Focus Physical Therapy Monthly focuspt.net 949.709.8770
October 2017
Death by Hot Tub? The Day I Almost Drowned
H alloween always gets people talking about the things that scare them. For a lot of people, it’s snakes or spiders. But, it may surprise you to know, the scariest thing that ever happened to me was a near-drowning experience in the hot tub in my parent’s backyard. It was a typical Loma Linda summer day, and my siblings and I were goofing around in the backyard. I must have been about 10 years old. We were all hanging out in the hot tub, playing this stupid (but admittedly very fun at the time) game. One of us would plunge underwater and try to grab the legs of one of the others, pulling them into the hot tub’s “depths.” This was one of those older types of hot tubs with a big hole at the bottom, the main drain for the filtration system. On those types of drains (which don’t exist anymore because of obvious safety risks), there was supposed to be a grate cover, but apparently, this fine summer day, it was not in its place. You might be able to see where this is going. It was my turn to play the game. I ducked beneath the surface, and the warm bubbles washed over me. I sank to the bottom and flipped over, searching with my hands for my brother’s leg.
use — the pressure was too powerful. I grabbed frantically for my brother’s leg, but with my siblings all thinking I was still playing the game, they slapped my hand away, playing around to try to avoid my grasp. Meanwhile, I was thrashing around, still fixed firmly beneath the water. I can’t think of a time that I’ve ever felt that physically helpless, scrambling and struggling at the bottom of the hot tub with my lungs burning for oxygen. Luckily, by the grace of God, my dad was out in the backyard, as well. The way he describes it, he heard the humming of the pump system rise to a rattling roar, as if it were plugged, which it was … with my body. He immediately sprinted over and shut it off. I was free. I broke the surface, gasping and choking. I couldn’t tell you how long I was down there at the bottom of the hot tub — it felt like forever — but I’d swallowed more than my share of hot tub water. Dazed, I tried to explain what had happened to my father, who was now standing over us. But before I could, my brother’s “Oh my gosh!” interrupted me. He was pointing at my back. I couldn’t see, but apparently there was a 10-inch-diameter bubble raised from the skin, red with the blood that had been sucked to the surface. To his credit, my dad wasn’t mad, he was just concerned. Needless to say, I didn’t get back in the hot tub that day or for a few days after. But my near-drowning experience didn’t keep me out of the water for long. Pretty soon, I was goofing around — with safer games — in the pool with my brothers and sister again, and these days, I’m glad to say that this experience has not kept me from going out and catching some waves when I get the chance. If this seems like a horror story for parents who own a pool, rest easy knowing that safety regulations banned these hazardous drains years ago. Again, for obvious reasons.
But right as I found it and began to tug, I realized something was wrong. The vacuum pressure of the pump was sucking at the skin on my back, sticking me against the gaping hole at the bottom of the tub like a suction cup. I shook my shoulders, trying
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to wrench myself free, but it was no
Focus Physical Therapy • Call 949.709.8770 • 1 - Julian Manrique
Use Diffusers to Reap the Benefits of Essential Oils The Benefits of Essential Oils
If you’ve stopped by a health store recently, you’ve no doubt seen a huge selection of essential oils. These liquids, which contain concentrated, natural aroma compounds found in plants, are the basis of aromatherapy, one of the most popular trends in holistic health. Aromatherapy involves applying these oils to the skin or spraying them into the air. Skin application requires that you use diluted oils, because aromatic compounds are strong and can cause irritation. As a result of these concerns, many essential oil acolytes have turned to diffusers to get the benefits of aromatherapy in a safe, wonderful-smelling manner. In addition to filling your house with an all-natural, appealing perfume, aromatherapy has been touted to help with everything, from stress and insomnia to cognitive function and mood enhancement. To receive these benefits, you’ll need to pick up a diffuser and some oils. With so many options, though, how do you know which one is right for you? There is no shortage of methods for diffusing essential oils. Nebulizing diffusers don’t require any heat source, instead atomizing the essential oils. They are extremely effective, but “In Feb. 2016, I was involved in a major car accident resulting in multiple severe injuries. After months of recovery, with the help of Focus, I was able to overcome most restricted movements I had from those injuries. One that would not go away was the pain I had from scar tissue built up between my shoulder blade and rib cage. Once again, Julian and Focus went to work on me to try to break up the scar tissue and relieve the pain. As a ‘what can I lose,’ though, we decided to try the deep tissue laser treatment. “WOW! After one treatment I was pain-free! Julian is still working to break up the scar tissue so I can move my arm normally. It is so weird for me to walk around now pain-free! I signed up for six treatments and am grateful for the opportunity to live a life with no pain.” –Sarah Bain
they are also large and expensive. Ultrasonic diffusers are similarly heatless, preserving the oils. This type of diffuser can also work as a humidifier, making it a valuable multitasker. Heat and evaporative diffusers are cheaper options, but they tend to alter oils or separate particles according to size. Once you decide on the best diffuser for your home, you need to select a few essential oils and put your new toy to use. Lemon oil is antibacterial and antiseptic, and it will freshen your environment. Cinnamon oil can clear congestion and has a homey, autumnal scent. Eucalyptus oil is an air purifier, but its scent is strong and not for everybody. If you want to de-stress, try rosemary oil, which decreases your cortisol levels. Take note that you should alert your doctor before partaking in aromatherapy if you’re pregnant, nursing, or on any medication. While most essential oils are perfectly safe to diffuse, the compounds in certain oils can combine with medication and trigger adverse side effects. Once you begin diffusing, you’ll never go back to commercial, chemical scent sprays. The benefits are evident, and the results smell sweet.
SUCCESS STORIES
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BRACE YOUR BODY FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON With the holiday season coming up, it’s easy to overlook your health. But if you have stiffness, persistent pain, or inflexibility, you’re asking for injury as you scramble to complete your holiday responsibilities.
Take holiday shopping, for instance. According to shopping app Udozi, the average Brit walks about 20 miles during their quest to acquire the perfect set of Christmas gifts. We can only imagine how much further Americans walk, considering Black Friday and our world-famous holiday consumerist frenzy! Shopping can be quite a workout. Anyone who’s lugged a heavy package around the mall all day can tell you the toll that the holidays can take on our bodies, especially when our adrenaline is pumping during those last-minute gift rushes. When our body’s range of motion is limited by inflexibility or previous injury, every step we take can be painful and potentially lead to another injury. The same goes for using weak or damaged arm muscles to lift those gift-laden bags.
about giving ordinary people the tools to live their lives pain-free, without compromising the activities they love.
Focus Physical Therapy offers a robust movement therapy program, perfect for anyone seeking to increase their range of motion and drastically reduce their risk of injury, all while eliminating pain from their daily activities. There’s no reason that sore legs should keep you from participating in holiday activities, whether that means shopping, skiing up north, ice skating, or anything else. Come in today and get ready for a pain-free holiday season
Physical therapy isn’t just about getting athletes back to their sport or getting victims back on their feet after a catastrophic injury. It’s
THE HIGHEST COMPLIMENT
REFRIED BEAN POBLANOS WITH CHEESE
Here at Focus Physical Therapy, nothing is more important to us than helping people. We care about our patients and the community and want to help as many as we possibly can reach optimal function. The opportunity to touch lives is just one of the reasons we’re so grateful for your referrals! To us, a referal is the highest compliment, and we want to say thank you to everyone who has trusted us enough to send family and friends our way.
Ingredients
• 4 medium poblano chiles, halved and seeded • 1 (16-ounce) can fat-free refried beans • 1 (8.8-ounce) pouch
• 1/2 cup picante sauce • 1 cup (4 ounces) pre-shredded reduced-fat 4-cheese Mexican blend • Chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
• Debra
• Dale Roberts • Duane Stockdale • Jann Lane • Jill Palocsay • Melissa Dombrowski • Brian Pyle • Jacqueline Novida • Deborah Sugg
• Kate Berry • Kirstin Milazzo • Robert Birds • Karen Thagard • Patricia Pace • Michele Carlson
Tewinkle • Carla Ramirez • Karen Mittleman • James Copp • Patrick Cardinale • Ellie Bagley • Niki Dreifuss • Sheila Dement
microwaveable cooked long- grain rice (such as Uncle Ben’s Original Ready Rice)
Instructions
1. Place chile halves, cut sides up, on a round microwave-safe plate. Cover with wax paper; microwave on high 3 minutes. 2. While chiles cook, combine beans, rice, and picante sauce in a medium bowl, stirring well. Spoon bean mixture into chile halves. Cover with wax paper; microwave on high 2 minutes. Uncover chiles, sprinkle each half with 2 tablespoons cheese, and microwave on high 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese melts. Sprinkle with cilantro, if desired.
(Recipe courtesy of tasteofhome.com.)
Focus Physical Therapy • Call 949.709.8770 • 3
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SPECIALIZING IN: LOWER BACK PAIN • SCIATICA • NECK PAIN AND HEADACHES HIP PROBLEMS • SHOULDER PAIN, BURSITIS, AND TENDINITIS SPORTS PHYSICAL THERAPY • GOLF PERFORMANCE KNEE PAIN • PLANTAR FASCIITIS • DIZZINESS AND VERTIGO AQUATIC PHYSICAL THERAPY • AND OTHER CONDITIONS
Owner Julian Manrique’s Most Frightening Moment The Benefits of Essential Oils Success stories Brace Your Body for the Holiday Season 1 2 3 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Look inside and attend the workshop to learn: Attention: Do You Have Nagging Pain? Deep tissue laser therapy could be right for you. Find out with our complimentary assessment. Call 949.709.8770 LIMITED TO THE FIRST 8 PEOPLE TO CALL Special bonus for the month of October ONLY!
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