Stretch PT & Wellness - July 2018

513-874-8800 www.stretchphysicaltherapy.com Painless News

July 2018

Stretch PT Is MoreThan a Clinic It’ s a Movement W hen I started Stretch Physical Therapy five years ago, I did so with a larger goal in mind than simply treating my patients’ symptoms and sending them on their way. My objective, and the objective of every member of the Stretch Physical Therapy team, is to create a movement toward preventative care. Rather than just doing damage control after a serious procedure or injury, we’d like to equip our community with the tools to totally avoid unnecessary medications, injections, and surgery. We strive to encourage everyone to get to the why behind their pain, and to understand that pain is not something they have to resign themselves to as they age. In fact, a pain-free life isn’t just possible — it’s within reach for anyone willing to take that first step. It’s frustrating living in a country where the medical paradigm so often fails its patients. When my fellow physical therapists and I went to school, we weren’t much taught about how to prevent pain and injury. Instead, we focused primarily on post-surgical techniques. Rather than thinking about the root cause of the pain before the patient went under the knife, we were taught to treat the drastic symptoms that resulted from the procedure. As a result, many physical therapists get out of school and go straight into the hospital system, doing nothing but treating patients for surgeries that should not have happened — procedures that could have been completely avoided with a bit of due diligence. These clinics have owners who stop their therapists from going above and beyond for the people they serve, getting leads in the door without committing to the promises they make to their community. Our goal at Stretch Physical Therapy is to offer such powerful results to our patients that they spread the word throughout the area: “Hey, you do not have to default to the surgical route.” It can take as many as three long, arduous years to fully recover from a serious surgery, and many types of procedures have much worse long-term outcomes than more conservative interventions. Of

Katie, DPT; Mija, Wellness Coach; Kim, Owner; LB, DPT; Michael, DPT

course, if surgery really is necessary, we will tell our patients that upfront — but they should come to us first, erring on the side of caution instead of letting a disinterested doctor prescribe surgery without a second thought. I’ve witnessed this movement toward preventative care growing since the day I opened this clinic. Recently, I took a notebook around the clinic for a full month, asking nearly every new patient how they felt after coming in for their first visit. It was uncanny how many said almost exactly the same thing: “I feel like you’ve given me back my hope.” In the traditional medical paradigm, so many people are taught that they either need to accept their persistent, debilitating pain, or resort to surgery that may make the problem even worse. I’ve seen hundreds of patients subvert this paradigm completely, avoiding the need for dangerous medications, surgeries, and injections, and finding the strength to live pain-free for the rest of their lives. It makes me proud to be a passionate force for this kind of good for our patients, building this incredible movement from the ground up.

–Kim Nartker

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Mentally Stimulating Activities for Summer Every summer, parents across the country have to deal with the same delicate problem. They want to make sure their kids continue to learn without feeling like they’re being assigned tasks. After all, summer homework is every child’s worst nightmare. Luckily, you don’t have to rely on math problems and book reports to keep your child’s development from taking a two-month vacation. Here are a few mentally stimulating activities that are as educational as they are fun. fun. Encourage your older children to take the reins for preparing regular meals throughout the summer. You can pick guiding themes, like Learning That Doesn’ t Feel Like School

“a trip to Mexico” or “pasta party,” but let them choose the recipes and prep the meals on their own.

For Little Ones: Homemade Bubbles Bubbles fascinate young children, so why not spend a day making your own solution and experimenting with different types of bubbles? The formula is simple: 1 part dish soap (Dawn or Joy work best) to 10 parts water. Optionally, you can also include 1/4 part glycerin. The process of making the solution will teach ratios, and finding creative ways to blow bubbles fosters problem-solving skills and creative thinking. For Teenagers: Family Dinner Party Cooking teaches so many important skills: math, science, nutrition, concentration, cultural understanding, following directions, creativity, time management, and more. Even better, it doesn’t feel like learning; it feels like

For the Entire Family: An Educational Field Trip Field trips always inspire excitement in students, and you’ll find the same goes for your family members. You can tailor your destination to the interests of your kids for maximum engagement. If you have a family of art lovers, head to a museum for some inspiration and discussion. Kids who prefer the outdoors will enjoy a nature walk or hike. You can bring along a field guide to identify flora and fauna. These trips may not pack the thrill of a water park, but they’re fun in an entirely different way.

Testimonial OUR PATIENTS SAY IT BEST

“I have been attending Stretch for several months to help with two major issues I have with my lower back and neck. Much progress has been made in the pain level. We have recently been concentrating on my neck, which was extremely stiff. I could not turn my head left or right at all. After a couple of sessions of manipulations and exercises for the neck, I was amazed. I can now turn my head farther than I ever remember being able to do! “I have been to other PT locations, but I never felt that comfortable and never got the results like I have at Stretch. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and friendly. It is a family atmosphere, which I enjoy. You all are awesome! THANK YOU, Stretch, for the help you have given me so far!” –Sherry L.

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Meet Katie Nemann! The Latest PT to Join the Stretch Physical Therapy Crew

At Stretch Physical Therapy, we do things a little differently than many others in the medical field. Whereas most medical providers tend to rush their patients in and out of their clinics as quickly as possible, we carefully guide our patients through every step of the treatment process, working closely with them to maximize the benefits that physical therapy provides. This patient-centered, human approach is one of the main reasons why Katie Nemann, our newest physical therapist, was so excited to join the Stretch Physical Therapy team. Though she only joined in early June, she’s already become an invaluable resource for her patients, guiding them through treatment with care, expertise, and understanding. “My favorite thing about being a physical therapist is the opportunity to spend genuine time with my patients,” she says. “Especially here at Stretch, I get to make real, lasting connections, and guide them through the entire recovery process. It’s so rewarding to watch as a patient improves, day by day and session by session.” Like many in the field, Katie first discovered physical therapy through her experience as a patient. She’s been an avid swimmer since she was young, competing all the way from her early years up through her undergraduate studies at the University of Cincinnati. Over innumerable laps and hundreds of competitions, she developed persistent shoulder problems that threatened

to sideline her from her favorite sport. But through several stints in physical therapy, she was able to stick with her passion at a competitive level. “It felt like the therapists cared — that they really wanted me to get better,” she says. “I just want to give my patients that same experience — of someone truly invested in their well-being, helping them get back to whatever they want to do.” Outside of the clinic, Katie loves to coach and share her love of swimming. When she’s not busy with that, you can usually find her on a jog or with her nose in a historical biography.

Our patients and the rest of the Stretch Physical Therapy team are lucky to have Katie aboard. She’s a talented PT with a magnetic personality and a real interest in her patients’ lives. We’re eager to see her grow and thrive in the clinic in the years to come!

HAVE A LAUGH

Watermelon Salad

This simple, delicious salad is the perfect summer refresher. In under 30 minutes, you’ll have a dish that will inspire rave reviews at your next summer cookout.

Ingredients

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1 pinch of cayenne pepper

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8 cups seedless watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes

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1/2 cup mint leaves, torn

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1/4 cup fresh lime juice

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Salt to taste

Directions

1. In a large mixing or salad bowl, toss watermelon with lime juice and cayenne pepper. 2. Gently fold in mint leaves. 3. Sprinkle with salt and serve. 513-874-8800 Inspired by Food & Wine magazine

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Phone: 513-874-8800 www.stretchphysicaltherapy.com Monday–Thursday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

4851WunnenbergWay West Chester, Ohio 45069

Inside

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The Movement Behind Stretch PT

Summer-Worthy Learning Opportunities

Patient Success Story

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Introducing Katie Nemann, Our Newest Physical Therapist

Watermelon Salad

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Must-See Swimming Holes of theWorld

Exclusive Spots You Must See to Believe Secret Swimming Holes of the World

Summertime is for swimming, but why settle for a community pool when you can have access to the most beautiful swimming locales in the world? These three exclusive, little-known spots are sure to take your breath away. Hali’ i Falls, Hawaii With its spiral staircase of waterfalls, this remote jungle location offers up more than one unique spot to take a plunge. Visitors never fail to be awestruck by the deep blue-green hue of each pool created by the four cascading waterfalls. Hali’i means “to spread out,”which is precisely what each waterfall does, showcasing a serene experience unlike any other. But the beauty of this one-of-a-kind experience is only outdone by its exclusivity. To reach these pools, you’ll have to hike through dense forest, deep marshes, and wide-open pastures of sugar cane. Dos Ojos, Mexico The Spanish translation of the name for this magical system of caves is “two eyes,” and you’ll want to have yours checked after you see this swimming hole. When limestone bedrock collapses, a sinkhole called a “cenote” is formed. The unearthed water from the natural aquifer balances a color palette of earth tones with the most majestic shades of blue you’ll ever behold. The calling cards for these bodies

of water are the Blue Eye and the Black Eye. Both offer unforgettable

experiences, but the price of entry is a hefty sense of adventure. You’ll need a full set of scuba gear to get to either hole. The Baths, Virgin Gorda

A day in the Caribbean is like living every moment inside a beautiful pastel painting. The elegance of this location in the British Virgin Islands will make you feel like you’ve been transported into a cathedral. The large boulders and natural rock formations create shallow caves that will captivate your eyes as you wade through the water in wonder. When you exit, you’ll witness the sight that gives this beautiful spot its name: A handful of 40-foot granite boulders form private pools as if that was what they were made for.

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