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www.GilbertPT.com March 2018
The Gilbert Gazette
A SUCCESS STORY How Mindset Plays a Role in Recovery
Over the years, I’ve treated many patients who have made lasting impressions on me and the team. One of my favorite stories comes from a patient who exemplifies perseverance and hard work. He is a prime example of what can happen when your mindset is right and you invest all you have in your recovery.
and what it will really take to become pain-free forever. What physical therapy does is help break down tissue in the body so that it can be built back up again, stronger than it was before. The work you put in today directly affects the results you see tomorrow.
he was never discouraged. He remained
dedicated to the program (which was much longer than our average patient program) and his faith never waned.
This patient came to Gilbert Physical Therapy after having many back surgeries. He was on a lot of pain medication, and he had a hard time walking any significant distance. His pain and mobility were so poor that he even had a hard time walking from his car into the pharmacy to get his medication. After his assessment, we knew that it was going to take a long time to get him back to where he wanted to be: mobile and pain-free. At first, there were only certain things we could do before the pain became too much.
At the end of his treatment, this patient could walk as long as he desired. He began skiing again,
THE COURSE OF RECOVERY IS NOT LINEAR, AND THIS PATIENT (JUST LIKE ANYONE ELSE) OFTEN TOOK THREE STEPS FORWARD AND ONE STEP BACK, BUT HE WAS NEVER DISCOURAGED.
something that he hadn’t been able to do in 20 years, and he was once again able to drive to visit his children and their families. This story is always at the forefront of my mind because it was a life- changing event for this man, and because it is the perfect example of what is possible through physical therapy. Everyone who visits our clinic is in a different spot in their care. Some people only need a little improvement to get where they want to be, and
others need the world. This patient was able to achieve his goals because of his level of dedication and commitment to his care. I truly believe that mindset plays a huge role in recovery. If you believe in your care and you believe in the process, you are much more driven to get your result.
This patient had tried physical therapy with another clinic in the past, but it hadn’t helped. So, we had to start with the absolute basics, pare down our approach, and focus on the long term for this man’s care. We often see patients who come into the clinic with a short-term goal in mind: “I want to experience less pain.” However, most of these patients don’t understand the process
Our patient had multiple back surgeries and fusions, which greatly affected his treatment. We wondered, “How much improvement can really be made with a fused spine?”We started out with a minimal, tolerable program, and there were many ups and downs along the way. The course of recovery is not linear, and this patient (just like anyone else) often took three steps forward and one step back, but
–Michael M Gilbert, DPT
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Call All Hands on Deck Momor Dad shouldn’t be expected to cook by themselves for every meal. This is family time, after all, so call in the kids! Make sure their tasks are age-appropriate— leave sautéing vegetables to the high schooler and let your first-grader set out the cups instead. This is the perfect opportunity to teach kids Happier Family
YOUR DINNER TABLE MIGHT BE THE KEY TO A
The family dinner is a staple of years gone by. These days, the only time you see a family sit together and break bread seems to be at Thanksgiving. This is a shame, because regular family dinners are incredibly important! It’s a time to bond with your loved ones that can have a positive impact on your kids’lives. A study published in the journal Pediatrics found
that kids who regularly partake in family meals are less likely to experience depression or engage in drug use. Furthermore, The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University determined that kids who eat family meals five to seven times a week bring home higher report cards. Even when schedules are busy, you canmake family dinners fit into your agenda with these tips. Be Flexible About Mealtimes Dinner
valuable kitchen skills and to take some of the burden off your plate. Plus, if your kids are picky eaters, inviting them to be part of the cooking process canmake them more inclined to try the finished product.
Don’t StressYourself Out It’s okay if you’re too busy on a Monday to cook dinner. There’s always Tuesday. Or you can take a trip to your favorite family restaurant. Family meals should be fun, and that can’t happen if you’re stressed. Don’t feel pressured to make eachmeal perfect or to prepare a three-course dinner every night. Chicken and rice can get the job done as long as you’re all sitting around the table as a family.
doesn’t have to be at 6 p.m. on the dot. If Kamala has a karate tournament in the evening or Peter needs to stay late at school for art club, why not break out the healthy snacks andmake dinner happen a little later or earlier? Plus, the meal you share as a family doesn’t have to be at dinnertime. If there’s time in the mornings, sit down for breakfast. If you have the opportunity on weekends or during a school break, grab lunch together.
Nomatter how hectic your schedule may be, making family meals a priority is always worth the investment. Who’s in the mood for meatloaf?
March Testimonial Don’t Just Take Our Word for It
FEELING BETTER! “Thanks to Chris, Maria, and Matt for getting me moving again. After having back surgery, I tended to baby myself out of fear of injuring myself again. Within one week, I was feeling much better. I continue to get better with the exercises. Thank you! It was a pleasure!” –CHRISTINA D.
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Treating and Preventing ROTATOR CUFF TEARS
One sure way to prevent a rotator cuff tear from occurring is to see a physical therapist. A physical therapist can help you steer clear of any potentially harmful positions, such as sleeping on your side with your arm stretched overhead, laying on your shoulder, or any repeated overhead arm positions that may lead to shoulder pain. If ignored, a rotator cuff tear can lead to worsening symptoms. Having your shoulder examined at the first sign of pain is the best course of action in getting treated and preventing further damage. Be sure to
When the four muscles and four tendons that hold the humerus to the shoulder blade are damaged, this is called a rotator cuff tear. Left untreated, a rotator cuff tear can lead to severe pain and decreased movement in the arm. Physical therapy can not only treat the tear, but can help lead you in the right direction for recovery. After being examined and diagnosed, your physical therapist will begin a treatment plan. The plan they create will be specialized to suit your individual needs. There are two different routes a physical therapist can take when creating your treatment plan depending if your injury is acute or chronic. An acute injury can happen suddenly, like when you lift a heavy object or land on your shoulder after a fall. When the injury is chronic, or set in over time, your physical therapist can help you manage the symptoms and improve your shoulder movement through exercise. For rotator cuff tears that can’t be fully repaired through physical therapy, a therapist may suggest surgery.
contact the physical therapists at Gilbert Physical Therapy at 717-591-0955 if you’ve been experiencing shoulder pain.
SUDOKU
BRAISED CHICKEN AND SPRING VEGETABLES
This simple and delicious one-pot recipe is perfect for a weeknight. It only requires about 15 minutes of hands-on work, but will taste like you spent all day building flavors. It’s a hearty comfort food that’s sure to delight eaters of all ages.
INGREDIENTS
• •
1 tablespoon sugar
• • • • •
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
8 small bone-in chicken thighs 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
•
Salt and pepper
12 radishes, halved
4 large carrots, cut into sticks
DIRECTIONS
and stir in radishes, carrots, and sugar. 4. Return chicken to pan, placing on top of vegetables. Gently
1. Heat olive oil in a large
saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. 2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Brown in pan for 6 to 7 minutes per side. 3. Remove chicken from pan and scrape off excess fat. Add broth
simmer with lid on pan for 15 to 20 minutes. Finish with chives.
Recipe inspired by Real Simple
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this issue INSIDE 1 2 3 4
My Favorite Patient Story
What Every Parent Needs to Know About Family Dinners March Testimonial
Physical Therapy for Rotator Cuff Tears Braised Chicken and Spring Vegetables
The 3 Best Places to See Beautiful Flowers
Earth’s Most Beautiful
Flower Displays
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.
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.
Next time you’re planning a spring trip, consider visiting one of the world’s most beautiful flower displays. No green thumb required.
Besides the monuments and historic buildings, one of the biggest attractions in Washington, D.C. is the cherry tree blossoms. Travelers
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