Spine & Rehab Specialists - July 2020
JULY 2020
6358 EDGEMERE BLVD. EL PASO, TEXAS 79925 915-562-8525
11851 PHYSICIANS DRIVE EL PASO, TX 79936 915-855-6466
THE POWER OF POSITIVITY TIPS FOR STAYING CONFIDENT THROUGH TOUGH TIMES
Hey there, readers! It’s Bonnie again! These last few months have been mentally difficult for a lot of us, so I thought this would be a good time to share how Harry and I are staying positive and confident through these tough times. It just so happens that July 3 is “Compliment Your Mirror Day,” so really, I think we need to have this conversation — it’s just meant to be! Of course, the big news Harry shared in last month’s newsletter about our new clinic location is one thing keeping our spirits up. But there are also a few other reasons we’ve been able to stay positive in the face of the COVID-19 turmoil and all the other punches thrown at us in our nearly 23 years in business. It sounds a bit cliché, but honestly, the biggest thing that keeps us going and holds our chins up no matter what is our “why” — the reason Harry opened Spine & Rehab Specialists in the first place. His motivation back then was to give more people access to quality PT, and he has stuck to that “why” since he opened his very first clinic. It’s not an exaggeration to say our passion for PT and our concentration on quality care has kept us going. That’s at the forefront of our minds every day when we come into work, pandemic or no pandemic, and personally, it gets me through even the worst days.
our outlooks positive is surrounding ourselves with people who are just as passionate as we are. I’m talking about our amazing staff, of course, but also about our patients! We truly treasure every piece of positive feedback we get from them, and we love to see them thrilled about making progress or returning to the clinic after years away. Constructive criticism is just as valuable. While you might think it would dampen our spirits, in reality, it energizes us to get better and work harder. If you have any feedback for us, positive or negative, please send us an email or a text! Fun fact: Both of our office phone lines also accept text messages, so you don’t even need to call to reach us. I hope when our patients come in, they can feel the positive energy in our clinics. I’d love for our happiness to rub off! Studies have shown that a positive attitude can do wonders for patients in recovery. One study published in The Journal of American Medicine and cited by Harvard Women’s Health Watch found that people who had a positive attitude about their condition (in this case, aging) were 44% more likely to recover from a disability than people who were more negative. Another study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, this one focusing on people recovering from hip fractures, found that while rehab was key to recovery, “Participants also recognized the importance of their own internal
drive or motivation and noted that it was essential to maintain a positive attitude and to fully engage in the recommended rehabilitation activities.” Here at Spine & Rehab Specialists, we’re thankful to facilitate that kind of recovery — both mental and physical! Nothing means more to us than looking back at all the patients we’ve helped over the years. If you’re struggling to stay positive right now, I hope you’ll put some of our strategies to work in your own life. Remember your “why,” surround yourself with positive people, and always try to see the bright side. You might even want to take “Compliment Your Mirror Day” literally this year and give yourself a little pep talk. Who knows? It could make all the difference in the world. Wishing you safety and good health, –Bonnie Koster
Another thing that helps us stay confident as business owners and keep
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2 EXERCISES TO START NOW BUILD STRONGER KNEESWITHOUT SURGERY
Knee injuries are all too common for professional athletes and weekend warriors alike, but the problem may originate higher than you think. Many knee injuries can be tied to hip weaknesses. Because hip muscles play a big role in controlling the position of the knees, even slight imbalances can lead to problematic knee flexion or hyperextension during exercise. Many workouts later, injury and pain can result. If this describes your situation, don’t give up on running or soccer just yet. Try these two exercises to help stabilize and strengthen your knees. LATERAL WALKS Sometimes called monster walks, this movement targets the gluteus medius, an often overlooked muscle that is important
for strong running mechanics because it helps stabilize the knee. Wrap a resistance band around your ankles, place your legs shoulder-width apart (if this doesn’t create tension in the band, use a smaller one), and descend into a slight squat. Begin by taking one lateral step to the right with your right leg, followed by the left leg, keeping feet shoulder-width apart so there is always tension in the band. Take 10 steps to the right side, then repeat on the other side. Try for two sets. STEP-UPS Standing in front of a step or stable wood box that is 6 inches tall, step onto it with your right leg, putting your weight on your heels to engage your gluteal muscles. Tap the step with your left foot, then return it to the floor. As you step up, focus on not letting your right knee extend beyond your toes. Repeat 10 times, then switch legs. Try for three full sets. Once you feel confident with the step height, you can use a taller step or box — just make sure it’s no higher than your knees. Start slow and ease into these movements. However, before beginning any new exercise program, talk to your doctor to make sure you are ready for it. If you do experience any pain or if your knees continue to bother you while you’re exercising, then talk to a physical therapist. They can help you find the best movements and exercises to address your specific condition and help you get back to the activities you love.
BE YOUR BEST SELF WITH THE HELP OF OTHERS
HOW TO IMPLEMENT A VIRTUAL WELLNESS CHALLENGE
A lot of people struggle to keep up with a regular wellness routine because they lack accountability to hold them to it. Whether it’s exercise, meditation, or healthy eating, if you go through the process alone, it’s that much harder to will yourself to see it through. But at a time when isolation is still one of the best ways to stay healthy, how can you involve others in your wellness plan? The answer is simple: Create a virtual wellness challenge! UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS A wellness challenge cultivates healthy competition among participants that keeps them motivated to stick with their wellness regimens. Challenges can be fully customized depending on the goals and abilities of those participating, and when the challenge is carried out virtually, participants have more freedom and flexibility in their
routines without missing out on any of the social interaction that makes it fun.
GET STARTED Every challenge should have a
quantifiable goal depending on the theme. Challenges like working out for 30 minutes a day, getting seven hours of sleep at night, eating 1 cup of leafy greens with every meal, or meditating for 15 minutes every day are all great examples. Whatever it is, the target should be clear and reasonable in order to encourage maximum participation and low burnout. STAY ACCOUNTABLE Treat the challenge like you would a weekly book club. Set a time every week to meet via a video call to share wins and setbacks, discuss necessary changes to the challenge, plan for the next week’s challenge, and offer
encouragement. If you really want to up the inspiration, determine a prize to be awarded to the person who actively participates the most. Just be sure you have a tangible way to record and share those results, like video evidence of the activity. A wellness challenge shared among friends and family is a great way to work on your physical or mental well- being and stay connected with loved ones when you aren’t able to visit them in person. That kind of consistent personal connection can be wellness in and of itself.
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THE KEY TO BOOSTING YOUR PERFORMANCE IN THE GYM 3 DEVICES TO IMPROVE YOUR BREATHING
When you’re running or lifting weights, oxygen is the fuel that keeps you moving. It rushes into your lungs and blood with every breath you take, and your heart pumps it out to your muscles, where it becomes vital energy. Ensuring your airway is open is the key to making this process run smoothly. If you’re a regular in the gym, you probably know how important proper breathing is. You might even be employing breathing techniques already. But did you know you can also buy your way to better breathing?
even found that wearing an Under Armour mouthguard boosted college athletes’ endurance, exercise intensity, and recovery. PUTTING YOUR BEST NOSE FORWARD Since the 1996 Olympics, athletes all over the world have been using nasal dilators to improve their breathing. These devices make it easier to breathe through your nose, either by pulling open your nostrils from the outside (like the Breathe Right Nasal Strips you see on football players) or pushing them open from the inside (like Nas- Air that clips into the nose, a bit like a bull’s ring). These devices aren’t exactly fashion statements, but they work, particularly the internal ones! According to an Italian study published by Acta Biomedica, athletes using an internal dilator made by Nas-Air felt less fatigued after working out than athletes using Breathe Right strips or no device.
CREATING AN OXYGEN SUPERHIGHWAY
Mouthguards aren’t just to protect our teeth during sports anymore. According to specialists, wearing a mouthguard can help open up your airway by moving your jaw forward and keeping your tongue stable. This lets more oxygen in and lets more carbon dioxide out! One study published in The Journal of the American Dental Association
but they’re the most accessible options for athletes just starting to dabble in the practice. To find out more about the products above, visit UnderArmour.com for mouthguards, BreatheRight.com for external nasal dilators, or RhinoMed. global for internal dilator options.
Mouthguards and nasal dilators are just the tip of the breath-enhancing iceberg,
THE BEST GRILLED SUMMER VEGETABLES Inspired by DinnerAtTheZoo.com
TAKE A BREAK!
Contrary to popular belief, vegetables are delicious. Most of our parents just didn’t know how to prepare them well. This summer, revolutionize your cookout with a serving of delicious, colorful veggies.
INGREDIENTS
• 1 tsp salt • 1/4 tsp pepper • 1 1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning • 1 1/2 tsp garlic, minced • 2 lbs assorted vegetables, trimmed and halved (asparagus,
3. Prepare the grill at medium- high heat. 4. Grill vegetables in batches, cooking 3–5 minutes on each side until browned and tender. (Carrots will cook longer, 6–9 minutes per side.) 5. Remove from the grill, sprinkle with parsley, and serve hot. mushrooms, red onion, red bell peppers, baby carrots, and yellow squash are great on the grill) • 5 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp lemon juice • 1/4 cup parsley leaves, chopped
DIRECTIONS
1. In a small bowl, combine salt,
pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic.
2. Brush vegetables with olive oil
and place in a large bowl. Top with lemon juice and seasoning mixture. Toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes but no longer than 2 hours.
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
915-562-8525 | www.SpineRehab.net 6358 Edgemere Blvd. El Paso, Texas 79925
1. COVER TITLE . THE POWER OF POSITIVITY INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2. 2 EXERCISES YOU NEED TO STRENGTHEN YOUR KNEES STAY ACCOUNTABLE WITH A VIRTUAL WELLNESS CHALLENGE 3. THE KEY TO BOOSTING YOUR PERFORMANCE IN THE GYM THE SECRET TO DELICIOUS GRILLED VEGGIES 4. WHAT TO WEAR TO PHYSICAL THERAPY
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO PHYSICAL THERAPY? TIPS FOR STAYING COMFORTABLE AND HEALING FASTER
When your doctor refers you to a physical therapist after an injury, you may be wondering what you should wear to your appointments. If you’ve never been to physical therapy before, it’s natural not to know what to expect — much less what to wear while you’re there. Here are a few tips to help you ensure maximum comfort and a speedy recovery. DRESS FOR COMFORT In physical therapy, you’re going to be moving around a lot and doing many different stretches and exercises. That means you’re going to want soft, loose-fitting clothing, like what you might wear to the gym or while lounging around at home. Don’t wear your work clothes. Clothes that allow you full range of motion, like sweatpants, gym shorts, workout T-shirts, and tank tops are all good
choices. Even though they’re not always loose-fitting, yoga pants and leggings will also work. Basically, when choosing your outfit, ask yourself, “Can I move easily and comfortably in this?” If the answer is yes, then it’s probably good to wear to your next physical therapy appointment. ACCOMMODATE YOUR INJURY Depending on the nature of your injury, some wardrobe choices might be better than others. Part of a physical therapist’s job is to observe how your muscles and joints move in order to identify the best way to heal your injuries. So if you’re suffering from a knee, ankle, or lower leg injury, opt for shorts over sweats. If you’re working on a shoulder injury, wear a tank top instead of a T-shirt. Choosing clothes that accommodate your injury will make your physical
therapist’s job easier, which, in turn, helps you heal faster.
WEAR PROPER SHOES The most common type of footwear for physical therapy is a good pair of exercise sneakers. Avoid dress shoes, boots, sandals, flip-flops, or any other nonexercise shoes. You’ll want to wear something with good support since your physical therapist will probably have you moving around a lot. Any other kind of shoe might leave you with more aches and pains than you had before you came to your appointment.
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