Horizon PT - October 2022

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physical therapy and rehabilitation

October 2022

3600 Miller Road, Flint, MI 48503 • 810-620-8042 • horizonptflint.com

What’s Your Favorite Scary Movie? MY FAVORITE FRIGHTENING FILMS

There’s no better time of year than October to turn down the lights, curl up with a bowl of popcorn, and watch a scary movie. With Halloween fast approaching, this is the perfect time to share some of my favorite horror films. They may not be as frightening as when I was a kid, but they can still be a lot of fun. Growing up, the scariest horror villain of all time had to be Freddy Krueger from “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” I first saw one of the movies in this series when I was about 7 or 8 years old, and it absolutely terrified me. But that didn’t stop me from watching them all! One of my favorite scenes in this series is from “Wes Craven’s New Nightmare,” when Freddy’s tongue came through the telephone and licked the main character. It made you jump, but it was also so gross. Freddy didn’t seem so scary because of the scars on his face or his gigantic claw hand. He became terrifying because he attacked you in your dreams. After watching one of the movies, I always fought falling asleep. I knew if I did, I would be Freddy’s next victim. We also had giant, creaking metal furnaces when I grew up, and anytime I was near a boiler room, I thought of Freddy. There was always a rush to get out of the basement or turn on the light. If you didn’t, Freddy might get you. Looking back, it’s funny how real it felt at the time. I also got plenty of scares from Jason Voorhees of the “Friday the 13th” series. I think he and Michael Myers from “Halloween” are basically the same characters, but I always found Jason scarier because he was so big. I think the

hockey mask also really sets you on edge. You can’t see his face, so you can’t read his emotions. Even worse, he doesn’t talk. That silence instantly makes you wonder what’s wrong with him — and viewers start imagining all types of scary scenarios. When you’re a kid, slasher movies are scary because you don’t quite understand how the world works. They seem like real things that could happen. It’s only later that you realize it’s all a fantasy. A giant man in a hockey mask who lives at the bottom of a lake isn’t coming to kill you. And there’s no such thing as a serial killer who can attack you in your dreams. Now that I understand they’re just for entertainment, my favorite horror movies have a thriller or mystery element. I especially like the “Saw” movies. They put you on edge because of their gruesome nature — the characters must mutilate themselves to live! But I also like the puzzle element and trying to understand who’s behind the game, its purpose, and whether the characters will get out. The latest installment, “Spiral,” starred Chris Rock and Samuel L. Jackson, and I really enjoyed it. These films aren’t for everybody, but I consider them to be a good time and a great way to spend the holiday. However you celebrate, I hope your family has a safe and enjoyable Halloween this year. And during your next visit to the clinic, be sure to share your favorite horror movie classics.

-Dr. Jerome Adams

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Halloween is all about letting the ghoul times roll, but monsters and ghosts aren’t the only things parents need to worry about this holiday. Most older kids don’t want an adult chaperoning — they want to venture off with their friends to enjoy the night all on their own. Here are a few safety tips so that you and your older kids can enjoy the spooky evening with no worries. PLAN A ROUTE AND CURFEW. Some older kids still love the nostalgia of trick-or-treating, or maybe they plan to pull some Halloween pranks with their friends. Whatever the reason may be, they may want to enjoy the evening without a parent. One of the best ways to make sure they’re staying safe is to plan a route and a curfew. Choose which routes you feel comfortable with them going on, either somewhere nearby or somewhere in the neighborhood. And choosing a curfew time is essential so you know when to expect their return. This way if something happens and you cannot reach them or they aren’t back in time, you have a general idea of where they can be on the route. PACK THE ESSENTIALS. Always make sure your child has their phone on them in case of an emergency, no matter if it’s to call you or an emergency line. You could even share locations so you’re able to track where they are or use another location tracking app like Life360 or FamiSafe that’s available on your devices. If they plan to stay out for a while, have your child take water bottles, flashlights, and even a small first-aid kit with them. They actually come in handy when exploring the Halloween night and the unexpected happens. Older kids deserve a bit of freedom, as long as they can do it responsibly. Consider these tips to make sure the night is trick-free and full of the best treats.

HAVE A SPOOKY GOOD TIME While Keeping Safety in Mind

SUCCESS STORIES!

“Dr. Adams and the staff have helped me with my pain in my lower back. I feel so much better. I was dealing with that pain for over four years, and I feel like I’m brand-new! Thanks to the team at Horizon Physical Therapy. Please, if you have anything wrong with your body, this is the place to GO!”

–Marques P.

“Horizon Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center is an awesome facility. Dr. Adams and his staff are phenomenal, such a warm and friendly vibe. My treatment plan resolved a lot of leg issues. I highly recommend this facility for therapy services.”

–Christine H.

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Touching a Raw Nerve RESOLVING THE EXCRUCIATING PAIN OF SCIATICA

Nerves take information from our brains to the rest of our bodies. They are essential to our ability to feel sensations and move. Nerves also control automatic bodily functions like breathing and digestion, so unless we have medical intervention, we literally can’t live without them. But unfortunately, we only tend to think about our nerves when they’re causing us pain. The sciatic nerve is the largest in our bodies, so it’s also the most likely to give us trouble. The sciatic nerve begins at a junction of five nerve roots in our lower spines. It travels down the buttocks, through our legs, and into our feet. It’s crucial for us to walk, run, stand, and pedal. But when it becomes inflamed, pinched, or otherwise irritated, the results can be excruciating.

Typically, sciatica only affects one side of the body at a time and is likely to render the sufferer incapable of regular daily functions. Other symptoms can include numbness, weakness, or tingling sensations at any point along the sciatic nerve’s path, and the pain often worsens when sitting down. The condition most often occurs due to a herniated disc, though spinal misalignment and degeneration can also be to blame. Though the pain usually starts suddenly, it’s rarely the result of one incident and typically develops over time. Lifestyle factors like being overweight or working in a job that requires lots of lifting or sitting are the most common risk factors. But more often than not, the culprit is the natural aging process. Sciatica usually resolves itself, but it can take weeks or even months. A physical therapist can help you get back on your feet faster. Physical

therapy will help improve the symptoms of sciatica through a combination of extension and strengthening exercises, massages, and other treatments. Your PT will also aim to treat the underlying causes of a patient’s sciatica and make it less likely to recur in the future. Though sciatica is always unpleasant, physical therapy can help you take control of your recovery. Why not spend less time suffering? If sciatica is bothering you, we’d love to schedule an appointment for you as soon as possible.

Sciatica is a condition that causes sharp shooting pains in people’s backs, buttocks, legs, or feet.

Have a Laugh

Pumpkin Pie Parfaits

Inspired by Kenarry.com

These parfaits are an easy fall dessert everyone can make!

Ingredients

• • • •

3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix

• • • •

1/4 tsp nutmeg

2 cups cold milk

1/8 tsp ground cloves

15-oz can pumpkin purée

1 cup vanilla sandwich cookies

1/2 tsp cinnamon

8 oz whipped topping

Directions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together pudding mix and milk. Let sit for 5 minutes, then stir in pumpkin purée, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves. 2. In a blender or food processor, crush vanilla sandwich cookies into crumbs. 3. In small jars or glasses, place cookie crumbs on bottom, then pumpkin mixture, then whipped topping. Repeat these layers twice and end with cookie crumbs. 4. Chill until ready to serve!

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3600 Miller Road Flint, MI 48503

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

THIS ISSUE Inside

Dr. Adams’ Halloween Movie Picks

Halloween Safety Tips

Success Stories

Reducing the Agony of Sciatica

Pumpkin Pie Parfaits

Creating a More Sustainable Future

TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENTS TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT Creating a More Sustainable Future

Over the past year or two, many publications have challenged the idea that new technological advancements are helping us create a more sustainable future. Some of the most common examples cited are the disposal of electric vehicle batteries and the production of smartphones. How green are these technologies if they create new hazardous waste streams or increase fossil fuel use to generate electricity? Most of today’s electric vehicles use lithium-ion batteries, which are only recycled 5% of the time, even as automakers are trying to find second lives for their batteries. In a similar vein, smartphones are rarely recycled, and their production can be incredibly harmful to the environment. Some manufacturers, including Apple, have been introducing more environmentally friendly methods to create their devices.

Companies across various industries have become more environmentally conscious. While there are some outliers that reflect negatively on sustainable technological advancements, most organizations are working hard to make a positive difference. Smart technology has allowed us to improve the efficiency of certain products, such as lightbulbs and HVAC systems. We can use this technology on our devices to control lights within our homes, set a thermostat temperature, and more. We can even set timers to control when things are turned on or off. This helps us control our carbon footprint. Through reporting functions, these companies can make adjustments and improvements to devices without ever setting foot in our homes.

When used correctly, technology can play a huge role in procuring a sustainable future for everyone — by increasing productivity and efficiency while also reducing product waste and the use of harmful chemicals. Now that companies are putting a greater focus on sustainable technology, you will begin to see improvements throughout society. It might not be immediate and there may be hiccups along the way, but with continued efforts, we can have a more sustainable future.

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