OPTM pt December 2018

OPTM pt December 2018

Monthly A Year of Traveling Looking Back on My 2018 Memories We had two 40th birthday celebrations this year, and both proved to be eventful. We had planned an adults- only trip in June to Cabo San Lucas for our neighbor’s birthday, but a hurricane made it’s dramatic landfall during that same time. After some heated debate, we all traveled to Las Vegas, where we cooled off in the lazy river and enjoyed a wonderful trip and even better company. Our next birthday celebration was in September for another neighbor’s 40th birthday. For this adults-only trip, we crossed the country and visited Nashville, Tennessee, for four days. All 21 of us visited the Grand Ole Opry, ate perfect barbecue, and toured down the Broadway area of Nashville, commonly called Nash Vegas. Every establishment we went into had live music from talented aspiring musicians, as the city stayed true to its moniker of Music City. The friendships I’ve made with these neighbors are so valuable to me, and it makes me happy to know they want to spend some of the most significant days of their lives with my family. This year, they also joined our family at my wife’s grandparents’ home on Lake Tulloch. This is the second year we’ve done this, and this new tradition has become a family favorite, especially for the kids! Per tradition, we went to Lake Tulloch with my wife and her family this July, too. This trip is a big family affair where my sons get to play and make memories with their three cousins. It’s family time we all look forward to every year. If 2018 is any indication of the fun I could have in 2019, then I can’t wait to get this new year started.

The famous Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee

wine country of Oregon, and we certainly discovered why. As a family, we also explored and learned about the Spruce Goose, a plane built entirely out of wood due to metal restrictions during World War II, at the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum. My final trip this year was another excursion to Oregon to keep up with another tradition. Every year, some buddies from elementary school — and we actually went to the University of California, Berkeley together, too — and I make it to one away Cal game against a Pac-12 opponent and plan to do so until we see the Bears play at every Pac-12 stadium. This year was Corvallis, a small river town with plenty of pride, local commerce, and 1960s style, where we saw our Bears pound the Oregon State Beavers 49–7! But the best part about these trips is the camaraderie with my friends and exploring another part of the country. This year, we also spent some time with their families, which is always a great addition to the trip. The not-so-great part, however, was the injury I sustained on this trip. If you’re curious, don’t miss upcoming editions of our newsletter! Next year, we’re going to go see Cal take on the University of Oregon for our Pac-12 game, but we’re also going to take a trip to Oxford, Mississippi, to watch Cal play against the University of Mississippi. I’ve always wanted to watch an SEC matchup, and the 2019 season has provided the perfect opportunity to do so at one of the best tailgates in college football! We also plan to take in some local sights and listen to blues music on the famous Beale Street in Memphis. Of course, my family will make it out to the lake with our extended family again this year, and early in 2019, we’re hoping to take a trip to see some snow and take the kids to Disneyland. We’re still planning out all that we want to do, but looking back on 2018, I’m excited to see what memories we’ll create in 2019!

Oregon also became a popular spot for me in 2018, starting with my wife’s cousin’s wedding in McMinnville, Oregon. The state is special to the couple because they both attended the University of Oregon, but the area is also a breathtaking part of the country, with rolling green hills, towering evergreens, and fantastic vineyards. McMinnville is even known as the

Happy New Year! Dr. Fabrice Rockich

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Meet Jenice de Quinto! OPTM’s Newest (And Most Balanced) Physical Therapist!

SUCCESS STORIES

Jenice de Quinto only began working as a physical therapist at OPTM Saratoga about two months ago, but she may be memorable to some of our patients. During her clinical rotations while in graduate school, Jenice did a 16-week internship with OPTM, and when she left for Texas to focus on balance and dizziness, she kept in touch.

“I had shoulder surgery on my left shoulder. The procedure included sawing the AC joint and the removal of a bone spur from my rotator cuff. I was unable to reach across my right shoulder with my left hand. I could not reach behind my back with my left hand and also could not reach my

arms straight up over my head. OPTM Saratoga measured my rotation limitations and set up an aggressive program of physical therapy; I have made tremendous progress and have now returned to normal activity with no limitation.

“I had a great instructor. The work culture was something I saw myself working in, especially as a new graduate,” Jenice says about her internship with OPTM. “That’s the reason why I think [Fabrice] and I were on the same page about me coming back.” Thanks to Jenice, our patients with balance or dizziness issues can get help at OPTM through a therapy called vestibular rehabilitation. “If there’s a message that I can really send, it’s that if you’re dizzy, you don’t have to live with it your entire life,” Jenice says. Jenice was born and raised in San Jose. She earned her undergraduate degree in San Francisco, and she was trained as a physical therapist at West Coast University in Los Angeles. When she isn’t helping her patients restore their balance, Jenice can be found enjoying art or spinning records. She enjoys a variety of music, including hip-hop, classical, and jazz. But Jenice’s personal passion is rooted in travel. In mid- November, Jenice embarked on the adventure of a lifetime when she flew to Thailand with friends from physical therapy school. Jenice, who is a first-generation American Filipino, also stopped in the Philippines on her way back to the United States to reconnect with family. It had been 10 years since she had visited the Philippines. “I think I’m way overdue,” Jenice said before leaving for her trip. Since returning, Jenice has been looking forward to helping clients who want to overcome their dizziness and lead normal, happy, and healthy lives. “If you have balance issues, physical therapy can most definitely help,” Jenice says. “Give us a call, schedule an appointment with me, and I’d be happy to help you.” We can’t wait to see how you continue to help others, Jenice! If you’re struggling with balance issues or feeling dizzy, call 408-973-7700 to schedule an appointment with Jenice.

“Thank you, OPTM Saratoga. You have a great staff, and a special thank you to Ben for all of your efforts.”

–Philip Aguirre, 9/13/18

“I came to OPTM Saratoga in January of 2018 with severe knee pain. I had received two cortisone injections with no improvement. I began working with Fabrice, who suggested that I try the laser therapy because of my pain level. Starting with my first laser session, my pain level decreased

dramatically. Without the laser treatments, I would not have been able to do most of the stretching and strengthening exercises that I learned from Fabrice. “Although I am not quite at 100 percent, I feel that I have the tools and the understanding to continue my progress. Also, a positive side of my therapy has been the improvement in my golf game. I now hit the ball farther and straighter as a result of my exercises and stretches. When I first came in, I could barely walk, much less play golf.

“I plan on continuing my therapy on an intermittent basis in order to maintain my flexibility and strength.”

–Michael Arnold, 6/19/18

“I love to rock climb, and one night, after having climbed for five hours outdoors, I woke up to my back searing with pain. I went to OPTM Saratoga thinking that it would take

months to get my back into good shape. With the help of Celina and Jamie, my back is now in amazing shape after a month of treatment. I’ve learned lots of new stretches and exercises to take care of my back. Thank you, OPTM Saratoga!”

–Julie Weber, 9/16/18

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You Don’t Have to Live With Back Pain! FORGET THE DEADLINE

There are some things in life we’re just stuck with, like our age or the fact that Fox canceled the TV show “Firefly” too soon. We would drive ourselves crazy thinking about everything that’s out of our control, so a lot of people prefer to just go with the flow, as they say. While there are many things we have to accept in life, back pain should never be one of them. We all know someone who has struggled with back pain for years. A study from the University of North Carolina Institute on Aging found 80 percent of Americans will experience lower back pain in their lifetime. It is estimated that back pain costs around $100 billion annually in medical bills, lost wages, and decreased productivity nationwide. One would think that because so many people experience back pain, we would have a better system of dealing with this problem. Unfortunately, it seems that since back pain is common, many people are under the impression that the pain is normal. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Pain is our body’s way of telling us there’s a problem. Odds are that you’ve dealt with back pain yourself. Maybe your lower back started to hurt after long hours sitting at the office, or maybe you suffered an injury while out on the golf course. Whatever the cause of the pain, rather than see a doctor, most people choose to wait and see if they

get better. There is logic in this approach — why pay medical bills if your body will recover on its own? But without help, our bodies can’t heal.

Instead of getting better, many people just learn to live with the pain. There comes a point when they think they have to accept that they are going to spend the rest of their life in pain. If my body didn’t heal by now, it never will, right? Of course not! Even if you have suffered from back pain all your life, it is never too late to do something about it. The first step is to stop ignoring the problem and start looking for solutions.

Give us a call at 408-973-7700. Let our team of experts help you address your specific pain and lead a normal, pain-free life again!

30-MINUTE CAULIFLOWER SOUP This hearty soup is a quick, easy, healthy addition to your holiday table. It can also be made vegetarian by substituting chicken broth with vegetable broth.

TAKE A BREAK

Ingredients

•

1 small head cauliflower

• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth • 1/2 cup heavy cream • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil • Salt and pepper, to taste broth, and cream. Simmer until cauliflower is tender, about 15 minutes. 3. Using a blender, purée in batches until smooth. 4. Top servings with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of pepper.

(about 2 pounds), cored and sliced • 1 leek, chopped • 1 medium onion, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1. In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter into warm oil. Add onion and leek, season with salt and pepper, and cook until tender, about 10–12 minutes. 2. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add cauliflower, Directions

Candle Cookies Decorations Family

Gratitude Holidays Snowflake Snowman

Snowstorm Tradition Travel Winter

Inspired by Good Housekeeping

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CreatingMemories in 2018 Page1

What People Are Saying About Us Page2

Meet Our Newest Physical Therapist! Page2 When Is It Too Late to Deal With Back Pain? Page3

30-Minute Cauliflower Soup Page3

Holiday Decoration Tours Page4

Christmas Tours Get Away and Be Festive This Holiday Season

There’s nothing quite like the magical lights of the holiday season, and some destinations in the U.S. have perfected the craft of holiday decoration. If you’re looking to get away this December and still engage in seasonal festivities, add one of these places to your must-visit list. New York City’s Rockefeller Center New York City is an iconic location for Christmastime. The scene is like a Hallmark card: Ice-skating lovers whiz past miles of twinkling lights underneath an exceptionally tall and amply decorated tree. The tree is specially selected by Rockefeller Center’s landscaping crews, who scout out trees years in advance. It remains lit from November to early January, so you have plenty of time to check it out. Ranch Christmas in Jackson, Wyoming Jackson, Wyoming, takes its frontier culture to the next level during the Christmas season. All year, the city proudly displays four elk antler arches, but around the holidays, they are lit up with white string lights and flanked by snow. The Christmas decorations and lights surrounding the archway make for a Western-themed holiday pulled right out of a John Wayne classic. For holiday admirers looking for a unique spin, Jackson has you covered.

Antler arches in town square, Jackson Hole, WY

Yearly Yuletide in Santa Claus, Indiana This one’s for the Christmas lover. If you can’t make it out to Santa Claus, Indiana, this holiday season, you can still celebrate Christmas in this tiny Midwestern town in January, June, or even October. Embracing its unique name, the town boasts a museum, holiday shopping center, and a Christmas theme park. In a moving tribute, the town’s residents also write responses to children’s letters to Kris Kringle himself. It’s impossible to avoid holiday cheer in this town. Disney World’s Christmas Magic What better place to celebrate the most magical time of the year than in the most magical place on Earth? Walt Disney World’s halls are decked to the max with a parade, gingerbread homes, strings of lights, and festive parties. Plus, costs to visit Disney World can be cheaper during the Christmas season, so keep an eye out for a vacation steal.

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