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WEST HILLS 7230 MEDICAL CENTER DRIVE, SUITE 401 WEST HILLS, CA 91307 WEST LOS ANGELES 10474 SANTA MONICA BLVD, SUITE 435 LOS ANGELES, CA 90025
WWW.M3PT.COM / LA · 310.275.4137 / WEST HILLS · 747.888.3562 / AUGUST 2018
M3 AND ME
WEAVING THE KNOT LOOKING BACK ON 15 YEARS OF MARRIAGE
By the time you read this, my wife, Munesha, and I will be celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary! It feels like just yesterday we were hitting the books together in the study halls of USC; now we’re honoring this incredible milestone with our three kids. We knew we had to do something special to mark the occasion, so we decided to take a trip to Hawaii as a family! As I write, I am very much looking forward to some fun in the sun with the kids. Munesha and I have always been adventurous, so we’ll be sure to check out some of the island’s natural wonders and sights as well. Between you and me, I’ve been trying to work out a moment for the two of us to renew our vows, maybe on the beach. Being able to relive the magic of our wedding would be wonderful. As a Mexican man marrying an Indian woman, our ceremony was a sight to behold. We weaved together the wedding traditions of our two cultures into a bright, elaborate tapestry, paying homage to our families’ history while simultaneously creating something new of our own. We called our special day “A Hindu wedding with a Latin twist.” And, as you can imagine, the food was incredible. If you’ve never had the pleasure of witnessing a Hindi-influenced wedding, allow me to set the scene. The first thing you’ll notice is the vibrant colors. All the women dress in bright, flowing garments called saris. This does not mean the bride’s outfit is outshone — far from it, in fact. Rather than the white dress we’re used to in the West, Munesha wore the traditional bride’s sari, which is dyed hibiscus red and adorned with intricate golden trim.
a dhol , an Indian drum. My family gave the experience a Latin twist, however, using congas instead of the dhol .
When my procession reached the bride’s pavilion, our family members exchanged garlands with one another, symbolizing this union.
At the end of the ceremony, my newly wedded wife was carried away in a doli , a wooden Indian carriage with curtains and cushions. My brother-in-law, my aunt, and I had made
everything, from frame to cushions, by hand. It was a real labor of love. Being carried by our loved ones on something they had crafted was something truly special. The reception was a real multicultural experience. While a Latin band played, the food table featured Mexican tapas alongside naan and curry. And of course, tequila and scotch both flowed freely that evening.
Today, the spirit of this wedding, of the blending of cultures and ideas, is embodied by our children. They honor both
Mexican and Indian holidays, eat both Latin and Indian food at least once a week, go to a Spanish-speaking school, and have picked up quite a bit of Hindi language from their Nana and Nani (maternal grandparents). Not only are they a perfect meld of our two cultures, but time and again I have seen just how accepting our kids can be of people from all walks of life. Coming up in a multicultural household, tolerance and understanding come as second nature to them. It gives us so much pride and hope for the future.
And then there was my entrance. In an Indian wedding, it’s the groom who approaches the bride’s family — and it’s a little more than a walk. I rode in on a horse, with a procession of friends and family. Normally, it’s traditional for the groom’s party to have someone keep the beat on
–Dr. Raul Lona
LA · 310.275.4137 / WEST HILLS · 747.888.3562 | 1
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com
JOURNEY TO THE GREAT BACKYARD FINISH THE SUMMER WITH A FAMILY CAMPING ‘TRIP’
Summer is drawing to a close, but there’s still time to make some great memories. Camping trips are a summer staple. Fortunately, you don’t have to drive hours into the mountains to find the perfect campsite. Your backyard is right there waiting for you! Here are a few tips to help your family say farewell to summer with a perfect backyard camping trip. PACK FOR AN AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE. Your back door is literally a few yards away, which can be great in the event of an emergency. But if the kids are running in and out of the house all night long, they might end up deciding they’d rather be inside playing video games after only an hour. Be sure to pack everything you would need if you were really going into the woods for the night so no one is tempted to go back inside. This means tents, sleeping bags, flashlights, pajamas, books, binoculars, a compass, water bottles, and a cooler of food with snacks and dinner. Treat this like a “real” camping experience right from the beginning! FIGURE OUT THE CAMPFIRE. Don’t have an in-ground fire pit? No worries! You can still enjoy hot dogs and s’mores with a charcoal grill or a store-bought fire
pit. If you have enough room in your backyard, you could even try building a bonfire. Just make sure to check your city ordinances and get any necessary permits first. You can find advice for building the perfect campfire at REI.com/learn/expert- advice/campfire-basics.html .
REMEMBER: IT’S OKAY TO CALL IT A NIGHT. For kids, the most exciting part of camping in the backyard is getting to sleep in a tent — that is, until they actually have to sleep. After stargazing, some kids will want to stay up all night whispering and giggling in the tent, and that’s great! But other kids might decide they’d rather sleep inside, and that’s okay too. Your camping trip isn’t a failure because everyone spent the night in their own beds. It’s not about where everyone sleeps; it’s about how much fun your family had together before bedtime. The best part of backyard camping? It doesn’t take a lot of planning. Just grab your gear and your family and hike out into the great backyard.
SITTING ON THE PAIN WON’T MAKE IT STOP SEEK TREATMENT EARLY FOR LOWER BACK PAIN
For those suffering from lower back pain, waiting to take action is about the worst thing you can do. In general, when you are having aches and pains, that’s your body’s way of signaling that something is wrong or needs to be corrected. Left unaddressed, the root cause of your pain can worsen, requiring more extensive treatment. That’s why it’s important to consult a physical therapist sooner rather than later. But don’t take it from us. A joint study by the University of Washington and George Washington University found that early physical therapy treatment for lower back pain gives patients the best chance of avoiding the need for more drastic treatments. Published in May of this year and drawing on four years’ worth of insurance data from around the country, this study concluded the following: “When LBP [lower
back pain] patients saw a PT first, there was lower utilization of high‐cost medical services as well as lower opioid use, and cost shifts reflecting the change in utilization.” This is just the latest in a long line of academic research that highlights the role physical therapy plays as a proactive form of care. Given the high cost of surgery and the addictive nature of opioids, a trained therapist should be your first line of defense when it comes to back pain. They can get to the root cause of your discomfort and find a holistic solution to actually treat the problem rather than mask it. If you or a loved one has been suffering from lower back pain, sitting on the problem will only make it worse. Our expert team of therapists at M3 PT have a deep knowledge of back pain treatment and would be happy
to help you get back to feeling and moving great! Don’t wait for the problem to worsen. Give us a call today!
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Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com
WHEN A BAND-AID WON’T DO PHYSICAL THERAPY AND KIDS
As summer comes to a close, we’re sure many kids out there are trying to get the most out of every last moment of their vacation. Some may be wrapping up sports camps, while others are out making their own fun. But with fun and games comes the risk of trips, falls, sprains, and a wealth of other sports injuries. Scrapes, bumps, and bruises are a natural part of childhood. Kids are remarkably good at springing back with the help of a few Band-Aids and some words of encouragement. Some injuries, however, like tennis elbow and ligament sprains, require a professional touch. That’s why we’re proud to dedicate a portion of our clinic to pediatric sports rehab. It’s important to have professionals that specialize in treating injuries in children because their bodies have unique needs. There should never be a one- size-fits-all approach in physical therapy, but having a personalized approach is critical when it comes to
pediatrics. Because kids’ bodies are still growing, their physical development and limitations need to be taken into account. This time of year, we see an influx of young and young- adult patients who’ve had an unfortunate injury at the end of the summer. Far be it from us to discourage these kids from playing the sports and games they love. Many members of the M3 team have sporty kids and love to enjoy the outdoors themselves, and they won’t begrudge anyone of any age wanting to get out and enjoy the weather to its fullest. But when a Band- Aid won’t do the trick, we’ll be there to get kids back out playing again. Of course, the best way to prevent these sorts of injuries is to take proper precautions. While there’s no way of guaranteeing safety, encouraging proactive measures, like stretching before any physical activity, can reduce the risk of sprains and tears.
TAKE A BREAK
GREEN BEAN AND SESAME SALAD
INGREDIENTS
• 3 cups green beans, ends trimmed • 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped • Small bunch of fresh mint • Small bunch of flat-leaf parsley • Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Bring a large saucepan of water to boil; cook green beans for 4–5 minutes; drain well. 2. In a blender, mix finely chopped mint and parsley with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Blend until combined. 3. Add dressing, onion, and sesame seeds to beans. Toss together. Cool dish, then refrigerate until ready to serve.
Inspired by Delicious magazine
LA · 310.275.4137 / WEST HILLS · 747.888.3562 | 3
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com
10474 SANTA MONICA BLVD, SUITE 435 LOS ANGELES, CA 90025 PHONE: 310.275.4137 FAX: 310.274.1815
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Raul and Munesha Celebrate Their 15th Anniversary!
2 2
The Best End-of-Summer Activity
New Study on Reduced Cost of Lower Back Pain Treatment
3
Sports Injuries and Kids: What Parents Need to Know
4 3
Green Bean and Sesame Salad
Safe Sailing This Hurricane Season
FORMERLY KNOWN AS WILSHIRE LINDEN PHYSICAL THERAPY — SAME TEAM, NEW NAME!
BOOK A CARIBBEAN CRUISE SAFE SAILING THIS HURRICANE SEASON SAFETY AND SAVINGS
After last year’s devastating storm season, would-be tropical travelers are undoubtedly hesitant about purchasing those discounted plane tickets to the Caribbean Basin. No one wants to face a possible evacuation during their vacation — or worse, be forced to weather a hurricane at a beachfront resort. If you want the most bang for your buck while enjoying the turquoise waters of the Caribbean this fall, consider booking a cruise. Cruise-ship travel is a fun and adventurous way to explore any time of year. After all, what could be more magical than a floating hotel room where you fall asleep in one country and wake up in another? This charming mobility is also what makes cruise travel the safest option for visiting the Caribbean and the coast of Mexico this time of year.
Much like resorts and airfare, cruise lines discount their Caribbean fares significantly during peak hurricane season, from August to October. However, unlike a traditional hotel, these massive ships have the luxury of navigating out of a storm’s path with ease. For all their ferocity, hurricanes move slowly across the Atlantic and have relatively predictable trajectories. Meanwhile, modern cruise ships carry the most sophisticated weather- tracking instruments, allowing them to bypass even small storms and inclement weather. FLEXIBILITY IS A MUST The flipside of this ability to dodge storms is the fact that your ship may not be able to stick to its original itinerary. You may have to anchor at an island you weren’t expecting to or miss out on seeing a port you were supposed to visit. If you have your heart set on seeing a specific location, cruise travel this time of year may not be for you. But if you are
simply looking for a safe, affordable vacation to a beautiful region, then it doesn’t much matter which white-sanded beach you wake up to next.
While unpredictable weather will always be a concern for any vacation, the safety and variety cruises offer make them great options for anyone looking for a Caribbean getaway before the holiday season. So if you have a flexible schedule and a healthy sense of adventure, it’s time to call your travel agent, pack your sunscreen and bathing suit, and head to paradise!
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Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com
ATTENTION BACK PAIN & SCIATICA SUFFERERS Millions of Americans are adversely impacted by back pain each year. Studies show that approximately 80% of the U.S. population is affected by it. This is why M3 PT is offering an educational workshop for anyone interested in learning what causes back pain and the best available treatment. Call us today! The first 10 people who schedule will get answers to the top 10 burning questions for low back pain and sciatica sufferers.
THE THREE MAIN CAUSES OF LOW BACK PAIN AND SCIATICA ARE:
Without identifying the correct cause of your pain, there is no way to develop the proper treatment plan.
• Herniated discs
Here at M3 PT, our specialty is back and neck pain. Our therapists are very experienced and have the knowledge and skills to provide a number of approaches to help you reach your goal of getting back to your normal self again.
• Arthritis
• Pelvic issues
FREE WORKSHOP CERTIFICATE CALL 310.275.4137 TO SCHEDULE YOUR SPOT IN OUR FREE WORKSHOP ON AUGUST 23RD FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM:
• Back pain • Lumbar sprains/strains • Herniated or bulging discs (HNP) • Degenerative disc disease (DDD) • Spinal stenosis
• Sciatica and leg pain • Facet pain • Spondylosis • Spondylolisthesis • Arthritis
• Osteoporosis • Compression fractures • Post-surgical rehabilitation
OUR PHYSICAL THERAPISTS WILL FIND THE ACTUAL CAUSE OF YOUR BACK PAIN. THE METHOD TO EFFECTIVELY RESOLVE YOUR LOW BACK PAIN OR SCIATICA INCLUDES ...
• Creating a unique plan for your specific condition • Relief of your pain • Restoration of your normal motion, flexibility, and mobility
• Strengthening the supporting muscles • Helping you return to your normal activities
COMMONLY TREATED CONDITIONS:
• Back pain • Lumbar sprains/strains • Herniated or bulging discs (HNP) • Degenerative disc disease (DDD) • Spinal stenosis • Sciatica and leg pain • Facet pain • Spondylosis
• Spondylolisthesis • Arthritis • Osteoporosis • Compression fractures • Post-surgical rehabilitation
FOR A SPOT IN OUR FREE WORKSHOP, PLEASE CALL M3 PT AT 310.275.4137 AND GET SCHEDULED FOR AN APPOINTMENT TODAY.
LIFE HAS TOO MUCH TO OFFER TO LIVE WITH UNNECESSARY PAIN.
10474 SANTA MONICA BLVD, SUITE 435 | LOS ANGELES, CA 90025 | 310.275.4137
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