Take a look at our August newsletter!
AUGUST 2023
6358 EDGEMERE BLVD. EL PASO, TEXAS 79925 915-562-8525
11855 PHYSICIANS DR. EL PASO, TEXAS 79936 915-855-6466
A NEW PODCAST EPISODE JUST DROPPED!
Are You Listening?
Schools in El Paso may be out for the summer for a little bit longer, but our team of PTs at Spine & Rehab Specialists never takes a break from educating. We’re always trying to teach you a little more about your body, how it works, and how physical therapy can make your life easier. That’s why I started our podcast back in 2021. It’s called “The Spine & Rehab Specialists Podcast Series” — and as I write this, a brand-new episode about how to spend a healthy, active summer in El Paso is dropping into the feed. “The Spine & Rehab Specialists Podcast Series” isn’t just about physical therapy. Sure, if you tune in, you’ll hear me talk to my team to bust myths about PT and explain easy ways to improve your posture. But you’ll also hear me interview other people from our community and ask them to share their stories. Here are a few of my favorite episodes so far. • ‘Trevor Vittatoe, His Athletic Career, and Life After Football’ — For Episode 21, I talked to UTEP football player Trevor Vittatoe about his NFL career and got his advice for football players who hope to reach his level one day. • ‘The Importance of Exercise for Cancer Patients’ — During Episode 20, I interviewed local nurse practitioner Jennifer Armendariz about how important physical therapy is for people who beat cancer. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are life-changing treatments, but PT can help survivors get back to normal afterward. • ‘Aliviane & Their Mission to Help El Pasoans Live Drug-Free’ — In Episode 24, I spoke with Guillermo Valenzuela and Laura Munoz for the local nonprofit Aliviane about its mission to tackle addiction issues in our community. Know a friend who needs PT? Tell them to call our office! If they mention this newsletter, they’ll score a FREE 15-minute consultation. They can call 915-562-8525 for the Edgemere Boulevard clinic or 915-855-6466 for the Physician’s Drive clinic.
• ‘Walking Challenges Offered by TTUHSC and How Walking is Good for Health and Cancer Prevention’ — For Episode 22, I spoke to Sandra Cobos and Eric Cisneros from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center of El Paso (TTUHSC) and discussed some truly crazy facts about walking. Did you know that if you increase your daily steps from 3,000 to 7,000 or more, you can reduce your risk of dying by 50%? I’ve also recorded episodes about our diagnostic tools, arthritis, our Sitting Strong program, our Nuebie machines, and much more! You can find them on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you’d rather watch the show, you can also check it out on YouTube (our channel is called Spine & Rehab Specialists). We have more than 400 videos available there for free. Apart from social media and our podcasts, YouTube is the easiest way to learn from our “teachers” year-round. If you find an episode you enjoy on the “The Spine & Rehab Specialists Podcast Series,” be sure to share it with a friend. The more people we can reach, the better off our community will be.
–Harry Koster
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Why It Matters More Than You Think Save Your Neck From the Digital Age!
How can you prevent tech neck? If you’re worried about forming tech neck or are concerned you may already suffer from the condition, don’t worry! While the problem can be troublesome, it’s not irreversible if you’re willing to make a few changes to your daily habits. Check yourself before you tech neck yourself! The first step to overcoming tech neck is realizing you’re doing it. Next time you’re on your phone or computer, take a moment to check your posture. Are you hunching over? Is your neck extended down and forward? If yes, straighten up! Raise your devices. Tech neck forms when looking down at a device, so an easy solution is to raise what you’re looking at! Set your computer monitor on a box or stack of books to elevate it to eye level, and make a conscious effort to hold your phone higher so you don’t have to bend. Take tech breaks. Once an hour, give your posture a break by stepping away from your electronic devices, taking a walk, rolling your shoulders, and stretching your neck to loosen up those tight tech neck muscles.
Technology is great, but we didn’t build it with our bodies in mind. With cellphones and computer monitors part of everyday life, so is a condition called “tech neck.” Tech neck is “the act of stressing muscles while using phones, tablets, and computers, resulting in neck and shoulder pain, stiffness, and soreness,” according to the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Typically, this looks like a head and neck extended in front of the shoulders while sloping downwards, sometimes even to a 60-degree angle. Why should you worry about tech neck? Bending once or twice to get a closer look at your phone isn’t a big deal, but when this posture is chronic, it can lead to headaches, tingling or numbness in your hands, insufficient blood supply to the brain, loss of the natural curve in the spine, and even cervical spine damage. And when tech neck is permanent, it causes the muscles in your neck to become lengthened while the muscles in your chest become shortened, making it more likely for your neck to experience an increase in spinal pressure.
Color Outside Life’s Lines HOW CREATIVITY HELPS YOU LIVE LONGER
Think outside the box — and travel there too. Traveling is more than fun; it’s great for inspiring creativity. In fact, a historical study by the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that individuals who travel have more creative success, perform better on divergent thinking tests, and are generally more open-minded. The trick with thinking and traveling outside the box doesn’t always need to be about going to far-off lands with another language. Sometimes, it’s just about trying that new deli that opened down the block, going to that flower show on the other side of town, or even trying to bake bread for the very first time. The goal is to expose yourself to any new experience and view it with a childlike wonder. Worry about nothing other than having fun!
When considering the key factors in active aging, most people talk about things like diet, exercise, and social connections. And while these things are all important, some studies show engaging in creative activities can also lead to greater longevity. To many people, “creativity” sounds like something you do with a paintbrush or pencil, but according to University of Connecticut professor James C. Kaufman, this doesn’t have to be the case. You can find creativity in everyday tasks like parenting, yardwork, or even talking with friends — you just have to know where to look! So if you’re looking to reignite your creative spark and live longer as a result, here are three ways you can bring more creativity into your everyday life.
Use what you know to make something new!
As we age, we collect a lifetime’s worth of valuable knowledge, but just having information isn’t creative. Combine your wisdom with family recipes, knitting, sewing, or woodworking to develop a brand-new creation! Seek new perspectives. If you do the same thing every day and only surround yourself with like-minded people, you’ll never be exposed to new ideas. The trick to inspiring creativity in your life is to see the world in a different way. You can do that by reading literature, talking to people, and listening to media that challenges your ideas.
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FIND YOUR STRIDE How Nordic Walking Can Help You Get Moving
You’ve heard from your doctors, family, and friends alike how important movement is for individuals as they age. Regular walking is the best way for many older adults to get that daily movement in. But what if going for a walk is easier said than done? That’s why many older adults who suffer from balance and/or mobility issues are partaking in something called Nordic walking or pole walking. What is Nordic walking? Nordic walking is when an individual uses two chest-height poles, much like ski poles, while pushing each one into the ground with every step. The benefit of the poles is that they help the user balance and stand straight, while the act of pushing the poles into the ground actually increases upper body strength and flexibility. What are the benefits of Nordic walking? Aside from helping with balance, strength, and mobility, Nordic walking
touts a few other health benefits users can enjoy. • Low Impact: Since Nordic walking uses poles to support the body through each step, there is much less impact on the joints and ligaments. • Reduces Joint Pain: Because Nordic walking poles help the body balance, the user’s joints (especially the back and knees, which the body typically tends to overcorrect) can find relief. • Improved Cardiovascular Health: Remember, almost any movement is good for you, and Nordic walking is no different. By getting those steps in, you’ll lower your cholesterol and enjoy improved cardiovascular fitness. • Improved Mental Health: Research shows that physical activity boosts mood while actively lowering the risk of depression. And since
users of Nordic walking typically walk outdoors, they also enjoy the mental benefits of being around nature.
Where can you find Nordic walking poles? The most accessible place to find Nordic walking poles is online. Retailers like Amazon and Bass Pro Shops sell the poles, but a great resource is YorkNordic.com America’s No. 1 Nordic walking pole retailer. If you prefer to shop in person, Target, Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and athletic stores typically carry poles too. If you’d like more information on Nordic walking, you can always search the term on Google or YouTube for tips and tricks on starting the habit!
Grilled Halibut With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Inspired by FoodAndWine.com
TAKE A BREAK!
INGREDIENTS
• 1 16-oz jar roasted red bell peppers, drained • 5 garlic cloves • 1 tbsp sherry vinegar • 2 tsp honey
• 1 tsp kosher salt • 1/4 tsp black pepper • 1/2 cup olive oil • 4 6-oz skin-on halibut fillets
DIRECTIONS
1. In a food processor or blender, mix bell peppers, garlic, vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Transfer sauce to a bowl; whisk in oil. 2. Into a large plastic zipper bag, pour 1 cup of sauce; add halibut fillets and seal bag; turn to coat fillets. Let marinate in refrigerator for 20 minutes. Reserve remaining sauce for serving.
3. Preheat a grill to medium-high (400–450 F). Remove halibut from marinade; scrape off excess. 4. On oiled grill grates, arrange fillets and grill, covered, until fish flakes easily, 4–5 minutes per side. 5. Transfer fillets to serving plates or a large platter. Drizzle with reserved sauce. Serve alongside preferred veggies and crusty bread.
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915-562-8525 | www.SpineRehab.net 6358 Edgemere Blvd. El Paso, Texas 79925
1. 5 Podcast Episodes for Your Playlist 2. You Might Have ‘Tech Neck’ Want a Longer Life? Get Creative! 3. Walking Just Got Easier! INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Grilled Halibut With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
4. Say Goodbye to Grogginess!
Wake Up Refreshed With Sleep Syncing SLEEP LIKE A CELEBRITY
How to Start Sleep Syncing The first step to sleep syncing is to create a consistent sleep schedule, which requires a bit of self-research. Start by writing down the time of night you feel sleepy, when you fall asleep, and how many hours of sleep you need to feel rested. Collecting data may take a week or two, but once you know how much sleep you need and when you start to feel sleepy, you can choose your new sleep and wake times. Pick a realistic morning wake time to get ready (no snoozing!), and then reverse engineer your sleep time. For example, if you need eight hours of sleep and must be up by 7 a.m., you likely need to be in bed by 10:30 p.m. to fall asleep by 11 p.m.
If one thing is for sure, Americans are not getting enough sleep. One in three people report not getting enough rest, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 40% of people admit to falling asleep during the day without meaning to at least once a month. Celebrities are no exception, which is why many stars use “sleep syncing” to ensure they get their beauty rest every night. And you can use it too! So, what is sleep syncing? Sleep syncing aligns your circadian rhythm, your body’s natural internal clock, with your daily routine. Unlike many celebrities, ordinary people don’t have much control over what they do every day; things like work, appointments, children’s schedules, and family duties more or
The key to successful sleep syncing is to stick to your schedule — even on the weekends. With consistency and practice,
less set our daily schedules for us. That’s why the trick with sleep syncing is to align your body around that schedule so waking up for work or taking the kids to school feels natural. After a while, you may not even need an alarm!
you’ll wake up naturally feeling more rested and ready to take on your day!
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