Altitude Physical Therapy July 2019

CALDWELL 1906 Fairview Ave., Ste. 410 Caldwell, ID 83605 (208) 454-9839 Nampa, ID 83686 (208) 465-9418 THE ASCENT NAMPA - MIDLAND 130 S. Midland Blvd. Nampa, ID 83686 (208) 461-5057 NAMPA - SOUTHSIDE 3151 E. Greenhurst Rd.

JULY 2019

WHERE I GO TO FIND BALANCE HEADING OUTSIDE

I’m dreaming of evenings around a campfire with my family, nights in a tent, and breakfast over a camp stove. Anyone else looking forward to weekends in the mountains? It’s easier said than done. Last summer, we only made it out for one camping trip before it got too cold. This year, I’ve got to get away more than just one time! I’m making outdoor time a priority — you can hold me to it. I love what I get to do every day, so sometimes it’s hard to step away, even for a fun camping weekend. But at the same time, I know I’ll come back to work refreshed, more positive, and with new ideas for how to best treat our patients. Balance is crucial for performing at my best, both in my professional life and personal life. Day in and day out, I’ve found the best prescription for clearing my head and hitting the reset button is being outside. Even if I can’t head out for the whole weekend, a few hours on a walk or run does wonders. I do my best thinking on runs or hikes. It’s no coincidence; there’s a ton of research to back up the health benefits of

even just 15 minutes in nature. Blood pressure goes down, stress hormones take a break, and happiness levels soar. When I think about a connection with nature, the first thing that pops into my head is how our indoor routines at Altitude are crafted with the goal of getting people back to the outdoor activities they love. One of our patients loves to kayak, for example, but back pain was keeping her out of the water. She came to Altitude, and we worked with her to get her back in the boat. In addition to other strengthening exercises, we set her up on a “kayak” that we constructed from equipment on hand and simulated the motions she would experience on the water. (Didn’t I tell you we get pretty creative around here?) It helped her move toward her goal both mentally and physically, and you can bet there were plenty of laughs in the process. A big part of physical therapy is balance. We work with our patients to create treatment plans that strengthen their bodies and help them regain mobility, but we don’t push too hard or too fast.

We always meet people where they’re coming from. We know it can be hard when all you want to do is get back in the kayak or on the bike, and progress might feel slower than you’d hoped. But easing back into an activity and gradually increasing your intensity will help you heal, and hopefully, you’ll have some fun along the way. When I’m bouncing back after an injury, I try to live in the moment and not rush my body’s healing process. (Trust me; I know it isn’t easy.) I offer my patients the same advice: Accept your body where it is, don’t get frustrated with it, and give it time to heal while actively working toward increased movement. This process might be full of baby steps, but finding that balance of slow, steady, and dedicated will help you on the road to recovery. We’ll guide you along the way! Well, I better start planning that camping trip if it’s going to happen! I hope you have an awesome month, and I look forward to seeing you outside.

–Sean Weatherston

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Watch Their World Expand With Every Step HIKING WITH YOUR KIDS

Hiking has many benefits as a family activity, such as mental health improvement, strengthening your relationships, and experiencing new sights and discoveries together. It’s also great exercise, and you get plenty of quality time, fresh air, and sunshine. Here are three guidelines to help you and your kids have fun on your next hike. ENCOURAGE THEIR CURIOSITY One of the best ways to have your children learn about the world is letting them explore it. Being there for your children and encouraging them to ask questions about flowers, bugs, or animals you see on the trail will help them expand their vocabulary and learn how things work. When they learn they can explore independently and ask about the world around them, they’re gaining the confidence to teach themselves. BRING ALONG SOME TOOLS OF DISCOVERY Getting your children to engage in nature while you’re out hiking can be as simple as bringing a magnifying glass along with you. Let your kids look at leaves, rocks, insects, or anything else you might come across on the trail. You can also bring binoculars to help them look at a bird that might

be perched a little too high up. Another option is a bug holder to let your kids catch smaller insects, such as grasshoppers or pill bugs, and give them a close-up look. KEEP SAFETY IN MIND While you’re out on the trail, it’s essential to make sure that both you and your family are safe. Wear breathable, noncotton material and sturdy shoes that don’t expose your toes. It’s important to dress according to the weather. For example, if the day is sunny, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and apply plenty of sunscreen on any exposed skin. Bring your kids’ favorite snacks and water bottles for everyone to stay hydrated. It’s crucial that you also bring a fully stocked first-aid kit in case someone is injured on the hike. Starting with one of your local hiking trails can be a rewarding way to spend the day with your kids. You can watch their excitement as they expand their world with new discoveries.

Our favorite moments as physical therapists are when we see our patients get back to the activities they love without the pain or discomfort they were experiencing before treatment. Seeing patients stick with the healing process and get better inspires us every day! Here is one of the inspiring stories from a patient we’ve been lucky enough to work with. “Altitude Physical Therapy and their team are my one and only choice for my physical therapy needs. I specifically request Sean and Kayla for all of my rehab needs because of the compassion and care they provide. They also provide support and education to help maintain proper health and active lifestyles when I am unable to go into the clinic. “Unfortunately for me, I have had to have physical therapy multiple times for various injuries and surgeries. In Sean’s words, I’m a “frequent flyer” ARE SAYING INSPIRING STORIES WHAT OUR PATIENTS

with Altitude Physical Therapy and proud of it. Sean and his team are my angels in disguise because of their excellent care and education, and, for this reason, I have been able to prevent further injury to my back. I pulled my back while at work, and, remembering what Sean had taught me, I was able to prevent extended injury and time off from work by doing the stretches and exercises I learned at Altitude PT. I thank God that they are part of my extended family. And lastly, Sean, here is your new cheer: GO CHIEFS!!!”

Norma, we loved being there with you on your healing journey. Thank you for being such an awesome patient! You can read more inspiring stories from patients on our website. And if you, your friends, or your family members are experiencing challenges with treasured activities, we are here for you. We offer free workshops, and we’re always happy to do an evaluation to see how we can help. Call us to schedule your appointment and start your journey back to what you love.

–Norma

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1 IN 4 AMERICANS SUFFERS FROM BACK PAIN

WE WANT TO END THAT

• • • • •

Back pain/sciatica

Back pain is unfortunately an all-too-common experience for Americans, a recent study shows. 1 in 4 Americans — 40 million people — suffers from work-related back pain, and researchers estimate that number is likely much higher after taking into account sufferers who haven’t reported. Let’s put a stop to this by strengthening our bodies and healing the cause of back pain. Dr. Sara Luckhaupt, a medical officer at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, advises, “Treating lower back pain often involves several kinds of treatment, including physical therapy.” In addition to physical therapy, Dr. Luckhaupt points out that most back pain can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers and does not require opioids. Physical therapy has an important role to play in the mission to end back pain, as it’s often safer, more effective, and much less costly than medication or surgery. A good place to start if you’re hurting from back pain is to talk to your doctor and find out your options. They can help get to the root cause and TAKE A BREAK

direct you toward treatments like physical therapy. If you think your back pain is related to work, talk to your employer to see how they can make your workplace healthier and safer. Suffering from back pain? We’ll come to you! If you would like us to present a PT workshop to the people you work with or serve, we’re ready. We’re seeking community partners who’d like us to come to their location. We can present on a variety of physical therapy topics to address what ails or limits you and/or your group, including:

Knee pain

Shoulder/rotator cuff pain Balance and/or fall issues

Neck pain

Give us a call or email us to coordinate a FREE workshop at your workplace, church, or community center. Help us spread the word! Tell your friends and family members about this opportunity. We want to share our knowledge about pain relief, so we can all live happier, healthier, more mobile lives.

WATERMELON CUCUMBER SKEWERS

Skewers are a Fourth of July favorite, but these are not your classic kebabs. They’re a fresh, light, and fun way to start a barbecue. Oh, and they don’t require any actual cooking.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

• • • • •

1 medium-sized watermelon, cubed 2 cucumbers, cut into 1/4-inch rounds

1. Assemble skewers by placing one watermelon cube, one cucumber round, one feta cube, and one mint leaf on skewer in that order. Repeat until skewer is full. 2. Lightly season with salt and chill in fridge until right before serving.

1 block feta cheese, cubed 1 bunch fresh mint leaves

Salt, to taste

EQUIPMENT

1 packet of bamboo skewers

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Inspired by CookingLight.com

(208) 454-9839

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1906 Fairview Ave., Ste. 410 Caldwell, ID 83605

(208) 454-9839 www.altitudept.com

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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The Value of Time Outside Hiking With Your Kids What Our Patients Are Saying Back Pain: An All-Too-Common Experience Watermelon Cucumber Skewers 3 Camp Stoves for Your Next Adventure

COOKING & CAMPING 3 STOVES FOR YOUR NEXT OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

BIOLITE WOOD BURNING CAMPSTOVE One of the most innovative designs on the market, this strange little stove is sure to become a favorite of backwoods adventurers and car campers alike. Leave the propane tanks at home: BioLite burns twigs and sticks you can find right around your campsite, saving you weight and money. But the special feature of this stove is it can charge electronic devices. Using patented thermoelectric technology, the BioLite converts heat from the fire into electricity, allowing anything with a USB charger to top off its battery. As electronic devices become more and more common during camping trips, the added utility of this camp stove may soon prove invaluable.

Whether you’re daytripping, car camping, or outright backpacking, nothing makes the wilderness feel more like home than a hot meal. Many summer fire bans put a damper on classic campfire s’mores, but a quality propane stove will let you cook up some good grub in the great outdoors. Here are some of the best units to up your camp-cooking game. CAMP CHEF EVEREST This is the ultimate two burner experience. Reasonably portable for its size, this dual stovetop features best-in-class wind resistance and incredibly fast boil times. With a range that can accommodate large cook pots and finely tuned controls that make simmering a snap, you can make some incredible meals from just about

anywhere. For those wishing they could just bring their actual stove along on the journey, the Camp Chef has you covered. MSR POCKET ROCKET DELUXE For the hunters and backpackers looking to minimize weight without sacrificing their morning coffee, the latest Pocket Rocket brings the heat. MSR has managed to stack many convenient features onto this burner, and it still comes in under 3 ounces. Sure, there are lighter kits out there, but the Deluxe comes with a built-in pressure regulator for high altitudes, decent wind resistance, a push-button igniter, and excellent simmer control. Its fast boil times mean you can have multiple cups of joe prepped in under four minutes, no matter how remote your campsite.

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