Campus Commons PT - September 2021

Take a look at our September newsletter!

CAMPUS COMMONS

THE CRAZIEST CLIENT SUCCESS STORY I’ve Witnessed in 24 Years

World Physical Therapy Day, which is on Sept. 8, is a day to celebrate the tremendous impact that physical therapy can have on a person’s overall health. During my 24 years as a physical therapist, I’ve seen a lot of people’s lives changed in dramatic ways thanks to physical therapy — but if I’m being honest, one patient story sticks out to me in particular. About 15 years ago, a woman came into the physical therapy clinic I was working for at the time. She’d had a foot surgery that, while successful, had left her with a condition called complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). It left her foot so sensitive that she couldn’t put any weight on it at all. She was only in her mid 40s, but she couldn’t walk and was using crutches when I first worked with her. After several months of treating her, it seemed like nothing we were doing was helping her condition. She understandably got frustrated with her treatment and quit, believing she would have to adapt everything she did to her CRPS for the rest of her life. For a while, it seemed like that would be the case. For several years, she wore a boot and used an electric wheelchair to get around. During that time, I bought Campus Commons and began practicing physical therapy there. One day, she came through my door. She’d heard I had a new clinic and wanted to give physical therapy another chance.

At that point, she’d had to buy a specialized van just to get around town. Her condition was controlling her life, and she didn’t want that to be the case any longer. So, we started up again. This time, her foot was a little less sensitive than before then the last time I had seen her a few years earlier. We started attacking the condition fairly aggressively, and over the course of a year, we were able to make significant progress. We got her out of the wheelchair and walking on her own. By the time she was done with her physical therapy sessions, she was walking, exercising, and she was able to sell her specialized van and no longer needed her electric scooter. Gone were the boot, crutches, and walkers. In short, after nearly seven years, she got her life back — and it was all because she had decided to give physical therapy another try. “HER CONDITION WAS CONTROLLING HER LIFE, AND SHE DIDN’T WANT THAT TO BE THE CASE ANY LONGER. SO, WE STARTED UP AGAIN.” This patient’s story really exemplifies what can happen when you don’t give up on your health after you get knocked down. She could have called it quits after her first time trying physical therapy, but instead, she wanted to see if she could have a normal life again. Because her story was so memorable to me, I still have a success story and picture of her hanging up in my office. The crazy thing about physical therapy is that physical therapists aren’t the only ones responsible for a patient’s progress. In the end, it’s the patient who decides they want to be free of their injury or condition and then makes it happen. That said, though, I’m proud of the impact I can have on my patients every day, and I wish them well as they continue to heal and get back to the activities they love.

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Couples Sleeping Apart A NEWTREND IN SLEEP ARRANGEMENTS

Cognitive: You focus more easily, remember better, and learn quicker when you’re well rested.

From bank accounts to emotions, couples share a lot of things in their lives. But one thing couples have long shared is being called into question: a bedroom. You may have heard about this trend of sleeping apart from a friend or from celebrities like David and Victoria Beckham, who took it to an extreme by building “his and hers” wings in their home. You may not have an extra wing in your home, but if

Mood: Insomniacs are five times more likely to develop depression. Though that’s an extreme, if you’ve ever had a poor night’s sleep, you’ve probably experienced the grumpiness or short temper that can go with it.

you have a spare bedroom, you might consider joining the estimated 25% of American couples who are sleeping separately in an effort to sleep better.

• Heart health: Blood pressure decreases during rest, which helps keep your heart healthy. Chronically poor sleepers are more at risk of heart disease. AREN’T THERE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES FOR COUPLES? One of the most common concerns couples have about sleeping in separate rooms is that it will lead to less intimacy in their partnership. However, sleeping apart often means sleeping more and better, and studies show that well-rested couples are more likely to share intimacy. Plus, sleeping arrangements are highly cultural and change over time. There’s nothing that says that sleeping together is a must for a happy relationship! As more couples are learning, sometimes it’s just the opposite.

WHY SLEEP SEPARATELY? While the stereotype holds that couples who don’t share a bed are in a fight or unhealthy relationship, more and more evidence shows that sleeping alone may simply be the best way to get a good night’s rest. And as more research comes out about the importance of sleep for physical and mental health, some couples can’t figure out how to improve their sleep while sharing a bed with a snoring spouse or one who has a completely different schedule.

If you need a reminder about the myriad benefits of sleep, here are just a few:

4 CONDITIONS PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP

CONCUSSIONS Many times, concussions accompany other

What sorts of injuries and conditions do you think people need physical therapy for? Post-surgery recovery? Sports-related injuries? You’d be right on both counts — but physical therapy can help you with so much more. Our bodies are more than just arms, legs, and backs. Likewise, physical therapy can help with conditions localized in other parts of the body that might surprise you. VERTIGO Vertigo, usually characterized by intense dizziness, is the result of calcium crystals in the inner ear (the part of the body responsible for balance) getting dislodged. Physical therapy can help patients with vertigo with a procedure known as the Epley maneuver, which helps return the crystals to their normal positions, greatly reducing or eliminating your vertigo. All it takes is a few sessions of PT. JAW PAIN Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), a common cause of incessant jaw pain, occurs when the jaw is misaligned, causing pain and even lockjaw in some cases. With a few physical therapy sessions to treat the neck and jaw joints, and the muscles that help you chew, you can make a full recovery. No more painful chewing during meals!

bodily injuries as a result of serious accidents. By understanding the nature of the individual patient’s concussion, physical therapists can develop a plan to slowly get a patient’s brain used to different stimuli again, such as bright lights or quick movements. ARTHRITIS This condition is caused by painful swelling in the joints, which certain movements and stretches can mitigate. Physical therapists can give patients with arthritis a series of exercises to perform that will strengthen the muscles around the joints, stabilizing them and reducing pain levels. This list is far from exhaustive, but it should give you an idea of just how many different types of injuries physical therapy can help alleviate. If you have any questions about what Campus Commons Physical Therapy can do for you, call us at 916-927-1333 today.

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WHAT IS ‘PREHAB’?

How It Can Help You Recover More Quickly

Many people seek to rehabilitate themselves using physical therapy following a surgery, but did you know that physical therapy before your surgery can benefit you as well? That might understandably seem strange. After all, why would you do physical therapy before your surgery, only to use it as a means of recovery afterward? In short, physical therapy before surgery, known as preventive rehabilitation or “prehab” is a proactive means of preparing your body for recovery, rather than a purely reactive one — and that can make your recovery process a lot smoother.

You might have heard an estimate for your recovery time following your surgery from a health care professional. Depending on the surgery, it could be anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, most likely. What if there was a way you could get back to the activities you love sooner? If you take the time to strengthen your muscles and joints as much as you can in the affected area before the surgery, that part of your body will be stronger and more adept at recovering once the surgery is done. You might not even need inpatient rehabilitation after your surgery if you do prehab. Research shows that hip/knee surgery patients who underwent prehab were 73% less likely to need inpatient rehabilitation after their surgeries. Another study showed that prehab patients were able to return to their favorite sports more quickly after surgery. In fact, athletes who are preparing for a big game, race, or match can also benefit from prehab. By getting certain muscle groups ready to take on increased strain in their upcoming events, they can better protect themselves from injuries that might otherwise sideline them later on. All this to say, sometimes the best defense against an injury is a good offense. If you’re interested in prehab before a surgery or a big game, give Campus Commons PT a call today at 916-927-1333.

TAKE A BREAK

One-Pan Apple Cider Chicken

Inspired by WellPlated.com

Bring the taste of fall into your kitchen with this sizzling skillet meal.

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

• • • •

2 tsp Dijon mustard 4 tsp olive oil, divided

• • •

1 tsp salt, divided

3 sweet apples, cut into 1/2-inch slices 2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped, plus more for garnish

1/2 tsp black pepper, divided

1/2 cup apple cider

DIRECTIONS 1. Sprinkle chicken with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Set aside. 2. In a small bowl, combine apple cider and mustard. Set aside.

3. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tsp olive oil. When shimmering, add chicken thighs top-side down. Cook for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for 4 more minutes. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil. Wipe the skillet clean. 4. Heat the remaining oil in the skillet, then add sliced apples, remaining salt and pepper, and rosemary. Cook for 5 minutes. 5. Return the chicken to the skillet and add apple cider-mustard mixture. Cook for 5 minutes, then serve sprinkled with rosemary!

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916-927-1333 www.campuscommonsphysicaltherapy.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

425 University Ave. #140 Sacramento, CA 95757

INSIDE

THIS ISSUE

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My Best Client Success Story

Do Couples Sleep Better Apart?

Conditions You Didn’t Know PT Can Help

All About Prehab: What It Is and How It Helps

One-Pan Apple Cider Chicken

The Best Places to Visit in Croatia

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This gorgeous coastal nation will absolutely blow you away with its beautiful architecture, landscapes, and delicious blend of Mediterranean and Slavic cuisine. Even better, it’s a fairly affordable place to visit! While many travelers land in Zagreb, the beautiful capital city and cultural hub, you wouldn’t want to miss these destinations. DUBROVNIK As the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” this coastal city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Adriatic Sea. It’s a beautiful city, featuring 13th century walls, marble stone streets, Gothic palaces, breathtaking churches, and an imposing fortress. There’s so much to do in the town square — one of Croatia’s largest and most beautiful — and you’ll be able to explore many historic structures nearby. Nature also has plenty to offer, with secluded coves and beaches nearby for exploration. PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK Near the border with Bosnia-Herzegovina, you’ll find one of Croatia’s oldest and most beautiful national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although it’s quite the drive, you won’t regret it — the park has an outstanding and picturesque series of tufa lakes and caves, all connected by waterfalls. With over 16 interconnected cascading lakes, it’s unlike anything else you’ll see. If you get hungry, you’ll love the nearby National Your Next Affordable Vacation Spot!

Restaurant Licka Kuca, which is famous for its traditional Croatian preparation of lamb under a cast-iron bell.

SPLIT The second largest city in Croatia (the first being Zagreb) is Split, founded by a Greek colony in the second or third century B.C. Historically, Split enjoyed being an independent city-state many times, and that free spirit is very tangible, as Split is very different from any other city in Croatia. With well-preserved Roman architecture and a multitude of museums, it’s no wonder Split is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although Croatia was among the first UN countries to open its doors to Americans, always be safe and check the newest regulations before booking your travel. Hopefully you enjoyed learning about this unique, wonderful country!

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