OPTM pt Saratoga February 2019

OPTM pt Saratoga February 2019

Monthly Painful Lessons It all started with a game of tag. I knew playing in the dark wasn’t a great idea, but my buddy’s 5-year-old son was pretty insistent that we play. And I couldn’t let him down. As geographically scattered as we are, my lifelong friends and our families don’t see each other that often. This year’s annual trip to see our Cal Bears play an away game versus a PAC-12 team gave us a unique opportunity to bond with our families. On the Friday of this autumn trip, our nighttime game of tag had ventured onto the driveway. I tagged the 5-year-old, and bolted just when the family’s 6-month- old German shepherd puppy dashed at my legs — a hobby this dog apparently enjoys — causing me to flop over and land on my wrist. The thwack was audible to my friends standing far away on the deck. I was shocked. The pain was excruciating, and as I processed what had just happened, I knew something was really wrong. Flashes of realization came hard at me: I might be unable to work, I might have a long list of medical woes. I took a few pills to help the pain subside, thinking that I really needed a professional opinion. “What am I going to do if I can’t work?” I remember thinking as I laid down on the floor of the guest bedroom — my makeshift bed for the evening. When I returned to California, I went in to see an orthopedic specialist. The X-rays didn’t show any signs of real damage or a fracture, but the doctor ordered an MRI because of the substantial visible bruising. After multiple reschedules and delays, I finally got an answer to my arm woes: I had a hairline fracture on my elbow. Despite the pain, limited mobility, and loss of strength, the good news was that it wasn’t knocked out of its socket or anything catastrophic. The whole experience reminded me of what it’s like to be a patient. I adjusted the way I moved, dressed, drove, and even worked. A Reminder From a Fall and Elbow Fracture

Fabrice’s bruised and stiff elbow

I’m happy to say that, through my pain and healing process, I didn’t miss one day of work. I was able to give quality — albeit slightly adapted — care for my patients. When I wrote this, I was seven weeks into my recovery. I was functioning at about 80 percent of normal. When I was first injured, gripping five pounds was a struggle, and through laser therapy, my own exercises, and nursing it back to health, I’ve gained most of my strength back. I still have a ways to go and, like I tell my patients, healing from an injury is about so much more than rehab. You have to work hard to gain your strength back. I’ve been doing this job for 20 years, and I know what it takes to coach and encourage a patient through their healing timeline. But I’ve learned that no matter how experienced and educated you are, it is still scary the moment you sustain an injury. A small hairline fracture knocked me out and left me drained. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that we take our bodies for granted. The ability to comb your hair, walk through your office, or even go on a weekend hike is all part of a beautiful design authored by nature. Our bodies are so simple yet so specific — a complex machine. This experience has given me more empathy for my patients, and while I always tried to be caring and understanding, dealing with my own vulnerability gave me a refreshed perspective on what I do every day. Granted, I could’ve done without the pain — but how can you say no when a 5-year-old asks you to play a game of tag? Dr. Fabrice Rockich

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Meet Devan Seeley! Our New, Caring Physical Therapy Assistant

SUCCESS STORIES

Movement has been part of Devan Seeley’s life for as long as she can remember. The active swimmer and water polo player became interested in physical therapy when she was studying human development at the University of California, Davis.

“I had bad back pain and numbness/tingling down to my arms and legs. After seeing several neurologists and trying chiropractic adjustments and acupunctures, nothing seemed to help very much. My primary doctor recommended OPTM Saratoga. Laura and

Thuy have been great, helping to relieve tightness in my back, shoulder, and neck. I enjoy the customized exercises they teach and changing my mindset that moving in the right way can be much more helpful than just resting when I experience pain and discomfort. I feel so much better and am back to my normal routines. Thank you!”

“I was really interested, as an athlete, in how it wasn’t

just about how strong you are,” Devan says. “It was all about body mechanics and how well you could move your body. I did my research, and physical therapy is a career that involves working with that on a continual basis … [I enjoyed] how applicable it was to more than just sports. I could help other people that way.” Devan joined our OPTM Saratoga team in November, and since then she has turned her passion for movement and athletics into personalized care for a variety of patients. As she continues to master her expertise, digging for motivation and finding solutions for our clients has been a burgeoning passion for Devan. Prior to working at OPTM, Devan worked in pediatrics, specifically helping young athletes get back onto the field or court. As a former athlete herself, Devan says she can relate to the passion of her young athletes, but she also believes all patients — regardless of their age — have attainable goals they can reach through physical therapy. As she continues in her career, Devan plans to further her education by obtaining her doctorate in physical therapy. She is also looking to pursue a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification, and she’s looking forward to developing mentor/mentee relationships at OPTM. As a new graduate, Devan said she is grateful to be working at a small business clinic and with coworkers she gets to learn from every day. When she isn’t helping young athletes and weekend warriors find relief, Devan can be found hiking or at the beach. She enjoys spending time with her family, and she is hoping to take up swimming again. Devan’s passion for care makes her a dedicated physical therapy assistant. We can’t wait to see the kind of help you give our patients, Devan!

–Angel Chan

“I came to OPTM Saratoga for physical therapy for my right shoulder. After my injury, I lost significant strength and range of motion causing me difficulties in completing ordinary daily tasks. After my 12th visit with Phil, I have made great improvements in all

areas. I have regained strength in my right shoulder and my range of motion is improving with each passing day. I am able to do daily tasks without any pain and am looking forward to playing tennis again! Thanks Phil and OPTM Saratoga for all your help and care — it’s been a fantastic experience!”

–Evelyn Ortiz

“I broke my collarbone in two places which required surgery. two plates and nine pins were used to put my collarbone back together. I wasn’t sure how my shoulder would ever get back to normal. Two months after surgery, I started physical therapy with

Todd. Todd first helped me get my range of motion back with numerous stretching exercises, and then we started working on strengthening my shoulder. Two months after working with Todd, I was back doing all the things I loved before my accident, including playing tennis, surfing, and riding my bike. Todd always listened, tracked my progress, and used a variety of treatment techniques to speed the healing process. I am very grateful for being physically active again.”

–Alex Roedling

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Why Your Healing Regimen Should Include a Better Diet A JOINT’S FAVORITE FOOD You’ve heard diet experts and fitness gurus say, “Food is fuel,” and this is especially important to remember when you’re recovering from an injury. When your body is healing from a strain, pulled muscle, fracture, wound, or a decent list of other conditions, the nutrients you ingest play a bigger role than you might realize. Sticking to a diet of lean proteins, filling your plate with green leafy vegetables, and consuming low-sugar fruits can help your body stave off inflammation caused by overly sugary or salty, high-fat foods and drinks. Examples include alcohol, processed foods, sweets, and dairy. Inflammation is how your body signals your immune system that something is wrong, and it’s also why you sometimes feel pain in your joints and muscles. People who suffer from arthritis struggle with inflammation on a daily basis because the body is sending this exact signal to the immune system. Adhering to an anti-inflammatory diet can work wonders for patients with arthritis, and ingesting highly inflammatory foods even when you don’t have arthritis can cause inflammation flare-ups. But dieting for your healing is about so much more than eating lean, healthy foods. It’s also about paying attention to the nutrients you’re getting. Vitamins like zinc, magnesium, and iron can give your body the energy and immune boost it needs to continue fighting.

Furthermore, what you eat does more for you than just impacting your body physiologically; your mental health and energy can also either take a hit or receive a much-needed enhancement. High-sugar foods get processed by your body faster, sapping your energy and damaging your brain. Fresh, healthy foods make you feel fuller, focused, and relaxed. Both your mentality and your energy are vital to maintaining a fully functional healing regimen, but when these are hindered by what you use for fuel, you’re setting yourself up for an impossible challenge.

Still not sure what to eat? Try some of these suggestions.

• Lean proteins like fish or turkey • Leafy greens, such as kale or spinach • A variety of berries • Complex carbohydrates, like brown rice and quinoa • Low-fat dairy products

Pair your good diet with a physical therapy routine designed to help you succeed. Learn more about how OPTM Physical Therapy of Saratoga can help you by visiting optmsaratoga.com.

SPICY SALMON TARTARE

TAKE A BREAK

Ingredients

• 1 8-ounce boneless, skinless

• 3/4 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated • 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh cilantro, minced • 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh chives, minced • 1 1/2 teaspoons grape seed or vegetable oil • Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste • Crackers or chips, for serving When finished, you should have 1/8-inch cubes. 4. In a mixing bowl, combine salmon with all other ingredients. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Garnish with chips or crackers and serve.

salmon fillet • 1 tablespoon fresh

lime juice • 1/4 teaspoon lime zest • 1/4 cup cucumber, seeded and finely diced • 1 1/2 teaspoons jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced • 1 1/2 teaspoons shallots, minced 1. Place salmon in freezer for 20 minutes to make slicing easier. 2. Meanwhile, prepare other ingredients for mixing. 3. Thinly slice salmon into Directions

Aquarius Arrow Candy Chocolate Date

February Flowers Heart

Pisces Roses Sweet Valentine Year

sheets and cut sheets into strips and strips into cubes.

Leap Love

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18780 Cox Ave Saratoga, CA 95070 408-973-7700 www.optmsaratoga.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

Fabrice’s Recent Injury Page1

What People Are Saying About Us Page2

Meet PT Assistant Devan Seeley! Page2

Your Diet and Healing Page3

Spicy Salmon Tartare Page3

What Helps andWhat Hinders Page4

What’s Stopping You? Daily Habits That Impede Your Healing

Physical therapy can help your body harness its healing power, but without a lifestyle change, you may actually be hurting your body. Add these three tips to your PT regimen to help your body heal as well — and as quickly — as possible. Too Much Yet Not Enough Rest is necessary for healing, but when you rest too much, you do more harm than good. Nursing an injury by using crutches for too long or favoring a limb encourages unhealthy movement and keeps your body from healing normally. On the other hand, not resting enough can be harmful. So be active but take it easy, and avoid spending hours on the couch or the treadmill. Snuff Your Habit Smoking comes with a long list of health risks, and “inability to heal from an injury” is on that list. Nicotine, the powerful chemical that makes tobacco so addictive, keeps your immune system from doing its job. Smoking also makes exercise more difficult because of the toll it takes on your cardiovascular system.

Painkillers can also inhibit the healing process because they mask pain without treating the source. Use them when necessary, but don’t rely on them for a long-term solution if you can avoid it. Eat for Your Joints You already know that food is fuel for your body, but what you eat can also affect your quality of life. Ingredients that cause inflammation — such as saturated fats, alcohol, and sugars — can increase pain in your joints and put extra strain on them. Instead, stick to a healthy diet of lean proteins, leafy greens, low-sugar fruits, and complex carbohydrates to give your body the boost it needs to heal. Making or breaking a habit can take weeks, so take it slow, understand that change is a process, and ask your physical therapist for advice. It may make your healing process more challenging, but it’ll be worth it in the long run.

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