OPTM Physical Therapy - February-March 2020

OPTM Physical Therapy - February-March 2020

Monthly Our Perfect Day The Lesson Leap Day Teaches Us This year, leap day has given us the gift of extra time. On Saturday, Feb. 29, we will be given an extra Saturday to do whatever we want. This gift of a whole extra 24 hours is something I will cherish. Between the demands of running a business, helping patients, and raising a family, time is limited and precious. I value the simple things in life because I know my chaotic schedule — and a 90-minute round-trip commute — can sometimes get in the way of the valuable time I enjoy most with my family. In fact, if I could plan out what my perfect day would look like, it would be carving out as much time as I could for my family. I typically wake up before everyone else in my home, so I would use this time to answer any emails, phone calls, or dire needs my employees, patients, or business has. This would give me the peace of mind to know that all of my business’s needs have been met, and I could focus all of my energy on my family, our time together, and their well-being. (Plus, it always feels good to get your responsibilities done early!) Then, I’d give a little bit of my time to myself. Many readers already know how much I love walking and hiking, and my “perfect day” would have to include some of both. There’s a trail with a 4-mile hike near my home that would be perfect for this day. It’s a beautiful hike just above Lake Anderson in Morgan Hill, and if I can get a friend or someone from my family to join me, it would be even better! This hike allows me to get fresh air, observe some of California’s natural beauty, and get some exercise and peace of mind! It’d be really important for me to then spend some quality one-on-one time with each of my kids. Our 8-year-old son, Owen, has a lot of interests, but he’s really into video games. So, we’d probably spend some time battling together playing Star Wars Battlefront, Minecraft, and John Madden Football. Our 4-year-old son, Jake, and I would probably play LEGOs together. Whether he is putting out fires with his firefighters or chasing convicts

Fabrice and Jake, ready to fight fires in Lego City!

with his policemen, he has a lot of fun, especially when I am involved with his free play.

“I value the simple things in lifebecause I knowmy chaotic schedule—anda 90-minute round-tripcommute—can sometimes get in thewayof thevaluable time I enjoymost withmy family. “

Afterward, if time allowed, I’d love to take my family

to the beach or a local amusement park, like Marriott’s Great America or Gilroy Gardens. I know the boys would have a blast, and it could even be fun to invite some of our neighbors to join in on the adventure. We’ve been blessed to get to know some of the families, with kids similar in age to Owen and Jake, who have lived near us for the past six years. I’m honored to share a neighborhood with these families, and I would have to share my perfect day with them. Finally, I’d love to end the day by making dinner back home with my family. With the business, I sometimes miss family dinners, and my wife does a lot of the heavy lifting at home. I cherish the opportunities I have to slow down and enjoy a casual BBQ with my wife and our boys. I can think of no better way to end a “perfect day” than spending it at home, enjoying a meal together. In the end, if there’s some spare time to get some domestic housework done or take the kids to the park, I’d love to add those to our perfect day. I realize that there’s nothing grand or spectacular about what my ideal day would look like. It’s just taking the gift of some valuable free time and turning it into family memories and time spent together.

I hope you find time to do the same this leap day, Dr. Fabrice Rockich

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BREAK FREE FROM PAIN Relief From Chronic and Aging Ailments Is Possible

SUCCESS STORIES

“What a difference I’m feeling after a few months of PT with Phil. When I first began, I had a very limited range of motion in my left arm. I could not lift or stretch and couldn’t sleep on my left side. After weeks of PT, I’m now able

Pain is a common and necessary part of life. Unfortunately, many people also see pain as normal and something they can “live with.”

But there’s a difference between common and normal.

Everyone experiences pain, but that doesn’t make it normal. It’s a tool your body uses to identify detrimental positions, actions, and ailments, and it’s begging you to respond. Your lingering knee pain, shoulder issues, and chronic back problems are not just a sign of aging. These are signs that your body’s joints and muscles are in desperate need of strength and healing, and regardless of your age or duration of pain, relief is possible! There’s a common myth that you have to sustain an injury or be recovering from surgery to need physical therapy, when, in fact, physical therapy’s very nature is intended to heal many forms of pain and ailments. Many experts even link physical therapy to a healthy wellness routine for older adults. The strengthening workouts found in physical therapy are designed to improve balance, diminish or eliminate arthritis pain, increase joint health, and improve the quality and longevity of a person’s life, along with many other benefits. However, the longer you wait to seek treatment for pain, the more damage it can cause. For example, if you have chronic hip pain, this can affect how you move and walk, diminishing the health of your knees, ankles, and feet.

to resume classes at the gym and get back to sleeping on my left side. All the work Phil and OPTM Saratoga did with me on my arm has made such an incredible difference. It’s easy to get discouraged, but I know this kind of healing doesn’t happen overnight. Phil always had positive words of encouragement, and I’m thrilled to begin my normal routine once again.””

–Lisa Marks-Ellis

“I love hiking and enjoy nature in California, but my bad knee and ACL always gave me trouble. After surgery, I came

here and formed a team with Celina. We powered through all the exercises and got me healed up. I appreciate how much care Celina gave to me, and now I can hike again!”

–Sen Zhang

But this does not make relief impossible.

“OPTM Saratoga helped me rehabilitate my right ankle. After years of soccer and no real rehab from countless ankle sprains, I developed a weak ankle that was susceptible to sprains. Recently, I had experienced two injuries that led me to realize I needed help.

In fact, your therapeutic team can pinpoint specific target areas, and with one regular routine, physical therapy can help you find relief from ailments by targeting the root cause and not just your symptoms. It’s not the same as taking a pain pill to mask arthritis stiffness or chronic headaches — both conditions that physical therapy can treat.

Instead, physical therapy offers real solutions to your pain, no matter how long you’ve lived with it.

When I started with Fabrice, my ankle had a limited range of motion in the dorsiflexion. We began to work on increasing my flexibility and strengthening the muscles around the ankle to provide more stability. After weeks of PT with Fabrice, I gained more lateral movement and my ankle feels supported. I now have stretches and exercises for the future and my ankle is strong and healthy. Thank you, Fabrice, for the amazing therapy. Now I can get back to working out and rock climbing.”

You don’t have to suffer any longer. Our team can help you live an active lifestyle, no matter how old you are or how long you have been in pain. Learn more about your options with OPTM Saratoga on our website at OPTMSaratoga.com.

–Donna Bretzke

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Western medicine has made significant strides. Innovative operations and diagnostic tools provide patients with a broader scope of the conditions hindering their lifestyle and the options they have for treatment. That said, not all treatments are equally effective. While many advancements have been made in the field of surgery medicine, you may want to think twice before going under the knife and instead consider physical therapy. Physical therapy is safer. Surgery is safer than ever before, but it isn’t void of all risk. Any time you’re under general anesthesia or cut open is a welcome opportunity for deadly and costly complications. Meanwhile, physical therapy is one of the least invasive treatment options, and the risk of complications is significantly lower than that of surgery. Your therapist will create a custom exercise plan designed to strengthen your body and diminish your risk of injury or further pain. Physical therapy is affordable. A 2017 study on the treatment of lower back pain found that patients who chose physical therapy over surgery saved 50% more on medical and treatment costs than those who opted for surgery. The average cost of physical therapy was $4,000 during the duration of Your Wallet and Well-Being Should Cause You to Think Again! CONSIDERING SURGERY?

the treatment, whereas surgery’s costs totaled just over $16,000 — four times more than physical therapy. These are reasons enough to consider physical therapy over surgery. Physical therapy is effective. Many studies have concluded that physical therapy can be just as effective in treating ailments and pain as surgery. In fact, some studies have even found that physical therapy treatment for certain conditions was more effective than its surgical counterpart. The reasoning is simple: Your body grows into healing with physical therapy, whereas surgery is invasive and requires your body to adjust rapidly. Don’t just take our word for it! See for yourself just how powerful physical therapy can be for your healing and your savings. Schedule a consultation today by calling 408-973-7700.

APPLE CIDER CHICKEN & BRUSSELS SPROUTS

TAKE A BREAK

Ingredients

• Salt and pepper to taste • 4 boneless chicken breasts • 1 tsp rosemary leaves, finely chopped • 2 tbsp butter, divided • 2/3 cup apple cider • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

• 1 lb Brussels sprouts, halved • 2 gala apples, cut into wedges • 1 red onion, cut into wedges • 2 sprigs rosemary • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

T S Z P F R S R G Z V K I S B U H R U O R P E A N Z H K S I G E O N C N L A J O A I A R U S N O F E B E E M R I N A A I G D N W V G C A D N M U X D Q T O O B A H N O G G Q Y E I N L C O G R L N J V A V N S G G E T A L O C O H C E T O S E S O R B U P I S C E S U N S W V O P O M S T R E P T F O Z G I W B D V H R V N H V E D D J U Z U O E

Directions

1. Heat oven to 450 F. 2. On a baking sheet, toss Brussels sprouts, apples, onion, and rosemary sprigs in olive oil, salt, and pepper. 3. Roast vegetable and fruit mixture until tender, about 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway. 4. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and chopped rosemary. 5. In an ovenproof skillet, heat 1 tbsp butter. Add chicken and

cook 6 minutes on one side. Flip and cook 2 more minutes. 6. Pour cider onto chicken. Roast in the oven for 12 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and let it rest on cutting board. Return skillet to stove on medium-high and simmer sauce until reduced by half. butter with vinegar, salt, and pepper. Slice chicken and divide among plates with roasted vegetables and serve. 7. Swirl remaining 1 tbsp of

AQUARIUS ASH CHOCOLATE CUPID DONOR GROUNDHOG LOVE PISCES

PRESIDENTS ROMANCE ROSES SKIING SNOWBANK SUGAR VALENTINE

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The Lesson of Leap Day Page1

What People Are Saying About Us Page2 Treatment Options for Chronic Pain Sufferers Page2 3Ways Physical Therapy Is More Effective Than Surgery Page3 Apple Cider Chicken and Brussels Sprouts Page3

You CAN Have FunWhileWorkingOut Page4

This Workout ROCKS! 3 Reasons to Start Rock Climbing

“On belay?”

“Belay on!”

No, these aren’t strange magic spells. They’re basic safety commands rock climbers use before they start their ascent. Rock climbing as a hobby and a workout has been growing in popularity over the last few years, thanks in part to popular documentaries like “Free Solo” and “Meru.” But if you’re still not ready to chalk up and start climbing, here are a few more reasons to add “belay on” to your vocabulary. It’s a fun full-body workout. Getting a full-body workout usually means hating every second of it. This isn’t the case with rock climbing, though. Most people take up rock climbing because it’s fun. Reaching the top of a wall is like solving a puzzle with your whole body. That said, fun doesn’t mean easy. An intense climb works out your back muscles, biceps, abs, and legs. Research published in The Scientific World Journal found that climbers can burn up to 10 calories a minute — without even getting drenched in sweat during their workout. It improves your shoulders and your mind! Physical strength alone won’t get you to the top of a wall. Rock climbing is a physical and mental challenge. Some problems call for fancy

footwork, creative problem-solving, or going for a rock that seems out of reach. Teaching your mind and your body to work together while rock climbing can also build endurance and reduce stress. It strengthens your relationships. Rock climbing, especially top rope climbing, is one of the best workouts to do with a partner. Top roping is a type of climbing where you strap into a harness, tie yourself to a rope, and climb up a wall while your partner holds the rope, ready to catch you. In other words, your partner “belays” you. It’s the ultimate trust fall. Facing the challenges of rock climbing with your partner also teaches you how to overcome adversity together and improves communication as you both work to conquer the wall. The best part about rock climbing is that it’s easy to try out. Most climbing gyms rent out the supplies you need for a small fee. And with hundreds of climbing gyms open across the United States, there’s no wall blocking the way of you and your favorite new workout.

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