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YOUR MOVEMENT MONTHLY
JANUARY 2020
WWW.PEAKPERFORMANCESPORTSANDSPINE.COM| 509-453-PEAK (7325)
ATHLETE BRAINHEALTHFOUNDATION THE 2019 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS FOR ATHLETE BRAIN HEALTH
Working at Peak Performance has provided me with an opportunity to see how much care my coworkers have for our patients. Every one of us strives to provide our patients with exactly what they need to accomplish their goals. One of the many ways we do this is through continuing education. As a health professional, it is essential to be a lifelong learner. Through attending classes, courses, and conferences, we can better care for diverse and complicated patient cases. I recently had the opportunity to further my knowledge base of concussion rehabilitation by attending a conference in Park City, Utah. The Athlete Brain Health Foundation held the Inaugural International Congress for Athlete Brain Health. It was the first time this collective group of people came together to discuss athlete brain health at length. The group was comprised of approximately 25 speakers and researchers; there also were about 200 medical doctors, neuropsychologists, clinical researchers, and physical therapists in attendance. I was very humbled to have been part of this group and excited about what they intended to accomplish. The conference aimed to serve many purposes. We discussed current topics in concussion management including chronic headache, sleep hygiene, vestibular and ocular motor
compromise, return to learn and play guidelines, and a variety of others. That being said, the primary goal for the conference was to explore where concussion research needs to go next. Much of the conference was run like a discussion forum where attendees could volunteer their clinical insight into this complex topic. One interesting discussion topic aimed to consolidate many working definitions of the term concussion. It was the foundation's belief that a single definition needs to be established and that it must include the term rehabilitative. The term rehabilitative is especially important because it denotes that the injury is one that can be recovered from if treated appropriately. Another important discussion echoed throughout the conference was how to distinguish concussion symptoms from other predisposing factors. It is not uncommon for a patient with a concussion to come into a clinic at their baseline, meaning that some of their observed impairment might not actually be symptoms of concussion. Our goal is to sift out what constitutes the patient’s baseline versus true impairment. On a professional level, the most important takeaway I had from the conference was the connections and networking that I did. The people in attendance were focused on finding the most beneficial ways to
Thad & Dr. Jessica Schwartz, PT, DPT, CSCS
coordinate an optimal comprehensive neurological course of care. We were all there to help build a community in which multiple health care professionals, who specialize in all different aspects of concussions, can rely on each other for information, support, and professional resources. Being a part of the conference allowed me to observe and chat with well- developed and well-versed concussion rehab therapists/doctors. I was not only humbled, but also extremely proud of our own clinic. From a clinical perspective, Peak Performance Sports and Spine is not only being consistent in what we’re doing, but we’re also running an up-to-date, evidence-based, comprehensive concussion program. I’m eager to see all the positive impacts this group and future meetings will provide, because, as the Athlete Brain Health Foundation's mission statement declares, “At the end of the day, returning to an active lifestyle should not only be a possibility, but an expectation.”
–Thad Callaghan
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3 RED FLAGS TOWATCH OUT FOR MEDICALMIRACLEORHEALTHHOAX?
The new year is a great time to make your health a priority again, and there are a bunch of workouts and diet plans to choose from. Too many, some might say. It can be difficult to determine exactly which health plan will help you reach your goals, but there are some pretty obvious red flags that you’ll want to avoid. Beware the Dreaded ‘Detox’ Plenty of diets, supplements, and products claim to “purify” your body by removing unspecified “toxins.” These “detoxes” conveniently forget that your kidneys and liver are already removing substances your body doesn’t need! The human body has been capable of cleansing itself for thousands of years. It doesn’t need a special smoothie or footpads to get the job done. Most detox products are nothing but snake oil, and some of them can leave you feeling worse than you did before
you started using them. Unless you have been diagnosed with a disease that would impair your liver or kidneys, you don’t need to spend extra money to keep your insides clean. A healthy diet is enough. Cellulite Isn’t Real In 1968, Vogue magazine introduced American women to the word “cellulite,” warning them of a terrible “diagnosed” condition women suffered from. They encouraged the use of a special rolling pin to banish the little lumps of fat on women’s thighs and buttocks. Since then, cellulite has been used as shorthand to mean “bad body fat you need to remove.” But cellulite is not an indication of poor health. Furthermore, there’s no cure for cellulite because it’s not a disease. It would be like using a special lotion that claims it can remove the wrinkled skin on your knuckles! Most people, especially women, have cellulite. It’s perfectly natural!
If you want to get in shape this year, avoid diets or products that claim to melt cellulite. This is a clear indication these treatments aren’t based on real medical science. Cure-Alls Cure Nothing A “cure-all” is any product, treatment, or diet that claims to cure a bunch of unrelated medical problems. Cure-alls have been a problem for centuries, claiming to help with weight loss, migraines, heart disease, anxiety, depression, and even baldness! This isn’t how medicine or the human body works. One change cannot magically fix many different, sometimes unrelated, problems.
TO BULK OR SHRED? CHOOSING THE RIGHT FITNESS STRATEGY FOR YOU
If you make gym time a habit, then you’ve probably already heard the words “bulk” and “shred” tossed around over the racks of free weights, sweaty benches, and squat machines. Those terms might sound like meaningless jargon to the uninitiated, but they represent two different, equally valid approaches to fitness that anyone — not just bodybuilders — can use to their advantage. To put it simply, bulking is the process of building up muscle, and shredding (or “cutting,” as it’s sometimes called) is the practice of dropping body fat. When training for a competition, bodybuilders often “bulk” and “shred” in phases, changing their workout style and diet to match their current goal. As PureGym.com puts it, “At any given time on your journey to jackedness,
you’ll either be aiming to cut body fat or to build muscle … it’s impossible to do both at the same time.” So, if you’re not a bodybuilder, what does this have to do with you? Well, one of these approaches could be the framework you’ve been looking for to guide your quest for peak fitness. Here’s the rundown on each style. The Battle to Bulk Bulking is the “go big or go home” fitness strategy because it focuses on consuming a lot of calories and lifting heavy weights. BodyBuilding.com advises bulkers to eat 6–8 meals per day and to aim for a calorie surplus along with lots of protein. While bulking, you should also minimize cardio and focus on compound movement exercises (like squats, deadlifts, barbell
presses, and military presses) with heavy weights to rapidly build muscle.
The Struggle to Shred Shredding is everything that bulking isn’t. During a shred, MaxiMuscle recommends focusing on cardio exercises like running, cycling, and swimming, and eating at a calorie deficit. Perhaps the most important aspect of this phase is diet because the point is to reveal your muscle, producing a “chiseled” effect. If you’d like to try cutting like a bodybuilder, websites like BodyBuilding. com and LiveStrong.com offer meal guides and tips on staying motivated. Whichever path you choose, remember to maintain a healthy balance as you pursue your goals. As tempting as it is to focus on the gym in exclusion of all else, there’s more to life than pumping iron!
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NATURAL REMEDIES FOR STUFFY NOSES DON’T LET CONGESTION GET THE BEST OF YOU
Nasal congestion can have many different causes, including allergies, colds, or the flu, but the symptoms are often very similar: sinus pressure, headaches, and a stuffed-up nose. This is the result of membranes in your nasal passage becoming irritated and your body responding by producing mucus to try and flush out the irritants. Unfortunately, that response also causes nasal congestion. This is intensified by winter weather when dry air and heaters can further dry out your already irritated nasal passage. So, what is the best way to ease nasal congestion and sinus pressure? Try these at-home remedies that focus on moistening your nasal passage. Flush Your Nasal Passage Use a saline nasal spray or a nasal irrigator, like a neti pot, to flush and moisturize your nasal passage. These devices flush out allergens and keep your nasal passage moist,
easing congestion and preventing further buildup. When using a neti pot or other nasal irrigator, always use sterile, distilled water or water that has been boiled and cooled. Maintain Moisture Humidifiers add moisture into the air, creating a more humid environment, and can be especially helpful if you have a forced-air heating system. Try using a humidifier or vaporizer when you sleep. You may also find a warm compress helps ease congestion: Soak a washcloth in warm water mixed with a couple of drops of eucalyptus essential
oil (consult the oil distributor for the exact ratio), then place the washcloth over your nose and cheeks for several minutes. Drinking plenty of water and sleeping upright at night can also help ease further congestion. While over-the-counter decongestants can temporarily help ease congestion, they are not intended for long-term use and may further dry out the nasal passage. Adding and maintaining moisture is the best way to prevent or ease sinus congestion. If the problem persists, talk to your doctor.
VEGAN FRIED RICE
TAKE A BREAK!
Inspired by TheLazyBroccoli.com
DIRECTIONS
INGREDIENTS
• 2/3 cup
1. Rinse rice until water runs clear. Cook rice as instructed on package with 1 cup water. 2. While rice is cooking, prepare chives. Set aside. 3. Also while rice cooks, crumble tofu over a fine strainer. As you crumble tofu, press it into the strainer to release as much water as possible. Let drain. Press and drain again. 4. Once rice is cooked, set aside. In a nonstick pan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. 5. Crumble tofu into the hot pan, cooking until brown. 6. Add chives and cook for 1 minute longer. 7. Add cooked rice and mirin, cooking until rice is dry. (You can make rice one day in advance to dry it out even more.) 8. Turn off the heat and add soy sauce, tossing until fully incorporated. 9. Add salt to taste and serve.
brown rice • 1 cup water • 2/3 cup chives, chopped • 1 block tofu, extra firm • 2 tsp vegetable oil • 1 tsp mirin, optional • 2 tsp soy sauce • Salt, to taste
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1. COVER TITLE 1. THE CONSTANT PURSUIT OF CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2. THESE HEALTH HOAXES WILL SINK YOUR RESOLUTION HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT FITNESS STRATEGY FOR YOU 3. NATURAL WAYS TO EASE SINUS CONGESTION VEGAN FRIED RICE 4. UNIQUE FOOD TRACKING APPS TO CHECK OUT IN 2020 2505 Racquet Lane Yakima, WA 98902 509-453-PEAK (7325) www.PeakPerformanceSportsandSpine.com
YOURDIET’SHIGH-TECHHELPER UNIQUE FOOD TRACKING APPS TO CHECK OUT IN 2020
My Macros+ Developed by weightlifters, this app is tailor-made for people who have serious fitness goals and want to track their macronutrients (macros) — carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. With more than 1.5 million food items to choose from, a weight-tracking component, and more, My Macros+ covers all your bases. Reviewers rave about the app’s flexible goal-setting feature, which allows for intermittent fasting, calorie/carbohydrate cycling, and meal plans that include 6–8 meals per day. Ate Ate bills itself as a “visual, mindful, and non-judgmental” food tracking app. Unlike most options on the market, Ate focuses on feelings rather than numbers. Instead of counting calories, its users snap photos of their meals
If you’re the type to make New Year's resolutions, then there’s a good chance health and fitness goals are among your targets for 2020. According to the New York Post, more than 55% of News Year’s resolutions made by Americans in 2018 were health-related, covering topics like exercising more, losing weight, and eating more nutritious foods. It’s easy to set resolutions, but it’s much harder to keep them. Luckily, we live in an age where high-tech tools are at our fingertips. Having a diet and exercise assistant in your pocket (literally) in the form of a smartphone app can do wonders for staying on track, and these days your options go far beyond one-size-fits-all calorie counters like MyFitnessPal. Here are two apps to check out if you’re hoping to discover a new you this new year.
and input why they ate — whether they were hungry, stressed, or socializing — and how the meal made them feel. It’s an ideal strategy for those worried that too much data could trigger an obsession or disordered eating. Once you find a food tracking app you like, try pairing it with other tools that can help you meet your goals. Whether you need help shopping for healthier foods, making smart choices when eating out, or finding nutritious recipes with ingredients you have at home, there’s an app for that. Just pull up your phone’s app store and start searching!
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