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physical therapy and rehabilitation
3600 Miller Road, Flint, MI 48503 • 810-620-8042 • horizonptflint.com November 2025 Conversations Take 2 THE SECRET TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
I was talking to one of my buddies recently, sharing some information, and he appeared distracted. “Do you understand what I’m saying?” I asked. “Ah, man, I missed it!” he said apologetically. So, I repeated the info, but in shorter form. I realized I had been giving him too much to take in at once. As a respected business author once said, how well we communicate is not determined by how well we say things, but by how well we are
I also pay attention to their nonverbal communication, including body language, to better understand their needs.
Good communication requires being mindful of timing, too. If I want to communicate well, I need to send my message at a time when the recipient will actually be able to hear it and respond. Everybody is dealing with a busy life. The average U.S. adult has thousands of unread emails and dozens of unread texts and social media messages backed up on their devices
understood. In recognition of World Communication Week, Nov. 1–7, this is a good time to reflect on what “good communication” really means, and why it’s so important in our personal lives and careers.
every day, according to a recent survey. Even internally at the clinic, I tell my staff that if they’re waiting for communication from me and it isn’t arriving when it should, please let me know. It’s possible they asked for it when I just couldn’t listen. If you communicate a message and the person doesn’t get the message, maybe you need to send it in a different way. And if they don’t receive that either, perhaps you scream it from the mountaintops. In business, the equivalent to screaming from the mountaintop could be sending the same message via email, a letter, a phone call, or on social media, to be sure the recipient gets it. Another important principle is that if someone isn’t grasping what you’re explaining, you may have to break it down into more digestible parts. When I’m coaching my young basketball players in Flint’s Finest, I have
The usual definition of communication is “an exchange of information or news.” But I think it goes deeper than that. Communication is actually an exchange of ideas. If someone is all about talk, talk, talk, without expecting anything in return, those people are not communicating. They are lecturing. If you talk to someone and they don’t really take in a thing you’re saying to them, did you really communicate? No.
Authentic communication is more like a tennis match: I serve a message to you, and you receive it and send it back to me. As I worked on my professional development and management skills, I realized that this was one of the most essential capabilities I had to grasp. As a result, my conversations now happen in two steps: I focus on the person across from me as I give them information, then wait for them to take it in and relay it back to me, so I know they understood it. Communicating with patients at the outset of a therapeutic relationship is an important part of planning and carrying out my treatment for them. To understand their issues or goals, I ask them questions and listen to their responses. If I can tell from their response that they didn’t understand the question, then I ask again or reword my question.
to avoid creating too steep a learning curve. I may need to break the program into small pieces that seem insignificant to others, but that could enable the stuck person to grasp them and move forward. When done mindfully and well, good communication improves relationships and productivity and eases stress. As we recognize World Communication Week this month, the two-way nature of effective communication is worth some thought!
-Dr. Jerome Adams
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Wave Goodbye to Flabby Arms
A Fun Formula for Leaner Limbs
Are you ready to wave goodbye to stubborn flabby arms? Your metabolism slows down as you age, making it harder to keep muscles in shape, but toning and strengthening your arms helps with everyday tasks and can boost your confidence and well-being. With the right moves, properly sized weights, and a solid workout plan, you can see real changes in how your arms look and feel. Get ready to flex your way to fitness with these tips for leaner limbs. START LIGHT, LIFT RIGHT Adding arm workouts to your workout, such as lifting light weights, will help build muscle and reduce overall body fat, leading to a more toned and defined appearance. But you could do more harm than good if you choose dumbbells that are too heavy for you. The right size depends on your upper-body strength, but if you are unsure or a beginner, grab the lowest weights available and work your way up. A set
of 4-pound weights is a great place to start for bicep curls or shoulder exercises. DANCE, DIP, REPEAT Losing overall body weight will ultimately help you slim down your arms, so it’s essential to include a variety of exercises in your routine. Along with weighted moves, like lateral raises and triceps extensions, incorporate regular cardio into your week. Activities like biking, running, dancing, and swimming help elevate the heart rate to burn calories. Aim for at least 150–300 minutes of moderate intensity exercise weekly. If you work on your arms at least three days a week, giving yourself 1–2 rest days between each, you can see results in just six weeks. FEED YOUR MUSCLES Your health is multifaceted, and along with exercise, you should eat a healthy diet, stay hydrated, and get the proper amount of sleep.
Drinking enough water can help you feel full longer, aiding in weight loss. Adding more fiber and protein to your diet can also keep your appetite under control and encourage muscle mass to stick around. Though you can’t just snooze your way to slim arms, getting a full night of sleep is vital in regulating your appetite and supporting weight loss.
CLIENT SUCCESS STORIES
“Since I came to Horizon PT, I am 100% better! I have no more pain. The staff was wonderful! They helped me out to get me moving pain free. I would highly recommend Horizon!” –Ruth M.
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THE VITAL ROLE OF BALANCE TRAINING IN PRESERVING SENIORS’ HEALTH Preventive care for older adults is important in warding off heart disease, hypertension, and osteoporosis. But another valuable step toward enjoying a healthy old age is preventing falls. These changes can trigger a downward spiral of inactivity, social isolation, and physical decline. ROCK STEADY
The best way for older adults to dispel these fears is to practice confidence- building exercises under the supervision of a physical therapist and build those exercises into a new daily routine. These may include gait training to improve the length and steadiness of a person’s stride; strengthening their upper body, trunk, and pelvic muscles; and positioning their feet squarely as they reach the floor. When practiced regularly, these small changes can make a big difference in a senior’s health and well-being for years to come. A physical therapist can also provide the psychological support and encouragement some at-risk adults need to overcome their fears. Some seniors also benefit from raising their awareness of other factors that may increase their fall risk, such as vision problems, foot pain, inner ear problems, or even something as simple as loose throw rugs or clutter around the house. A physical therapist is trained to guide, inspire,
Falls are a mounting health and mortality risk, and the leading cause of injury and hospitalization for people over 65. Roughly 1 in 4 older adults experience a fall every year, and 3 of every 4 hip fractures are the result of a woman taking a fall. In recognition of November as Healthy Lifestyles Month, now is a good time for seniors to take stock of their strength and balance. If you have fallen or
are afraid of doing so, consider seeing a physical therapist for a comprehensive balance assessment and a personalized fall-prevention program. Recent research shows that a fear of falling can impair older adults’ movement and sharply increase their risk. Seniors who are afraid of falling begin to walk differently without even realizing it. They move more slowly and take smaller steps, and their steps vary more widely in length, timing, and steadiness.
and empower you to maintain full mobility and strength. Don’t hesitate to contact us today for help regaining your confidence, remaining active, and continuing to enjoy life!
Have a Laugh
Apple-Cranberry Salad
Ingredients • 6 slices of bacon • 1/3 cup balsamic vinaigrette
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries • 1 Honeycrisp apple, peeled and thinly sliced • 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced • 1/2 cup feta cheese
• 1/3 cup olive oil • 2 tbsp raw honey • 8 oz fresh baby spinach, rinsed and dried
Directions 1. In a large skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Remove it from the pan and set on a paper towel- lined plate to cool. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinaigrette, olive oil, and honey. Set aside. 3. In a large bowl, add spinach, cranberries, apple slices, red onion, and feta. Crumble bacon pieces over the top. Use salad forks to toss ingredients thoroughly. 4. Add dressing to the salad and toss again until well-coated.
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Inspired by WanderlustAndWellness.org
3600 Miller Road Flint, MI 48503
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THIS ISSUE Inside
Don’t Just Talk, Listen! The Case for 2-Way Communication
Arm Yourself With the Right Moves
Client Success Stories
Preventing Falls, Preserving Health: Guard Against Fear of Falling!
Apple-Cranberry Salad
From Thankful Jars to Turkey Trivia
FILL YOUR HOLIDAY WITH GRATITUDE AND GAMES Whisking Up New Traditions This Thanksgiving
TURKEY DAY TRIVIA There’s no better way to digest after the big Thanksgiving feast than having fun. Pick out some of your favorite board games or a deck of cards for a post-meal game night. You could test everyone’s knowledge with a holiday- themed trivia competition or create a scavenger hunt around the house. No matter the game, ensure everyone from grandparents to kids can join in. Keep it focused on connection, not just winning. If you want to go all out, challenge all your guests to be ready with their best skills for a family talent show.
The holidays are a magical time that brings together loved ones and a little chaos. Between the pie-making and travel plans, it can be easy to forget what we’re gathering to celebrate. This Thanksgiving, let’s not just carve the turkey, but also carve out some time for mindful traditions the whole family can enjoy. From sharing what you’re thankful for to hosting a family Thanksgiving talent show, this year is the perfect chance to create new traditions that deepen connections and spark laughter. Get ready to gobble up the fun together.
GATHER FOR GRATITUDE Thanksgiving is all about honoring what we are grateful for in life, and it can be a fun activity for you and your children to share. You can gamify gratitude in several ways, like creating a thankfulness jar where everybody adds slips of paper describing what they most appreciate. You can take turns reading them after dinner and even make a guessing game out of who wrote what. It could be as simple as gathering around the table for breakfast and everyone saying one thing they’re grateful for.
A SOUNDTRACK TO THE STUFFING Create a perfect soundtrack you can play while everyone helps with the cooking or winds down after dessert. Before the big day, ask everyone in the family to add one or two songs to a Thanksgiving playlist. Prompt them to pick tunes that remind them of the season, happy memories, the joys of being together, or even their favorite dishes. You can keep adding to this list in subsequent years, turning the songs into a playable family history.
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