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PAUL’S POINT OF VIEW
APRIL/MAY/JUNE 2026
SUMMIT-PHYSICALTHERAPY.COM | (503) 699-2955
Down the Danube in December A Riverboat Week to Remember
In the last newsletter, I mentioned that my wife, Lisa, and I were planning a December trip down the Danube River. It was a dream she had had for many years, especially the chance to visit the Christmas markets of Europe. In mid-December, we accomplished that dream. We flew overnight to Frankfurt and then were driven to Würzburg, a very atmospheric town in southern Germany. It was cold, right around freezing, so we bundled up and set out to explore. We walked over a 1,000-year-old bridge and up to a large castle overlooking the city, marveling at the size and complexity of the place, which was first built around A.D. 1200. That night, we visited our first Christmas market, looking at elaborate ornaments and drinking glühwein, a delicious mulled wine, a local tradition. After a visit to the Residence Palace, an ornate building where even Napoleon once stayed, we heard more of the town’s history. The Allies bombed the palace in April 1945, but it was rescued from destruction in the days that followed by an American military officer, whom many Germans still respect for his deeds. We then took a short bus tour to Rothenburg, a walled medieval town overlooking the Danube. It was incredibly picturesque, with gingerbread-style houses lining cobblestone streets and shops full of Christmas goods and ornaments.
Passau, Regensburg, and Melk, Austria, followed, with daily visits to enormous, beautiful cathedrals and churches. That was a highlight of the tour. Finally, the river portion of our trip ended in Vienna, another beautiful city and the longtime capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is a very rich city, and the buildings reflect that. From there, we took a bus tour to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. The last time I was in Europe, in 1984, this area was still behind the Iron Curtain. Prague is a beautiful, ornate city on the banks of the Vltava River, and in many ways, it was our favorite stop, with its architecture and old churches. After only two days there, we bade farewell to this part of Europe with memories we will cherish forever. We would love to return someday, possibly in late summer or fall, since at times the fog and mist obscured what I’m sure would have been even more beautiful scenery. As we move into spring here at home, I hope you enjoy the season in your own way. Trips like this have a way of lingering in your mind long after you unpack. We’re grateful we had the chance to take this trip, and it’s a privilege to be able to share with you.
From there, we boarded the Amadeus Queen , our home for the next week. These longboats are well-suited for river trips in Europe and were very comfortable. We stopped at Nuremberg, which is often associated with the Nazi war trials. We did go by the courtrooms, which still stand, but the city itself is also deeply historic, with a medieval walled castle looking out over the city.
–Paul Kane P.T., BSC, CMP
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History’s Most Questionable Inventions PROOF THAT NOT EVERY IDEA WAS A GOOD ONE
The Fear-Inducing Anti-Snacking Face Lock Not all strange inventions were meant for fun. One particularly intense idea by inventor Lucy Barmby was designed to keep chefs and servers from sneaking bites while on the job. The solution? A metal guard strapped over the mouth, complete with a lock. While it indeed sent a strong message about self-control, it also looked like something straight out of a horror movie. A Portable Garden for Your Head In the 1980s, when Waldemar Anguita decided that fresh air and greenery should be worn, not visited. His creation: a clear helmet outfitted with tiny plants inside.
Innovation has always pushed humanity forward, but every once in a while, it takes a sharp left turn into what-were- they-thinking territory. History is full of patented ideas that make us grateful for modern common sense. Let’s take a stroll through four inventions that technically worked, but probably shouldn’t have existed. An Alarm Clock More Torturous Than Most Long before gentle chimes and smartphone alarms, one inventor, Samuel S. Applegate, decided mornings required a more aggressive approach. His solution was a wake-up device that didn’t just alert you, it attacked you. When the alarm sounded, gravity did the rest, sending small wooden blocks tumbling down onto the sleeper’s face. Was it effective? Probably. Was it terrifying? Absolutely.
The idea was to breathe in oxygen from your personal mini-garden while going about your day. Practical? Not exactly. But points for creativity and commitment to houseplants. These oddball inventions remind us that creativity has no “off” switch. While some ideas change the world, others simply make us laugh and appreciate the inventions that didn’t involve pain, padlocks, or head- mounted greenery.
The Swimsuit That Floated and Failed In the late 1800s, Paschal Plant looked at
swimming and thought, “This needs more cork.” Enter a bathing outfit made entirely of small cork pieces tied together with a string. The goal was to help wearers stay afloat while paddling. While it may have offered some buoyancy, it sacrificed comfort, flexibility, and dignity in the process.
MORE MUSCLE, LESS STRESS New Bodybuilding Trend Holds Promise for Faster Healing
Many people dream of building a buff, chiseled physique without the sweat and suffering of rigorous gym workouts. Dream on, right? However, if you covet a tighter, more toned body but lack the time and discipline for long workouts with heavy weights, the hottest new bodybuilding trend may be for you. A method called occlusion training, or blood- flow restriction training (BFRT), builds muscle strength and promotes healing by using shorter workouts with lighter weights and fewer repetitions. BFRT entails tightening a tourniquet- like band around your arm or leg to restrict blood flow to the targeted muscles. The band is left in place for only a few minutes, not long enough for your muscles to fall asleep, but long enough to cause what trainers
call a “big pump,” or swelling of the affected muscles. How this happens isn’t completely clear. But based on numerous peer-reviewed studies, BFRT is increasingly accepted as an alternative strategy to improve muscle mass, strength, and cardiovascular function without the wear and tear on tissues or potential joint damage posed by conventional workouts. BFRT may also be helpful for specific kinds of physical therapy patients. For older adults, it can improve muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness. It can also help people with neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, remain active. But more research is needed to eliminate all safety concerns. Animal
BFRT originated in Japan in the 1960s, where it’s known as KAATSU. It was first used in the U.S. about 15 years ago to aid healing in military veterans. Users should train only one area of the body at a time, such as either the arms or the legs, and work only 20%–30% of the maximum weight they could lift in one attempt. BFRT works best with basic exercises, such as the bicep curl, squat, bench press, leg extension, or leg curl. Anyone who experiences pain or numbness during BFRT should stop immediately, and people with cardiovascular disease or other vascular ailments shouldn’t try it. For now, however, it’s safe to say that BFRT is a promising new route to better health and fitness for a growing population of bodybuilders, physical therapy patients, and others.
studies may be required to fully understand how BFRT works.
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FINDING BALANCE AT THE TABLE RETHINK THE CHEAT MEAL
Most of us have played the game where we swear off “junk food” on Monday, think about it all week, and then overdo it on Saturday. The idea of the “cheat meal” invites that cycle. It also comes with a lot of guilt. A better approach is to assume you’ll eat some of your favorite foods and then decide how to do so in a way your body can live with. One useful rule is to change what sits around the main item rather than trying to ban the item itself. If you enjoy pizza night, keep it, but add a big salad or tray of roasted vegetables to the table. That extra volume and fiber will help you feel full with fewer slices. For pasta, mix regular noodles with whole-grain or chickpea noodles, stir in vegetables and lean protein, and treat the sauce as a topping instead of the main ingredient. Portion and pairing are what matter most with all this. For instance, a comfort dish like mashed potatoes can remain if served as a side along with a main entrée and some vegetables. And an item like cheese works best when you think of it as a flavor rather than a meal. A couple of ounces with whole-grain crackers and fruit is very different from snacking on it straight from the block. Desserts also fit this pattern. Having ice cream every once in a while isn’t a problem for most people. A small bowl with sliced
banana or berries is a treat that keeps the sugar load in check. Dark chocolate is another good option, especially if you buy bars with more cacao and break off a square or two instead of eating the whole thing. It also helps to stop saving every craving for one day. Building in 2–3 planned “flex meals” each week takes the pressure off. You enjoy the food, pay attention to how it makes you feel, and go back to your usual pattern at the next meal. That kind of measured approach is often better for your health and sanity than a harsh all-or-nothing rule that leaves you feeling guilty and restricted.
TAKE A BREAK!
CHICKEN MISO SPINACH SOUP
INGREDIENTS • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 5 small carrots, thinly sliced
• 4 cups cooked shredded chicken • 12 oz fresh baby spinach • 3 tbsp white miso • 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallion
1. In a large Dutch oven over medium- high, heat the oil. 2. Add carrots and onion and cook 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally. 3. Stir in garlic and salt and cook 1 minute. 4. Add broth and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium. 5. Stir in chicken; cook 2 minutes. DIRECTIONS • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped • 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped • 1/4 tsp salt • 9 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
6. Add spinach in batches, stirring until wilted. Remove pot from heat. 7. In a small bowl, stir 1/4 cup hot broth into miso until dissolved, then return mixture to pot. 8. Divide soup into bowls and top with scallions.
Inspired by EatingWell.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. Our Winter Journey Through Europe
2. Ideas So Strange They Actually Got Patented Occlusion Training Offers a New Route to Fitness 3. Eating Well Without the Guilt Chicken Miso Spinach Soup
4. Are Celebrity-Fueled Peptide Treatments Worth the Hype?
A CLOSER LOOK AT PEPTIDE INJECTIONS Hollywood’s New Fountain of Youth?
Celebrities often find themselves on the frontline of new cosmetic procedures and beauty treatments. They feel pressure to maintain a certain image and often use creams, injectables, and cosmetic procedures to preserve a youthful look. When they’re happy with the results, they eagerly share their experiences through tabloids, interviews, and podcasts. In recent months, you may have heard famous figures like Gwyneth Paltrow or Jennifer Aniston discuss peptide injections and wondered if it was right for you. If you’ve seen peptide injections before, you may have assumed that they were similar to Botox, but they’re actually unique. It involves a medical professional injecting your subcutaneous fat with short chains of amino acids (peptides). Some experts claim that peptide injections can help
improve skin texture, sleep, metabolism, muscle recovery, and even hair growth. Some peptides can even have a positive impact on your bone health. Peptides aren’t necessarily something new. You’ve likely already heard of insulin and GLP-1s, two of the most- used peptide drugs available. Peptides were first discovered in 1902 and have been studied for medicinal and health purposes for over 100 years; however, peptide injections are relatively new. Oral peptides must pass through the digestive tract, which reduces their effectiveness. In contrast, injections are administered directly into the bloodstream or subcutaneous tissue, allowing them to take effect faster and deliver better results. Before running out to your local medical spa or wellness clinic to get
peptide injections, you should speak with your doctor first to ensure you’re a good candidate. Side effects involved can potentially turn something promising into a problem very quickly. Are peptide injections a beneficial option that could help you rejuvenate your skin and obtain a more youthful appearance? It may be too early to tell. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved many peptide drugs promoted by influencers and celebrities. When in doubt, always consult your primary care physician first.
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