truth behind this one: Laughter is the best medicine. I’ve seen firsthand the ways that a positive attitude can affect stress and healing, and with April being National Humor Month, I think this is a great time to pay a little extra attention to the funny moments in our lives. I know it might seem like humor has no place in the world of physical therapy. It’s true that some of the obstacles our patients are trying to overcome are painful, stressful, and sad, but that doesn’t mean these things can’t be supplemented by an uplifting outlook. Studies have shown that laughter decreases stress and promotes recovery. The mind is a powerful thing, and our attitude dictates a lot of what our bodies do, even if we may be unaware it’s happening. Humor doesn’t have to be all one-liners or slapstick comedy moments. We often find that the most inspiring humor arises from being able to see the laughable moments in our everyday lives. A longtime mentor of mine once told me that if I think I’m going to laugh about something in five years, then I might as well start laughing about it now. So that’s the way I try to live. It’s inevitable that unfortunate things will happen, but if I know I’ll eventually look back on a moment and laugh, then it’s not something that should contribute to my stress. That’s how humor can promote a healthy mindset. I’ll never forget one of those moments. About five years ago, we were in the process of moving into our current office, so I came in to set up all our laptops. The next morning, I returned, took a look around, and was pleased IF YOU’LL BE LAUGHING LATER ... THEN WHY NOT LAUGH RIGHT NOW?

to see that someone had cleaned everything up. The office looked great! But then I took a closer look. The laptops weren’t cleaned up — they had been stolen. My reaction after that realization, of course, was anger. I didn’t laugh right away. But what’s easy to laugh about now, which was pretty easy to laugh about just a few minutes after the fact, was the immediate reaction I had to discovering the laptops were gone. I had a moment of naivety when I assumed someone had cleaned them up, not stolen them. That’s something I was able to laugh about amidst the frustration of the situation. Laughable moments are important to find. When you’re going through physical therapy, no one can tell you how to feel, nor do they have the right to. While we may know how to physically help our patients, we can’t claim to always know what they’re feeling. But past experiences have shown us that if you can focus some of those feelings on the things in life that make you laugh, then you’ll decrease the stress that’s holding you back from recovery. One of my favorite quotes is, “You don’t stop laughing when you grow old; you grow old when you stop laughing.” I think this is true when it comes to healing too. Stress hampers recovery, and laughter reduces stress. So the solution seems simple: Find a way to laugh about something. It doesn’t have to be everything. But if you can crack a smile as you make your way through recovery, stress, or a sad moment, then you give yourself a lot more power to fight them.

–Beth Scalone

1 (858) 675-1133

A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY IN YOUR GOLDEN YEARS

3 TIPS FOR CHANGING CAREERS LATER IN LIFE

Forget the Money

It’s 6 a.m. on Monday morning, and your alarm clock blares in your face. You groan and, with the thought of another week looming over you, pull yourself out of bed. But the early wake-up call is the least of your worries. Another week has begun, and you’re still stuck in a job that you no longer love or maybe never did. Does this sound familiar? If so, you may believe changing careers isn’t worth the hassle, especially if you’re close to retirement, but here’s the secret: It’s not too late! There’s nothing stopping you from finding a career you love later in life. Here are three tips to get you started.

Money matters, but it shouldn’t be your first priority on the job hunt. Instead, consider what’s going to make you the happiest. What’s your dream job? What have you always enjoyed doing? If money wasn’t an option, what would you be doing right now instead of counting down the hours to 5 p.m.? Be realistic in your goals and find something you love.

Seek Guidance

Remember, you’re not alone in this fight! Plenty of people switch careers midway through their lives to focus on something they really enjoy. Seek guidance from those who have had a similar experience and look to professional job hunters or consultants for help. Furthermore, after years in the same job or industry, you’re bound to have made a few connections. Reach out for professional support. Regardless of what path you choose, remember that a career you enjoy is always possible. We can’t promise that you’ll love getting up at 6 a.m., but at least you won’t dread what comes next.

Be Flexible

If it’s been a while since you’ve hunted for a job, then you may have forgotten what it’s like. Job searching can be exhausting, and some job requirements can look overwhelming. But getting stuck in your ways and focusing on the things you cannot do will only hinder your ability to find a job you actually love. Instead, take a deep breath and be open to what comes. You may discover a hidden talent or passion!

TELEHEALTH SERVICES Are Coming Soon to North County Water and Sports Therapy Center

What is telehealth? It is a term used to describe methods of enhancing health care and health education delivery using telecommunications technologies. In a continuing effort to improve our patients’ outcomes, we will soon be implementing a variety of optional telehealth services using a web-based phone and computer app to deliver the following programs: • Monthly mobile app subscriptions, including home program videos, exercise reminders, and tracking of progress, along with articles, newsletters, and a medical library • Continuation of care services for after discharge to stay in touch with your physical therapist or utilize wellness programs • Live video consults with your physical therapist

We are excited to bring more options to help you effectively and efficiently manage your health and wellness.

Have questions? Ask you therapist or give us a call at (858) 675-1133.

See you on a screen near you soon!

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LEARN TO BREATHE BETTER

HOLISTIC METHODS FOR TAMING SEASONAL ALLERGIES

The season of sniffles and sneezes is upon us, but you don’t have to let your allergies stop you from enjoying gorgeous April blooms and fresh spring breezes. Try these natural solutions to help combat your allergies and breathe a little easier this spring — though if your allergies are persistent, seek professional medical help. Eat Them Away Food is often overlooked as a method to fight your allergies, but make no mistake: The nutrients in some foods can do wonders for your body! Use this to your advantage by choosing ingredients proven to fight the sniffles. Raw, local honey has the ability to soothe scratchy throats, which protects the airway passage from further damage. (Warning: Children under the age of 1 should never consume honey.) Also on the sweeter side, the naturally occurring enzyme in pineapple, bromelain, has been shown to ease inflammation and swelling, while quercetin, found in tea, red wine, and apples, can act as a natural antihistamine. If you’re looking for something more savory, spicy foods can light a fire under your mucus, break it up, and clear your nasal passages. Poke Them Away Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese treatment method that pinpoints specific pathways crucial to the flow of energy throughout the body and reopens them through strategic needle placements. While

studies have yet to prove that acupuncture can serve as a stand-alone treatment for allergies, it has been shown to aid in symptom management. Acupuncture can also decrease pain and release built-up pressure caused by congestion. Drain Them Away Have you ever just wanted to open your nose and flush out all of your congestion? With a neti pot, you can! Simply create your own saltwater solution with filtered water — do not try this with unfiltered water, as deadly organisms can enter your body this way — and 1 teaspoon of salt. Some experts even suggest adding a pinch of baking soda to the mixture to soothe the bite of the salt. Next, pour the solution into the pot. Tilt your head to one side over a sink, pour the mixture from the pot into one of your nostrils, and let it drain out the other side. Repeat on the opposite nostril and feel the relief!

TAKE A BREAK

This crowd- pleasing dish is sure

to be the biggest hit at your next gathering. And it’s good for you, too!

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 450 F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. 2. In a medium bowl, combine vinegar, shallots, and honey. 3. Gradually whisk olive oil into the mixture and season with salt and pepper. 4. In a small bowl, toss the beets in dressing until they are coated. 5. Place coated beets on baking sheet and roast them for 12 minutes. Set the beets aside and allow them to cool. 6. In a large bowl, toss arugula, walnuts, and berries with the remaining vinaigrette. Season with salt and pepper. 7. Top salad with beets, avocado, and goat cheese.

• • • • • • • •

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 3 tbsp shallots, thinly sliced

1 tbsp honey

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil Salt and pepper to taste 6 beets, peeled and quartered 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped 1/4 cup dried cranberries or cherries 6 cups fresh arugula

•

• •

1/2 avocado, cubed

2 oz crumbled goat cheese

3 (858) 675-1133

Inspired by FoodNetwork.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

Monday—Thursday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (858) 675-1133 www.waterpt.com

15373 Innovation Dr. #175 San Diego, CA 92128

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1

Why Laughter Really Is the Best Medicine

2

Finding a Job You Love at Any Age

New Service Coming Soon!

3

Fight the Sneeze With These Holistic Remedies

Beet, Goat Cheese, and Arugula Salad

4

Covid-19 Update

COVID-19 UPDATE

As the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is felt around the world, our hearts go out to those affected. During this unsettling global event, our No. 1 priority is doing the right thing for the health and safety of our community. We have been working tirelessly to figure out a schedule to continue to best serve our patient population. We are happy to report we will keep the clinic open in a very limited capacity and are taking patients on a case-by-case basis. If you are post-operative or feel you cannot wait 30 days for your next physical therapy visit, and are not within a considered high-risk category (ie over 65), please give us a call. We will be operating with 1–2 therapists in the most stringent public health capacity. We suggest that instead of canceling your visits, you request a telehealth appointment by calling our front office. If you have any questions or concerns, please call 858-675-1133.

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