Synergy Therapeutic Group - January 2018

1110 CEDAR COURT CARBONDALE, IL 62901

PHONE: (618) 529 4360 FAX: (618) 529 4560

12 SOUTH DIVISION STREET DU QUOIN, IL 62832

PHONE: (618) 542 8950 FAX: (618) 542 8746

Health & WWW.SYNERGYTHERAPEUTICGROUP.COM

JAN 2018

Wellness

THERPEUTIC GROUP

THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY

The Long Road to SYNERGY When I was younger, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. All that was certain during my early years back in India was that I wanted to move into a professional field that went down a different track than an ordinary bachelor’s degree. In high school, I went through a huge list of challenging examinations, locked in intense competition as I tried to make it into a professional school that would secure me a stable, meaningful career. Though it was initially unclear where I wanted to go, I had a couple ideas. I knew that becoming a master engineer was way out of the question. I’ll be the first to admit that my math scores were far too horrible for that. But while math wasn’t my strong suit, I always gravitated toward science — particularly the medical field. The workings of the human body interested me, and helping people improve their lives appealed to me. So when I found out that I’d made it into medical school, I was thrilled. But I still wasn’t certain it was the path for me. Weeks before I was about to begin classes at the institute, I decided to shift my focus to physical therapy. At the time, the field was relatively new in India, but what I knew about it intrigued me. At just 19 years old, I made a decision that would change the course of my life. Quickly, I learned that I’d made the right decision. As I learned all the applications of physical therapy, my interest only grew. At the institute, we would see patients who nobody else could treat, people afflicted with muscular dystrophy, polio, or a number of other serious conditions. It was incredible training, and every patient we helped even a little bit reinforced my resolve and passion. After exiting the program, I secured a position at a large medical company with extremely high patient volumes. I had been through school, but learning something and actually doing it are two very different processes. Though I had all the tools for diagnosis, I was still not confident in my ability to adequately treat my patients. I struggled against the system there, and I felt frustrated because for every person we were able to treat, there was another who remained sick or in pain.

It didn’t seem right to leave so many unwell when we were supposed to be healing people.

With that in mind, I set out to expand my knowledge, seeking out experts in manual therapy and adding more drug-free, outcome-focused techniques to my repertoire. With every new thing I learned, I began to achieve better results, helping people to leave treatment pain-free. I continued this continually humbling journey over the next 27 years, steadily mastering the practices of physical therapy and an array of nontraditional treatments that consistently achieve ideal outcomes. Across my years of experience, I developed a passion for treating chronic pain in all my patients, but especially women suffering with fibromyalgia syndrome (visit CureFMS.com for more details). Today, I specialize in treating FMS and similar chronic pain conditions, helping patients realize that living pain-free is well within their reach, despite the bad news they may have received from previous medical professionals. It’s gratifying to help these women eliminate pain for good when so many of them assumed it was something they’d have to live with for years to come. The success of Synergy Therapeutic Group comes directly from our dedication to achieving real, meaningful outcomes for our patients. It’s been a long road, but I’m grateful for every step. During school, I met my beautiful wife, Chandana Dash, and we later made our way to the U.S. Soon after, we started our own clinic. Working with her in this profession has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my life, going beyond the symptoms of our patients to eliminate the root cause of their pain and dysfunction. I look forward to continuing this work and learning even more as we move into 2018.

Happy New Year!

–Subrat Bahinipati

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STAY ON YOUR FEET Prevent Falls at Home This Year

It might have been Johnny Carson (or was it Yogi Berra?) who said, “100 percent of all household accidents happen in the home.” Whomever it was, their joke had a point: Every year, millions of Americans are treated for household injuries. Amongst the elderly, a lot of those injuries come from slips, trips, and falls. But don’t worry — there’s a lot you can do this year to make your home safer. Start by tidying up. You may not have banana peels lying about, but anything on the floor can serve as a slip or trip hazard. And a little TLC will go a long way — for example, fixing a broken step or changing out lightbulbs. More light will make it easier to see potential trip and slip hazards. Many choose to take extensive action, such as installing railing on both sides of the stairs and grab bars in the bathroom. A bar in the shower and near the toilet will not only provide a safeguard against falls, it will also make normal bathroom use easier. And while a railing on one side of the stairs is helpful, railings on both sides is even better. Much of fall prevention is about thinking ahead. As tempting as it is to climb ladders by yourself or clean out the gutters, it’s worth taking time to get someone to help or spot you. Even standing on a stool or chair to reach the top shelf of the cupboard is risking it. Instead, reorganize the

kitchen so everything is easy to access while standing on solid ground. Plan out potentially hazardous activities. Later, you’ll be grateful that you did. If you have concerns about fall safety, your doctor is always a good person to talk to. This is especially true if you suffer from dizziness or have balance issues, or are taking medication with those side effects. Regular exercise will strengthen your body. And eye exams ensure you can see obstacles ahead of time. This year, stay on top of your health and your home — and stay on your feet.

PATIENT

SUCCESS STORIES “Upon finding out my daughter had torticollis, I started searching for

narcotic pain medications with Gabapentin six times a day. Since doing therapy, I have not used any medication. My life has changed 180 degrees since being off medication, and I’m almost pain-free for the first time in 12 years. I look forward to getting out of bed and seeing what life has in store for me now. Thanks to the wonderful team at Synergy.” –Brenda S.

therapists that specialized in pediatrics. Synergy was among the top listed online, and they had great reviews. Chandana started treating Macie in October, when she was 5½ months old. When we started,

Macie could not look to her left and had limited function on that whole side of her body. We started seeing improvements after the first week. Eight weeks later, she has full range of motion in her neck and moves her whole body freely. I am thankful for all the time Chandana has spent with our daughter, and I feel blessed that we were led to Synergy. We highly recommend them!” –Andrea I.

“I have been experiencing back pain and spasms for several years. After therapy at Synergy Therapeutic Group, the pain and spasms are almost gone. The staff is always professional, caring, and optimistic. I am looking forward to continue living pain-free.” –Dana T.

“When I started at Synergy I was looking at possible neck surgery. I was taking migraine medication, muscle relaxers, and

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ARE YOU AT RISK FOR A FALL?

When you are at risk for a fall, you can face serious consequences. Should you fall, it can be difficult to get the help you need in that moment. Sometimes, however, it isn’t immediately apparent that you are at risk. Consider the following questions: • Do you experience dizziness or lack of confidence while moving? • Are you unable to sleep in bed or afraid to roll in bed? • Are you afraid to get out of bed in the morning? • Are you afraid to take a shower? • Are you very cautious while doing laundry? • Are you afraid to drive? • Do you avoid running errands? • Have you limited your social activities because of dizziness or balance? • Have you had any recent changes in your vision or hearing? • Are you taking multiple medications? • Do you have any specific problems with your feet? • Do you have a loss of sensation or decreased sensation in any body part? • Do you walk with any assistive devices, such as a cane or walker? • Do you have a feeling of motion, spinning, or falling while moving?

• Have you

experienced more than one fall in the past six months?

If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, you may have vestibular issues. The vestibular system is a part of your inner ear, and it gives you a sense of balance and spatial orientation, allowing you to move and maintain balance. Normal balance requires the integration of three sensory systems: visual, vestibular, and somatosensory (sensations from the skin, muscles, tendons, and joints), in addition to muscle strength. When these systems are not functioning properly, you may experience episodes of spinning, lightheadedness, trouble focusing your eyes, or poor balance or falls. If you are concerned about your fall risk, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Speak with your health care provider to determine your best course of action.

WORK YOUR BRAIN ATTENTION BACK PAIN & SCIATICA SUFFERERS! FREE BACK PAIN WORKSHOP

Learn To Eliminate Low Back Pain & Sciatica Without Medication, Injections, or Surgery

Learn more at: www.synergytherapeuticgroup.com/workshop

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WWW.SYNERGYTHERAPEUTICGROUP.COM (618): 529-4360 1110 N CEDAR CT. • CARBONDALE, IL 62901

THERAPEUTIC GROUP

INSIDE My Journey to This Rewarding Profession 1 Household Falls Testimonials 2 Determine Fall Risk With These 15 Questions Free Back Pain Workshop! 3

Can a Bird Save the Day? 4

These FEATHERED HEROES Aren’t Exactly Birdbrains

We hear stories about dogs, cats, and even dolphins stepping up to save the day, but mammals aren’t the only animal heroes worth celebrating. Check out these feathered friends who prove every bird has its day. Charlie the Watch Bird When two men knocked on his door early one September morning in 2011, kindhearted Jack Dukes welcomed the strangers into his home, hoping to offer assistance. The men turned on him. They beat Jack up and demanded pills, but this didn’t fly with Jack’s pet macaw, Charlie. The colorful bird leapt to his master’s defense, scratching and biting one of the invaders. After Charlie took a chunk out of the intruder’s arm, the man and his accomplice fled, and Jack called the authorities. Willie Sounds the Alarm In 2009, Megan Howard and her pet parrot, Willie, were babysitting 2-year-old Hannah Kuusk. When Megan went to the bathroom, she suddenly heard a loud scream and a high-pitched voice shouting, “Mama baby!” She dashed out of the bathroom and found Willie next to Hannah, whose face was turning blue. Howard quickly performed the Heimlich maneuver to save the choking girl, but she considers Willie the real hero.

The local chapter of the Red Cross later awarded Willie their Animal Lifesaver Award. Cher Ami and the Lost Battalion During World War I, a division of U.S. forces managed to cross German lines in what would be

called the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Unfortunately, they were completely alone. Enemy and friendly fire rained down on them, and the commander sent a plea to headquarters with his last carrier pigeon, Cher Ami. The moment Cher Ami took off, Germans opened fire on the pigeon. However, despite being shot through the breast and losing a leg and an eye, Cher Ami kept flying. He made it 25 miles to headquarters, delivering the message that saved 194 men. Cher Ami was awarded the French Croix de Guerre, a medal celebrating wartime heroics, and his body is enshrined at the Smithsonian’s Price of Freedom exhibit in Washington, D.C. They say birds of a feather flock together, and these brave birds flock with the humans they love. Maybe being birdbrained isn’t such a bad thing after all.

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