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LETTERS OF PROOF (928) 440-3106 | www.ProofPT.com
July 2024
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LISTENING TO HEAL The Pivotal Role of Patient Voices in PT Success
Truly understanding a patient’s point of view and listening to their needs are among the many things I love about my job. In recognition of World Listening Day on July 18, this is an excellent time to reflect on the importance we place on listening to patients — not only to their answers to our questions but also to their body language, emotional cues, and casual comments about their daily lives. How we structure our practice allows us to listen as closely as possible to each individual we treat. Each of our therapists sees only 1–2 patients at a time, rather than 5–6 as some clinics do. This extended contact gives us time to pick up on patients’ cues about their needs and wants. I work directly with one patient while the other exercises, but I can still see the patient exercising. Our gym is spacious but not so large that we can’t all engage in light-hearted conversation. During a recent visit with a patient I was treating for knee pain and weakness, he casually remarked, “I was at my grandkids’ house the other day, and I wasn’t able to go play with them in the sandbox.” “Why?” I asked. He said he was worried that if he got down in the sandbox, he wouldn’t be able to get back up. “Well, let’s work on that!” I
said. We practiced the move until he successfully balanced his weight and applied strength. “See, you are strong enough!” I said. “Oh, my goodness,” he exclaimed. “I can play with them again!” He actually teared up with joy when he realized this. Having time to build a relationship with this patient enabled me to empower him to do what he loves.
ask. Perhaps a patient will say, “It kind of feels like …,” then pause. Rather than jumping in to fill the silence, like I want to do to be helpful, sometimes it’s better to give them time to answer and just listen compassionately. Often, responses to pain are non- verbal. Some may wince, let out a big sigh, or mask the hurt with laughter. It’s important that we take note of all of these to provide the best care we can.
For me, the more details I can understand about a patient’s
experience, the easier it is to pinpoint their problem. Some patients don’t realize their own habitual behavior or movements are causing their pain. I dive into that, asking open-ended questions such as, “Tell me what a day looks like for you,” or probing for details, such as, “What does your desk look like?” I might ask a patient to show me how they get in and out of their car or swing a golf club. The body can tell us a lot. We just need to listen and pay attention. As you dive into summer activities you love, I hope you will tune into your body’s signals to stay strong and injury-free. I wish you and your loved ones a fun-filled month!
When we begin working with patients, some can explain, “It hurts when I do this motion or that motion.” Others are not sure where the pain comes from or want to avoid burdening others by complaining about it. Still, others don’t know how to put what their bodies are experiencing into words. We try hard to figure out what questions to
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BEYOND NORMAL REMARKABLY RARE HUMAN MUTATIONS
Did you know a small percentage of people are born with traits you may not have known were possible? While they may not be pizza-loving turtles who have mastered martial arts or men wearing funny helmets able to lift metal objects with their minds, their peculiarities are fascinating nonetheless! Genetic mutations are often not huge, life- altering things, but these are the rarest, most stunning mutations known to exist! Normal Eyes, Peculiar Pupils About 20% of people are born with unevenly sized pupils, called physiologic aniscoria. While each pupil is a different size, they both still react to light and are functionally normal. Some people whose pupils were previously even in size can develop aniscoria due to a health condition, such as a brain aneurysm or torn blood vessels in the neck. Sweating Like a Pig
If someone “sweats like a pig,” they may have inherited a condition called hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia and have few to no sweat glands. Even though a person can wear dress shirts on a hot summer day without developing embarrassing pit stains, the condition can be detrimental because the inability to sweat can lead to heat stroke. Super-Fast Reaction Times The average reaction time is 150–300 milliseconds. Generally, intelligence and youth contribute to your
reaction time, but some people are born with unusually quick reaction times. A
Cambridge University study backs this up, which posits that your genes play a role in determining your reaction time. The difference is not all that staggering — not enough to make you even a B-Tier X-Man — but it is noteworthy! If you weren’t born with a faster reaction time but still want to get ahead, take heart. Training and practice can improve it — with video games! Studies show that top gamers react nearly 10% faster than average!
When a person sweats like a pig, it means they don’t sweat much at all. That is because pigs have fewer sweat glands and rely on other means — like rolling around in mud — to cool down.
BATTLE FOR BALANCE EXERCISES TO IMPROVE EVERYDAY STABILITY
Methods of Improvement Fortunately, you can combat balance problems. One method millions of people lean on is a device meant to improve mobility, namely canes and walkers. While these can be helpful, they can sometimes hamper balance and may require more effort than their support merits. Moreover, some research indicates they may actually contribute to falls in some instances. That is why it is important to incorporate exercise into your routine, eat healthily, and manage any medical conditions to improve your balance and combat the risk of falling. One form of helpful exercise is strength training, which involves lifting weights or using resistance bands to build muscle strength that naturally declines in old age. Whatever your method of combating imbalance, the effort is worth it. Staving off falls can contribute to a longer, happier life.
Did you know that around a quarter of adults 65 and older experience a fall every year? Falls are the leading cause of injuries for seniors, and the risk of falling increases as we get older. Our balance declines as we age, and poor balance is a substantial contributing factor to falls among older people. While the fear of falling leads many seniors to avoid exercise altogether, this is not a good strategy. Exercising,
staying on top of medications, and getting your vision checked are all keys to maintaining balance in your golden years and reducing the risk of falls. Here are some potential causes of imbalance and methods for seniors to improve their balance and lower their risk of falling. Bodily Balance Many seniors experience balance and dizziness problems. These can be a side effect of some medications or brought on by balance disorders or other underlying medical conditions. Inner ear problems cause one such balance disorder; one part of the inner ear, the labyrinth, plays a big part in balance. If infected, it can lead to a condition called labyrinthitis, which can lead to bodily imbalance. If you believe you suffer from a balance disorder, your primary physician may refer you to a specialist, such as an otolaryngologist or audiologist, for help.
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT The Importance of a Vitamin D-Rich Diet
Vitamin D, best known as the “sunshine vitamin,” is uniquely both a nutrient we eat and a hormone our body makes when exposed to sunlight. While our bodies need vitamin D to absorb calcium, allowing us to build and fortify our bones, it does far more than that. The fat-soluble vitamin is also an anti-inflammatory and helps our
While a 3.5-ounce serving of farmed salmon contains about 526 IU, a serving of wild-caught salmon may contain significantly more and may even exceed the daily recommendation.
A 3.5-ounce serving of herring or sardines will net you around 200 IU, or about a third of your daily
recommended vitamin D. You can also obtain trace amounts of vitamin D from foods such as egg yolks, cheese, and beef liver.
brains and immune systems function. According to the Mayo Clinic, the daily recommendation for vitamin D intake for the vast majority of the population is around 600 international units or IU. However, unlike many other nutrients, not many foods naturally contain a large amount of vitamin D. Whether natural or fortified, here are the best foods to add to your diet to help you hit the recommended daily vitamin D intake. Natural Sources of Vitamin D If you are searching for a natural vitamin D
Artificial Sources of Vitamin D If you do not mind using artificial
sources to hit your daily recommended dose of vitamin D, then your best bet is a supplement. A great source is cod liver oil, which contains 450 IU of vitamin D per teaspoon. For those who don’t enjoy seafood, fortified milk is a great way to hit your daily recommended intake.
No matter how you acquire your vitamin D, the benefits are worth the effort. From helping revitalize cell growth to keeping your bones strong and healthy, vitamin D is a nutrient you should consider incorporating more of into your diet.
source, you will likely have to get your feet wet. Some of the best natural sources of vitamin D are fatty fish like salmon, herring, sardines, and tuna.
TAKE A BREAK!
QUINOA VEGGIE BOWL
This recipe is packed with protein-rich quinoa and a colorful array of vegetables. It’s ideal for a healthy lunch or a quick dinner!
INGREDIENTS
• 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 red bell pepper, diced • 1 yellow bell pepper, diced • 1 cup diced zucchini
• 1 cup diced mushrooms • 1 tsp dried oregano • Salt and pepper, to taste • 2 cups cooked quinoa
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. 2. Add bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. 3. Add oregano, salt, and pepper and stir to combine.
4. Add the cooked quinoa and mix thoroughly. 5. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, then serve.
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
460 N. Switzer Canyon Dr., Ste. 400 Flagstaff, AZ 86001
1. How Listening to Patients Powers Our Success 2. Exploring Unconventional Human Genetic Variations Importance of Exercise to Improve Balance 3. A Guide to Vitamin D-Rich Foods Quinoa Veggie Bowl 4. How Infrared Heat Can Amplify Your Workout Results INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Sweat Smarter, Not Harder WHY A-LISTERS ARE DITCHING TRADITIONAL GYMS FOR INFRARED SAUNAS
Do you want to heat up your exercise routines for superstar results? Those in the know, like Lady Gaga and Gwyneth Paltrow, have been bringing their workouts into infrared saunas and gyms to help melt away toxins, tension, and calories. This technique utilizes infrared rays to penetrate your skin and muscles and heat your body from the inside out. It’s cooler than a traditional sauna but increases your temperature to get your heart pumping and start an intense sweat. Here’s why moving your routine to an infrared gym may be the steamy solution you’ve been looking for. Faster Warm Up When you use infrared equipment, it raises your core temperature rapidly, causing your body to work harder to cool you down. Thus, you can gain more
significant weight loss benefits in less time, allowing you to get more out of a 15- or 30-minute workout. The more you sweat, the more calories you can burn — without being a gym rat. Quicker Recovery When body temperature and heart rate increase, the body pumps blood faster, improving overall circulation. This process, in turn, promotes quicker recovery for muscles. Infrared heat can also repair injured tissues and heal achy muscles and joints by reducing inflammation and relaxing the body. Fewer Toxins One way the body eliminates toxins is by sweating. Being exposed to infrared heat can help you sweat out heavy metals and pollutants in your system and strengthen your immune system.
Better Mood Besides improving your physical workout, infrared heat can also enhance your mood. When you sweat, you release hormones like dopamine and serotonin, which make you feel good. Infrared sessions can promote relaxation and better sleep — your mental health’s best friend. Some studies have even found participants had reduced anxiety and depression levels after just two weeks of treatment. If you’re ready to turn up the heat on your fitness journey, infrared gyms can help you torch calories faster, sweat out toxins, and burn through all your wellness goals!
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