OPTM Saratoga - March 2018

OPTM Saratoga - March 2018

Monthly THE POWER OF A LONG WALK

In the past couple of months, we’ve seen a huge influx of new patients at OPTM Saratoga. It’s been thrilling and gratifying to see word spreading around the area as the awesome people we guide toward a pain-free life share their experiences with friends and family. However, as the owner of the business, it’s also been busy . It’s been all I can do just to stay on top of everything in the midst of the changes. And as I work longer hours to accommodate the growth of the clinic, I have to make a more conscious effort to carve out time for myself and my family in addition to time spent working on my endless to-do list. Luckily, no matter how hectic life gets, I’ll always have a few minutes to take a walk around the neighborhood. Whether they’re spent with my wife, while our little guy tags along in the stroller, a couple of my friends, or just by myself, walks have become a staple of my day-to-day activities. Back in my college and early professional years, I was an avid runner and mountain biker. But as I opened the clinic and started a family, mountain biking became too time-consuming, and running got harder on my joints. So to stay in shape, I started to take walks nearly every day. Normally, I’ll take a two-mile loop around the neighborhood, but on weekends when I have a little extra time, my neighbor and I will hike around the Anderson Reservoir nearby. It’s a great opportunity to socialize while taking in all the natural beauty, and every once in a while, we’ll even spot a deer or a boar milling around. By now, long walks have become more than a habit or exercise routine. They’re an opportunity to step out of the stresses of daily life — a kind of meditation where I can turn my brain off for a few minutes. Other times, walks give me the space I

Rockich boys walking Fabrices’ favorite local path near Coyote Creek.

need to think about everything I want to accomplish both personally and professionally, making them some of the most productive moments of each day. When the family comes along, a walk is the perfect excuse to spend some quality time with the people I love. Apparently, my 2-year-old agrees. He loves coming along so much that he’s taken to requesting them a few times a week — “Family walk! Family walk!” When we’re overloaded with responsibilities, I think it’s all too easy to get home, slump down on the couch, and veg out watching TV for a couple hours. But in order for me to gain any lasting sense of clarity, and in order for me to stay present both at the clinic and at home, I find a walk around the block is much more beneficial. Since I started walking regularly, it’s enriched my life in ways I never would have imagined.

Dr. Fabrice Rockich

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Meet Jamie Clausen! One of Our Wonderful Physical Therapists

TESTIMONIALS

“My back and hamstrings were super tight, and I had numbness in my right leg down to my foot. They gave me tons of new stretches and strengthening exercises, which I had never done before. In just over a month, my flexibility improved greatly, and my back is feeling much better. I

At OPTM Saratoga, we pride ourselves on the dedication and expertise of our entire team. Our mission goes beyond simply getting a patient back to baseline and sending them on their way. We’d rather leave our patients better than they were. We believe that by forming genuine relationships with everyone who comes into our clinic, we can transform lives in a meaningful way.

was given my exercises in writing every visit, and that was extremely helpful with home exercise. Great job, Ben. Thanks so much.”

–Michael Driscoll

That’s where our excellent physical therapist, Jamie Clausen, comes in. From her own experiences with a serious injury in the past, she’s able to empathize with her patients and coach them through the entire recovery process. “Ever since I was 5 years old, I wanted to be a pediatrician,” she says. “But when I broke my ankle playing soccer in high school, and it went undiagnosed, I was forced to undergo three separate surgeries.” Eventually, she ended up as a patient in a local PT clinic. While running through her exercises with the experts, she realized she could stay active and on her feet during her day-to-day life while offering treatments to improve patients’ well-being within just a few visits. “I love my job,” she says without hesitation. “It’s the first job I’ve ever had where I wake up every day, and I’m excited.” Though she loves the kind and collaborative atmosphere around OPTM Saratoga. It’s the people she serves who keep her coming back each day. “I love connecting with my patients. A lot of them I end up having a lasting relationship with afterwards, and we’ll stay in touch. That personal level is very important to me,” she says. “Even though sometimes, they’ll tell me a little more than I ever wanted to hear!”

“When I first started my treatment with Celina at OPTM Saratoga, my daily routine was severely compromised, and my quality of life was not what I wanted. After several weeks of treatment, I started to experience the quality of life I was looking for. I was able to

get back to my weekly hikes of 6–8 miles with little or no discomfort. I started to enjoy my daily trips to the gym more than I had in the prior 12 months. What was even more important was my ability to enjoy playing basketball with my 9- and 13-year-old grandsons again. Because I feel better more frequently than I did before I started treatment, I started to be better company to my wife. I would recommend OPTM Saratoga to any friend or family member.”

–Donald Houk

“After several years of increasing pain in my foot due to a bunionectomy and hammer toe, I had surgery to correct both. I was not able to put pressure on that foot for three weeks. I then began physical therapy at OPTM Saratoga with Robert. My doctor warned

Outside of the clinic, Jamie is, in her words, “mostly a mom,” spending family time with her husband, Caleb, and her 3-year-old son, Cody. We’re thrilled she decided to join the team just over a year and a half ago, and we look forward to her continued warmth and expertise in the years to come.

him ahead of our first visit that I was a real whiner! I limped across the floor on our first visit and was very sensitive to him touching my foot. He assigned six exercises to do at home, and I dove in. He was extremely thorough in explaining to me what was happening to my foot during the healing process. He never hurt me — my biggest fear — and as I stuck to my exercises, the healing came predictably. I am now walking normally and have begun to resume my activities at the gym at 10 weeks post-op. If I ever need physical therapy again, I am coming back to OPTM Saratoga. Thanks, Robert!”

–Sandy Jones

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If you’ve decided to seek out physical therapy and take the first step toward a pain-free life, it may be difficult to know what to expect during your first visit. For some patients, embarking on a new treatment program may feel intimidating or even scary. But rest assured that there’s nothing to be afraid of. Physical therapists undergo hundreds of hours of training so they can diagnose and respond to any pain you may be experiencing. At OPTM Saratoga, we’ll never tell you, “No pain, no gain.” During your initial evaluation, we’ll start off by asking you a number of questions about your condition. Before you come in, it might be a good idea to think a little about how long you’ve been experiencing your particular issue, the type and degree of pain you’ve been experiencing, and what your goals for treatment are. After that first quick chat, your physical therapist will lead you through a few simple physical examinations to determine the nature of your bodily dysfunction. This may include flexibility Your First PT Visit What to Expect From

tests, functional mobility assessments, balance tests, and touching certain muscles to determine whether they’re tight or sore. Throughout the process, the therapist will give you clear instructions, never pushing you past your limit. Your therapist will use that information to paint a picture of your future treatment plan. They’ll discuss your goals and expectations and answer your questions. The entire process is dedicated to assessing your specific needs and determining the best path for you.

ZESTY ZUCCHINI

ENCHILADAS For a lighter take on enchiladas, go carb-free by swapping tortillas for zucchini!

TAKE A BREAK

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons chili powder • 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken • 2 cups shredded cheese • 1 cup prepared enchilada sauce

• 4 large zucchini • 1 tablespoon olive oil or ghee • 1 large onion, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 2 teaspoons cumin

Directions

chicken mixture on top. Roll the zucchini “tortilla” and place on baking sheet. Repeat until all zucchini and chicken is used. with remaining sauce and sprinkle with cheese. Bake 20 minutes, and enjoy!

1. Heat oven to 350 F. In a large skillet, heat oil. Add onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and salt to taste. Stir to combine. Add chicken and 1 cup prepared enchilada sauce. 2. Use vegetable peeler to

3. Cover the enchiladas

thinly slice zucchini. Lay out three slices, slightly overlapping, and spoon

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

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Fabrice Takes aWalk Around the Block Page1

What People Are Saying About Us Page2

How PT Jamie Clausen Transforms Her Patients’ Lives Page2

Your First PT Visit Page3

Go Carb-Free for Dinner Page3

The 3 Best Places to See Beautiful Flowers Page4

Earth’s Most Beautiful Flower Displays Spring is here, which means flora will soon be in full bloom. Flowers can be an easy pick-me-up or a great way to add color to your home, but some people take their flower obsession to the next level by planning botanical-themed vacations. Here are some of the most impressive gardens and flower displays in the world. Netherlands Holland, most famous for its tulips, always draws visitors at the first sign of spring. One of its most famous destinations, Keukenhof, located in Lisse, is among the world’s largest flower gardens. The park is 79 acres and boasts approximately 7 million flowers each year. This colorful garden is open annually from mid-March to mid-May, but mid-April is the ideal time to see the tulips. Washington, D.C. Besides the monuments and historic buildings, one of the biggest attractions in Washington, D.C. is the cherry tree blossoms. Travelers who visit the Tidal Basin during the spring can witness 3,000 trees, which were a gift from Tokyo in 1912, flaunt their beautiful pink blossoms. The best time to see the spectacle is from the end of March through the end of April.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Desert lavender, flowering cacti, pygmy poppies, and rock daisies are just a few of the many wildflowers decorating Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The various native species are often seen weaved together to form a colorful carpet over any barren patch in the park, which is located just two hours from San Diego. In addition to flowers, visitors often spot bighorn sheep. Wildflower blossoms vary in intensity each year, but they typically begin to bloom in late February or early March.

Next time you’re planning a spring trip, consider visiting one of the world’s most beautiful flower displays. No green thumb required.

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